Eater Austin - All Of Eater Austin's Cheap Eats Week 2015 CoverageThe Austin Restaurant, Bar, and Nightlife Bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52682/favicon-32x32.png2015-07-17T16:20:02-05:00http://austin.eater.com/rss/stream/87131182015-07-17T16:20:02-05:002015-07-17T16:20:02-05:00Readers Weigh In On the Fair Price of Tacos
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<img alt="El Taquito's tacos" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lMpB4WgITVqWFHkIPRaGJPzL2uQ=/0x0:533x400/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46777866/eltaquito_yelp.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>El Taquito's tacos | <a href='http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/el-taquito-austin#ntxi8tN_7mheglscYMM6Ig'>Brendan T./Yelp</a></figcaption>
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<p>What are tacos really worth?</p> <p>Eater asked readers earlier this week what the <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/7/13/8953731/what-is-the-acceptable-price-to-pay-for-tacos">proper taco to dollar exchange rate</a> was, and there were many opinions. The overwhelming answer was <strong>$3</strong>, which makes <a href="http://austin.eater.com/maps/best-cheap-tacos-austin">this map very appropriate</a>, followed by $5. One reader <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/7/13/8953731/what-is-the-acceptable-price-to-pay-for-tacos#316322722">smartly suggested</a> $1.85 because "then it’s a straight two bucks once tax is factored in." Only nine people said they’d pay $10 for a taco, which leads to the next question: What in the world would a $10 taco have?</p>
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https://austin.eater.com/2015/7/17/8995781/readers-weigh-in-on-the-fair-price-of-tacosNadia Chaudhury2015-07-17T14:16:54-05:002015-07-17T14:16:54-05:00Austin Chefs Confess Their Favorite Cheap Eats
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<img alt="El Primo" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/722BaBhp1DjMPGO0C5_4BEuf-R8=/1x0:534x400/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46776284/elprimomenu_yelp.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>El Primo | <a href='http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/el-primo-austin#A5589pKFKHg3Rq3adr0zJw'>Alex J./Yelp</a></figcaption>
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<p>Choice picks from industry insiders.</p> <p>Like <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/7/15/8974369/austin-bartenders-favorite-cheap-drinks">bartenders and cocktails</a>, chefs have the inside intel on the best places to eat. This time, Eater asked them for their <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/7/13/8949077/keep-up-with-eater-austin-cheap-eats-week-2015">cheap eats recommendations</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Janina O’Leary, pastry chef of LaV</strong><br> <strong>Tamale House East</strong>—breakfast tacos, tamales and queso...because queso! Love that it is so close, especially with how much I have been at work lately. I can also eat queso at any time of the day. <strong>Salt and Time</strong>'s Grinder is always tasty and makes it hard for me to try anything else they have on the menu. <strong>Launderette</strong>—labneh, beet hummus and everything cracker. It is a perfect snack and I love the feeling you get in this restaurant.</p>
<p><strong>David Bull, executive chef of Congress</strong><br> I love the sake social at <strong>Uchiko</strong>. It's extremely affordable and always creative. The ox tongue slider, white bean dip and beef fat Sriracha popcorn at <strong>Contigo</strong> are all addictive and are reduced price at happy hour. You also can't go wrong with the biscuits and gravy and deviled eggs at <strong>Red Star Southern</strong>. It's only $12 for both! Of course, the old school ramen at <strong>Ramen Tatsu-Ya</strong> hits the spot every time and it's a steal at around $10 a bowl.</p>
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<p class="caption">Las Trancas. [Photo: <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516589&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yelp.com%2Fbiz_photos%2Flas-trancas-austin%23t6Amzo72xIS97ZkPqRQVkQ&referrer=eater.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Faustin.eater.com%2F2015%2F7%2F17%2F8994545%2Faustin-chefs-favorite-cheap-eats" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Sandeep G./Yelp</a>]</p>
<p><strong>Shawn Cirkiel, chef at Parkside Projects</strong><br> From Harlan Scott at Parkside Projects: "There’s this little place near Bullfight, where Shawn has obviously been spending a lot of time these days during construction. It’s called <strong>Taqueria la Carnaria</strong>. He’s passionate about the homemade corn tortillas."</p>
<p><strong>C.K. Chin, owner of Swift’s Attic and Wu Chow</strong><br> <strong>Ramen Tatsu-Ya</strong> because it is really reasonable for what you get there. <strong>El Primo</strong> because they are my favorite street tacos in town, the pastor, barbacoa and lengua. <strong>P. Terry’s</strong> has a solid, delicious drive-thru burger without the unwanted chemicals you tend to get when you order inexpensive drive-thru cheeseburgers.</p>
<p><strong>Erica Waksmunski, owner of Red Star Southern and pastry chef at Parkside Projects</strong><br> Definitely the banh mi dac biet from <strong>Ng BMT</strong> inside of the Hong Kong market. Best French bread in the city made fresh to order by the most adorable and super sweet ladies. No sandwich is more than five dollars. <strong>Tacos Guerrero</strong>–The owner of this tiny trailer on the corner of Pleasant Valley and Cesar Chavez makes the tortillas by hand to order and completely over stuffs them with meat. I barely make it through two of them before I'm full. Nothing on the menu is more than two dollars.</p>
<p><strong>Andrew Curren, executive chef and partner at ELM Group</strong><br> <strong>Tacodeli's </strong>El Conquistador taco! I love the dried pasilla chile with the braised pork shoulder and avocado. It's my favorite quick snack that is now in my neighborhood (thanks to their new location) as well as on the way to work–and all of my employees love it when I bring a bag of the tacos to the shop!</p>
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<p class="caption">Xian Sushi and Noodle House. [Photo: <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516589&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yelp.com%2Fbiz_photos%2Fxian-sushi-and-noodle-austin%23ipEcoiUS5XNpQ3CewLKd4A&referrer=eater.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Faustin.eater.com%2F2015%2F7%2F17%2F8994545%2Faustin-chefs-favorite-cheap-eats" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Cissy C./Yelp</a>]</p>
<p><strong>Sonya Coté, owner and chef of Eden East and Hillside Farmacy</strong><br> My favorite "cheap eat" is a refried bean & cheese taco (add onion & cilantro) from <strong>Los Comales</strong> on East 7th. Love that place.</p>
<p><strong>Jesse Griffiths, owner and chef of Dai Due</strong><br> Platanos Fritos at<strong> El Sunzal</strong>–I always get a side of the fried plantains at this Salvadoran restaurant.<br> Tripas tacos at<strong> El Primo</strong>–Most people go here for their breakfast tacos, but I always get the tripe taco. <br> Longanisa tacos at<strong> Takeria DF</strong>–Everyone does chorizo, but this is one of the only places that serve longanisa tacos. <br> Samosas at<strong> Ken’s Donuts</strong>–Why get a donut when you can get a samosa? Or get both.<br> Jicama spring rolls at<strong> Tam Deli</strong>–These are a refreshing vegetarian option.</p>
<p><strong>Andrew Wiseheart, executive chef of Contigo and Gardner</strong><br> <strong>Shoal Creek Saloon</strong>—They have really good Lone Star and cold oysters.</p>
<p><strong>Ben Edgerton, owner of Contigo and Gardner</strong><br> <strong>Xian Sushi & Noodles</strong>—The noodles are hand-pulled in the restaurant while you are eating. It is absolutely delicious.</p>
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<p class="caption">Ng BMT. [Photo: <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516589&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yelp.com%2Fbiz_photos%2Fng-bmt-austin%23kOE8sGjfrehBV0pghkD0Bw&referrer=eater.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Faustin.eater.com%2F2015%2F7%2F17%2F8994545%2Faustin-chefs-favorite-cheap-eats" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Meredith O./Yelp</a>]</p>
<p><strong>Bill Mann, director of operations of Qui and East Side King</strong><br> My favorite inexpensive places to eat in town: <strong>Kyoten</strong> does an incredible job delivering at the price point that they do. The least expensive item that I probably get the most is <strong>Las Trancas</strong>’ tacos down on Cesar Chavez. They’re only a $1.50. Tacos are that luxury of Austin.</p>
<p><strong>Kristine Kittrell, chef of Weather Up</strong><br><b> La Michoacana</b> tacos and gorditas.</p>
<p><strong>Todd Duplechan, co-owner and executive chef of Lenoir</strong><br> –<strong>El Primo</strong>. I’ve been eating there ever since I moved to Austin. The super torta is ridiculously good; you should definitely clear your schedule for the day before eating one. They also have really good salsas.<br> –<strong>Quality Seafood</strong>. Their oysters are the deal of the century. It’s like $18 per dozen. They’re really good oysters and they do a good job at shucking, which not all places do. The beers are cheap and it’s just a fun place.<br> –<strong>Swad</strong>. Vegetarian Indian food and located up north. I went there with a friend who introduced me to it a year or so ago. They have these huge onion dosas with really great sauces.</p>
https://austin.eater.com/2015/7/17/8994545/austin-chefs-favorite-cheap-eatsNadia Chaudhury2015-07-17T11:15:02-05:002015-07-17T11:15:02-05:00Austin Free Food: A Cheat Sheet for the City's Ultimate Deals
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<img alt="Contigo" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/T3wWoeA9Iez1QK0UyhhtTsnNcHM=/40x0:893x640/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46767140/1924380_704660516249368_4777143904871574754_n.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Contigo | <a href='https://www.facebook.com/contigoaustin/photos/pb.148199998562092.-2207520000.1437109409./704660516249368/?type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-xaf1%2Fv%2Ft1.0-9%2F1924380_704660516249368_4777143904871574754_n.jpg%3Foh%3D4d00c397dffe96fd22ee6f551c28812b%26oe%3D5620E82C&size=960%2C640&fbid=704660516249368'>Contigo/Facebook</a></figcaption>
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<p>Free barbecue, kids’ meals, beer, and more.</p> <p>Free food is the ultimate <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/7/13/8942933/welcome-to-eater-first-cheap-eats-week">cheap eats</a>, where no money is lost and all the eating is gained. The methods vary in Austin, where there are bars with free food; complimentary dishes from restaurants; buy one, get one free; and much more. Here’s a breakdown of the best ways to take advantage of those deals.</p>
<p>Eating is important while drinking, and free food is even better. Over at <strong>Draught House</strong>, there are free sausages on Saturdays starting at 5 p.m.. Rental store <strong>I Luv Video</strong> <a href="http://www.iluvvideo.com/#!free-beer-tuesday/c1ob7">pour out free beer</a> for its customers every Tuesday from 6 p.m. until midnight. The Guadalupe location sticks to bottles and cans while the Airport spot uses kegs. Down south, <strong>Corner Bar</strong> teams up with <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2014/7/14/6196295/browns-bar-b-ques-daniel-brown-is-an-austin-original">excellent barbecue purveyor</a> and onsite trailer <strong>Brown’s Bar-B-Que</strong> for <a href="http://cornerbaratx.com/">free barbecue plates</a> starting at 3 p.m. on Sundays. The catch? Everyone needs to have a $10 bar tab.</p>
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<p class="caption">Corner Bar and Brown’s Bar-B-Que. [Photo: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CornerBarAustin/photos/pb.264990770179968.-2207520000.1437109343./892476414098064/?type=3&theater">Corner Bar/Facebook</a>]</p>
<p>To accompany wine, beer, and cocktails, happy hour at <strong>Italic</strong> includes free cheese tastings from Mondays through Fridays, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.</p>
<p>Don’t forget that children need to eat sometimes, too. There are kid-friendly places that offer completely free meals just for the little ones. At the last remaining <strong>Frisco</strong>, young ones dine at the Night Hawk diner for free, with the purchase of one adult entree, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheFrisco/posts/1092595250769556">after 5 p.m. every day</a>. For kids that stay up really late, or early, meals at all locations of <strong>Kerbey Lane</strong> are free for them on Tuesdays; <a href="https://twitter.com/kerbeylanecafe/status/619272457237565440">at Westlake</a>, it’s on Thursdays. Wednesday nights are for families at the pork-centric <strong>Slab BBQ</strong>, where everyone 12 years old and younger <a href="http://realdopebbq.com/">eat for free</a> from 4-9 p.m.</p>
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<p class="caption">Frisco. [Photo: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheFrisco/photos/pb.162496503779440.-2207520000.1437110001./932666930095723/?type=3&theater">Frisco/Facebook</a>]</p>
<p>Buy one, get one free deals work well for cheap date nights, meeting up with friends, or just a really, really big individual meal. From <a href="http://www.hutsfrankandangies.com/extra/hutsmenu.pdf">6-10 p.m.</a> at <strong>Hut’s Hamburgers</strong>, get two-for-one vegetarian burgers on Mondays or beef burgers on Wednesdays. <strong>Jo’s Coffee</strong> in downtown has the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/downtownjos/photos/a.719772761387558.1073741827.114299805268193/986651384699693/?type=1&theater">same burger special</a> on Mondays.</p>
<p>Make eating work to your advantage by using frequent buyer cards. <strong>Jo’s Coffee</strong>, <strong>Amy’s Ice Cream</strong>, and <strong>Pacha</strong> all have some variation of a punch card. There are also places with rewards cards, where users get bonus discounts or treats, like <strong>Alamo Drafthouse</strong>’s <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2014/8/12/6171737/holy-crap-alamo-drafthouse-south-lamar-will-finally-reopen-this">Victory program</a>, Tacodeli’s <a href="http://www.tacodeli.com/connect/loyalty-card/">VIP gold card</a>, and <strong>Kerbey Lane</strong>’s <a href="https://www.kerbeylanecafe.com/kerbey-enthusiasm/">enthusiasm card</a>.</p>
<p>Though it’s not edible, for those unafraid of commitment, diners from <strong>Banger’s </strong>who bring their receipts to tattoo shop Platinum Ink can get the sausage house’s logo inked on their skin for free. True love. No word on if this means you’ll get a free sausage every time you visit.</p>
https://austin.eater.com/2015/7/17/8976233/austin-free-food-guide-to-best-dealsNadia Chaudhury2015-07-16T10:00:02-05:002015-07-16T10:00:02-05:00A Day of Dining on $10 in Austin
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<img alt="P. Terry's" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/y2rwRosS4JyXAxZCcx-1zxDEDcY=/493x0:4575x3062/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46757512/IMG_9251.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>P. Terry's | Nadia Chaudhury/EATX</figcaption>
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<p>Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all for a tenner.</p> <p>Cheap eats are plentiful in Austin, where <a href="http://austin.eater.com/maps/best-cheap-tacos-austin">tacos</a>, <a href="http://austin.eater.com/maps/best-austin-food-trucks-trailers">food trucks</a>, and <a href="http://austin.eater.com/maps/austin-best-happy-hour-cheap-drinks-cocktails">happy hours</a> flow freely. This made participating in Eater’s <a href="http://ny.eater.com/2015/7/10/8928651/eater-cheap-week-the-contest">cheap eats food challenge</a>, well, not easy, but easier. The proposed rules meant that the $10 limit didn’t include tax or tip, and beverages like water, coffee, and beer didn’t count, either (thankfully). For me, variety was important, so I didn’t repeat cuisines. Otherwise I would’ve just had tacos all day, not that there’s anything wrong with that. I also wanted to make sure I ate three meals, which is something I don’t always necessarily do.</p>
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<p class="caption">Veracruz All Natural at Radio Coffee. [Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/EATX]</p>
<p><strong>12:20 p.m.</strong><br> I overslept, which meant my eating adventure was delayed, but it eventually began with a walk to <strong>Veracruz All Natural</strong> on Manchaca Road. I debated whether I desired my normal order of a migas taco for $3, or I could save $.75 with the al pastor. If I wanted to call this breakfast, I’d have to get eggs, right? So migas it was. When I finally bit into my taco, which I overloaded with salsas, I knew I made the right choice. The fresh tortilla and the spicy mess of eggs, tortillas, peppers, and avocado made for a reliably filling meal.<br> <strong>Dollars remaining: $7</strong></p>
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<img alt="Veracruz All Natural’s migas taco" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JyAGm9kSgrFK7lNyk9Kbhvzmemc=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3879870/IMG_9247.0.jpg">
<cite>Nadia Chaudhury/EATX</cite>
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<p class="caption">Veracruz’s migas taco. [Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/EATX]</p>
<p><strong>3:30 p.m.</strong><br> After an interview on East Sixth, I killed some time at the <b>Grackle</b>. Reading magazines and drinking beer? Not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon. I wasn’t hungry, but I’m betting the two beers I drank had something to do with that.<br> <strong>Dollars remaining: $7</strong></p>
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<p class="caption">P. Terry’s cheeseburger. [Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/EATX]</p>
<p><strong>5 p.m.</strong><br> For my early supper, I wanted something very simple and cheap, because I knew I wanted to head north for my second dinner. The answer was <strong>P. Terry’s</strong>. A burger without cheese is blasphemy, so I ordered a single cheeseburger for $2.60 from the walk-up window on South Lamar. I skipped my usual addition of jalapenos, but I stupidly forgot to ask for complimentary pickles. Always get the pickles. The combination of the sauce and lettuce made the burger too slippery, so I ended up eating each item individually. <br> <strong>Dollars remaining: $4.40</strong></p>
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<p class="caption">Lily’s Sandwich’s banh mi dac biet. [Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/EATX]</p>
<p><strong>7 p.m.</strong><br> I was ready for more food after the 30 minute drive up to Chinatown Center, home to a strip mall full of Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese restaurants. Because of the budget factor, banh mi was my only option. <strong>Lily’s Sandwich</strong> was still open, so I ordered the banh mi dac biet for $2.93. The menu described it as a "gourmet sandwich," but the woman at the counter explained there were three cuts of meat, pate, vegetables, and butter. The sandwich was the best thing I had eaten in a long time: the layers and textures of meat worked in unison with the crunch of daikon and carrots. It was so satisfying that I saved the second half for later.<br> <strong>Dollars remaining: $0.47</strong></p>
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<p class="caption">Bubblegum. [Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/EATX]</p>
<p><strong>8 p.m.</strong><br> Since I was in the area anyway, I browsed through the aisles of <strong>MT Supermarket</strong>. While exiting, I noticed a <b>bubble gum machine</b>, and because I hadn’t had dessert yet, I went for the $.25 berry blast. It was huge and not that great. Bad call.</p>
<p><strong>Dollars remaining: $0.22</strong><br> <strong>Leftovers: One half of a banh mi sandwich for lunch the next day</strong></p>
https://austin.eater.com/2015/7/16/8976029/austin-dining-budget-10-dollarsNadia Chaudhury2015-07-15T15:52:26-05:002015-07-15T15:52:26-05:00Austin Bartenders Share Their Favorite Cheap Drinks
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<img alt="Weather Up Austin" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Z-t_h73bJUoHhaZULk1gsdBq-_8=/0x0:1068x801/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46754730/10550008_707587185993942_6559933304138914714_o.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Weather Up Austin | <a href='https://www.facebook.com/WeatherUpAustin/photos/a.359417237477607.85156.359399607479370/707587185993942/?type=1&theater'>Weather Up Austin/Facebook</a></figcaption>
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<p>Best bets for low-cost beers and cocktails.</p> <p>As people whose lives revolve around booze, Austin bartenders know exactly where to go for the specific drink they crave. For <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/7/13/8942933/welcome-to-eater-first-cheap-eats-week">Cheap Eats Week</a>, Eater asked the city’s cocktail and beer slingers to name their favorite inexpensive drinks. Here’s what they had to say.</p>
<p><strong>Josh Loving, owner of opening-soon Small Victory</strong><br> - Weather Up’s $7 until 7 p.m. happy hour.<br> - Jeffrey's half-off entire wine list on Sundays, which may not be "cheap," but [there are] insane deals on so many difficult or nearly impossible to acquire wines.<br> - Texas French Bread’s half-off wines on Mondays.</p>
<p><strong>Jason Stevens, director of bars, spirits and beverage of Congress</strong><br> My cheap drink go-to is a High Life pony and an Overholt rye old fashioned. It's about $1.50 all in if you make it at home, and it’s solid.</p>
<p><strong>Bron Hager, co-owner of Garage</strong><br> Bottle of Shiner Bock at Dry Creek [Cafe], been going on for years.</p>
<p><strong>Michael Phillips, general manager of Midnight Cowboy</strong></p>
<p><q class="pullquote float-right">Cold, cheap beer and Bloody Mary mix. What's not to love?</q></p>
<p>If I'm drinking beer on the cheap and feeling a little burnt out on Lone Star (heresy?), I'll reach for Miller High Life Pony. At just 7 ounces, you can bet every drop is gonna be cold and proper. They're about $1 each at most places that carry it, and just plain adorable. A Michelada is a go-to early in the day. Cold, cheap beer and Bloody Mary mix. What's not to love? Interpretations from store to store vary quite a bit. Some are heavy on the citrus-end, some use generous portions of Worcestershire, and sometimes they just use plain Zing Zang. At the house, I keep my own Michi spice blend on-the-ready for porch drinkin’.</p>
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<cite>Craftsman [Official]</cite>
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<p class="caption">Craftsman. [Photo: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/craftsmanbar/photos/pb.297927697075666.-2207520000.1429795061./360629244138844/?type=3&theater">Craftsman/Facebook</a>]</p>
<p><strong>Brandon Testa, owner of Craftsman</strong><br> My personal favorite cheap drink would have to be our $1 Miller High Life Mini's dressed with Trechas seasoning. The salty, sour, sweet from the Trechas is a perfect compliment to the champagne of beers.</p>
<p><strong>Brian Floyd, manager of Weather Up</strong><br> The $4 daily whiskey at The Wheel. A shot of green chartreuse and a beer at King Bee. The tops for drinks and food? The sake social happy hour at Uchiko.</p>
<p><strong>Kyle Gundlach, bartender of Weather Up</strong><br> The Grackle.</p>
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<p class="caption">The Grackle. [Photo: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thegrackleaustin/photos/pb.182083281812933.-2207520000.1436992742./563577560330168/?type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-xfa1%2Ft31.0-8%2F462616_563577560330168_1141670630_o.jpg&smallsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-prn2%2Fv%2Ft1.0-9%2F942060_563577560330168_1141670630_n.jpg%3Foh%3Dfe870a8ade75e2c5fd2732649758010d%26oe%3D5619DB95&size=2048%2C1536&fbid=563577560330168">Grackle/Facebook</a>]</p>
<p><strong>Justin Elliott, director of hospitality of The Townsend</strong></p>
<p>My old stomping ground at Qui has the Until the Sun Goes Down menu of aperitivi for $5 that I absolutely adore (and am thrilled that I can enjoy now with regularity now that I'm no longer working there). I'm sure I'm partial because those guys are and always will be my fam, but eating and drinking the <a href="http://austin.eater.com/2015/7/14/8962473/paul-qui-restaurant-austin-pulutan-bar-menu-bill-mann">pulutan menu</a> at Qui is honestly probably the best bang-for-buck dining in town and most weekdays it's still always really chill out there.</p>
<p><q class="pullquote float-right">The drinks are great and blissfully strong.</q></p>
<p>Other cheapo drinking in town I can't live without is the $6 happy hour menu at Isla. When sneaking out for an early dinner break during these long workdays of getting The Townsend open, obviously I'm going to need a quick trip to a tropical paradise. Trey [Jenkins] and his team over there are hilarious and the drinks are great and blissfully strong and the food is deeply satisfying.</p>
<p>For home use, of course, you're definitely blowing it if you don't have a bottle each of the Casal Garcia Vinho Verde and Vinho Verde Rose in your fridge at all times from the months of, say, April through September.</p>
https://austin.eater.com/2015/7/15/8974369/austin-bartenders-favorite-cheap-drinksNadia Chaudhury