Looking for restaurant recs for this Saturday in south Austin/down town area (loosely)... my fiance and i are heading into town to do some wedding shopping and are looking for a place to eat dinner.

We have a 5:00 fitting appt at the Domain, but will be staying downtown/along S. Congress.

Would love guidance on getting in outside of reservations because most of those are pretty well taken... She's not fussy, but would like a good/fun experience.

I 2nd Matt's El Ranco

Loro is another great spot.

https://mattiesaustin.com/
Is beautiful & food is good. They have some reservations, but I think they keep tables for walk-ups. Call and ask. Get there before sunset as he peacocks strolling zur grounds are pretty cool.

ATX Cocina is "busier" and excellent as well, closer in to town.

Aba is a really cool spot not far at all from where you are staying. You might be able to walk up and get a table but I'm sure there will be a wait. Next choice would be Tiny Boxwoods or Perlas

https://www.abarestaurants.com/

https://www.tinyboxwoods.com/

https://perlasaustin.com/

El Alma

Reality is they wont be able to get in anywhere worth a damn on Saturday night. Matt's usually has a 2+ hour wait on Saturdays. Uchi is booked weeks out. Aba might be the hardest to get in of all of those previously mentioned.

Going to have to roll dice and get lucky at bar seating somewhere. Or maybe try Central Standard, its juts OK and limited menu but great location and good chance you might get a table there

Enjoyable for:
Large Bob and a Mexican martini.
Pralines.
Chips/salsa.
Sitting outside.
Iced tea.

Parking is awful.
always crowded.

Loro will be busy. But probably your best bet to get in under an hour since they have a pretty good outside area.

As mentioned above, it will be tough everywhere.

Loro is where I always take visitors and everyone loves it.

Polvos is solid.

Uchi happy hour is pretty great (just went for the first time yesterday)

I'd recommend Jacoby's or Grizzelda's, then walking over to Central Machine Works afterwards.

ECC said:

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I 2nd Matt's El Ranco

Loro is another great spot.

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Matt's is your father's Mexican food, especially if Dad went to UT in the 60's and 70's. I am a sucker for it, but you can find a whole lot better food.

500,000ags said:

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I'd recommend Jacoby's or Grizzelda's, then walking over to Central Machine Works afterwards.

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+1

Have to warn you, but we have a homeless camping problem. You might have heard of it but the further south you go the stronger it gets.

Matt's food isn't the best but the atmosphere is awesome. The food is better than any TexMex in Dallas for sure. Lots of look how cool I am because I don't like something universally popular on this thread. The bar isn't open yet so they make you wait outside but the last few time I have been they said 1 hour wait and it was under 15 mins. Have a few cold beers in the car JIC

That being said Loro is probably my favorite casual spot, there is a new easy Tiger on South Lamar, Launderette is another favorite that always has walk up but it central southeast

Aviary on South Lamar.

Trust me, both of you will like it especially her. Walk across the street to Loro afterward for good drinks in a fun spot or next door to Black Sheep for whatever is on tv in a quasi-dive bar atmosphere.

Seconded on Mattie's and Tiny Boxwoods, both awesome spots with outstanding food (and be sure to take home some cookies from Tiny's Milk & Cookies). Loro is great but will probably be packed, Easy Tiger is also great for something more casual and that new S Lamar spot has an awesome deck view (RIP Red's Porch).

For breakfast you might try Two Hands, I met the chef before it opened and it's getting great reviews (haven't been yet), Snooze is also great if you get there early to beat the lines.
https://www.twohandsnyc.com/austin-menus/

And as someone who grew up in Houston, yes Matt's El Rancho is overrated.

Two Hands is great for breakfast.

Went to Comedor last night. Every dish was outstanding.

Went to Hestia friday night and thought it was fantastic.

+1 for Comedor. Outstanding place. Like other's have said, Loro's is fantastic casual dining.

+1 for Hestia. Very creative menu. The chef's menu is excellent!

Keeper of The Spirits said:

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Matt's food isn't the best but the atmosphere is awesome.

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did we go to the same place? I felt like i was at an olive garden.

Ended up at Aba... great vibe and food. Maybe the best hummus I've ever had (not saying too much). 2 hour wait so we went down to Rainey while waiting. Thanks for all the recs.

PS. Is Covid over? I'm cool with it, based on the number of folks we saw out.

Fumbleruski said:

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+1 for Comedor. Outstanding place. Like other's have said, Loro's is fantastic casual dining.

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Comedor for us was great bc of atmosphere but i found the food to be good... not great.

Same here. Lots of places in Austin that are beautiful restaurants where the food is good but not great.

I haven't been to Comedor so I am not judging that, I am curious where in Austin do you go for great food?

I've have my favorites but even some of them have had a few off nights.

Lenoir was a favorite but they changed the menu last time we went.

Vespaio, red Ash,
Fixe.
Mongers
Barley Swine (dear lord this was pricey)

Uchiko/uchi

There is an Italian place in mueller that does homemade pasta.

Odd duck.

34th street cafe

SLF11 said:

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Ended up at Aba... great vibe and food. Maybe the best hummus I've ever had (not saying too much). 2 hour wait so we went down to Rainey while waiting. Thanks for all the recs.

PS. Is Covid over? I'm cool with it, based on the number of folks we saw out.

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If you base Austin on Rainey St, yes, Covid is definitely over.

Thanks, I am always looking for different places. Love Uchiko and Fixe.

Been trying to get to Red Ash but it's always booked when I have the chance.

I have had the same experience but finally managed to get in because I was planning for a staycation weekend two months out and thought to check. Even then my options were only 6:00 or 9:00pm. Everything else was taken. It was great. Will definitely go back. We went with a group of four, which worked really well because it allowed us to sample more of the menu.