Best spots to eat near the Domain

[Ewreck10 288]

I really like Second Bar + Kitchen and it’s in the Domain. 
 

Enchiladas y mas is legit, and so is Eldorado Cafe off West Anderson Lane (Rene’s awesome enchiladas is my go to).

 

[hornian 5219]

2 hours ago, Chewbacca said:

We've got Andiamo and Uchiko booked.  Need a steakhouse.  Is Perry's the best option out that direction?  I've never been to the one in Denver but have heard good things.  And maybe good Tex-Mex place?  I've got 4 nights, not 3.

I’d got to Eddie Vs over Perry’s for steak. It is in the Arboretum, which is a  short drive from the domain. 5 minutes short. 

[Chewbacca 7780]

I’d got to Eddie Vs over Perry’s for steak. It is in the Arboretum, which is a  short drive from the domain. 5 minutes short. 

That's what we booked. We have one in Denver and it is great.

[LCHorn 2620]

I *think* Eddie V’s is closed.  If I want a steak I’m heading downtown, anyway.  

Edited January 12, 2022 by LCHorn
Or maybe not if you got a reservation.

[utee94 15823]

1 hour ago, jimmyjazz said:

You just gave me shit about Mezzaluna, Gilligan's, and The Bitter End, and you recommend Chuy's?  

Physician, heal thyself.

Sure, but Chuy's is still the most popular Tex-Mex in Austin.  It's so popular, they even have it in Denver!

 

[utee94 15823]

1 hour ago, hornian said:

I’d got to Eddie Vs over Perry’s for steak. It is in the Arboretum, which is a  short drive from the domain. 5 minutes short. 

< @jimmyjazz >If you're headed to the Arboretum, I'd hit up Dan McCluskey's! </jimmyjazz>

 

 

Edited January 12, 2022 by utee94

[Brisketexan 105145]

If you’re looking for a good Mexican breakfast or lunch, no frills, try Vazquez Mexican restaurant. There’s one on Braker. Don’t be afraid of some local color.

[Chewbacca 7780]

I *think* Eddie V’s is closed.  If I want a steak I’m heading downtown, anyway.  

We have a reservation booked. I might need to call tomorrow to verify, though.

[South Austin 52510]

10 hours ago, hornian said:

I’d got to Eddie Vs over Perry’s for steak. It is in the Arboretum, which is a  short drive from the domain. 5 minutes short. 

I remember many years ago Texas Monthly had its Best Steakhouses in Texas edition, and in the Austin category Eddie V’s was ranked No. 1. And at that time there was decent competition – Sullivan’s, Flemming’s, Perry’s, Ruth’s Chris, III Forks.

I’ve heard from those who have been that the steaks at Eddie V’s are high quality. But it’s been hard for me to pass up the seafood whenever I’m there.

[Guest Lobo]

What was the steakhouse over in the Gateway development, across from Arboretum?  It was really popular for 15 minutes around 2000?  

[hornian 5219]

10 hours ago, LCHorn said:

I *think* Eddie V’s is closed.  If I want a steak I’m heading downtown, anyway.  

It was open in December. Had my office Holiday dinner there right before Omicron Omicron'd. 

The Z'Tejas in the same parking lot closed. There is construction going on there, but Eddie V's was still open last month. 

[Longhornfan1024 1707]

If it's still cold check out Ramen Tatsu-ya.

For tacos go to Paprika ATX and get the carnitas.  The suedera tortas and carnitas quesadillas are both great, too.

Barley Swine and Jack Allen Kitchen, both mentioned, are great for Texas style chef-driven food.

Desano or Little Deli for pizza.  

[hornian 5219]

56 minutes ago, South Austin said:

I remember many years ago Texas Monthly had its Best Steakhouses in Texas edition, and in the Austin category Eddie V’s was ranked No. 1. And at that time there was decent competition – Sullivan’s, Flemming’s, Perry’s, Ruth’s Chris, III Forks.

I’ve heard from those who have been that the steaks at Eddie V’s are high quality. But it’s been hard for me to pass up the seafood whenever I’m there.

Why not both?

Seafood tower to start, steak for entree. And lots of drinks. 

[hornian 5219]

29 minutes ago, Lobo said:

What was the steakhouse over in the Gateway development, across from Arboretum?  It was really popular for 15 minutes around 2000?  

There's a Trucluck's over there. Not sure if that is what you're thinking of - it's not quite in the Gateway. 

NXNW also used to be over there, but it's closed now. 

[Guest Lobo]

I remember those joints.  one i was thinking of was over towards the theater, it was a massive end-cap by where that REI is now I think.  Whatever it was, I know it closed probably after the '08 bust up that way.  It was like a steak and seafood place, not totally upscale, not quite middle-market.  Not Cool River either.  It was in a large strip center  IIRC.  

[jimmyjazz 45958]

7 minutes ago, Lobo said:

I remember those joints.  one i was thinking of was over towards the theater, it was a massive end-cap by where that REI is now I think.  Whatever it was, I know it closed probably after the '08 bust up that way.  It was like a steak and seafood place, not totally upscale, not quite middle-market.  Not Cool River either.  It was in a large strip center  IIRC.  

When you say end cap, do you mean the end of the building across the parking lot from REI?  There's a Panera in that building.  I vaguely recall the restaurant you're talking about, it was either 2-story or 2nd story only?

[Guest Lobo]

Yeah, I think it had like a mezzanine level that overlooked the center of the restaurant, maybe the bar.  No idea what's in there now, been a decade since I was in the Gateway shopping area.  This place was only open for a few years, maybe ten at the absolute most.  We went there for happy hour a few times when I worked up that way but it was too pricey for me.  It wasn't super-fancy, but seemed too nice to be in a strip center if that makes sense.  

[LCHorn 2620]

8 minutes ago, Lobo said:

Yeah, I think it had like a mezzanine level that overlooked the center of the restaurant, maybe the bar.  No idea what's in there now, been a decade since I was in the Gateway shopping area.  This place was only open for a few years, maybe ten at the absolute most.  We went there for happy hour a few times when I worked up that way but it was too pricey for me.  It wasn't super-fancy, but seemed too nice to be in a strip center if that makes sense.  

There was a Mezzaluna’s over there but I doubt that’s what you were thinking of.  Maybe a predecessor in the same space?

 

My go-to back then was Ray’s but steak generally was only when the parents were in town because I was a broke student.  Anything north of the airport seemed like a whole other universe.  

Edited January 12, 2022 by LCHorn

[utee94 15823]

6 minutes ago, Lobo said:

Yeah, I think it had like a mezzanine level that overlooked the center of the restaurant, maybe the bar.  No idea what's in there now, been a decade since I was in the Gateway shopping area.  This place was only open for a few years, maybe ten at the absolute most.  We went there for happy hour a few times when I worked up that way but it was too pricey for me.  It wasn't super-fancy, but seemed too nice to be in a strip center if that makes sense.  

I don't remember this place at all, which is weird because it definitely sounds like the kind of place I would have hit up in the early 2000s, living in NW Austin as a young professional.  Spent tons of time at NXNW, Iron Cactus North, Cool River, Z Tejas, Eddie V's, Trudy's, etc. back in those days.

If you're really curious, it might be worth asking in the "restaurants that no longer exist" thread, which probably gets more traffic.

[Guest Lobo]

yeah, I will.  This thread about steakhouses up that way got me thinking about it.  Maybe it was Mezzaluna but I thought that was more italian.  I dunno.  I'm getting old. 

[DalTxHornFan 3101]

1 hour ago, Lobo said:

What was the steakhouse over in the Gateway development, across from Arboretum?  It was really popular for 15 minutes around 2000?  

Are you thinking about Reed's Jazz and Supper Club?  That was a two-story space.  A Reed Clemons deal.  It started out as Mezzaluna II, then reincarnated as the Jazz and Supper Club.

[Guest Lobo]

Maybe that's it.  I guess I was only there at happy hour before the music started so that part didn't stick out in my mind.  I think that was it.  About 2000-2006 ish?  

[gsoda3 3262]

14 hours ago, Chewbacca said:

We've got Andiamo and Uchiko booked.  Need a steakhouse.  Is Perry's the best option out that direction?  I've never been to the one in Denver but have heard good things.  And maybe good Tex-Mex place?  I've got 4 nights, not 3.

for steaks, Fleming's is in the domain also.  it's a tossup for me, flemings or perry's-  unless it's lunch on fridays at which point perry's pork chop is the answer.  the arboretum's 10 minutes away and they have an eddie Vs, but unless you're getting seafood it's not worth the drive if you have fleming's and perry's right there.

[jimmyjazz 45958]

22 minutes ago, DalTxHornFan said:

Are you thinking about Reed's Jazz and Supper Club?  That was a two-story space.  

That's it.

[utee94 15823]

I remember Reed's, which opened when he shut down Mezzaluna II and refitted it.  I liked it, went there some for date nights, but I didn't think of it as an early 2000s thing, figured it was more like 2010.  Just shows how old I am, it's all bleeding together now.

[hornian 5219]

1 hour ago, gsoda3 said:

for steaks, Fleming's is in the domain also.  it's a tossup for me, flemings or perry's-  unless it's lunch on fridays at which point perry's pork chop is the answer.  the arboretum's 10 minutes away and they have an eddie Vs, but unless you're getting seafood it's not worth the drive if you have fleming's and perry's right there.

That Flemings is ass, my dude. Clientele is not doing them any favors at that location, and they were in the middle of a remodel in December (probably still going on) where they literally had folding chairs at some tables and really harsh bright lighting in the main dinning room, bathrooms were a literal shit show, etc. Won't be going back to that one.

[Chewbacca 7780]

Why not both?
Seafood tower to start, steak for entree. And lots of drinks. 

This is the way.

[Chewbacca 7780]

for steaks, Fleming's is in the domain also.  it's a tossup for me, flemings or perry's-  unless it's lunch on fridays at which point perry's pork chop is the answer.  the arboretum's 10 minutes away and they have an eddie Vs, but unless you're getting seafood it's not worth the drive if you have fleming's and perry's right there.

I love seafood. The steakhouse is for my business partners, but having a place that does both well fits the bill. Most steakhouses are shit with fish, but not Eddie Vs.

[gsoda3 3262]

That Flemings is ass, my dude. Clientele is not doing them any favors at that location, and they were in the middle of a remodel in December (probably still going on) where they literally had folding chairs at some tables and really harsh bright lighting in the main dinning room, bathrooms were a literal shit show, etc. Won't be going back to that one.

That's disappointing to hear. Last time I was there everything was good, just like their downtown location. But that was pre pandemic

[Judge Roybeanbag 11819]

21 hours ago, DalTxHornFan said:

Roaring Fork isn't doing lunch service right now, but is open for HH and food from 4 pm (2 pm on Fri/Sat)until close.

The rainbow trout at RF is actually pretty damned good.  

[gsoda3 3262]

8 minutes ago, Judge Roybeanbag said:

The rainbow trout at RF is actually pretty damned good.  

+1

[jimmyjazz 45958]

18 minutes ago, Judge Roybeanbag said:

The rainbow trout at RF is actually pretty damned good.  

Green Chili Pork for an appetizer kicks ass.

[Judge Roybeanbag 11819]

1 hour ago, jimmyjazz said:

Green Chili Pork for an appetizer kicks ass.

That paired with the fried crab/avocado thing.

[jimmyjazz 45958]

. . . but they should spell it "Green Chile Pork".

#pedant

[Deej 76797]

20 hours ago, South Austin said:

There’s also Olive Garden on Burnet and 183.

There's also a Wienerschnitzel and Culver's just down the street from the Domain. 

[Deej 76797]

17 hours ago, Ewreck10 said:

Enchiladas y mas is legit,

Call first. They posted on Instagram earlier this week they were having COVID issues and were closing for a few days, at least. 

[Judge Roybeanbag 11819]

40 minutes ago, Deej said:

There's also a Wienerschnitzel and Culver's just down the street from the Domain. 

Man when I worked at the Time Warner building at Mopac and Duval I used to hit that up all the time.

[jimmyjazz 45958]

9 minutes ago, Judge Roybeanbag said:

Man when I worked at the Time Warner building at Mopac and Duval I used to hit that up all the time.

My office is (literally) right behind Q2 stadium.  It is such a food wasteland.  Outside of Andiamo, where no average Joe is gonna go for lunch, there's a Thundercloud Subs, a Wendy's, the aforementioned Culver's and Weinerschnitzel, and Kiefer's Deli.  It's awful.  I'm not including McDonald's, Taco Bell or Walgreens.

There are a few legit Mexican joints a little farther away, but many aren't open for lunch.  Hence -- HEB Greek salad, here I come.

[Judge Roybeanbag 11819]

7 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

My office is (literally) right behind Q2 stadium.  It is such a food wasteland.  Outside of Andiamo, where no average Joe is gonna go for lunch, there's a Thundercloud Subs, a Wendy's, the aforementioned Culver's and Weinerschnitzel, and Kiefer's Deli.  It's awful.  I'm not including McDonald's, Taco Bell or Walgreens.

There are a few legit Mexican joints a little farther away, but many aren't open for lunch.  Hence -- HEB Greek salad, here I come.

Back when I worked there, yeah there was a wasteland.  But there was also (aside from the Domain restaraunts, Culver's and Weinerschnitzel) a Double Daves, Red Rooster, Crawfish Shack, Ramos #3 mexican restaraunt and a few other weird places.   I actually live south now within a stones throw of all the new stuff on Manchaca (Menchaca) and don't get out North much anymore.

Edited January 12, 2022 by Judge Roybeanbag

[CooterBrown 18014]

I can’t believe no one’s mentioned Conan’s Pizza. The only order is a deep dish Savage with jalapeños and anchovies on wheat. Wash it down with a few pints of beer.

[utee94 15823]

2 minutes ago, CooterBrown said:

I can’t believe no one’s mentioned Conan’s Pizza. The only order is a deep dish Savage with jalapeños and anchovies on wheat. Wash it down with a few pints of beer.

Amen, brutha.

[jimmyjazz 45958]

. . . and I'M old school.  

[ChickenSandwich 9836]

On 1/11/2022 at 7:55 AM, utee94 said:

Oh. another really excellent Japanese sushi/small plate place in North Austin, is Soto.  It's another odd spot in a generic strip mall in suburbia, but the food is well worth it.  It's a bit north of the domain, as opposed to heading south into Austin proper, like many of the other suggestions.

 

 

Tomo Sushi on Parmer fits this description as well. Love it. 

[ChickenSandwich 9836]

On 1/12/2022 at 3:21 PM, jimmyjazz said:

My office is (literally) right behind Q2 stadium.  It is such a food wasteland.  Outside of Andiamo, where no average Joe is gonna go for lunch, there's a Thundercloud Subs, a Wendy's, the aforementioned Culver's and Weinerschnitzel, and Kiefer's Deli.  It's awful.  I'm not including McDonald's, Taco Bell or Walgreens.

There are a few legit Mexican joints a little farther away, but many aren't open for lunch.  Hence -- HEB Greek salad, here I come.

http://phohong.net

[Stunns38 3460]

If you’re looking for a good Mexican breakfast or lunch, no frills, try Vazquez Mexican restaurant. There’s one on Braker. Don’t be afraid of some local color.

+1. I’ve been going for over 20 years. But it’s on Mopac/Burnet between Jim’s and Exxon.

[jimmyjazz 45958]

5 minutes ago, Stunns38 said:

+1. I’ve been going for over 20 years. But it’s on Mopac/Burnet between Jim’s and Exxon.

Parking's a bit of a pain but the food is legit.

[utee94 15823]

42 minutes ago, Stunns38 said:

+1. I’ve been going for over 20 years. But it’s on Mopac/Burnet between Jim’s and Exxon.

There are three of them in the Austin area.  There's another one further out 183 at Lake Creek.

[utee94 15823]

58 minutes ago, ChickenSandwich said:

Tomo Sushi on Parmer fits this description as well. Love it. 

Yup, Tomodachi is good.  Our old house is just a few blocks away, right by the original Apple campus.  We were weekly regulars there until we moved.

[Brisketexan 105145]

There are three of them in the Austin area.  There's another one further out 183 at Lake Creek.

This. I pointed him to the closer location for him, but I too usually hit the one by Jim’s.

Also, did y’all notice that due to staffing shortages and reduced pandemic demand, that Jim’s is no longer 24 hours? Sad development.

[utee94 15823]

1 hour ago, Brisketexan said:

This. I pointed him to the closer location for him, but I too usually hit the one by Jim’s.

Also, did y’all notice that due to staffing shortages and reduced pandemic demand, that Jim’s is no longer 24 hours? Sad development.

Bummer, I did not notice that.  My folks live just across 183 from there, a couple blocks behind Playland skating rink, in the same house I was born into and raised in.  I meet them regularly for lunch and that Jim's is always in the rotation, but I just realized we've been doing other places recently and haven't been there in many months.