Here are a few photos from my much-too-quick trip to Austin a few weeks ago for SXSW. After I knew I’d be going there, I researched Austin food options and wrote for BlogHer about Where to Eat in Austin, but then a family funeral kept me in Utah for most of the time I would have spent trying out Austin restaurants. Even though the trip turned out to be a short one, I did have some fun.
My Austin food experts (Lisa from Homesick Texan. Anna from Cookie Madness, and Addie from Relish Austin) all said not to miss Jo’s Coffee, where I had a nice breakfast with Marisa from Food in Jars. It was fun meeting her after we’d known each other online for a few years.
Austin had some charming sights, including this cable car I saw from a distance. No idea where this actually goes, but I loved the looks of it.
I was fascinated by the contrast between Southwestern and modern architecture, and here’s one example I noticed in the downtown area.
Addie from Relish Austin had recommended this hot dog cart for an authentic Austin food experience, but I missed out on it. I did have a fun dinner at Curras with Laurie from Laurie Writes and Skye from Flooded Lizard Kingdom, who managed to hook up with me via Twitter and Facebook even though I not only arrived late, but left my cell phone in Utah!
This was the walkway to the Driskill Hotel, where I had a typical hotel breakfast experience, made more interesting by the music-festival movers-and-shakers who were frantically networking at tables all around me.
I did get to hang out a bit with a few food bloggers. Of couse, Rachel from Cupcakes Take the Cake, Zach from Midtown Lunch, Kathy from Not Eating Out in New York, and Addie from Relish Austin were also part of the panel on Secrets of Successful Food Blogging, which was the reason I still went on the trip even though the timing turned out to be so bad. (You can hear the hour-long panel if you follow that link, thanks to Ryan from Nose to Tail at Home, who recorded it on his phone!) I also had a nice lunch with Anne Marie from This Mama Cooks – on a Diet, who I’d met a couple of times at BlogHer. We ate at Bess, owned by Sandra Bullock, who was in the building but didn’t make an appearance. (Edit: Forgot to mention that I had been looking forward to having a drink with Jennifer Jeffrey, but she was suffering from strep throat and had completely lost her voice by the time I got there, although she stopped by the food blogger panel.)
The trip to Austin was much too short, but I’d definitely like to go back. If you’ve been to Austin, I’d love to hear about restaurants and sights you’d recommend, in case I make it to SXSW next year.
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I was trying to think of some “Austin” restaurants you should go to, but I just can’t. My favorite part about Austin dining is how many small n cozy places can be found, even when you think you’ve been to them all. Glad you had a nice time, hope everyone treated you well!
Tanna, it was pretty fun considering the week I had before that! Wish I could have been there the whole time, and my dad actually encouraged me to miss the funeral, but I just didn’t feel right about it.
Pearl, was fun indeed.
Anonymous, I was not there for the music part, which is the second week. (Sorry I can’t publish the link. If I let people put links in the comments I get overwhelmed with people leaving links to advertise other sites.)
Glad you got to visit our fantastic city, even for a short time. Next time you’re here, you must stop by Kerbey Lane Cafe, where you will find all sorts of fresh and delicious food as well as interesting people hanging out. Kerbey Lane is famous for their pancakes, the size of a dinner plate, that come in a variety of flavors including gingerbread. To. Die. For.
Also, didn’t see that you ate any Tex-Mex…you must do that next time. Lots of great choices in town such as Vivo’s, Maudie’s, Chuy’s, Guero’s and Juan in a Million. Don’t forget the margaritas.
Gettin’ hungry just thinking about all the options.
I just discovered your blog and I like what I’ve seen so far. Have you ever been to Miami Beach? My friends and I are going on a cruise the first week in May…we need a good place to stay and good place to eat! Any suggestions?
The cable cars are called ‘Dillos. They are rubber tire replicas of the cars that used to serve downtown Austin. Currently they run up/down Congress and 5th/6th streets.
I’ve never been to Austin, but it looks like you had a nice trip! I’m looking forward to hearing about (and seeing pictures of) your trip to Chicago when you get back 🙂
15 Comments on “Friday Night Photos: A Very Quick Trip to Austin for SXSW”
I was trying to think of some “Austin” restaurants you should go to, but I just can’t. My favorite part about Austin dining is how many small n cozy places can be found, even when you think you’ve been to them all. Glad you had a nice time, hope everyone treated you well!
I’m so glad you made it to Jo’s. And I just love seeing all that Austin stone.
No worries about the web site. I didn’t realize that there was more to SXSW than the music.
I hope to go to this myself someday! Lucky for me, my dad & stepmom recently moved there.
Good to read about your experience!
Arghh, Comcast is messing with me. I just got a bunch of comments after I replied to the other ones.
Meghan, looking forward to going to Chicago. I had fun there at BlogHer 07.
Bryan, thanks for the cable car info! They were charming.
Sharon went to Miami Beach many years ago, but don’t remember anywhere that I ate. I did think it was a fun place; first place I had Cuban food.
Katrina, I did try to make the best of it!
SCW, for some reason I got your comment after I replied to the other ones. I did eat at Curras, which was very good food!
Tanna, it was pretty fun considering the week I had before that! Wish I could have been there the whole time, and my dad actually encouraged me to miss the funeral, but I just didn’t feel right about it.
Pearl, was fun indeed.
Anonymous, I was not there for the music part, which is the second week. (Sorry I can’t publish the link. If I let people put links in the comments I get overwhelmed with people leaving links to advertise other sites.)
Did you get to take in any music? My son was there playing with Tyrone Wells.
Well, you certainly crammed a lot into the little time you had! Looks like fun and glad you got there..
Glad you got to visit our fantastic city, even for a short time. Next time you’re here, you must stop by Kerbey Lane Cafe, where you will find all sorts of fresh and delicious food as well as interesting people hanging out. Kerbey Lane is famous for their pancakes, the size of a dinner plate, that come in a variety of flavors including gingerbread. To. Die. For.
Also, didn’t see that you ate any Tex-Mex…you must do that next time. Lots of great choices in town such as Vivo’s, Maudie’s, Chuy’s, Guero’s and Juan in a Million. Don’t forget the margaritas.
Gettin’ hungry just thinking about all the options.
I just discovered your blog and I like what I’ve seen so far. Have you ever been to Miami Beach? My friends and I are going on a cruise the first week in May…we need a good place to stay and good place to eat! Any suggestions?
The cable cars are called ‘Dillos. They are rubber tire replicas of the cars that used to serve downtown Austin. Currently they run up/down Congress and 5th/6th streets.
I’ve never been to Austin, but it looks like you had a nice trip! I’m looking forward to hearing about (and seeing pictures of) your trip to Chicago when you get back 🙂
looks so fun!
You just seem to manage Kalyn! Sounds like a great time.