Top 15 Austin restaurants: What do you recommend?

In the spirit of Tom Sawyer and the fence that needs painting, I'm turning to you to resolve this philosophical query: What are Austin's must-eat restaurants?

On March 7, I leave for SXSW. Variety.com is doing a whole series of video interviews there, for both film and music. In addition, I'll be writing about the glories of barbecue, queso and gingerbread pancakes for The Knife.

Before I go, however, I want to build a photo gallery representing the top 15 choices for eating in Austin. High, low, in between; doesn't matter.

So hit me, in comments or at dana.harris@variety.com.

Comments

[Richard Gove]

Undoubtedly you must go to the Salt Lick. It's south of town in a little rural town called Driftwood. You'll never have a barbecue experience quite like it.

[KateX]

My FAVES. YMMV.

Outside town / worth the trip:
*Mueller's BBQ in Taylor
*Salt Lick (family style sides YUM)
*The Oasis (on the lake, for the view alone)
*Kruetz Market (BBQ) in Lockhart
*Wimberley Pie Co. in Wimberley

In town:
*Las Manitas (MIGAS!!!!!)
*El Sol y La Luna (MIGAS!!!!! almost the same recipe)
*Mrs. Johnson's Doughnuts on Airport (after clubbing, hot, fresh glazed!!! they are only open in the evening and weeee hours until noon each day)
*Gene's Po Boy's (Fried Chicken, comfort food)
*El Azteca (mom & pop Mexican on the Eastside)
*Sam's BBQ (OMG!)
*Stallion Grill on Airport (named after a legendary diner /comfort food)
*Mr. Natural eastside and S. Lamar (two locations: deeelish vegetarian even non-vegetarians will like. Yummy vegan bakery goods...)
*Eastside Cafe (healthy, mid-scale, great for biz lunches, parents; onsite garden)
*Tamale House #3 (BEST taqueria, super cheap, super yummy -- don't look for #1 or #2)
*Home Slice Pizza S. Congress (only viable NY option)
*Habana (on East 6th and on S. Congress -- deelish Cuban and Caribbean)
*Uchi (I'm no sushi expert, but love this place -- exceptional service and atmosphere)
*Threadgill's (a classic. Janis played there)
*Eaves Bro. Quality Seafood on Airport (fish market/oyster bar)
*Portabla on W. 6th (their Thanksgiving sandwich is out of this world)
*Hoffbrau on W. 6th (no nonsense Steak. Potatoes. Yup.)
*Amy's Ice Cream (many locations, even IN the airport; so very Austin. When they throw the scoop in the air, that's your cue to tip)

P.S. Our airport has decent local cuisine, so if you are stuck there, do explore...

P.S.S. The part of Airport Blvd housing the food joints mentioned is nowhere near the actual airport...

P.P.S.S. Your guy who reviewed "Order of Myths" is whack. His lack of clue about the South leads me to advise this: DO NOT ASK HIM FOR FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS.

[Mria]

Best rest in Austin:
GUEROS!!! Yummy!!

[CShane]

Torchy's Taco Stand (East and West 6th Street and S. 1st): Best Shrimp Taco ever and great for on-the-go!

Baby Greens (S. 1st and Oltorf): Drive thru salad wraps, delicious homemade dressings.

Lamberts (2nd and Guadalupe) Organic, Upscale BBQ and amazing Frito Pie. Seriously, it's made with brisket, goat cheese, pico de gallo and green chile queso. You'll never have anything like it!

***Don't get caught in the typical tourist trap of Gueros and Uchi(sushi). They are fair at best.

Instead, try Trudy's on campus for Mexican Martinis, stuffed avocado and queso; and Tomo on North Parmer for sushi. It's a 10 minute drive from downtown, but hands down, the greatest little sushi place everyone who knows sushi is talking about. I lived in LA and few places match up!

[Fiore]

Definitely check out Magnolia Cafe on Lake Austin Blvd!!! Try the MagMud, and your queso experience will never be the same again. We Texans in LA have yet to find a place with good queso.

Magnolia is ALWAYS open, always crowded for breakfast and for the post 6th St/last call crowd. I lived in Austin for 4 years while attending UT, and no one ever says "no" when asked to grab some MagMud. Enjoy!

[Chris K]

Have you been here before? If you are coming from California, the flavors of the food are much different. For Mexican try Mat's El Ranch on Lamarr for something similar to CA or Guerro's or Las Manitas on Congress for local flavor.

BBQ is outstanding but again different. Its smoked, most often with hickory, instead of grilled over mesquite which is common in CA. Salt Lick is great and for bare bones fare, a chain called Rudy's. For an upscale blend of local and everything else, try Z Tejas on 6th Street.

[RIchard Gove]

Somehow we all forgot Kerbey Lane Cafe. Also worth mentioning is Hula Hut, right next to a really cool coffee place called Mozarts.

[Ann]

And although a bit on the higher side, the Driskill Grill and Jeffrey's are both wonderful.

[Alexandra]

I love Black's in Lockheart for BBQ.