Mandola’s Italian Market and Restaurant

Mandola's Italian Restaurant

So, breakfast and chocolate are at the top my favorite foods list. Something that is not too far behind is good Italian food.

The chains are good (Olive Garden and Macaroni Grill), but a few months ago, I was introduced to Mandolas, a little Italian Market which also has a restaurant in it.

Located in the Triangle, down Guadalupe, Mandola’s is easy accessible by car or bus (1L/1M).

The menu boasts authenticate Italian cusine, and the best thing is, it doesn’t leave you feeling like you ate a lot of food. The portions are a little pricey, but can also last two meals, if necessary.

What’s even better than the restaurant, is the bakery (you knew it was coming) which has chocolate cake, cannoli, and gelato. The restaurant is amazing.

Two thumbs up!

Thai Kitchen

I’m a big fan of Thai food. The spices, the flavors are two big factors that make me appreciate it. A Thai restaurant, which I recently tried is Thai Kitchen.

I went with my mom, which made it even better. I got the Vegetarian #17 and she got the Indian Curry Fried Rice with Tofu. I really like the #17, it had the perfect amount of sweet and spicy. My mom really liked her dish too, she’s really picky when it comes to food, and she really likes her food spicy, so Thai Kitchen had the perfect combination for her.

Check out their menu.

We also got the dumplings, which I didn’t enjoy as much. I prefer the dumplings from Thai Noodle House, located just off of 26h street.

Both of these places deliver and offer the option of calling-in a to-go order. Thai Noodle House definitely has better dumplings, and an amazing peanut sauce.

Austin’s Own Burger places

While being in Austin allows us to surround ourselves with many chain burger places, we also are able to enjoy local places which feature similar menus.

Dirty Martins, located at 28 and Guadalupe, has a diverse menu.

With a variety of options from nachos to chili, Dirty’s has plenty of fried food to clog your arteries. They offer plenty of vegetarian sandwiches too, like their grilled cheese, veggie burger, black bean burger and their egg sandwich. For the sweet tooth, Dirtys has chocolate, vanilla and strawberry shakes, malts and cones.

Dirty’s also boasts a happy hour from 3 to 7, Monday through Friday, with 1/2 appetizer.

Fast Food Chains

So not feeling adventurous? Besides the local Austin restaurants, several fast food chains have found a home on the Drag. These include: Pita Pit, Which Wich?, Texadelphia and Potbelly’s.

Pita Pit has locations all over the country, and it offers affordable pitas for the average college student.

With many options to choose from Pita Pit’s menu, there is something for everyone. Meat Lovers can enjoy 14 different pita, veggie lovers seven, and they also have five pitas, which are under 500 calories.

Pita Pit is also great to student organizations. They offer “club night” where a portion of the sales goes to the organization when customers mention the organization.

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Texadelphia has locations around Texas (and one in Oklahoma) that features sandwiches, burgers, appetizers and salads. Each cheesesteak sandwich is made to order, from fresh ingredients.

Texadelphia offers chips and queso as one of their staples, what would  an originally Texas restaurant be without queso on the menu.

One interesting fact about Texadelphia is that, for all you Dragrats out there, it started out where Manjus is now located, the clothing store (which prides itself on the burnt orange dresses) is located.  Check it out. ( Sorry for the blurriness, I had to blow it up from a smaller picture)

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Torchy’s Tacos

Last year, I discovered this wonderful taco place right off of Guadalupe. Torchy’s Tacos keeps with the “Keep Austin Weird” trend, by offering out-of-the-box tacos names.

With such tacos like Fried Avocado, Baja Shrimp, The Republican, Ranch Hand, Trailer Park and more, there is something for everyone. They also give you the opportunity to build your own taco.

Besides the location off of the Drag, there are two other locations around Austin.

Each month, Torchy’s features a different taco as its specialty. This month, the taco is “The Scarecrow.” It has pumpkin crusted chicken, roasted poblanos, escabeche carrots, cotija cheese & cilantro. Torchy’s vistors have the choice of having their taco on flour or corn tortillas. It also comes with creamy chipotle salsa.

Also in time for the Halloween season, Torchy’s Trailer Park has a pumpkin patch.

Torchy’s also has a wonderful green chile queso and burritos. To round out your meal, get little nookies, fried dough covered in powdered sugar.

**Special shout out to Torchy’s: they won Best Mole at the 2009 Austin Chocolate Festival!

Veggie lovers unite!

Even though we are in Texas, more less a state more known for its barbecue and steak, there is a very big vegetarian population. With resturants offering vegetarian and vegan options, sometimes it’s better to take the guess work out of your order.

That’s where Veggie Heaven comes into play. With a menu that varies in its combination of  vegetables, tofu and sauces, theres a little something for everyone. At Veggie Heaven, you can find something that is right for you.

Vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike visit this eatery to enjoy quick service. In a matter of minutes of sitting down, waitresses come by to take your order. As you get into coversation with your guest, your rice will arrive, and seconds later, your food is in front of you.

Don’t be surprised when you get your check too, Veggie Heaven is fast and efficient when it comes to turnover. Don’t feel obligated to pay right away. Feel free to enjoy your meal and then pay.

Also note, Veggie Heaven gives rice to the hobos who ask for it (and if you want extra rice with your leftovers, don’t be afraid to ask, they’ll give it you too.)

Ming’s Cafe

So I uncovered  Ming’s Cafe about two years ago, and I love it. The atomosphere is really laid back.  They always have specials, which are the main reason I keep going back.  You never know what to expect.

They are good at any time. Their menu features a small lunch menu, but the entire menu is generally available all the time. Their specials are listed as soon as you walk in on chalkboards in bright colors.

For those of you vegetarians out there, their menu is veggie friendly. Also, in several dishes you can simply substitute tofu for the meat that is in the dish.

Every Monday, there is live music, and every Wednesday, Mings has Mingtones, where they feature an artist from 8-10pm

It’s located right across the street from the University of Texas at Austin’s campus. Right between the 7-Eleven and Diablo Rojo, the tattoo/piercing parlor.

Got that sweet tooth craving?

With popular trends coming up around the country, these two have made their way to Austin. Cupcakes and froyo.

This is the first part of a two part series. I will focus on cupcakes.

Cupcakes, while they have  always been a favorite for birthdays and other special occasions and are easy to bake, have become even easier. Now two main locations, Polkadots Cupcake Factory and Hey Cupcake, it’s even easier to satisfy that sweet tooth, without having to go through the labor of baking.

Polkadots was created by a UT alumna and is located right off the drag, at 28 1/2 and Guadalupe, in a little renovated house, walking distance from campus.

Besides offering a wide variety of cupcakes, Polkadots will also customize cakes and cookies for your special occasion.

Pizza Places around Town

Staying with the trend of keeping Austin Weird, Austin has a wide variety of pizza places that live up to this name.

Here is  a list of five pizza places around Austin.

Mangia’s

Boasting its Chicago  stuffed Pizza, Mangia’s a recognizable place on the Drag, with the giant alligator as its mascot.  With four locations around Austin, Mangia’s offers. Mangia’s also recently opened a new location in Round Rock, right out of North Austin.

Mellow Mushroom

Newly painted, Mellow Mushroom has a “groovy” theme that is evident in its pizza titles, along with the inner atmosphere. With names like “Kosmic Karma” and “The Casear,” Mellow Mushroom has something for everyone.

Slices and Ices

This New York-Style pizzeria, offers pizza by the slice and by the pie. Slices are heated up when you order, so they don’t get cold. With a few tables inside, it is the perfect balance between fast pizza to-go, and a sit down dining facility.

Austin’s Pizza

With 11 locations around Austin, Austin’s Pizza offers a sports bar atmosphere with pizza.  It was established in 1999. They offer 29 different toppings for you to experiment with for your pizza. With a location conveniently located on the Drag, it’s a popular spot for college students on away Longhorn football games, and to watch any other sports game in general.

Mellow Mushroom

Newly painted, Mellow Mushroom has a “groovy” theme that is evident in its pizza titles, along  with the inner atmosphere. With names like “Kosmic Karma” and “The Casear,” Mellow Mushroom has something for everyone.

Conan’s Pizza

Like  Mangia’s, Conan’s Pizza boasts Chicago style pizza. Right off of campus, Conan’s is a small sit down or carry out pizza  place.

Learn which some college students prefer: Mellow Mushroom or Slices and Ices.

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Besides these “Austin-ish” pizza places, Austin also features the chain restaurants, Pizza Hut, Papa Johns, Mr. Gattis, Dominos Pizza, and Little Casears.

Kerbey Lane Cafe

When I moved to Austin eight years ago, one of the first places I visited was Kerbey Lane Cafe. When I entered the University of Texas at Austin, having a Kerbey Lane Cafe, right across the street became the best and worst thing.

Best: It is open 24 hours a day, with a 24 hour menu: When you’re feeling hungry you can walk over and enjoy any meal, no matter what time of day it is.

Worst: It is open 24 hours a day, with a 24 hour menu: When you should be asleep at 2 a.m, it’s the place to go for a quick late night snack. The wait is not that bad either, depending on the size of your party and how late it is.

Breakfast is one of my favorite meals ever, and to be able to get pancakes whenever I want, is amazing.But the pancakes are not the only thing on the menu that is noteworthy. Kerbey Lane also carries  Texas staples, queso and salsa.

Original Kerbey Lane

Also, with more and more people becoming vegan and gluten free, Kerbey Lane has adapted their menu, offering seasonal specials, along with their regular entrees that meet these needs.

Kerbey Lane Cafe’s pancakes are so popular,  they sell  their  pancake mixes at the cafe. If you can’t make it to one of their locations, you can also purchase their Gingerbread, Pumpkin, Apple Wheat or Buttermilk mixes at many local Austin supermarkets, like HEB.

Next time you are feeling hungry at 2 am, don’t just sleep it off, visit one of the four locations around Austin.