Overrated Austin restaurants?

[lonestar3 274]

On 4/14/2018 at 3:28 PM, South Austin said:

Matt's El Rancho.

Fuck this.

[jimmyjazz 45879]

Guero's has a stacked enchilada plate with blue corn tortillas and a fried egg that I could eat 7 days a week.  Well, until my heart gave out.

[ChickenSandwich 9824]

1 hour ago, Derka said:

Dirty’s burgers - too small, too greasy.

Y mas - other than their margarita’s, meh. Shitty atmosphere. Give me Matt’s all day.

Perla’s - went there with my mom after school last year and likely won’t be going back. Overpriced for what you get.
 

*entry for worst opinion

[Spankytoes 1739]

I'll say it: Amy's Ice Cream

[Bigpoppapump 529]

1 hour ago, Longhornfan1024 said:

No shit, there are places on the coasts that have better sushi.  That doesn't make Uchi overrated.  It's one of the top restaurants in Austin probably equivalent to a 1 Michelin star restaurants in areas where Michelin sends judges.  It's rated about exactly what it should be.

It always seem like people say the fish is fresher in LA or NY, but the top sushi place in NY, all the fish is properly aged frozen for weeks before being served.  I agree Uchi is perfectly rated.  I mean when people visit I tell them many other places to go that aren't Uchi unless they specifically want upscale sushi and blowing a couples bills.

[Longhornfan1024 1707]

1 hour ago, PenelopeWitherspoon said:

 

 

You obviously missed this post, which I was replying to.

 

 

 

You may be right, but this is the internet so I won't admit it.  Fuck you and your opinion.

[Longhornfan1024 1707]

1 minute ago, Bigpoppapump said:

It always seem like people say the fish is fresher in LA or NY, but the top sushi place in NY, all the fish is properly aged frozen for weeks before being served.  I agree Uchi is perfectly rated.  I mean when people visit I tell them many other places to go that aren't Uchi unless they specifically want upscale sushi and blowing a couples bills.

Kyoten is my suggestion for high end sushi in Austin.  

[Bigpoppapump 529]

23 hours ago, Captain Ron said:

Casino El Camino - their burgers aren't even in the top 10 of Austin, must less "the best."

I eat there every other week. Can confirm they are delicious and in my top 10 burgers for Austin.

[GreenspointTexas 9598]

Matts El Rancho - got broken glass in my Enchilada back in ‘07, never been back

Trudys - loved this place in college but holy shit have they gone down hill. 

Pinthouse Pizza’s pizza is garbage

Gueros is just OK. The last time I went it was actually enjoyable

Jack Allens kitchen is slowly going the way of Z Tejas

 

Moonshine, South Congress Cafe, and Stiles Switch are all up there for me also

[4th&Five 41506]

2 minutes ago, GreenspointTexas said:

Matts El Rancho - got broken glass in my Enchilada back in ‘07, never been back

Trudys - loved this place in college but holy shit have they gone down hill. 

Pinthouse Pizza’s pizza is garbage

Gueros is just OK. The last time I went it was actually enjoyable

Jack Allens kitchen is slowly going the way of Z Tejas

 

Moonshine, South Congress Cafe, and Stiles Switch are all up there for me also

Agree on Pinthouse. I still go for the beer and a few other things on the menu but the pizza is worse than Austin’s at this point. 

[The Dog 44017]

another vote for Hopdoddy and Amy's ice cream. I like both places but they aren't nearly as good as their reputation.

[hornbri 1391]

Just now, 4th&Five said:

Agree on Pinthouse. I still go for the beer and a few other things on the menu but the pizza is worse than Austin’s at this point. 

Yeah but the pepperoni rolls are pretty good. 

[futureman 22440]

I really enjoy a hopdoddy burger and they will cook them rare to medium-rare which is a big plus, but the fact that dipshits will snake a line out the door like they’re waiting for franklin brisket makes it overrated and a prime candidate for this thread.  

[Doc Holliday 199]

Hanks just opened and beyond their beautiful patio, they are over rated.

[jimmyjazz 45879]

I've had some great burgers at Hopdoddy's and Casino.  I'm sure there are plenty of other good burgers in Austin, but I'd like to see the definitive Top 10 list, because if those two aren't on it I'm missing some damn good options.

I know Hopfield's gets a lot of love.  I'll assume it's Top 10.

I like plenty of bar burgers like Roaring Fork, etc. but they're not exactly transcendent.  Where are all these hidden gems hiding out?

[VolenteHawk 495]

9 minutes ago, futureman said:

I really enjoy a hopdoddy burger and they will cook them rare to medium-rare which is a big plus, but the fact that dipshits will snake a line out the door like they’re waiting for franklin brisket makes it overrated and a prime candidate for this thread.  

That's a pretty good description of Hopdoddy.  It's good, and I like it, but my max line tolerance is about 5 minutes.

 

[jimmyjazz 45879]

7 minutes ago, Doc Holliday said:

Hanks just opened and beyond their beautiful patio, they are over rated.

Say "hi" to Alison.

[Bottlecap 1523]

pinthouse's pizza used to be inedible. It's become A LOT better. So much so that I actually look forward to a meal there and not just their delicious hazy hop bukkakes.

[SimonBolivar 10957]

Hopdoddy

Torchy's

Tacodeli

Homeslice- They're good, but not the best in the town/state/whatever that people are always clamoring about.

 

[Doc Holliday 199]

5 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

Say "hi" to Alison.

who was she?  I saw a lot of ladies there that could be named Alison.

[jimmyjazz 45879]

Just now, Doc Holliday said:

who was she?  I saw a lot of ladies there that could be named Alison.

Skinny blonde tall-ish manager.  Played D1 volleyball back in the day (probably 12 years ago).  Used to be at Salvation Pizza on 34th.  Very sweet.

[irishtexan 11511]

Quote

Trudys - loved this place in college but holy shit have they gone down hill.

See this a lot. Happens to me a lot. I'm guessing it's because as you get older, you realize the stuff you ate while hungover/wasted at 19 years old isn't as good as you remember. Like the $5 Gumby's pizzas you could get delivered with a coupon. 

[Doc Holliday 199]

4 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

Skinny blonde tall-ish manager.  Played D1 volleyball back in the day (probably 12 years ago).  Used to be at Salvation Pizza on 34th.  Very sweet.

I'll keep an eye out for her as they are right around the corner from me and I really hope they figure out their operations as half the menu wasn't available and everything was slow to come out.

Edited April 16, 2018 by Doc Holliday

[Brisketexan 105049]

1 hour ago, 936horn said:

Exactly. The times I have been I always try something new...."how can you fuck up a burger/chicken sandwich/fajita/whatever" I say to myself, and every time it's absolute garbage. The best things I have eaten there have been barely passable and then you realize the burger cost you $18 and was on par with an overcooked double with cheese at McD.

Once you understand that you're paying a 50% surcharge for a nice seat to watch a pretty sunset, it's more acceptable.  It's an event, not a dining occasion.  I kinda say the same thing about Salt Lick (except their food is better) -- it's not the world's best cue, but it's passable and a really cool experience, especially for out of town folks.

[Orange&White 5521]

Not in Austin, but in the region.

I have never understood the hype for Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls. The pies are passable but the entrees are nothing but frozen sysco shit and powdered gravy.

[Brisketexan 105049]

7 minutes ago, Orange^White said:

Not in Austin, but in the region.

I have never understood the hype for Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls. The pies are passable but the entrees are nothing but frozen sysco shit and powdered gravy.

Pies are good.

Rolls are really good.

The rest is meh.

[wood 11225]

1 hour ago, 936horn said:

Exactly. The times I have been I always try something new...."how can you fuck up a burger/chicken sandwich/fajita/whatever" I say to myself, and every time it's absolute garbage. The best things I have eaten there have been barely passable and then you realize the burger cost you $18 and was on par with an overcooked double with cheese at McD.

You answered your own question in the first Oasis post. They're selling the view more than the food, and Beau Theriot and whomever bought his stake know it. 

[wood 11225]

1 hour ago, GreenspointTexas said:

Trudys - loved this place in college but holy shit have they gone down hill. 

Maybe you've just gone uphill. There are lots of places I loved in college when I was poor that I realize are shit now.

[utee94 15798]

2 hours ago, jimmyjazz said:

But let's be clear . . . adequate Tex-Mex is a glorious thing.

No kidding. I'd rather have overrated adequate Tex-Mex than the very finest "Cincinnati chili" in the land.

[jimmyjazz 45879]

The front entry of Pancho's used to have a little counter where you could buy 4 "beef" tacos for a dollar.  In college I would order 8 tacos and it never seemed to occur to me that I was probably eating horse thyroid.

[formermav43 4606]

31 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

Pies are good.

Rolls are really good.

The rest is meh.

The biscuits are even better than the rolls.

But otherwise, yeah.

[DigglerontheHoof 21169]

3 hours ago, Derka said:

Dirty’s burgers - too small, too greasy.

Y mas - other than their margarita’s, meh. Shitty atmosphere. Give me Matt’s all day.

Perla’s - went there with my mom after school last year and likely won’t be going back. Overpriced for what you get.
 

Love Dirty's for the two reasons you hate them.  I love greasy fried burgers done right, at Dirty's does (at least the last times I've been there) and I hate how every "good' burger you get these days is 1/2 pound and takes up a whole plate.   

As an aside, that's the main reason, in Dallas, I visit OSK at a 3-1 ratio to Maple & Motor.  I love M&M's burgers but it's just too much food. 

 

 

 

[Brisketexan 105049]

1 minute ago, DigglerontheHoof said:

Love Dirty's for the two reasons you hate them.  I love greasy fried burgers done right, at Dirty's does (at least the last times I've been there) and I hate how every "good' burger you get these days is 1/2 pound and takes up a whole plate.   

As an aside, that's the main reason, in Dallas, I visit OSK at a 3-1 ratio to Maple & Motor.  I love M&M's burgers but it's just too much food. 

 

 

 

Ahh, the "thin burger" vs. "thick burger" debate.

Once you realize that they're two totally separate things, life brings clarity.

Mike's Pub.  Dirty's.  Dan's or Fran's.  Many bowling alleys.  THOSE are quality thin burgers.  They have little relationship to thick burgers, such as Hopdoddy, Casino El Camino, etc.

[CooterBrown 18002]

It always seem like people say the fish is fresher in LA or NY, but the top sushi place in NY, all the fish is properly aged frozen for weeks before being served. 

Im not positive but I thought all sushi in the US had to be previously frozen to kill parasites.

[ChickenSandwich 9824]

2 hours ago, GreenspointTexas said:

Matts El Rancho - got broken glass in my Enchilada back in ‘07, never been back

Trudys - loved this place in college but holy shit have they gone down hill. 

Pinthouse Pizza’s pizza is garbage

Gueros is just OK. The last time I went it was actually enjoyable

Jack Allens kitchen is slowly going the way of Z Tejas

 

Moonshine, South Congress Cafe, and Stiles Switch are all up there for me also

Add 24 Diner

[Deej 76750]

Ahh, the "thin burger" vs. "thick burger" debate.
Once you realize that they're two totally separate things, life brings clarity.
Mike's Pub.  Dirty's.  Dan's or Fran's.  Many bowling alleys.  THOSE are quality thin burgers.  They have little relationship to thick burgers, such as Hopdoddy, Casino El Camino, etc.

R.I.P., Mike's Pub.

[NoRagrets 1125]

In college I thought thundercloud was the most amazing sandwich place on Earth.

[KaiserSoze 998]

 

 

 

Ahh, the "thin burger" vs. "thick burger" debate.

Once you realize that they're two totally separate things, life brings clarity.

Mike's Pub.  Dirty's.  Dan's or Fran's.  Many bowling alleys.  THOSE are quality thin burgers.  They have little relationship to thick burgers, such as Hopdoddy, Casino El Camino, etc.

 

Crown & Anchor cheeseburger is my favorite in the thin burger category for Austin.

 

Damn, might have to go for lunch tomorrow.

 

[VolenteHawk 495]

2 hours ago, CooterBrown said:

 

Im not positive but I thought all sushi in the US had to be previously frozen to kill parasites.

 

It does. It’s why the argument that it’s fresher on the coasts vs Uchi should make you quietly chuckle.

[troph 24781]

It's living off it's past performance and drinks. It used to be good (if a bit overpriced). But last time I went both the service and food were pretty bad.

 

Food at La Condesa is usually shit. But the el cubico is a great drink. I like their guacamole and salsa sampler with two el cubicos at 4pm on a Friday. But I won’t veer off of that much at all.

[swTXSU 18]

3 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

 

Mike's Pub.  

Damn, I miss that place.🙁

[RD3 64]

7 hours ago, RD3 said:

In what world is El Arroyo something people rave about?  Maybe 10 years ago?

The last time I remember anyone raving about El Arroyo was that Pat Green or Cory Morrow song and yeah that was like 20 years ago not 10...

And I have had many good times at El Arroyo but I wasn't going there for the food. The west 5th street location had cheap drinks and a good location.

In grad school, I lived off Far West and I had my last meal with my Abuela at that Far West El Arroyo after I graduated with my Masters from UT. She passed away about 6 weeks later. I don't remember the last time I thought about that. Thank you thread... good times.

Edited April 17, 2018 by RD3

[RD3 64]

problems editing...

The last time I remember anyone raving about El Arroyo was that Pat Green or Cory Morrow song and yeah that was like 20 years ago not 10...

And I have had many good times at El Arroyo but I wasn't going there for the food. The west 5th street location had cheap drinks and a good location. A good buddy of mine had his bachelor party in Austin and we had the night-1 dinner at El Arroyo downtown.  I don't even know if I ate any food but we had a big group and the staff was great in dealing with us because our table was growing & growing as people showed up.  I might or might have fallen asleep at Palazzio (or whatever it was called) that night.  This was like 12 years ago.  In 2008 or 2009, I ran into Joel Meyer and Joel Klatt from Fox Sports Net there because they were doing our home opener the next day.  Klatt invited me to their table and I spent a good 30 minutes at their table before going back to our table. Good times...

In grad school, I lived off Far West and I had my last meal with my Abuela at that Far West El Arroyo after I graduated with my Masters from UT. She passed away about 6 weeks later. I don't remember the last time I thought about that. Thank you thread....

[Godzillatron 292]

Went to the oasis for the first time in years a coupla weeks ago. Same great view...same mediocre grub. Burgers were fine, nachos were...awful. How do you fuck those up?

It’s worth a visit, but not for food.

I’ve lived near the Oasis for 20 years, can count less than 10 visits. That said, try Oasis Brewing Company for a similar view and legit brew with better (still not great ) food.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Royal With Cheese 3]

3 hours ago, ChickenSandwich said:

Add 24 Diner

^^^^ THIS.

[Chet Steadman 940]

6 hours ago, Doc Holliday said:

Hanks just opened and beyond their beautiful patio, they are over rated.

A restaurant which opened last week?  Really?

[dieucla98 2942]

4 hours ago, CooterBrown said:

 

Im not positive but I thought all sushi in the US had to be previously frozen to kill parasites.

 

 

1 hour ago, VolenteHawk said:

It does. It’s why the argument that it’s fresher on the coasts vs Uchi should make you quietly chuckle.

This is true for all fish except tuna. Tuna does not have to be frozen first.

https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/08/nyregion/sushi-fresh-from-the-deep-the-deep-freeze.html

[Brisketexan 105049]

37 minutes ago, Godzillatron said:

 

I’ve lived near the Oasis for 20 years, can count less than 10 visits. That said, try Oasis Brewing Company for a similar view and legit brew with better (still not great ) food.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I've lived i n Austin for 30 years.  I've been  maybe 5-6 times.  That's just  fine with me.

[gsoda3 3245]

Y mas. I don't get it.

[Baboontyme 2809]

Didn't eat there but that Oasis brewing company place was pretty sweet. Wow how that whole area has changed since the last time I was there. I could hang out there and drink IPAs for a long time. 

 

Edited April 17, 2018 by Baboontyme