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Torchy’s Tacos’ Ace of Spades taco
Torchy’s Tacos’ Ace of Spades taco
Reid A./Yelp

11 Off-Menu Items You Need to Try Right Now in Austin

Get in on the secret

by Sommer Brugal Updated
View as Map
Torchy’s Tacos’ Ace of Spades taco
| Reid A./Yelp
by Sommer Brugal Updated

It's easy to have a dining routine, frequenting the same places and ordering the same dishes over and over again. Repetition can be comforting. But for those looking to shake things up, take advantage of Austin's best off-menu dishes

There are not-so-secret biscuits from Olamaie, the entire special taco array from Torchy’s Tacos, sports bar mash-ups of tater tots and nachos from Haymaker, disappeared menu dishes from Alamo Drafthouse and Kerbey Lane Cafe, and much more.

So whether you’ve heard of these items before or are eager to try something new, get out your pen and paper — you’ll want to keep these dishes in mind. This map includes limited quantity items, former-menu favorites, and a few made-to-order dishes as well.

If there are any off-menu dishes or drinks that we’re not aware of, please let us know through the tipline or within the comments.

With updates by Nadia Chaudhury.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Kerbey Lane Café

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Kerbey Lane’s been open for a while, so it’s natural that some menu items are no longer featured. This doesn’t mean, though, that favorites are gone forever. Items like Carl’s Breakfast are still available on request. It comes with an English muffin breakfast sandwich with ham, egg, and cheddar, with sides of home fries and fruit.

3704 Kerbey Ln, Austin, TX 78731
(512) 451-1436
(512) 451-1436
The Carl’s Breakfast from Kerbey Lane Cafe
The Carl’s Breakfast from Kerbey Lane Cafe
Kerbey Lane Cafe [Official]

Olamaie

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While Olamaie’s biscuits are famous, the Southern restaurant keeps the popular item off the menu to avoid becoming a biscuit-only kitchen, only making a limited number daily. Fear not, though: place your order for the warm, flaky, and buttery rolls slathered with honey butter as soon as you sit down.

1610 San Antonio St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-2796
(512) 474-2796
Olamaie’s biscuits
Olamaie’s biscuits
Olamaie/Facebook

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Amy's Ice Creams

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While it’s not a secret menu really, Amy’s offers up various flavor combinations not written out on its boards. The Elvis, a combination of bananas, peanut butter, and Mexican vanilla, and The Rico, a blend of Mexican vanilla, graham crackers, cinnamon, and strawberries, have become household names among visitors and can be ordered at any time.

1012 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 480-0673
(512) 480-0673

Péché

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Peche strives to bring classic drinks to life. While the bar can whip up anything, there are two dedicated off-menu cocktails: Devil’s Cocktail and Mustache Gun.

208 W 4th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 495-9669
(512) 495-9669
A cocktail from Peche
A cocktail from Peche
Peche [Official]

Also featured in:

Vince Young Steakhouse

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The steakhouse adds an adult twist to the classic childhood favorite with its wine shakes. The off-menu beverage blends together vanilla ice cream and its very own label of cabernet sauvignon.

301 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 457-8325
(512) 457-8325
Vince Young Steakhouse’s wine shake
Vince Young Steakhouse’s wine shake
Courtney Pierce

Also featured in:

III Forks

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The restaurant chain combines Southern cooking techniques with seafood for its extravagant off-menu chicken fried lobster.

111 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-1776
(512) 474-1776
III Forks’ chicken fried lobster
III Forks’ chicken fried lobster
III Forks/Facebook

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Chuy's

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If you want to feel like a regular, order the Chuy Gooey when dining at the Tex-Mex chain. Filled with beans, meat, and queso, the dip is topped with pico de gallo, salsa, and sour cream. Despite not being on the menu, staffers can attest that the Chuy Gooey is still a frequently ordered item.

1728 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 474-4452
(512) 474-4452
Chuy’s
Chuy’s
Chuy’s/Yelp

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Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

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Despite being removed from the menu, moviegoers can still enjoy two pizza favorites on request from Alamo Drafthouse. The first is the Raging Bull, topped with sausage, olives, jalapeños, and crushed red pepper. The other favorite is Enter the Dragon, a meat lover’s heaven that features pepperoni, ham, and sausage. It’s pizza nostalgia.

1120 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 707-8262
(512) 707-8262
Pizza from Alamo Drafthouse
Pizza from Alamo Drafthouse
Alamo Drafthouse [Official]

Also featured in:

Torchy's Tacos

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It’s no secret that Torchy’s Tacos has a few off-menu dishes, but with the already-listed impressive lineup of tacos, it’s easy to forget that. If you’re craving a breakfast taco, try for The Jack of Clubs. For any other meal — or if you’re feeling extra hungry — ask for the Ace of Spades. Sausage, brisket, queso, and a fried egg are just a few tasty ingredients featured in the taco.

1311 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 916-9235
(512) 916-9235
Torchy's Tacos/Facebook

Also featured in:

Home Slice Pizza

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Noted calzone enthusiast from television show Parks and Recreation Ben Wyatt would be pleased with Home Slice’s off-menu dish The Vatican — not to be confused with the big structure in Rome. The sandwich, packed with ham, salami, Capicola, and provolone cheese that is then stuffed and baked inside a cheese calzone.

1415 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-7437
(512) 444-7437
Home Slice
Home Slice
Home Slice/Facebook

Also featured in:

Black Sheep Lodge

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This off-menu dish combines two bar food favorites: nachos and tater tots. The Tachos takes the form of a mountain of tots smothered with all the nacho essentials, like queso, sour cream, and jalapeños. This is a hearty one.

2108 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 707-2744
(512) 707-2744
Black Sheep Lodge
Black Sheep Lodge
Black Sheep Lodge [Official]

Also featured in:

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Kerbey Lane Café

3704 Kerbey Ln, Austin, TX 78731

Kerbey Lane’s been open for a while, so it’s natural that some menu items are no longer featured. This doesn’t mean, though, that favorites are gone forever. Items like Carl’s Breakfast are still available on request. It comes with an English muffin breakfast sandwich with ham, egg, and cheddar, with sides of home fries and fruit.

3704 Kerbey Ln, Austin, TX 78731
(512) 451-1436
(512) 451-1436
The Carl’s Breakfast from Kerbey Lane Cafe
The Carl’s Breakfast from Kerbey Lane Cafe
Kerbey Lane Cafe [Official]

Olamaie

1610 San Antonio St, Austin, TX 78701

While Olamaie’s biscuits are famous, the Southern restaurant keeps the popular item off the menu to avoid becoming a biscuit-only kitchen, only making a limited number daily. Fear not, though: place your order for the warm, flaky, and buttery rolls slathered with honey butter as soon as you sit down.

1610 San Antonio St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-2796
(512) 474-2796
Olamaie’s biscuits
Olamaie’s biscuits
Olamaie/Facebook

Amy's Ice Creams

1012 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703

While it’s not a secret menu really, Amy’s offers up various flavor combinations not written out on its boards. The Elvis, a combination of bananas, peanut butter, and Mexican vanilla, and The Rico, a blend of Mexican vanilla, graham crackers, cinnamon, and strawberries, have become household names among visitors and can be ordered at any time.

1012 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 480-0673
(512) 480-0673

Péché

208 W 4th St, Austin, TX 78701

Peche strives to bring classic drinks to life. While the bar can whip up anything, there are two dedicated off-menu cocktails: Devil’s Cocktail and Mustache Gun.

208 W 4th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 495-9669
(512) 495-9669
A cocktail from Peche
A cocktail from Peche
Peche [Official]

Vince Young Steakhouse

301 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701

The steakhouse adds an adult twist to the classic childhood favorite with its wine shakes. The off-menu beverage blends together vanilla ice cream and its very own label of cabernet sauvignon.

301 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 457-8325
(512) 457-8325
Vince Young Steakhouse’s wine shake
Vince Young Steakhouse’s wine shake
Courtney Pierce

III Forks

111 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701

The restaurant chain combines Southern cooking techniques with seafood for its extravagant off-menu chicken fried lobster.

111 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-1776
(512) 474-1776
III Forks’ chicken fried lobster
III Forks’ chicken fried lobster
III Forks/Facebook

Chuy's

1728 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704

If you want to feel like a regular, order the Chuy Gooey when dining at the Tex-Mex chain. Filled with beans, meat, and queso, the dip is topped with pico de gallo, salsa, and sour cream. Despite not being on the menu, staffers can attest that the Chuy Gooey is still a frequently ordered item.

1728 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 474-4452
(512) 474-4452
Chuy’s
Chuy’s
Chuy’s/Yelp

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

1120 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

Despite being removed from the menu, moviegoers can still enjoy two pizza favorites on request from Alamo Drafthouse. The first is the Raging Bull, topped with sausage, olives, jalapeños, and crushed red pepper. The other favorite is Enter the Dragon, a meat lover’s heaven that features pepperoni, ham, and sausage. It’s pizza nostalgia.

1120 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 707-8262
(512) 707-8262
Pizza from Alamo Drafthouse
Pizza from Alamo Drafthouse
Alamo Drafthouse [Official]

Torchy's Tacos

1311 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704

It’s no secret that Torchy’s Tacos has a few off-menu dishes, but with the already-listed impressive lineup of tacos, it’s easy to forget that. If you’re craving a breakfast taco, try for The Jack of Clubs. For any other meal — or if you’re feeling extra hungry — ask for the Ace of Spades. Sausage, brisket, queso, and a fried egg are just a few tasty ingredients featured in the taco.

1311 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 916-9235
(512) 916-9235
Torchy's Tacos/Facebook

Home Slice Pizza

1415 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

Noted calzone enthusiast from television show Parks and Recreation Ben Wyatt would be pleased with Home Slice’s off-menu dish The Vatican — not to be confused with the big structure in Rome. The sandwich, packed with ham, salami, Capicola, and provolone cheese that is then stuffed and baked inside a cheese calzone.

1415 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-7437
(512) 444-7437
Home Slice
Home Slice
Home Slice/Facebook

Black Sheep Lodge

2108 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

This off-menu dish combines two bar food favorites: nachos and tater tots. The Tachos takes the form of a mountain of tots smothered with all the nacho essentials, like queso, sour cream, and jalapeños. This is a hearty one.

2108 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 707-2744
(512) 707-2744
Black Sheep Lodge
Black Sheep Lodge
Black Sheep Lodge [Official]

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