Ate Days a Week

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Sunday, Bloody (Mary) Sunday

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And, on the seventh day, enjoy music all day long. Whether you prefer a hearty country breakfast in the gospel amen corner or tacos and frosty margaritas to the twang of Texas roots tunes, Austin restaurants have got you covered.

Threadgill's World Headquarters (301 W. Riverside, 472-9304): Located just a stone's throw from the hallowed ground of the fabled Armadillo World HQ, this down-home cafe has several food and music combos on the menu, including a Sunday Gospel Brunch ($9.95/$4.95 for kids) from 10am-1pm. The full country breakfast includes eggs, migas, bacon, sausage, ham, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, and fresh fruit with musical blessings from the likes of the Durden's, the Gospel-aires, and the Bells of Joy, just to name a few. Both Threadgill's locations also offer live music at least two nights a week.

Stubb's (801 Red River, 480-8341): Though most folks think of Stubb's as a midsized outdoor music venue with barbecue, their Gospel Brunch is such a well-established Sunday tradition that reservations for both the 11am and 1pm seatings are a must. A seat downstairs in front of the stage will set you back $16.95 while street-level seats are $14.95. The kitchen puts out a hearty down-home breakfast, as well as a full complement of barbecue to be enjoyed along with a weekly dose of gospel inspiration delivered by a rotating list of choirs that includes the Gospel Stars, the Visions of Light Choir, and the Shields of Light.

Green Pastures (811 W. Live Oak, 444-4747): This stately Victorian mansion was the childhood home of beloved Texas humorist John Henry Faulk and has been one of the capital city's favorite destination restaurants for more than 50 years. The Plantation Sunday Brunch (11am-2pm, $28/$14 for kids) is an old Austin tradition: sipping milk punch and making leisurely trips to the sumptuous buffet while the incomparable Jacque Vilmain plays everything from light classical to show tunes to the Beatles plus just about any request you can name. The buffet is always laden with a bountiful array of appetizers, salads, breads and muffins, vegetable side dishes, prime rib, fresh seafood or game, and a separate groaning board of delectable desserts.

Mother Egan's Irish Pub (715 W. Sixth, 478-7747): The friendly Irishmen who operate this popular downtown public house welcome a crowd for an a la carte brunch every Sunday from 11am to 3pm with the musicians wandering in around noon. The menu highlights include Eggs Benedict and Eggs Egan, breakfast tacos, and French Toast. The musical offerings are in the country/bluegrass vein.

Alice's Restaurant (14100 Camino Real [Highway 21] in Niederwald, 512/376-2782): Chef Walter Schumacher's hearty, all-you-can-eat Sunday Brunch (noon-3pm, $10.95/$8.95 for vegetarians, $5.95 for kids) is one of the best deals around and only a half an hour from downtown Austin. Devour one of his gargantuan smoked pork chops or a big plate of migas as the music wafts in from the adjacent beer garden. This singer-songwriter-friendly eatery has a funky old Austin-style charm that we find appealing.

Güero's Taco Bar (1412 S. Congress, 447-7688): When the weather is pretty, there is no better place to spend a Sunday afternoon than the lovely, tree-shaded garden at this ultra-trendy SoCo Mexican food emporium. Celebrity-watching is a prime activity while you sip margaritas and nibble the signature tacos al pastor with delicious salsa. The eclectic musical selections feature definitive Texas acts such as the Tejana Dames, Los Jazz Vatos, Tex Thomas, or the legendary Johnny Gimble. – V.B.W.