When Jack Gilmore opened his eponymous kitchen in 2009, Oak Hill embraced it with open arms. Nearly eight years later, weekend waits for a table are still the norm. Gilmore focuses on tacos, burgers, chicken fried items, and steaks — there’s something for everyone, served in a New American-style meant for mass appeal. The bar has a long list of Texas craft beers and a pronounced emphasis on margaritas and assorted vodka drinks.

Sometimes simple is best. Taqueria Chapala 3 does the basics right: breakfast tacos are served in a three-pack for $3.99, and there’s even a drive-thru window for morning commuters. Dine-in offers classic platters like carne guisada, alambres, and bistec ranchero, usually priced at $10 or less. The service is friendly, and the kitchen is consistent.

Another food truck made good, Slab BBQ’s second location is counterprogramming compared to most Texas barbecue: the restaurant embraces recipes from Memphis and the Carolinas in defiance of local barbecue puritanism. The menu is affordable, kid-friendly, and easy to like, with sandwich names like Notorious P.I.G. and Tony Montana, generating some laughs as well. While the dining room is already open, expect a craft beer bar expansion late this summer.

The area’s best-kept sandwich secret, Tucci’s is a perennial hit with the lunch crowd of tech workers and construction-types congregating on the Y. Find Philly-style hoagies here served on New World Bakery bread with Boar’s Head cold cuts. Popular orders include the Gourmet Italian and a updated Philly cheesesteak served with grilled mushrooms, onions, and jalapenos. 

A popular morning stop for 290 and 71 commuters, Tino’s has built a following large enough to warrant a recent expansion from a small trailer to a large, fully-modernized truck. In addition to the popular breakfast tacos, lunch features a mix of tacos, tortas, burgers, and combo platters. There’s some limited picnic tables seating, but most customers opt for takeout.

Austin’s favorite Detroit-style pizzeria found a comfortable home in Oak Hill after years in a trailer: the sit-down location added a full bar and regular bar-style pies. The main attraction, of course, is still 313’s unique, square Sicilian-style pies. There’s also a surprisingly thoughtful array of salads, top-shelf beer like Pinthouse’s Electric Jellyfish, and dessert specials. At peak times, check the NoWait app to see when you’ll be seated.