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Buenos Aires Restaurant
Buenos Aires Restaurant
Jacquelyn T./Yelp

Eater's Lunch Guide to the East Side

Where to grab the midday meal in East Austin.

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Buenos Aires Restaurant
| Jacquelyn T./Yelp

Austin’s East Side is heavily populated with many great lunch options to celebrate the oft-disregarded meal. There is everything from tacos, encompassing burgers, and Indian fusion. If your favorite lunch destination is missing, let us know on the tipline or in the comments below.

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Can’t decide between Indian and Tex-Mex? Nasha has it covered with a fusion menu that includes items such as goat masala tacos and kheema quesadillas, plus biryani and a selection of curries. Choose your spice level accordingly.

Counter Cafe

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A spin-off of the downtown favorite, Counter Cafe East serves up the same diner deliciousness in the bright, sun-lit space. Don’t miss out on the quail and fries or the Counter Burger.

Cisco's Restaurant & Bakery€Ž

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The antidote to the dreaded Sunday Funday hangover, Ciscos remains a no-frills Austin institution with the best migas in town. Rub shoulders with politicos and feast on huevos rancheros before heading back to your desk for Netflix and the countdown to happy hour.

Raymond Thompson/EATX

Sputnik

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If you like butter-slathered brioche, Trivial Pursuit, and pin-ups, the Cold War-inspired Sputnik will do just fine. While there are plenty of vegetarian options, including a housemade veggie patty, meat eaters might rightly go for the Capitalist Pig BLT paired with a side of fried mac and cheese.

Gourmands Neighborhood Pub

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There isn’t anything wrong with a 32 ounce schooner of beer at lunch time. Find that and a hefty selection of delicious sandwiches, house-made soups and fried potato chips at this former Tejano nightclub.

Raymond Thompson/EATX

Blue Dahlia Bistro

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Local, organic ingredients are just one reason Blue Dahlia serves to a full house on a daily basis. A lovely patio perfect for a bowl of soup and a shared tartine also impress.

Los Comales

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Consistently good since 1993, you can find a delicious and filling lunch for under $5 at this traditional Norteño taqueria.

Counter Culture

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Cruelty-free but not flavor-free, there’s no need to be vegan to enjoy a delicious jackfruit barbecue or Philly seitan sandwich from this Cesar Chavez hangout.

Spartan Pizza

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While the promise to “make your wildest pizza dreams come true” may seem like a tall order, husband and wife team Jeremy and Nicole Portwood deliver in both the literal and figurative sense.

Hillside Farmacy

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Chef Sonya Cote sources locally and prepares farm-fresh meals from her perch on East 11th. Sandwiches, salads (the Sweetheart is a winner), and a daily raw oyster selection await.

Nicolai McCrary/EATX

Salt & Time

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This old-world butcher shop and eatery offers a divine selection of sandwiches such as a roasted lamb with fermented pepper crème fraiche and pickled onions on a baguette. Try the $6 all-beef bologna sandwich topped with cheddar cheese and aioli on a grilled brioche.

The Hightower

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For something a bit more indulgent, Chef Chad Dolezal's inventive creations translate nicely into a well-developed lunch menu. Chicken liver pate at noon? Yes, please. Stay for the frozen caipirinha.

The Hightower/Official

Casa Colombia

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After a devastating fire, Casa Colombia recently reopened at a new location last spring. Dine on authentic, South American favorites and daily lunch specials for less than $8.

Buenos Aires Cafe, Este

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Buenos Aires serves Argentine cuisine in a beautiful setting. Peruse the loaded pastry case and feast on empanadas, soup, salad, sandwiches, and selection of lunch entrees.

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Nasha

Can’t decide between Indian and Tex-Mex? Nasha has it covered with a fusion menu that includes items such as goat masala tacos and kheema quesadillas, plus biryani and a selection of curries. Choose your spice level accordingly.

Counter Cafe

A spin-off of the downtown favorite, Counter Cafe East serves up the same diner deliciousness in the bright, sun-lit space. Don’t miss out on the quail and fries or the Counter Burger.

Cisco's Restaurant & Bakery€Ž

The antidote to the dreaded Sunday Funday hangover, Ciscos remains a no-frills Austin institution with the best migas in town. Rub shoulders with politicos and feast on huevos rancheros before heading back to your desk for Netflix and the countdown to happy hour.

Raymond Thompson/EATX

Sputnik

If you like butter-slathered brioche, Trivial Pursuit, and pin-ups, the Cold War-inspired Sputnik will do just fine. While there are plenty of vegetarian options, including a housemade veggie patty, meat eaters might rightly go for the Capitalist Pig BLT paired with a side of fried mac and cheese.

Gourmands Neighborhood Pub

There isn’t anything wrong with a 32 ounce schooner of beer at lunch time. Find that and a hefty selection of delicious sandwiches, house-made soups and fried potato chips at this former Tejano nightclub.

Raymond Thompson/EATX

Blue Dahlia Bistro

Local, organic ingredients are just one reason Blue Dahlia serves to a full house on a daily basis. A lovely patio perfect for a bowl of soup and a shared tartine also impress.

Los Comales

Consistently good since 1993, you can find a delicious and filling lunch for under $5 at this traditional Norteño taqueria.

Counter Culture

Cruelty-free but not flavor-free, there’s no need to be vegan to enjoy a delicious jackfruit barbecue or Philly seitan sandwich from this Cesar Chavez hangout.

Spartan Pizza

While the promise to “make your wildest pizza dreams come true” may seem like a tall order, husband and wife team Jeremy and Nicole Portwood deliver in both the literal and figurative sense.

Hillside Farmacy

Chef Sonya Cote sources locally and prepares farm-fresh meals from her perch on East 11th. Sandwiches, salads (the Sweetheart is a winner), and a daily raw oyster selection await.

Nicolai McCrary/EATX

Salt & Time

This old-world butcher shop and eatery offers a divine selection of sandwiches such as a roasted lamb with fermented pepper crème fraiche and pickled onions on a baguette. Try the $6 all-beef bologna sandwich topped with cheddar cheese and aioli on a grilled brioche.

The Hightower

For something a bit more indulgent, Chef Chad Dolezal's inventive creations translate nicely into a well-developed lunch menu. Chicken liver pate at noon? Yes, please. Stay for the frozen caipirinha.

The Hightower/Official

Casa Colombia

After a devastating fire, Casa Colombia recently reopened at a new location last spring. Dine on authentic, South American favorites and daily lunch specials for less than $8.

Buenos Aires Cafe, Este

Buenos Aires serves Argentine cuisine in a beautiful setting. Peruse the loaded pastry case and feast on empanadas, soup, salad, sandwiches, and selection of lunch entrees.

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