23 Food Things Only People Who've Lived In Austin Would Understand

Few things can warm an Austinite's heart like the smell of smoked meat or the sound of a can of beer opening on the Greenbelt.

Few things can warm an Austinite's heart like the smell of smoked meat or the sound of a can of beer opening on the Greenbelt. Or that first bite of a vegan muffin straight out of the oven -- hey, we're a well-rounded bunch.

Out-of-towners may think South by Southwest is Austin's main attraction, but they've obviously never gone into a food truck-induced coma on East 6th Street or had a few too many at Hole In The Wall. Sure, the music in Texas' capital city is fantastic, but Austin has a culinary scene to match it. Herewith, 23 food things only folks who've lived in Austin would understand.

1
First and foremost, Kerbey Lane's queso is not "just melted cheese."
revrev/Flickr
2
No one can make pad thai as fast as Madam Mam's can.
jeffk/Flickr
3
It's not uncommon to write your will on the napkin while finishing up a Gourdough's doughnut (especially if it's the Flying Pig).
Andrew Huff/Flickr
4
If you want a Franklin's brisket sandwich for lunch, you'd better show up at 9am.
jeffcutler/Flickr
5
Before the cleanse craze, juicing helped keep Austin weird.
Twitter/@badgalmeeshy
6
Nothing cures a hangover better than breakfast tacos at Juan In A Million...
jenniferconley/Flickr
7
"Vegan" does not equal "diet food."
tastytouring/Flickr
8
Tiff's Treats are perfect for finals, midterms, breakups, passing (or failing) an exam, sick days or movie nights. Basically, Tiff's Treats are perfect anytime.
cote/Flickr
9
There's a limit on Trudy's Mexican Martinis for a reason.
khowaga1/Flickr
10
You can totally have a fantastic meal in a gas station...
cogdogblog/Flickr
11
...or in a parking lot.
tomis b/Flickr
12
Whenever someone else is paying for your dinner, you suggest Uchi.
Gandhu & Sarah/Flickr
13
Your drink somehow feels stronger when they're playing your song on the juke box at Hole In The Wall.
Bonita Sarita/Flickr
14
If you don't order fries at Hyde Park Bar & Grill, you're doing it wrong.
osunick/Flickr
15
Wooing someone is exponentially easier while gazing at Lake Austin and drinking hot cocoa at Mozart's.
philnicholson/Flickr
16
If the brisket at The Salt Lick isn't worth a 30-minute drive, we don't know what is.
hey tiffany!/Flickr
17
Lustre Pearl's "Long Hair Don't Care" (shot of whiskey + a Lone Star tallboy) is the best deal in town. Plus, the hula hoops and ping pong tables can be enjoyed for free.
cheri lucas./Flickr
18
If you're going to write a novel, you should probably do it at Quack's while eating a cupcake.
Rachel from Cupcakes Take the Cake/Flickr
19
Breakfast at Magnolia Cafe should never be eaten during normal breakfast hours.
1lenore/Flickr
20
Go ahead and order a veggie burger at P. Terry's. No judgement here.
VietNinjaXTC/Flickr
21
It's entirely worth it to squeeze in amongst the frat dudes at Fricano's Deli on a Saturday afternoon for an epic sandwich.
tastytouring/Flickr
22
Never go to Home Slice hungry -- prepare to wait for at least an hour.
Nick Sherman/Flickr
23
This should go without saying, but The Mighty Cone sells pure, fried joy.
mootown/Flickr

Correction: A previous version of this post featured a photo of Counter Culture as a food truck, but it is now a brick and mortar restaurant.

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