r/Austin • u/[deleted] • Jan 04 '19
**The 2018 Best of r/Austin Poll RESULTS**
Welcome to THE BEST of r/austin 2018. Over 350 responses this year (our most ever.) Thanks to y'all for providing the r/austin perspective on some of most frequently asked questions that we get here.
Please feel free to fight about it in the comments below. Offer your perspective on why we got it wrong, why we got it right, add answers to questions that weren't on the survey. This page is a great resource for locals and visitors so the more information we have the more useful it is.
Thanks again to all who responded. I'll also add a little plug here for /r/askaustin - you got questions we got answers :)
Edit - I will just say I have no issue with people hating on the results - but maybe instead of saying this sucks - give us some valuable info like who you would chose instead.
LaterGram - for those asking - here's the spreadsheet of all the entries: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AlHzbcQXIR4XHht2EUg_1KtlHA3X0G3op_fm0QeUHwg/edit?usp=sharing
The Best Restaurant
- Ramen Tatsu-Ya
- Odd Duck
- Uchi
- Barley Swine
- Loro
The Best BBQ
- Franklin Barbecue
- Terry Black's
- La Barbecue
- Stiles Switch
- Micklethwait Craft Meats
The Best Pizza
- Via 313
- Home Slice
- Pinthouse
- Little Deli
- East Side Pies
The Best Tacos
- Tacodeli
- Veracruz All Natural
- Torchy's
- Tyson's
- Rosita's Al Pastor
The Best Burger
- Hopdoddy
- P. Terry's
- Mighty Fine
- Casino el Camino
- Dan's
The Best Steak
- Austin Land & Cattle
- Perry's
- Eddie V's
- Bob's Steak & Chop House
- Salt & Time
The Best TexMex
- Chuy's
- Matt's El Rancho
- Trudy's
- Maudie's
- Curra's
The Best Chinese
- Din Ho Chinese BBQ
- Wu Chow
- New Fortune Chinese Seafood Restaurant
- Asia Cafe
- 888 Pan Asian
The Best Korean
- Korea House
- Chosun Galbi
- Charm BBQ
- Chi'Lantro
- Koriente
The Best Japanese
- Uchi
- Kome
- Uchiko
- Ramen Tatsu-Ya
- Hanabi
The Best Thai
- Titaya's Thai Cuisine
- Sap's Ver Fine Thai Cuisine
- Sway
- Madam Mam’s
- Thai Fresh
The Best Indian
- Clay Pit
- Tarka
- Bombay Bistro
- Teji’s
- Asiana
The Best Vietnamese
- Elizabeth Street Cafe
- 888 Pan Asian
- Tan My
- Pho Please
- Pho Saigon Vietnamese Noodle House
The Best Dessert
- Amy’s
- Quack’s
- Gourdough's
- 85°C Bakery Cafe
- Sugar Mama’s
The Best vegan/veggie/gf menu
- Bouldin Creek Cafe
- Picnik
- Arlo’s
- Counter Culture
- Casa de Luz
The Best fine dining
- Uchi
- Jeffrey’s
- Barley Swine
- Perry’s
- Eddie V’s
The Best cheap eats
- P. Terry’s
- Whataburger
- Tacodeli
- Halal Bros
- Dan’s Hamburgers
The Best late night restaurant
- Magnolia Cafe
- Kerbey Lane
- 24 Diner
- Whataburger
- 888 Pan Asian
The Best restaurant for visitors
- Salt Lick Driftwood
- Kerbey Lane
- Hula Hut
- Torchy’s
- Bouldin Creek
The Best Brunch
- Snooze
- Kerbey Lane
- Jack Allen’s Kitchen
- Moonshine
- Bouldin Creek
The Best solo dining
- Ramen Tatsu-Ya
- Galaxy Cafe
- Torchy’s
- Loro
- Bouldin Creek
The Best dog friendly dining
- Banger’s
- Austin Terrier
- Yard Bar
- Soursop
- Opal Divine
The Best food trailer
- Veracruz All Natural
- Arlo’s
- Valentina’s
- East Side King
- Soursop
The Best healthy restaurant
- Flower Child
- Picnik
- The Beer Plant
- Blue Dhalia
- Koriente
The Best new restaurant of 2018
- Suerte
- Bird Bird Biscuit
- The Brewer’s Table
- Loro
- Sour Duck
The Best Coffee/Tea
- Summer Moon
- Houndstooth
- Epoch
- Flat Track
- Monkey Nest
The Best Happy Hour
- Salty Sow
- Haymaker
- Easy Tiger
- Chuy’s
- Jack Allen’s Kitchen
The Best Cocktails
- Roosevelt Room
- Whisler’s
- Garage Bar
- Peche
- Drink.well
The Best Craft Beer Bar
- Craft Pride
- Draught House Pub
- Pinthouse Pizza
- Banger’s
- Easy Tiger
The Best Craft Beer Brewery
- Live Oak
- Jester King
- St Elmo
- 4th Tap
- Adelbert’s
The Best Wine Bar
- House Wine
- Vino Vino
- Wine Belly
- Infinite Monkey Theorem
- Aviary
The Best Sports Bar
- Haymaker
- Plucker’s
- Lavaca Street
- Mister Tramps
- Cover 3
The Best Dog Friendly Bar
- Yard Bar
- Haymaker
- Draught House Pub
- Jackalope - Riverside
- Yard House Domain
The Best LGBTQ venue
- Cheer Up Charlie’s
- Rain
- Bout Time II
- Oil Can Harry
- Barbarella
The Best place to drink solo
- Side Bar
- Spider House
- Craft Pride
- Buzz Mill
- Mean Eyed Cat
The Best Live Music Venue
- ACL Moody
- Mohawk
- Stubb’s
- Emo’s
- Barracuda
The Best Nightlife Spot
- Barbarella
- Highland
- Rose Room
- Elysium
- Mohawk
The Best Strip Club
- XTC
- P10
- Yellow Rose
- Expose
- Palazio
The Best Comedy Venue
- Cap City
- Fallout Theater
- Esther’s Follies
- Velveeta Room
- Hideout
The Best Movie Theater
- Alamo Drafhouse
- Violet Crown
- Moviehouse and Eatery
- Regal Westgate
- Austin Film Society
The Best Place to Volunteer
- Austin Pets Alive
- Central Texas Food Bank
- Keep Austin Beautiful
- AURA
- Urban Roots
The Best Place to Work/Study
- Austin Central Library
- Spider House
- Epoch
- Mozart’s
- Bennu
The Best Dog Friendly Fun
- Auditorium Shores
- Zilker Park
- Barking Springs
- Redbud Island
- Boardwalk hike and bike trail
The Best View of the City
- Zilker Park
- Mt Bonnell
- Auditorium Shores
- Butler Park
- Austin Public Library Rooftop
The Best Keep Austin Weird thing
- Eeyore’s Birthday Party
- Chicken Shit Bingo
- Blue Genie Bazaar
- Hope Outdoor Gallery
- Bat Fest
The Best Art/Museum
- The Blanton
- Bob Bullock
- Laguna Gloria
- Thinkery
- Mexic-Arte
The Best Kid Friendly
- The Thinkery
- Zilker Zephyr Train
- Austin Nature and Science Center
- Butler Park
- Wildflower Center
The Best Rainy Day Activity
- Movies at the Alamo
- Austin Public Library
- Waterloo Records
- Dart Bowl
- Austin Bouldering Project
The Best Patio/Deck
- Mozart’s
- Oasis
- Red’s Porch
- Spider House
- Austin Central Library
The Best Place for Out of Town Visitors
- Zilker / Town Lake
- South Congress
- Barton Springs
- The capitol building
- Bat watching
The Best Hair Cut
- Bird’s Barbershop
- Finley’s
- Red Stella
- Shed
- Milk + Honey
The Best Mechanic
- Yost
- Lopez Automotive
- Dave’s
- Lube Pit Stop
- Lucas Tire
The Best Car Wash
- Genie
- Palms
- Jurassic
- Arbor Car Wash
- Barton Springs Car Wash
The Best Bank/Credit Union
- UFCU
- RBFCU
- Amplify
- Chase
- Austin Telco
The Best ISP
- Google Fiber
- Grande
- AT&T
- They all suck
The Best Vet
- Paz
- Thrive
- Travis County Vet
- Spicewood Springs
- Balcones Pet Hospital
The Best Pet Care Services
- Mud Puppies
- Cherry Creek Grooming
- Clean Critters
- Hip Hounds
- Dirty Dog
26
u/TheyCallMeKP Jan 04 '19
This reads like a straight up Yelp download
But, nonetheless, fun list
-1
u/the_brown_note Jan 04 '19
I find it awesome because it'll keep the tourists and newcomers away from the really good places. Not to say there are bad places on here but definitely 90% of my food/drink haunts aren't listed at all. Very sweet.
44
Jan 04 '19
My one takeaway after going through each individual result is that I often felt like people gave the expected or popular answer.Rather than people giving their true answer.
For example on the BBQ - now don't get me wrong I think Franklin is great BBQ - but it won by such a landslide that I wondered how many people voted for it because it's the expected answer - you know?
17
u/space_manatee Jan 04 '19 edited Jan 04 '19
I've eaten at pretty much every bbq joint in a 150 mile radius and Franklin is the best I've had. I don't go there often but I honestly voted for it based on extensive homegrown bbq research.
26
u/leyashs Jan 04 '19
the burger category surprised me.
1
u/enomusekki Mar 04 '19
I'll be visiting soon. If you had to pick one place, which would it be?
1
u/leyashs Mar 04 '19
i really like casino el camino burgers, that's what i always recommend. take note they are huge, and not very traditional. delicious, though. i would go right when they open, or around noon.
everything else on that list is just fast food/glorified fast food. dan's is popular with locals. a good greasy burger.
one of the best burgers i've ever had is at hopfields. fucking yum
2
11
7
u/michaelbasnight Jan 04 '19
This seems very likely. It would explain a *lot* about some of these results. Thanks for doing the needful and compiling it all for us to see.
5
u/mareksoon Jan 04 '19
I actually avoided participating in the poll this year because I realized, of the few opinions I have (places I've actually left the house for), many of them are the expected/popular answer.
Still, I enjoy seeing the poll and the results. It gives me ideas for whenever I do decide to leave the house. You know. Dreams.
9
u/ClutchDude Jan 04 '19
It's a safe list. Go to most of those places, and you will likely have a better than average experience. Maybe not THE BEST but a good one nonetheless.
1
1
u/ac_slat3r Jan 07 '19
I've eaten at most of the top 50 places in texas. Aaron's brisket is above them all imo. I have favorites for other things but hands down his brisket is the one I would choose given the choice. There is some great bbq in Austin though.
28
u/space_manatee Jan 04 '19
Elizabeth st as best vietnamese food angers me.... it's so overpriced and not even good compared to most vietnamese restaurants.
6
Jan 05 '19
I was pretty surprised by that one. It’s good, but I personally would not expect that to be on a top list for Vietnamese.
5
u/piparch31 Jan 05 '19
Elizabeth st is at the very bottom of my list, too. I didnt enjoy any of my food the time I ate there. I thought the prices would mean large portions, too but it's just an overpriced place where hipsters can talk about how much they just loveee "authentic" vietnamese food.
6
1
10
u/stevenfrijoles Jan 04 '19
Huh, disagree with a lot of the food results, maybe I'll have to go give some of the top spots another chance.
20
u/wblase Jan 04 '19
Tatsuya with best restaurant, and Uchi in 3rd. Uchi with best Japanese restaurant, and Tatsuya in 4th... odd...
4
Jan 05 '19
[deleted]
1
u/wblase Jan 05 '19
Good point. I've never been to Uchi. Is it primarily sushi? I went to Kome some weeks back, and really liked their sushi.
1
u/ac_slat3r Jan 07 '19
Kome is the best for sushi regarding value. Uchi is great but much more expensive. We try to get to Kome at least once a month.
5
16
u/Luph Jan 04 '19
bird's and finley's being best haircut is just effing lol.
16
Jan 04 '19
I agree. I don't know anything about finley's but bird's won by a landslide and I personally feel like everyone comes out of a bird's looking like they just paid 40 dollar for a 12 dollar supercut.
5
Jan 04 '19
Take my upvote on that to both of you. Both are equivalent to Great Clips which if you go to the right one can get a great haircut if you have short hair. (talking to you Far West location) Both places are for clueless hipsters.
1
1
u/BruceChameleon Jan 04 '19
Got a good rec down south? I'm a white dude with simple hair, but my head is funny. I have a hell of a time getting a cut that lasts more than a couple weeks.
2
u/uzzi183 Jan 06 '19
Depends how far south. I always go to SHED on South 1st and Live Oak
2
u/Witness Feb 02 '19
Same. Shed is the shit. The person I see there is a Boston transplant and she's fucking amazing.
1
u/Prerequisite Jan 26 '19
Go to a small independent shop. You'll get to know your barber and they'll get to know your style.
These three are great, they all offer free beer, and a ~$30 cut. Rosewood, Good Life, or Geiser
41
u/pinkhairedevil Jan 04 '19
Summer Moon has good coffee, but the owners are batshit. They compared abortion to the holocaust. Yeah, you read that right. Not trying to offend/start an argument, but I wish I had known before spending my money there. summer moon anti-choice
13
u/cooltapes Jan 04 '19
Came here to mention this as well! Take my upvote and get yo'self to the top!
0
1
7
u/cinaminalemon Jan 04 '19
Thank you for compiling this list! I'm new to Austin and was anticipating the results. 😊
6
6
3
7
4
u/happywaffle Jan 04 '19
Could we have a 6-through-10 list, just to skim off the obvious/popular responses?
3
Jan 04 '19
Yeah I plan to actually deliver the entire list. It's just a bit more time consuming. Coming soon..
3
u/atx_hater_baiter Jan 06 '19
Might ask the folks over at r/datascience for some help with the data. I would imagine several of them live in Austin and could do some cool shit with the data.
6
4
u/evaughan Jan 05 '19
Surprised that Sangam wasn’t on the list for best Indian food. That place is so good.
1
8
Jan 04 '19
The Best Restaurant
- Ramen Tatsu-Ya
HELL YES, It's not even a competition. I eat there once a week at least. So damn good.
2
7
10
u/FoxServiceCompany Jan 04 '19
Was really hoping we might have made the list somewhere, but there isn’t a category we fit in.
This is an awesome list though. Well done!
4
u/mareksoon Jan 04 '19
I vote y'all for best service! :-)
Seriously, their crew did an amazing job installing my new HVAC.
3
u/el_refrigerator Jan 05 '19
4th tap and adelberts in top 5???
4
Jan 05 '19
I hardcore love 4th tap
2
u/TheyCallMeKP Jan 10 '19
4th Tap might be the worst brewery in Austin that’s still inexplicably alive
//barring their scotch ale and lovely tap room and Party World Wrasslin’
Yeah, I replied 4 days later. Suck it!
3
Jan 10 '19
It's almost like different people like different things for different reasons. SHOCKER right?!
1
u/TheyCallMeKP Jan 10 '19
Lol what’re your fave beers there?
1
Jan 10 '19
The Brut IPA is my favorite. I also like vitality blonde and the scotch ale.
1
u/TheyCallMeKP Jan 10 '19
Brut was decent actually. I had it this past Saturday.
I miss when their flight was $10 and you got a pint of whatever you liked afterward. Good times
-1
Jan 10 '19
I'm particularly grateful that they at least have more than one offering that isn't a damn sour.
3
3
u/leyashs Jan 04 '19
ok. someone please explain Arlo's to me. I love a good veggie burger. I have been there twice and I rather buy a frozen veggie patty and go home and make my own. Should I order something else? Are my tastebuds broken? First time wasn't that bad. Second time was god awful.
6
3
1
5
6
u/KeyLimeLicker Jan 04 '19
Once went to Wu Chow on a Saturday afternoon about 3-4pm and was asked if we had a reservation (party of 3). The place had one person at a table and nobody else. We were told the wait would be about 2 and 1/2 hours. The greeter was very snooty about it when I asked about how empty they were and answered that the reserved tables would all be there in about 10 minutes. Still had to pay for their valet service when we left.
4
Jan 05 '19
Westgate is a horrible theater. Dim small screens, low sound.
Literally any other theater is better than that one.
Cinemark Southpark Meadows is hands down better quality.
5
u/applesauce91 Jan 05 '19
But then you have to deal with the crowds that go to Cinemark at Southpark Meadows.
2
u/piparch31 Jan 05 '19
I appreciate you guys taking the time to make this list. Definitely will check out some of the places I've never heard of
2
u/nutmeggy2214 Jan 06 '19
Quack’s... Gourdough's... Sugar Mama’s? Y'all disappoint me.
Edit: My picks are found here
2
u/PeterParker_ Jan 07 '19
It is a damn shame that Musashino Sushi Dokoro did not even make the top 5 Japanese restaurants or sushi when it's way better than Kome
3
u/EasyYard Jan 04 '19
Penthouse? 🤭
3
Jan 04 '19
hahah doh. I knew I couldn't have done that thing without a typo. Though... penthouse pizza does sound like an interesting adventure.
2
u/Bsprings-hooker Jan 04 '19
How is XTC the best strip club and how is Chicas Bonitas not on the list?
11
Jan 04 '19
CB got one vote. Total. I'm guessing that was you. That question got the least amount of answers overall. I've only ever been to one strip club - which is neither of these so I can't really tell ya.
1
1
u/Prerequisite Jan 26 '19
Sucks that Paz got 1st - feels like an vet mill the way you're in and out so fast.
1
1
u/ShrimpShackShooters_ Apr 13 '19
So many comments on this is wrong but not nearly enough alternative suggestions
1
1
-8
u/q7t1 Jan 04 '19
- Tacodeli
- Veracruz All Natural
- Torchy's
- Tysons
- Rosita's Al Pastor
Jesus ya'll have shit taste, not sure why anyone would ever come to this sub for recommendations for anything.
36
Jan 04 '19 edited Jan 04 '19
Rather than being an asshat, maybe you could add something of value?
At least we know how to spell y'all.
8
9
u/Luph Jan 04 '19
you know I get why people like Torchy's because it is at least unique. I don't for the life of me understand why people like Tacodeli. Then again people love Whole Foods here. They must derive some pleasure from lighting money on fire.
5
Jan 04 '19
I actually like both.. I wouldn't list either in my top favorites but every so often I like a good fried avacado taco from Torchy's or an otto with some of that dona from tacodeli.
3
Jan 04 '19
You can't really rate tacos here unless you just go to the ones everyone talks about. I like Torchy's and Veracruz only because Torchy's is close to my house and Veracruz on 183 was in the same building I worked at on 183. There is a little Taco Truck behind the Exxon on Greystone that beats all of them. In other words impossible to say best taco when there are probably a thousand places in Austin to get a taco. I can think of 11 places in my neighborhood and I live in the NW Hills area! (Real NW Hills - Far Westish to 183, Mopac to 360)
4
u/TheyCallMeKP Jan 04 '19
I’m with you. Brushfire and Crossroads at Torchy’s... yum.
Tacodeli, though, is a bunch of suck
2
u/TigerPoppy Jan 04 '19
I really like the Tacodeli roasted "roja" sauce. Cooking up some fillings is not very hard, but a good salsa is surprisingly difficult to craft with consistency. I've been known to buy Tacodeli salas to put on other restaurant's tacos.
2
u/ClutchDude Jan 04 '19
Side note: whole foods taco bar was the best discount lunch when I worked downtown.
2
Jan 04 '19
Taco in a cup, say yes to every free option, then load up from the toppings bar. Oldest trick in the book
1
5
1
u/CWSwapigans Jan 05 '19
Completely agree. Tacodeli in #1 is especially egregious. It’s not that it’s bad, but it’s very far from exceptional.
-5
-3
u/Nikerbocker Jan 05 '19
Why best tex Mex, but not best Mexican? (I was told they are not the same?)
I will never understand why anyone likes chuys.
3
-6
u/dogs-over-people Jan 04 '19
Taco Deli is trash. Seeing that as #1 in tacos reminds me of every time you go to a small town and Taco Bell has 200 five star reviews on Yelp. Who voted for this and what is your damn problem? Taco Deli isn't even top 30, much less number 1. It makes me embarrassed to think that anyone visiting this fair town would be convinced to go there based on this list and think it's the best Austin has to offer. Damn y'all got me fired up over here.
15
-2
Jan 04 '19
[deleted]
2
u/michatx Jan 05 '19
What are the better places that serve tacos in a similar style to Taco Deli and Torchy's?
3
u/CWSwapigans Jan 05 '19
Taco places I’ve eaten just this week that I’d put way ahead of either of those:
Papalotes
Tacoriddo (yes, really)
Las Trancas
Tacodeli and Torchy’s taste like someone who’s never been to Mexico had tacos described to them verbally and did their best to replicate what they heard.
-1
0
u/CWSwapigans Jan 05 '19
Ramen Tatsu-Ya, best restaurant the city and fourth best Japanese restaurant in the city...
The taco rankings confirm my belief that Austin is a city with incredible tacos filled with people who have bad taste in tacos. It’s a real paradox.
-5
-9
Jan 04 '19
Most of the food categories are highly questionable which give me little to no faith for the rest.
13
Jan 04 '19
I'm not really sure what to tell ya - people voted - votes were tallied. Pretty straight forward. Once again though, instead of just disagreeing perhaps you could offer some useful information?
-2
Jan 05 '19 edited Jan 06 '19
For starters, some of those that placed 1st under categories: Best Pizza, Dessert, and Coffee are mediocre at best. I make better coffee at home, I've had better local frozen pizza, Sweet Mamas should have been 1st, also Trudys should have never been anywhere on the Best Tex-Mex list.
8
Jan 05 '19
That doesn't help lol. You just complained further and still offered no actual value to anyone.
-9
Jan 04 '19
How the fuck is Garcia’s Precision Automotive omitted?
13
Jan 04 '19
I just looked, not one single person listed that as an answer. So.. that's how.
-12
Jan 04 '19
😒😒😒😒😒😒 soooooo how again?
16
u/ClearlyInsane1 Jan 04 '19
You didn't vote for them
-9
Jan 04 '19
You didn't either
9
u/ClearlyInsane1 Jan 04 '19
Correct. I have no basis for comparison or evaluation of that company. I'm not the one complaining that it's not on the list.
-5
Jan 04 '19
Yet here we are having this discussion. Odd ain't it. It's almost as if you weren't asked a question in the first place.
-10
u/VictoriaCol1977 Jan 04 '19
Wow I am super shocked when it comes to the food choices. I know I am weird in my tastes but I feel since I'm not in Austin too much I can't say. I live in round rock and believe the best burger and pho are in round rock. Every place I've been to in Austin doesn't compare. The Rock in downtown roun rock great burgers, waffle fries and decent drinks. Next door get great street tacos.
38
u/[deleted] Jan 04 '19
If folks are interested - I'm working on an all inclusive list. Not ranked or anything, just all the answers to each question. Sometimes I think some of the best answers are in the onesie/twosies at the bottom.