Austin

(From August 2009) If, like us, you have a deep and abiding love of both buffalo wings and hamburgers and have often wondered if together they would not produce something greater than the sum of their parts, this is the burger for you. The tangy vinegar-and-Tabasco sauce is hot but not overpowering, and the richness of the blue cheese is complemented by the thick tomato slices and a delicate spring mix of arugula and spinach. We know that sounds a little sissified, but balance is provided by the sports bar’s pool table, dart boards, waitresses in short shorts, and abundant flat-screen TVs tuned to ESPN.

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(From August 2009) Sometimes you want a burger that’s just a little bit different, and the Korean owners of this humble restaurant cook up a delicious twist. The tender beef has been audaciously marinated in soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil, but what really makes it unique is that it’s thinly sliced rather than ground. Sure, there might be some grumpy purists out there who insist that ground meat is a constitutive part of hamburgers. To these scrooges we say, your loss is our (weight) gain. The bulgogi sauce is a hot, coral-colored blend featuring roasted garlic and onions. At the fixin’s bar, you dress the shaved meat yourself with fresh tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and homemade condiments.

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(From August 2009) Buenos Aires Café—Austin’s first Argentine eatery—has opened a spacious and inviting second location on the east side. Fresh and flaky, empanadas come with various fillings, including a don’t-miss carne picante with scallions, raisins, and green olives and a vegetarian’s dream packed with spinach, ricotta, and Parmesan. Entrées can be spotty; steer clear of the bland gnocchi and head straight for the pastel de papas, Argentina’s answer to shepherd’s pie. Vegetable lovers will enjoy the handmade herbed crepes (canelones caseros) filled with Parmesan and a portobello-eggplant blend. Beer & wine.

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(From November 2009) If you find yourself racked with hunger while strolling the lovely grounds of Laguna Gloria art museum around lunchtime, you needn’t flee for sustenance: 34th Street Café is now serving up tasty pre-made sandwiches and salads. We enjoyed the roast beef with Gouda and horseradish, particularly its spongy poppy seed bread.

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(From November 2009) New to the hip Austin Triangle development, this Colorado chain has people going cuckoo for a childhood favorite: grilled cheese. And not just a slice of cheddar stuck between two slices of bread (although you can get that too). Just about every combo of meats, cheeses, breads, and condiments can be tried. We liked the Yoga Teacher, with turkey, avocado, spinach, and a tangy Italian dressing pressed on seven-grain bread with gooey Provolone to boot. Next time, we’re going for the French Kiss, a romantic union of Gorgonzola and sun-dried-tomato spread on focaccia.

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(From February 2009) Can a cookie be better than you-know-what? You’ll have to decide for yourself. At this new retro spot west of the UT campus, patrons relax on mod sectional couches (or text or surf—there’s free Wi-Fi) while waiting for their made-to-order cookies. Choose from six kinds of dough (we prefer Dottie’s Oatmeal and Stacey’s Super Sweet) and more than 30 mix-ins (the dark chocolate melts in your mouth). Be indulgent and wash it down with a milk shake (the vanilla sent us to sugar ecstasy). No regrets. Promise.

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(From July 2009) Fans of the intrepid Nilda de la Llata are now trekking over to Sixth Street for breakfasts of migas and piping-hot tortillas. Then they’re showing up again at happy hour for a Paloma Patron cocktail: tequila and pineapple juice. After one or two of those, they’re likely to be staying for dinner, sampling an array of interior Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes. We liked the smoky enchiladas en mole but found the shrimp a la diabla sorely lacking in spirit (read: bland). Even so, we got to the bottom of a bowlful of sopaipillas topped with whipped cream and honey. With its full range of enticements, this local favorite is a welcome addition to downtown. Bar.

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(From October 2008) Evenings can draw a crowd to the urban-rustic courtyard of this little espresso bar on the east side. We loved the trio of hummus, tabouleh, and couscous; the vibrant yellow hummus was rich and garlicky. The toasty Mediterranean Mama panino arrived packed with turkey, olives, and tomato and oozing with feta. The dollop of dill mayonnaise added a welcome tang. The cinnamon-rich iced chai was smooth and refreshing. Beer & wine.

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(From September 2008) One of the latest additions to Austin’s burgeoning population of mobile food trucks, little Lulu B’s is tucked under a gracious live oak, where the shiny white trailer turns out a short list of affordable Vietnamese dishes. For a light lunch, sink your teeth into a fresh, crusty baguette layered with lemongrass pork or chicken. Or, for something cool, order the veggie-packed summer rolls; the accompanying peanut sauce alone is worth a visit.

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(From July 2009) You no longer have to wait a year and then queue up at the annual Austin City Limits Music Festival to score a Hudson’s on the Bend crunchy-chicken cone. Now you can get the warm chicken tenders—coated with crushed almonds, corn flakes, sesame seeds, and chile flakes, fried, and served in a tortilla with mango-jalapeño coleslaw—six days a week at this kitschy trailer on South Congress. The avocado and shrimp versions are almost as tasty as the chicken (the first two are deals at $5.45, the latter an equally economical $6.45).

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