I don't hate that going to Austin for my birthday has become a tradition in our house. One would think that we would get tired of going to a city every year at the same time... said no one ever. 80 degrees and sunny skies for five days was the best birthday present ever.
P.S. This is my second blog about Austin and we tried not to go anywhere we had been before so check out the previous post (June 2014) for more recs!
Where we stayed
I will say it until I am blue in the face. VRBO. This one was the cheapest (dollar wise) that we have stayed in. I don't know that I would pick it again as my first choice, mainly because it was a little farther from South Congress than I would have liked. But it did the trick for great sleeping and wallet friendly. Go to vrbo.com and put in #3489155
What we did
- Hops and Grain Brewery-what a freaking find this was. We LOVED this brewery and their beer. Highly suggest you go there and spend hours outside thinking about ways to move to Austin
- Austin Beerworks- one of the largest breweries around town and is worth the trip BUT it is a drive. About 20 min from Austin, so Uber would be my suggestion
- Barton Springs Bike Rental- get a bike and ride around the lake. Everyone in Austin is doing it and the trails are filled with people running, walking and biking. Plus it is a great way to burn off calories for your next meal!
- Austin Beer Garden and Brewing Company-another great brewery that is a must to visit. Great beers, good pizza and a killer atmosphere. We went on Tuesday night, which was record night. Very trendy
- Craft Pride-located on Rainey Street this is a great beer bar with local beers and a great pour each time
Where we ate
- Taco Deli-the fight between who has Austin's best tacos includes Taco Deli. We did love their salsa and their tacos were tasty, but no booze at a taco joint. Doesn't get my vote
- Bufalina-a pizza joint just featured on the Travel Channel always get my attention. And a wait that was an hour long better feed my hangry self. MYYYY goodness this place is good and lives up to all expectations. Get the sausage pizza and thank me later
- Elizabeth Street Cafe-Vietnamese heaven is what lives here and pastries that will blow your mind. We had breakfast and got the pork belly buns with a poached egg and side of sticky rice. If this is wrong I don't want to be right. This is an absolute must on your eating list for Austin
- Chi'Lantro-we went to their restaurant that just opened last week (they have food trucks all over town). The kimchi fries and wings lived up to everything I had read about and more. The food is great, as long as you know you are getting "food truck" quality
- Bouldin Creek Coffee House-breakfast for hippies and a damn good one. Fabulous coffee and killer food this is a very laid back spot. So come in yoga pants and a hoodie so you "fit in"
- Torchys Tacos-the great debate is over. These are the best tacos on Austin. We always go on the last day of our trip on the way to the airport. Go to the Food Truck Trailer park location
- La Condesa-just named on of the best margs on the country I would have to agree. We sat outside after biking what felt like 20 miles and got margs and their ceviche. I was one happy girl and so were my taste buds. The food looked incredible and the location is right downtown so if you are wanting a Sex & the City vibe then sit outside and enjoy
- La Barbecue- the wait is over for the best brisket and sausage in Texas. It is here and the wait is worth it. We went on a Tuesday at 10:30 (rented bikes so we can burn off calories before we got the meat sweats) and got in line. And thank god we did, the line got really long around the 11 o'clock hour while we were stuffing our faces with smokey BBQ. The pit master here is from Franklin s BBQ in Austin and also fun fact, he is moving to Charleston to open up a BBQ joint. This place is mind blowing/unreal/make you believe in a higher being good
- Perlas-for the rest of my blogging life I will always put this down as the best spot to go for cocktails and SoCo (South Congress) fun. The rose there is one of my favorite in the world and Jaggs loves the oysters to the moon and back. All of their food is pretty spot on but their porch is where the money spot is. Actually, right now if I shut my eyes I can feel myself closer to heaven when I am there
- Barley Swine-this may be the last food post but it was the highlight of the trip. 13 courses of mind blowing bites that will make you want to be a chef. Since it was the two of us we got to sit at the "chefs table" and watch all the action. The food was indescribable because I have never tasted anything like it. Make a reservation, go there and just enjoy your heart out, this is foodie (I hate that word) heaven
