We are going to Austin for the weekend and was hoping to get some suggestions. We are looking to relocate from the Midwest to Austin-Killeen area.
We like cars, motorcycles, guns, craft beer and music.

Thanks

Lots of good BBQ joints and honky tonks down there I would imagine. Shouldn't be hard to find something to entertain you. We are going down to Wimberley TX. just outside of Austin in March. Staying at a B&B and enrolled in a 3 day Texas style outdoor cooking class. Should be fun and maybe I will learn something.

That sounds really fun, we will look into that for our next trip.

You've gotta have some BBQ while you're there. Unfortunately, Austin has a weird obsession for eating breakfast and then going to line up at a BBQ joint to wait for lunch. As far as the Austin BBQ scene, the BBQ joints on Texas Monthly's Top 50 list are (these are all pre-COVID and no idea about COVID hours or closings):

Franklin BBQ (#2 in all of Texas) - never eaten here as I'm too impatient for 4 or 5 hour waits. It's actually 1 or 2 hours quicker and you see more sights by driving to Lockhart, standing in the short line and eating at one of their legendary BBQ joints, and driving back to Austin.

Micklethwait Craft Meats (#8 in all of Texas) - I haven't eaten here

Stiles Switch (TM doesn't order 11 thru 50) - I ate here once after seeing the Franklin and LaBarbeque lines. It was excellent and 5 to 10 minute wait.

LaBarbeque (TM doesn't order 11 thru 50) - I haven't eaten here. I saw the line and headed to Stiles Switch.

Terry Black's (TM doesn't order 11 thru 50) - I haven't eaten here, but have eaten at the world class original Black's in Lockhart.

Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ (TM doesn't order 11 thru 50) - I haven't eaten here.

Kerlin BBQ (TM honorable mention) - I haven't eaten here.

Brown's BBQ (TM honorable mention) - I haven't eaten here.

Speaking of food, I've never even had an average meal at one of the Essential 38 on Eater.com, and most of the time it's outstanding to exceptional. It's nice because it spans all cuisines and price ranges. Eater does an outstanding job in the 25 largest cities in the US, and I've had good experience with it in Austin.

Since you're into motorcycles, you could rent a bike from Rider's Share, Twisted Toad , or Eagle Rider and check out Salt Lick (picturesque BBQ joint in Driftwood which is hill country / wine country) and then head over to Fredericksburg. I've made the drive in my truck and some day want to make the loop on my motorcycle.

Not sure when your trip is, but March to August the bats leave the Congress Ave Bridge a little before sunset and fly down the Colorado River. It's quite a sight seeing a cloud of bats flying down a river.

We always make a stop at Oasis Texas Brew house at Lake Travis. Grab a beer or two and enjoy the gorgeous views of the lake.

If you need a couple places for cheap but awesome meals, check out Tumble 22 for fried chicken and Via 313 for some killer pizza.

Frank & Angie's, on Congress just south of downtown is a regular stop for us when we're in Austin. Good pizza, used to be a ridiculous wait time (1-2 hours).
Last time we went was F1 weekend 2018 & waited no more than 10 minutes.

The drive out 71 to 281 towards Lake Buchanan is nice.

Creekside cookers here in Wimberley has good bar-b-que. Within a few miles are several brewers, wineries and distillers (whiskey, vodka, Gin, rum). WWII Pacific museum not far in Fredricksburg.

Everybody operating under Covid precautions. Some may be closed. Good to check.

Barton springs, jesters, check out the bat bridge, look for the owl building, go to gordoughs donuts, mean eyed cat, Tesoro’s..

Lots of fun stuff to do, plus they usually have events going on.

I’ve been to Austin three times and eaten at Franklin BBQ each time. Yes, the line is long but I’ve never waited more than 1.5 hours. I think it was worth it.

You won’t have to worry about that though - per their website it’s easier than ever: In light of recent news surrounding COVID-19 and the CDC's recommendation to limit social gatherings to under 50 people, we have decided to suspend our dining room service for the time being. The good news is we are excited to offer curbside pickup service. Ordering Franklin BBQ has never been easier—you can now order online for same day pickup in our parking lot. We will bring it out to you, while you remain in your car, in our parking lot.

Drive down to Lockhart. Smitty’s pork ribs are one of the best things I’ve ever eaten, and without the hipster wait in line forever BS.

Also, if you ever want a cowboy hat, Texas hatters in Lockhart does a great job.

quote:

Lockhart

A few miles further down the road, the City Market in Luling is also great BBQ. Great ribs, great brisket, and maybe the single best sausage I've ever had. Their sauce is a little different from the normal Texas sauce styles, but it is super.

It's served the proper old-school central Texas BBQ way, on butcher paper with white bread and no forks.

It's also on Texas Monthly's top 50 list.

If you do go to Lockhart for BBQ and feel like shooting, Lone Star Gun Range is there. It is an outdoor range. It has been several years since I have been there so this may have changed, but it was one of the few gun ranges that would allow you to shoot from holster draw.

The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in downtown Austin is always interesting and you may enjoy a visit to the state capitol while downtown.

Check the most recent weather forecast before you pack. This time of year it can be 80 degrees and sunny one day and 35 degrees with freezing rain the next day.


This website, Austin 365, is a great resource for things to do in the area.

https://365thingsaustin.com/

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
You've gotta have some BBQ while you're there. Unfortunately, Austin has a weird obsession for eating breakfast and then going to line up at a BBQ joint to wait for lunch. As far as the Austin BBQ scene, the BBQ joints on Texas Monthly's Top 50 list are (these are all pre-COVID and no idea about COVID hours or closings):

Franklin BBQ (#2 in all of Texas) - never eaten here as I'm too impatient for 4 or 5 hour waits. It's actually 1 or 2 hours quicker and you see more sights by driving to Lockhart, standing in the short line and eating at one of their legendary BBQ joints, and driving back to Austin.

Micklethwait Craft Meats (#8 in all of Texas) - I haven't eaten here

Stiles Switch (TM doesn't order 11 thru 50) - I ate here once after seeing the Franklin and LaBarbeque lines. It was excellent and 5 to 10 minute wait.

LaBarbeque (TM doesn't order 11 thru 50) - I haven't eaten here. I saw the line and headed to Stiles Switch.

Terry Black's (TM doesn't order 11 thru 50) - I haven't eaten here, but have eaten at the world class original Black's in Lockhart.

Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ (TM doesn't order 11 thru 50) - I haven't eaten here.

Kerlin BBQ (TM honorable mention) - I haven't eaten here.

Brown's BBQ (TM honorable mention) - I haven't eaten here.

Speaking of food, I've never even had an average meal at one of the Essential 38 on Eater.com, and most of the time it's outstanding to exceptional. It's nice because it spans all cuisines and price ranges. Eater does an outstanding job in the 25 largest cities in the US, and I've had good experience with it in Austin.

All excellent BBQ locations and very solid website resources as well; keep this bookmarked as well https://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq/; Daniel Vaughn the BBQ editor is largely responsible for the rise in mainstream popularity of TX BBQ and the celebration of TX pitmasters.
Most of these places aren't large or, heavily staffed thus, operations are slow, expect lines. Popularity of TX BBQ is a good thing, as these places can sell-out of their daily product within a couple of hours, thus the meat isn't sitting in a warming tray overcooking and drying out.

I've eaten at all the above locations, all very good and better than most places outside of TX when it comes to smoked beef products.
If you want to go to one of the 'holy grails' of TX BBQ, take a short drive up to Taylor and visit Louie Mueller's, this is where Aaron Franklin learned how to smoke.
Franklin is the most celebrated, line up by 8am, bring a lawn chair, thermos or, cooler depending on weather and read your favorite magazine/paper or podcast. Most of the people in-line are visiting from out outside the state.
Mecklewaithe (pop-up trailer) and LaBarbeque are down the street, they're also popular but, not to Franklin's level.
Valentina's is more of a Tex-Mex style to their slow smoked meat.
Stiles Switch is another disciple of the Mueller BBQ-tree, they've developed several brick n'mortar locations and a reliable place for a BBQ dinner, whereas most of the above places are lunch-time service only.


Most important, check the days and hours these places are open.

Austin is currently under Stage 5 Covid restrictions, so you really need to research places you want to go to see how much they're limiting attendence or if they're open at all.

A few points of interest I recommend are:

Touring the State Capitol

A quick visit to take in the view at Mt Bonnell, the highest point in Austin

Hamilton Pool Preserve

Walking or bicycling around Lady Bird Lake Trail & boardwalk

If you want to go to a honky tonk bar, The Broken Spoke gets all the press, but IMHO doesn't live up to the hype. It's a tourist trap. I prefer The White Horse and Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon. The Continental Club is also excellent, though not always country.

If you're thinking about moving to Killeen, I suggest you read the following threads:

sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/...0601935/m/7280009844

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...920003974#9920003974

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Frank & Angie's, on Congress just south of downtown is a regular stop for us when we're in Austin. Good pizza, used to be a ridiculous wait time (1-2 hours).
Last time we went was F1 weekend 2018 & waited no more than 10 minutes.

Frank & Angie's was near South Lamar Blvd downtown. It closed in 2018. You might be confusing it w/ Home Slice Pizza on South Congress. Home Slice is widely considered the best pizza in Austin.

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:
If you want to go to one of the 'holy grails' of TX BBQ, take a short drive up to Taylor and visit Louie Mueller's, this is where Aaron Franklin learned how to smoke.

Aaron Franklin grew up in Bryan, TX and has no history w/ Louie Mueller BBQ. Aaron did work for John Mueller when John opened his first [of several] BBQ joint in Austin. John is Louie Mueller's grandson and for a time was pitmaster at Louie Mueller's in Taylor, so that may be the source of confusion.

As corsair posted, most of the top tier BBQ places run out of 'cue after lunch time. Stiles Switch, Terry Black's, and Black's (a completely separate establishment from Terry Black's) are a few that offer dinner service.

If you like In-N-Out Burger, they have them in Austin. There's a local chain modelled after In-N-Out call P Terry's, and I prefer them to In-N-Out. There's also Whataburger, which is a distinctly TX chain.

You might want to stay north of Austin around Georgetown or Round Rock simply because a) motels are pretty expensive inside the city, and b) the homeless people can get pretty aggressive---and they're everywhere near downtown (underpasses, behind buildings, down by the Colorado river, etc.).

quote:

Originally posted by iron chef:

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:
If you want to go to one of the 'holy grails' of TX BBQ, take a short drive up to Taylor and visit Louie Mueller's, this is where Aaron Franklin learned how to smoke.

Aaron Franklin grew up in Bryan, TX and has no history w/ Louie Mueller BBQ. Aaron did work for John Mueller when John opened his first [of several] BBQ joint in Austin. John is Louie Mueller's grandson and for a time was pitmaster at Louie Mueller's in Taylor, so that may be the source of confusion.

Thanks for clarifying, I should've said Franklin is a distant branch off the Mueller tree. John had the talent but, was troubled with his addictions.
I did forget to mention that, La Barbecue, is owned/run by the grand-daughter of Louie Mueller, LeAnn and daughter to Wayne who now runs the Taylor cathedral, and sister to John, thus a direct lineage on that tree.

Thanks for all the info guys, we greatly appreciate it. We are staying downtown just for simplicities sake.