In present-day Austin, we often forget that good isn’t a synonym for unaffordable. Asiana’s lunch buffet doesn’t require a late credit card payment, but it’s stocked with saag paneer, and lamb vindaloo, and rotating specials – in short, a showpiece for everything the bare-bones restaurant has to offer. If you don’t leave stuffed, you don’t love food.
801 E. William Cannon #205
512/445-3435
www.asianaindiancuisine.com
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All the Cajun classics are here – gumbo, jambalaya, étouffée, red beans and rice – but owner/chef Curtis Clarke’s less traditional creations like Gold Band Creole (huge fried butterflied shrimp served on fettuccine with a spicy aïoli and a titular strip of Parmesan) steal the show. The frequent live music keeps things rockin’.
8106 Brodie Ln.
512/282-2586
evangelinecafe.com
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photo by John Anderson
The ramshackle dining room could have been decorated by one of Hyacinth Bucket’s sisters, and that’s only one of the many charms. Gorgeous pasties, fish and chips, and traditional breakfasts rule here, all handmade using local ingredients.
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The beef cheeks are braised for hours, the pork belly is cured in-house, and the brioche are baked on-site. Independence didn’t have to do any of that – after all, we are talking about sandwiches – but the effort pays off in some of the best food in all of South Austin.
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John Anderson
John Anderson
In Texas, eschewing barbecue traditions is risky, but Valentina’s pulls off the rare feat of marrying tortillas and smoked meats with such finesse that even the grouchiest salt-and-pepper stalwarts could be convinced that fusion isn’t a dirty word. Bonus points for bringing barbecue into the realm of breakfast and offering the best pre-11am brisket in town.
11500 Menchaca Rd.
512/221-4248
www.valentinastexmexbbq.com
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In the preliminary round of the Chronicle’s breakfast taco competition, Veracruz beat out Torchy’s 60% to 40% – no easy feat. In addition to excellent Mexican hand pies, Veracruz slings incredible tortas, and the original location on Cesar Chavez still whips up fresh fruit smoothies and aguas frescas.
4208 Menchaca Rd.
512/629-8238
veracruzallnatural.com
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