Matt's Famous El Rancho:

     Family owned and operated for over fifty years insures that Matt's Famous El Rancho will be a delicious choice for you and your family. Providing the Austin area with authentic Mexican food since 1952 has taken Matt's to national fame. This is something you'll easily understand once you've tried any of the made-from-scratch based on fresh ingredients dishes. With legendary status such as "The King of Mexican Food," it isn't hard to imagine how the food and service brought the customers to the restaurant that treats food like art and patrons like family.

Matt's Famous El Rancho

2613 South Lamar Boulevard

MON, WED, THURS, SUN 11am-10pm

FRI & SAT 11am-11pm

Call: 512-462-9333

     Austin is considered the Live Music Capital of the World, and The Saxon Pub is a clear example of how we got the name! The genuine Austin institution is a perfect spot for live music any day of the week! With shows every evening and multiple performers throughout the night, be it a cover show or free, this is an ATX classic. The musicians perform in an intimate setting that allows the audience to enjoy every bit of live music, the bar and the dancing space.

Saxon Pub

1320 South Lamar 

Austin, Texas 78704

Call: 512-448-2552

21+ only

Check out the Saxon Pub at:

The Austin - Bergstrom International Airport 

El Gallo:
 If you're in the mood for a family fun atmosphere and authentic Tex-Mex & Mexican food, you're headed to El Gallo. What started out as a small family run restaurant in a tiny pink house in the 1960's, quickly and easily became an Austin tradition and kept growing. The well priced and generous portions of the authentic, handmade food is served hot and is a favorite among locals. Stop by for margaritas and what is sure to be a good time with Mariachi Music on Friday and Saturdays 7:00-9:30pm and Sunday at noon. You can catch one of their mariachi groups-Mariachi del Alamo- here at TNOAustin, most Friday evenings 5-7pm!

El Gallo

2910 South Congress Avenue

(farther South than the SoCo shopping district)

TUES-THURS 11am-10pm

FRI 11am-11pm

SAT 8am-11pm

SUN 8am-9pm

Call: 512-444-6696

     If you've had a day of fun shopping on SoCo and are ready to enjoy a glass of wine and excellent food, this little, quaint restaurant is for you. Botticelli's is an intimate Italian bar and restaurant who's menu includes old traditional family recipes along side new, inventive ones. You can choose to sit inside, with its charming tin ceiling and a view of the kitchen, or outside in their beer garden. Out back, they've got live music Thursday through Saturday. Unwind any day of the week at this family run bistro, and think of us.

Botticelli's

1321 South Congress Avenue 

Open daily at 5pm for dinner.

Kitchen closes at 10pm Sunday thru Wednesday, and 11pm Thursday thru Saturday

You can also enjoy Happy Hour everyday from 5-7pm. 

Call: 512-916-1315

     There is no doubt that some of the Best fried chicken in Austin is right here on South Congress, and it's by a food truck! Ms P's Electric Cock food truck (located at 1101 South Congress, just feet from store!) offers hot, juicy fried chicken that will always leave you wanting more. Chicken that is fresh, never frozen, without hormones or additives, and is local free range, made with herbs and spices, make this food truck a staple for foodies visiting ATX! Enjoy their flavorful, moist, crispy fried chicken and delicious side dishes any day of the week...and bring us some too!

Ms P's Electric Cock: 1101 South Congress Avenue

TUES-THURS 8am-9pm

FRI 8am-10pm

SAT 9am-10pm

SUN 9am-8pm

The Picnic: 1720 Barton Springs Road

MON 11:30am-9pm

WED-THURS 11:30am-9pm

FRI 11:30am-8pm

SAT 9am-10pm

SUN 9am-8pm

Call: 512-912-7778

    The folks over at The Best Wurst know how to handle their Wienrers!
This unique food truck offers  Bratwurst, Smoked Italian, Smoked Jalapeno (our fave!), or All Beef on a fresh bun. Spice it up with sauerkraut, grilled onions, curry ketchup or spicy mustard. Add their Salted Potatoes for a delicious take on fries! You can't go wrong, because one thing these folks know is sausage!
We like their food truck here on South Congress for their sociable staff, but if you are nursing a hangover, you can find them on 6th street!

The Best Wurst

Food Truck: South Congress & Gibson

TUES-SUN 11am-3pm 

and again FRI-SUN 6pm-10pm

Food Truck: 6th & San Jacinto

WED-SUN 7pm-3am

Food Truck: 6th & Red River 

FRI-SAT 8pm-3am

Call: 512-912-9545

   The name Home Slice is synonymous for a fun, mouthwatering neighborhood pizza joint!
The highly popular and trendy authentic NY-style pizza spot serves handmade pies/slices and is a fun "do" for tourists and a regular for locals. You'll be reminded of Italy with the energy of a small space and the delicious variety of pizza/salad/subs, discovered in the heart of Texas!
  We all love our Homies down the street, and it isn't uncommon for there to be a wait for their dine-in pizza. But not to worry- they've got you covered with a take-out/slice place right next door! Waiting for a table to open up isn't hard when you can sit outside in their back patio and drink some good ol' Texas beer! Don't forget to take a picture of the Queen of Pies!
ps: they are also dog friendly here!

*Shout out to Elizabeth for being a great waitress!! :)

Home Slice

Home Slice Dine-in: 1415 South Congress

More Home Slice Take out/slice: 1421 South Congress (right next door)

MON 11am-11pm

TUES 11am-11pm (More Home Slice only)

WED 11am-11pm

THURS 11am-11pm

FRI 11am-midnight (More Home Slice until 3am)

SAT 11am-midnight (More Home Slice until 3am)

SUN noon-11pm

Call: 512-444-PIES (7437) 

Please note: they do not deliver. 

One of  our favorite places to people watch, sit outside and eat/drink local and organic food is Snack Bar Austin: Fine Foods.
 This restaurant not only houses some of the friendliest waiters in town (who have easily become our friends), it has a deliciously laid back vibe.
 They always welcome dogs, and we are big canine lovers here at TNOAustin! you might be able to tell from our many dog pictures on our social media sites)
Contrary to what the name might suggest, Snack Bar isn't just a spot for a quick nibble, and here are a few of our fav's from the menu:
- Naked Nun by Adelbert's Brewery, brewed right here in ATX!
http://adelbertsbeer.com/naked-nun/
- Brussels Sprouts: caramelized sprouts, herb aioli. --- A legend in the Austin area, a local favorite!
- Okonomiyaki: Bacon, shrimp, squid, cabbage & leak hashcake, sesame-tamari aioli, srichacha, bonito, nori. ---We were feeling adventurous, and our waiter that evening sold us on this plate when he said it was served...moving! Disclaimer: not it is not still alive, it just moves due to the heat and the flakiness of the nori seaweed.
- Antonelli's Cheese Board" hard and /or soft cheese, house chutney, walnuts, French loaf.
- Mac & Cheese: cheddar, gruyere & parmesan mornay, orecchiette, bread crumbs
- Creme Brulee: strawberry jam, fleur del sel.

There are many scrumptious options at this entertaining and unique display of South Congress Avenue. We are sure to keep updating our favorites from here with each visit! Make sure to take a picture of their sign that has easily become a staple of a SoCo visit.
This is a great spot to sit outside any time of the year; they are ready with heaters and blankets on chilly evenings and air conditioner-h2o spray on warmer nights.

*Shout out to Ryan and Matty for being our great waiters, Trey for hosting, on our multiple visits!

Snack Bar

1224 South Congress

Weekdays 10am-11pm 

(except Tuesdays 4pm-11pm)

Weekends 9am-11pm

Call: 512-445-2626

There is so much to do in Austin: Best Place Ever and we want you, a local or a tourist, to be able to use Our Recommendations to help guide you in this vibrant city!!

We will be posting about TNOAustin's Recommendations to places for fun, food, music, and entertainment on South Congress Avenue and the greater Austin area!

We hope you enjoy, and leave us your thoughts and recommendations in our comments!!

This iconic "Greetings from Austin, Capitol of Texas" mural is on South 1st Street. 

Click the image to be directed to the page and info on the restoration project.