OurLifeExperiments

We spent our last two days in Austin ~~eating as much as our stomachs could fit~~ generously sampling more of the amazing selection of cuisines here. Did you know Austin has over 2,000 registered food trucks? Holy moly (guacamole…since I've got food on my mind)! If you tried out a new food truck each day, it would take you over five years to try each one…and that’s only if new trucks weren't added in the meantime! In my opinion food trucks are the epitome of eating out. First, you have location…they are everywhere, you don’t have to drive far to find a decent dinner, and if you and your friends are picky, no problem, the trucks usually sit in large groups, so there choices to pick from. Two, the sheer variety of types of food offered is mind boggling. Even if you go to a food truck that has something ordinary like hot dogs, you can probably expect them to have added some new twist, so it’s no longer just a hot dog, but now an artisan sausage. And finally third, the very affordable prices…it’s not uncommon to walk away with a full, filling meal for under $10. All that adds up to NUM! in my book.

I've cataloged most of the places we went to eat while we were in Austin (albeit not all of them were food trucks, there are great restaurants and cafes too). I thought I’d share them with you, just to whet your appetite for Austin further. I’m going to post them in the same fashion as I did my guide to Austin, by neighborhood…that way you can plan your day in Austin with food in mind. :o)

Downtown Austin

Don Churro Cuban Food Truck on 5th street

Cuban tacos at the Don Churro
Cuban Food Truck on 5th street

Stacked S'Mores brownie from Delish Bakery on 3rd street

$3 happy hour margaritas on the Opal
Divine's patio on west 6th street

Central Austin

Hyde Park Bar and Grill on Duval street

Antonelli's Cheese Shop on Duval street

South Austin

Bouldin Creek Cafe on South First

Sweet potato and pecan tamales at the
Bouldin Creek Cafe on South First

PitaLicious food truck on South Congress

Elizabeth Street Cafe-
a French and Vietnamese fusion!

Vietnamese coffee at the Elizabeth St. Cafe

Fresh spring rolls with crab meat at the Elizabeth St. Cafe

Crispy Braised Short Ribs over Rice Vermicelli
at the Elizabeth St. Cafe

Gourdough's gourmet doughnut food truck on South First

The Razzle Dazzle from Gourdough's

Doc's on South Congress

Happy Hour on the Doc's patio on South Congress

Lady Bird Lake and Zilker Park

A picnic with a view at Zilker Park!

West Austin

Maoz Vegetarian Cafe on Lamar Blvd.

Falafel at Maoz Vegetarian Cafe on Lamar Blvd.

Abel's on the Lake on Lake Austin Blvd

Mozart's Coffee Roasters Cafe on Lake Austin Blvd.

Chocolate raspberry cake at Mozart's Coffee Roasters Cafe

Our friend from college, Ana, joined us on Wednesday night for Happy Hour. She drove all the way down from Dallas for Austin's great food (no, not really...she had a work meeting...but I'm sure Austin's delicacies helped sway her choices). We met up on Doc's patio on South Congress and caught up over $2 Tecates, chips and salsa and $1 tacos. Then we made our way down to South First, because I told Ana she couldn't leave town without indulging a 4,000 calorie Gourdough's doughnut. We ended up splitting the Mother of a Peach doughnut between the three of us. I don't know how people can eat a whole one by themselves!