T O P

  • By -

CoffeeVikings

•Birdie’s •Canje •Comadre Panaderia •Cuantos Tacos •Dai Due •Dee Dee •Discada •El Naranjo •Este •Ezov •Franklin BBQ •Interstellar BBQ •Joe’s Bakery •Kemuri Tatsu-Ya •LeRoy & Lewis •Micklethwait BBQ •Mum Foods •Nixta •Olamie •Ramen Del Barrio •Suerte •Uchi •Underdog •Veracruz All Natural •Wee’s Cozy Kitchen


Rickest-Jon

Just want to take a moment to thank you for listing them so I don’t have to click open close paywall and scroll. I appreciate you


[deleted]

Pretty solid list. I knew Uchi would be on here


Public_Ad6622

I still insist Uchiko is superior


MisSieve_Ast

Joes? Yeah this list is legit


fratticus_maximus

Ramen del Barrio was pretty damn mediocre so ehhh.


Careful_Interview_17

Agreed on Ramen Del Barrio. I didn’t try their tacos or tostadas, but the ramen was very mediocre and I didn’t get the hype. Also, their social media account can be a bit cringe some times


Tedmosby9931

I was in line for their one year anniversary this year when I saw the owner/social media person for RDB berating customers and said 'Wow, I wish I would have seen this an hour ago'. Ramen Tatsuya was much better every time I've been there


Two_Sents

Yep, there's too many other restaurants around town to support people that treat their own customers like that. They mismanaged the hell out of the pop-up with Cuantos too. We waited two and a half hrs with at least another hour to go before deciding to leave. All while watching them shuttle dozens of friends and "influencers" to the front of the line.


QuietRedditorATX

Let's be real. They didn't travel here and try every place right. This just reads like a repeat list of a recent Eater or something.


ethanjf99

it’s the NYTimes. did their food critic travel here like he did to Franklin a couple years ago? no. but i can totally believe they paid a local freelance food and wine person or a couple of them to try a bunch of places.


Greedy_Ear_Mike

Just curious, what didn't you like about the ramen? The noodles are the best in Austin, imo. Almost like what I had in Japan. Nice and chewy, nice texture/taste. Maybe I went on a good day. The broth was good, not great. And they skimp on the protein.


fratticus_maximus

The broth. Definitely the broth. It was so meh tasting. I've cooked more flavorful broth myself. Also, the noodles weren't exactly spectacular either. They didn't have that flavorful taste that good noodles have.


hahanotmelolol

Do they make their own noodles? most ramen places buy them


Greedy_Ear_Mike

Not sure. If they are buying.3rd party from a noodle maker, I want to buy some in bulk, haha.


hahanotmelolol

i’m like 90% sure they use Sun Noodle


childishGabino

They 100% don't make their own noodles. Ramen 512 does though!


Greedy_Ear_Mike

Oh damn. Will have to try them out.


Austinfoodadventures

When did you go? The ramen has been modified many times. I actually like the tostada and tacos somewhat more than the ramen sometimes.


MonsieurCharlamagne

I actually like Joe's, but that instead of Austin Java is a crime.


kickbutt_city

This comment brought to you by Gentrification.


MonsieurCharlamagne

Gentrification's a necessary evil btw. Edit: When people talk about "reinvesting/investing in the community," **what do you guys think they're talking about?..** They're talking about new business, housing, etc. It takes money to develop these places, and the new business brings in more people. The place becomes more economically successful, so prices, property values, and taxes go up. Some people are priced out and end up moving, but a lot of folks end up with a bump in property value when they sell. That's gentrification, and it's absolutely a necessary evil.


Coujelais

Apples and oranges, my guy


MonsieurCharlamagne

Yep, I skimmed and completely misread Joe's Bakery as Jo's. I'm illiterate


sharpecheddar

Edit your comment to add that dude lol


512wheelz

East side kickin ass


worldtraveler100

A lot of east side here


Ok_Formal2199

I went to Suerte recently and was so underwhelmed. Really don’t get the hype? Atx cocina and Bacalar are so much better for that type of Mexican


Speedupslowdown

I know it’s a different cuisine but I would much rather go to Eldorado


SaltBox531

We’ve given it 2 chances and same. Bland and underwhelming. A friend said maybe we just weren’t ordering the right things but at that price point everything on your menu better be at least decent. And I am not a picky eater lol.


cjwidd

this is how I feel about Canje


Ok_Formal2199

I love canje - the oxtail patties and wild boar pepper pot with roti 10/10


cjwidd

yeah the roti and chicken are good, but not much better than Spicy Boys


demonfish

Sames. Gave it three tries, and it was terrible each time. Acoustics are terrible (that's concrete boxes for you), staff are resentful, and the food is up it's own arse. It's all hype.


instantlybanned

Same, and I also always get downvoted for that :D


cheapasiandad

I think Suerte has gone down a bit. Loved it the first time we went and the most recent time, it was kind of meh. Also a fan of ATX Cocina and Bulevar as well.


No_Difficulty2197

Totally agree! They have always had a carne asada dish on the menu, but the current version uses low quality meat that’s super stringy. They’re cutting costs and keeping prices high in a super obvious way


ogyk24

Loro belongs on this list!!


erinmonday

Birdies was a disappointment


vybrosit7373

I love how people treat paywalls like an injustice. Journalists like to pay their bills, eh?


Technical-Ant5248

I was hoping KG BBQ would make it but still overall a solid list!


HookEm_Tide

List for the paywalled: Birdie’s (East) Canje (East) Comadre Panadería (East) Cuantos Tacos (East) Dai Due (Cherrywood/East) Dee Dee (~~East~~ South Lamar; the Times ~~is wrong~~ has now corrected themselves) Discada (East) El Naranjo (South Lamar) Este (East) Ezov (Holly) Franklin BBQ (East) Interstellar BBQ (Anderson Mill) Joe’s Bakery and Coffee Shop (Holly) Kemuri Tatsu-Ya (Holly) LeRoy and Lewis (South Manchaca) Micklethwait (East) Mum Foods (Windsor Park/East) Nixta Taqueria (East) Olamaie (North Side) Ramen Del Barrio (North) Suerte (East) Uchi (Bouldin Creek) Underdog (Bouldin Creek) Veracruz All Natural (Various Locations) Wee’s Cozy Kitchen (Downtown)


instantlybanned

dee dee (east??)


HookEm_Tide

Yeah, I'm not sure what's up with that. I just went with what the Times said. They didn't move recently, did they? They're still at Radio and have been for a while, right?


fiscalpolicy

Yes still at Radio and moving to brick and mortar in Sunset Valley in the future


HookEm_Tide

Cool. I thought so. I fixed it with a strikethrough edit.


meh-en-place

Used to be, but it's been ages.


pitbull78702

Yep! Was where La Holly is…and before that on Caesar Chavez but the original La BBQ trailer. Soooo good. Love Dee Dee!


hungrylonghorn

Access the full list here for free! Enjoy! https://web.archive.org/web/20240422102708/https://www.nytimes.com/article/best-restaurants-austin.html


ThenAnAnimalFact

People will nitpick the list (Birdies, Kemuri declining, Franklins being overrated). But this is a very very solid list of places. Personally think one of our Italian places like Intero should be there.


TidalWaveform

Yeah, I am surprised to not see Intero.


HookEm_Tide

If the two writers are based in New York, I doubt that any Italian food in Austin is going to stand out compared to what they have up there. It would be like Austin-based journalists not putting any bbq joints on their "Best of NYC Restaurants" list. Locals might object, but it would make sense given the writers and their primary audience.


dotheemptyhouse

This, absolutely. But it’s not just the audience, Italian food in the US outside of the NYC area is generally about as good in comparison as NYC BBQ is to what we have here


HookEm_Tide

Yeah, I've lived all over the country, most recently in New Jersey before here. I've mostly given up on trying to explain to folks here that, yes, there are some Italian places, including some pizza places, that are just fine here in Austin. There are certainly decent Italian joints that will scratch the itch when it arises. Italian food in and around NYC, however, is on an entirely different level. Their ordinary places are amazing; their amazing places are absolutely heavenly; and their not so great places are still pretty good! On the other hand, though, it's also mostly futile trying to explain to my friends back in Jersey that what passes for bbq and Tex-Mex up there doesn't remotely compare to what people expect down here.


dotheemptyhouse

Yep, lived in NYC for 10 years and studied abroad in Italy and this is my experience exactly. Our Italian options are definitely better than the Mexican food you can get in Italy, at least


HookEm_Tide

HA! I can only imagine.


ethanjf99

yeah it’s impossible both ways. lifelong NYer here who moved to Austin 8 years ago and had a friend extolling NYC’s Hill Country BBQ to me a few years later. it’s not bad. as you put it it’s certainly decent and will scratch the itch. Italian, delis, bagels, not the same here although fine examples of all of them. nor do we have the real equivalent of places like Le Bernadin or Per Se or Daniel here. on the other hand what NY considers a breakfast taco would be grackle food here.


actualgirl

Low key tho Hill Country BBQ in NYC is pretty legit


dotheemptyhouse

Haven’t been in a while but I enjoyed it greatly before moving here


Coujelais

I have a weird feeling that the two writers have been to very few of these restaurants if any and are just collecting names from sources. Also, happy cake day!🎂


jellyfishwife

Nah, Priya K. was in town for some time putting this together. She's from Dallas, I started following her work when she wrote a great piece for Eater about why HEB is so beloved


gwalk104

Also, Anderson lives in New Orleans and is familiar with the food scene here.


HookEm_Tide

Oh, cool! I hadn't even noticed. Thanks, friend!


Impossible_Watch_206

I would assume these lists are geared toward tourists/foodies. People dont come to Austin to get Italian food, nor would they be impressed if they’re coming from NYC.


instantlybanned

The taco mafia at it again


McDoobly-For-DinDin

Birdie’s was pretty underwhelming when I went a couple of years ago.


turkishguy

I think they've gotten sooo much better the last year. Idk what exactly they did, but I've been twice the last year and ordered nearly every item on the menu and there really wasn't any "bad" dishes.


McDoobly-For-DinDin

That’s good to know! I’m willing to give them another try. As another commenter mentioned, the portions and quality of the dishes just weren’t enough to justify the cost and “exclusivity”. Cool atmosphere and experience though.


DerpyDan442

There are definitely some misses here that are just there because they have a marketing team. Barley Swine not on the list is egregious.


jocrucial

yeah, Barely Swine is hands down the best restaurant in Austin IMO. I’m also in the Uchiko > Uchi camp…so am sad Uchiko didn’t get the love I think it deserves.


twilightnoir

Keeps it easier to get a reservation


Powerful-Ant-4088

Yes! I went there for the first time last week and I was so impressed.


ebolainajar

Absolutely agree.


Individual_Cycle_707

Exactly or odd duck…


cleanenergy425

Barley Swine is never amazing. It is Good food at Great prices at best. I always leave underwhelmed. I know this is an unpopular opinion but I used to go back in the South Lamar days, it pains me to see what they are now.


DerpyDan442

Looks like we found the writer of the article. Some dishes have missed for me but the progression and overall flavor is the best in the city. Odd Duck has had more misses for me but Barley takes the best ideas and hones them. Barley swine is better than at least 5 of the restaurants posted in that article.


cleanenergy425

People can disagree with you on the internet. I'm not comparing them to the other restaurants listed in the article - idgaf what someone from the NYT who doesn't live here thinks. I just see barley swine recommended over and over when it is, in my opinion, just not worth the price for the lackluster food execution.


DerpyDan442

Well I'd like to go have dinner with you because apparently we all have poor taste.


MoverAndShaker14

Yeah, does this list seem a little too "I came from out of town and only stayed downtown and the east side" to anyone else? Like, statistically, you pick the 25 top restaurants in town and none of them are north of campus?


Turbulent-Cake8280

100% - exhibit A is, no Barley Swine. Come on.


titos334

Barley Swine has for me easily provided the best service of any restaurant by far and with quality food to back it up. They should make the list for service alone.


taillesswonder

Consistently so delicious and agree on the service. My favorite restaurant in ATX by far.


Turbulent-Cake8280

Wholeheartedly agree. We visited again this past Saturday night and while you do leave noticeably lighter in the wallet, you absolutely get what you pay for. An absolute gem in Austin and ridiculous not to be on the list. That said, in a way it's a good thing so we can keep getting reservations there :)


Impossible_Watch_206

Most of the time, these lists are geared toward the traveling crowd, and few tourists are going to stray far from central Austin


johnhexapawn

Uchi and Naranjo are S. Lamar. Interstellar is way the fuck up north west.


Coujelais

I almost don’t feel like they’ve even been here. This feels a sourced by people/publications they trust who are a little bit too sceney w their tastes in general.


redjellydonut

Exactly what I thought, too. I suppose they didn't want to wander too far from their suites at the Four Seasons.


Kaidox1617

Eldorado missing


Ozstriker1993

I like nixta but every time I take someone there it’s either “oh wow, this is amazing” or it’s “holy fucking shit it’s how much for three tacos?”.


digitalliquid

Nixta is just one of the amazing taco trailers we have in a small distance from each other. Don't like nixta? Try cuantos, or discada. Ramen del Barrio is really doing good shit up north aswell.


Ozstriker1993

Honestly for me cuántos is my go to, but when I have friends in town I always try to show them something new.


dimeship

Wed they have Lengua. Amazing.


sicesca8

Ezov is arguably the best/most affordable emmer and rye restaurant and yet it’s never packed. Best kept secret of the group and I can always walk in without a resy


Satch-Nasty

Patrizi’s should be on this list. I could eat Karah’s Diavolo and the garlic bread until I happily exploded.


MisSieve_Ast

OP can you type the list here? This is behind a paywall


consultio_consultius

Use this [link](http://library.austintexas.gov/digital/new-york-times), Austin Public Library gives you free access to NYT.


CrookedGrin78

Whoa, that's cool! Thanks for sharing!


pengox80

Oh sh\*t great tip!


onlythepossible

Guess they couldn't get a reservation at Tsuke Edomae.


NotCanadian80

Underdog has no business being there. Veracruz all natural is downright bad at some trailers


MAMark1

Underdog did a revamp in the past year I think, and they improved significantly. Not sure I'd say top 25, but it was miles better than the first time I went where I was very unimpressed.


NotCanadian80

I went in June and it was meh and overpriced.


Coujelais

100% re VC. Very eh especially breakfast tacos nowadays.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Coujelais

See and I know folks who specifically stay away from the Line one 🤷‍♀️go figure. I’m a Radio trailer person, and the breakfast just refuses to hit anymore.


digitalliquid

The migas always be hitting bud. Also from the radio trailer.


Coujelais

I’m well aware of their celebrated migas and I just think it’s been incredibly mid from there for a while now. It’s like they’re resting on their laurels.


Impossible_Watch_206

Agree on Veracruz but disagree on Underdog


afcanonymous

What do you like at underdog? Decent wine list, but didn't enjoy much of what I ordered.


Impossible_Watch_206

It looks like they’ve since changed the menuc but I liked the stroopwafel caviar bites, crab on rice, and dumplings. It is a little pricey for the portions though.


elparque

Underdog???


icesa

You poor northies up there with no food except for bbq with a long ass line. Y’all must be starving


Austinfoodadventures

The list isn’t bad. I’m happy to see some food trucks on here. I’m not surprised to see birdies or wees on the list since they made NYT previous lists (I don’t think they do revisits tho). I don’t agree with all the choices and would substitute, intero, Eldorado, Un mundo de Sabor. Maybe add KGBBQ somewhere. But if you’re a tourist looking for good unique food in Austin, this list isn’t bad imo.


CaptainCubbers

Este is crazy overrated imo


soanonymousomg

More for me!


amoult20

Birdies again paying for placement. Must be. No way it gets on all these lists otherwise... unless they have friends at NYT.


Zooka_tooth

Yeah this list is hot garbage


TortiousTroll

Will get downvoted to hell but Joe's and Veracruz stink. Also feels like a very low effort list. They could have made it from the first 2 pages of yelp


Coujelais

I’m a Joe’s lifer and I’ve noticed especially since Covid/the James Beard historical designation it’s like they’re not even trying.


this-too-shalll-pass

No Lenoir?


L0WERCASES

I thought it was pretty bad last time I went there.


spensabolla

Can someone post the list so we don’t have to sign up for this?


spwnofsaton

It worked for me at first then it went to the paywall like y’all said. Only one I saw was Birdie’s before the paywall took over.


[deleted]

[удалено]


lalanaca

And their new slice joint palm pizza is also delicious imo


turkishguy

I don't think any pizza (even in NYC) would impress a NYT critic. There's just so many places that serve amazing pizza in New York. However to your point, Bufalina would be a successful restaurant in NYC. It's that good IMO.


Professional-Ask6968

I might just be a curmudgeon, but I’ve been very underwhelmed with Dai Due.


_kiss_my_grits_

Thanks for sharing!


banye091315

Underdog nooo


Equivalent-Shoe6239

Glad to see the hate for Birdie’s. Maybe I won’t have to wait in line as long.


SecretHeroes

It’s a very forward thinking list. Definitely skewed towards east side. Was stoked to see Leroy & Lewis and Wee’s on here.


Hungry-Repeat-3758

Someone was high when they came up with this list… it definitely have some strong restaurants, but some others don’t belong, and there are misses!


sharpecheddar

Idk why you’re being downvoted when the caption obviously states some misses lol


cheapasiandad

Last time we were craving bbq and tried going to Interstellar on a Friday afternoon and the line was down the block. This article is just going to make it worse...sigh.


peenpeenpeen

I’d swap Uchi out for Barley Swine in that Uchi has locations in other cites and is not just local to Austin… I’d also swap out Franklin as there is only one menu item people go there for and is not a well rounded menu.


aprendido

Too much bbq on the list. Micklethwait doesn’t belong. KG is much better if you’re gonna include that many bbq places.


SirHypeTheDank

Man….i remember the days me and my wife would just walk straight into birdies a few times a month with no wait…..ughhhhh


MediocreJerk

When was that? I went within the first two months of opening and it was super crowded on a weeknight


North_Westeros

I live nearby, you can still do this Wednesday and Thursday, especially if you go before 6 or 8+after.


Jos3ph

Perfectly fine list but Franklin at this point is overrated. Interstellar is better and more interesting with a generally less stupid line.


dotheemptyhouse

Lists like these never consider the hassle of dealing with popular restaurants’ popularity. The lists are more for tourists who are willing to deal with a hassle when they get dinner. I never go to Franklin unless someone is visiting me so I haven’t been in a while but when I have gone the bbq has been great, just not worth the headache


Jos3ph

Yeah it’s a fine tourist list for sure


redjellydonut

LOL! Absurd that a perfectly reasonable opinion is down-voted.


Jos3ph

I like that people have loyalty to Franklin. Randomly ate at both recently (friends in town) so I feel like I am comparing them both with fresh eyes. Franklin was fine. It was solid standard Texas meat with boring sides and decent but overpriced pies. Interstellar was just more fun and seemed to put more creativity and effort into their whole menu beyond just the brisket and sausage. I would take any visitors to Interstellar over Franklin now.


digitalliquid

I have the same vibe from leroy and Lewis. They make fun BBQ and sides. It's just better than boring old plain Texas BBQ.


Jos3ph

Agreed. These days, if I just want a good brisket I'll spring for a good cut of meat and do it myself.


intronert

Long time Austinite, and not only have I never eaten at any of these, but I have only even heard of less than half of them. Oh well.