Book Festival Recommended Daytime Eats
A guide to keeping the appetite sated while engaging the intellect
By Kate Thornberry, Fri., Oct. 30, 2009
• Ruby's BBQ, a five-time "Best of Austin" winner, will be serving its hormone-free chopped-beef sandwiches, sausage wraps, and pulled pork and cole slaw sandwiches.
• Award-winning Torchy's Tacos will be serving green salsa pork, grilled chicken fajita, and bean and cheese tacos.
• O's Campus Cafe, "Best of Austin" winner for Best Dining on UT Campus, has gourmet grilled-cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.
For those who might want to hit a nearby restaurant on their way to or from the Book Festival, it's important to remember that many Downtown eateries are closed during the day on weekends. Here's a list of recommended Downtown restaurants that do keep weekend daytime hours.
Little City
916 Congress, 476-CITYwww.littlecity.com
Saturday, 9am-11pm; Sunday, 9am-10pm
Little City is a coffee shop until 11am, serving a full range of espresso drinks and a thoughtful selection of baked goods. From 11am to 5pm, salads, soup, and fancy sandwiches are served. Generous servings and superior quality.
Texas Chili Parlor
1409 Lavaca, 472-2828Saturday, 11am-12mid; Sunday, 11am-11pm
An Austin institution serving up burgers, enchiladas, tacos, burritos, salads, and, of course, chili, in a classic Seventies-era cosmic cowboy atmosphere.
Jo's
242 W. Second, 469-9003www.joscoffee.com
Saturday-Sunday, 8am-10pm
Jo's makes some of the very best coffee in town, and the Second Street location has branched out to become a full-menu cafe. Breakfast is served from 8am to noon and features pancakes, French toast, omelets, and Mexican breakfasts; the lunch menu offers salads, burgers, and hot and cold sandwiches.
Lamberts
401 W. Second, 494-1500www.lambertsaustin.com
Saturday, 11am-2:30pm & 5:30pm-11pm; Sunday, 11am-2pm & 5:30-10:30pm
Lamberts is a nationally renowned restaurant, with three acclaimed chefs, and although it's known for its fancy barbecue and reinvented Texas favorites, Lamberts does a terrific Sunday brunch, as well. Reservations recommended.
Manuel's
310 Congress, 472-7555www.manuels.com
Saturday, 11am-11pm; Sunday, 9am-10pm
This Congress Avenue mainstay has been serving quality coastal and interior Mexican food for 25 years and has captured 20 Restaurant Poll and six "Best of Austin" awards, for both its cuisine and its excellent bar. Jazz brunch Sunday, 11am-2:30pm.
Thai Passion
620 Congress #105, 472-1244www.thaipassion.com
Daily, 11am-3am
It won the coveted Best Thai award in the 2009 Restaurant Poll, and rightly so. The delectable menu and lovely atmosphere at this spot, its original location, combine to give patrons a relaxing, delightfully authentic Thai experience.
Scholz Garten
1607 San Jacinto, 474-1958www.scholzgarten.net
Saturday, 11am-10pm; Sunday, 11am-6pm
Scholz is the oldest business in the state of Texas, continually open since 1866, and a beloved Austin icon. The menu features burgers, barbecue, sandwiches, German specialties, and is kid-friendly, as well.
La Condesa
400-A W. Second, 499-0300www.lacondesaaustin.com
Saturday, 11am-11pm; Sunday, 11am-10pm
La Condesa serves Neo-Mexicano, the trendiest Mexican cuisine to be found in Mexico City. Since its opening, La Condesa has enjoyed an enthusiastic response from the public and critics alike for both magnificent decor and stellar cuisine.
Leaf
419 W. Second, 474-5323www.leafsalad.com
Daily, 11am-4pm
Leaf serves big, fresh tossed salads. It won the Best Salad/Dressing award in the Restaurant Poll this year and has been a consistent critics' favorite as well.
Austin Java
301 W. Second #100, 481-9400www.austinjava.com
Saturday-Sunday, 8am-5pm
Austin Java serves breakfast, espresso drinks, and baked goods, as well as burgers, pasta, sandwiches, salads, and soups. Kid-friendly and affordable.
Hickory Street Bar & Grill
800 Congress, 477-8968www.hickorystreet.com
Saturday, 9am-11pm; Sunday, 9am-8pm
Hickory Street has been pleasing customers with burgers, chicken-fried steaks, tacos, sandwiches, meat loaf, and steaks for 25 years and has outlasted a lot of competition. Breakfast is available as well, Saturday from 9 to 11am and Sunday from 9am to 2pm.
Saturday Only:
Marakesh Cafe & Grill
906 Congress, 476-7735Saturday, noon-10pm; Sunday, closed
Marakesh has been a Chronicle Restaurant Poll winner for its excellent and inexpensive Mediterranean food. Hummus, falafel, eggplant, chicken and beef wrap sandwiches, and plates are served, as well as daily specials.
Frank
407 Colorado, 494-6916www.hotdogscoldbeer.com
Saturday, 11am-10pm; Sunday, closed
Frank serves hot dogs and cold beer, though "artisan sausages" is probably a better description. Its excellent wursts, fries, and beer are real crowd-pleasers.
Annies Cafe & Bar
319 Congress, 472-1884www.anniescafebar.com
Saturday, 8am-2am; Sunday, closed
Annies has grown from a very popular lunch spot located in a bank basement to a large and still-growing concern. A bakery as well as a cafe, Annies features an array of baked goods as well as full breakfast and lunch menus.