It’s always nice to have local recommendations- here are my Austin favorites:

1) Bacon http://www.baconaustin.com/

Excellent for all meals, get there early for breakfast. Substitute a ‘dropped biscuit’ for the toast if ordering the All American. Fountain Big Red soda!

2) Barley Swine http://barleyswine.com/

“Barley Swine, by Chef Bryce Gilmore, is cleverly named for the chef’s fondness of both pork and beer, which will naturally be prominent fixtures on the menu.” (need I say more?)

3) Contigo http://contigotexas.com/austin

If I’m planning a get-together with friends, this is my favorite spot. If I am picking a dinner spot, it’s Contigo. Last Saturday, I ate dinner at the bar and had the Rabbit & Dumplings and Fall Salad. Both amazing (and I can’t say salads normally touch my food button). Dog friendly, great outdoor space. Get an Old Fashioned from the bar.

4) Easy Tiger http://www.easytigeraustin.com/

Homemade pretzels you’ll want to come back to Austin for. My friends that drink IPA’s raved about the selection. They also have a backyard beer garden.

Enjoy!