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Next Tuesday May 21st myself and Kathy from “Will Run for Miles” will have a layover on a mileage run and will have time for lunch around noon in Austin Texas (assuming all our flights work out that is).
If anyone wants to join us or has some good ideas for a spot near the airport that would be great. Please feel free to comment below on the blog if you are game! – René
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There are two things you eat in Texas – BBQ and Mexican food. I haven’t been in Austin for a while but I think there’s a Rudy’s BBQ about 8 or 9 miles from the airport. That’s great food and a fun spot for a gathering. Someone local may know a closer place or have a TexMex suggestion.
@FirstInFlight – hey thanks for the ideas! – Rene
How much time do y’all have? There really isn’t much around ABIA that is “good”. There’s a SUBWAY if you want to Eat Fresh.
@Justin – We have a few hours and think we can do a bit better than Subway (I mean I love Subway as much as the next guy but still)! – Rene
If that is the case, take a taxi or rent a car (for more miles!) and go to Chuy’s (http://chuys.com) on Barton Springs. Great TexMex!
@Justin – fun thanks (and good idea more points) and then PAY with my FREEDOM card clearly for 5x points 😉
The 100 “Airport Flyer” bus costs $1 each way, has luggage racks, and will put you downtown in about 20 minutes or so. It’s a quick and easy way to get downtown where all the good restaurants are!
@Amanda S. – now that is a GREAT tip. I travel light but very good idea. Thanks! – Rene
There are 4 kinds of food in Austin – BBQ, Tex Mex, Trailers, and Ice Cream!!
The Austin airport to downtown is about a 15 min drive – tops! If you are a regular National Car renter – and have those “One, Two, Free” certs that expire in mid-June, this might be a great time to burn one of those. The rental car pickup is attached to the terminal – no shuttle buses – so you can pick up your rental car very quickly.
For Lunch – there are NUMEROUS trailer options available – I’d suggest the trailer park on South Congress right just south over the bridge from downtown – not only are there great food options, but there are some great boutiques and shopping right on South Congress – it’s a part of what makes Austin weird! If trailer food isn’t your thing, I’d suggest Guero’s on South Congress – pretty decent Tex Mex and good margaritas and sangria.
If you want to up your game, you could try the world-class Uchi for lunch. It’s owned by one of the chef’s who won “Iron Chef” – not inexpensive, but very, very good, I’d suggest reservations. Just south of downtown on S. Lamar.
For BBQ, I’d suggest the new Donn’s location on I-35 – they have another, older location, but it’s not easy to get to if you are in a hurry. The new location is right on 1-35, 2617 S. IH 35, Austin, TX. They opened two weeks ago, and they have fantastic brisket and it’s an inexpensive place for great BBQ! Check it out.
One of the better-known and highly rated BBQ places in Texas is The Salt Lick. The original location is about 20-25 min. south of downtown, but they have an airport kiosk as well – so, if you do Tex Mex in Austin on your mileage run, you could pick up BBQ at the Salt Lick for dinner for the ride home. I’d suggest the chicken plate with a side of brisket, or the brisket/sausage dinner combo.
AND, one final suggestion – for dessert – there are several Amy’s Ice Cream locations all over town – you’d be missing out on an important Austin food group if you don’t go to Amy’s. There is one on South Congress just down from the food trailer park I mentioned earlier. Conveniently, they also have a kiosk at the airport as well . . .
If you have a car2go membership, you can pick up a car from the airport and park downtown for free. Very convenient, especially given the parking situation.
I’d also recommend Hoover’s on Manor Rd (not too far from the airport). Delicious soul food (but not for those who are on a diet) if you want something that is neither BBQ nor TexMex. Buenos Aires Cafe on the eastside is tasty, as is TacoDeli (several locations, my favorite tacos in the city).
I would love to meet but will be out of town. Depending on when you come in, Franklin BBQ downtown is on NY Times as best of the country. its a small trailer type place, but worth the 2-hr wait. I’d stand in line for you if I am in town.
I like Freddy’s – if not too hot a great place to eat outside. South of downtown. With no traffic, 15 minutes to the airport.
I’m down to meet up (if I’m in town)! I highly suggest tex-mex or bbq.
@NoobTraveler – can’t wait! Kathy want BBQ so let’s go that route 😉 – Rene
I’VE NEVER BEEN TO AUSTIN! I’m so excited. and I want BBQ!
I will drive in and pick y’all up at ABIA, drive y’all around and redeposit you back at ABIA. Need time frame, schedules and etc. If you want to meet folks the we could stand in line at Franklin BBQ and visit while you wait for the best BBQ in Central Austin and surrounding. see here: http://www.franklinbarbecue.com They have a long line by the time they open at 11. Perhaps volunteers could get in line early.
Figure out what you want to do and let me know if I can help.
TexasYankee
@TexasYankee – wow that is an amazing and very kind request and we will say YES (I will confirm with Kathy first just FYI)! I will email you direct and give you my contact info and flights etc. I will have wifi so will be able to keep you up to date in the air as well. Fun! – Rene
Also for everything you need to know about central Texas BBQ search for past Austin megado news on Flyertalk. Corey and William are the masters of meat! Gotta love a guy who has the slogan OMG BBQ on his truck.
Depends on how much time you have in AUS.
Rudy’s BBQ all the way.
This only works if stay at least 5 miles AWAY from Rudys!!!
Gotta be Franklin or Mueller bbq. 🙂
BTW the tagline to this says something about lunch in Phoenix.
@Texasyankee – opppsseeee those in Phenix can drive down it they want. We will go where the most want to go! I am open to anyplace Texasyankee suggests or where NoobTraveler is game for too!
Ok, so I am sort of regretting the comment about Rudy’s as it stopped everyone from putting forth suggestions. Any more ideas? I just plan on being the transporter. Are there volunteers to snag a place in line at Franklin?
@All – lets be 100% firm for Franklin’s BBQ. I have and aunt and uncle in AUS too so it looks like we will be at least 8-10 at this point for whoever gets a table.
Anyone else?
You can’t “get a table” at Franklin. You have to wait in line – at least two hours. You will royally irritate the people around you if you try to “merge” with your buddies already in the line.
Try John Mueller Meat Co nearby at 6th and Pedernales. Aaron Franklin used to work for John, and while his is the best ever, the difference isn’t worth the wait. Anthony Bourdain ate at both and raved about them equally. Be sure to try the brisket, the house made sausage, the beef rib and the cheese squash casserole.
Scott is correct about Franklin’s – it’s just not a place you just ‘drop in’. If you’ve got the time and patience, and you’re getting into AUS early, than maybe it’s an option. But expect to have some people ‘hold your place in line’ without an uproar.
Another idea – it’s 25 miles and 70-75 mph speed limits door-to-door from AUS to Lockhart. St. Rt. 183 South is just outside the airport. 4, count ’em, 4,WORLD CLASS BBQ joints – Blacks, Smitty’s, Kruetz’s, & Chisolm’s. Tuesday lunch shouldn’t be too busy, so I’d expect a short wait, if any, at any of these establishments.
Try the Jalapeño/Cheddar sausage at any of these places along with the brisket, it won’t suck.
http://www.lockhart-tx.org/web98/visitors/bbqcapitaloftexas.asp
If you need a second vehicle, I can carry myself and 3 others comfortably and will be available Tuesday as a second driver if needed. I would be happy to help in any way.
Good luck and enjoy Austin! It’s a great town and a fun place to visit!
Barnesville has the BBQ and Blues festival each spring. Just enjoyed both!
Scott and Erndog have great ideas if Franklin is overrun by BBQ fanatics. Either choice is great for back up.
Just had the part of the leftover BBQ from lunch for dinner. Still enough for breakfast and lunch tomorrow! Great times had by all!
And tell the “noobster” that I hit his Vanilla Ice Cream stash hard on the way home … 🙂