Dallas Nightclub
7113 Burnet Rd., 451-2801 Tuesday-Friday, 5:30-7:30pm
This country-themed stalwart provides a superior complimentary happy-hour dinner buffet Tuesday through Friday. The food changes daily (and goes quickly), but recent offerings include such substantial fare as fajitas, catfish, fried chicken, meatloaf, and hamburgers. Check out the daily menu by calling 459-9009. Even if you can’t stand Garth Brooks and his ilk, this is still one heck of a deal for the frugal-minded.
Chuy’s
1728 Barton Springs Rd., 474-445210520 N. Lamar, 836-3218
11680 Research, 342-0011
Monday-Friday, 4-7pm
This cute, cheeky chain provides a great nacho bar featuring their addictive queso, but you’ll have to fight for it late in the week, when it gets pretty crowded. Drinks are enticing and moderately priced, but take it easy on the margaritas if you have to drive.
Draught House
4112 Medical Pkwy., 452-6258 Wednesday, 5-7pm (or until food is gone)
Packed with regulars and for good reason! Plentiful pizza made before your eyes with a variety of toppings, accompanied by moderately priced beer in a nice setting. Play darts, lounge outside, and tip the cooks!
La Feria
2010 S. Lamar, 326-8301Monday-Friday, 5-7pm
Hard to make a meal of quesadillas alone (La Feria’s only happy-hour offering), but for a light snack the fun, family atmosphere and margaritas make La Feria a wise destination for a nice afternoon in South Austin.
Ninfa’s
612 W. Sixth, 476-0612214 E. Anderson, 832-1833
Monday-Friday, 5-7pm
Ask your server about happy-hour fare — they like to make each plate fresh, and the moderately priced drinks from the well-stocked, high-quality bar can go a long way to making a memorable happy hour if you can spare the cash.
Midnight Rodeo
2201 E. Ben White, 443-2623 Friday, 5-9pm
This Texas-sized country hall on Ben White near the airport offers a free buffet every Friday. A recent Friday found them offering an ample spread of fajitas with all the fixin’s. To locate Midnight Rodeo, look for their giant, 75-foot information sign in the sky.
Oilcan Harry’s
211 W. Fourth, 320-8823 Sunday-Monday, Thursday-Friday, 5-8pm
Regulars note that instead of the food, it’s the spiritual nourishment, lively environment, and moderately priced drinks that keep them coming back. That said, Mondays and Thursdays are serve-yourself days, while Fridays feature a more formal buffet with a server to dole out items such as fajitas and grilled sandwiches.
Serrano’s
Various locations Monday-Friday, 5-6:30pm
Select locations of this locally run Tex-Mex chain serve complimentary appetizers such as nachos, quesadillas, and flaquitos during happy hour, along with the ubiquitous chips and salsa.
Tangerine’s
9721 Arboretum Blvd. (in the Renaissance Hotel) Wednesday-Friday, 4-7pm
Never underestimate the ability of a hotel discotheque to give a good happy-hour buffet. Tangerine’s is an upscale spot geared toward the white-collar crowd that offers free hors d’oeuvres like empanadas, chicken fingers, and Swedish meatballs on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, Tangerine’s brings out the big guns with a beef- and chicken-fajita buffet. Combined with decent drink specials (for a hotel bar, anyway), you’ll almost wish you were an anonymous business traveler on the prowl.
Warehouse Saloon
509 E. Ben White, 443-8799 Tuesday and Friday, 5-7pm
Nice catered buffet with a wide variety of main courses and sides — a hearty, complete meal. Play pool, watch sports, and enjoy moderately priced drinks, but leave your bandanas, cutoff shirts, and freight shorts at home: The dress code is strictly enforced!
This article appears in May 16 • 2003.