re: Work is sending me to Austin for 3 days, what shoukd I eat?

Damn there is a lot of fail in this thread.

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Jasper's is great
El arroyo
Huts hamburgers
Gueros taco hut
Hula hut on the lake

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All of these are fairly overrated, though still not bad.
Torchy's Tacos. It's one of my favorite places. It's more like food truck type food, but it is awesome. If you go, you have to get their Queso.

Don't go to Guero's. The only special thing about that place is the patio with live music. Their food is sub-par compared to other austin places.

J Mueller BBQ This is one of the best bbq places in town and you usually don't have to wait too long to get your food. It's a food truck, but it is awesome. If you like Brisket, go here. Don't waste 2 hours in line at Franklin BBQ. Don't get me wrong, their BBQ is legit but it is not worth the wait. Plus they ALWAYS run out of food. It's really annoying. Salt Lick is OK, but also overrated and is a long drive outside of town.

Gourdough's - Gourmet donuts. I haven't been here but I've only heard good things.

Hopdoddy - Burger Bar. This place has some of the best burgers I have ever had. They grind their beef on-site and you can order your burgers medium. It also has a good beer selection, but is a little pricey ($6 for a beer).

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Stubbs BBQ is pretty damn good

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WTF? This place is not known for good food but is more known for being a great music venue. I've had their bbq and it is some of the worst I've had in Austin. I got a big plate and tried everything.

Uchiko or Uchi - Sushi and Small Plates. This place is really pricey, but very good. Don't bother with the Sushi, it is pretty mediocre. Their small plates however are amazing. Get 2 orders of the brussell sprouts (you'll thank me later).

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East Side King is damn good food truck food. Paul Qui (top chef) is the owner.

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I agree.

There are tons of awesome Tex-Mex and Mex places, which include:
Curras
Trudy's
Chuy's
Polvos

There are also some decent pizza places which include:
Home Slice (famous)
House Pizzeria
East Side Pies
Little Deli and Pizzeria (awesome sandwiches too)

Hit up Rainey St if you have time. There is a good Indian Food truck called G'raj Mahaul. There's also a new place, Bangers, that has custom made sausages and a ton of beer on tap.

There are some good Asian places, but my favorite is Madam Mam's (Thai).

FYI to all who are saying JMuellers, or Muellers erroneously ... it shut down.

It's now run by his sister, they had some sort of falling out. But what would BBQ establishments in Texas be, if there weren't family issues?

Good places:
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Banger's on Rainey st.

Michi Ramen: They just went from trailer to brick and mortar.

Habaneros on Oltorf. I get Huevos Gringos every Thursday morning. This place is cheap and good.

Juan in a Million: Juan Meza truly has the best handshake I've ever had. He usually stands near the register, give him a hello handshake, or one on the way out. Oh and get a Don Juan...just one.

Jack Allens: Brunch is pretty darn good, as is lunch/dinner. Locally sourced. I worked with Jack Gilmore at Z'Tejas when I was young, he was burntout as a chef then, and he has totally renewed himself via locavore food.

Franklin: It's damn good, not as good as other joints, but the best in a metro area. I don't like waiting, so I go in at about 1:30 to 2ish when they are about to run out. Otherwise, if you want to go, get there at 9:45, and bring some refreshments.

Hillside Farmacy: Good locavore food, and good wine/beer.

Only for the Migas: Go to Trudy's, they still have the best Migas in the city.

Elizabeth St Cafe: There is better Vietnamese in town, but this stuff is good, and has a great patio, and french pastries, etc.



Bars:
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Bar Congress: Really good drinks, and small plate food, too.

Trifecta: All the bourbons in the world.

Midnight Cowboy: Go their website and make a reservation. Get the Joe Buck cocktail, it's like a Moscow Mule.

Draught House: It's just a nice little beer joint. Half biergarten-ish, and inside is more like an english pub.

Weather Up: Good drinks, nice atmosphere




Don't fall in the trap:
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Quality Seafood: Austinites don't know seafood, this stuff is horrible.

Gueros, Stubbs, Magnolia Cafe, Kerbey Lane,

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Austin is known for restaurants.
Jasper's is great
El arroyo
Huts hamburgers
Gueros taco hut
Hula hut on the lake

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Oye vay, all of those are horrible. Clay McPhail just sold off El Arroyo to the Cain and Ables guys...the Winstanley borthers, and they suck at food too.

Hut's sucks these days, Hopdoddy is a better burger.

Gueros is a tourist trap.

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Lead off with a picadillo

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A dozen picadillo's and a large salsa, and a plastic spoon = the most popular man in your office.