Node Food
A hearty welcome to anyone and everyone coming to Austin for Node Interactive. This will be my first technical conference as a developer, and as such, I figure I should share what I know best: Where to eat.
Listed here are places within walking distance of the JW Marriott. Take it all with a grain, but if you like to code and you like to eat, this guide should help you out for the rest of the week.
Fancy Lunch (and Dinner, Too)
Swift’s Attic
Swanky at night, comfy during the day. (Recommended: Anything)
Second Bar + Kitchen
Never been there myself, but it’s on my list. (Rec: the Congress burger)
Trace
Fancy food in a (different) fancy hotel.
The Backspace
Small spot with great pizza
Lonesome Dove Western Bistro
Technically from Ft. Worth, but oh so much Texas meat.
Healthy Lunch
Slake Cafe
A little bit of a walk, but worth it. (Rec: the yellow curry)
Koriente
A longer walk, but a great place. (Rec: It’s all good.)
Hardy Lunch
Frank
Sausages for days! (Rec: Any of the specials, and poutine!)
Uncle Julio’s
Overpriced chain Tex-Mex, but oh those fajitas. (Red: those fajitas)
Turf N Surf Po’ Boy
Seafood is king, but chicken and salads are great.
Greasy Lunch
The Jackalope
To quote the Toadies, “Do you wanna die!”, because you might. And you’ll love it. (Rec: burgers)
Casino El Camino
Same song as above, different verse. Again, great burgers in a cool bar.
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Maybe not the best hot fried chicken in the world, but it’s still hot fried chicken.
Breakfast Best Bets
1886 Cafe & Bakery
Breakfast is great, but don’t sleep on the Croque Madame. (Rec: the Croque Madame)
Taco Shack
Austin loves breakfast tacos, and the Burnet Road Burrito and Shack tacos will keep you going all day.
Annies Cafe & Bar
Often busy, but a good, convenient morning option. (Rec: full English breakfast)
BBQ
Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que
Not the best in town, but this import from Llano, TX will do you right. (Pro tip: eat upstairs.)
Lamberts Downtown Barbecue
A little “too fancy” for barbecue, but damn it’s good.
Quick but Good
Chi’Lantro
One of Austin’s most successful food trucks has expanded. (Rec: kimchi fries)
P. Terry’s Burger Stand
Austin’s version of In-N-Out, and deserving of that moniker.
The Best Wurst
Great street food on Dirty Sixth.
Kebabalicious
You must eat this at least once. (Rec: beef and lamb kebab, and make it spicy.)
Dinner Only
Counter 3. FIVE. VII
Expense this one.
Parkside
Out of place on Sixth Street but top notch.
Coffee
Caffe Medici
Very cool, and Seattle-level coffee.
Houndstooth
Maybe even cooler than Medici, and just as good of coffee.
Royal Blue Grocery
Hipster grocery story with great coffee.
If You’ve Got Access to a Car (or a Good Pair of Walking Shoes)
Barbecue
You’ve maybe heard of Franklin BBQ, and while it’s good, the line isn’t really doable during a conference. Instead, go to Micklethwait, La Barbecue. or Kerlin’s. (Check hours first.)
South Congress
A very cool area just south of the conference with tons of food and shopping. Try Home Slice Pizza, Guero’s, South Congress Cafe, and the Big Top Candy Shop.
Originally published at code.rodmachen.com on November 28, 2016,
