is there a nanog austin eats page somewhere? i lost my old link to some
wiki we used to use.
and, a completely unverified recco from an austin friend (who thinks
chicken fried steak is the meat nearest heaven).
It really depends on what do yo like to eat, there are many places in
Austin, very decent eateries around UT sites/dorms.
Is in the south area of Austin, not downtown, but whenever we go there
we love to stop by La Loca Maria Taco Express,
http://www.tacoxpress.com, it's one of those traditional joints whit
some history, very well known and frequented by students and faculty
and perhaps some of the best tacos I ever had with an Argentinean
twist (Maria is a native from AR).
This is a good reference I regularly use:
http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Guides/Restaurant
If you want to eat country food, you better get to the Hill Country, I
learned that you can find better chicken fried steak outside
metropolitan areas.
But, if you are up for a ~60mi drive to the south, I'll bake you some
home made Argentinean empanadas 
Cheers
Jorge
PS. Have a great trip and "stay weird"
is there a nanog austin eats page somewhere? i lost my old link to some
wiki we used to use.
and, a completely unverified recco from an austin friend (who thinks
chicken fried steak is the meat nearest heaven).
I spoke to my colleague who has lived in Austin more recently than I
have.He recommends North By Northwest highly, in the Arboretum area.
When I was a Texan in exile, I would always, on returning, worship at
the shrine of Chicken Fried Steak. Threadgill's is a timeless classic
that specializes in it. Ken Threadgill was an Austin legend, who gave
Janis Joplin one of her first paying gigs. Bonus: Manager Eddie Wilson
was the Ranch Boss at the Armadillo World Headquarters, and has a shrine
of posters and pictures from the font of Austin weirdness.He also recommends Urbanspoon as an online info source.
http://www.urbanspoon.com/c/11/Austin-restaurants.html
Welcome, y'all.
There are many good locations along the 'Drag' near campus; a strench of Guadalupe [http://tinyurl.com/ygqhrew\] that includes many excellent local venues including 5 Guy's Burger and Kirby Lane Cafe. If you hang around the intersection of 6th and 7th street(s), you can check out Wahoo's Fish Taco or Kat'z Deli & Bar. South of the lake on Barton Springs [http://tinyurl.com/yj5ctx3\] includes an Austin favorite, Chuy's. As well as Uncle Billy's Brew&Que (which doubles as a local brewery). Honorable mention includes P Terry's (cheap burger joint on the corner of Barton Springs and Lamar)
If you're willing to travel outside of downtown, Trudy's on South I35 is popular. I'm a big fan of Aster's Ethiopian just North of Dean Keeton on South I35. Comparable to Chuy's (and owned by the same people) is The Hula Hut, on Lake Austin Boulevard which provides a view of the lake (the outside deck is nice if it is warm enough).
Though, if you've got a break or some time in the evening Austin's Alamo Draft House is a must see. A movie theatre in which you can order drinks/food while you watch. Though you'd think it terribly distracting, the South Lamar theatre [http://www.originalalamo.com/Default.aspx?l=4] provides stadium style seating which keeps servers relatively out of view. Any of the theaters are worth checking out, and several include limited release and/or independent films.
(All links are to maps.google.com)
-Michael
Don't forget the Salt Lick...
http://www.saltlickbbq.com/locations_driftwood.html
<http://www.saltlickbbq.com/locations_driftwood.html>Dry county so bring
your own booze...
-Mike
BBQ lovers should go to House Park BBQ. Most of the time the sign out front says "you don't need no teef to eat my meef"
http://www.yelp.com/biz/house-park-bar-b-q-austin
Cash only!
If you want to make a short drive out to the east side of town and help your cardiologist make a boat payment or two, get the Don Juan breakfast taco from Juan in a Million. This place was featured on "Man vs. Food" a while back.
http://www.juaninamillion.com/
If you get tired of Tex-Mex, there's a good interior Mexican place downtown. Manuel's.
http://www.manuels.com/
Guiness fans should stop in at BD Riley's downtown.
http://www.bdrileys.com/
Most coffee shops, bars and restaurants have wifi hotspots since there's an active group of volunteers that helps install and maintain them.
--Chris
Maudi's on Lake Austin and Taco Deli are always on my menu. We just got some
Buffalo Wild Wings in town if you are in to that. If you make it to NXNW get
the Calimari. If you wind up ordering pizza, shop local and get the best
pizza for the best price in town at Austin's Pizza.
Austin's is good, but HomeSlice on South Congress is better, and you can walk on down to Trophy's, Continental Club, or the garden at Guero's and take in a band.
http://www.homeslicepizza.com/
http://austin.citysearch.com/profile/10210801/austin_tx/trophy_s_bar_grill.html
http://www.continentalclub.com/
http://www.guerostacobar.com/
Most coffee shops, bars and restaurants have wifi hotspots since
there's an active group of volunteers that helps install and maintain
them.
which raises the critical question, where is the nearest decent
(i.e. not fourbucks) coffee to the venue?
randy
A local (and very good friend, buy her book: <http://www.notellbooks.org/harlot>
book not about coffee, and the cover's a tad nsfwish... but it's art so...)
says:
"Ok, this is a few blocks away but it's quite fine-- mighty fine, even--
http://www.halcyonaustin.com/
218 W 4th street"
-Chris
In the downtown area there is also Jo's coffee and Little City that
are traditional coffee shops like Halcyon.
Franks, royal blue grocery and Walton's fancy & staple are also good
options for a morning snack and coffee drinks.
Whole foods is also another option.
https://auth.lessnetworks.com/v099/app?service=direct/1/Home/hotList_col3&sp=0&sp=SDESC
Has a list of some hotspots. The Schlotzky's across the street from SBUX downtown also has free access. There's also a city sponsored network available in several of the downtown parks.
--Chris
Now that you mention it, Might Fine burgers are some of the best I've had in
town too.
I can't believe nobody has mentioned the burgers at Hut's or Casino El
Camino yet. Casino is a bar that's walking distance from the hotel.
The buffalo burger (as in wing sauce, not bison) is hot and tasty.
For cheap but decent sushi, check out Kyoto on Congress -- the happy
hour pricing has strict rules though -- arrive early, and no seating
of incomplete parties. Then head downstairs for some live jazz at the
Elephant Room.
http://www.kyotodowntown.com/5585168_47375.htm
-Adam
For good food/beer/atmosphere, I recommend Fado Irish Pub on 214 W. 4th.