11 Low-Key Valentine’s Day Dining Options in Austin

Avoid all of the lovey-dovey stuff

by Nadia Chaudhury Updated Feb 3, 2022, 12:47pm CST

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Westgate Lanes

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by Nadia Chaudhury Updated Feb 3, 2022, 12:47pm CST

Yes, Valentine’s Day is one of the worst dining days of the year. The so-called romantic holiday just entails costly bills and a forced amorous atmosphere. But, hey, a person still has to eat, and if you’re looking for casual dining options on Monday, February 14, without having to shell out a bunch of money for prix fixe menus, dreaded aphrodisiacs, and being inundated with red and pink everywhere, Eater has you covered.

Here are Austin’s best low-key picks for Valentine’s Day. Avoid the greeting card holiday with bowling and burgers at Westgate Lanes and Lebowski’s Grill, Korean barbecue from Chosun Galbi, tacos from Las Trancas, noodle soup bowls from Ramen Tatsu-ya, and more.

As with all businesses right now, be sure to call ahead to make sure each restaurant 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 restaurants themselves.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here.

Ramen Tatsu-ya

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Slurp down delicious bowls of ramen. Takeout orders can be placed online. All locations are open with dine-in services.

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8557 Research Blvd #126, Austin, TX 78758

(512) 893-5561

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Happy Chicks

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Fact: chicken tenders make for the perfect meal. Takeout orders can be placed online. Both this and the downtown location are open for dine-in services.

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6425 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757

(512) 467-4209

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A cardboard paper basket of fries and chicken tenders next to a small bowl of mac and cheese and three saucers of sauces on a table. — Happy Chicks’s chicken tenders and fries

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Chosun Galbi

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DIY Korean barbecue is fun and delicious. The restaurant is open for dine-in services.

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713 E Huntland Dr, Austin, TX 78752

(512) 419-1400

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The Omelettry

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For daytime plans, look no further than the classic Austin diner. Takeout orders can be placed online or over the phone. The restaurant is open for dine-in services.

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4631 Airport Blvd # 131A, Austin, TX 78751

(512) 453-5062

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Fareground

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Mix up the meal through the array of restaurants at the downtown food hall — dumplings, noodle soups, pita sandwiches, burgers, rotisserie chicken, tacos, and drinks. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are dine-in services.

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111 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701

(512) 465-2107

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Las Trancas

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Tacos make for great meals and Las Trancas is one of the few trucks open on Mondays. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are outdoor tables for on-site dining.

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1210 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702

(512) 701-8287

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Whataburger

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Perfect easy meal: drive-thru burgers and honey butter chicken biscuits.

601 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704

(512) 477-9586

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Jack Allen's Kitchen

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Avoid the downtown mess by heading to the Oak Hill restaurant, to load up on everything from the chicken fried-anything to the green chile pork queso. Wash everything down with many many different types of margaritas. Takeout orders can be placed online. The restaurants are open for dine-in services.

7720 W Highway 71, Austin, TX 78735

(512) 852-8558

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Lucy's Fried Chicken

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Instead of breaking bread, why not break fried chicken together? Takeout orders can be placed online. The restaurant is open for dine-in services.

2218 College Ave, Austin, TX 78704

(512) 297-2423

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Happy New Year y'all! Yes, we are OPEN at all locations today and we have plenty of collard greens and black eyed peas to help you usher in the new year.

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