Horns247 Board

That is one place I heard.
You say original in Driftwood, how far from UT, we are staying about two, three miles south of UT.

Home Slice Pizza, it's on Congress which you have to check out, and their pizza is the best ever. I'd go during the evening.

If you're a night person you need to go see a movie at the Alamo Drafthouse, they serve food, so you can catch dinner and a movie at the same time.

Yes, but sounds like a rental car would be a good idea. At first we thought with our location a short taxi ride to the downtown would be all we needed.

is this what we're telling outsiders these days? to throw them off the scent of the good cue?

shush dude.

I might need an extra week. Thanks for all the suggestions. Am looking forward to the trip.

Juan in a Million on Cesar Chavez east of I35. It's not in the best part of town, but it's still plenty safe and the food is delicious. Get the Don Juan (HUGE breakfast taco), if you can eat 8 of them you'll be the new record holder. It was the place where the guy on Man vs. Food went for his Austin challenge.

When you get into town, go into most convenience stores or hotels and pick up an Austin Chronicle http://www.austinchronicle.com/calendar/
This will be a fantastic guide regardless of what your interest is.

Since you are downtown:

- Go to dirty 6th street (regardless of your age)... you may not wanna stay, but it's definitely worth a visit. I bet you end up at Coyote Ugly all night. Please don't though. What a waist.
- Walk in the Driskill Hotel and walk around a bit. They have a great bar and restaurant as well. Historic joint.
- Cross over to the 4th Street area, or West 6th Street bar scene.
- If you wanna day drink I would recommend Aussies Bar and Grill and Shoal Creek Saloon... Doc's on South Congress is another option. No shortage, but those are my regulars
- Walk over at dusk and watch those GD bats fly out from under the bridge on South Congress. Please shoot them and enjoy the sent of bat crap.
- Salt Lick is a fantastic option, but it is a road trip for you. If you don't make it, at the very least, go to Stubbs. Not really cause the food is good, but they have a great music venue. I think Ryan Bingham is playing on Thursday and Friday. Outdoor amphitheater. They have a decent Sunday Brunch as well. Same with Moonshines.
- The weather is no nice, Barton Springs Pool should be great. I dream of quiting my job every day just so I could be homeless and go there every day. Stay away from the showers though. Unless you're into that sorta thing.
- Barton Springs isn't too far, and they have a decent restaurant that is very "Austin-e" called Shady Grove. Don't sell Green Mesquite short either. Get the catfish queso. Damn that shit wack. Jalepeno ranch salad dressing too...
- Do visit 1st Thursday on South Congress... I lived there for years and it's worth it. Queros is cool... food is meh, but I grew up on the border so I have higher standards that Austin can't meet. Magnolia's is good as well. South Congress Cafe is the better food of all of'em though
- Go to the Broken Spoke to really get a good laugh in. Hell, it may be your scene. Country music dancing and rustic environment.
- Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon - Sunday is Chicken Shit Bingo with Austin singer Dale Watson. Mark this down as a "can't miss" if you're still around. I think it starts at about 4 pm. This will make the entire trip worth it for you. :)

That's all I got... well, not really, but really.

Here are some of my recommendations.

To Do:
Canoe/Kayak/Paddle Board Town Lake
Jog/bike Town Lake Trails
Hamilton Pool
Congress Ave bridge bats
Mt Bonnel
UT tower tour (if they still do that)
Natural Bridge Caverns (45 min drive)

Breakfast
Brunch at South Congress Cafe (this is my favorite place to eat in Austin)
Frank
Kerbey Lane Cafe
Magnolia Cafe
Austin Java on Barton Springs

Lunch/Dinner
Mexican food at Gueros, followed by desert across the street at My Cupcake
Hula Hut on lake Austin
Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood (BYOB and cash)
Oasis on Lake Travis (for views)
Trudy's (North Campus)
Torchy's Tacos

Also, you can read a lot in the link below.

I think the ribs are 2nd to none... well, Don's has the best beef ribs, but Salt Lick has very good ribs.

The key is that you go to the original Salt Lick. The airport, and there other locations are not good at all IMO.

To answer your question directly - it's really about the atmosphere with certain items being good (like the ribs.) IMO Kansas City has the best BBQ that I have ever had. And, as a Texan, I've had a shit load of it.

Don's?

Never heard of them but I find it hard to believe they could be better then the beef ribs at Muellers. I've never been a fan of Salt Lick, not saying its bad but with so many other better choices why bother. Franklins is hands down the best brisket in the Austin area if not the state of Texas and Muellers is right there behind if not equal and Johns beef ribs are a mouthgasim.

I'm of the mind that if we have out of state visitors coming to Austin, send them to the best and for BBQ it's Franklins and Muellers then everyone else

Check this pix out. John's legendary beef ribs on the 21st.