If you're new to the Central Texas region, or if you've lived here a while and are just looking for somewhere new and good to eat (as I always am), here are some of my favorites for when I just don't want to cook it myself - or I'm too far from the kitchen to do so (as real estate agents frequently are). I'm always looking to expand this list, so check back often, and if you know of someplace delicious that isn't here, by all means, let me know!
Louisiana Longhorn Cafe, Round Rock, Texas - one of my all-time favorites for breakfast (on weekends), lunch, dinner, or dessert
Azul Tequila, South Austin - great, really great, Mexican Interior and Tex-Mex at reasonable prices
Fonda San Miguel, Central Austin - delicious Mexican Interior cuisine, elegant presentation, perfect for an anniversary, birthday, or other special occasion. Superb Margaritas!
El Charrito, 302 S. Austin Ave., Georgetown - wonderful Mexican food (I find it hard to ever order anything besides the flautas, try though I may!). They don't appear to have a website, but just go and sit and pick something, anything, from the menu - you'll be delighted you did.
Dos Salsas, Georgetown - Another great Tex-Mex restaurant in Georgetown. If one is too crowded (and they frequently are!), just go to the other one - they're only blocks apart. Dos Salsas has recently expanded, so you have a better chance of getting in than in times past.
B-B's Restaurant, 4236 Williams Dr., Georgetown. Another one without a website that is well worth the visit. Named for the first initials of the owner's two aunts, B-B's offers home cooking with a special flair. I'm particularly fond of their baked sweet potato with a butter that contains spices that I'm trying to identify (tried to make mashed sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving last year that tasted the same, and almost succeeded - what is that secret ingredient?). I've yet to have anything there that wasn't delicious - and they have a fine hand with the catfish, something that is tricky to prepare really well.
Stone Canyon Cafe, 3303 Williams Dr., Georgetown. Wonderful burgers, fries, catfish, chicken fried steak (get the smaller portion unless you're going to share with someone else - it fills an entire platter), and sides. An assortment of other offerings. Good food, reliable, casual, a good place to meet for business lunches or lunch or dinner with friends.
The Monument Cafe, Georgetown. Home cooking Texas style with an extra gourmet touch (Kobe beef, anyone?). When you go to the Monument, make sure you're hungry!
Walburg Restaurant, Walburg. German food, Biergarten, and the Walburg Boys playing accordian and yodeling - what more can I say? Try it, you'll like it - and you never know who you might see at the next table!
Georgetown BBQ, Georgetown. Good, traditional BBQ. Make sure to have some banana pudding and cobbler!
The Salt Lick BBQ, Driftwood. One of the Meccas for BBQ enthusiasts in this area. The ambiance is almost as good as the food! Suffice it to say, I periodically send a Salt Lick Care Package to my son in far-off New York City, just to make sure he gets his Texas vitamins!
Cooper's BBQ, Llano. Another place where you're likely to see BBQ afficionados bowing down and changing, "I'm not worthy!" Great, truly great, BBQ, and the true BBQ experience. Don't miss it - it's worth the drive and then some!