North Austin Restaurant Suggestion

[gsoda3 3187]

Fellas, need some help.  

 

I do some volunteer work with an organization here in town.  I need to hold a weeknight dinner meeting at a restaurant that's an orientation for new volunteers (between 6-10 people).  The organization is paying for dinner and the budget's $10 / person.  It has to be quiet enough to go over a 45 minute presentation with handouts.  

 

Every place I can think of or that I've used for work is closer to $20-$25 per person.  I'm somewhat at a loss.  Any ideas?  I'd appreciate any and all suggestions, thanks.

[jimmyjazz 45055]

That's a pretty tiny budget.  Maybe a pizza joint?  Conan's on Burnet has an elevated section that's pretty small, maybe you could reserve that.  Or La Madeline on Research, don't they have a couple of more isolated section?  Also, Galaxy Cafe on Mesa is somewhat divided up.  They have sammiches & burgers, among other things.

I don't know that you'll find a place with a small enough room to reserve for privacy at that price.

[thrillhammer 680]

that is a tiny budget.  and hopefully that does not include tip, or you're looking at $8.50 per person.  Good luck with that.  You might could find a Mexican restaurant that would let you do something like pre-order for everyone and they all get two soft flour tacos with rice and beans.  that would probably not please a lot of your folks, and the restaurant ain't making out too well either, so lots of disgruntlement in that plan.

[jimmyjazz 45055]

4 minutes ago, thrillhammer said:

that is a tiny budget.  and hopefully that does not include tip, or you're looking at $8.50 per person. 

More like $8 if you account for tax.  P. Terry's on Lamar?  <only half kidding>

[jimmyjazz 45055]

This will prompt laughter, but it might just work out:  there is a TexMex joint called "El Nuevo Mexico" near Anderson Lane and North Lamar, and you can link a debit card via Groupon for 30% off your first bill.  That could make a big difference.  They have daily dinner specials that range from $7.25 to $10 on weeknights, plus a la carte offerings. 

Somebody (gsoda3) is likely going to have to kick in a few bucks, regardless.

[LCHorn 2527]

There is only one right answer here and it's Baby Acapulco.  Take a trip in their time machine back to the early 90's and listen to the happy hour playlist of Bon Jovi and Chaka Khan's greatest hits. 

Did you ever watch Office Space and think "Hey, I'd like to live in this movie?"  Baby A's is the solution. 

$8.50 should be enough for two purple margaritas, guaranteeing a compliant audience until they pass out. 

Do they serve food you ask?  They do!  Do you like cheese?  That's great, because everything on the menu is guaranteed to be slathered in the gooiest queso Sodexho has in their expired inventory.  

Need parking?  Come to Baby's A's where the parking lot is certain to be empty and signs warning "Don't leave items visible in car. Ownership has no liability for vehicle theft" are plentiful. 

Baby A's!  Not just a front for money laundering, but your best option for a weeknight destination on a tiny budget!

Edited April 16, 2019 by LCHorn

[Longhornfan1024 1707]

Is the organization a non-profit?  If so, maybe see if you can get a local place to sponsor.  $10 per person won't get you much.  Maybe Chick Fil A?

[Jerry Callo 8626]

It's tough to keep a group of volunteers gruntled at $10/head.  Do you have access to a conference room where you could just bring in some barbecue?

[VolenteHawk 495]

Yeah, that's budget is tough.  A conference room and catering Rudy's or Chuy's is the answer here.

 

[South Austin 51410]

That budget will make it real tough for you to skim some off the top.

[Judge Roybeanbag 11728]

1 hour ago, jimmyjazz said:

This will prompt laughter, but it might just work out:  there is a TexMex joint called "El Nuevo Mexico" near Anderson Lane and North Lamar, and you can link a debit card via Groupon for 30% off your first bill.  That could make a big difference.  They have daily dinner specials that range from $7.25 to $10 on weeknights, plus a la carte offerings. 

Somebody (gsoda3) is likely going to have to kick in a few bucks, regardless.

El Nuevo is actually has pretty damned good food, to boot.

[luke duke 6359]

Drive a bit further north to Black Box BBQ. Tell the proprietor that you have $10/person to spend and that you expect some free beer. He’ll take care of the rest.

[CooterBrown 17695]

Throw in a hunnerd and write if off as a donation.

[Deej 76081]

Gatti's buffet?

[Dbeasy 14733]

7 Taco Bell burritos and a cup of tap water per person. And you’ll have 23 cents left over per person. And lots of farting.

[DalTxHornFan 3066]

Knock it off with the Taco Bell nonsense.  Bill Miller on Burnet Road is the obvious choice.

Edited April 17, 2019 by DalTxHornFan

[Neonmoon 38126]

Double Dave’s Pizza on Mesa

It’s cheap as fuck. 

[Hook1997 5231]

Everyone gets a chop beef sandwich at Styles Switch and a water?   That budget is impossible unless it’s Mexican, pizza or a sandwich.

[HornOnTheBayou 8816]

What about the Jason's Deli near the Arboretum? It has a good variety of food and it should hit your budget (or close to it). The only problem is that there is no seating area that could be sectioned off, but for dinner on a weeknight, I don't think it would be too crowded.

[jimmyjazz 45055]

Rudy's BBQ doesn't take tips.  A "family pack" allegedly feeds 5-7 people and includes 3 meats, 3 sides, and a gallon of tea, and is $69 out the door (including tax).  That's right at the budget if it's actually enough food for 7 people.  I'd talk to the manager about bumping the size a bit if more show up.

[CooterBrown 17695]

1 hour ago, HornOnTheBayou said:

What about the Jason's Deli near the Arboretum? It has a good variety of food and it should hit your budget (or close to it). The only problem is that there is no seating area that could be sectioned off, but for dinner on a weeknight, I don't think it would be too crowded.

The new Jason's Deli  next to Conan's Pizza on Anderson is never packed since no one really knows it's open yet. 

[Brisketexan 103147]

50 minutes ago, CooterBrown said:

The new Jason's Deli  next to Conan's Pizza on Anderson is never packed since no one really knows it's open yet. 

That's actually not a bad suggestion.  You can do Jason's for the price, and you really will have pretty decent privacy.

$10 a head.  Shit.  You can hardly find a takeout "lunch box" type deal for that.

[Baboontyme 2668]

Is there a Cici's around?

[Deej 76081]

On 4/17/2019 at 8:05 AM, jimmyjazz said:

Rudy's BBQ doesn't take tips.  A "family pack" allegedly feeds 5-7 people and includes 3 meats, 3 sides, and a gallon of tea, and is $69 out the door (including tax).  That's right at the budget if it's actually enough food for 7 people.  I'd talk to the manager about bumping the size a bit if more show up.

Pok-E-Jo's has their Big Deal which serves 10-12 for $106. 5 lbs of meat, 4 quarts of sides, and all the fixin's.

[South Austin 51410]

Just serve them some grape soda and call it a day.

[tx 3 putt 74769]

if you can pull it off, i'll be amazed 

[gmr548 16253]

On 4/16/2019 at 1:55 PM, Longhornfan1024 said:

Is the organization a non-profit?  If so, maybe see if you can get a local place to sponsor.  $10 per person won't get you much.  Maybe Chick Fil A?

Why is this neg worthy?

[HookEm 2432]

I like Asia Cafe on Spicewood at that price point. They have a bunch of quieter side rooms for you to have your meeting. You can order 9-10 different dishes and serve them family style. The rooms have big circular tables with a center lazy susan to make sharing easy. Mix in cheaper stuff like chicken fried rice with more expensive dishes like spicy fish (amazing).

[irishtexan 11413]

Do you have a Gumby’s coupon? Back in 1996 you could get a large one topping delivered for $5.

[South Austin 51410]

1 hour ago, irishtexan said:

Do you have a Gumby’s coupon? Back in 1996 you could get a large one topping delivered for $5.

He’d have to get them real drunk for that.