Iconic Dishes

The can’t miss dishes that everyone talks about. Each one is worth a visit on their own!

Armadillo Burger at Casino El Camino - Not for the faint of heart, this 3/4 pound burger features roasted serrano peppers, cilantro mayo, and jalapeño jack cheese.

Avocado Margarita at Curra’s - While it sounds strange, this refreshing libation has been drawing people to this south Austin Tex Mex joint for years. It has been described as one part milkshake, one part guacamole, and one part tequila goodness.

Biscuits at Olamie - Golden, crispy, buttery perfection. Everyone knows to order the already-famous off-menu biscuits at Olamie, served with honey butter.

Bob Armstrong Dip at Matt’s El Rancho - Named after local politician, Bob Armstrong, this dip is a delicious combination of queso, guacamole, and taco meat.

Brisket at Franklin Barbecue - You better get up early if you want some of this delicious brisket. The line starts forming at 10am for this tender meat called “The Best BBQ in Texas, if Not America” by Bon Appetit. When it runs out, they’re closed until tomorrow.

Brunch at Fonda San Miguel - Classically prepared, regional Mexican dishes fill this extravagant brunch. Options range from meat dishes cooked in molés to bowls of salads with zesty seasonings. The dessert table is not to be missed either.

Brussel Sprouts at Uchi and Uchiko - The perfect combination of salty, sweet, savory, garlicky, and sour with a deep nuttiness from the crispy roasting, these will make you forget there is any other way to prepare brussel sprouts.

Carrot Cake French Toast at South Congress Café - An Austin twist on the classic breakfast item, made with carrot cake, cinnamon vanilla egg batter, and cream cheese-pecan syrup.

Cheeseburger at Counter Cafe - Consistently named to “Best Burger” lists, the Counter Cafe standard cheeseburger is made from all natural, organic, and locally-sourced ingredients.

Chicken Chalupas at Julio’s Cafe - Amazing rotisserie chicken on freshly fried flower tortillas, topped with avocado and cheese, make this dish a winner. Remember your cash, though, no credit cards accepted at Julio’s.

Chicken Hack Salad at 34th Street Cafe - Chicken, Napa cabbage with soy sesame dressing, wontons, and a sweet chili sauce make this the ultimate summer salad.

Chocolate Chip Cookies at Tiny Boxwoods - Crisp-edged and gooey-centered cookies laced with a generous amount of chocolate. These cookies are so popular, you can even buy the frozen cookie dough to make them at home.

Don Juan at Juan in a Million - In a town full of breakfast tacos, this one tops the list. El Taco Grande is a secret combination of potato, egg, bacon, and cheese in a deliciously hot tortilla.

Enchiladas at Dart Bowl - Delicious classic truck stop enchiladas with bowling on the side. Doesn’t get much better than that.

Fish Tacos at Quality Seafood - Perfectly prepared fish tacos are cooked to order, either blackened, grilled, or fried, and are served with a wonderful mango pico de gallo.

Fried Chicken at Top Notch - Get a taste of old-school Austin, with this juicy chicken fried to golden perfection, served with a heaping side of nostalgia.

Fries at Hyde Park Bar & Grill - Possibly the most famous fries in Austin, they are soaked in buttermilk, battered, and then fried. They’re served with a side of mayo that’s kicked up with jalapeños and dill.

Gingerbread Pancakes at Kerbey Lane - Enough to warm a soul on even the coldest of mornings, these plate-sized gingerbread pancakes are an Austin tradition.

Martian Landscape at Magnolia Cafe - The perfect end to a night on the town, this dish is a pile of grilled potatoes, melted jack and cheddar cheeses, jalapeño and green onion.

Mexican Martini at Trudy’s - Like a margarita on the rocks with a splash of olive juice, this Mexican Martini is an Austin classic.

Mexican Vanilla at Amy’s Ice Cream - Made with a vanilla bean from Madagascar crossbred with an orchid flower from Mexico, this vanilla ice cream has a distinct flavor and keeps folks lined up around the block.

Migas at Cisco’s - An Austin institution made from a recipe that hasn’t changed since the 1950’s: eggs, cheese, vegetables served with refried beans and your choice of tortillas or biscuits. Insider tip - get the biscuits!

Milkshake at Nau’s Pharmacy - A true step back in time, an old fashioned milkshakechocolate, strawberry or vanilla, made with natural ice cream and a ladle full of cream.

Slice at Home Slice Pizza - Hand tossed, New-York style slice with a crisp yet chewy crust. Pile it up with the typical toppings or try their “special toppings” like ricotta or even clams.

Spicy Fried Pickles at Second Bar + Kitchen - In the south, we like to fry everything, and these pickles add a spicy kick to the tradition.