SXSW 2011 Guides: Dining Near Film-Fest Theaters

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Damn Good Food

Authored by Jette Kernion, Jenn Brown, Debbie Cerda, Mike Saulters and Chip Rosenthal.

This year, Slackerwood teamed up with SXSW to create a printed version of our SXSW Dining Guide. You should be able to find it at any film venue. Here's the online version, in case paper is just too low-tech for you. The restaurants, cafes and food trailers in this guide are nearly all in walking distance of a SXSW theater. Of course we missed a lot of good stuff. Feel free to make your own recommendations in the comments.

A couple of updates since we wrote the printed guide: Taco Journalism has an excellent SXSW guide to convenient and/or delicious tacos in the downtown area. The Austin American-Statesman has a list of restaurants that have opened downtown since SXSW 2010. We also suggest you search #sxswfood on Twitter for the latest on food trailer locations and special SXSW deals.

Don't forget to check out our other guides, including the SXSW Venue Guide and the Guide for Locals and Passholders. In addition, Slackerwood editor Jette Kernion will be one of the panelists in the "Beginners Guide to SXSW Film" panel at 3:30 pm today, where you can ask all kinds of questions about surviving the fest.

Key:
V = vegetarian options available
T = food trailer or cart
CS = Closed on Sundays
B = weekend brunch
D = primarily for dessert
L = open after 10 pm
LL = open after midnight

Austin Convention Center/Alamo Ritz

If you're going to Alamo Drafthouse at the Ritz, your easiest option is to eat there. But you can't live all week long on their burgers, pizzas and milkshakes (we found this out the hard way). Fortunately, this part of downtown Austin includes cheap quick bites as well as upscale dining spots.

Casino El Camino - Chicago BurgerCasino El Camino (517 E. Sixth St) -- Arguably one of the top places in Austin for a hamburger, and don't forget the hand-cut fries. We don't care about the other menu items, except that our vegetarian friends can enjoy a hearty sandwich while we savor the burgers. It's a bar, so you can have a drink (or two) while you stand in line to order at the kitchen counter and then await your burger. Did we mention you should try a burger here?
V, LL

Parkside (301 E. Sixth St) -- Jenn calls this her Happy Place. Not cheap, not speedy, but a lovely respite from Sixth Street crowds, especially during the pre-Music part of the fest. Even the soups will excite your palate, and their offal is awesome (seriously, try the tongue and sweetbread appetizer).
V, L

Koriente Restaurant and Tea House
(621 E 7th St) -- Highly recommended by both vegetarians and health-conscious omnivores, this Asian-inspired restaurant restaurant boasts of its low-oil, low-fat and naturally sweetened menu items. A number of gluten-free options are available.
V, CS

Hoek's Death Metal Pizza (511 E. Sixth St) -- You have to try the pizza at Hoek's to discover how delicious cheese pizza can truly be. Cheap ... and open from dinnertime until 3 am.
V, LL

Best Wurst (Sixth/San Jacinto Wed-Sunday, Sixth/Red River Fri/Sat) -- The tried-and-true selection from this food cart is an Italian "all the way" -- a locally created variation of the New York sausage seasoned with cayenne and fennel, with grilled onions, sauerkraut, mustard and curry ketchup.
T, LL

Note: Food trailers often congregate around ACC at lunchtime during SXSW, offering everything from Korean bbq tacos to lunch in a waffle cone to gourmet sandwiches and desserts. We don't know their schedules, but we recommend reading Austin Food Cart, where you can find up-to-date info on Austin's food-trailer scene including maps. The site also includes Twitter feeds for many mobile food trailers, which will tweet their schedules on a regular basis. (Update: We've heard that the super-tasty Chilantro BBQ will be at ACC at lunch, today through Sunday, serving 25-cent tacos. While you're there, get the kimchi fries.)

Paramount/State/Hideout

This part of downtown hosts a lot of restaurants that close late in the afternoon and/or on Sundays. However, stretch your legs and you'll find some accommodating places for a quick bite or a leisurely respite.

Thai Passion (620 Congress) -- Nearly hidden around the corner off Congress Ave, but close to the Paramount, this restaurant has super-quick lunch specials and delicious dinners too. Their Pad Thai is great, but it's the curries that really set this place apart ... and great service.
V, LL

Little City Espresso Bar and Cafe (916 Congress) – A short walk down Congress toward the State Capitol brings you to Jette's secret blogging hideaway. Little City is a cozy coffeehouse with wireless, plenty of power outlets and at lunchtime, terrific huge sandwiches. They also offer baked goods – get the tea bread -- and one of the better hot chocolates you'll find downtown.
V, L

Frank (407 Colorado) – This restaurant/bar specializes in artisinal and tubular meats that will make any carnivore drool, including deep-fried, cheese-stuffed hot dogs. Less adventurous diners might like the corn cup, beanie weenies or even a salad. During the fest, you may have to love crowds and possess a strong, loud voice in order to enjoy a meal here with friends.
B, LL

Hickory Street Bar and Grill (800 Congress) – A quick hop from the Paramount and State, this restaurant's 30-foot salad, soup and potato bar provides a quick and healthful meal.
B, V

Royal Blue Grocery (609 Congress) -- The newly opened third branch of this local bodega has excellent prepared foods from local cafes ... we're hoping it'll be perfect for a quick break between Paramount movies this year. They have fresh fruit, Maine Root fountain drinks, pre-made sandwiches and other lunch items, breakfast tacos and pastries, and lots of snacks. There's even a small seating area with free wireless for customers.
V, L

Rollins Theater at the Long Center

The Long Center for the Performing Arts isn't too far a walk from the downtown part of SXSW Film, and you can always cross back over the bridge for meals. But if you're planning to spend a day at Rollins, or maybe head to Zilker Park instead of a dark theater, here are a few options in walking distance.

Sandy's at duskSandy's Hamburgers (603 Barton Springs Rd) – Sandy's is a Barton Springs-area institution – since 1946 – and it's just across the street. The burgers and corn dogs are fine if you need a cheap and fast meal between movies. But this old-fashioned burger stand is best-loved for its frozen custard treats: dipped cones, sundaes, shakes and malts, ideal for post-movie refreshments.
D, L

El Chile Cafe Y Cantina (1025 Barton Springs Rd) -- This contemporary approach to Tex-Mex cuisine pleases a lot of locals. Try the pescado entortillado, a crusted tilapia topped with blackened-jalapeño aioli and poblano-corn relish. And don't forget your margarita.
V, B

Threadgill's (301 W. Riverside Dr) – When you realize you haven't had any vegetables for days during SXSW Film Festival, head to Threadgill's for spinach casserole, black-eyed peas and fried green tomatoes. They also make a mean chicken-fried steak (or chicken), and some of us live for the glazed ham with Jezebel sauce and a side of cheese grits.
B

Zax Restaurant (312 Barton Springs Rd) -- Although the burgers and pizzas paired with a great craft beer selection are crowd pleasers, the seared sea scallops meuniere in lemon butter parsley sauce with a goat cheese pistachio polenta is a must for foodies.
V, B

Alamo South Lamar

Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar is too far away to walk to and from downtown, but that section of South Lamar has plenty of food choices. And that's not counting Alamo itself or in the adjacent strip mall, The Highball, which has fancy snacks as well as blue-plate specials and entrees (we're very fond of the New York strip topped with a fried egg, as well as the smoked duck breast).

Maudie's Too – (1212 S. Lamar) – A few steps south of the theater and its adjacent strip mall, you'll find consistently good breakfast tacos and other Tex-Mex favorites. The restaurant also has a gluten-free menu available.
V

Gourdough's (1219 S. Lamar) -- This trailer across Lamar from the theater starts serving donuts at the time of day when many places stop. The "big fat donuts" eat like a meal, and in fact some include meat, like the fried chicken strips in the Mother Clucker. Simpler tastes may like the Naughty & Nice, with sugar and cinnamon ... and you can add ice cream. You may have a wait, but it's well worth it.
D, T, LL

Odd Duck Farm to Trailer (1219 S. Lamar) – In the same lot as Gourdough's, this trailer offers small, exquisite plates for dinner from Thursdays to Saturdays. Everything is locally sourced and the menu changes daily, although the popular pork-belly sliders are often available. If they're not open, the owners now have a cozy little brick-and-mortar place a short drive down the street, Barley Swine (2024 S. Lamar), which can get pricey and crowded but really good.
T, V, CS

The Odd Duck food trailer

Note: South Lamar Corridor -- Driving to/from Alamo Drafthouse and Regal Westgate, you can find some of the best food in Austin on S. Lamar Blvd. Olivia (2043 S. Lamar) has a wonderful weekend brunch; we love the gouda cheese grits and house-cured bacon, and recommend you make reservations. For a quick and healthy meal, stop at the Juicebox/Soup Peddler stand (2801 S. Lamar) where you can chill with smoothies and aguas frescas, or warm up with the soups of the day (listed at @juiceboxaustin). And of course there's always Kerbey Lane Cafe (2700 S. Lamar), open 24/7, where you can get gingerbread pancakes, bacon or a vegan feast at 3 am.

Regal Westgate

Westgate is a new venue for SXSW Film, but we're very familiar with some excellent places for dinner or treats nearby. Although you're probably driving to/from this theater, you can still walk to the places listed below.

Amy's Ice CreamMadame Mam's Fine Thai Cuisine (4514 Westgate Blvd) -- Affordable and flavorful Thai dishes ranging from a mild yet tasty Pad Sea-Ew (stir-fried noodles) to spicy hot dishes. If an unexpectedly cold day hits, their noodle soups will hit the spot.
V, W

Hyde Park Grill (4521 Westgate Blvd) -- This restaurant shares a parking lot with Westgate, and offers standard American pub fare. Try The Horseshoe, an open-faced burger topped with queso and their signature fries, if you're feeling ravenous. Expect a wait for tables at standard lunch and dinner times. Or you can stop by for one of their excellent desserts.
V, B

Central Market (4477 S. Lamar Blvd) -- This upscale grocery store also includes a small cafe. Cafe entrees might get a little pricey, but the soup and salad bars inside the actual grocery can provide a healthy meal on the run.
V, B

Amy's Ice Creams (4477 S. Lamar) – After an evening movie, there's nothing better than heated discussions and ice cream. Amy's is perfect for that, and you'll find locations all around Austin. This one is in the strip mall next to Westgate, an easy walk from the theater.
D, L 

Regal Arbor at Great Hills

If you're traveling to the Arbor for a movie, you're probably driving. Even so, a number of restaurants are an easy walk from the north Austin theater.

Manuel's (10201 Jollyville Rd) -- This Southwestern restaurant shares a parking lot with the Arbor. You can relax on the patio and enjoy such fare as enchiladas de mole or the fantastic chile relleno.
V

Brick Oven (10701 Research Blvd) -- About a block north of the Arbor, this leisurely paced restaurant offers pasta dishes and some very good pizza (try the spinach topping).
V, B

Amy's Ice Creams (10000 Research) -- This location is in the Arbor shopping center, a few blocks from the Arbor theater. The Zilker mint chip, when available, is one of their very best. Guess their daily movie quote and get a free topping.
D, V, L

Great Hills Plaza (9828 Great Hills Trail) -- The strip mall adjacent to the theater holds a number of good counter-service restaurants: Texadelphia (www.texadelphia.com) for cheesesteaks and burgers; Pok-e-Jo's (www.pokejos.com) for barbecue (and authentic green bean casserole); Firebowl Cafe (www.firebowlcafe.com) for quick Asian fare; Elevation Burger (elevationburger.com) for grass-fed ground beef and thick shakes; and La Madeleine (www.lamadeleine.com) for soup and salad or between meals, coffee and pastry and wireless.

[Photo credits: "Damn Good Food" by Flickr user robleto (Greg Robleto); "Casino El Camino" by Flickr user BurgerAustin; "Sandy's at Dusk" by Flickr user bookgrl (Laura Taylor); "The Odd Duck food trailer" by Flickr user Lars Plougmann; "Amy's Ice Cream" by Robert Banh. Used under Creative Commons licenses.]