Right? Sometimes, luck of the draw, you get a paternal parent who is so decent, so caring, so generally badass – even if he does push the “dad joke” envelope a little too far sometimes, right? – sometimes there’s a man who raises you up properly, and then you’re decent enough to want to honor his goodness whenever a convenient excuse comes ’round.
As is the case with Yasmin Diallo Turk’s father, for instance.
Well.
You may have heard of this “Father’s Day” thing? It’s been having an annual moment since 1910, and here it comes again – on Sunday, June 19. And what are you gonna do about it, O human child?
You could get the old man a gift, certainly – and we’ve got a few recommendations both local and beyond for you to consider – but maybe (in lieu of, or in addition to, that gift) you want to treat him and maybe the rest of the fam to a fine meal somewhere in or around this bustling metrop?
Look: Here’s an array of dining options that we believe will be just the sort of thing you (and your excellent paterfamilias) will enjoy.
FARMHOUSE DELIVERY: FATHER’S DAY TO YOUR DOOR One of our favorite businesses in this growing city, Farmhouse has just opened their Father’s Day shop with an abundance of dad-inspired delicacies. Surprise him with French toast and bacon for breakfast in bed, or treat him to a rejuvenating Epsom salts soak, or fete him with sumptuous steaks, or perfect pork chops, or buttery lobster tails, or a ruby red trout, or – ah, hell, these farm-forward folks have just about everything a paterfamilias could want. 9715 Burnet Rd. Bldg. 7 #400, 512/529-8569. farmhousedelivery.com
WHISKEY DINNER AT HOTEL GRANDUCA Here’s a whiskey-paired dinner just before Father’s Day, featuring Visconti Ristorante’s maple-lacquered dart quail, smoked short rib with shrimp, Gouda dauphinoise potatoes, and vanilla bourbon mousse cake for dessert. And the generous whiskey pours will be provided by the Hill Country bourbon savants of Milam & Greene. This is an excellent gift for a man who enjoys a good bourbon, we reckon; this is a good family gathering opportunity to kick off a weekend for your paterfamilias. Thu., June 16, 5:30pm. Visconti Ristorante, 320 Capital of TX Hwy. S., Bldg. B, 512/306-6400. $95. granducaaustin.com
SWOOP HOUSE: FATHER’S DAY BRUNCH Here’s an excellent choice for this father-celebrating day: live music in the garden, inflatable waterslide for kids under 12, and all you can eat for Dad, featuring a fine buffet served up by Sawyer & Co. and De Nada Cantina. How’s a meal of shrimp remoulade, barbacoa eggs Benedict, scrambled eggs (with spinach, mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes, onions, and pepper jack cheese), al pastor tacos, fried chicken tenders, summer fruit salad, biscuits with fresh jam, and more – how’s that sound? Answer: Delicious enough for any father. Sun., June 19, 11am-2pm. 3012 Gonzales, 512/467-6600. $50 ($20, kids). 2dine4.com
SALT & TIME COOKOUT COMBO PACK OK, but maybe the old man would like to flex his legendary King of the Grill aspect on his day of days? This baller pack from the mighty mavens of meat feeds 3-5 people and will only be available for preorder. Wings, beef kebabs, chicken thighs, pork rib chop, Franklin BBQ briquets, house-made marinade, hardcore carnivore spices – is your mouth watering yet? Will your dad be getting a little too flashy with those metal tongs? Does America get any better than this, citizen? 1912 E. Seventh, 512/524-1383. $125. saltandtime.com
FATHER’S DAY CUPCAKES You have a father who loves cupcakes? Then the Cupcake Bar will set him up right, with a variety of affordable Father’s Day packages – a cupcake six-pack, a “smoky” whiskey-enhancing gift box, an anthology of dad jokes, and more – made fresh, delivered on time, and replete with all the confectionary goodness to make a family man smile. Mon.-Thu., June 13-16. The Cupcake Bar, 7801 N. Lamar, 512/903-0187. $5-95. thecupcakebar.com
SNAP KITCHEN: FATHER’S DAY BBQ BUNDLE It’s easy to show your ol’ Dad some love this year: Stop by your neighborhood Snap Kitchen (or place an order for delivery) from June 14 to 19 for the Father’s Day BBQ Bundle that includes peach barbecue brisket, bacon-cheddar egg bites, and a chocolate brownie for less than 20 bucks. Tue.-Sun., June 14-19. Various locations. $18.49. local.snapkitchen.com
FAREGROUND: BBQ, BOURBON, AND BURGERS Idea: Celebrate your papa on the Saturday right before Father’s Day – at Fareground’s elegant outpost in the heart of Downtown, where they’re offering a day full of grilling and chilling, with bourbon and whiskey tastings at Ellis and fresh-made burgers with all the fixings. Sat., June 18, noon-4pm. 111 Congress. faregroundaustin.com
FATHER’S DAY HOG & GOAT ROAST Treat your father to a day of delicious food, great wine, and plenty of family fun at William Chris Vineyards in the Hill Country. There’ll be yard games (listen: laser skeet shooting) and a petting zoo – and a scavenger hunt just for the kids – and live music by the Emily Herring Band to accompany the venue’s famous roasted goat and hog and all the yummy fixins. Sun., June 19, 11am-3pm. William Chris Vineyards, 10352 Hwy. 290, Hye, 830/998-7654. $50. williamchriswines.com
FATHER’S DAY TURF & SURF AT TLC Reckon you can get this deal for yourself, too, but it’s available (all day long) on Sunday, June 19, because it’s supposed to be for your pops, kid: When you purchase TLC’s Cowboy Rib-Eye (that’s a 22-ounce grilled, Linz Heritage, bone-in steak), you’ll get a complimentary 8-ounce lobster tail along with it. And that also comes with roasted-garlic-and-rosemary mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus, yes. It is, we mean, a real decent meal. Sun., June 19. 1100 S. Lamar #1150, 512/580-0971. tlcaustin.com
TRULUCK’S: FATHER’S DAY DINNER In addition to their usual elevated menu of seafood and steak, Truluck’s will showcase the following entrée for Father’s Day: tenderloin medallions with Maine lobster Oscar and smoked salmon with a twice-baked potato. Mmmmm, you have a father worthy of this meal? Then, as we said earlier, you’re both lucky; but do call for reservations. Sun., June 19, 4:30-9pm. 400 Colorado or 10225 Research #4000, 512/482-9000. $125. trulucks.com
This article appears in June 10 • 2022.