Full barbecues, Mexican influences and contemporary innovations mix at the tables of Austin and result in a gastronomic scenario among the most interesting in the United States. So it’s a taste of Gastronomy in the capital of Texas as vibrant as the colorful murals and the center’s music shows.
The southern tradition is represented by Texas Barbecue type of slow cooking barbecue, with cuts that pass through the pits (smoker) and spend hours at low temperatures. Brisket, ribs and sausage are among the emblematic items.
You tacos are also a local symbol and reflect the Tex-MEx culture in the capital. One of the most popular versions is Breakfast Taco, which combines corn tortillas with scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese, potatoes and other ingredients served in the morning.
The tacos can be found in every corner, but they are highlighted in Food Trucks which are a fever in Austin. Authorities estimate that there are more than two thousand of them in the city, which offer unpretentious dishes at friendly prices.
In addition to Mexican food, Italian, Asian, Vegetarian kitchens and one more variety are embraced by sellers. It even has Brazilian in the area: the Boteco which is near the Zilker Park, is a food truck with mining roots that serves drumsticks, feijoada and fried cassava.
Austin in the sights of the awards
In addition to annual events, such as South by Southwest (SXSW), the city is on the radar of important hospitality awards. The most recent example is the Michelin Guide, which arrived in Texas in 2024 and distributed a star to 15 restaurants in the state. Seven went to Austin establishments.
They are: Barley Swine (contemporary); Craft omakase (Japanese); Heia (American); INTERSTELLAR BBQ (barbecue); La Barbecue (barbecue); Leroy and Lewis (barbecue); and Olamaie (American).
Already the Bib Gourmand category which indicates good kitchens at a good value for money, has awarded 14 restaurants in the city, including the Franklin Barbecue considered as a temple of the texan barbecue. Another address is the NIXTA TAQUERIA specializing in tacos, made with homemade tortillas with corn from Mexico.
Taqueria’s chef has even been a name in evidence. Edgar Rico won the award Young chef of the Michelin Texas 2024 guide and earned the title of Emerging chef of James Beard Awards In 2022, the most important gastronomy award in the United States.
Speaking of James Beard, the latest mention of another Austin professional was also in 2022. At the time, the chef Iliana de la vega was elected to Best Chef of Texas . She commands the El Naranjo which serves traditional Mexican food. The tortillas carry corn imported from Mexico, which is nichtamalized and ground every day in the house.
For this year, seven Austin names compete in different categories of James Beard Awards. THE Lao’d Bar American-Laosian restaurant, competes as a new best restaurant; Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph, from Cann Modern Caribbean Restaurant, is in the category of best chef; Arjav Ezekiel, from Birdie’s a Wine Bar, competes as a beverage professional; and the Mezcaleria Techo & Agave Bar focused on Agave distillates, is among the best bars.
In the dispute between the best chefs of Texas, three names appear: Takéhiro Asazu and Masazumi Saio from Japanese Uroko and Evan Leroy, from Leroy and Lewis Barbecue .
Suggestions on where to eat in Austin
Franklin Barbecue
The huge lines denounce that Franklin Barbecue serves one of the best barbecues in the United States. Small and simple, it’s like a temple for meat lovers and is part of the Michelin Guide Bible and 50 Best Discovery selection. Pork ribs, turkey and sausages are guaranteed, but the main one is the brisket, sliced on the spot. To accompany, cabbage salad, potato salad and beans are among the requests. The restaurant opens at 11am and works until the stock is over, lasting at most until 15h. Does not accept reservations.
Franklin Barbecue: 900 and 11th ST, Austin, Texas 78702 / Operation: Tuesday to Sunday, from 11am until the stock is over (between 14h and 15h); closed on Mondays.
The peacock
It is recommended for a neat lunch, but serves meals from breakfast to dinner, passing by brunch. The menu is Mediterranean, inspired by culinary traditions of Israel and Türkiye. Grilled vegetables in the wood oven, mezzes with warm breads, tajines and kebabs are in the menu. The neat decoration draws attention and the waiting bar is inviting for cocktails. The restaurant is on the ground floor of the Proper Hotel, which has a Michelin key.
The peacock: 600 W 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 / Tel.: + 1 (512) 628-1410 / Operation: Check out updated schedules on website / Reserves via website.
Veracruz All Natural
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(@veracruztacos)There are several units spread in the city, including in the neighborhoods of Downtown and East Austin. The brand is led by two Mexican sisters who moved to Austin and opened the first trailer in 2008 – today there are seven units. The menu focuses on traditional Mexican food along with juices and vitamins. The brand is known for serving the tacos miga, a club variation with scrambled eggs mixed with pieces of fried tortilla, plus melted cheese, gallo peak, avocado and sometimes beans or spicy sauce.
Veracruz All Natural: Check out addresses, contacts and times in website.
Odd Duck
Odd Duck was a food truck and became a fixed restaurant in the South Lamar neighborhood at the hands of chef Bryce Gilmore, behind Barley Swine, with a Michelin star. The house is more casual and serves American food with global touches to share. Seasonal ingredients are protagonists, where there is from beet and carrot salad with goat cheese kimchi to raw of pargo, as well as chicken hearts and hamburger of Wagyu Dry AGED.
Odd Duck: 1201 S. Lamar Blvd. Austin, Texas 78704 / Operation: Open for dinner every day from 4:30 pm / Reservations via website.
The Roosevelt Room
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Situated in an ancient railway warehouse of 1929, The Roosevelt Room occupies a large area, with period decoration environments. If you are looking for classic cocktails, this is the place, as the letter has more than 50 world drinks – Caipirinha is on the list. There are also copyright creations and food ranging from acepipes and tablet to desserts. The place appears in the choices of the 50 Best Discovery platform.
The Roosevelt Room: 307 W 5th Street, Unit B, Austin, Texas 78701 / Operation: Monday to Wednesday, from 15h to 0h; Thursday to Saturday, from 15h to 2h, and Sunday, from 15h to 0h; Happy Hour Daily from 15h to 18h / Reservations via website.
Heia
Almost everything in heia goes through fire, from salty dishes to sweets. From the large barbecue in the center of the open kitchen, dishes from the a la carte menu or the tasting menu. Items may include Texas’s wagyu sirloin or ribeye; Toasted cabbage, scallops, oysters and tuna raw. Located in the city center, the restaurant also offers more than 400 wine labels and, for a more casual experience, a bar receives without reserve diners.
Heia: 607 W 3RD ST 105, Austin, Texas 78701 / Operation: Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday, from 17h30 to 22h; Friday and Saturday from 5:30 pm to 11:00 pm; closed on Mondays / reservations via website.
Patrizi’s
With over 50 years of history, Patrizi’s serves Italian food and today has two locations: a food truck in East Austin and a fixed address in West Austin. Fresh pasta and homemade sauces mark the experience, where the menu has Fettuccine Cacio and Pepe, Carbonara and Pomodoro, for example. Bruschetta, focus and salads also fill the menu.
Patrizi’s: Check out addresses, contacts and times in website.
NIXTA TAQUERIA
One of the city’s most disputed addresses, the Nixta Taqueria is in East Austin and focuses on the traditional Mexican clubs, which carry Mexico’s own nichtamalized corn. Appear in the inventive tacos menu and with traditional roots, such as Queso pan with fried beans with duck fat; the baked cauliflower with pine nuts, Romesco and Coriander; and the duck’s confit. Variations such as Migas Tacos and Breakfest Tacos, typical of Austin, are also part of the menu of chef Edgar Rico, an elected young chef of the Michelin Texas 2024 guide.
NIXTA TAQUERIA: 2512 E. 12th Street, Austin, Texas 78702 / Operation: Tuesday to Thursday, from 16h30 to 21h; Friday and Saturday, from 11h to 14h and from 17h to 22h; Sunday from 11am to 3pm; closed on Mondays.
Check out what to do on your first visit to Austin, Texas capital
The Tacos Barbecue Post: Get to know Austin’s cuisine and see where to eat Appeared First on CNN Brazil V&G.
Source: CNN Brasil
Johanna Foster is an expert opinion writer with over 7 years of experience. She has a reputation for delivering insightful and thought-provoking articles on a variety of subjects. Her work can be found on some of the top online news websites, and she is currently lending her voice to the world stock market.
