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The 38 Essential Austin Restaurants, January '11

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And now for our quarterly update of the Eater 38, your answer and ours to any question that begins, “Can you recommend a restaurant?” This highly elite group covers the entire city, spans myriad cuisines, and collectively satisfies all of your restaurant needs, save for those occasions when you absolutely must spend half a paycheck (i.e. no fine dining). Every couple of months, we'll be adding pertinent restaurants that were omitted, have newly become eligible (restaurants must be open at least six months), or have stepped up their game.

We've gone through your comments and emails, and have updated accordingly. We've added Habanero Cafe, both to get some more Mexican in the mix as well as representing more of the South Side. After several visits to Pourhouse between the last 38 and this one, we've reluctantly determined that y'all are right: the food quality has gone down. Which is a shame, considering the burgers when they first opened were stellar. Tam Deli has been added, although Baguette House remains on the list as well; we're suckers for their bread. Jack Allen's Kitchen has replaced The Woodland, because we needed to show the Far West some love, and because it's delicious. Speaking of West Austin, the Noble Pig is the newest addition to the 38, having just become eligible.

For those of you readying the pitchforks because your favorite restaurant isn't on the list, wouldn't it just be more productive to nominate it for inclusion? State your cases for (or against) restaurants in the comments or in the tipline.

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Noble Pig

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Asia Cafe

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Tomo Dachi

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Andiamo Ristorante

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T & S Chinese Restaurant

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Le Soleil Restaurant

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Tam Deli & Cafe

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Cover 3

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Arpeggio Grill

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Quality Seafood Market

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Burger Tex

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House Pizzeria

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Vino Vino

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ASTI Trattoria

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East Side Cafe

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Julio's Cafe

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Fricano's Deli

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Cipollina West Austin Bistro

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Sam's BBQ

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Counter Cafe

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East Side Pies

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Nubian Queen Lola Cajun

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Blue Dahlia Bistro

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Casino El Camino Bar & Grill

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Buenos Aires Cafe

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East Side Showroom

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East Side King

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Odd Duck Farm to Trailer

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Torchy's Tacos

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Home Slice Pizza

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Curra's Grill

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Enoteca Vespaio

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Whip In Convenience Store

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Habanero Mexican Cafe

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Jack Allen's Kitchen

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Franklin Barbecue

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FoodHeads

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Tacodeli

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Noble Pig

Asia Cafe

Tomo Dachi

Andiamo Ristorante

T & S Chinese Restaurant

Le Soleil Restaurant

Tam Deli & Cafe

Cover 3

Arpeggio Grill

Quality Seafood Market

Burger Tex

House Pizzeria

Vino Vino

ASTI Trattoria

East Side Cafe

Related Maps

Julio's Cafe

Fricano's Deli

Cipollina West Austin Bistro

Sam's BBQ

Counter Cafe

East Side Pies

Nubian Queen Lola Cajun

Blue Dahlia Bistro

Casino El Camino Bar & Grill

Buenos Aires Cafe

East Side Showroom

East Side King

Odd Duck Farm to Trailer

Torchy's Tacos

Home Slice Pizza

Curra's Grill

Enoteca Vespaio

Whip In Convenience Store

Habanero Mexican Cafe

Jack Allen's Kitchen

Franklin Barbecue

FoodHeads

Tacodeli

Related Maps