Austin

Food & drink

• Nixter (restaurant): Fusion of sashimi and Mexican food. Highlights: tuna tostada with salsa macho, duck carnitas with multicolored tortilla, enchilada taco, carrot tostada, chamoy and fruit popsicle. reel
• Desnudo Coffee (cafe): Located in downtown Austin. Specialty: white miso lattes with nutty flavor. Also recommended: matcha drinks. reel
• Leroy and Lewis (restaurant): Barbecue restaurant. Described as having the best barbecue of the trip. reel
• Conji (restaurant): Modern Caribbean restaurant. Highlights: pink pineapple appetizer, oxtail beef patties, pepper pot with roti (described as peppery, molasses, and smoky), jerk chicken (white meat particularly exceptional). reel
• Interstellar Barbecue (restaurant): Popular barbecue spot with approximately 1.5 hour wait times. Signature dish: peach tea pork belly. reel
• Emmer and Rye (restaurant): Notable for bread service with three types of butter (yogurt butter highlighted). Standout dishes: giant French ravioli with ricotta and parmesan whey, cacio e pepe, sweet potato tamal, wagyu with mole sauce, peanut butter and jelly dessert. reel
• Two Goose Market & Barbecue (restaurant): Barbecue spot on South Lamar. Features a cheesesteak special called “The Big Dave” made with griddled brisket sausage mixed with cheese and onions. Also serves a brisket philly on the regular menu. Reviewer states the cheesesteak exceeds most he’s had in Philadelphia and hopes it becomes a permanent menu item rather than a special. Price: $18 for The Big Dave. reel

Practical tips

• Plan for long waits at Interstellar Barbecue (approximately 1.5 hours). reel
• Visit Desnudo Coffee in downtown Austin for unique miso-based coffee drinks. reel
• Don’t miss the fusion cuisine at Nixter combining sashimi and Mexican flavors. reel
• Try Caribbean dishes at Conji, especially the pepper pot with roti and jerk chicken. reel
• Emmer and Rye offers upscale dining with exceptional bread service and French-inspired pastas. reel
• The city has diverse food options beyond barbecue including fusion, Caribbean, and modern American cuisine. reel
• When visiting Two Goose for lunch, specifically ask for “The Big Dave” cheesesteak (currently a special, not on the standard menu). reel
• The cheesesteak features brisket sausage griddled like breakfast sausage rather than in traditional casing. reel
• Price point for The Big Dave is $18. reel
• Two Goose also serves breakfast and has other barbecue menu items including a brisket philly. reel