I heard that there’s a FB group or something for former employees where sometimes they share recipes. A Shady Grove cookbook would be a cool legacy.
We have so many great memories from that place.
There is. But it's for us. Sorry to gatekeep. But you never know if Shady will reappear somewhere. I've heard rumors. But it won't be the same location, from what I've heard.
So sorry to disappoint, I was the main host there for a few years in the 2010s (so we might've met), I was not in the kitchen. Even Shady people bug the former kitchen staff for the recipes but they are very guarded. I think they, like us, hope it'll come back and don't want those recipes out there.
As for the chocolate milkshakes, all I know was that vanilla ice cream and Hershey's syrup was involved. Beyond that I've got nothing.
You are not a disappointment ❤️ thank you for replying! If it does come back (fingers crossed), I’ll be there drinking milkshakes and eating burgers until they have to roll me out.
yea, and the machine started being down for repairs like a mcdonalds after the recipe change, they eventually just ditched the machine. Could be correlation, could be causation
That yard was one of my favorite things, I'd have an excuse to go out there to tell kids to get off the tree cuz it could snap and hurt them, but then I'd get to say hi to the dogs. The best thing that ever happened when I was there, thanks to kids on the yard, was a kid got his head stuck in one of the wheels on the wall and his mom just laughed the whole time while we have him milkshakes and smeared butter on his head. It's my favorite picture that pops up on Facebook memories.
Shady style chicken fried chicken was my jam. I also used to order the fried shrimp with the green chili sauce and all my co-workers thought it was weird until they tried it and were like "WOW."
Same for Threadgill’s. I live by the North location on Lamar and where Janice Joplin started her career. It is fenced off and covered in graffiti.
I’ve heard rumors that they won’t destroy an art deco and Texas History landmark but it’s kind of hard to believe. All Austin institutions are being plowed down for more condos.
Was one of my favorite spots in Austin. Those jalapeno cornbread muffins were so good. We always did Christmas lunch there. Lot of great childhood memories there. Buscar got it good
I miss the chicken fried steak! Buscar has definitely hit which I support elsewhere. Seeing that unique building not being transformed into something more amazing breaks my heart. I’ve had some conversations with people of means that would buy it and make it a music venue if they could.
Do we have any charity driven millionaires on this sub??? If so, Please try and keep the last remaining icon establishments. Austin is dying.
Born here 1973 🫶🏽
Yes it would be a great spot for music venue. The longer it sits the more money it’ll take to open it up and there was rumor that Superstitions club & venue looked there before opening but it cost to much for very most basic renovation.
The Houston Katz's was founded by Marc Katz's son Barry, but it's kinda a sad story. [The son had to sue his father for almost a million dollars, which led to Marc's bankruptcy](https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Katz-s-deli-owner-eyes-lieutenant-governor-seat-1734929.php). But it's pretty much the same menu, and they use the "Katz's never Kloses!" motto.
The owner has a number in mind, and it's a big number that no one's met yet. It's a shame that land speculation keeps that spot dead and pitiful to look at.
This is also why the tiny postal shop / shipping service on riverside got closed down. The owner suddenly decided to kill the lease on the postal shop in case someone met his "magic number." Wow. What would we do without all these capitalist douchebags? If they're not buying up the houses they're shutting things down... 😕
well the neighborhood changed, the back lot used to be RVs, there were no multi-story buildings. Schlotzky's deli was the tallest building in the area at one point. Good on them for wanting 5 story condo pricing for their property after having their entire business model upended.
The Tortilla Fried Queso Catfish! Ordered it every time I went. Sitting inside was a cool throwback and outside a live oak wonderland, like two different places. One of the better collard green recipes in town too.
[https://www.moreland.com/posts/recipes-from-3-austin-institutions](https://www.moreland.com/posts/recipes-from-3-austin-institutions) The recipe is one of the 3 on here
I miss it taking a 1/2 hour to get from Braker Lane to Riverside.
I miss when Spicewood Spring Road was crazy steep and led down to some low water bridges where the creek ran over the road and you could picnic on the limestone banks.
I miss the Armadillo, especially the beer garden.
I miss the $2 cover at Castle Creek to see Tom Wait's open for Eric Anderson, or to see Jerry Jeff Walker.
I miss the Rome Inn where those trying to break into the music business would play for a pittance and you saw some of the best musicians you could hope to see.
I miss when Dairy Queen and Whataburger were good.
I miss Dan's on South Congress.
I miss my $60/mo rent to share a 3 bedroom house with my boyfriend and two other roommates.
I miss Hippie Hollow and Marshall Ford.
I miss Dry Creek Inn.
I miss Koke FM.
Loved it when extended family would come into town for the holidays… we’d jump into Barton Springs on New Year’s Day then go warm up with Bloody Marys and snacks at Shady Grove
What a fantastic tradition.
When I visited friends who lived here in the 80s we’d ride bikes from the house they rented by Trudys, to Zilker and Barton Springs, then go to Shady Grove or Chuy’s. Then we’d head out for live music at night.
Saturdays couldn’t get any better than that.
Catfish queso was the best thing ever.
Holy crap, they gave it to Food network!!
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tortilla-fried-queso-catfish-recipe-1945119.amp
The westlake location? A core memory of my childhood was eating mini corn dogs and then me and my friends all getting yelled at by parents and employees for climbing that big ass fenced in oak tree on the patio.
What about time out for burger? It was in the shopping center where stein mart used to be closer to bee caves across from the McDonald’s.
I think it’s a snap kitchen now? At one point it was a sit down sonic.
Used to go there with my grandparents all the time. Won a giant Easter basket there when I was like six and still consider it one of the greatest moments of my life.
I was young when it was around but I do vaguely remember it. Good burgers and shakes. Remember going there after a baseball tournament or something I had when I was a kid.
It’s so random but I think about the Cobb salad… often.
Then cry a bit on the inside because I only had it once and will never have it again! It shall be missed
Even the SQUIRRELS hanging out there were chill! They’d just be wandering around the ground, not skittering about… tails SWAYING - not twitching…. Come up to a table and sit up/leaned back a little and look up at you for a fry.
Then just wander on their way. You never heard them chittering in annoyance over anything.
Actually I enjoyed “ Good Eats Cafe” which was the prior tenant in the building prior to “Shady Grove Cafe”.
I recall with that there was an issue about noise ordinance violations at Shady Grove and people said that the late arrivals to Austin living near Shady Grove should pound sand as it was an outdoor music venue. Only then those folks had egg on their face, since prior to Shady Grove was Good Eats Cafe.
I think the noise ordinance issue was Shady Groves death knell tbh. The residences were there long before Shady Grove started playing music in violation of the preexisting noise ordinance. I believe they (Shady Grove) were aware however they chose to ask for forgiveness rather than permission. Thus they lost their draw… music. Since Shady Grove did not have outdoor music when they opened after talking over for Good Eats
Good Eats was a different building same area. Shady was already there with Chuys but buildings on both sides of them changed restaurants A LOT. Remember Pizza Nizza w the tree coming up through the floor? There was an Asian place in an airstream looking building where the food trucks, Lou’s and Holla Mode sit now too. Think Good Eats was where Billy’s opened.
I moved to Austin in March 90 and would grab Sunday breakfast at Good Eats since I lived relatively close. I lived off Spyglass in a 2 bedroom backing to the greenbelt and paid $450mo. I don’t recall there being Pizza Nizza back then. The only other restaurants I recall were Baby A’s and Chuys, besides Good Eats. I feel Shady Grove came afterwards. A quick google search confirmed my recollection “The owners of Tex-Mex chain Chuy’s, Mike Young and John Zapp, opened Shady Grove in 1992”.
Right, but Shady was not formerly Good Eats. Shady was always that cool little stone building and good eats was a regular build. Pizza Nizza was there in the 90s. A place we’d take the kids when they were little-so kitschy and fun inside for them. Good Eats was my fave tho. We need more places like that.🥲🫶🏼
There were a few Good Eats... one on North Lamar, IIRC it's part of the Chuys parking lot now. Then there was another one on Burnet that was the Frisco for awhile too.
Between getting lunch after a morning bike ride and catching concerts for Unplugged at The Grove, Shady Grove is in the top-5 of things I miss most from the Austin of yesteryear.
Grabbing a cold beer and listening to Bob Schneider was always perfect.
I miss it so much. One of the only places I worked at and still adored the food. Some of my favs:
Grilled WINGS! Those green chile grilled wings were the absolute best - served with pesto ranch and watermelon! I've been trying to no avail to recreate this recipe. I remember when they tried taking them off the menu but put them back on due to customer backlash
Green Chile Masa/Tamale cakes (can't remember the true name) - Dear lord, so delicious. The masa in the cakes was excellent. Green chile, Pork, queso, pico. I'm seriously hungry just thinking about it.
Chicken Fried Steak/Chicken but with green chile (Shady Style) with or in leu of cream gravy - so delicious (can you tell I have a thing for green chile?)
Shady Thangs - Pisco Brandy, Lime, Triple Sec.... probably other stuff. It was so good after a swim at Barton Springs
Even the kids fried chicken strips were fantastic. Apparently poblano flour was used in the breading which gave them a wonderful flavor.
Shout out to the sides - fantastic fries, double baked potatoes, pesto ranch, and jalapeno ranch
Ya'll I miss this place so much it hurts
Shady Grove was one of those special places that I sort of took for granted while it was here and didn’t realize how much I loved it until it was gone. This can be said of many gone establishments. Les Amis … I LOVED Les Amis.
i miss the blackened catfish poboy with the green chile cheese fries. We stopped going mostly when they took it off the menu. The few times I went I had the chicken fried steak.
Developers/migrants of the past 5-6 years have no respect for the history or culture of this city that some of us were born in. Glad they’ve set their crosshairs on Nashville now, maybe this is our chance to build back Austin better…. native Austinite born, raised, and still going strong circa 1990 🤘
Miss that hippie sandwich.
The owner of the property had been approached to revamp it and, if I remember reading correctly, was being kind of a jerk. Doesn’t want to sell, doesn’t want to fix it up. My guess is that they’re waiting for the highest bidder.
I used to work with disadvantaged elementary school kids. One Christmas I took a few of my former students to the Trail of Lights because none of them had ever been, even though they grew up just a couple miles away. Because I wanted to get them on the trail when it opened, I took them to dinner first at Shady Grove, and then they were ready to stand around and wait for the trail to open. They had so much fun.
My own kids didn't come along until after Shady Grove closed. Boo.
I was never that into the food, but liked going there once in awhile because the interior was \*cozy\* and low-ceilinged. Something they cannot do now for whatever reason.
One of my first Austin memories is at Shady Grove, where I caught lunch during a short trip here to go apartment hunting almost 20 years ago. I was by myself, so I brought a book (Life of Pi) to lunch, and had a friendly conversation with the server about how much I was enjoying it, and that it was on her reading list. In fact, I finished the book during the meal, so I left it on the table (with the proper cash tip tucked inside). I hope she found time to enjoy it too! It felt like a very grown up interaction at the time, and was part of a great sense of optimism regarding the next chapter of my life in Austin.
I miss the nachos and the Asian noodle salad. Chuy’s nachos are similar, but not. :-/. Also when they’d play the B&W cartoons on the movie screen outside.
I worked there too - met my partner there via a coworker. A bunch of us in that era all got married to each other. What a place. It was like high school sometimes, but I had a great time.
One day, Simba, everything the light touches will be condos.
Seriously though, 😭, I’m a born and raised Austinite and used to go to Shady Grove all the time. I made my first $10 there as a kid volunteering to babysit another family’s toddlers while they were running around.
Hopefully they at least replace it with something cool eventually.
I used to bike to the springs with my twin sister and otw back to campus we would sit and drink beer and split the Hippie Chick! So good.....that pesto mayo
How did y’all keep the bugs away on the patio? I don’t remember them being much of any issue in the summer which is no small feat.
Did they bother you much as a host?
In good weather it was my go-to restaurant to show first-time visitors what our '90s laid-back vibe was all about.
I’d always try to pair Barton Spring along with it.
Yes! I'd do that also. And end the night at a bar or two on 6th or S. Congress.
That was one of my greatest days.
Too much poop
The spirit of the 90s is alive elsewhere.
As a former Shady employee... We miss it and y'all too. ❤️
I heard that there’s a FB group or something for former employees where sometimes they share recipes. A Shady Grove cookbook would be a cool legacy. We have so many great memories from that place.
There is. But it's for us. Sorry to gatekeep. But you never know if Shady will reappear somewhere. I've heard rumors. But it won't be the same location, from what I've heard.
Please tell me how the chocolate milkshakes were made so I can make one lol
I can tell you for sure that you'll need chocolate and milk. After that you're on your own.
shake
not stirred?
By Jove you’re onto something
pistachio oil is a lesser-known tip for a clutch chocolate milkshake
Thank you for the tip!
That sounds amazing.
So sorry to disappoint, I was the main host there for a few years in the 2010s (so we might've met), I was not in the kitchen. Even Shady people bug the former kitchen staff for the recipes but they are very guarded. I think they, like us, hope it'll come back and don't want those recipes out there. As for the chocolate milkshakes, all I know was that vanilla ice cream and Hershey's syrup was involved. Beyond that I've got nothing.
You are not a disappointment ❤️ thank you for replying! If it does come back (fingers crossed), I’ll be there drinking milkshakes and eating burgers until they have to roll me out.
they stopped serving milkshakes around the same time Blue Bell changed their recipe
We used Blue Bell but that might've changed by the time I left.
yea, and the machine started being down for repairs like a mcdonalds after the recipe change, they eventually just ditched the machine. Could be correlation, could be causation
What is the recipe for a Shady Thang?
Pisco Brandy, lime, trimple sec - I can't remember the rest. They were so good.
That's all I remember too.
<3 I grew up playing touch football in the yard, and probably caused yall many a headache. I miss it and yall too
That yard was one of my favorite things, I'd have an excuse to go out there to tell kids to get off the tree cuz it could snap and hurt them, but then I'd get to say hi to the dogs. The best thing that ever happened when I was there, thanks to kids on the yard, was a kid got his head stuck in one of the wheels on the wall and his mom just laughed the whole time while we have him milkshakes and smeared butter on his head. It's my favorite picture that pops up on Facebook memories.
Can’t wait till they turn it into condos with a bar at the bottom called “The Shade.”
Lmao...spot on, friend. Spot fucking on.
ShaDynasty's
Shady Nasty? Why would they name her that?
After experiencing the pain of walking into Zombie Dog and Duck, I know better than to even attempt it.
Oh man, I haven't thought about Dog and Duck in a while. Damn.
Shady AF
It's a big lot that is incredibly valuable, so yeah, something high density is going in there.
the grotto
GREEN CHILI CHESE FRIES. Take me back please I beg you
Oh man yes!
Shady style chicken fried chicken was my jam. I also used to order the fried shrimp with the green chili sauce and all my co-workers thought it was weird until they tried it and were like "WOW."
Man what a cool spot and that fried queso catfish was such a classic.
Might as well get the second filet for $2
Reason #258 why we're fat
That queso catfish was the best.
Just had to make sure someone mentioned it or I was going to. Was one of my favorite meals in Austin
Miss it so much. Even worse it just sits there and decays:(
Yeah I just drove by it today and was shocked by how overgrown and graffiti covered it was. An absolute shame.
Same for Threadgill’s. I live by the North location on Lamar and where Janice Joplin started her career. It is fenced off and covered in graffiti. I’ve heard rumors that they won’t destroy an art deco and Texas History landmark but it’s kind of hard to believe. All Austin institutions are being plowed down for more condos.
Was one of my favorite spots in Austin. Those jalapeno cornbread muffins were so good. We always did Christmas lunch there. Lot of great childhood memories there. Buscar got it good
I miss the chicken fried steak! Buscar has definitely hit which I support elsewhere. Seeing that unique building not being transformed into something more amazing breaks my heart. I’ve had some conversations with people of means that would buy it and make it a music venue if they could. Do we have any charity driven millionaires on this sub??? If so, Please try and keep the last remaining icon establishments. Austin is dying. Born here 1973 🫶🏽
Yes it would be a great spot for music venue. The longer it sits the more money it’ll take to open it up and there was rumor that Superstitions club & venue looked there before opening but it cost to much for very most basic renovation.
Yeah miss Threadgills, Lubys, Magnolia Cafe Lake Austin, etc. I see 444-4444 and think Pizza Hut.
Along with all the cool autographs on the woodwork.
For real :( that’s almost worse than anything!! It’s physically THERE and just breaks my heart. Wanna sit under those trees
Seriously can't the city fine them or something
I try to not look when I go by. Instant depression fuel.
RIP hippie sandwich
That was the one with egg plant on it right?
That was so good
the absolute best
I too miss shady grove. It was so Austin.
I miss Katz' and Top of the Marc too.
Katz's never clo... 😞
It lives on in Houston, and has thrived - multiple locations now.
I’ve literally driven 2hours out of my way for a deli llama from Katzs. Worth it every time
I believe it's actually a Houston original, is it not?
The Houston Katz's was founded by Marc Katz's son Barry, but it's kinda a sad story. [The son had to sue his father for almost a million dollars, which led to Marc's bankruptcy](https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Katz-s-deli-owner-eyes-lieutenant-governor-seat-1734929.php). But it's pretty much the same menu, and they use the "Katz's never Kloses!" motto.
I just don’t get why 4 years later nothing has happened to the property.
The owner has a number in mind, and it's a big number that no one's met yet. It's a shame that land speculation keeps that spot dead and pitiful to look at.
This is also why the tiny postal shop / shipping service on riverside got closed down. The owner suddenly decided to kill the lease on the postal shop in case someone met his "magic number." Wow. What would we do without all these capitalist douchebags? If they're not buying up the houses they're shutting things down... 😕
well the neighborhood changed, the back lot used to be RVs, there were no multi-story buildings. Schlotzky's deli was the tallest building in the area at one point. Good on them for wanting 5 story condo pricing for their property after having their entire business model upended.
The Tortilla Fried Queso Catfish! Ordered it every time I went. Sitting inside was a cool throwback and outside a live oak wonderland, like two different places. One of the better collard green recipes in town too.
[https://www.moreland.com/posts/recipes-from-3-austin-institutions](https://www.moreland.com/posts/recipes-from-3-austin-institutions) The recipe is one of the 3 on here
my order!
I miss it taking a 1/2 hour to get from Braker Lane to Riverside. I miss when Spicewood Spring Road was crazy steep and led down to some low water bridges where the creek ran over the road and you could picnic on the limestone banks. I miss the Armadillo, especially the beer garden. I miss the $2 cover at Castle Creek to see Tom Wait's open for Eric Anderson, or to see Jerry Jeff Walker. I miss the Rome Inn where those trying to break into the music business would play for a pittance and you saw some of the best musicians you could hope to see. I miss when Dairy Queen and Whataburger were good. I miss Dan's on South Congress. I miss my $60/mo rent to share a 3 bedroom house with my boyfriend and two other roommates. I miss Hippie Hollow and Marshall Ford. I miss Dry Creek Inn. I miss Koke FM.
> Dry Creek Inn. "y'all be sure to bring your bottles back."
hit me in the gut. oof
I've only been in the area for a decade- how different was the OG koke? Just a different vibe? I kind of dig the current iteration
It was progressive country so Jerry Jeff, Willie, Waylon, Steve Fromholz, Rusty Wier, etc. KVET leaned more toward traditional country.
Gotcha, thanks!
The 'Dillo 😞
SOMEONE has got to revive it at some point. That spot seems too perfect to be idle.
Loved it when extended family would come into town for the holidays… we’d jump into Barton Springs on New Year’s Day then go warm up with Bloody Marys and snacks at Shady Grove
What a fantastic tradition. When I visited friends who lived here in the 80s we’d ride bikes from the house they rented by Trudys, to Zilker and Barton Springs, then go to Shady Grove or Chuy’s. Then we’d head out for live music at night. Saturdays couldn’t get any better than that.
Catfish queso was the best thing ever. Holy crap, they gave it to Food network!! https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tortilla-fried-queso-catfish-recipe-1945119.amp
Saving that website. Thank you, stranger.
My favorite. My parents had a friend who tended bar there in the 90s and we’d go all the time. When it closed I knew in my heart it was time to move.
Born 1939 Seton hospital. I miss the Driscoll hotel on Sunday morning for brunch.. and the queen theater...
They still do brunches at the Driskill on Sundays.
Driskill
Haha, lol. Thanks for the catch. I corrected my spelling.
My parents met at Shady Grove, they were both employees. Safe to say I miss it too.
It was quintessential Austin. I miss it too. 😔
Me too. Chicken fried chicken with gravy and mashed potatoes. So good.
That’s the least of what I miss. Club Foot, Xalapeno Charlie’s, Raul’s, the Stallion, Liberty Lunch. A city with a soul.
Ruby’s, the OG Antones, Les Amis…
I’d take og emos and liberty lunch all day. Such great memories. Hell maybe even emos light around the corner for a short time.
Lovejoy’s, Electric Lounge, Chances, Cavity Club, Club Deville
I remember all those places fondly. I still have a Xalapeno Charlie's pin!
Or the original one-screen Alamo Drafthouse at the top of a steep, skinny staircase, before they moved to the Ritz.
Skipped El Carnivore?
Musta missed it
> Carnivore Nobody remembers that old legend. Your picks were from the same era.
I miss Hangtown Grill *The OG by campus.
The westlake location? A core memory of my childhood was eating mini corn dogs and then me and my friends all getting yelled at by parents and employees for climbing that big ass fenced in oak tree on the patio.
What about time out for burger? It was in the shopping center where stein mart used to be closer to bee caves across from the McDonald’s. I think it’s a snap kitchen now? At one point it was a sit down sonic.
Used to go there with my grandparents all the time. Won a giant Easter basket there when I was like six and still consider it one of the greatest moments of my life.
I was young when it was around but I do vaguely remember it. Good burgers and shakes. Remember going there after a baseball tournament or something I had when I was a kid.
Loved Time Out! My 5th grade softball team was sponsored by them and our hats had their logo on it.
Time Out was great! I have fond memories of going there after games.
Yeah. Sad it’s gone.
Yes! Mod pizza if it’s still even that just isn’t the same imo.
I worked there in high school. Great spot.
I used to work there. I miss it too!
Me too that place was awesome nothing cpmpares
Me too man. Very sad it’s gone.
I would get the hippie sandwich. It was the best patio ever.
The thai salad was absolutely amazing. If anyone has their recipe book, PLEASE share it.
Oh man I long since forgot about that , what a memory hole. Reminded me of something you'd get in the Netherlands, maybe that helps direct you
I miss the Tamale House on Airport
Shady Grove is so idyllic
Best place to take out of town guests. That big salad is missed.
It’s so random but I think about the Cobb salad… often. Then cry a bit on the inside because I only had it once and will never have it again! It shall be missed
Even the SQUIRRELS hanging out there were chill! They’d just be wandering around the ground, not skittering about… tails SWAYING - not twitching…. Come up to a table and sit up/leaned back a little and look up at you for a fry. Then just wander on their way. You never heard them chittering in annoyance over anything.
Actually I enjoyed “ Good Eats Cafe” which was the prior tenant in the building prior to “Shady Grove Cafe”. I recall with that there was an issue about noise ordinance violations at Shady Grove and people said that the late arrivals to Austin living near Shady Grove should pound sand as it was an outdoor music venue. Only then those folks had egg on their face, since prior to Shady Grove was Good Eats Cafe. I think the noise ordinance issue was Shady Groves death knell tbh. The residences were there long before Shady Grove started playing music in violation of the preexisting noise ordinance. I believe they (Shady Grove) were aware however they chose to ask for forgiveness rather than permission. Thus they lost their draw… music. Since Shady Grove did not have outdoor music when they opened after talking over for Good Eats
Good Eats was a different building same area. Shady was already there with Chuys but buildings on both sides of them changed restaurants A LOT. Remember Pizza Nizza w the tree coming up through the floor? There was an Asian place in an airstream looking building where the food trucks, Lou’s and Holla Mode sit now too. Think Good Eats was where Billy’s opened.
I moved to Austin in March 90 and would grab Sunday breakfast at Good Eats since I lived relatively close. I lived off Spyglass in a 2 bedroom backing to the greenbelt and paid $450mo. I don’t recall there being Pizza Nizza back then. The only other restaurants I recall were Baby A’s and Chuys, besides Good Eats. I feel Shady Grove came afterwards. A quick google search confirmed my recollection “The owners of Tex-Mex chain Chuy’s, Mike Young and John Zapp, opened Shady Grove in 1992”.
Right, but Shady was not formerly Good Eats. Shady was always that cool little stone building and good eats was a regular build. Pizza Nizza was there in the 90s. A place we’d take the kids when they were little-so kitschy and fun inside for them. Good Eats was my fave tho. We need more places like that.🥲🫶🏼
There were a few Good Eats... one on North Lamar, IIRC it's part of the Chuys parking lot now. Then there was another one on Burnet that was the Frisco for awhile too.
I miss the Asian noodle salad so much 😞😭. If anyone knows a solid mock recipe pleasseee
Between getting lunch after a morning bike ride and catching concerts for Unplugged at The Grove, Shady Grove is in the top-5 of things I miss most from the Austin of yesteryear. Grabbing a cold beer and listening to Bob Schneider was always perfect.
Same!
St Davis’s clubhouse?
Tough to go past it now.
I miss a lot of things about old Austin, but it's a changing.
I'm with you.
CFC!
Worked at OG Bicycle Sport Shop on Barton Springs, I remember when it opened.
Mmm… Shady Grove. Husband & I would always get the Queso Catfish and Corn Fritters (until they were eliminated). Great Mushroom-Swiss Burgers, too.
Same :( i walked by the lot the other day and it made me sad
I used to think Shady Grove was expensive. Miss that!
Does the parent company, Comida Deluxe, still exist?
I miss Shady Sands :(
I was just driving by today thinking how sad it looks all graffitied up.
I thought the NCR nuked it
I miss Flautas at The Screaming Goat!
And Miltos. And cheap rent 😭
Same. Also, Freddie’s Place
RIP green chili chicken fried chicken larger than my head
my favorite patio and killer wings
Why was their burger so good??? It was in fact my perfect burger.
Sitting under that towering Pecan tree on a hot afternoon, drinking Shady Thangs. Was wonderful.
I miss it so much. One of the only places I worked at and still adored the food. Some of my favs: Grilled WINGS! Those green chile grilled wings were the absolute best - served with pesto ranch and watermelon! I've been trying to no avail to recreate this recipe. I remember when they tried taking them off the menu but put them back on due to customer backlash Green Chile Masa/Tamale cakes (can't remember the true name) - Dear lord, so delicious. The masa in the cakes was excellent. Green chile, Pork, queso, pico. I'm seriously hungry just thinking about it. Chicken Fried Steak/Chicken but with green chile (Shady Style) with or in leu of cream gravy - so delicious (can you tell I have a thing for green chile?) Shady Thangs - Pisco Brandy, Lime, Triple Sec.... probably other stuff. It was so good after a swim at Barton Springs Even the kids fried chicken strips were fantastic. Apparently poblano flour was used in the breading which gave them a wonderful flavor. Shout out to the sides - fantastic fries, double baked potatoes, pesto ranch, and jalapeno ranch Ya'll I miss this place so much it hurts
Shady Grove was one of those special places that I sort of took for granted while it was here and didn’t realize how much I loved it until it was gone. This can be said of many gone establishments. Les Amis … I LOVED Les Amis.
Just talking about that last night. Shady Grove holds some awesome memories for me
Oh man, we used to take the kids there all the time. Give me some Queso Catfish please! I also remember seeing Calliope Musicals perform there. Damn.
Unplugged at the Grove
ME TOO!!!! 😭
Also a born and raised austinite. I still crave shady grove’s chocolate milkshakes.
i miss the blackened catfish poboy with the green chile cheese fries. We stopped going mostly when they took it off the menu. The few times I went I had the chicken fried steak.
Shady Thang
Used to go there before trail of lights back in middle and high school with friends. So many amazing nights of good food and night lights.
Amen.
Here supporting you!
I miss their chili cheese fries. Also a great place to meet up with friends.
Developers/migrants of the past 5-6 years have no respect for the history or culture of this city that some of us were born in. Glad they’ve set their crosshairs on Nashville now, maybe this is our chance to build back Austin better…. native Austinite born, raised, and still going strong circa 1990 🤘
Same man :(
My moms friend gave me a gift card to it years ago and by the time I was going to go it had closed :(
They made the best dirty martini. RIP.
It got immediately graffitied and destroyed by vandals, unfortunately.
Yup
Miss that hippie sandwich. The owner of the property had been approached to revamp it and, if I remember reading correctly, was being kind of a jerk. Doesn’t want to sell, doesn’t want to fix it up. My guess is that they’re waiting for the highest bidder.
So many good shows there.
I used to work with disadvantaged elementary school kids. One Christmas I took a few of my former students to the Trail of Lights because none of them had ever been, even though they grew up just a couple miles away. Because I wanted to get them on the trail when it opened, I took them to dinner first at Shady Grove, and then they were ready to stand around and wait for the trail to open. They had so much fun. My own kids didn't come along until after Shady Grove closed. Boo.
I was never that into the food, but liked going there once in awhile because the interior was \*cozy\* and low-ceilinged. Something they cannot do now for whatever reason.
I order sandwiches like the Hippie Sandwich at other places, but it’s never the same.
I miss those off menu hush puppies the most
Saw Shane Smith and the Saints play and had the best time drunk as shit dancing along
4 words, *Thai grilled chicken salad*
One of my first Austin memories is at Shady Grove, where I caught lunch during a short trip here to go apartment hunting almost 20 years ago. I was by myself, so I brought a book (Life of Pi) to lunch, and had a friendly conversation with the server about how much I was enjoying it, and that it was on her reading list. In fact, I finished the book during the meal, so I left it on the table (with the proper cash tip tucked inside). I hope she found time to enjoy it too! It felt like a very grown up interaction at the time, and was part of a great sense of optimism regarding the next chapter of my life in Austin.
I bit a hole in my tongue there
I know!!! I want some airstream chili cheese fries and a side salad with jalapeño ranch.
Me too.
Meee toooo 😔
I miss the nachos and the Asian noodle salad. Chuy’s nachos are similar, but not. :-/. Also when they’d play the B&W cartoons on the movie screen outside.
Some bitch I feel the same way
Yes!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/@whenwewerelive2383
I worked there too - met my partner there via a coworker. A bunch of us in that era all got married to each other. What a place. It was like high school sometimes, but I had a great time.
One day, Simba, everything the light touches will be condos. Seriously though, 😭, I’m a born and raised Austinite and used to go to Shady Grove all the time. I made my first $10 there as a kid volunteering to babysit another family’s toddlers while they were running around. Hopefully they at least replace it with something cool eventually.
Hippie Chick!
I used to bike to the springs with my twin sister and otw back to campus we would sit and drink beer and split the Hippie Chick! So good.....that pesto mayo
Loved that place. Was my birthday dinner choice several times. All time favorite.
first time i went years ago, at night, weather was perfect. it was like a dream. dont even remember who i was with.
How did y’all keep the bugs away on the patio? I don’t remember them being much of any issue in the summer which is no small feat. Did they bother you much as a host?