The Food Austin Network

Quacks - 411 E 43rd St, Austin, TX - 78751

Nestled in the heart of Hyde Park, Quacks is one of Austin’s sweet tooth institutions.  The deserts options at Quacks make it one of the purveyors of fixes for the midnight sweet tooth craving.  The fact that they are open late is definitely a plus, but what keeps bringing US back is the assortment of cookies and cakes.  The Ginger Crinkle cookie is definitely of note as is the Carrot Cake.  There are always several options to choose from and they tend to have something for everyone.  There are even sandwiches and the like if you’re not in the mood for a sugary delight.  Also of note - The Ginger Bread - it is some of the best we’ve ever had.  It isn’t the gingerbread of gingerbread house fame - not hard and crusty - much to the contrary it is soft and moist and full of gingery flavor.  Now, keep in mind that this may not be what every professed gingerbread fiend thinks of when they think of GINGERbread, but it is definitely a treat for those with a discerning palate.  The coffee isn’t bad either.  In the mood for a place to hang out with some old friends or maybe just sit down and get that midterm studying done.  Between this place and Dolce Vita, they’ve got your Hyde Park sweet tooth fix covered like a well iced cake. 
Check it, Check it out.

price: $

Progress Coffee - 500 San Marcos - Austin, TX 78702 - http://www.progresscoffee.com

Progress is still fairly new in the Austin Coffee scene but has become one of my favorite places to go and just hang out and read a book or have a nice meaningful discussion.  The coffee is fair trade and actually quite good.  There are also several choices for foodstuffs on a daily basis.  But I’m a firm believer that a great coffee shop has to have an atmosphere where you feel comfortable both by yourself and with others in order to become a staple of the neighborhood.  Progress is one of those places where if you’re in the mood for a nice quiet yet not depressing place to study or if you’re just meeting with someone special over coffee you’ll be at ease.  When you first step into the converted warehouse, you can’t help but look around and see a brick and mortar affirmation of the character of Austin: addictive, bright and full of exciting and energetic young people.

So if you’re in the mood to just hang out and enjoy some coffee, go ahead, support local business and hit  up Progress.

One of the more random places I’ve been to. They’ve got a GREAT spinach and artichoke dip, if you’re into that. Their pizza is…original, and good. While the interior is a bit small, as is the bar, the environment is relaxing for the most part, and there is a lower level that seems a little sketchy…

Anyway, the food isn’t bad, they give you a lot, especially with the sandwiches. The prices are normal. Overall this is about as average a place as you can get. I recommend this place for having lunch with a friend.

Magic Wok
2716 Guadalupe St - Austin, TX 78705 - 512-474-7770

For fast cheap Chinese food, Magic Wok is the go to spot near the university. Lunch specials are filling and under $4. It’s a no frills place with sparse ambiance but excellent delivery. The dishes on offer are the generic Chinese cuisine dishes like Kung Pao Chicken but are served in heaping portions almost too big to finish.  The staff is quick and friendly and offer prompt service.  Even if you live across the street and call in your order, Chances are that it’ll be ready before you get there.  Believe me I’ve tried.

Quick, easy, convenient, AND cheap, everything a college student needs.

-PeterPumpkinEater

Price: $

Pluckers Wing Factory
2222 Rio Grande - Austin, Texas 78705 – 512-469-WING
9070 Research Blvd – Austin, Texas 78758 – 512-533-WING
www.pluckers.net

For those who love wings and watching sports, look no further the Pluckers Wing Factory in the heart of West Campus, or any of their other locations. Whether it’s hanging out with the guys, or binging from a diet, Pluckers serves the best wings in Austin. Although the restaurant has changed the past couple of years, it still draws in a crowd. Monday features an “all-you-can-eat” wings and Tuesday is their 40 cent wing night. Beer is always discounted whenever a UT sports event is on TV. If you’re not in the mood for wings, you should check out the Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich, the chicken breast and pineapple combo is very tasty.  It may sound like we’re head over heals for Pluckers but they do have their fair share of disappointments. The wait staff is slow and poorly trained, they’re very reluctant to take their own coupons, the wait can be overwhelming at times, and the calorie count and fat levels would make a cardiologist cry.

I give it a C.

PeterPumpkinEater

Price: $ 

Johnny’s Half Shell
2002 P St, NW - Washington, DC 20036 - 202.296.2021 – www.johnnyshalfshell.net

Our barebones description of Johnny’s is this: If you’re in the mood for some seafood and you don’t want to drive to the Bay, you should come to Dupont and check out Johnny’s.  Johnny’s does the Chesapeake Bay classic crab cakes and does them well, if the wait and the hustle and bustle of Dupont didn’t give it away, you might be able to fool yourself into thinking you’re dining at some joint right on the water.  For starters the barbeque shrimp and grits is a top notch choice.  The flavor is succulent and helps white wash the wait you had to endure just to get to them.  The seared Scallops are also done well and are firm yet juicy.  If you’re not in the mood for dinner, you should check out the Po’boy sandwich, it’s a great substitute for some of the bigger portioned dishes and is perfect for people during lunch or those that believe in small dinners.  This is also one of those places where we actually would recommend saving room for desert.  The famed chocolate angel food cake is sublime and is a great foil for the wonderful seafood fare.  The price is what you would expect to pay for seafood in a town that’s not on the Sea.  Given that this is Washington, the prices are also a little bit on the high side but in line with other seafood establishments around town.  For our money, Johnny’s is a step ahead of it’s competition, let’s just hope it doesn’t stumble just because the line is always out the door.  They don’t take reservations so plan ahead.

Price: $$  (20-25 per entrée)

Bread Line
1751 Pennsylvania Ave, NW - Washington, DC 20006 - 202.822.8900

One of the best lunch places in town.  The Bread Line features some of the best breads in the city and because bread is a great building block, some of the best sandwiches in the city.  The Menu varies seasonally and usually is a blend of flavors around the globe.  They also carry American staples such as the the tuna, the turkey, the prosciutto and the ham.  But are spiced up a little bit to cater to the sophistication swirling around this part of town (right next to the White House and the World Bank…).   The portions are large and the service quick and hasty.  This place is all about the food, allowing movers and shakers to jet in and out and back to moving and shaking.  If you’re in downtown and in the mood for a well done sandwich this is your place!  Be warned, the later your lunchtime the worse the chances of actually finding something to eat here, the best stuff goes fast.

Price: $ 

Hyde Park Bar and Grill
4206 Duval Street- Austin, Texas - 78751

Much like the neighborhood, Hyde Park Bar and Grill is a laid back and unpretentious place.  Located a few miles from downtown and the University of Texas, the location is ideal and convenient.  The competition for your lunch/dinner money is intense here with Mothers and Asti in the same vicinity.  But despite the nearby competition, HP B&G is almost always the most crowded because it is the most consistent with its offerings. Their food is served fast from a friendly, knowledgeable, and professional staff who seem to know the just the right times to be at the table. The menu is full of items that could be singled out for distinction, but their signature dish, the Horseshoe Burger, is their best by far. For the hungriest of appetites, it’s a half pound burger served open faced covered with fries, a special sauce, and all the trimmings. Another exceptional dish is the Yellow fin tuna sandwich; the fish is done very well and should be ordered with the blackened seasoning.  On a negative note, we recommend staying away from the stir fry, while not terrible; it definitely isn’t worth the 35 minute wait that you endure just to get a table.  After a long wait, you really owe it to yourself to get the Horseshoe.  The layout and ambience are ideal for both small groups of friends and a date with someone special. Plan on making reservations or the wait could be up to 35 minutes to get a table on an average night.

I give it a B+ 

-PeterPumpkinEater 

Price: $ (10-15ish) 

If I had to pick only one restaurant to eat at for the rest of my life, this would be it. Their sandwiches and subs are incredible. The selection is excellent, and you can order it the way you want, with or without certain things. The service is fantastic, and there is no minimum purchase amount for delivery. Yes that’s right boys and girls, they deliver subs right to you. And not only that, they deliver within 10 minutes (I’ve timed them every single time, and I live all the way out in Windsor Hills…most impressive). There isn’t a thing about this place I don’t like. Thier prices are highly competitive with that of Subway and Quizzno’s, except that Subway and Quizzno’s can barely compete in taste and quality.

Everyone loves Italian food. And trust me when I say it’s even better when it gets served within 10 minutes. The thought of “fast-food” Italian food is sketchy at best. But this place isn’t really fast food, they’re just efficient. The food here is arguably restaurant quality (the layout of the place is much like a restaurant). Their lasagna is most excellent. To be honest my mother is the only one that makes better lasagna. It’s a really relaxed atmosphere, a great place to go with friends and relax. My favorite part is their breadsticks. Not only are they free, not only does a waiter come around every few minutes offering you more, but they are incredibly delicious. The only thing this place is missing is a location in downtown Blacksburg.