Marie Monde, Mange et Mode

By Marie Monde, Ramada’s Chief Eats Officer

Austin, Texas was my fourth stop on my foodie world tour as the Ramada Chief Eats Officer. It took about a day and a half to commute from Bangkok, Thailand to the Lone Star State, although it felt considerably longer with connections and time zone differences. Though tired (and a bit achy) upon arrival, Austin was well worth the hype!

The city truly embraces its “Keep Austin Weird” motto, a term coined to promote the city’s unconventional, anti-commercialism vibe. From the sizable number of small businesses to lively local live music acts, the city is truly one of a kind. Although the recent influx of tech giants is visible in the downtown area, there is a certain conviviality and quirkiness that remains alive and well.  I stayed at the centrally located Ramada by Wyndham Austin South and spent most of my time absorbing in all that Downtown Austin had to offer! After several days of food and fun, I’ve curated a list of 10 Tips for this Austin trip.  Check them out below!

1. Check out the Music Scene🎶

Austin is known as the “Live Music Capital of the World” and is home to nearly 200 music venues.  Music is deeply embedded in the Austin culture, with acts playing around the city throughout the day and on a daily basis. 

In terms of downtown Austin, 6th street is one of the most vibrant streets, filled with bars, live music, and late-night bites. While downtown looking for a quick bite, I stumbled upon Friend’s Bar.  As a product of the 90s and former New Yorker, the name alone incited a lot of nostalgia, as the inviting look reminded me of somewhere Rachel, Monica, Joey or Chandler might go.  So, I grabbed a quick bite (See Tips 3, 4, 5, 6 & 9) and came back to see what Friend’s Bar had to offer.  I was immediately pleased when my ears were greeted by live music the second I opened the door.  As if the act was hand-picked just for me, the artist was playing an original song on acoustic guitar and had a Gavin Degraw meets Jason Mraz kind of sound.

As the Chief EATS Officer, I of course must mention the gustatory experience as well.  While I did not get anything to eat at Friend’s Bar, I did have the loveliest cocktail.  The Lady Fizz, also known as my new favorite drink, is composed of St. Germain, Hendrick’s, cherry juice, cider and a little magic.  Okay, so “magic” isn’t officially listed as one of the ingredients on the menu, but the drink is truly magical, so I took the liberty of adding it as an unofficial ingredient.  In any event, I highly recommend this drink and the Friend’s Bar in general. 

In addition to great drinks and great music, the Bar’s staff are worth a mention as well.  The bartender/bar manager is both friendly and hospitable.  He offered great conversation and even kept the bar open an extra two hours because the crowd started rolling in about 5 minutes before the otherwise scheduled afternoon close time.  During our conversation, he mentioned that he’d been at the bar 3 years and recently been promoted.  Given his kind hospitality, I understand why he is moving up the ranks at the Bar.  Also worth mentioning, Friend’s Bar was the only place that I found to be open and offering live music in the afternoon.  Although nearly all bars in Downtown Austin offer live music in the evenings and on weekends, Friend’s Bar ensures that Austinians and tourists alike have both libations and live auditory action during the weekday daylight hours.  While at Friend’s Bar, I made friends with a tourist from the UK that had been in Austin for about a week, and we both agree that Friend’s Bar is the place to be on a Monday afternoon.

As aforementioned, you can’t mention Austin without mentioning music.  Thus, to round out any Austin trip, I also recommend a trip to a record store or music shop.  If you want the best of both worlds, I recommend a visit to Wild About Music.  Located Downtown on Congress Avenue, the adorable shop is the world’s first art and gift gallery dedicated entirely to music.  In addition to guitars, ukuleles and dozens of music accessories, the shop also sells everything from records and artwork to attire and novelty items.  The Dolly Parton Activity Book immediately caught my eye and before I knew it, I was also holding the Rap Legends, Country Legends and Harry Styles Activity Books as well as the Freddy Mercury Paper Doll and a fangirl quiz book for K-Pop sensation BTS.  The shop also had some stunning works of art inspired by music legends like Louis Armstrong, Willie Nelson and Beyonce. Though they don’t sell food or drinks, this place is the perfect shop to buy something music themes to put your food and drinks in, like a funky flask of a musical mug.  It is also a great place to spend time between meals or while waiting for your favorite Austin food truck to open.

 2. Stay Productive 💻

While the Austin food and music scene cannot be understated, the abundance of food and music places that also moonlight (or should I say “daylight”) as productive workspaces is noteworthy as well.  One of the most noteworthy locations is The Fareground at One Eleven Congress.  The eclectic food hall is home to 5 eateries, 2 bars, several options for caffeine intake and both indoor and outdoor workspaces.  Though the venue hosts live music Friday through Sunday and free fitness classes on evenings and weekends, during the weekday, it is filled with remote workers, professionals on a lunch break and tourists alike.  And for good reason.  The venue is spacious and inviting, with plenty of natural light and numerous options for food and drink and a multitude of tables, booths and couches. 

While there, I opted for a green protein shake from Freshii’s while editing some content from Greece and Thailand.  After enjoying the gorgeous greenery while sipping on my smoothie, I headed inside to enjoy some coffee and air conditioning.  Did I mention that Austin was over 100 degrees Fahrenheit while I was there?

After enjoying my time of protein smoothies and productivity, I left the  Fareground in pursuit of something to satisfy my sweet tooth, followed by some live music.  (For more on that, see Tips One and Four). 

The next day, I enjoyed two productivity spaces with yummy food products.  First, I went to the Hideout Coffee House.  As it turns out, The Hideout is Austin’s oldest independently owned coffee house and has a theater upstairs for live performances! Though I did not catch a show, I did catch a great vibe while consuming some delicious Orange Spearmint.  The space is quite as far as volume goes, but has some beautiful artwork with loud, vibrant colors that really brighten up the space.  I found it a great place to get work done while taking in the Austin culture and allowing my breakfast to settle.

If you need a third productivity+ food products location, I must recommend Whole Foods.  And no, this is not just any Whole Foods, it is THE Whole Foods…quite literally the father of all Whole Foods.  Unbeknownst to me, the organic food giant has its flagship location on North Lamar Boulevard in Austin, Texas. In typical Whole Foods fashion, the location is full of both groceries and freshly prepared food options, making it a great foodie location, especially the organic food inclined.

3. Tacos, Tacos, TACOS!!! 🌮

Is it really a trip to Austin if you don’t eat a taco? I think not! Texas is full of tacos and Austin is no exception.  In fact, Austin stays true to their “Stay Weird” Motto by offering some delectable, extraordinary fusion taco options.

My favorite taco place in Austin is Velvet Taco.  They have so many incredibly unique options, such as the Spicy Tikka Chicken, Buffalo Chicken and Beer-battered Cauliflower.   I enjoyed their tacos so much that I actually made an Uber Eats order of tacos my last night in Austin to taste them one last time before my departure and snag two tacos to take to the airport for breakfast the nest morning.  This was absolutely the right decision, and my tastebuds were oh so happy with me as I enjoyed my Fried Paneer and the Nashville Hot Tofu tacos at the seating area near my gate. My only regret is that I didn’t get more to share! Lustful looks were flying in my direction from other airport dwellers as I walked to my gate and I’m quite sure it was the Velvet Taco bag, not me, that was getting the attention. I was not exactly a sight for sore eyes with my lioness-looking humidity-attacked mane, tennis shoes and joggers, but that beautiful take-out bag was the ultimate symbol of beauty and olfactory satisfaction.  I even had a man run to catch up with me, not for flattery, but to ask where the Velvet Taco was located in the airport.  He looked incredibly disappointed to learn that I brought the tacos with me into the airport.

In Austin, menus all over the city offer tacos not just for lunch or dinner, but also for breakfast.  Any place where you can get a taco 24 hours a day is a great place to be, and there are a few great places that make fantastic tacos.  Although Velvet Taco is absolutely my go-to recommendation, Las Trancas is noteworthy as well and is considerably more traditional the contemporary Velvet Taco concept.

4. Catch a Delectable Vibe with Voodoo Donuts 🍩

If you’ve ever been to Portland, you understand the hype.  The Portland-Born Donut shop oozing with fun, personality, quality and sensational taste is now also available in Austin! True to form, the Austin location is super eclectic, and every inch of the bakery is so unapologetically Austin, from the music to the decor.  When you walk into the bakery, you are smacked in the face with a great big dose of Texas, in the best possible way.  Every inch of the wall is covered in Texas and Donut themed art, and there is even a cool newspaper collage of Texas music and Pop culture icons on the tables.

As if the vibe wasn’t enough, let’s not forget to talk about the Donuts! I’ve long been a Voodoo Donuts fan, ever since the fateful day that I purchased my first pink box of donut bliss in Portland about a decade ago.  Thus, I tend to stick with my classics, the Vegan Maple Bar, the Vegan Maple Cream and the Vegan Portland Cream, which is filled with yummy vegan Bavarian Cream.  However, some other standouts include the sweet and savory sensation, the Bacon Maple Bar, Poptart-inspired “Strawberry Go-Tart” and “The Churro”, a crunchy, chewy cinnamon-ny crowd favorite.  Right now, there are also some limited-edition options, like the “Passionfruit Cheesecake”, the “Sweet Cream Connolo” and the “Wildberry Conollo”.

I went to the 6th Street location, but Austin also has a Voodoo Doughnuts on Burnet Road.  Regardless of which location you go to, Voodoo Doughnuts should definitely be on your Austin food list!

5. Find a Food Truck 🛻

Austin is well-known for its food truck scene. Food Trucks can be found all over the city, from one-off pop ups to full-on Food Truck Parks.  As far as Food Truck Parks go, I recommend the East Side Food Park inside East Cesar Chavez Park and Thicket Food Truck Park in South Austin if you’re looking for some nice live music with your meal.  If you are looking for something a bit more central to the Downtown Congress area, Ziki is a great option.  The eatery on wheels offers Greek/Mexican Fusion fare, with hits like the falafel burrito and the gyro bowl.  I opted for the South Congress option and found it quick and centrally located.

6. When in Texas, Eat a Texas Themed Waffle 🧇

Move over Texas toast, it’s time for the Texas Waffle! One of the most instagrammable breakfast items in Downtown Texas is the mouth-watering Texas-Shaped Pecan Waffle at the 1886 Cafe. The quaint, Victorian style cafe has a classic feel, complete with stained glass windows. And the portion-sizes? Well, as the saying goes: “Everything’s bigger and better in Texas.”

In addition to the Texas-Shaped Pecan Waffle, the eatery is also known for its Quiche Lorraine and Helen Corbitt’s Cheese Soup, a recipe curated by the “duchess of Texas cuisine” herself. The cafe is located inside the Driskill, a Texas landmark beaming with Texas history.

The sixth street location makes the 1886 Cafe the perfect place to start an adventure downtown. And the vest part? It’s only about 6 minutes from the Ramada by Wyndham Austin.

7. Hideaway Kitchen & Bar 🏨

         The Ramada Restaurant on site, the Hideaway Kitchen & Bar, has great food! It’s also quick and efficient, making it an ideal option for both dine in and takeout orders.  Priding itself on creating “locally sourced southern comfort food with a Texas twist”, the hotel’s closest restaurant doubles as a yummy one-stop-shop for authentic teas breakfast, lunch and dinner.  The restaurant has gone contract-free, so diners can either pre-order their meals on an app, or they can simply scan the QR code when they arrive and order from their phones at the table.  I found the restaurant to be super convenient as a hotel guest, as I could quickly order food, pay for it and bring it back to my room.  The meals I enjoyed there while in the restaurant were pleasant as well, as the restaurant was well lit and had some nice Austin-inspired art of guitars and such.

Of all the meals I tried at the Hideaway, the most notable is my Migas and the “I’ll Have a Margarita” Margarita.  “Migas” means crumbs in Spanish, but in Austin culinary speak, “Migas” is a large plate with a mix of eggs, veggies, fried tortillas and cheese, with a side of potatoes and small tortillas (See Tip 8 for more Austin Food Lingo Definitions).  The dish is very popular in Austin and is a filling and delicious way to start the day! The “I’ll Have a Margarita” Margarita. Made my list because it is delicious and made the right way, with tequila, cointreau and fresh lime juice.  Additionally, the tequila is strawberry-infused and they add a little strawberry lemonade for an extra punch of citrus and strawberry. 

In terms of drinks, I also had a great cider at the Hideaway by Austin EastCiders.  The brand’s Blood Orange Cider had the perfect balance of citrusy and sweet and paired perfectly with my salmon and Mac & Cheese.  Since I ordered the trio upon arrival to the hotel and was a bit exhausted after my multi-connection commute to Austin from Asia, I ended up taking my food to go and figured that I would have to leave my crisp and bittersweet cider behind.  But to my surprise, hotel guests are allowed to take their opened and unfinished drinks to their rooms in a to-go cup.  This made my whole night! As if the yummy food and drinks and proximity (of a mere few feet) from the Ramada hotel weren’t enough of a reason to check out the Hideaway, the option to take alcohol to-go is certainly a compelling argument. So, treat yourself and hideaway at the Hideaway.

8. Learn the Lingo 📚

Austin is truly foodie destination and has a whole glossary worth of food terms that I hadn’t heard before.  There are several things that I honestly had to google while looking at menus.  To save your thumbs the trouble, please see my mini Austin foodie fact sheet below:

Bowl of Texas Red:

• Also known as “a bowl of red” and “Texas red”, this is a chili dish containing only ground beef and thick chili paste.  It differs from what other US regions call “chili” in that it does not contain beans or tomatoes. The hearty dish has a stew-like texture. 

Burnt Ends:

• A brisket-based term, Burt ends are the crispy bark from the fatty portions of the meat. 

Chicken-Fried Steak:

• Despite the first part of its name, this popular entree doesn’t contain any chicken at all. In true Texas fashion, it’s a beef dish, pan-fried like chicken. Many menus offer it with a white pepper gravy.

Chilaquiles:

• Similar to Migas, the eggs are cooked with small, chopped pieces of corn tortilla chips.  Unlike Migas, Chilaquiles are cooked in a tomato-based sauce and often topped with sour cream.

Kolache and klobasniky:

• Though of Czech origin, in Texas, the typically sweet pastry with fruit and cheese is instead a savory pastry filled with meat. More akin to the Czech Klobasneks, the pastry often comes as a sausage wrapped in a tasty Czech pastry dough.

Migas:

• Large plate with a mix of eggs, veggies, fried tortillas and cheese, with a side of potatoes and small tortillas.

Mexican martini:

• A margarita with olive brine, served in a Marino glass. with olive brine.

Michelada:

• Of Mexican origin, this drink is made with beer, lime juice, tomato juice (or Bloody Mary mix), assorted sauces, spices, and chili peppers. It is served in a chilled glass, with salt and spices around the rim.

Rambler:

• A popular brand of sparkling water. You’ll find it as a standalone beverage as well as a cocktail ingredient.

Waterloo:

• You may also see menu items with the prefix “Waterloo-”. This typically just means that the rush is local. Waterloo was actually the original name of the city, before it was changed to Austin a few years later as a tribute to Stephen F. Austin, the “Father of Texas.”

9. Beat the Heat ☀️

The Texas heat is no joke, especially during the summer months. While Downtown Austin is super walkable, I would not recommend walking for too long without breaks in-between.  There is such an abundance of great places to check out, from eateries to music venues, making a break from the heat an easy choice.  I saw someone pass out due to a heat influx and hydration deficiency.  Please do not let this be you! Yes, it’s beautiful outside, but there are many indoor activities to enjoy that also come with the added comfort of air conditioning.  Hydration is a must as well! Didn’t pack a water bottle? Have no fear, tons of libations are definitely here! From Ramblers and Micheladas to tea and lemonade, Austin has you covered!

10. See South Congress 🚦

When in downtown Austin, one of the liveliest streets is South Congress.

Street art murals are in abundance in the area and home to some of Austin’s most iconic images. If you’ like music, the Willie for President mural should probably be your first stop. Located on the side of STAG Provisions shop, the icon’s mural is popular for country fans and pop culture fans alike. Fun fact that I learned from a few passersby: Willie Nelson is a Texas native, and he moved to the city of Austin in the 70s. If you’re craving more Willie, you can also check out his status on 2nd street and grab some Willie themed art and activities from Wild About Music (See Tip 1).

South Congress is also home to a few other picture-perfect mural moments, such as the Texas-shaped Love from Austin mural, on the side of Austin souvenir shop Prima Dora, and the ever popular You’re the Yee to my Haw mural at the Kendra Scott store.

If you’re in the area in the evening, head to Congress bridge, where you can witness one of the largest urban bat colonies in the US as they fly off for their nighttime hunt. Only in Austin can you eat a food truck brisket taco, listen to live music and see over a million bats embark on their quest all at the same time.