Crown and Anchor Pub
Neighborhood: University of Texas

2911 San Jacinto Blvd
Austin, TX 78705

Colby B. writes: I first started tinkering with Cholula and ketchup mixing at Crown and Anchor. I give 5 stars for starting that love affair that has lasted a lifetime. Damn. Their fries are perfect for it. I wonder if their kitchen is still open? I wonder what I…

Cactus Cafe and Bar
Neighborhood: University of Texas

2247 Guadalupe
Austin, TX 78713

Mary Kay S. writes: I just want to let Chewy know that we were discussing Marx and Engels on Cactus Cafe's ratty couches as late as 1986. And I didn't have testicles then either.

And must also express surprise that the Cactus charges covers now!  Though I guess I'm an…

Nu Age Cafe
Neighborhood: Tarryton/Exposition Blvd.

2425 Exposition Blvd
Tarrytown Center
Austin, TX 78703

Sarah M. writes: Nu Age possesses that hard-to-achieve combination of exemplary cuisine and an affordable menu. My $8 Garden Stir Fry was generous in size and jam-packed with flavor. My friend was happy with her $10 julienne mushroom dish - sweet sesame, steamed…

The Mean Eyed Cat

1621 West 5th Street
Austin, TX 78703

Kevin N. writes: I'm like a slathering, Pavlovian idiot when it comes to The Mean Eyed Cat.   Like the Johnny Cash bar-Chainsaw bar personality-overload mashup you never knew you always needed, this is the place I frequent when I'd like my cold ones with a jukebox…

Deep Eddy Cabaret

2315 Lake Austin Blvd
Austin, TX 78703

Colby B. writes: I took a friend here for the first time. I told him it was cash only. He comes out of the convenience store with a fistful of ones.

"It's not that kind of cabaret, tough guy."

Austin Land & Cattle Company
Neighborhood: Downtown

1205 N Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78703

Robin S. writes: I don't eat beef, period.

Except at Austin Land and Cattle once or twice a year.

Their filet? Is *that* good. I took my brother when he was in town last year for ACL and he said, I quote " I think this is the best steak I've ever had." My brother,…

Pure Austin Gym
Neighborhood: Downtown

907 W 5th St
Austin, TX 78703

Jaye J. writes: After much lusting, longing and investigating, I finally joined Pure. I used to be a member of 24 Hour Fitness on Wm. Cannon, and while it's a great gym, the location sucked for me. Pure is across the street from my office and 3 miles from my house.…

Austin Java
Neighborhood: Downtown

1206 Parkway
Austin, TX 78703

Justin B. writes: There are two places in town I'll never take a date to, and this is one.

Do you have places that are jinxes to you?

Once, I broke up with a girl here.

I just remember saying "OK, OK, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for this, and I'm sorry for that. I keep saying…

Rounders Pizzeria

1203 W 6th St
Austin, TX 78703

Lisa A. writes: This place is worth remembering if you're near downtown and looking for pizza.

1. It's managed to stay in one of those no-one-can-keep-a-success ful-restaurant-in-this-lo cation locations for several years now.

2. Their white pie with spinach, goat…

Donn's Depot

1600 W 5th St
Austin, TX 78703

Lisa A. writes: Get there before 9:00 p.m. (so to skip the cover) and do not leave until:

1. You have had more than several drinks at the bar.
2. You have noshed on some free popcorn or bar-snack-mix.
3. You have swung from the stripper pole in the girls bathroom.
4.…

Z Tejas Grill Sixth St
Neighborhood: Clarksville

1110 W 6th St
Austin, TX 78703

Farrah A. writes: I can't believe I lived in Austin for some three years and failed to experience this place.

After a nostalgic run at Towne Lake--um, I mean Lady Bird Lake--I wanted a somewhat healthy brunch, so Melody L recommended Z'Tejas. First thought of seeing…

Feathers Boutique
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1700 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78703

jessica r. writes: I try to stay away from this place as much as possible and it's not because of the incense wafting in from Mi Casa next door.  I have to practice entirely way too much self-restraint in Feathers.  Their vintage offerings are the cream of the crop,…

Iron Works Barbecue
Neighborhood: Downtown

100 Red River St
Austin, TX 78701

Steve B. writes: If they bring it to your table, in my book it's not barbecue.

I want to go up to a small window, order from a guy with a smoke-stained apron who reaches back, opens a lid on what looks like a cross between a small locomotive and an aging oil furnace…

Beerland
Neighborhood: Downtown

711 Red River St
Austin, TX 78701

Austin M. writes: Beerland is my favorite club downtown. I've been going there since the first year that they opened, and now they've been around for 6 years. They have cheap drinks, and the staff has always been really cool with me. They pay bands 100% of the door…

Stubb's Bar-B-Q
Neighborhood: Downtown

801 Red River St
Austin, TX 78701

ruggy j. writes: This place is legendary and I was hell-bent on visiting Stubbs before I left Texas. I was bummed that I couldn't check out a show here, but I'll be back soon, so hopefully I can sync up the schedule to catch a live act on the outdoor stage.

The thing…

Gumbo's
Neighborhood: Downtown

710 Colorado St
Austin, TX 78701

Foolio I. writes: If I lived in the Brown Building, I'd probably weigh over 500 lbs and have the physique of a manhole cover.  Why?  Bad sleeping habits?  Nope.  Thyroid problem?  Negative.  Tapeworms?  Nyet.  It's because Gumbo's Louisiane Style Cafe takes up…

Trulucks Seafood
Neighborhood: Downtown

400 Colorado St
Austin, TX 78701

Andrew G. writes: I do so enjoy fine dining. I especially enjoy fine dining when it involves fine seafood and red meat products combined together. This wasn't always the case. Before I decided that I was going to add seafood to the culinary schedule, I had a rule that…

Finn & Porter
Neighborhood: Downtown

500 E 4th St
Austin, TX 78701

Phyllis K. writes: Everything a hotel bar should be!  Great drink and OK beer selection, warm nuts mix, comfy chairs, lots of wood walls and furnishings, and service people in drab ugly uniforms that are only topped by the horrible color scheme (burgundy and avocado?).…

Cedar Street Courtyard
Neighborhood: Downtown

208 W 4th St
Austin, TX 78701

Camron R. writes: So this girl messages me on Myspace.  Says she found me randomly and asks if I've heard of anything else from Miranda July except for "You, Me and Everyone We Know."  

I'm pretty skeptical of girls who randomly message me on Myspace.  For one, I…

J & J Barbeque

300 W Whitestone Blvd
Cedar Park, TX 78613

Manny A. writes: J&J Barbeque -- hmm how to rate ??
For barbque I thought it was good but not exceptional.
The deal is it's not just a barbeque place.
Mexican food --- ta da -- dang good --- really dang good.
I know it's your first trip in, and you slipped into the…

Cafe Mangu
Neighborhood: Pflugerville

15200 FM 1825
Pflugerville, TX 78660

p d. writes: Cafe Mangu only loses a star for ambiance, it feels like the decor is alllmossst there, oh and the fact that it's in Pfreaking Pflugerville.  
Other than that, the restaurant is very clean, the service is ridiculously friendly, professional, and…

Lone Star Bakery

106 W Liberty St
Round Rock, TX 78664

Clark H. writes: So you love chocolate? Get over it. Go Au Naturel and try a simple, glazed 'O' from Round Rock Donuts (I mean Lonestar Bakery). Let's don't over-complicate this. Remember what your honey looked like when she (or he) was 20 yrs old and nekkid? You…

Rudy's Country Store & Bar-B-Q

2400 N I H 35
Round Rock, TX 78681

Michelle D. writes: Best meal I've ever eaten at a gas station.
I got the extra juicy, fatty brisket. I thought I was completely brisket-ed out, and was planning to order something else, but the super-smiley dude at the counter gave us the "rookie" treatment and allowed…

Gumbo's Louisiana Style Cafe

901 Round Rock Ave. Bldg D
Round Rock, TX 78681

Danielle G. writes: Day-um.  I have to rave about this place since we happened onto it quite accidentally.  One month into our Austin Residency and our FAVORITE place there shuts down.  WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT?  Anyway, it was called Jazz and it was on 6th Street.  New…

Malaga Wine & Tapas Bar
Neighborhood: Downtown

208 W 4th St
Austin, TX 78701

Liz W. writes: People complain this place is overpriced, but where else can you get a meal of this quality for this price?  You can't.  Honestly, I think their food is much better than Trulucks, for a fraction of the price, even if you get several appetizers and…

Mekong River Restaurant
Neighborhood: Downtown

215 E 6th St
Austin, TX 78701

Susie G. writes: A cryptic phone call.

( ring ring)
Hello is this Mekong River? Are you guys open for lunch?

You want to eaaat?

Umm..yeah, if thats ok?

You coming to eaaat?

Yes. Are you open?

We will stay open for you.

A strange beginning.

The sticker on the door telling my…

Oilcan Harry's
Neighborhood: Downtown

211 W 4th St
Austin, TX 78701

Gretchen P. writes: I am so clever sometimes. Having been to Austin several times before, I appointed myself the ringleader of my five or so male coworkers also in town at a conference with me last week. We started casually enough at the Belmont, then danced to 80s…

Starlite
Neighborhood: Downtown

407 Colorado St
Austin, TX 78701

Rick G. writes: I've eaten here several times over the last year.  The very first time I went there I was disappointed, but I think I just ordered the wrong thing.  The last time, I ordered a vegetarian plate (even though I'm a zealous carnivore) and it was…

Roy's Restaurant
Neighborhood: Downtown

340 E 2nd St
Austin, TX 78701

Dennis C. writes: First, those not familiar with Roy's should know that this is Hawaiian fusion, NOT pure Hawaiian cuisine.  It's an important distinction because you won't find typical Hawaiian fare like kalua pig, lau lau, or poi.  Don't go expecting two scoops of…

The Hideout
Neighborhood: Downtown

617 Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701

Kristy R. writes: My out-of-towner perspective this morning was, Ok, I can risk it and try The Hideout or go with the safe but mediocre starbucks option.  And believe me, this is a very valid dilemma because I've had a lot of bad coffee at decent "looking"…

Club De Ville
Neighborhood: Downtown

900 Red River St
Austin, TX 78701

ruggy j. writes: Definitely a cool spot. Met my boy, and your lovely Mayor of Yelpland, Kevin for a drinky drink. I really, really dig outdoor bars...and Austin ain't lacking in that department. This place, in particular, has a great layout. Plenty of room to roam…

Downtown Jo's Coffee Shop
Neighborhood: Downtown

242 W. 2nd St
Austin, TX 78701

Michelle C. writes: Best grilled cheese on the planet!!!

Good fries - a little less crispy than I would've preferred, but the basil aioli that came with them for dipping elevated them to maximum deliciousness (this same aioli is also on the grilled cheese sandwich, BTW.…

Red Eyed Fly
Neighborhood: Downtown

715 Red River St
Austin, TX 78701

Matthew H. writes: For some reason, whenever I hear or see the name of this place I immediatly connect it to Spanish fly, the would-be-aphrodisiac-that -is-in-truth-probably-roo fies-or-poison. And then I think of some hillbilly guy cackling, "You gonna get raped!"…

Mi Madre's
Neighborhood: Cherrywood

2201 Manor Rd
Austin, TX 78722

Quani C. writes: Judging from my most recent reviews, I've been a bit of a negative nancy the past couple weeks.  Time to break that trend.

I've been to Mi Madre's twice now, first with a group of hungover girls, gathering to discuss the events of the previous night.…

El Chile Cafe Y Cantina

1809 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722

Douglas S. writes: I moved from Denver to Santa Fe to Austin with this big huge company I used to work for.  They try to keep the world on time..

I arrive to work on my first day not knowing a sole in Austin.  I'm being introduced, introducing, introduced to... Hi,…

Ski Shores Waterfront Cafe

2905 Pearce Rd
Austin, TX 78730

Allison P. writes: No shoes. No shirt. No problem.

I am seriously considering buying a boat just to go to Ski Shores, because it is pretty hard to get there by land. But even so, it's completely worth the trip. A great spot for a lazy Saturday afternoon. The grub isn't…

Boomerang's Gourmet Veggie and Meat Pies
Neighborhood: University of Texas

3110 Guadalupe St
Austin, TX 78705

Michelle C. writes: After hearing about Boomerang's from several sources, I finally made it by here to check out their much-touted meat pies.  I had half a chicken & mushroom, half a steak & mushroom, and half a Thai chicken.  The steak & mushroom - which was…

Momoko
Neighborhood: University of Texas

705 W 24th St
Austin, TX 78705

henry w. writes: Best pearl milk tea in town. They are a bit pricey but thats b/c they make every drink to order. BTW the "no ice means same amount of tea" sign is due solely to a friend of mine that kept on ordering w/o ice to get more tea.. haha. So basically the…

Leslie the Transvestite

At most bus stops downtown
and on 6th every single weekend
Austin, TX 78704

Liz W. writes: Leslie is pretty cool.

Once, he helped me out with a few clues from the Friday New York Times crossword puzzle.

Once, he asked for a drag from my cigar and kind of fish-lipped it.

Once, he smoked something else with some of my friends.

Once, he looked at…