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North America, Travel
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May 25, 2013

Eating & Hiking in Austin, TX

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It seems that my visits to Austin, TX are destined to be filled with days of food coma close encounters. It’s not my fault,  Austin is just that kind of town. I mean, yes, its got that whole hipster, artsy, music thing going for it, but the food. Oh, the food. It’s just so, so good.

Unlike my first visit to Austin a few years ago, when we dared to venture to this city in the middle of summer during temperatures of 100 degrees and up, this visit was pleasant and at times even a bit cool. This made it easier to go on long walks and hikes, and see a bit more than just eateries.

Nevertheless, my list of favorite food stops got longer with this visit, but I also have a short list of what to do to walk it all off.

What We Ate

Kerbey Lane Cafe is a popular eatery in Texas, especially for brunch. It might have something to do with their huge portions, reasonable prices, and locally sourced food items. For us, it was the first stop in our eating journey through Austin, and we loved the relaxed, welcoming, family friendly feel of the place. I especially love that their kids menu doesn’t list a chicken finger anywhere on it, but instead a good ol’ taste of Texas. Come early (I mean, really early) for brunch or risk standing on long lines for a table. Either way, it’s totally worth it. And come hungry, because with menu items such as the Wild Boar & Bison Frito Pie (Broken Arrow Ranch wild boar and all-natural bison chili atop Fritos, garnished with sour cream and cheese. Served with a side of pickled jalapeños and red onion), Migas (scrambled eggs with pico de gallo, tortilla chips and cheddarjack. Served with black beans, Mexican rice, tortillas and choice of sauce) and Lamb Picadillo Enchiladas (Lamb picadillo topped with cheddarjack), you’ll need all the belly room you have.

Kerbey Lane Austin, TX_GirlGoneTravel

Muellers Farmers Market is open every Sunday from 10am to 2pm, rain or shine. Its sister market, Cedar Park Farmers Market is open on Saturdays from 9pm to 1pm. I love visiting farmers market during my travels because it is a wonderful way to get a feel for the local community, but also a wonderful way to taste all the produce and foods and meet local farmers. Because the weather was so pleasant in Texas this time of year it was easy to leisurely walk around, while listening to local musicians entertain market goers and watching children thrill over the creations by the balloon man. Beside the produce booths and bakery booths throughout the market, visitors get to enjoy the goodies sold from local food trucks. The food truck culture is huge in Austin, with each vendor comfortable operating side-by-side with the other and consciously working together to complement each other with their varied offerings – so the coffee truck works well with the sandwich truck which works well with the juice truck which works well with the dessert truck and so on. Whatever you choose to eat or purchase, this is a fun market to help kick-start your day.

Muellers Farmers Market

Muerllers Farmers Market Muellers Farmers Market Muellers Farmers Market

Speaking of food trucks, an absolute must is a stop at the Mellizoz Tacos truck for some of the best tacos this side of the border. The B.A.T (Big Azz Taco) is just that and delicious, but my favorite is the Shrimp tacos (Tempura Shrimp, Slaw, Pickled Red Onion & Cilantro Lime Aioli). Yum.

Mellizoz Tacos Austin TX_GIRLGONETRAVEL

Mellizoz Tacos Austin TX_GIRLGONETRAVEL

Mellizoz Tacos Austin TX_GIRLGONETRAVEL

Follow that baby up (if you dare) with a visit to Gourdoughs. Their slogan, “Big. Fat. Donuts.” doesn’t lie. But because we didn’t believe them, we went ahead a bought a donut for each of us. The sight was Whoa-inspiring, as they are in fact, big. fat. donuts. and choosing one is not easy, but is enough to share among friends. My favorite? The Flying Pig (Bacon with Maple Syrup Icing). I know. I know. It’s too much.

Gourdoughs Austin TX_Girlgonetravel Gourdoughs Austin TX_Girlgonetravel

If you like a good sausage, and really, who doesn’t, you have to try one of Austin’s newest in the rocking food scene, Banger’s Sausage House and Beer Garden in the hip and happening Rainey St., known for being the place where the cool kids come for beer and good food. Banger’s is all the awesome we love about beer gardens: it’s open, casual, communal, and family friendly (at one point one of the boys accidentally spilled water on the table which made its way on the area where a big tattooed biker dude was sitting. I cringed and apologized, waiting for the wrath and evil stare, instead, I got a reassuring smile, as did the kid, and help whipping it all up – sure don’t see much of that in NYC!). But the food is also good with sausages ranging from smoked mushroom asparagus to jalapeno bacon  cheddar to cajun boudin. Wash it down with anyone of their beers, from ale to lager to wheat to gluten-free beverages (or sweet tea for the kiddos) and you, my friend, are good to go. Oh, and don’t leave without purchasing one of their kick-ass t-shirts designed by my super awesome, wicked talented brother-in-law Curtis Jinkins.

Banger's Austin TX_GirlGoneTravelBanger's Austin TX_GirlGoneTravel

Banger's Austin TX_GirlGoneTravelBanger's Austin TX_GirlGoneTravelBanger's Austin TX_GirlGoneTravel

Where We Walked It Off

Zilker Metropolitan Park offers 351-acres to walk, run, bike, hike, kayak, or swim off all the good eating. It’s where one of our favorite spots, Barton Springs, is located, as well as the Austin Nature and Science Center and the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. Take a short train ride around the park or relax atop Rock Island and take in the park views.

Zilker Metropolitan ParkZilker Metropolitan Park

Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve wasn’t in the best shape when we visited. A storm had just hit and the Dripping Springs, which normally are a beautiful sight, were a little muddy and yucky. But go on a good day and it is truly one of Austin’s favorite swimming holes and best spots to hang out after a long hike. If you are looking for a nice place to stop into on your way to or from dripping springs, check out Thyme and Dough, a cute cafe off the highway with a nice selection of vegetarian and gluten-free pastries and sandwiches, as well as soups, salads, cold beverages and coffee.

Hamilton Pool Austin TX_gIRLGONEtravelHamilton Pool Austin TX_gIRLGONEtravel

Perdernales Falls State Park is a wonderful spot for nature lovers to swim, kayak, camp, hike, fish, horseback ride, and more. The views are pretty stunning and though some of the terrain can be tricky with little ones in tow, it is worth the trip just to take in the water views and wildlife (the boys were fascinated by a water snake slithering around during our visit). I think, as far as outdoor spots in Austin, this was by far my favorite.

Pedernales Falls State Park_girlgonetravelPedernales State State Park_girlgonetravel

Most of what we hear about Austin rarely appeals to families, and though I found San Antonio to have even more to offer traveling families, I do have to say visiting Austin is always fun for us. Of course, a lot of that has to do with moments like these:

austin tx_girlgonetravel

Austin TX_GIRLGONETRAVEL

but also with the fact that we discover something new every time we go to, which, especially before the summer temps hit and right after all the insanity of SXSW has left town, make for many perfects days.

Read more about our adventures in Austin, TX!

A Girlfriend Getaway & Experiential Retreat – Travaasa Austin, Texas

Meats and Other Eats in Austin, TX

Living It Up in Austin, Family Style

Photography is property of GirlGoneTravel.com and may not be used without consent of the publisher.

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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4 Comments
  • Kevin
    August 11, 2013

    Glad you enjoyed Austin, Texas. It looks like you hit some some of the better known spots and did a good job capturing them. Austin is a great place to live and visit.

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Kevin
      August 13, 2013

      Thanks Kevin, and thanks for reading : )

      Reply
  • Kim H.
    April 24, 2015

    I love visiting Austin. I just went to Kerbey Lane on my last visit. SO GOOD! And the iced coffee/espresso at Gourdoughs is amaze.

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Kim H.
      April 24, 2015

      Yay!! So happy you enjoyed and so yummy!

      Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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Hubby and I recently went to check out office spac Hubby and I recently went to check out office spaces for our business. We (I) started getting caught up in the perceptions of what other people might think about our business, or rather, how successful or serious it was with us operating it from our home. So, in order to keep up with the Joneses, we went out and searched. And immediately were like, "Nope."

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A band of misfits on a beautiful Finger Lakes nigh A band of misfits on a beautiful Finger Lakes night.

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Hey, wanna come to a cool event in one of the cool Hey, wanna come to a cool event in one of the coolest places I know in Ithaca? (Read on!)

Today I took a stroll into the pavilion of the @ithacafarmersmarket. There was no market today, and though still a lovely space when empty, nothing compares when the market is buzzing with food purveyors and food-lovers! It is exciting and a favorite pastime of ours. Even more fun is when there is a special event happening!

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Cheers and Happy Pride to this beautiful, inspirin Cheers and Happy Pride
to this beautiful, inspiring, proud community full of people that I love so much.

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