We can only visit Shady Grove in our dreams now. | Photo by Thomas Hawk
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
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.
Absolute Beginning Modern Dance for Adults | Monday, Sept. 30 | 10-11 a.m. | Ballet Austin’s Butler Center for Dance & Fitness | $110 | Express yourself by learning the art of modern dance in this class for folks with little or no experience.
Clairo | Monday, Sept. 30, Tuesday, Oct. 1 | Times vary | The Moody Theater | $101+ | The singer/songwriter best known for songs like “Bags” and “Pretty Girl” will take the ACL Live stage.
Tuesday, Oct. 1
UMLAUF After Dark: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month | Tuesday, Oct. 1 | 6-8 p.m. | UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum | $12 | See art demonstrations and live performances, sing karaoke, and taste foods from Tacoman512 and Dulce de Amor.
Wednesday, Oct. 2
The 25th Annual Texas Conference for Women | Wednesday, Oct. 2 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Austin Convention Center | $350+ | Hear from a variety of keynote speakers, network with professionals, and find inspiration at this event that brings together women from across the Lone Star State.
Still Woozy | Wednesday, Oct. 2 | 8 p.m. | Stubb’s Bar-B-Q | $47+ | Catch a show from the indie pop artist before he takes the ACL Festival stage this weekend.
Thursday, Oct. 3
“Let Her Rip” Opening Reception | Thursday, Oct. 3 | 6-8 p.m. | Link & Pin | Free | Peruse Austin-based artist Ellen Crofts’ new exhibit, which explores “the joy of creation and destruction.”
After defeating the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Saturday, the Longhorns rose to the No. 1 spot on the US LBM Coaches Poll. However, Texas football now sits at No. 2 on the AP Top 25 College Football Poll behind Alabama.
Community
Our Future 35 unveiled refreshed renderings for the proposed cap and stitch project above I-35 over the weekend. Pending Austin City Council approval, the first cap could be complete by 2032. See the designs. (KVUE)
Development
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport broke ground on two new concrete parallel midfield taxiways on Friday. The new construction, which should be complete in 2027, will connect various projects + make way for the development of its new 20+ gate concourse.
Edu
Demolition has begun on a historic building on UT Austin’s campus. Removing the former Steve Hicks School of Social Work building will make way for a new football practice facility. (Austin-American Statesman)
Closed
The Statesman, a restaurant on West Sixth Street, closed quietly over the summer. The “supper club” opened in January and its menu had a Texan steakhouse focus. (Eater Austin)
Festival
Cheeeese. The Austin Mac & Grilled (Cheese) Festival will be held at Star Hill Ranch on Sunday, Nov. 17. Local favorites like Uptown Sports Club, Original Black’s Barbecue, and The Victory Tap are just a few of the participating eateries. (CultureMap Austin)
Sports
Who impressed and depressed in week five of college football? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the SEC with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Listen
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