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Overrated Austin restaurants?


Chet Steadman

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1 hour ago, Derka said:

Dirty’s burgers - too small, too greasy.

Y mas - other than their margarita’s, meh. Shitty atmosphere. Give me Matt’s all day.

Perla’s - went there with my mom after school last year and likely won’t be going back. Overpriced for what you get.
 

*entry for worst opinion

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1 hour ago, Longhornfan1024 said:

No shit, there are places on the coasts that have better sushi.  That doesn't make Uchi overrated.  It's one of the top restaurants in Austin probably equivalent to a 1 Michelin star restaurants in areas where Michelin sends judges.  It's rated about exactly what it should be.

It always seem like people say the fish is fresher in LA or NY, but the top sushi place in NY, all the fish is properly aged frozen for weeks before being served.  I agree Uchi is perfectly rated.  I mean when people visit I tell them many other places to go that aren't Uchi unless they specifically want upscale sushi and blowing a couples bills.

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1 minute ago, Bigpoppapump said:

It always seem like people say the fish is fresher in LA or NY, but the top sushi place in NY, all the fish is properly aged frozen for weeks before being served.  I agree Uchi is perfectly rated.  I mean when people visit I tell them many other places to go that aren't Uchi unless they specifically want upscale sushi and blowing a couples bills.

Kyoten is my suggestion for high end sushi in Austin.  

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Matts El Rancho - got broken glass in my Enchilada back in ‘07, never been back

Trudys - loved this place in college but holy shit have they gone down hill. 

Pinthouse Pizza’s pizza is garbage

Gueros is just OK. The last time I went it was actually enjoyable

Jack Allens kitchen is slowly going the way of Z Tejas

 

Moonshine, South Congress Cafe, and Stiles Switch are all up there for me also

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2 minutes ago, GreenspointTexas said:

Matts El Rancho - got broken glass in my Enchilada back in ‘07, never been back

Trudys - loved this place in college but holy shit have they gone down hill. 

Pinthouse Pizza’s pizza is garbage

Gueros is just OK. The last time I went it was actually enjoyable

Jack Allens kitchen is slowly going the way of Z Tejas

 

Moonshine, South Congress Cafe, and Stiles Switch are all up there for me also

Agree on Pinthouse. I still go for the beer and a few other things on the menu but the pizza is worse than Austin’s at this point. 

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I really enjoy a hopdoddy burger and they will cook them rare to medium-rare which is a big plus, but the fact that dipshits will snake a line out the door like they’re waiting for franklin brisket makes it overrated and a prime candidate for this thread.  

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I've had some great burgers at Hopdoddy's and Casino.  I'm sure there are plenty of other good burgers in Austin, but I'd like to see the definitive Top 10 list, because if those two aren't on it I'm missing some damn good options.

I know Hopfield's gets a lot of love.  I'll assume it's Top 10.

I like plenty of bar burgers like Roaring Fork, etc. but they're not exactly transcendent.  Where are all these hidden gems hiding out?

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9 minutes ago, futureman said:

I really enjoy a hopdoddy burger and they will cook them rare to medium-rare which is a big plus, but the fact that dipshits will snake a line out the door like they’re waiting for franklin brisket makes it overrated and a prime candidate for this thread.  

That's a pretty good description of Hopdoddy.  It's good, and I like it, but my max line tolerance is about 5 minutes.

 

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Quote

Trudys - loved this place in college but holy shit have they gone down hill.

See this a lot. Happens to me a lot. I'm guessing it's because as you get older, you realize the stuff you ate while hungover/wasted at 19 years old isn't as good as you remember. Like the $5 Gumby's pizzas you could get delivered with a coupon. 

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4 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

Skinny blonde tall-ish manager.  Played D1 volleyball back in the day (probably 12 years ago).  Used to be at Salvation Pizza on 34th.  Very sweet.

I'll keep an eye out for her as they are right around the corner from me and I really hope they figure out their operations as half the menu wasn't available and everything was slow to come out.

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1 hour ago, 936horn said:

Exactly. The times I have been I always try something new...."how can you fuck up a burger/chicken sandwich/fajita/whatever" I say to myself, and every time it's absolute garbage. The best things I have eaten there have been barely passable and then you realize the burger cost you $18 and was on par with an overcooked double with cheese at McD.

Once you understand that you're paying a 50% surcharge for a nice seat to watch a pretty sunset, it's more acceptable.  It's an event, not a dining occasion.  I kinda say the same thing about Salt Lick (except their food is better) -- it's not the world's best cue, but it's passable and a really cool experience, especially for out of town folks.

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7 minutes ago, Orange^White said:

Not in Austin, but in the region.

I have never understood the hype for Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls. The pies are passable but the entrees are nothing but frozen sysco shit and powdered gravy.

Pies are good.

Rolls are really good.

The rest is meh.

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1 hour ago, 936horn said:

Exactly. The times I have been I always try something new...."how can you fuck up a burger/chicken sandwich/fajita/whatever" I say to myself, and every time it's absolute garbage. The best things I have eaten there have been barely passable and then you realize the burger cost you $18 and was on par with an overcooked double with cheese at McD.

You answered your own question in the first Oasis post. They're selling the view more than the food, and Beau Theriot and whomever bought his stake know it. 

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1 hour ago, GreenspointTexas said:

Trudys - loved this place in college but holy shit have they gone down hill. 

Maybe you've just gone uphill. There are lots of places I loved in college when I was poor that I realize are shit now.

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3 hours ago, Derka said:

Dirty’s burgers - too small, too greasy.

Y mas - other than their margarita’s, meh. Shitty atmosphere. Give me Matt’s all day.

Perla’s - went there with my mom after school last year and likely won’t be going back. Overpriced for what you get.
 

Love Dirty's for the two reasons you hate them.  I love greasy fried burgers done right, at Dirty's does (at least the last times I've been there) and I hate how every "good' burger you get these days is 1/2 pound and takes up a whole plate.   

As an aside, that's the main reason, in Dallas, I visit OSK at a 3-1 ratio to Maple & Motor.  I love M&M's burgers but it's just too much food. 

 

 

 

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1 minute ago, DigglerontheHoof said:

Love Dirty's for the two reasons you hate them.  I love greasy fried burgers done right, at Dirty's does (at least the last times I've been there) and I hate how every "good' burger you get these days is 1/2 pound and takes up a whole plate.   

As an aside, that's the main reason, in Dallas, I visit OSK at a 3-1 ratio to Maple & Motor.  I love M&M's burgers but it's just too much food. 

 

 

 

Ahh, the "thin burger" vs. "thick burger" debate.

Once you realize that they're two totally separate things, life brings clarity.

Mike's Pub.  Dirty's.  Dan's or Fran's.  Many bowling alleys.  THOSE are quality thin burgers.  They have little relationship to thick burgers, such as Hopdoddy, Casino El Camino, etc.

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2 hours ago, GreenspointTexas said:

Matts El Rancho - got broken glass in my Enchilada back in ‘07, never been back

Trudys - loved this place in college but holy shit have they gone down hill. 

Pinthouse Pizza’s pizza is garbage

Gueros is just OK. The last time I went it was actually enjoyable

Jack Allens kitchen is slowly going the way of Z Tejas

 

Moonshine, South Congress Cafe, and Stiles Switch are all up there for me also

Add 24 Diner

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Ahh, the "thin burger" vs. "thick burger" debate.
Once you realize that they're two totally separate things, life brings clarity.
Mike's Pub.  Dirty's.  Dan's or Fran's.  Many bowling alleys.  THOSE are quality thin burgers.  They have little relationship to thick burgers, such as Hopdoddy, Casino El Camino, etc.
R.I.P., Mike's Pub.
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Ahh, the "thin burger" vs. "thick burger" debate.

Once you realize that they're two totally separate things, life brings clarity.

Mike's Pub.  Dirty's.  Dan's or Fran's.  Many bowling alleys.  THOSE are quality thin burgers.  They have little relationship to thick burgers, such as Hopdoddy, Casino El Camino, etc.

 

Crown & Anchor cheeseburger is my favorite in the thin burger category for Austin.

 

Damn, might have to go for lunch tomorrow.

 

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It's living off it's past performance and drinks. It used to be good (if a bit overpriced). But last time I went both the service and food were pretty bad.

 

Food at La Condesa is usually shit. But the el cubico is a great drink. I like their guacamole and salsa sampler with two el cubicos at 4pm on a Friday. But I won’t veer off of that much at all.

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7 hours ago, RD3 said:

In what world is El Arroyo something people rave about?  Maybe 10 years ago?

The last time I remember anyone raving about El Arroyo was that Pat Green or Cory Morrow song and yeah that was like 20 years ago not 10...

And I have had many good times at El Arroyo but I wasn't going there for the food. The west 5th street location had cheap drinks and a good location.

In grad school, I lived off Far West and I had my last meal with my Abuela at that Far West El Arroyo after I graduated with my Masters from UT. She passed away about 6 weeks later. I don't remember the last time I thought about that. Thank you thread... good times.

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problems editing...

The last time I remember anyone raving about El Arroyo was that Pat Green or Cory Morrow song and yeah that was like 20 years ago not 10...

And I have had many good times at El Arroyo but I wasn't going there for the food. The west 5th street location had cheap drinks and a good location. A good buddy of mine had his bachelor party in Austin and we had the night-1 dinner at El Arroyo downtown.  I don't even know if I ate any food but we had a big group and the staff was great in dealing with us because our table was growing & growing as people showed up.  I might or might have fallen asleep at Palazzio (or whatever it was called) that night.  This was like 12 years ago.  In 2008 or 2009, I ran into Joel Meyer and Joel Klatt from Fox Sports Net there because they were doing our home opener the next day.  Klatt invited me to their table and I spent a good 30 minutes at their table before going back to our table. Good times...

In grad school, I lived off Far West and I had my last meal with my Abuela at that Far West El Arroyo after I graduated with my Masters from UT. She passed away about 6 weeks later. I don't remember the last time I thought about that. Thank you thread....

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Went to the oasis for the first time in years a coupla weeks ago. Same great view...same mediocre grub. Burgers were fine, nachos were...awful. How do you fuck those up?

It’s worth a visit, but not for food.


I’ve lived near the Oasis for 20 years, can count less than 10 visits. That said, try Oasis Brewing Company for a similar view and legit brew with better (still not great ) food.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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4 hours ago, CooterBrown said:

 


Im not positive but I thought all sushi in the US had to be previously frozen to kill parasites.

 

 

1 hour ago, VolenteHawk said:

It does. It’s why the argument that it’s fresher on the coasts vs Uchi should make you quietly chuckle.

This is true for all fish except tuna. Tuna does not have to be frozen first.

https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/08/nyregion/sushi-fresh-from-the-deep-the-deep-freeze.html

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37 minutes ago, Godzillatron said:

 


I’ve lived near the Oasis for 20 years, can count less than 10 visits. That said, try Oasis Brewing Company for a similar view and legit brew with better (still not great ) food.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I've lived i n Austin for 30 years.  I've been  maybe 5-6 times.  That's just  fine with me.

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