| : RESTAURANT GUIDE
Austin is home to hundreds of restaurants that serve up virtually every cuisine. From Tex-Mex and soul food to Indian and Greek fare, your taste buds are sure to be satisfied during Texas Relay Weekend in Austin.
Of those hundreds of restaurants, African Americans own about a dozen. And because Texas Relay Weekend transforms Austin into the Black Capital of Texas – for one weekend at least - we want you to have the lowdown on the best that black-owned restaurants have to offer.
So, here is the most complete list, in alphabetical order, that we know of. (If we missed your favorite - email us complete details.)
Support as many as you can this weekend - your taste buds (and the souls of Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey) will thank you.
(North Austin) 850 E. Rundberg Lane, (512) 997-7878
(South Austin) 1010 Springdale Road, (512) 927-6666
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Yes, catfish is the overwhelming specialty at Mr. Catfish.
But, Mr. Catfish also offers fried chicken, shrimp and oyster platters. Some of the delicious sides include French fries, gumbo (which could be a meal on its own), red beans and rice, collard greens, coleslaw, hush puppies and potato salad.
(Disclosure: Mr. Catfish is jointly owned by one of the producing partners of UMF.)
1209 E. 11th St.
(512) 477-6600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Austin American-Statesman restaurant critic Dale Rice named Gene’s oyster po’ boy one of the Top Ten Sandwiches in Austin in 2005. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg of tasty food at this restaurant. Rotating specials include red beans and rice, smothered pork chops, spaghetti casserole and jambalaya (a house specialty). The smothered chicken is so tender, you can cut it with a fork. Save room for dessert, because the peach cobbler is a must!
1201 E. Sixth St.
(512) 320-8801
Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday-Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Saturday; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The name speaks for itself with this restaurant too. Southern-style comfort food is the specialty here, and Tony’s (owned by Anthony Herring), does it very well.
Indulge in dishes such as the ubiquitous Texas favorite chicken fried steak, pork chops and sirloin steak. The chicken and waffles special is also a treat.
Tony’s is located only a few blocks from downtown Austin and the Urban Music Fest. In what has quickly turned into a Texas Relay weekend tradition - every Friday and Saturday of the Relays – Tony’s turns into Austin’s version of Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles! Crispy fried chicken breasts and wings, served up hot and fresh with light and fluffy waffles; all served up late into the night.
After the after-party – it’s the after-party for your taste buds at Tony’s! Call ahead to make sure they are still serving.
2316 S. First St.
(512) 462-1697
Hours: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Looking for a light, healthy meal? Owner Sharon Mays opened this wildly popular drive-through-only restaurant in 2004. As the name says, it’s all about salads at Baby Greens; the menu offers only gourmet salads and healthy wraps, either with meat or vegetarian.
Choose from Cobb, Greek, Caesar, chicken with spinach and more. The homemade dressings are magnifique and include blue cheese and Greek vinaigrettes, chile lime, balsamic vinaigrette, honey mustard, ranch, Caesar and more.
(Central East Austin)
900 E. 11th St.
(512) 477-2516
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10-30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
Much to the chagrin of barbecue lovers, this restaurant closed in 2002 when owner Ben Wash, then age 62, decided that he simply was too old to keep running the restaurant, after 31 years in the business.
Apparently, Wash needed only a short break. He re-opened the beloved barbecue joint in 2004, and patrons – who are from all walks of life– couldn’t be happier. Located just one block east of Interstate 35 on 11th Street, the restaurant offers pork ribs and sausage, pork butt, mutton and brisket, along with some of the tastiest sides in Austin, including coleslaw, pinto beans and a peach cobbler that will make you slap yo’ momma!
If you’re planning to be here for an extended period, stop by on a Wednesday for Soul Food Wednesday, when the restaurant also serves up some of the best comfort foods in Austin. The menu on Wednesdays also includes chicken and dumplings, meatloaf (all beef), ox tails or smothered porkchops. Each entrée comes with two sides and an iced tea for less than $9. On Sundays, the famous barbecue is all you can eat, with prices ranging from $12.95 for adults to $6.95 for children.
(Pflugerville, North of Austin)
15803 Windermere Dr., Suite 102 (FM 1825 and Pecan Street)
(512) 252-9300
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:30 a.m-2:30 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
If you make it into Austin early enough for lunch on Friday, you MUST go to Dot's where you can chose from eight meat and 10 vegetable choices. After your visit, you'll be recalling Sunday dinners at Big Mama's house.
10903 Pecan Park Blvd
(512) 506-8700
Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
: According to a recent restaurant review, chef and co-owner Larry Mack has crafted a menu that melds Cajun-style seafood – which we can’t get enough of – with a fine selection of steaks.
Some offerings include (the rare) fried pickles and fried green tomatoes, and the usual seafood fare.
2002 Manor Road
(512) 479-5006
Hours: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
(Nortwest Austin – NEW LOCATION!)
13376 Research Blvd. #400 (512) 335-0300
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Food Network featured this landmark restaurant on its “Best of Comfort Food” series for one of its most popular entrees, the smothered pork chops. It’s one of those meals that makes you want to eat until you pop . . . and then lick the plate.
Chef-owner Hoover Alexander is an Austin native who has been cooking for more than 25 years. While Hoover’s is known for its big selection of Southern comfort foods, the menu also tempts patrons with entrées such as Cajun pork roast, crawfish etouffee, jerk chicken, muffalletas, fried chicken and fish, chicken fried steak and much more.
Hoover’s is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and is located less than a half mile from Interstate 35 on Manor Road.
(East Austin)
1814 Harvey St.
(512) 473-2225
Eat on the patio or take your food to go at this barbecue joint. The menu features Elgin sausage, brisket, pork spareribs and mutton.
(East Austin)
2931 E. 12th St.
(512) 220-3650
It’s a small restaurant with big flavor.
Owned by Maxine and LaVern Carlock, Maxine’s has only about five tables, but serves up the usual soul food fare, just like momma used to make, as well as the bigger establishments. Menu highlights include smothered pork steak, baked chicken and beef tips. Noteworthy sides include collard greens, blackeyed peas and cabbage.
(Northwest Austin) 8105 Mesa Drive, (512) 372-9529
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch and 5:30 to 10 p.m. for dinner
(Central East Austin– NEW LOCATION!) 1050 E. 11th St., (512) 542-9143
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Owned by Billy and Brenda McGowan, this Austin favorite has an intimate ambiance with some of the best service – and more importantly– some of the best creole food in town.
Favorites include the gumbo, where the foundation of flavor lies in the all-important roux; as well as the shrimp etoufee, crawfish bisque, seafood jambalaya and fried catfish and shrimp. Savory sides such as dirty rice or white rice, fresh veggies or potatoes make for a hearty meal too, without being overly heavy. Desserts include a peach cobbler, a unique sweet potato pecan pie and bread pudding.
(East Austin)
2000 E. 12th St.
(512) 478-0378
This longtime favorite has received national recognition, most recently in author Steven Raichlen’s book,“The Barbecue! Bible.” They have the usual offerings of brisket, chicken, sausage, pork spare ribs and mutton.
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Mr. Catfish 
