Last week, we asked which Austin restaurant do you miss the most + which meal do you wish was still around?
Piece of cake, right? The ATXtoday readers + Instagram audience sent us food for thought. Let’s stroll down memory lane, because we love a moment of local nostalgia.
Shady Grove
Readers had a lot to say about Shady Grove, a local favorite for outdoor dining that sat on Barton Springs Road for nearly three decades.
Theresa C. misses its “quirky yet rustic stone” structure, listening to live music on the shaded patio, and the Hippie Chick Sandwich.
If Jennifer H. could go back, they’d order a Shady Thang to drink and snack on Shady Fries with queso.
Threadgill’s
We’d love to be at Threadgill’s on this night in 2012.
Photo by Heather Cowper via OpenVerse
If time machines existed, Ken K. would head to Threadgill’s on North Lamar Boulevard to order a chicken fried steak + a veggie plate.
Likewise, Carmen C. still craves the Southern comfort food restaurant’s pecan crusted chicken. It’s also the place where Patty G. learned mac ‘n’ cheese is a vegetable.
The Frisco Shop
This retro diner on Burnet Road opened in 1953 and closed in 2018. Kathy G. loved its Down South Hamburger, coleslaw, and strawberry pie, while Natalie M. would opt for the chopped steak and chocolate icebox pie.
Mad Dog & Beans
John P. said this food stand in West Campus was one of the first places in Austin to offer milkshakes made with Blue Bell Ice Cream — which were the perfect complement to its mouth-watering burgers.
John S. called them the best burgers in Austin, and cited the restaurant as “a large reason for my freshman 15 lb weight gain.” His order? A burger — cooked medium rare — served with tomatoes, guacamole, and sprouts.
Honorable mentions
Magic Time Machine, Lenae S. | “Hit the wayback button to transport you to the seventies magic Time Machine where all waiters wore costumes, you could be seated in Cinderella’s pumpkin table or visit the salad car. It was magical. I don’t remember any of the food but the experience as a kid was magical.”
Las Manitas, Colleen V. | “It was my first breakfast taco and horchata experience when I moved to Austin in 2007. You never forget something like that.”
Granite Cafe, Sarah F. | “Going wayyyy back. It was Reed Clemons, owner of the Grove, first restaurant in Austin. Southwestern flair. Unique dishes! So good! Located on San Gabriel on top floor of building across from where bike shop used to be.”
Chicon’s, @jesucitagarcia | “Chicon’s had the most interesting and delicious desserts. But I agree with everyone who said Players. Such great memories and burgers there”
Christie’s Seafood, Steaks and Cocktails, @rickscott444 | “I want the house salad dressing from Christie’s on the lake. I can still taste it but I can’t replicate it”
Mother’s Cafe, @nicolegoad | “I miss Mother’s so much. From the weird guy playing the xylophone for Sunday brunch to the best vegan soups I’ve ever tasted... so dang good.”
Mike and Charlie’s, Carol S. | “Best quiche and cheesecake, a central Austin neighborhood eatery.”
