Best Resurrection Of An Austin Landmark

TIE: Central: Bertram's, South: Guero's

Central: Bertram's We just can't say enough good things about this wonderful new restaurant, recently opened in the historic Bertram's Mercantile Building at 16th and Guadalupe. Ask your waitperson for a tour of the basement to see the tunnel that led to Mr. Bertram's conveniently located brothel next door. Seems that the fine, upstanding businessmen and legislators of 1860s Austin didn't care to be seen entering or departing from a brothel, so canny Mr. Bertram provided them with a more discreet access. South: Güero's Taco Bar Owners Rob and Cathy Lippincott encountered some opposition from East Congress Avenue neighbors when they initially proposed to purchase and renovate the old Central Feed and Seed Store at the corner of S. Congress and W. Elizabeth Street. They were victorious, however, and their great new restaurant has been an incredible boost to the funky little business scene blooming on S. Congress. They restored a historic building and helped reduce the transients, prostitution, and drug traffic on their section of the Avenue in the bargain. The homemade tortillas and tamales are just the icing on the cake.

Bertram's
1601 Guadalupe-OUT OF BUS., 512/476-2743
austin.citysearch.com/E/V/AUSTX/0001/17/05/

Guero's Taco Bar
1412 S. Congress, 512/447-7688
www.guerostacobar.com