All this for $10? Eat your heart out. | Photo by @veracruztacos
Looking for a tasty, local lunch spot that doesn’t break the bank? We’re here for you, Austin. Check out this list of 33 places where lunch for one costs $10 or less.
Veracruz All Natural, multiple locations | For a homemade Mexican food experience, Veracruz All Natural is the place to hit.
Sandy’s Hamburgers, 603 Barton Springs Rd. | An old-fashioned hamburger, fries, and a drink will cost you $8.69 at this longtime ATX establishment. Pro tip: Take your meal to have a picnic at Auditorium Shores.
Frazier’s Long + Low, 2538 Elmont Dr. | Most of this bar’s entrees, like the chicken tender po’boy, the patty melt, and the Vinny’s Chopped Cheese, are priced under $10.
Home Slice Pizza, multiple locations | Pizza by the slice at this beloved local restaurant is $5 or less, and its special slice rotates daily.
The Soup Peddler, multiple locations | Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty bowl of soup, a sandwich, or a grilled cheese, you’ll only have to shell out an Alexander Hamilton.
Texas Chili Parlor, 1409 Lavaca St. | You’ll find prices in the single digits for the majority of this Downtown mainstay’s menu items: salads, nachos, burgers, sandwiches, bowls of chili, and more.
Sushi Junai, 1612 Lavaca St. | All of the classic sushi rolls (spicy tuna, Philadelphia, and California rolls, to name a few) at this casual eatery are less than $10.
Favorite Pizza, 801 W. 6th St. | This pizzeria’s slice + pint special gets you a slice of pizza and a pint of beer for just $7. It’s available Sunday-Thursday, making it the perfect spot for a boozy weekday lunch on a budget.
Busty’s Bar and Jukebox, 6214 Cameron Rd. | Every entree (think burgers, club sandwiches, and burritos) on the menu is $8.50 or less.
Austin Job Fair | Wednesday, July 10 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Holiday Inn Austin-Town Lake, 20 N. I-35, Austin | Free with RSVP | Bring your resume + don your favorite professional attire to meet potential employers.
Cosmic Summer Concert Series | Wednesday, July 10 | 6-8 p.m. | Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden, 121 Pickle Rd., Ste. #111, Austin | Free | It’s your last chance to see a concert in this summer series, so head to the outdoor oasis to hear Johnny Goudie + Friends perform live.
Thursday, July 11
Java and Jokes | Thursday, July 11 | 4 p.m. | Sunset Strip Comedy & Entertainment, 214 E. 6th St., Unit C, Austin | Free | Drink a cup of joe and practice your jokes in the heart of Downtown Austin.
Southern Avenue | Thursday, July 11 | 8:30 p.m. | ACL Live, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin | $23-$25 | See the Memphis-based, GRAMMY-nominated band take the iconic ACL Live stage.
Friday, July 12
New Kids on the Block | Friday, July 12 | 7 p.m. | Germania Insurance Amphitheater, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Austin | $17-$500 | Throw it back to the ‘80s with this boy band, known for the song “Step by Step.”
Ben Platt | Friday, July 12 | 8 p.m. | Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $40-$140 | The Tony award-winner will stop in ATX on his “Honeymind” Tour.
The average Austin resident’s water and wastewater bill could be increased by 9.5% — if Austin Water’s proposed rate change passes during Austin City Council’s budget season. The reason for the hike? The utility cited a need for pricey projects to keep up with Austin’s growth. (Austin Monitor)
Traffic
The City of Austin is looking to improve safety on Cameron/Dessau Road between 51st Street and Parmer Lane, a corridor where nearly 100 people are injured or killed in traffic crashes each year. You can view the proposed project and provide your feedback.
Pets
The Austin Humane Society evacuated 96 cats + dogs in the path of Hurricane Beryl on the Texas coast last weekend. The shelter has an adoption special this week to help the furry evacuees find homes — you can adopt a pet over six months old for $25. (KXAN)
Announced
After canceling his December show in Austin, “Saturday Night Live” alum Pete Davidson is finallycoming to the Moody Theater at ACL Live on Saturday, October 12. Grab your tickets when they go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m.
Real Estate
Looking for retail space in ATX? They’re few and far between: a new report from Weitzman shows Austin has maintained a retail occupancy rate of nearly 97% for over a year. Still, some Downtown Austin spots available to rent at affordable prices — read about them here.
Community
If you’re walking or biking along Barton Springs Road, you may be counted by the city’s first Eco Counter display. It tracks and displays the number of people traveling in the westbound bike lane and sidewalk in real time, and aims to encourage transportation methods other than driving.
Cause
Diners who eat the monthly pancake special at Kerbey Lane All Day Cafe will help fund the Travis County Court Appointed Special Advocates mission, thanks to a partnership running now through September. The nonprofit organization connects local children who have experienced abuse or neglect to court-appointed special advocates.
Sports
The Washington Commanders hired a new head coach — will they be a threat to the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Dallas Cowboys with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Finance
Did you know you could finance your fixer-upper with home equity? You could get up to $50K with a HELOC — calculate your payment.*
Travel
“Which US cities are most like ATX?”
Cities most like Austin, according to AI
Would you recognize this AI-generated rendering of the Austin skyline? | Image courtesy of Canva
We’ve got travel on the brain amid peak summer tourist season, and it can be nice to find a little familiarity wherever you roam.
We asked ChatGPT to help us find US travel destinations that share similarities with Austin. Here’s what the artificial intelligence program said.
Important note: Anything written by AI will be in italics for clarity.
Portland, OR: Often compared to Austin for its vibrant music scene, cultural diversity, and emphasis on outdoor activities. Both cities have a strong focus on sustainability and local food.
Nashville, TN: Known as “Music City,” Nashville shares Austin’s reputation as a live music hub. Both cities have a young population, booming tech scenes, and a creative atmosphere.
Denver, CO: Denver and Austin are similar in terms of outdoor recreational opportunities, craft beer scenes, and a youthful population. Both cities are experiencing rapid growth and have a strong entrepreneurial spirit.
Cozy Earth’s Bamboo Viscose Sheet Set, so you can enjoy soft, luxurious sheets that also keep you cool. How you know they’re good: The sheets were featured on Oprah’s 2018 Favorite Things list.
Have you been to Arriba Abajo yet? It’s a rooftop cantina at Thompson Austin, and I was blown away by its beauty when I visited last weekend. If you love plants, pretty cocktails, interior design, and skyline views, it’s the perfect spot for your next happy hour.
Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.