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GOT AUSTIN: Our Favorite Iconic Dishes

Barbecue with text overlay,

Austin is officially a nationally recognized foodie town. We have many can’t miss dishes that everyone talks about and trust us, each one is worth a visit on their own.

Casino El Camino logo
Margarita
Biscuits and butter
Chips and Bob Armstrong dip

The Amarillo Burger at Casino El Camino:  Not for the faint of heart, this 3/4 pound burger features roasted serrano peppers, cilantro mayo and jalapeño jack cheese.

Avocado Margarita at Curra’s:  While it sounds strange, this refreshing drink has been described as one part milkshake, one part guacamole and one part tequila goodness.

Biscuits at Olamaie:  Golden, crispy, buttery perfection. Everyone knows to order the already-famous off-menu biscuits at Olamaie, which come with honey butter.

Bob Armstrong Dip at Matt’s El Rancho:  Named after local politician, Bob Armstrong, this dip is a delicious combo of queso, guacamole, and taco meat, all served with warm chips.

Franklin's BBQ dish
Food from Fonda San Miguel
South Congress Cafe sign on door
Counter Cafe logo

Brisket at Franklin Barbecue:  You better get up early if you want some of this delicious brisket. The line starts forming at 10am for this tender meat and when it runs out, they’re closed until the next day.

Brunch at Fonda San Miguel:  Classically prepared, regional Mexican dishes fill this extravagant brunch. Options range from meat dishes cooked in molés to bowls of salads with zesty seasonings. 

Carrot Cake French Toast at South Congress Cafe:  An Austin twist to the classic breakfast item, made with carrot cake, cinnamon vanilla egg batter, and cream cheese-pecan syrup.

Cheeseburger at Counter Cafe:  Consistently named to “Best Burger” lists, the Counter Cafe standard cheeseburger is made from all natural, organic, and locally-sourced ingredients.

Julio's Cafe awning
Mex breakfast
Enchilada bowl
Quality Seafood sign

Chicken Chalupas at Julio’s Cafe:  Amazing rotisserie chicken on freshly fried flour tortillas, topped with avocado and cheese. Remember your cash, though, no credit cards accepted at Julio’s.

Don Juan at Juan in a Million:  In a town full of breakfast tacos, this one tops the list. El Taco Grande is a secret combination of potato, egg, bacon and cheese in a deliciously hot tortilla.

Enchiladas at the Dart Bowl:  Delicious classic truck stop enchiladas with bowling on the side. Doesn’t get much better than that.

Fish Tacos at Quality Seafood:  Perfectly prepared fish tacos are cooked to order, either blackened, grilled, or fried, and are served with a wonderful mango pico de gallo.

Kerbey Lane Cafe
Spices and herbs in a jar
Magnolia Cafe sign
Ice cream cone

Gingerbread Pancakes at Kerbey Lane:  Enough to warm a soul on even the coldest of mornings, these plate-sized pancakes are an Austin tradition.

Jar Jar Duck at Uchiko:  There are a number of dishes to chose either from but the Jar Jar Duck is a great representative of the restaurants’ innovation with confit duck leg, pickled fruits, and requisite smoke.

Martian Landscape at The Magnolia Cafe:  The perfect end to a night on the town, this dish is a pile of grilled potatoes, melted jack and cheddar cheeses, jalapeño and green onion.

Mexican Vanilla at Amy’s Ice Cream:  Made with a vanilla bean from Madagascar crossbred with an orchid flower from Mexico, this vanilla ice cream has a distinct flavor and keeps folks lined up around the block.

Migas
Chocolate malt
Onion rings and fries
Second Bar and Kitchen logo

Migas at Cisco’s:  An Austin institution made from a recipe that hasn’t changed since the 1950’s: eggs, cheese, vegetables and tortillas served with black beans.

Milkshake at Nau’s Pharmacy:  A true step back in time, an old fashioned milkshake- chocolate, strawberry or vanilla, made with natural ice cream and a ladle full of cream.

Onion Rings at Hut’s:  The bar by which other onion rings are judged. The large, freshly sliced onions are coated in a peppery batter before being fried crisp.

Spicy Fried Pickles at Second Bar + Kitchen:  In the south, we like to fry everything, and these pickles add a little spicy kick to the tradition.

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