We have an amazing giveaway to brighten your Monday! One pair of Weekender Passes to the first ever Austin FOOD & WINE Festival presented by FOOD & WINE Magazine courtesy of Cascal. Come and join some of Texas’s most famous chefs the weekend of April 27-29th at Republic Square Park and help bring Austin’s booming food and wine scene to center stage.
The Weekender pass includes 35+ Cooking Demos and Wine Seminars, complimentary food & wine tastings both Saturday and Sunday, and weekender lounge access. Visit Austin FOOD & WINE Fesitval for more information and scheduling.
Show some love to Cascal on Facebook for sponsoring this amazing giveaway! They have been one of Whole Planet Foundations longtime sponsors donating $150,000 raising over 1,000 loans and impacting the lives of 5,900 people around the world.
The contest is open March, 26-30. Winners will be randomly selected and contacted on Monday April 2nd.
To be entered for a chance to win and be a part of this gourmet Austin festival tradition post a comment responding to this question:
What is your favorite “hidden” Austin food gem? Not from Austin? What are you most looking forward to trying?
Good Luck!
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My favorite Austin gem isn’t really food. Avocado margaritas I had there were amazing.
One of the best hidden gems is the neopolitan pizzas at Sagra on San Antonio and 17th.
The freshest seafood restaurant is the one inside wholefoods Lamar. You choose your fish from the market, prepared right in front of yr eyes,and then next to it is the best wine selection!
This is an awesome giveaway! seriously baffled.
I am sure that there are tons of little food gems here in Austin that my stubborn, habitual self has yet to explore but my favorite as of now has to be Titaya’s on N. Lamar. The ceilings may be a little low but the thai food is seriously through the roof. ; )
I am going to be liberal with the term “hidden” and allow it to apply to something more than geographical location. Items, locations, deals, dishes, etc. that should have the “light shined on them” can be considered relatively “hidden.”
1) Julio’s in Hyde Park — my favorite item there is the chicken taco. Great family run place that offers fine tasting food and value.
2) Taco Deli (I prefer the one on Spyglass off of Barton Skyway, which is somewhat hidden geographically) — I love their tacos, and their red salsa is amazing — a not too well known fact (i.e., consider this “hidden” menu item) is that you can purchase their salsa in large containers to go. My fave tacos are the chicken frontera and the buffalo (replaced, I think, by the Akaushi Picadillo); also, they have a special every day! However, I can’t imagine that you can go wrong with any of their offerings.
3) ZTejas — ok, again, not so hidden geographically; I prefer the one on 6th Street (just around the corner from Whole Foods Flagship store). But, their happy hour from 4-7, Monday to Friday, is amazing when it comes to appetizers — and I think this amazing deal (about 50% off) for great tasting apps is a bit hidden/unknown. My favorites are the seared ahi tuna, the dumplings, the trio, and the quesadillas.
Too many to name, but my current favorite food gem has to be the brussels sprouts from uchiko! This giveaway is awesome — hope to get some good news next Monday!
If there is one restaurant I always crave that most people haven’t heard about, it’s Alborz persian cuisine on West Anderson.
I have a weakness for middle eastern food and Alborz is easily my favorite place in Austin to satisfy my cravings!
P.S. This is an awesome giveaway! :]
There are so many fantastic local spots in Austin, but I would have to say my favorite hidden gem is Avenue B Grocery in Hyde Park. I almost always get the special sandwich of the day and have never been disappointed. In fact, I will drop everything and head there for lunch if I hear the special is pulled pork…..YUM!!
I am new to Texas, been here just over one year…I hear almost everything in Austin food wise is amazing…cannot wait to try a bit of the goodies to say so myself.
I look forward to the BBQ, of course!
Haven’t been to Austin, yet. I need to see what Odd Duck’s Pork Belly Slider is all about though.
Breakfast Tacos! Don’t take these for granted, they’ve never heard of them in the Northeast =D
While not exactly hidden anymore, the original Torchy’s truck was always a favorite. I also loves Artz Rib House and Sam’s BBQ as a change from the more popular/crowded joints. You can’t call Threadgill’s hidden by any means, but their chicken fried pork chop is awesome and overlooked. And I could go on….
The raw foods bar in the produce section of Whole Foods downtown really does turn out amazing, fresh food…so tasty and healthy.
If you haven’t made it down South in Oak Hill to Jack Allen’s Kitchen, it’s worth the drive. They are reasonably priced, have awesome food, and use locally sourced ingredients. I’m a fan of their happy hour with half priced appetizers! It’s not really hidden, but if you don’t live in South Austin, you may not have tried it yet
My Favourite hidden Gem is “El Meson” off Burleson in south east austin… Taqueria style place with serious central mexican food!
The Cochinita Pibil is amazing (as is most everything here…
It used To be hidden then they opened a more traditional style resaraunt off south Lamar (next to The Horse Shoe lounge”)
Same amazing food here with a more robust menu and free chips and salsa! and margaritas! can’t go wrong there
Legit Mexican tacos from Tortillas Hechos a Manos truck at N. Lamar, just past Hwy 183. It’s always stationed at this parking lot and there is a tent with several tables.
Tacos are less than $2 and they are adorned with cilantro, onion, and a lime wedge — that’s how you dress a real taco.
You might want to brush up on your espanol when you come here. Forget those uber-trendy food trucks that charge $3+ for a taco, this place is the real deal! Tripas, lenguas, barbacoa…yum.
*Calabacitas (stuffed squash blossoms) at El Meson-in season
*Beef with Cumin at A+A Szechaun
*Marrow Bones at Parkside
*Grilled Shiso Peppers (Perilla) at Fino
Backspace, baby! Top my favorite pizza with a mound of arugula and I am in heaven!
Never been, but I’ve heard great things about the food trucks, and the many restaurants that use lots of great locally sourced ingredients. Can’t wait to try it out!!!
It would be my first trip to Austin, Texas but have heard nothing but good things about the gourmet food trucks there. I’m looking forward to some local delicious tamales with a spicy salsa most!
I’m not from Austin but I hear the BBQ is great! I would love to try some. Maybe while there I can get a referral to a good place.
I’m currently addicted Chilantro’s hamburger. It’s crazy delicious! The tacos are too, but you gotta try the burger! Their trailers can be found all over town but I catch it at 2nd and Congress for my lunch time treat. Yum!! Thanks for a chance to win!
I know it’s still very new to the Austin scene, but Lucy’s fried chicken is definitely a gem – and a hidden one in that it’s on a little SOCO side street. I first went when the weather was still chilly, but now the big deck can be properly enjoyed in the pretty spring weather.
My favorite hidden Austin gem is the Yume Burger trailer. It’s burgers with a Japanese twist, and their trailer is always on the move, so you’ve got to track it down.
I don’t live in Austin but every time I visit I look forward to a delicious, locally grown meal at Eastside Cafe. Their focus on fresh, local (when possible) and humanely raised meats is something that I find very appealing. The restaurant itself is in an old house which creates and intimate, old-world feel for your dining experience.
When we visit Austin, food is always on the top of our list and each time we seem to find yet another “hidden gem”. I’m so excited that the Food and Wine festival is coming to Austin, it’s a great city with amazing food!
The latest hidden gem I’ve found is Via313.
It’s the first Detroit Style Pizza trailer in the United States located on the Eastside of I-35 at The Violet Crown Social Club: 1111 East 6th, Austin, TX 78702.
What is Detroit Style Pizza???
The best description is from their website:
It’s Square! This is because in true Motor City fashion, authentic Detroit-style pizza is baked in square, blue steel automotive parts pans. Traditionally, deck ovens are used for baking.
It’s Upside-Down! Detroit-style pizza is often referred to as upside-down pizza or red top pizza because of the way its prepared:
1. Start with a thick, chewy Sicilian crust
2. Line the crust with a layer of pepperoni
3. Mound plenty of cheese on top all the way to the edge
4. Heap any extra toppings on the cheese
5. Drizzle on a thick layer of signature red sauce that trickles through the bubbling cheese
Go check it out and let me know if you agree that it’s amazing!
I want to try the food trucks
I would LOVE to attend their 1st VegFest! So awesome!
Thanks for the giveaway <3
East Side King food trailers – love all three!
Casita Tacos delivers breakfast tacos in classic fashion! The make you wanna kiss your fingertips like an Italian, Muah! But shhhh… they’re right on Lamar but really easy to miss.
Ah, the late night bratwurst cart on 6th.
Mann’s BBQ on 183 – it looks shabby on the outside, but it is some of the best BBQ around. Go on Friday for free homemade ice cream.
The fajita tacos at Las Palomas are so delicious – perfectly marinated!
My favorite “hidden” food gem in Austin is Ronnie’s Real Food out on 2244 … it’s a fantastic place and such a great value – perfect for a date or any special occasion. Call ahead to see what Ronnie is serving from week to week or visit his site for more information:
http://www.ronniesrealfood.com/
The best grilled cheese sandwich in the entire world hails from the Blue Star Cafe in Austin, TX! Picture two perfectly toasted slices of thick sourdough bread, stuffed with melted swiss, provolone, cheddar and gorgonzola cheese. The sandwich is served alongside fruit chutney and tangy dijon mustard. It’s worth every single last crumb!
My recent favorite discovery is the teeny tiny cool haus truck! Homemade ice dream sandwiches!! Such unique flavor combinations! And served in edible paper. Yum!
My husband considers the meatball sub from Home Slice Pizza the one and only food in Austin his Italian grandpa would serve in his own Italian food joint. He buys the foot long sub with the argument of “sharing”, then proceeds to hover over my half, drooling worse than our teething 6 month old. The same hubby who normally doesn’t consider brussel sprouts fit for human consumption, will happily eat anything (read, pork belly) at Uchiko with a side of their brussel sprouts. Add to it a Noble Pig sandwich (from Noble Pig), the original margarita from La Condesa, a plate of Indian food & beer (with a friendly chat) at the Whip In and we’re eating.. errr, talking.
I love the steak made in Austin Land & Cattle since I moved here 6 years ago. It beats those top rated steak restaurants in New York and everywhere else coast to coast. But, that is not what I’m going to say here I guess AL&C is not counted as a “hidden” food gem.
My newly discovered Austin Food Gem is Lucky’s Puccias @ 817 West 5th Street, right across WFM Global Office building. The Italian sandwich they made there is amazing. If you was wondering what a Spring Fresh tasted like or wanted Italian aroma floating inside your body, try their sandwiches.
Would like to try an Avocado Margarita.
Looking forward to trying some quality BBQ!