Fall is finally here in Austin Texas. Sure I might have a good chili recipe up my sleeve for the crisp low 70s weather but how about we talk about the best food in Austin I had over the last few weeks?
The Vitals:
the spot: Uchiko Austin 4200 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78756
the eats: tasting menu
the bucks: $$$
the full nelson: a curry lovers dream
Chef Jack Yoss has a thing for Indonesian curries. And when you try his short rib beef Rendang, you might get a thing for Indonesian curries too. This tasting menu of Southeast Asian delights is a pop up so stay tuned to Uchiko and Jack Yoss’ Instagram for the next event.
Just know when the event does return, book ASAP as the event is limited seating. Check out my full experience here for a Southeast Asian feast that easily ranks among the best food in Austin.
The Vitals:
the spot: Poeta 1123 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
the eats: Pork Chop, Goat Cheese Cheesecake, all the pastas, beet salad
the bucks: $$$
the full nelson: all day Italian with New Orleans vibes in East Austin
Chefs Ian Thurwachter and Krystal Craig are single handedly responsible for why Austin can take Italian food just as seriously as Philly or New York. My meal at Intero in 2021 easily remains a G.O.A.T. when it comes to best food in Austin as far as Italian goes.
In 2024, there might be a new G.O.A.T. and that would be the goat cheese cheesecake at Poeta. Of course the carnivore in me swoons about the pork chop or the lamb confit gnocchi but . . . that goat cheese cheesecake, well I could make the joke again but the point has been made.
The Vitals:
the spot: Rockman Bakery 2400 E Cesar Chavez St Suite 200, Austin, TX 78702
the eats: all the croissants
the bucks: $
the full nelson: accomplished pastry chef seeks to up Austin’s Croix game
I have a soft spot for flaky croissants. Apparently so does Chef Amanda Rockman who takes years of fine dining experience and serves it up with a divine new bakery in East Austin. The pastries are as tasty as they are eye catching and while one might be tempted to stick to classics like a plain croissant(and let the chef’s craft do the talking) you might find yourself more impressed with the more indulgent fare.
Real Talk: I hate lemon meringue but her Croix version changed my mind like any great pastry chef can do. PS at $6-$7.50 I designate these Croix as total CHEAP EATS. They are huge and worth it.
The Vitals:
the spot: Guppy’s ATX 2908 Fruth St B Unit 101, Austin, TX 78705
the eats: Indian Fried Chicken Sandwiches
the bucks: $$
the full nelson: a new day for South Asian food in Austin
The Indian fried chicken sandwich at Rowdy Rooster might have been the best bite I had of 2023. Sadly that was in New York City, so like, not exactly convenient. Guppy’s ATX is vying to be the equivalent here in Austin and when it comes to Indian food trucks and best food in Austin, guys we got a real contender here.
The flavors are as bold as the colors are striking and I’m told chef and owner Raj Bandi has been honing his recipe to reach a new level of Fried Chicken Nirvana. I’ll see you there.
The Vitals:
the spot: Knuckle Sandwich 440 E St Elmo Rd, Austin, TX 78745
the eats: All the sandwiches
the bucks: $17
the full nelson: best italian sandwich I’ve ever had
It is a big statement to say Knuckle Sandwich is the best Italian sandwich I have ever had. But just making a statement like that means this sandwich trailer in South Austin is a shoe in for best food in Austin.
Full details in my post here but for now I’ll say this: it is worth the $17. Dude drives to San Antonio every day for the bread, the dude uses top shelf cured meats and the dude is a James Beard nominated chef who has slung tasting menus, opened 3 star restaurants in Asia and well, makes a mean sandwich.
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