Second Helpings: Previous Hot Sauce Contest Winners
A guide to Austin restaurants that have won awards in previous Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Contests.
Fri., Aug. 24, 2001
Artz Rib House
2330 S. Lamar, 442-8283Mon-Sat, 11am-10pm; Sun, noon-9pm
Artz has been a feature of South Lamar longer than a coon's age, and serves up mongo-sized portions of tantalizing grub for very reasonable prices. Wood floors, checkered tablecloths, a lush patio, and the sumptuous smell of barbecue surround you. The burgers are incredible, the country-style pork ribs massive and divine -- great barbecue of all types, available as combos, plates, or sandwiches. Live music every night but Wednesdays. Go there.
Curra's Grill
614. E. Oltorf, 444-0012Sun-Thu, 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-11pm
6801 Burnet Rd., 451-2560
Mon-Thu, 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat, 9am-11pm; Sun, 9am-9pm
The brothers Garcia have been turning out some of the better interior Mexican food in Austin, based on their grandmother's original recipes, for years. Watch the wizards whip up your handmade corn tortillas while you sip the excellent margaritas. Don't miss the chile relleno with pecan cream sauce, the lamb cooked in cactus leaf, or, for breakfast, the huevos machacado (with dried, spiced beef) or Curra's (with carne guisada). The menu is heavy on seafood and has many vegan choices. Always a crowd -- well-deserved popularity.
(Evitas) Botanitas
6400 S. First, 441-2424Mon, Wed, Thu, 9:30am-9:30pm; Fri-Sat, 9:30am-10pm; Sun, 9:30am-8pm
Rueben Rodriguez is Austin's grand master of the chile salsa -- of all types. Botanita's is the home of the famous chip tower, surrounded by veggie escabeche and five different salsas. Many seafood items, excellent breakfast, great mole and homemade tamales, and some of the best enchiladas in town. The perfect plate? Smoked chicken enchiladas with chipotle sauce, lime-cilantro rice, borracho beans, and salad with jicama -- yummm.
Iguana Grill
2900 N. RR 620, 266-8439Sun-Thu, 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-10pm
Iguana is the home of "Lake Mex" cuisine, and site of perhaps the best sunset view overlooking Lake Travis. Great deck with umbrella-covered tables to block the sun on those toasty days, and chilly AC inside. Medium-priced menu featuring most of the standards, but the flautas and the sauces really stand out. Fabulous margaritas and beer selection to go with the killer view.
Ruby's BBQ
512 W. 29th, 477-1651Daily, 11am-midnight
Ruby's is the only BBQ joint in town that serves hormone-free beef, and has been around since 1988. Friendly, happy folks work there, dishing out most excellent barbecue, salads and sides, gumbo and jambalaya, and killer sandwiches. The ribs (pork and beef) rule, and the smoked chicken salad represents all that is good and pure. Where else can you get collard greens, Frito pie with real chili, and barbecued mutton?
Tres Amigos
7535 E. Hwy. 290, 926-44411801 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., 327-1776
1206 W. 38th, 453-0026
1807 Slaughter, 292-1001
Sun-Thu, 11am-9:30pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-11pm
Tres Amigos has been a fave of Austin's Tex-Mex fans for more than 20 years, and there wouldn't be four of them scattered around town if they didn't earn a lot of kudos. T.A.'s followers go absolutely nuts over the puffy tacos and the fajitas. Find all conceivable combos of menu items comprising the dinners, and specials such as chile relleno, chimichangas, fish Veracruz, and steak Tampiqueno. The menu is medium-priced, and the bar is complete.
Trudy's Texas Star
409 W. 30th, 477-2935Mon-Thu, 7am-midnight; Fri, 7am-2am; Sat, 8am-2am; Sun, 8am-midnight
4141 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., 326-9899
Mon-Thu, 11am-midnight; Fri, 11am-2am; Sat, 9am-2am; Sun, 9am-midnight
8800 Burnet Rd., 454-1474
Mon-Thu, 11am-midnight; Fri, 11am-2am; Sat, 10am-2am; Sun, 10am-11pm
Trudy's offers a wide range of Tex-Mex with a slightly contemporary twist, and fans are crazy about the chipotle salsa and chips that precede the meals. The half-pound burgers are tasty and massive, and they also offer medium and huge chicken fried steaks. There are many selections for the vegan crowd, and a wide assortment of side veggies available. A well-stocked bar rounds out the mix, and keeps the UT students happy.
The Yellow Rose
6528 N. Lamar, 458-2106Daily, 11am-midnight
The Yellow Rose has a chef (John Randall), and of all the gentlemen's clubs in town, makes the most serious attempt at fine dining. Like casinos in Vegas, the Yellow Rose doesn't make its money from the food, so portions are generous, and prices very reasonable. They have a full menu, including appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and fresh fish and choice steaks (15oz. ribeye, $13.95). The smoked pork loin and Friday's 40-ft. lunch buffet are very popular. Keep your eyes on the fork while eating; distracted diners have impaled themselves.
