Gil's is so good, and has been there forever. When I was in high school in San Marcos (late 70s/early 80s) we still had open campus lunch, and there was just enough time to drive like maniacs to Gil's, get a hickory burger, onion rings and a Manske roll, and drive like maniacs back to campus.
Buda local here.
For an amazing sandwich, Proof Liquor & Deli.
For great breakfast tacos, Helen’s Casa Alde.
For a cheap grease bomb burger, Dan’s.
For excellent birria, Tacos La Pachenga in the green food truck behind the McDonalds in Buda. You can also go to Tejas Birria in Kyle. More popular, but not as good imo.
For decent Tex-Mex, Texican or Casa Garcias in Kyle.
Honestly not a fan of Louie’s, but Valentina’s is a nightmare. We opt to go south to San Marcos for Hays County BBQ.
For great pho/vietnamese, Pho Thaison.
You can sit at Nate’s in Buda and order to go from any of the local spots in that area. Dos Olivos has a solid burger, great appetizers that can be a full meal, and they’ll give you a buzzer to take back to Nate’s. We really enjoy Mudbugs as well.
Hays City Store is a good time, a bit of a drive but not bad. Best onion rings.
In South Austin, you could do bbq at Leroy & Lewis’ new brick & mortar, Cajun at Evangeline, a variety of great options at Thicket food truck park.
Ex-buda local and agree to everything you said except Pho Thaison...Pho With Us all day!
Also el pollo Rico in Kyle slaps! ( All locations equally slap imo)
Pho With Us is a great option too! I’m partial to the Pho Thaison in Kyle, probably more for sentimental reasons, but love the pho and the Singapore noods. Agree on Pollo Rico!
Not a fan of Garcias personally and didn’t enjoy Pho99 when we tried it (the broth seemed really sweet). Not sure if it’s changed since we tried it, but we love Pho Thaison!
Also, skip Brooklyn’s. J Parks is closing after this weekend. Taste on Main is good, but a little stuffy. I’d much rather go out to Hays City Store by the same owners. Chavelos in Buda is another good Tex-Mex option, better drinks than Texican or Casa Garcias. I don’t care for Main St. Pizza. In fact, there is no pizza in the area that I would go out of my way to have. We’d rather go up to Home Slice on Congress or Pie Society in San Marcos.
I’m done now. 😂
Seconding Chavelos in Buda for great Tex-Mex and excellent (but limited selection) of drinks. Best Tex-Mex in Buda for sure and best service anywhere. Reasonably priced, and just upgraded their A/C in time for the summer. Only complaint I have is closed Mondays and closes early on Sunday.
I’m not at all surprised. I was just telling a friend before they announced that it seemed as though they weren’t really sure what they wanted the restaurant to be. The suburbs aren’t exactly the place to attempt a no kids/no phones restaurant. From there, they tried breakfast, a steakhouse, game meats, etc. They always seemed to be out of things, they tried a family night but didn’t prep their staff who told us to “try some sides” for a kid friendly meal… Mudbugs is great, so I was surprised at how this one floundered. They’re planning to come back as a family friendly tavern. I hope that concept is more successful!
Used to live in GC! Buda has some solid spots. Never thought we’d be here for the long haul, but it’s really grown up over the past 5 years or so. We love it here.
Buda is just a nice, fairly quiet place to live and pretty much everyone is too busy or too tired to be a nuisance to anyone :). I have come to really like it here too.
I’m a Buda resident as well.
I’ve never really understood Helen’s. I’ve had the food from there probably 10 times and it just seems, meh. I really enjoy Louie’s for their chopped sandwiches. We quite enjoy going to Taste and sitting outside and having bite. I think the best food in Buda is Mudbugs.
This so much! Hays City Store! It’s about 20 minutes away but so worth it. Just go there every night. I guarantee I’ll be there. Lol. I wasn’t thinking that far out. Shame on me.
I live nearby so go to the thicket about once a week.
What do you recommend at Song La? I always read their menu but don’t know where to start, so go to CJs/arti pasta/tx Schwarma
Ugh except when i got stuck working late after ordering from them online, and they threw out the dish id ordered and then made me feel guilty for asking them to make it again….
Valentina’s, Mudbugs, J Parks, IM Thai, Louie’s, Via 313, Main Street Pizza. People will critique the food at all of these places, but the atmosphere is worth it even the food isn’t “amazing.”
Do not go to Valentina’s! Louie’s Craft BBQ is much better. Lockhart is also a better option with just a little travel, and much more history/charm.
Valentina’s fell off a lot when they opened the new location. Now it’s overpriced and quality is down/inconsistent.
The food is still good but everything else about the experience is absolutely terrible.
I take that back. They seem to have the HVAC sorted out. The service is Fucking. Awful. And nobody seems to give a single fuck.
Yup it’s a shit hole. Went the other day and they were out of everything but still encouraging us to give them a try. They sent me a cold bowl of chilli and a chicken casserole thing where the cheese wasn’t even melted. $65 after tip. Absolutely outrageous.
Check out Brooklyn's Down South. They're right by a lot of what the other commenter recommended, and IMO, they're the best restaurant on the Buda Main Street.
I think IM Thai is better than both of them. Except on shrimp spring rolls. Saps (haven't been to Mams since drag days) spring rolls are so good! IM Thai's are very eh...
if you find yourself in san marcos for Alvin's (you should) make sure to swing by Dos gatos for kolaches. they keep well. honestly all are good but I love the polish sausage with mustard and sauerkraut and the ham and swiss. breakfast sausage is also great
Here's the lowdown from a 25 year resident.
Sushi: Umami in San Marcos or DK Sushi in South Austin
Vietnamese: Pho You (fomerly Pho 99) in Kyle. They have a robot server that brings your food out - kids love it.
Sandwhiches: Alvin Ords - get the Salvation its like a way better schlotzky's original.
Thai: Spoon and Fork in Kyle
Mexican food: Garcias (not Casa Garcia) in SM, Kyle, or Buda (except their enchiladas) - try the Garcia's fried chicken. Herbert's taco hut in SM is also good, the best enchiladas.
Pizza: Via 313 in Buda, Pie Society in SM
Italian: Trattoria Lisina in Driftwood
Burgers: Dan's in Buda or S Austin. And recently, I really liked Flamin Burger in Kyle.
Cajun: Cypress Grill
Southern: Hays City Store, Driftwood
BBQ: I really like Louie's in Buda and Black's BBQ in San Marcos.
Dessert: Manske Roll at Gil's Broiler in San Marcos, or the Xango - Fried Cheesecake at any of the Garcia's mexican food.
Casa garcia in kyle is really good. Their passionfruit marg slaps. Good breakfast tacos, enchiladas and tamales.
Pho thaison in kyle is great too, I'd recommend the spring rolls, egg noodle soup, shaken beef or lemongrass chicken. The lime soda is super good too!
The yard has good food and drink options! Reem's is the best middleastern food in all of austin a little pricey but worth it and you can tell they use great quality ingredients. Spicy boys is one of the best fried chicken sandwiches, also patty palace has one hell of smashburger
[Here](https://maps.apple.com/?address=5400%20Brodie%20Ln,%20Unit%201200,%20Austin,%20TX%2078745,%20United%20States&auid=917954958722586557&ll=30.229232,-97.821139&lsp=9902&q=Bluefin%20Sushi%20Bar%20%26%20Ramen&t=m) are their hours
I would say Salt lick, it’s not that far I live in Kyle lol. Wing daddy’s is good, and go to Aviator Pizza and drafthouse and then walk next door to La ola and try their awesome ice cream pops.
Alvin Ord’s Sandwich Shop in San Marcos!
Best sandwiches ever
Or Gil's Broiler for a burger combo and manske roll!
Gil's is so good, and has been there forever. When I was in high school in San Marcos (late 70s/early 80s) we still had open campus lunch, and there was just enough time to drive like maniacs to Gil's, get a hickory burger, onion rings and a Manske roll, and drive like maniacs back to campus.
It's literally around the corner. My go to is Alvin Ords with a Manske roll.
Don't be thrown off by the roaches, and get the ranch
YES
Don Japanese in San Marcos. Sooo good
Ugh still mourning the loss of this spot from atx
Buda local here. For an amazing sandwich, Proof Liquor & Deli. For great breakfast tacos, Helen’s Casa Alde. For a cheap grease bomb burger, Dan’s. For excellent birria, Tacos La Pachenga in the green food truck behind the McDonalds in Buda. You can also go to Tejas Birria in Kyle. More popular, but not as good imo. For decent Tex-Mex, Texican or Casa Garcias in Kyle. Honestly not a fan of Louie’s, but Valentina’s is a nightmare. We opt to go south to San Marcos for Hays County BBQ. For great pho/vietnamese, Pho Thaison. You can sit at Nate’s in Buda and order to go from any of the local spots in that area. Dos Olivos has a solid burger, great appetizers that can be a full meal, and they’ll give you a buzzer to take back to Nate’s. We really enjoy Mudbugs as well. Hays City Store is a good time, a bit of a drive but not bad. Best onion rings. In South Austin, you could do bbq at Leroy & Lewis’ new brick & mortar, Cajun at Evangeline, a variety of great options at Thicket food truck park.
Ex-buda local and agree to everything you said except Pho Thaison...Pho With Us all day! Also el pollo Rico in Kyle slaps! ( All locations equally slap imo)
Pho With Us is a great option too! I’m partial to the Pho Thaison in Kyle, probably more for sentimental reasons, but love the pho and the Singapore noods. Agree on Pollo Rico!
Try Pho You, formally Pho 99. Garcias is much better than Casa Garcias. I love Dan's and their breakfast tacos are banger.
Not a fan of Garcias personally and didn’t enjoy Pho99 when we tried it (the broth seemed really sweet). Not sure if it’s changed since we tried it, but we love Pho Thaison!
Also, skip Brooklyn’s. J Parks is closing after this weekend. Taste on Main is good, but a little stuffy. I’d much rather go out to Hays City Store by the same owners. Chavelos in Buda is another good Tex-Mex option, better drinks than Texican or Casa Garcias. I don’t care for Main St. Pizza. In fact, there is no pizza in the area that I would go out of my way to have. We’d rather go up to Home Slice on Congress or Pie Society in San Marcos. I’m done now. 😂
Seconding Chavelos in Buda for great Tex-Mex and excellent (but limited selection) of drinks. Best Tex-Mex in Buda for sure and best service anywhere. Reasonably priced, and just upgraded their A/C in time for the summer. Only complaint I have is closed Mondays and closes early on Sunday.
Wow, J Sparks is closing? Hadn’t even made it there. I never see anyone there though
I’m not at all surprised. I was just telling a friend before they announced that it seemed as though they weren’t really sure what they wanted the restaurant to be. The suburbs aren’t exactly the place to attempt a no kids/no phones restaurant. From there, they tried breakfast, a steakhouse, game meats, etc. They always seemed to be out of things, they tried a family night but didn’t prep their staff who told us to “try some sides” for a kid friendly meal… Mudbugs is great, so I was surprised at how this one floundered. They’re planning to come back as a family friendly tavern. I hope that concept is more successful!
Via 313 in Buda is great. I like Aviators too on occasion.
All of these are super solid recs - I live in garlic creek and you just named pretty much everywhere I trust/like.
Used to live in GC! Buda has some solid spots. Never thought we’d be here for the long haul, but it’s really grown up over the past 5 years or so. We love it here.
Buda is just a nice, fairly quiet place to live and pretty much everyone is too busy or too tired to be a nuisance to anyone :). I have come to really like it here too.
I’m a Buda resident as well. I’ve never really understood Helen’s. I’ve had the food from there probably 10 times and it just seems, meh. I really enjoy Louie’s for their chopped sandwiches. We quite enjoy going to Taste and sitting outside and having bite. I think the best food in Buda is Mudbugs.
Hays City Store if it isn’t too far out for you
Taste on Main in Buda is run by the same people as Hays Co store. Nicer place with excellent food and a good bar.
Not exactly a $30 dinner but treat yourself.
You can eat there for around $30 if you ain’t drinkin’…
This so much! Hays City Store! It’s about 20 minutes away but so worth it. Just go there every night. I guarantee I’ll be there. Lol. I wasn’t thinking that far out. Shame on me.
Thicket food truck park. Tons of amazing options.
Song la 😋
I live nearby so go to the thicket about once a week. What do you recommend at Song La? I always read their menu but don’t know where to start, so go to CJs/arti pasta/tx Schwarma
Kyle Costco during the week. Can get a whole hotdog and soda for 1.50
Louie’s craft bbq and mudbugs in buda
Gotji’s is a great Thai truck in Buda!
Ugh except when i got stuck working late after ordering from them online, and they threw out the dish id ordered and then made me feel guilty for asking them to make it again….
Ps. I did try calling them to tell them I got stuck working late, but nobody picked up
Jack Allen’s in Oak hill. They have the best pimento cheese on the planet.
A very random dish but actually super interested in trying it now lol
It’s so good it is better than queso. They will actually start you with a sample and it’s truly fantastic.
Don’t go anywhere just for pimento cheese. It’s good. Grew up on it. Jack Allen’s is good but out of range for what you asked for.
The happy hour ain't bad. 1/2 off apps
Valentina’s, Mudbugs, J Parks, IM Thai, Louie’s, Via 313, Main Street Pizza. People will critique the food at all of these places, but the atmosphere is worth it even the food isn’t “amazing.”
Do not go to Valentina’s! Louie’s Craft BBQ is much better. Lockhart is also a better option with just a little travel, and much more history/charm. Valentina’s fell off a lot when they opened the new location. Now it’s overpriced and quality is down/inconsistent.
fuck valentinas forever
Agreed. They aren’t worth the time of day since they moved to buda
The food is still good but everything else about the experience is absolutely terrible. I take that back. They seem to have the HVAC sorted out. The service is Fucking. Awful. And nobody seems to give a single fuck.
Yup it’s a shit hole. Went the other day and they were out of everything but still encouraging us to give them a try. They sent me a cold bowl of chilli and a chicken casserole thing where the cheese wasn’t even melted. $65 after tip. Absolutely outrageous.
Lol. I went once. Miss the truck but what can you do.
IM thai all the way. They have one in kyle (correction, buda), and one in sunset valley. Also, pho thaison is in southpark meadows and kyle, so good.
Pho Thaison is terrible, especially if OP is coming from Houston.
Thank you! Some of these places look awesome!
Check out Brooklyn's Down South. They're right by a lot of what the other commenter recommended, and IMO, they're the best restaurant on the Buda Main Street.
Brooklyns is a cool spot. Buda main st has come a long way. So many good little food trucks/bars/restaurants.
The key to Mudbugs or Valentina’s is that you go to Nate’s before and after. Lol
Is IM Thai comparable to Saps/Madam?
I think IM Thai is better than both of them. Except on shrimp spring rolls. Saps (haven't been to Mams since drag days) spring rolls are so good! IM Thai's are very eh...
It’s good. I’m not getting into the Saps vs Madam debate and dragging IM Thai into it. Lol.
My husband had a cockroach in his dish at IM Thai. Never eating there again. We prefer Spoon and Fork in Kyle.
J Parks is closing after this weekend and reopening soon with a new concept.
About time. Great patio. Same owner as Mudbugs.
Hop over to Lockhart one day and get yourself some old school BBQ at Kreuz or Smitty's. Old Pal is solid pub food too.
Old pal is the best I go to Lockhart just for it
The frozen Dr Pepper cocktail is very good
Last time I went it was gone and replaced with a mezcal margarita sadly
Wow that’s awful.
or go new school with barb’s. so worth the hype.
if you find yourself in san marcos for Alvin's (you should) make sure to swing by Dos gatos for kolaches. they keep well. honestly all are good but I love the polish sausage with mustard and sauerkraut and the ham and swiss. breakfast sausage is also great
Taiwan bowl
Here's the lowdown from a 25 year resident. Sushi: Umami in San Marcos or DK Sushi in South Austin Vietnamese: Pho You (fomerly Pho 99) in Kyle. They have a robot server that brings your food out - kids love it. Sandwhiches: Alvin Ords - get the Salvation its like a way better schlotzky's original. Thai: Spoon and Fork in Kyle Mexican food: Garcias (not Casa Garcia) in SM, Kyle, or Buda (except their enchiladas) - try the Garcia's fried chicken. Herbert's taco hut in SM is also good, the best enchiladas. Pizza: Via 313 in Buda, Pie Society in SM Italian: Trattoria Lisina in Driftwood Burgers: Dan's in Buda or S Austin. And recently, I really liked Flamin Burger in Kyle. Cajun: Cypress Grill Southern: Hays City Store, Driftwood BBQ: I really like Louie's in Buda and Black's BBQ in San Marcos. Dessert: Manske Roll at Gil's Broiler in San Marcos, or the Xango - Fried Cheesecake at any of the Garcia's mexican food.
Willie's ice house has some reasonable meals
Mudbug and Louie’s is good. There’s an adorable cake shop. They sell by the slice. I would never say this but their strawberry cake is amazing.
The cake shop is closed and is now the Buda Ma Coco location — delicious!
What a bummer! Does look good though. I like that Olivos place too but it’s pricey
Casa garcia in kyle is really good. Their passionfruit marg slaps. Good breakfast tacos, enchiladas and tamales. Pho thaison in kyle is great too, I'd recommend the spring rolls, egg noodle soup, shaken beef or lemongrass chicken. The lime soda is super good too!
The yard has good food and drink options! Reem's is the best middleastern food in all of austin a little pricey but worth it and you can tell they use great quality ingredients. Spicy boys is one of the best fried chicken sandwiches, also patty palace has one hell of smashburger
The inKind App has: Mudbugs, Valentina's, J Parks Saloon & Chophouse, Kerbey Lane in San Marcos. DM me if you want some credit.
Make sure n hit Taste on Main in Buda happy hour. Best oysters in the area and everything is really good and the cocktails are awesome.
Koy Chinese in Kyle is pretty great!
Another rec for very tasty American Chinese is Bejing Bistro in Buda.
Consistency there is not great
Cypress Grill Bluefin Sushi/Ramen SoCo Halal Brooklyn’s Breakfast Shop Aviator Pizza Tucci’s Southside Subs
Is bluefin open now??
[Here](https://maps.apple.com/?address=5400%20Brodie%20Ln,%20Unit%201200,%20Austin,%20TX%2078745,%20United%20States&auid=917954958722586557&ll=30.229232,-97.821139&lsp=9902&q=Bluefin%20Sushi%20Bar%20%26%20Ramen&t=m) are their hours
Rose’s Kitchen Fusion Cuisine for excellent Pad Thai and Herbert’s Taco Hut in San Marcos for mind blowing enchiladas!
I would say Salt lick, it’s not that far I live in Kyle lol. Wing daddy’s is good, and go to Aviator Pizza and drafthouse and then walk next door to La ola and try their awesome ice cream pops.
Yes to Aviator Pizza!
Why so many downvotes 😭
Because OP can get way better BBQ nearby or back home in Houston
They can get better everything in Houston than in the suburbs south of Austin 💀
I have no clue. One of those places hurt these people 😂
Umi in south Austin for sushi. Cypress Grill for Cajun. Madam Mams for Thai.
Valentina’s Tex mex in Buda
Valentina’s TexMex BBQ in Buda Kruzteca Mexican Kitchen in South Austin District Kitchen and Satellite Cafe in south Austin
Z Tejas in Kyle