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Friday Night Lights Photo by Bill Records/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

A Complete Guide to Austin Restaurants Made Famous by Movies and TV Shows

Take a tour of the local institutions featured in Friday Night Lights, Dazed and Confused, and more

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Texas may be known as the Lone Star State, but plenty of Hollywood stars have passed through over recent years. From coming-of-age films like Boyhood to Westerns such as True Grit, the city of Austin and its iconic landmarks have often graced the silver screen. Several established restaurants — such as Guero’s Taco Bar, Magnolia Cafe, and Texas Chili Parlor — have been featured as a backdrop in some of the most beloved films over the past few decades.

As with all businesses right now, be sure to call ahead to make sure each restaurant/truck is still open or if there are updates on current offerings and service models, as things are changing constantly. Be sure to wear a mask, tip well, and, if you’re ordering delivery, try to order directly from the restaurant/truck themselves.

The latest CDC guidance for vaccinated diners during the COVID-19 outbreak is here; dining out still carries risks for unvaccinated diners and workers. Please be aware of changing local rules, and check individual restaurant websites for any additional restrictions such as mask requirements. Find a local vaccination site here.

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Volente Beach Resort & Waterpark

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In response to the successful 2010 zombie series The Walking Dead, AMC developed a spin-off prequel series in 2015 called Fear the Walking Dead. In season four of the zombie apocalypse horror drama, a group temporarily settles in a waterpark. The park is actually a full-service entertainment spot called Volente Beach and is located on the shores of beautiful Lake Travis. It’s open for takeout, curbside, dockside, and on-site services.

Volente Beach Resort & Waterpark
Volente Beach Resort & Waterpark
Volente Beach/Facebook

Dairy Queen

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Located on Burnet Road, this particular location of the fast-food chain is known as The Alamo Freeze for beloved NBC television series Friday Night Lights fans. In the show, it is the workplace of two Panther players: the backup quarterback Matt Saracen (Zach Gilford) and Brian “Smash” Williams (Gaius Charles), a confident running back who struggled with steroids use in the past. During the season five finale, Matt proposes to Coach Taylor’s daughter, Julie (Aimee Teegarden), outside of this classic Southern drive-thru. Dairy Queen is open for to-go orders, delivery, dine-in, and drive-thru services.

Saracen and Smash sharing shakes at the Alamo Freeze
Saracen and Smash sharing shakes at the Alamo Freeze
NBC

Top Notch Hamburgers

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Austinite director Richard Linklater’s 1993 iconic stoner coming-of-age film, Dazed and Confused, is a Texas staple in cinema that captures the laidback vibe of teens on their last day of school in 1976. The high school seniors cruise around town and meet up at the local burger joint, Top Notch, before heading to the next kegger. Open since 1971, the drive-thru was also featured in director Brian Robbins’s football comedy/drama Varsity Blues. The restaurant served as the workplace of sassy sweetheart Jules Harbor (Amy Smart), the Southern girlfriend of protagonist Jonathan “Mox” Moxon (played by James Van Der Beek). To-go orders can be placed online, via its mobile app, or through the drive-thru. The dining room has reopened for dine-in service. 

Davis Wooderson (Matthew McConaughey) invites people to a party in the Top Notch drive-thru
Davis Wooderson (Matthew McConaughey) invites people to a party in the Top Notch drive-thru
Screencapture via YouTube

Stiles Switch BBQ

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Located in the Violet Crown Shopping Center on North Lamar, one of the oldest shopping centers in Austin, Stiles Switch BBQ serves up tasty dishes with a side of movie nostalgia. Several scenes from Linklater’s Dazed and Confused were filmed inside and outside of the building. Stiles Switch's space is the fictional pool hall called Emporium, an after-school hangout where all the different social cliques from the jocks to the stoners would drink beer and play eight ball. The savory barbecue joint is currently open for dine-in service and offering curbside pick-up and to-go orders.

Characters from David & Confused hanging out outside of the Violet Crown Shopping Center
Characters from David & Confused hanging out outside of the Violet Crown Shopping Center
Screencapture via YouTube

The Omelettry

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The second half of Quentin Tarantino’s grindhouse film Death Proof features a group of close girlfriends who challenge Stuntman Mike. While en route to their next production gig, the ladies get breakfast and discuss the classic car chase film Vanishing Point at the original location of the Omelettery that used to stand at 4811 Burnet Road before it relocated to 4631 Airport Boulevard. However, the restaurant’s new location still holds onto its old-fashioned and old-school Austin vibes. Takeout orders can be placed online. The restaurant has reopened for dine-in service.

The dining room of the Omelettry
The dining room of the Omelettry
The Omelettry/Facebook

Director Terrence Malick’s romantic drama Song to Song is filled with a star-studded cast including Ryan Gosling, Rooney Mara, Natalie Portman, and Michael Fassbender. Malick filmed multiple scenes all around Austin, falling in love himself with the city’s vibrant food and music scene. Portman plays Rhonda, a former kindergarten teacher now working as a waitress at the Hyde Park Italian restaurant. On her shift, she meets a risque record producer named Cook (played by Fassbender) who she eventually marries. Asti is open for outdoor dining and offers curbside pick-up and delivery. Orders can be placed online or over the phone.

Michael Fassbender and Natalie Portman at Asti in Song to Song
Michael Fassbender and Natalie Portman at Asti in Song to Song
Screencapture via YouTube

Quack's 43rd Street Bakery

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Linklater’s 2001 experimental animated film Waking Life is a philosophical and dream-like work of art that was shot entirely rotoscoped — a technique that involves using digital video of live actors with a team of artists drawing lines and colors over each frame with computers. There is one scene shot in front of Quack’s 43rd Street Bakery, in which a man self-immolates.

Located in historic Hyde Park, this bakery and full-service coffee shop is currently open for walk-in and takeout services.

The man in Waking Life outside of Quack’s
The man in Waking Life outside of Quack’s
Screencapture via YouTube

Texas Chili Parlor

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Located downtown, the Texas Chili Parlor has been spicing things up since 1976. Tarantino filmed multiple scenes for Death Proof in the restaurant’s dining room. Butterfly performs a sexy dance in front of the jukebox while Tarantino himself serves drinks as he plays a friendly bartender named Warren. Antagonist Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) enjoys a virgin piña colada alongside a blonde beauty named Pam (Rose McGowan) at the bar. Holding a childhood grudge against Jungle Julia, Pam asks Stuntman Mike for a ride home where she, unfortunately, meets her demise. The restaurant is open for dine-in and to-go orders.

A scene from Death Proof at Texas Chili Parlor
A scene from Death Proof at Texas Chili Parlor
Screencapture via YouTube

Mean Eyed Cat

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In 1986, native Texan Tobe Hooper directed Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, a black comedy follow-up to its harrowing and terrifying predecessor. In the film, Dennis Hopper’s character, Lieutenant “Lefty” Enright, visits a chainsaw store called Cut Rite Chain Saws. The hardware store is owned by the crazed and cannibalistic Hewitt family, the antagonists throughout the Texas Chainsaw Massacre series. This storefront is currently the bar Austinites know as the Mean Eyed Cat. In addition to booze, patrons can get a taste of film history by ordering from their on-site barbecue restaurant, Metcalf BBQ. Takeout orders can be placed in person. The bar is open for on-site services.

Mean Eyed Cat’s storefront played at Cut Rite Chain Saws in Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2
Mean Eyed Cat’s storefront played at Cut Rite Chain Saws in Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2
Screencapture via YouTube

Austin Club

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Directors Joel and Ethan Coen’s 2010 adaptation of the western classic True Grit was filmed in various places across Texas. The talented brothers took advantage of Austin’s historic downtown district by shooting a scene in front of the exterior of the Austin Club, the city’s oldest private dining club. Located in the Millet Opera House, The Austin Club is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a recorded Texas Historic Landmark. The Coen Brothers used the exterior of the building and transformed the block to look like Memphis in 1903. The Austin Club is currently offering private room rentals, to-go orders, and dine-in service

The Driskill

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Open since 1886, the Driskill is an opulent hotel located in the heart of downtown Austin. Shots from Director Donald Petrie’s 2000 action/comedy film Miss Congeniality were taken inside the Driskill Grill. In the film, Sandra Bullock plays Grace Hart, a disheveled FBI agent who goes undercover after a terrorist threat is made on the Miss United States beauty pageant. In order to prepare to become a beauty contestant, she meets her new trainer (played by Michael Caine) in the historic hotel to go over beauty and poise logistics. Likewise, the Western drama series The Son was also shot at the luxurious hotel. There is a scene where the main character, a Texas cattle baron named Eli McCullough (Pierce Brosnan), meets with a potential financier named William Philpott (Brett Rice) in order to save his family’s ranch. While the Driskill Grill is closed, the hotel, bar, and cafe are open for on-site service.

Grace Hart and Eric Matthews at the Driskill Grill
Grace Hart and Eric Matthews at the Driskill Grill
Screencapture via YouTube

Roppolo’s Pizzeria

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A family-owned business that has served Sicilian style pizza for over 25 years, Roppolo’s Pizza brings a delicious authenticity to downtown Austin. Its familial aspect infused with the party atmosphere of Sixth Street made the pizzeria the perfect background for a love montage scene in actor and director Drew Barrymore’s roller derby drama Whip It. As a couple playfully frolics on foot down Sixth, they stop in front of Roppolo’s to do a quick piggyback ride, which is just enough time for their grab-and-go pizza slice options. Roppolo’s is open for dine-in, to-go orders, online ordering, and curbside pick-up

Roppolo’s Pizzeria
Roppolo’s Pizzeria
Roppolo’s Pizzeria/Facebook

The Continental Club

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The legendary Continental Club on South Congress opened its doors in 1955 and has evolved from a swanky supper club to Austin’s first burlesque club to a blue-collar bar, and most recently to a premier live music venue. Its history is cemented in two Linklater films: Slacker and Boyhood. 1990 indie Slacker chronicles a day in the life of young Austinites as they wander around the city discussing topics from government control of the media to social class and homelessness. One scene features a group discussing what it means to be an artist in front of the famous club. In the sprawling epic Boyhood, two of the young main characters are discussing their plans for college in front of the club’s doors which brings both films full-circle since Austin is both a college town and town known for its live music. The venue plans on reopening for on-site services on May 28.

A Slackers scene at the Continental Club
A Slackers scene at the Continental Club
Screencapture via YouTube

Güero's Taco Bar

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In Director Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof, after moving to Austin, Arlene aka “Butterfly” (Vanessa Ferlito) meets up with renowned local DJ Jungle Julia (Sydney Tamiia Poitier) and best friend Shanna (Jordan Ladd) for a few margaritas at South Congress Tex-Mex restaurant Guero’s. This gritty grindhouse exploitation film features the devilishly handsome Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) who stalks the girls around town in his 1969 black Dodge Charger. On the front patio of Guero’s, Butterfly notices his trademark vehicle slowly creeping by her before he takes off speeding down South Congress. Pickup and delivery orders can be placed online. The restaurant has reopened for indoor and patio dine-in service.

Arlene, Jungle Julia, and Shanna dining at Guero’s
Arlene, Jungle Julia, and Shanna dining at Guero’s
Screencapture via YouTube

Magnolia Cafe

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Filmed over the span of 10 years, Linklater’s coming-of-age epic Boyhood captures the heart and soul of Austin while shooting at several iconic locations around the city. One sweet scene features two main characters, Mason (Ellar Coltrane) and Sheena (Zoe Graham), sharing a bowl of queso at Magnolia Cafe’s South Congress location after a night out on the town. Pickup and curbside pickup orders can be placed online. The restaurant has reopened for indoor and patio dine-in services.

Sheena and Mason at Magnolia Cafe
Sheena and Mason at Magnolia Cafe
Screencapture

Baker St. Pub & Grill

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There aren’t any red staplers at Baker St. Pub & Grill, but there are plenty of delicious fish and chips, draft beer, and zany decor covering its walls. Writer and director Mike Judge chose this South Austin pub as the filming location for his 1999 black comedy film Office Space. The bar was made over as a fictional restaurant chain named Chotchkie’s, where burned-out corporate employee Peter (Ron Livingston) meets a waitress named Joanna (Jennifer Aniston). The two quickly bond over bad management and kung fu. It’s open for dine-in, delivery, and takeout options.

Peter Gibbons, Michael Bolton, and Samir Nagheenanajar dining at Chotchkie’s
Peter Gibbons, Michael Bolton, and Samir Nagheenanajar dining at Chotchkie’s
Screencapture via YouTube

Broken Spoke

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Known as the best little honky-tonk in Texas, Broken Spoke is an iconic dance hall where country legends like Willie Nelson, Dale Watson, and George Strait have graced the stage since 1964. During season one of Friday Night Lights, Landry (Jesse Plemons), the well-mannered tight-end and guitarist, also played a gig here with his band Crucifictorious. The dance hall and restaurant are open for on-site services.

Crucifictorious playing Broken Spoke
Crucifictorious playing Broken Spoke
Screencapture via YouTube

The Landing Strip

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Few places lively up Austin nightlife quite like the Landing Strip. Located in North Austin, this strip club has been a favorite spot for fictional football characters. Friday Night Lights character Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch) would end his evenings at this particular gentleman’s club, and the players in Brian Robbins’s sports comedy, Varsity Blues, would party here as well. The strip club serves up food and is open for dine-in services.

Logan's Roadhouse

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Writer and director Andrew Bujalski’s “breastaurant” comedy, Support the Girls, was a big hit during South by Southwest in 2018. Regina Hall plays a general manager dedicated to protecting her female staff from rowdy patrons and abusive boyfriends. The fictional restaurant called Double Whammies is actually Logan’s Roadhouse, a casual steak restaurant chain known for serving buckets of peanuts on the table and guests throwing the shells on the floor. While the exact location on I-35 and Stassney is closed, the other locations, including this one in Buda, are open for dine-in, take-out, and deliveries

Maci (Haley Lu Richardson) and Krista (AJ Michalka) behind the bar of Double Whammies
Maci (Haley Lu Richardson) and Krista (AJ Michalka) behind the bar of Double Whammies
Support the Girls/Facebook

Volente Beach Resort & Waterpark

In response to the successful 2010 zombie series The Walking Dead, AMC developed a spin-off prequel series in 2015 called Fear the Walking Dead. In season four of the zombie apocalypse horror drama, a group temporarily settles in a waterpark. The park is actually a full-service entertainment spot called Volente Beach and is located on the shores of beautiful Lake Travis. It’s open for takeout, curbside, dockside, and on-site services.

Volente Beach Resort & Waterpark
Volente Beach Resort & Waterpark
Volente Beach/Facebook

Dairy Queen

Located on Burnet Road, this particular location of the fast-food chain is known as The Alamo Freeze for beloved NBC television series Friday Night Lights fans. In the show, it is the workplace of two Panther players: the backup quarterback Matt Saracen (Zach Gilford) and Brian “Smash” Williams (Gaius Charles), a confident running back who struggled with steroids use in the past. During the season five finale, Matt proposes to Coach Taylor’s daughter, Julie (Aimee Teegarden), outside of this classic Southern drive-thru. Dairy Queen is open for to-go orders, delivery, dine-in, and drive-thru services.

Saracen and Smash sharing shakes at the Alamo Freeze
Saracen and Smash sharing shakes at the Alamo Freeze
NBC

Top Notch Hamburgers

Austinite director Richard Linklater’s 1993 iconic stoner coming-of-age film, Dazed and Confused, is a Texas staple in cinema that captures the laidback vibe of teens on their last day of school in 1976. The high school seniors cruise around town and meet up at the local burger joint, Top Notch, before heading to the next kegger. Open since 1971, the drive-thru was also featured in director Brian Robbins’s football comedy/drama Varsity Blues. The restaurant served as the workplace of sassy sweetheart Jules Harbor (Amy Smart), the Southern girlfriend of protagonist Jonathan “Mox” Moxon (played by James Van Der Beek). To-go orders can be placed online, via its mobile app, or through the drive-thru. The dining room has reopened for dine-in service. 

Davis Wooderson (Matthew McConaughey) invites people to a party in the Top Notch drive-thru
Davis Wooderson (Matthew McConaughey) invites people to a party in the Top Notch drive-thru
Screencapture via YouTube

Stiles Switch BBQ

Located in the Violet Crown Shopping Center on North Lamar, one of the oldest shopping centers in Austin, Stiles Switch BBQ serves up tasty dishes with a side of movie nostalgia. Several scenes from Linklater’s Dazed and Confused were filmed inside and outside of the building. Stiles Switch's space is the fictional pool hall called Emporium, an after-school hangout where all the different social cliques from the jocks to the stoners would drink beer and play eight ball. The savory barbecue joint is currently open for dine-in service and offering curbside pick-up and to-go orders.

Characters from David & Confused hanging out outside of the Violet Crown Shopping Center
Characters from David & Confused hanging out outside of the Violet Crown Shopping Center
Screencapture via YouTube

The Omelettry

The second half of Quentin Tarantino’s grindhouse film Death Proof features a group of close girlfriends who challenge Stuntman Mike. While en route to their next production gig, the ladies get breakfast and discuss the classic car chase film Vanishing Point at the original location of the Omelettery that used to stand at 4811 Burnet Road before it relocated to 4631 Airport Boulevard. However, the restaurant’s new location still holds onto its old-fashioned and old-school Austin vibes. Takeout orders can be placed online. The restaurant has reopened for dine-in service.

The dining room of the Omelettry
The dining room of the Omelettry
The Omelettry/Facebook

Asti

Director Terrence Malick’s romantic drama Song to Song is filled with a star-studded cast including Ryan Gosling, Rooney Mara, Natalie Portman, and Michael Fassbender. Malick filmed multiple scenes all around Austin, falling in love himself with the city’s vibrant food and music scene. Portman plays Rhonda, a former kindergarten teacher now working as a waitress at the Hyde Park Italian restaurant. On her shift, she meets a risque record producer named Cook (played by Fassbender) who she eventually marries. Asti is open for outdoor dining and offers curbside pick-up and delivery. Orders can be placed online or over the phone.

Michael Fassbender and Natalie Portman at Asti in Song to Song
Michael Fassbender and Natalie Portman at Asti in Song to Song
Screencapture via YouTube

Quack's 43rd Street Bakery

Linklater’s 2001 experimental animated film Waking Life is a philosophical and dream-like work of art that was shot entirely rotoscoped — a technique that involves using digital video of live actors with a team of artists drawing lines and colors over each frame with computers. There is one scene shot in front of Quack’s 43rd Street Bakery, in which a man self-immolates.

Located in historic Hyde Park, this bakery and full-service coffee shop is currently open for walk-in and takeout services.

The man in Waking Life outside of Quack’s
The man in Waking Life outside of Quack’s
Screencapture via YouTube

Texas Chili Parlor

Located downtown, the Texas Chili Parlor has been spicing things up since 1976. Tarantino filmed multiple scenes for Death Proof in the restaurant’s dining room. Butterfly performs a sexy dance in front of the jukebox while Tarantino himself serves drinks as he plays a friendly bartender named Warren. Antagonist Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) enjoys a virgin piña colada alongside a blonde beauty named Pam (Rose McGowan) at the bar. Holding a childhood grudge against Jungle Julia, Pam asks Stuntman Mike for a ride home where she, unfortunately, meets her demise. The restaurant is open for dine-in and to-go orders.

A scene from Death Proof at Texas Chili Parlor
A scene from Death Proof at Texas Chili Parlor
Screencapture via YouTube

Mean Eyed Cat

In 1986, native Texan Tobe Hooper directed Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, a black comedy follow-up to its harrowing and terrifying predecessor. In the film, Dennis Hopper’s character, Lieutenant “Lefty” Enright, visits a chainsaw store called Cut Rite Chain Saws. The hardware store is owned by the crazed and cannibalistic Hewitt family, the antagonists throughout the Texas Chainsaw Massacre series. This storefront is currently the bar Austinites know as the Mean Eyed Cat. In addition to booze, patrons can get a taste of film history by ordering from their on-site barbecue restaurant, Metcalf BBQ. Takeout orders can be placed in person. The bar is open for on-site services.

Mean Eyed Cat’s storefront played at Cut Rite Chain Saws in Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2
Mean Eyed Cat’s storefront played at Cut Rite Chain Saws in Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2
Screencapture via YouTube

Austin Club

Directors Joel and Ethan Coen’s 2010 adaptation of the western classic True Grit was filmed in various places across Texas. The talented brothers took advantage of Austin’s historic downtown district by shooting a scene in front of the exterior of the Austin Club, the city’s oldest private dining club. Located in the Millet Opera House, The Austin Club is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a recorded Texas Historic Landmark. The Coen Brothers used the exterior of the building and transformed the block to look like Memphis in 1903. The Austin Club is currently offering private room rentals, to-go orders, and dine-in service

The Driskill

Open since 1886, the Driskill is an opulent hotel located in the heart of downtown Austin. Shots from Director Donald Petrie’s 2000 action/comedy film Miss Congeniality were taken inside the Driskill Grill. In the film, Sandra Bullock plays Grace Hart, a disheveled FBI agent who goes undercover after a terrorist threat is made on the Miss United States beauty pageant. In order to prepare to become a beauty contestant, she meets her new trainer (played by Michael Caine) in the historic hotel to go over beauty and poise logistics. Likewise, the Western drama series The Son was also shot at the luxurious hotel. There is a scene where the main character, a Texas cattle baron named Eli McCullough (Pierce Brosnan), meets with a potential financier named William Philpott (Brett Rice) in order to save his family’s ranch. While the Driskill Grill is closed, the hotel, bar, and cafe are open for on-site service.

Grace Hart and Eric Matthews at the Driskill Grill
Grace Hart and Eric Matthews at the Driskill Grill
Screencapture via YouTube

Roppolo’s Pizzeria

A family-owned business that has served Sicilian style pizza for over 25 years, Roppolo’s Pizza brings a delicious authenticity to downtown Austin. Its familial aspect infused with the party atmosphere of Sixth Street made the pizzeria the perfect background for a love montage scene in actor and director Drew Barrymore’s roller derby drama Whip It. As a couple playfully frolics on foot down Sixth, they stop in front of Roppolo’s to do a quick piggyback ride, which is just enough time for their grab-and-go pizza slice options. Roppolo’s is open for dine-in, to-go orders, online ordering, and curbside pick-up

Roppolo’s Pizzeria
Roppolo’s Pizzeria
Roppolo’s Pizzeria/Facebook

The Continental Club

The legendary Continental Club on South Congress opened its doors in 1955 and has evolved from a swanky supper club to Austin’s first burlesque club to a blue-collar bar, and most recently to a premier live music venue. Its history is cemented in two Linklater films: Slacker and Boyhood. 1990 indie Slacker chronicles a day in the life of young Austinites as they wander around the city discussing topics from government control of the media to social class and homelessness. One scene features a group discussing what it means to be an artist in front of the famous club. In the sprawling epic Boyhood, two of the young main characters are discussing their plans for college in front of the club’s doors which brings both films full-circle since Austin is both a college town and town known for its live music. The venue plans on reopening for on-site services on May 28.

A Slackers scene at the Continental Club
A Slackers scene at the Continental Club
Screencapture via YouTube

Güero's Taco Bar

In Director Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof, after moving to Austin, Arlene aka “Butterfly” (Vanessa Ferlito) meets up with renowned local DJ Jungle Julia (Sydney Tamiia Poitier) and best friend Shanna (Jordan Ladd) for a few margaritas at South Congress Tex-Mex restaurant Guero’s. This gritty grindhouse exploitation film features the devilishly handsome Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) who stalks the girls around town in his 1969 black Dodge Charger. On the front patio of Guero’s, Butterfly notices his trademark vehicle slowly creeping by her before he takes off speeding down South Congress. Pickup and delivery orders can be placed online. The restaurant has reopened for indoor and patio dine-in service.

Arlene, Jungle Julia, and Shanna dining at Guero’s
Arlene, Jungle Julia, and Shanna dining at Guero’s
Screencapture via YouTube

Magnolia Cafe

Filmed over the span of 10 years, Linklater’s coming-of-age epic Boyhood captures the heart and soul of Austin while shooting at several iconic locations around the city. One sweet scene features two main characters, Mason (Ellar Coltrane) and Sheena (Zoe Graham), sharing a bowl of queso at Magnolia Cafe’s South Congress location after a night out on the town. Pickup and curbside pickup orders can be placed online. The restaurant has reopened for indoor and patio dine-in services.

Sheena and Mason at Magnolia Cafe
Sheena and Mason at Magnolia Cafe
Screencapture

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Baker St. Pub & Grill

There aren’t any red staplers at Baker St. Pub & Grill, but there are plenty of delicious fish and chips, draft beer, and zany decor covering its walls. Writer and director Mike Judge chose this South Austin pub as the filming location for his 1999 black comedy film Office Space. The bar was made over as a fictional restaurant chain named Chotchkie’s, where burned-out corporate employee Peter (Ron Livingston) meets a waitress named Joanna (Jennifer Aniston). The two quickly bond over bad management and kung fu. It’s open for dine-in, delivery, and takeout options.

Peter Gibbons, Michael Bolton, and Samir Nagheenanajar dining at Chotchkie’s
Peter Gibbons, Michael Bolton, and Samir Nagheenanajar dining at Chotchkie’s
Screencapture via YouTube

Broken Spoke

Known as the best little honky-tonk in Texas, Broken Spoke is an iconic dance hall where country legends like Willie Nelson, Dale Watson, and George Strait have graced the stage since 1964. During season one of Friday Night Lights, Landry (Jesse Plemons), the well-mannered tight-end and guitarist, also played a gig here with his band Crucifictorious. The dance hall and restaurant are open for on-site services.

Crucifictorious playing Broken Spoke
Crucifictorious playing Broken Spoke
Screencapture via YouTube

The Landing Strip

Few places lively up Austin nightlife quite like the Landing Strip. Located in North Austin, this strip club has been a favorite spot for fictional football characters. Friday Night Lights character Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch) would end his evenings at this particular gentleman’s club, and the players in Brian Robbins’s sports comedy, Varsity Blues, would party here as well. The strip club serves up food and is open for dine-in services.

Logan's Roadhouse

Writer and director Andrew Bujalski’s “breastaurant” comedy, Support the Girls, was a big hit during South by Southwest in 2018. Regina Hall plays a general manager dedicated to protecting her female staff from rowdy patrons and abusive boyfriends. The fictional restaurant called Double Whammies is actually Logan’s Roadhouse, a casual steak restaurant chain known for serving buckets of peanuts on the table and guests throwing the shells on the floor. While the exact location on I-35 and Stassney is closed, the other locations, including this one in Buda, are open for dine-in, take-out, and deliveries

Maci (Haley Lu Richardson) and Krista (AJ Michalka) behind the bar of Double Whammies
Maci (Haley Lu Richardson) and Krista (AJ Michalka) behind the bar of Double Whammies
Support the Girls/Facebook

Related Maps