Dining Beyond the Chains

The suburbs surrounding Austin are among the fastest-growing small communities in the nation, but not exactly known for their culinary attractions, Round Rock doughnuts notwithstanding. As a more varied population takes up residence in small town Texas, dining options beyond regional and national chains are bound to diversify, right? To test this hypothesis, Austin Chronicle contributing writers Melanie Haupt, Wes Marshall, Jessi Cape, Kate Thornberry, Mick Vann, Rachel Feit, and I visited some previously unreviewed eateries in Round Rock, Hutto, and Georgetown and we discovered that things have indeed changed. The days when the only exceptional meal in the suburbs north of Austin started with the Portuguese soup at the late and much lamented Inn at Brushy Creek are long gone. Good food is spreading!