What can't I miss in south Austin?
April 29, 2010 10:58 AM   Subscribe

Calling south Austin, TX lovers. What can't I miss in the month I have left in the neighborhood?

I've been living in south Austin for a while, but will be moving further north for work in June. I know Austin isn't that big and I can always drive down, but I want to use this last month of proximity to really explore south Austin and the surrounding area (basically anything south of the river).

I've taken hearty advantage of Zilker and the green belt trails, and have taken in some of the unique shops and food stands on South Lamar and Congress (but if you have a favorite spot, please mention it). I'm also planning on heading down to the botanical gardens and over to the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve soon. What else should I not miss?
posted by lychee to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (23 answers total) 8 users marked this as a favorite
 
Cathedral of Junk!

Kayaking on Town Lake is fun too

And I assume you've seen the South Congress bats?
posted by goateebird at 11:07 AM on April 29, 2010


You mentioned the best thing already, Barton Creek (imho)

If you can go out to Fredricksburg or Marble Falls and pick some peaches. The first of June is right on the edge of the season though, so you might not get the chance.

Get to the top of Enchanted Rock, too.
posted by Some1 at 11:26 AM on April 29, 2010


Thai Fresh on Mary. Out of the way and completely unlike anything else I've found. Great, super-fresh, super-flavorful food.
posted by restless_nomad at 11:27 AM on April 29, 2010 [3 favorites]


Go for a swim at Gus Fruh. (If you see a bearded, heavy-set fella with a blond toddler, say hi.)

Try out Sazon. They make some good stuff. If you need a margarita, theirs use fresh lime. The simple syrup makes it taste like S%S, so ask for it to be made w/o simple syrup.) Foodwise: I like the Puerco en Chile Cazcabel and my wife likes the Mole. The empanadas de huitlacoche are great, but ask for them to serve it with the avocado sauce along with the traditional red sauce.

Definitely try Thai Fresh.

The fried pickles at The Black Sheep Lodge are pretty good with beer. I suggest the curry ketchup.

Gor-doughs donut trailer. Habanero jelly filled.

Hit the Highball for a mixed drink. They have some interesting ones. Aghain, ask them to go easy on the simple syrup. (Or maybe that's just me, but when a chunky fella like me thinks it's too sweet . . .)

The Gibson's been getting some good local buzz. I haven't been.
posted by Seamus at 11:42 AM on April 29, 2010


By S%S, I meant Sweet and Sour.
posted by Seamus at 11:42 AM on April 29, 2010


When it's really hot go sit in front of Airman's Cave.

I love that link. "An Early History". From 1971. Of a naturally formed cave.
Anyway, cold air blows out of the cave. After a nice sweaty hike, it's fun to sit in front of it an let a cold breeze blow across you. It can be a little spooky when the sun sets. Cold breeze, cool chill up your spine, dark black hole behind you. FUn.
posted by Seamus at 11:48 AM on April 29, 2010


Ever been to the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. Take a few hours and wander around. Besides being relaxing, it's an excellent resource on native plants for landscaping. The back trails have plots that are burned at different intervals and studied. Out back they also have a test plot for rooftop plants. Climb the tower for a neat view of the hill country.
posted by Seamus at 11:52 AM on April 29, 2010


Have you ever gone for a ride on the Zilker Zephyr?
People will look at you weird if you don't go with either a kid or a group of people. i guess it makes ya look pervy.
posted by Seamus at 11:57 AM on April 29, 2010


Little Thailand in Garfield.
I hope Surin has been keeping it open since Dick passed. I haven't had a chance to go in a while. Hanging out in the bar was always fun.
posted by Seamus at 12:01 PM on April 29, 2010


Want to wander in some new places in the woods?
Slaughter Creek Metropolitan Park borders Circle C and has some Frisbee Golfers who frequent the place, but I like the land. Have seen some foxes, coyotes and deer.
McKinney Falls is also a nice, close place to visit.

Food:
I like the birria at Borego de Oro.
posted by Seamus at 12:05 PM on April 29, 2010


Peter Pan Mini-Golf on Barton Springs is BYOB, if you like drinking and putt-putt.
Some of my friends love it.


Geez, South Austinites, I hate this town and I'm doing most of the suggesting.
posted by Seamus at 12:20 PM on April 29, 2010 [1 favorite]


Hippy Church at Maria's Taco Xpress on Sunday mornings. I don't really like the new location or being around all of those hippies or the music, but it is sort of an institution. I love their chimichurri.
posted by Seamus at 12:21 PM on April 29, 2010


Food wise:
Torchy's Tacos on South First.
Hill's Cafe on South Congress.
Vic's Barbeque on Burleson.

Monday nights -- Saxon Pub to see Bob Schneider's 8 pm show. It's a South Austin staple. But you have to get there VERY early, 5 pm, to get one of the FEW tables that aren't reserved or you'll be standing all night.

Agree on the Highball. My favorite hangout next to the Drafthouse. I never want to think about the amount of money I've spent at the Alamo in the 12 years I've lived in Austin. It may cause me a coronary.

If you visit the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, you gotta go to Salt Lick. Now's the perfect time to make an afternoon of it. Sitting outside the SL enjoying the lovely weather while waiting for a table.

Broken Spoke. Are you man enough to eat the full serving of Chicken Fried Steak? You need to protein before you start two-stepping.

We should be hitting the 80's this week and next that a dip in Deep Eddy would be a nice treat.

Looking at downtown Austin from my office window in South Austin, what I wouldn't give right now to be sitting on a blanket in Zilker Park just enjoying this gorgeous weather.
posted by freakinloon at 1:26 PM on April 29, 2010 [1 favorite]


Polvo's
Sugar Mama's Bakeshop
Little Stacy park
posted by mattbucher at 1:45 PM on April 29, 2010


Polvo's
Torchy's
Freddie's
That Place Right Next to Freddie's

Blazertag!
get stoned and walk around Cabela's (forreal, it's like Republican REI)
Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar
Black Sheep Lounge (shuffle board!)
G&S Lounge (air hockey!)
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 2:13 PM on April 29, 2010 [1 favorite]


Habanero's on Oltorf just west of the SoCo HEB.

Being shit on by grackles while attempting to grab a beer along barton springs just after sunset. (I call this THE BIRDENING, it is to be feared and planed around like rush hour traffic in other cities.)

The Whip In, on the southbound 35 access road just before Oltorf. This is my perfect picture of a casual bar. Dark, cosy, HUGE tap list, even bigger bottle selection. Tasty homemade indian food. I think the food prices are a bit high for the smaller portions (esp. the sandwiches), but that just leaves more room for beer. Go get the Queso with cilantro chutney and whatever new 512 tap they have.
posted by fontophilic at 2:13 PM on April 29, 2010 [2 favorites]


I have had a great lunch at the Counter Cafe which is just up the street from Waterloo Records.
posted by caddis at 2:41 PM on April 29, 2010


and I see they still have the quail on the menu. That was very good.
posted by caddis at 2:43 PM on April 29, 2010


Dude. Polvo's.
posted by kaseijin at 4:37 PM on April 29, 2010 [1 favorite]


Jo's Coffee shop on S Congress @ Sunday brunch, fun music, nice crowd. Jo's anytime, really, but Sunday brunch is fun.

Bouldin Creek coffee shop. Good food (vegetarian fare), eclectic (that's eclectic, spelled S-O-U-T-H A-U-S-T-I-N) bunch of regulars; keep an eye out for Ben, pretty much the established good guy there, everyones adviser/counselor/whatever on matters of the heart and pretty much everything else, too.

Casa de Luz restaurant. The best vegetarian restaurant I've ever eaten in, a real sweet vibe to it, too; you can show up alone and pretty join any table that has people seated that look interesting to you, or you can show up with a book and read as you eat.

Wednesday nights at the Continental Club -- Jon Dee Grahem followed by James McMurtry, quite a show, weekly.

Magnolia Cafe S Congress any old time of day or night.

That little pink house on Bouldin, just south of Barton Springs road; it's an AA club that has what they call "open" meetings @ 5:30 every night of the year, with "open meeting" pretty much meaning anyone with an interest can walk in and sit down and see what a funky South Austin AA meeting is like, it's a real slice of life, esp first time you go -- whoa!
posted by dancestoblue at 4:42 PM on April 29, 2010


i'm also leaving south austin in a month and have my own to-do list. just got back from shady grove w/ ray wylie hubbard and as always, a good scene...don't miss a great free show there on thursday night. hit up continental, broken spoke, ruta maya. eat @ uchi, get the friday lunch special (country style pork ribs) at artz rib house, breakfast tacos at la guera or chorizo @ maria's, pizza @ giovanni's, al pastor @ al pastor the truck, and hang with the hipsters @ odd duck&trailer. catch a film at alamo south, have someone buy you drinks at the highball, swim @ campbells or any old hole on the greenbelt, climb @ seismic wall, take a kayak out on town lake, watch the bats (they are starting to get stinky under the congress bridge), take the mini train @ zilker, hang with leslie @ bouldin creek. someone recommended a trip to airman's....worth it only if you can find the aggie art gallery. 2nding peter pan mini golf...don't forget to bring your case of lone star.
posted by ch3ch2oh at 8:58 PM on April 29, 2010


Patika on 2nd and congress for a latte or mocha. Only on weekdays. Best in town - hell, best I have had anywhere.
posted by jopreacher at 6:42 PM on April 30, 2010


Museum of Popular Culture on S. Lamar (attached to Planet K). The outside part is intriguing enough, but it's the brilliant exhibits on the inside that are worth making that dash of a turn into the overly-steep parking lot.
posted by batmonkey at 8:15 AM on May 4, 2010


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