The best food in Austin, Texas this month includes a fine dining Italian deal, a German food truck parked at a brewery, kid-friendly pho, authentic Sichuan Chinese cooking, and a Mother’s Day PSA: get Mom a cake from Paris Baguette.
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The Vitals:
the spot: L’ Oca D’ Oro 1900 Simond Ave, Austin, TX 78723
the eats: Meatballs, House Mozzarella, Rigatoni, housemade bread, NA cocktails
the bucks: $$$ except on Tuesdays
the full nelson: fine dining Italian deal
Loca D’ Oro serves a mix of comforting Italian dishes but with fine dining touches of execution. House marinara is kinda perfect even if Marinara is a name your six year old is familiar with. And seriously don’t skip the bread course, it was uncannily a standout of a carb soaked evening. And I’d say the bread here qualifies for best food in Austin.
The dishes read familiar and like dining out everywhere, the bill adds up. Folks, dining is a more expensive endeavor these days, full stop. However on Tuesdays, Loca D’ Oro offers a “pay what you will” deal. And yeah, the name implies just that.
You pay what you can, save the drinks. I think of it as an opportunity to treat yourself and while it might seem odd to short the restaurant on a tab, businesses are experiencing a slowdown so I can think of worse things than pretending I had a coupon for free bread.
And more importantly, if you are in a bind and it feels like it has been forever since you have gone out, go out to Loca D’ Oro. We have all been there.
The Vitals:
the spot: Black Forest ATX 1615 Crozier Ln, Del Valle, TX 78617
the eats: Chicken Schnitzel, Hot Dogs, Sausages
the bucks: $
the full nelson: best chicken schnitzel I’ve had
German food doesn’t have the rep that German cars do. And that’s about to be remedied. Black Forest Food Truck serves the best chicken schnitzel sandwich I’ve had. The Chicken cutlet itself is perfectly cooked – aka it aint dry. And the pretzel baguette is has just the right amount of chew for a sandwich. This sandwich easily qualifies for a best food in Austin in my book.
Honorable mention to the Smokey Denmark Hot Dogs which a score for the local weiner scene. Oh, and this place is parked at Live Oak Brewery which is more or less, perfect.
The Vitals:
the spot:Bamboo House 7010 Easy Wind Dr Suite 100, Austin, TX 78752
the eats: Peking Duck, Beef “sauerkraut” stew, anything off the specials
the bucks: $$
the full nelson: Best Chinese Deal in town
I don’t eat at Bamboo House enough. It is safe to say they make the best Peking Duck in town, often running lines out the door and selling out. It’s also very darn reasonable considering how generous the portion sizes are. This the type of restaurant best dined at by groups.
While the duck is the draw, there is mysterious stew featuring beef or fish that has the same sauerkraut description. Except I’m pretty sure there is no Szechuan dish that features German fermented cabbage. But there is one that features Mustard Greens that are fermented.
Every table seemed to have this dish. Even the two tops. So, you know order it. It could be a candidate for low key best food in Austin.
The Vitals:
the spot:Sip Pho 512 W 29th St, Austin, TX 78705
the eats: Wagyu Pho, Beef Rib Pho
the bucks: $$
the full nelson: Bougie Pho that still does it right
When it comes to Pho, Vietnam’s soup staple, hardcore foodies and critics may point you to Pho Phung Lu’u which I actually still need to try. But it turns out, my 14 year old has a soft spot for Pho spot for softies: Sip Pho.
Located on the Guadalupe drag, this spot screams UT College kid crowd and probably not the most cost effective option. Oh and the place has this strange element called atmosphere.
And yet, the pho is really good and frankly not that much more money than other places around town. My kid loves the Wagyu Pho and I like beef ribs. The latter is a generous albeit pricey serving and money be damned it is going on the list for best food Austin.
The Vitals:
the spot: Paris Baguette 128 South Brook Dr , STE 160 , Leander, TX 78641
the eats: Mother’s Day Cakes
the bucks: $$
the full nelson: Because Cake beats Flowers
Paris Baguette is one of my fav chains of all time. I first encountered the Korean French Patisserie in Los Angeles and have been hooked on their croissants and sweets every since. This Mother’s Day they are offering two special cakes along with a darling macaron. Me thinks Mom deserves cakes over flowers but you can always do both.
Paris Baguette is also reasonably priced with locations in Central Austin as well as in Leander where I go to because that’s where my mom lives. Check out the Leander one and you might see me there! Either location and you are in for some of the best food in Austin if you crave croissants and assorted sweets.
Whereve you eat when looking for the best food in Austin just remember this: get Mom something nice for Mother’s Day!!
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