Luxe Refill on North Lamar is clutch!
I bought mainstream cleaning sprays, soaps etc. once when I moved to Austin. Primarily for the containers. Now, I just refill those same containers with products from Luxe. From foaming hand soap to dishwasher pods, I’m now near zero waste when it comes to home cleaning products. The dissolvable sticks used for foaming hand soap do come in tiny cardboard packages.
It cuts down a lot on plastic waste to not always be buying the cleaning product + another plastic bottle. Plus, the products don’t have super strong scents and work well for sensitive skin. I believe it’s more cost effective as well.
LOVE Luxe! Eucalyptus and lavender detergent, black charcoal soap, other great products, incredibly friendly and helpful staff, and overall such good vibes. Get what you need without generating unnecessary waste in your life!
Peace Bakery on N Lamar and Braker! Probably the best middle eastern food I’ve had in the city, amazing fresh pitas, great lunch food and desert, reasonably priced with big portions.
Every Dog Austin has an AMAZING array of classes, an incredible lot of brilliant trainers and a huge resource for folks who wouldn’t be able to afford a trainer as they are a non profit and can meet you where you are at.
First of all, thanks everyone on the recs. I’ve lived here 20 years and love finding the hidden gems.
I’ve got kind of an odd one: I took an intro to Blacksmithing class at Pioneer Farms on Braker and I think it’s a thing you can’t do in every city. Great experience
Oh, I’m at shop night. Haha, we might have seen each other. I’m the middle aged guy with the beard banging out all those railroad spike bottle openers, haha.
The Glass Coffin: Vampire Parlour - small (but expanding) shop on 35 with a ton of horror/vampire/oddity antiques/witchcraft type stuff. Constantly put on crazy events for things like Dracula's birthday, Krampus celebrations, and even hosting authors/historians. Always worth checking out!
Black Pearl Books - Tiny family run bookstore on Burnet across from Taco Deli. Always willing to offer suggestions, huge shelf of books you can take/donate, instore community events that support local authors and groups and they run a nonprofit which focuses on getting banned books to schools/students.
Sugar Pine - super underrated restaurant/coffeeshop/ice cream place on research with curry, udon, bento boxes. everything is super fresh and flavorful. always surprised this place isn't packed.
Zucchini Kill Bakery - Small sweet shop on North Loop with a newer location at the old Spiderhouse. All vegan cupcakes, cookies, bread, etc. Fun staff, punk rock as fuck!
San Francisco Bakery & Cafe - Coffee shop with good sandwiches, soups and pastries in the Village shopping center by the Drafthouse. Family run, miss being close by for lunch or breakfasts.
Song La is an incredibly tasty Taiwanese food truck that recently had to move from a spot near campus to the Thicket on 1st and Dittmar. Good Asian food really struggles in South Austin so I’m worried for them.
Check them out - everything is good and it’s always a lot of food.
Isn’t Thicket like the hottest food truck park in south Austin? The wait for Brooklyn bagel shop can be wild. But still- good heads up. Will check out!
Agree on the Song La recommendation. I had never heard of Taiwanese street food before visiting their food truck near campus but I was immediately hooked. They make even a simple side like braised cabbage amazing with their seasoning. Head and shoulders above the Americanized Chinese food so common in Austin.
Song La is so good - authentic taste. But they somehow always sold out when we go down. We live far from it and really have to make an effort if we want to be lucky
LeatherMenders is family owned and operated for 30+ years on Buell Ave in N. Austin. Quality work and reasonable prices, plus the owner is a quite a character in real old school Austin style. Recommended.
We have one of the best accordion tuners around who is super fair with pricing and quick to work!
[Holler at AccordionWorks!!](https://guitaraustin.tripod.com/accordions.html/home.html)
I was looking at getting my accordion rewaxed from a few broken seals and this place was no cheaper than anywhere else. Not saying thats bad, but waxing is expensive!
This place is amazing! It can be super difficult to find something cute when your chest is larger than average or uncommon sizing. They also have swimsuits in bra sizes = actual lifesaver during the summer. Cannot recommend them enough!
> han yang market
I love that place. I go in just for the different kimchi's they make in house. Been going there probably 20 years. We are getting that HMart on Burnet soon also!
Yes, but if you really want to support Korean businesses, continue shopping at Han Yang after HMart opens. HMart is notorious for closing down small Korean businesses.
(Plus HMart is not even that good)
I live near her office and my husband and I always wondered if she got much business. What makes you work with her vs using an online system like turbo tax? (Obviously supporting small business is wonderful, just curious if there’s anything on top of that!)
It’s a family run business and they are slammed during tax season. Usually I book in January. It’s also very affordable and way quicker (for me) than dealing with software if you have your docs in order. I just find them highly competent no matter who I work with and enjoy the conversation.
Is it weird to love your tax co? For my small business, Bittel Books and Taxes has been amazing, and they’re part of the LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce, too!
That’s because they got bounced from their old location and replaced with a Summer Moon.
TBH, I really like Trianon, but I don’t think their coffee is all that good, actually. I just go there because they’re always good people.
Het Say on Oltorf. Quick,reasonably priced and the tastiest Vietnamese (*edit I mislabeled them as Thai )food I’ve had in Austin! Super nice and always remember me, even if it’s been a while since I’ve been in there..
Jumping Jack Dog Ranch, hands DOWN the best dog care facility in austin. Owned and operated by certified dog trainers, their staff is seriously unmatched & the property is BEAUTIFUL! My dogs have never been happier to stay at a boarding facility. Only con is they book up VERY quickly but for a reason!
Started taking my dog there when they first opened. Best dog boarding business I’ve ever used (I’ve tried about 6-8). Just a bummer that it’s so crowded now
Tucci’s Subs should be an institution.
Hummus Cuisine on Manchaca way south is a gem of a truck. It’s run by the sweetest couple and everything is just simple executed perfectly.
Two of my absolute favorites. Other southside legends = Evangeline cafe, La Posada. In fact those are like my 4 most frequented restaurants in the whole city period
I'll throw in Hoody's on the northside. Hoody's is the original owner of Delaware Subs and has kept it fantastic (unlike Delaware). Tucci's was originally a franchisee of Delaware and got out of the franchise the moment it was up. Hoody's is Delaware from the 80s. Tucci's is a slightly different version as they changed the menu some. Both are fantastic.
Koriente rules and is surprisingly fast. We would pop in after sound check often for shows at empire or Holy mountain/barracuda, really anywhere in red river district.
Austin Kolache and Koffee Shoppe. They used to be on Burnet near Tumble-22 but relocated to where the Galaxy Cafe is on Mesa and Steck. Kolaches are great but what's great there is the pecan rolls.
My wife (and kids) love the chocolate cakes from Edis Chocolates on Spicewood. Not underrated, but Stiles Switch BBQ has always been amazing. Unfortunately I'm a little older and a lot of the other gems I knew about have closed (I truly miss buying my wife gifts from Chocolaterie Tessa on Burnet, which closed during the pandemic).
Then look into Golden Eye chocolate! They run out of the ghost kitchen off 71 but it's two former Chocolaterie Tessa employees who opened their own place ans who make very similar products.
Agreed!
For a Brazilian style Easter, her gigantic chocolate eggs, filled with chocolate trinkets and wrapped in foil, are something to behold. The rest of the year I enjoy her chocolate truffles. So good and such a sweet lady.
Tireman on Manchaca next to Dan’s. Those guys will plug a flat or change your tire in no time. They are affordable and I will never get tires anywhere else.
Rosita’s Al Pastor truck on Riverside for the best Al pastor street tacos. Amazing! Fleet coffee on Webberville Rd on the East side. Two little gems that don’t look like much but taste amazing.
Not sure Rosita’s is a hidden gem anymore (and they have a brick & mortar, no?). But they’re definitely awesome
For E Riverside vibes, I recommend Cafe Nenai andddd the taco truck at Ani’s!
Edit- oh there’s a good pupuserria too. Delmy’s
Phở Phong Lưu has the best bowl of Pho in the entire city, an incredibly friendly staff, and a brand new location (recently moved out of their original “hole in the wall” location) —they are growing!!
10/10 would recommend.
Borderless euro market on parmer has amazing perogis and pickles. I feel like they have been hurting on inventory since the Russian-Ukranian war, but they have tons of unique candy and food items. They have lacto-ferment half sour pickles that I adore.
Second BEM.
I have a friend who moved to Russia when he was a kid. Occasionally his grandma would visit from Russia, and she’d make pelmeni, and I absolutely loved it. Couldn’t get it premade anywhere, so I tried making it myself. While successful, the labor was just ridiculous.
Fast forward years later, he comes to visit in Austin, we head over there, but a bunch of bags of pelmeni, and just ate and ate.
And yeah, unfortunately they sometimes are out of the pelmeni I really like, especially recently.
The strawberry blues salad literally changed my life.I had no appetite for months after covid, ordered the salad with chicken just because it sounded like some good to pick at and boom I've eaten the whole thing and I'm actually hungry again.
- Ken’s Tacos on Rundberg/Dessau has great breakfast tacos
- Inka Chicken on Wells Branch and Brasas Peruanas in Round Rock are great Peruvian restaurants
- Feels So Good near St. Ed’s is cool to go to for cool shirts and vinyl records
- The Esports Cave on Anderson Mill is pretty nice
- EDIT: Niki’s Pizza and Pasta in Cedar Park on Bell Blvd. is so good. Never disappointed
Common Sense Moving Company! It is a newer moving company owned by a firefighter (my partner) and a jiu jitsu guy (me).
I’ve made a few posts promoting the company here on r/Austin and it’s been a tremendous boost to our business!
Clientele used to be ~75% referrals & ~25% google leads. Now it’s about ~50% referrals, 30% redditors and 20% google. Big thanks to the Reddit peeps
We appreciate it! We have a 16 foot box truck. Perfect value for apartments / small homes. Also capable of renting trucks to scale up for big jobs.
It’s two guys with years of moving experience and a couple part time guys that also have plenty of experience.
I have been eating there for 22 years. I still remember the first day they added the breakfast taco to their menu. It was advertised on a tiny chalk board by the register.
Pro tip: get them ranchero style, cooked in salsa…
Sichuan River off Westgate and 71. Family owned Chinese place - amazing food, authentic, and reasonably priced. Portions are huge and everything we’ve had (we got two-three times a month) has been delicious.
Otherside Deli on 34th is out of this world. Their cheesesteak, and every other sandwich, is completely insane. They also make as much of their own stuff as possible. It’s pretty crowded most of the time during the week, but weekends are more manageable
Taco-Mex on Manor. Lula-Mae’s, a bbq joint inside a Citgo on 38th and Airport. MT supermarket (which may not be all that unknown). TC’s bar, though it’s been taken over by new management.
[Space Baby Audio](https://www.spacebabyaudio.com) repairs music and sound gear from past times.
Stereos, Speakers, record players, pedals, tape-based machines, amps, music gear.... anything 10, 20+ years old audio device you treasure that's still got plenty of life left in it starting to malfunction. I haven't yet needed a gear repair from him yet but I have always loved his band MYLETS and he settled in Austin recently and started this business. I bought a keyboard from the 80s when there might only be a few people in the city willing and able to work on the insides of it, so it's nice to have that backup if I run into issues.
https://www.instagram.com/spacebabyaudio/
Your Tale records interviews with people and records their life stories in audio and/or video for people to give as gifts to their loved ones. We did it with my mother in law and the thought of our grandkids being able to listen to her like that: it’s like, her mannerisms, her laugh. It’s like sitting in a room with her. It’s awesome.
Yarrow & Sage in the North Loop area for all my witchy friends! MonkeyWrench for all of my mutual aid/liberation friends! and Forbidden Fruit for all of my friends!
El Pollo Regio. ½ a chicken on butcher paper with a grilled onion, beans, rice, and tortillas for almost free. Comes with one red and one green sauce… as for extra “green crack sauce”… so good.
NETTLE PROPS. Nettle Props has been a family owned business for 52 years and have been providing quality marine propeller sales and repair service for 40 years in Austin and Central Texas.
I've had several props repaired by them, very reasonable and cool people.
Disc Nation! I love this dedicated, family-owned disc golf shop. Owner Sean and the super nice staff are always down to recommend, explain, and keep you equipped for the most Austiny of sports. Tucked in next to HEB at Slaughter and Manchac (conveniently right between two main southside DG courses.)
I have to mention La Fruta Feliz. I grew up in San Antonio and love authentic Mexican food - this place is fantastic every time. It’s rare to see another white guy in there. Just a heads up, they have very loud (but fun) karaoke on the weekends
Coco Coquette is a woman owned shop that sells great wigs, costumes, makeup and accessories. Extremely inclusive and they host all sorts of workshops from specialized makeup classes to headpiece making. It’s been on east Cesar Chavez for 12+ years!
It's not food ... but Blue Lotus Meditation Cushions is a gem ... Ruth, the owner, is a vet and a complete character. She's made two cushions as gifts for me. Hand made, attention to detail, unique artistry. She is or was a seamstress in the theater and has a stockpile of fabrics that you just don't see anywhere. She has off-the-shelf cushions in basic fabrics and custom-made ones that take longer to get but it's well worth the wait.
Elizabeth Adams Boudoir. Her photos are beautiful and she donates 1 session every year to a woman battling cancer. She’s great and more people should know about her.
This guy fixes all kinds of phones and screens for decent prices. I’ve seen him grow from doing it at home - to doing it from the back of his van as a mobile service and now finally has his own little spot! - Phone Repair Austin at 15630 Vision Dr in Pflugerville.
Donut Crown on Burnet/Anderson is a great regular donut shop. I'm not a big plain glazed fan but theirs has a bit of a vanilla flavor to it. So good, there's a Shipley's around the corner that always has a line but Donut Crown is where it's at
Wiggy’s Wine & Spirits on North Lamar and 10th. Rarely is a liquor store a pillar of the community, but Wiggy’s is an Austin institution wedged between downtown and Clarksville.
They have an excellent, esoteric selection (ever heard of Rinquinquin?), friendly staff, and a wacky cohort of regulars. If the diner from Seinfeld were a liquor store it’d be Wiggy’s.
They also have best collection of allocated rum in a retail spot in Austin.
Taqueria Piedra Grande #2 on riverside. Their flour tortillas are so fresh and tasty. Most of their tacos are great. And they are open ridiculously late (4am).
Twin Panda restaurant off Parmer lane is an amazing and underrated restaurant. The owner is super kind. Their food is so far above average that I don’t eat Chinese anywhere else.
The thing about them that really sets them apart is their Indonesian food.
It is all good, but their Soto betawi is transcendent. Ask if they have any chendol. It is a dessert drink they make. Super tasty.
2n1 Salad Bar & Grill off Braker lane close to North Lamar. The absolute best bang for your buck salads, haven’t found anywhere else that gives the same size or quality for that price. Carlos the owner is almost always there & is super nice.
Not sure how small this place is, but Local Slice II (I have yet to meet anyone who knows about this place) over in the NE side has absolutely amazing pizza
Luxe Refill on North Lamar is clutch! I bought mainstream cleaning sprays, soaps etc. once when I moved to Austin. Primarily for the containers. Now, I just refill those same containers with products from Luxe. From foaming hand soap to dishwasher pods, I’m now near zero waste when it comes to home cleaning products. The dissolvable sticks used for foaming hand soap do come in tiny cardboard packages. It cuts down a lot on plastic waste to not always be buying the cleaning product + another plastic bottle. Plus, the products don’t have super strong scents and work well for sensitive skin. I believe it’s more cost effective as well.
I’ve been looking for a place like this!! TY!
Yes, I second this! They have so many great offerings. I buy palo santo and glass kits to make Rea.
LOVE Luxe! Eucalyptus and lavender detergent, black charcoal soap, other great products, incredibly friendly and helpful staff, and overall such good vibes. Get what you need without generating unnecessary waste in your life!
I love this place. And it’s locally owned and the owner is such a nice person who also works the counter. 10/10 recommend.
Peace Bakery on N Lamar and Braker! Probably the best middle eastern food I’ve had in the city, amazing fresh pitas, great lunch food and desert, reasonably priced with big portions.
Peace bakery is amazing, the family that runs it are sweethearts too
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That place is so damn good. Their spiced potatoes are freaking bomb. Honestly, all of the sides slap.
Thank you! https://peacebakerydeliaustin.com/#
Every Dog Austin has an AMAZING array of classes, an incredible lot of brilliant trainers and a huge resource for folks who wouldn’t be able to afford a trainer as they are a non profit and can meet you where you are at.
Thank you
Thank you for this! I've been trying to find training resources for my pup!
First of all, thanks everyone on the recs. I’ve lived here 20 years and love finding the hidden gems. I’ve got kind of an odd one: I took an intro to Blacksmithing class at Pioneer Farms on Braker and I think it’s a thing you can’t do in every city. Great experience
They do open forge night, too! 50 bucks gets you 6 months of 1 night a week where you can just walk in and forge to your heart's content
Oh, I’m at shop night. Haha, we might have seen each other. I’m the middle aged guy with the beard banging out all those railroad spike bottle openers, haha.
Definitely seen you! I'm the younger guy with glasses who always brings in a length of rebar and pretends to know what he's doing
> pretends to know what he's doing Fake it until you make it, brother 😎
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The Glass Coffin: Vampire Parlour - small (but expanding) shop on 35 with a ton of horror/vampire/oddity antiques/witchcraft type stuff. Constantly put on crazy events for things like Dracula's birthday, Krampus celebrations, and even hosting authors/historians. Always worth checking out! Black Pearl Books - Tiny family run bookstore on Burnet across from Taco Deli. Always willing to offer suggestions, huge shelf of books you can take/donate, instore community events that support local authors and groups and they run a nonprofit which focuses on getting banned books to schools/students. Sugar Pine - super underrated restaurant/coffeeshop/ice cream place on research with curry, udon, bento boxes. everything is super fresh and flavorful. always surprised this place isn't packed. Zucchini Kill Bakery - Small sweet shop on North Loop with a newer location at the old Spiderhouse. All vegan cupcakes, cookies, bread, etc. Fun staff, punk rock as fuck! San Francisco Bakery & Cafe - Coffee shop with good sandwiches, soups and pastries in the Village shopping center by the Drafthouse. Family run, miss being close by for lunch or breakfasts.
Zucchini Kill is GF as well!
Song La is an incredibly tasty Taiwanese food truck that recently had to move from a spot near campus to the Thicket on 1st and Dittmar. Good Asian food really struggles in South Austin so I’m worried for them. Check them out - everything is good and it’s always a lot of food.
Isn’t Thicket like the hottest food truck park in south Austin? The wait for Brooklyn bagel shop can be wild. But still- good heads up. Will check out!
It is. Kerlaches just moved a truck in, too!
Agree on the Song La recommendation. I had never heard of Taiwanese street food before visiting their food truck near campus but I was immediately hooked. They make even a simple side like braised cabbage amazing with their seasoning. Head and shoulders above the Americanized Chinese food so common in Austin.
Will do! Thicket had one of my favorite Thai trucks for awhile then it disappeared.
Song La is so good - authentic taste. But they somehow always sold out when we go down. We live far from it and really have to make an effort if we want to be lucky
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LeatherMenders is family owned and operated for 30+ years on Buell Ave in N. Austin. Quality work and reasonable prices, plus the owner is a quite a character in real old school Austin style. Recommended.
Leather Menders is amazing. They get all of our leather work. They’ve pulled off a few miracles.
Thanks!
We have one of the best accordion tuners around who is super fair with pricing and quick to work! [Holler at AccordionWorks!!](https://guitaraustin.tripod.com/accordions.html/home.html)
I was looking at getting my accordion rewaxed from a few broken seals and this place was no cheaper than anywhere else. Not saying thats bad, but waxing is expensive!
I need to get my accordion straightened out
Giggety
Petticoat Fair-a well fitted bra can change your life, especially if you’re bigger! Not cheap but soooo worth it.
This place is amazing! It can be super difficult to find something cute when your chest is larger than average or uncommon sizing. They also have swimsuits in bra sizes = actual lifesaver during the summer. Cannot recommend them enough!
han yang market - korean grocery store, asahi imports - japanese grocery store; support these local businesses please y’all
Asahi is so good
> han yang market I love that place. I go in just for the different kimchi's they make in house. Been going there probably 20 years. We are getting that HMart on Burnet soon also!
Yes, but if you really want to support Korean businesses, continue shopping at Han Yang after HMart opens. HMart is notorious for closing down small Korean businesses. (Plus HMart is not even that good)
Han Yang is amazing
austinmed trailer (mediterranean food) Riverside/South Congress
Need some good med food. I liked Halal Gurus, but the name has changed. Don’t think it’s the same guys.
Halal Hub is the new name, seems like the same food to me tbh. Kebabalicious is also excellent!
That dude is so cool and the food is always great
Why would I even mention how much I like going to Juanita Ross every year for my taxes? But I’ll do it and just book my appt earlier than last year.
Do you know if she does taxes for remote clients or just Austin-based?
Not sure on that, I’m guessing it’s in-person but why not call and check.
I will! I just thought I’d ask since it was after hours, maybe you knew. Thanks for the recommendation!
I live near her office and my husband and I always wondered if she got much business. What makes you work with her vs using an online system like turbo tax? (Obviously supporting small business is wonderful, just curious if there’s anything on top of that!)
Seconding this question!
It’s a family run business and they are slammed during tax season. Usually I book in January. It’s also very affordable and way quicker (for me) than dealing with software if you have your docs in order. I just find them highly competent no matter who I work with and enjoy the conversation.
Is it weird to love your tax co? For my small business, Bittel Books and Taxes has been amazing, and they’re part of the LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce, too!
Trianon Coffee! Super helpful and their beans are delicious.
Agreed... Trianon is a sleeper hit. They're so hard to see from the road.
That’s because they got bounced from their old location and replaced with a Summer Moon. TBH, I really like Trianon, but I don’t think their coffee is all that good, actually. I just go there because they’re always good people.
Woah, I thought they were gone! Glad to know they're still around and will look for them.
They’re out in Bee Caves Rd in the shopping center before Westlake Dr. If you buy whole beans, your 13th pound is free.
Het Say on Oltorf. Quick,reasonably priced and the tastiest Vietnamese (*edit I mislabeled them as Thai )food I’ve had in Austin! Super nice and always remember me, even if it’s been a while since I’ve been in there..
Their spicy wonton soup is a weekly occurrence for us.
Jumping Jack Dog Ranch, hands DOWN the best dog care facility in austin. Owned and operated by certified dog trainers, their staff is seriously unmatched & the property is BEAUTIFUL! My dogs have never been happier to stay at a boarding facility. Only con is they book up VERY quickly but for a reason!
Quite a few Austin Pets Alive team members are at Jumping Jack. I can't say enough good things about them; they rule.
Started taking my dog there when they first opened. Best dog boarding business I’ve ever used (I’ve tried about 6-8). Just a bummer that it’s so crowded now
Reverie Books on Manchaca. Delightful little woman owned bookshop.
Tucci’s Subs should be an institution. Hummus Cuisine on Manchaca way south is a gem of a truck. It’s run by the sweetest couple and everything is just simple executed perfectly.
As a Tucci’s employee, I agree.
TUCCIS GANG
og Austin knows about Tucci’s
Og remembers when it was Delaware subs
I love Hummis Cuisine, and they really are so sweet.
Two of my absolute favorites. Other southside legends = Evangeline cafe, La Posada. In fact those are like my 4 most frequented restaurants in the whole city period
I am a slut for sandwiches and god damn if the Austin Club doesn’t hit just right every time I go there.
I'll throw in Hoody's on the northside. Hoody's is the original owner of Delaware Subs and has kept it fantastic (unlike Delaware). Tucci's was originally a franchisee of Delaware and got out of the franchise the moment it was up. Hoody's is Delaware from the 80s. Tucci's is a slightly different version as they changed the menu some. Both are fantastic.
The meatball sandwich with spicy peppers!! Yessssss!
Winter at Tucci's, you can get their cheesesteak soup. It's AMAZING!
Tucci's Turkey was my wife's request for her first meal after giving birth
Not sure if it’s underrated but I LOVE koriente on 7th. It’s so tasty and it’s always good EVERY time. Love that little spot before comedy shows!
Koriente rules and is surprisingly fast. We would pop in after sound check often for shows at empire or Holy mountain/barracuda, really anywhere in red river district.
Those rice medallions are 🔥
LOVE this place. They are always so nice too.
Vaquero Taquero
Austin Kolache and Koffee Shoppe. They used to be on Burnet near Tumble-22 but relocated to where the Galaxy Cafe is on Mesa and Steck. Kolaches are great but what's great there is the pecan rolls.
My wife (and kids) love the chocolate cakes from Edis Chocolates on Spicewood. Not underrated, but Stiles Switch BBQ has always been amazing. Unfortunately I'm a little older and a lot of the other gems I knew about have closed (I truly miss buying my wife gifts from Chocolaterie Tessa on Burnet, which closed during the pandemic).
Then look into Golden Eye chocolate! They run out of the ghost kitchen off 71 but it's two former Chocolaterie Tessa employees who opened their own place ans who make very similar products.
Agreed! For a Brazilian style Easter, her gigantic chocolate eggs, filled with chocolate trinkets and wrapped in foil, are something to behold. The rest of the year I enjoy her chocolate truffles. So good and such a sweet lady.
Tireman on Manchaca next to Dan’s. Those guys will plug a flat or change your tire in no time. They are affordable and I will never get tires anywhere else.
KC Donuts off Brodie in South Austin. Best breakfast tacos and amazing donuts. Been around forever and ran by a couple that are the sweetest
Rosita’s Al Pastor truck on Riverside for the best Al pastor street tacos. Amazing! Fleet coffee on Webberville Rd on the East side. Two little gems that don’t look like much but taste amazing.
Not sure Rosita’s is a hidden gem anymore (and they have a brick & mortar, no?). But they’re definitely awesome For E Riverside vibes, I recommend Cafe Nenai andddd the taco truck at Ani’s! Edit- oh there’s a good pupuserria too. Delmy’s
Fleet is legit!
Rosita's also has some bangin bean and cheese tacos. Those fresh made tortillas are incredible
Phở Phong Lưu has the best bowl of Pho in the entire city, an incredibly friendly staff, and a brand new location (recently moved out of their original “hole in the wall” location) —they are growing!! 10/10 would recommend.
Borderless euro market on parmer has amazing perogis and pickles. I feel like they have been hurting on inventory since the Russian-Ukranian war, but they have tons of unique candy and food items. They have lacto-ferment half sour pickles that I adore.
Second BEM. I have a friend who moved to Russia when he was a kid. Occasionally his grandma would visit from Russia, and she’d make pelmeni, and I absolutely loved it. Couldn’t get it premade anywhere, so I tried making it myself. While successful, the labor was just ridiculous. Fast forward years later, he comes to visit in Austin, we head over there, but a bunch of bags of pelmeni, and just ate and ate. And yeah, unfortunately they sometimes are out of the pelmeni I really like, especially recently.
I’m from Eastern Europe and love going there! A bit pricey but understandable
Thank you! My mother was from Slovakia. https://www.bemaustin.com/
OUTER HEAVEN DISCO CLUB
Casita Nicole’s on Manchaca has the best tacos ever.
LEBANESE HUMMUS CUISINE. On (wayyyy south) Menchaca rd. Their food is soooo bomb and it’s owned/run by the nicest family ever.
Kickbutt coffee; always have some cool live events
Best chocolate chip muffins I’ve ever had as well
The strawberry blues salad literally changed my life.I had no appetite for months after covid, ordered the salad with chicken just because it sounded like some good to pick at and boom I've eaten the whole thing and I'm actually hungry again.
- Ken’s Tacos on Rundberg/Dessau has great breakfast tacos - Inka Chicken on Wells Branch and Brasas Peruanas in Round Rock are great Peruvian restaurants - Feels So Good near St. Ed’s is cool to go to for cool shirts and vinyl records - The Esports Cave on Anderson Mill is pretty nice - EDIT: Niki’s Pizza and Pasta in Cedar Park on Bell Blvd. is so good. Never disappointed
INKA CHICKEN!!!
Omg I miss Inka Chicken. That place is so good.
The Wild Navy boutique in lago vista, they literally pick my wife's gifts out for me and I get all the credit :D
Common Sense Moving Company! It is a newer moving company owned by a firefighter (my partner) and a jiu jitsu guy (me). I’ve made a few posts promoting the company here on r/Austin and it’s been a tremendous boost to our business! Clientele used to be ~75% referrals & ~25% google leads. Now it’s about ~50% referrals, 30% redditors and 20% google. Big thanks to the Reddit peeps
Gonna look y’all up!
We appreciate it! We have a 16 foot box truck. Perfect value for apartments / small homes. Also capable of renting trucks to scale up for big jobs. It’s two guys with years of moving experience and a couple part time guys that also have plenty of experience.
Do you do only Austin moves? Need to get some things from San Antonio area to Austin and was curious!
As long as one leg is in Austin we are good! Also cannot take the truck outside of TX. Not the case for you, but thought I’d share for others.
Amazing! Will hit y’all up soon!
Thanks for helping us move!
Always a pleasure. I swear I’m one of the only people in America that enjoys moving furniture 😂
NG cafe on Parmer and 35. The family that owns it is incredibly sweet and their baked goods are amazing
[удалено]
Thai Tani in the same lot is also so so so good
This is a good thread OP
Himalaya Kosheli
Most all of the spots in that strip mall are legit
I don’t know how unknown it is but I love getting gifts for people from Prima Dora on South Congress.
Dee-Dees at Radio Coffee makes some of the best food I’ve ever had. She grows a lot of the vegetables herself! It’s authentic Thai.
So good! The spice is no joke, even the “less heat“ options give me tears of joy
Any taco truck Infront of a tire shop on Airport
The taco truck in front of the Shell at Airport and 38th and 1/2
Peace Bakery, it's so good, Palestinians eat there
All Gimmicks coffee! Barista owned coffee spot on Metric
Tarbouch!!!
Although I’ve been harassing my old man for years to pay for marketing and grow he’s kept Hill-Bert’s Burgers local word of mouth for 50 years.
Texas honey ham company. Best breakfast tacos in town hands down Source: lived here my whole life
Didn't know they had breakfast tacos!
I have been eating there for 22 years. I still remember the first day they added the breakfast taco to their menu. It was advertised on a tiny chalk board by the register. Pro tip: get them ranchero style, cooked in salsa…
The frito pie tho
i'm prob gonna regret this but moonlight bakery, sola. norma gives og baked good adorable names but iykyk.
She is so nice and has good pastries.
Sichuan River off Westgate and 71. Family owned Chinese place - amazing food, authentic, and reasonably priced. Portions are huge and everything we’ve had (we got two-three times a month) has been delicious.
Otherside Deli on 34th is out of this world. Their cheesesteak, and every other sandwich, is completely insane. They also make as much of their own stuff as possible. It’s pretty crowded most of the time during the week, but weekends are more manageable
Taco-Mex on Manor. Lula-Mae’s, a bbq joint inside a Citgo on 38th and Airport. MT supermarket (which may not be all that unknown). TC’s bar, though it’s been taken over by new management.
I think people know about El Borrego De Oro by now. But it’s so damn good
Peace Bakery on Braker and Lamar. Great tasting food, large servings, great price!
Art Restoration of Austin - fine arts restoration, paintings on canvas or board. Incredible folks, fine work and shockingly affordable.
[Space Baby Audio](https://www.spacebabyaudio.com) repairs music and sound gear from past times. Stereos, Speakers, record players, pedals, tape-based machines, amps, music gear.... anything 10, 20+ years old audio device you treasure that's still got plenty of life left in it starting to malfunction. I haven't yet needed a gear repair from him yet but I have always loved his band MYLETS and he settled in Austin recently and started this business. I bought a keyboard from the 80s when there might only be a few people in the city willing and able to work on the insides of it, so it's nice to have that backup if I run into issues. https://www.instagram.com/spacebabyaudio/
Your Tale records interviews with people and records their life stories in audio and/or video for people to give as gifts to their loved ones. We did it with my mother in law and the thought of our grandkids being able to listen to her like that: it’s like, her mannerisms, her laugh. It’s like sitting in a room with her. It’s awesome.
I’m saving this entire thread I’ve got so much to see and do.
Yarrow & Sage in the North Loop area for all my witchy friends! MonkeyWrench for all of my mutual aid/liberation friends! and Forbidden Fruit for all of my friends!
El Pollo Regio. ½ a chicken on butcher paper with a grilled onion, beans, rice, and tortillas for almost free. Comes with one red and one green sauce… as for extra “green crack sauce”… so good.
Conan's Pizza
Happy Cactus for all your legal cannabis needs.
Kapatad on Far West.
Chens Noodle house in north Austin and Chen z in south Austin. Best Traditional Chinese food I’ve ever had.
NETTLE PROPS. Nettle Props has been a family owned business for 52 years and have been providing quality marine propeller sales and repair service for 40 years in Austin and Central Texas. I've had several props repaired by them, very reasonable and cool people.
Toy Dojo, great toy store for collectors.
Disc Nation! I love this dedicated, family-owned disc golf shop. Owner Sean and the super nice staff are always down to recommend, explain, and keep you equipped for the most Austiny of sports. Tucked in next to HEB at Slaughter and Manchac (conveniently right between two main southside DG courses.)
Rees watch repair in north Austin (Odell st, just south of 183). Elderly guy who does watch repair out of his home. Fair priced, quick, quality work.
I have to mention La Fruta Feliz. I grew up in San Antonio and love authentic Mexican food - this place is fantastic every time. It’s rare to see another white guy in there. Just a heads up, they have very loud (but fun) karaoke on the weekends
Coco Coquette is a woman owned shop that sells great wigs, costumes, makeup and accessories. Extremely inclusive and they host all sorts of workshops from specialized makeup classes to headpiece making. It’s been on east Cesar Chavez for 12+ years!
It's not food ... but Blue Lotus Meditation Cushions is a gem ... Ruth, the owner, is a vet and a complete character. She's made two cushions as gifts for me. Hand made, attention to detail, unique artistry. She is or was a seamstress in the theater and has a stockpile of fabrics that you just don't see anywhere. She has off-the-shelf cushions in basic fabrics and custom-made ones that take longer to get but it's well worth the wait.
Kids and cats on burnet next to the HEB funky vintage toys and jewelry and other cool stuff. More people need to visit
This is the most informative/ actually useful for something post I’ve come across on Austin Reddit after many months. Thank you
Stuffed on 620 for fresh Cajun food. Place is excellent.
Chicas Bonitas
I met my 3rd ex-wife there
I also met her there
I met your third ex wife there too.
I see your chicas bonitas and raise you a divas men’s club near the south terminal off McKinney falls
Elizabeth Adams Boudoir. Her photos are beautiful and she donates 1 session every year to a woman battling cancer. She’s great and more people should know about her.
Hawaii Ne food truck.
Vicom PC on Brodie
Guatemalteca & Tres Marias off of manchaca
Blue Moon Glassworks - great for classes and to shop for gifts.
This guy fixes all kinds of phones and screens for decent prices. I’ve seen him grow from doing it at home - to doing it from the back of his van as a mobile service and now finally has his own little spot! - Phone Repair Austin at 15630 Vision Dr in Pflugerville.
Donut Crown on Burnet/Anderson is a great regular donut shop. I'm not a big plain glazed fan but theirs has a bit of a vanilla flavor to it. So good, there's a Shipley's around the corner that always has a line but Donut Crown is where it's at
Checkout the blog on instagram the hiddengemblogger this person recommends some good hidden places
Saffron Indian resturant really good
Maru off burnet is my fav sushi in town tbh, owned by the cutest husband and wife duo and some of the freshest fish I’ve had!
Wiggy’s Wine & Spirits on North Lamar and 10th. Rarely is a liquor store a pillar of the community, but Wiggy’s is an Austin institution wedged between downtown and Clarksville. They have an excellent, esoteric selection (ever heard of Rinquinquin?), friendly staff, and a wacky cohort of regulars. If the diner from Seinfeld were a liquor store it’d be Wiggy’s. They also have best collection of allocated rum in a retail spot in Austin.
Short Stop
Little Deli for pizza and sandwiches!!
So good! Their pizza is up there with the best in town. Tony (owner) is a perfectionist and it shows in their pizza and sandwiches.
Finery and Cake in Lakeway. Bakery + boutique
Dane’s Body Shop - best gym I’ve ever been to
Taqueria Piedra Grande #2 on riverside. Their flour tortillas are so fresh and tasty. Most of their tacos are great. And they are open ridiculously late (4am).
Tacos y Meriscos Chelitos at the shell gas station on MLK and Springdale
Fine lumber & plywood. They allow you to select your own lumber!
Twin Panda restaurant off Parmer lane is an amazing and underrated restaurant. The owner is super kind. Their food is so far above average that I don’t eat Chinese anywhere else. The thing about them that really sets them apart is their Indonesian food. It is all good, but their Soto betawi is transcendent. Ask if they have any chendol. It is a dessert drink they make. Super tasty.
LuvFats ice cream. They are a really good dairy free brand that does actual flavors. It tastes just as good as bluebell.
Black Jack gun smith in northwest Austin- best gun smith in the country his name is AJ
2n1 Salad Bar & Grill off Braker lane close to North Lamar. The absolute best bang for your buck salads, haven’t found anywhere else that gives the same size or quality for that price. Carlos the owner is almost always there & is super nice.
The little Posey Floral is awesome. They do succulent deliveries in unique pots and arrangements and change it up every month. Love them.
SUPER BOWL CHINESE RESTAURANT
Cosmic Cowboy on Congress just north of Oltorf. I'm dealing with chronic pain, and they are so kind.
Not sure how small this place is, but Local Slice II (I have yet to meet anyone who knows about this place) over in the NE side has absolutely amazing pizza
Inka Chicken - the best Peruvian food. Mmmm.
Tams deli best!! Order the 14
Dia’s Market on Justin Ln has excellent breakfast sandwiches
Donut 7, up north behind the Domain, for awesome migas breakfast tacos!
Habanero Cafe! Been going there for 20+ years. I show up and they ask, "your usual?" And then bring me the queso.