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Where to Eat in Austin Right Now, March '14

by Meghan McCarron
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by Meghan McCarron

Tipsters, readers, friends and family of Eater Austin always want to know: Where should I eat right now? What are the buzziest new restaurants? What haven't I heard of? What's everyone talking about?

To answer those questions, behold the 33rd edition of the Eater Austin Heatmap. SXSW is here, and with it comes a number of exciting new dining options: Provencal-inspired wine destination laV, Mark Schmidt's elevated pub far at Blackbird and Henry, and Mexico City antojitos at Licha's Cantina.


03/06/14: Added: laV, Licha's Cantina, Blackbird and Henry / Dropped: Kebabalicious, Schmidt Family Barbecue, Royers Pie Haven, Xian Sushi and Noodle 02/06/14: Added: Porter Ale House, The Hightower, chavez, Titaya's, Gus's Fried Chicken / Dropped: No Va, Curly's Carolina, TX, Lucy's Fried Chicken, Winebelly, Tapasitas

01/02/14: Added: Odd Duck, East Side King South Lamar, Little Barrel & Brown, Xian Sushi and Noodle / Dropped: Qui, Greenhouse Craft Food, Goodall's Kitchen and Bar, Bufalina, Arro

12/5/13: Added: In-N-Out Burger, Due Forni, Curly's Carolina, TX, Tapasitas/ Dropped: Barlata, School House Pub, The ABGB, Haymaker, Wright Bros. Brew & Brew

11/7/13: Added: Greenhouse Craft Food, Kebabalicious, Royer's Pie Haven, Schmidt Family Barbecue / Dropped: The Dojo

10/3/13: Added: Haymaker, Goodall's; Wright Bros. Brew & Brew; Lucy's on Burnet / Dropped: Eden East; Mettle; Searsucker

9/5/13: Added: NO VA, School House Pub, The ABGB, Winebelly / Dropped: Jeffrey's, John Mueller Meat Co., Salt & Time, Daruma Ramen

8/1/13: Added: Bufalina, Arro, The Dojo / Dropped: Buzz Mill, Freedmen's, Epicerie

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Titaya's Thai Cuisine

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5501 N Lamar Blvd, Ste C101
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 458-1792
(512) 458-1792
Visit Website

[Photo: Mike Lyons/Twitter]

2. In-N-Out Burger

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4508 N I-35
Austin, TX
(800) 786-1000
(800) 786-1000
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Love or hate this California import, its official opening has burned up the city. Get a double-double animal style and order the fries extra crispy.

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3. Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

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117 San Jacinto Blvd
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-4877
(512) 474-4877
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This cultishly loved Tennessee import's first Texas location is serving up fried chicken, sides, and pies downtown.

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4. Due Forni

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106 E Sixth St
Austin, TX 78701
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This Vegas-based restaurant focuses on pizzas executed in both the Neapolitan and Roman styles. They also have a serious wine list and import many of their meats and cheeses from Italy.

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5. Chavez

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111 E Cesar Chavez St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-9611
(512) 478-9611
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Shawn Cirkiel's newest restaurant features a Southwestern-inspired menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Radisson. Architect Michael Hsu transformed the former TGI Friday's space into a lake-view stunner.

6. Blackbird and Henry

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3016 Guadalupe St
Austin, TX 78705
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Chef Mark Schmidt first made waves at Marble Fall's Cafe 909, and his new venture mixes classics from that restaurant and British pub influences.

7. The Hightower

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1209 E 7th St
Austin, TX 78702
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This new restaurant from the former chef and GM of the shuttered El Arbol aims to bring affordable New American to the east side. Their roasted chickpeas and pork jowl are already garnering buzz.

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8. La V

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1501 E 7th St
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 293-6048
(512) 293-6048
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This hotly anticipated new restaurant is very, very serious about wine and serves Provencal-inspired classics. A trio of industry professionals with serious resumes (Babbo, The Little Nell, James Beard semi-finalist) are upping East 7th's dining profile.

9. Licha's Cantina

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1306 E 6th St
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 619-0993
(512) 619-0993
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Cazuelas and mezcal are on the menu crafted by longtime industry veteran Daniel Brooks. The Mexico City native worked a quick swicheroo in the old Papi Tino's space.

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10. Odd Duck

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1201 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704
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Bryce Gilmore's brick and mortar reimagining of his famous trailer features a huge open kitchen and lots of homey touches like mismatched plates and country kitsch on the walls. Check out the chicken fried egg, kholrabi soup, and the whole roast chicken.

11. Little Barrel And Brown

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1716 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704

[Photo: John R./Yelp]

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12. East Side King

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2310 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 383-8382
(512) 383-8382
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This mini-chain's first independent brick and mortar outlet is serving up their take on tacos as well as ESK "classics."

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13. Porter Ale House

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715 South 1st Ste A
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 291-6299
(512) 291-6299
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A neighborhood pub for a burgeoning section of South First, Porter's menu includes a burger, pierogis, and spaghetti and meatballs. They also feature thirty beers on tap.

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1. Titaya's Thai Cuisine

5501 N Lamar Blvd, Ste C101, Austin, TX 78751

[Photo: Mike Lyons/Twitter]

5501 N Lamar Blvd, Ste C101
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 458-1792
Visit Website

2. In-N-Out Burger

4508 N I-35, Austin, TX

Love or hate this California import, its official opening has burned up the city. Get a double-double animal style and order the fries extra crispy.

4508 N I-35
Austin, TX
(800) 786-1000
Visit Website

3. Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

117 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701

This cultishly loved Tennessee import's first Texas location is serving up fried chicken, sides, and pies downtown.

117 San Jacinto Blvd
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-4877
Visit Website

4. Due Forni

106 E Sixth St, Austin, TX 78701

This Vegas-based restaurant focuses on pizzas executed in both the Neapolitan and Roman styles. They also have a serious wine list and import many of their meats and cheeses from Italy.

106 E Sixth St
Austin, TX 78701
Visit Website

5. Chavez

111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701

Shawn Cirkiel's newest restaurant features a Southwestern-inspired menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Radisson. Architect Michael Hsu transformed the former TGI Friday's space into a lake-view stunner.

111 E Cesar Chavez St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-9611
Visit Website

6. Blackbird and Henry

3016 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705

Chef Mark Schmidt first made waves at Marble Fall's Cafe 909, and his new venture mixes classics from that restaurant and British pub influences.

3016 Guadalupe St
Austin, TX 78705
Visit Website

7. The Hightower

1209 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702

This new restaurant from the former chef and GM of the shuttered El Arbol aims to bring affordable New American to the east side. Their roasted chickpeas and pork jowl are already garnering buzz.

1209 E 7th St
Austin, TX 78702
Visit Website

8. La V

1501 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702

This hotly anticipated new restaurant is very, very serious about wine and serves Provencal-inspired classics. A trio of industry professionals with serious resumes (Babbo, The Little Nell, James Beard semi-finalist) are upping East 7th's dining profile.

1501 E 7th St
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 293-6048
Visit Website

9. Licha's Cantina

1306 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702

Cazuelas and mezcal are on the menu crafted by longtime industry veteran Daniel Brooks. The Mexico City native worked a quick swicheroo in the old Papi Tino's space.

1306 E 6th St
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 619-0993
Visit Website

10. Odd Duck

1201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

Bryce Gilmore's brick and mortar reimagining of his famous trailer features a huge open kitchen and lots of homey touches like mismatched plates and country kitsch on the walls. Check out the chicken fried egg, kholrabi soup, and the whole roast chicken.

1201 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704
Visit Website

11. Little Barrel And Brown

1716 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704

[Photo: John R./Yelp]

1716 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704

12. East Side King

2310 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

This mini-chain's first independent brick and mortar outlet is serving up their take on tacos as well as ESK "classics."

2310 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 383-8382
Visit Website

13. Porter Ale House

715 South 1st Ste A, Austin, TX 78704

A neighborhood pub for a burgeoning section of South First, Porter's menu includes a burger, pierogis, and spaghetti and meatballs. They also feature thirty beers on tap.

715 South 1st Ste A
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 291-6299
Visit Website

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