Dining Guide 2004: Where to eat, from A to V

Good food comes in all forms in Central Texas. Here are more than 200 listings by category, from American to Mexican to Vietnamese.

AMERICAN

1886 Café & Bakery. All-day, casual dining in the historic Driskill Hotel. Fare includes sandwiches, salads and pizzas, with outstanding desserts. 604 Brazos St., 474-5911. See also: ice cream.

Galaxy Cafe. Funky, friendly, retro restaurant with a broad appeal. 9911 Brodie Lane, Suite 750, 233-6000.

Liberty Tavern. A taste of Texas at the Convention Center Hilton Hotel's all-day restaurant. 500 E. Fourth St., 493-4901.

Logan's Roadhouse. Reliability, large portions, laid-back attitude and good-natured fun. 701 E. Stassney Lane, Building C, 912-8702. See also: burgers.

Magnolia Cafe. 24-hour spot with eclectic menu. 1920 S. Congress Ave., 445-0000. See also: breakfast.

Red River Cafe. Simple, tasty fare that is reasonably priced near the University of Texas. 2912 Medical Arts St., 474-8609.

Springhill Restaurant. Skilled hand breading and frying make for excellent onion rings and chicken fried steak. 13212 Texas 71 W., 263-3244.

Stagecoach Inn. Recipes from the 1940s in historic setting. 401 S. Stagecoach Road, Salado, (254) 947-5111.

Texadelphia. Local sandwich chain famous for its 'cheesesteak.' 2422 Guadalupe St., 480-0107.

Texicalli Grille. A South Austin classic with great salads and sandwiches. 534 E. Oltorf St., 442-2799.

The Tavern. Sports bar atmosphere that produces identical top Austin burger found at Hill's Cafe. 922 W. 12th St., 320-8377.

Z Tejas. Southwestern flavors ride strong at this popular place. 1110 W. Sixth St., 478-5355.

CLASSIC AUSTIN SPOTS

Chuy's. Offbeat setting and New Mex-Mex provide an alternative to Texas' typical border fare. 1728 Barton Springs Road, 474-4452. See also: Mexican.

Cisco's. Breakfast and lunch at a Tex-Mex spot long popular with the state's power brokers. 1511 E. Sixth St., 478-2420. See also: breakfast.

Güero's. Tex-Mex restaurant of choice for Bill Clinton when he visits Austin. 1412 S. Congress Ave., 447-7688.

Eastside Cafe. Old home, eclectic menu, beautiful garden and appealing gift shop. 2113 Manor Road, 476-5858.See also: burgers.

Hyde Park Bar & Grill. Best french fries in town to accompany a wide range of items, including outstanding chicken fried steak. 4206 Duval St., 458-3168.

Iron Works. Historic joint bringing barbecue into the heart of downtown Austin. 100 Red River St., 478-4855. See also: barbecue.

Kerbey Lane Cafe. 24-hour dining offers great pancakes, especially the fresh-fruit selection. 3704 Kerbey Lane, 451-1436. See also: breakfast.

Matt's El Rancho. One of Austin's longest-running Mexican restaurants, favorite haunt of University of Texas alums. 2613 S. Lamar Blvd., 462-9333. See also: Mexican.

Threadgill's. Southern-style fare boasts dazzling selection of vegetable dishes. 301 W. Riverside Drive, 472-9304.

Trudy's. Local Tex-Mex chain that also serves good chicken fried steak. 409 W. 30th St., 477-2935. See also: Mexican.

BARBECUE

Artz Rib House. Pair live music and outstanding baby-back ribs. 2330 S. Lamar Blvd., 442-8283.

Bert's Bar-B-Q. The family has been smokin' for more than 30 years. 3563 Far West Blvd., No. 109, 345-2378.

Black's. Unlike rival Kreuz's, there are plenty of sides for the meat. 215 N. Main St., Lockhart, (512) 398-2712.

County Line on the Lake. Upscale barbecue joints on water's edge. 5204 FM 2222, 346-3664. See also: lakeside dining.

County Line on the Hill. Same food as on the lake, but this overlooks the hills west of Austin. 6500 W. Bee Cave Road. 327-1742.

Donn's Texas BBQ. Practically hidden behind the Albertson's at the Y in Oak Hill. 7001 Oak Meadow Drive, 288-4060.

Green Mesquite BBQ & More. Far more than good barbecue here. 1400 Barton Springs Road, 479-0485.

Iron Works. See classic Austin spots.

John Mueller's Barbecue. Juicy meat from the grandson of Taylor's barbecue legend. 1917 East Manor Road, 236-0283.

Kreuz Market. Well-seasoned meat takes center court at one of the best-known barbecue joints in Texas. 619 N. Colorado St., Lockhart, (512) 398-2361.

Louie Mueller Barbeque. Recognized in 'The Barbecue Bible' as one of top 25 in the world. 206 W. Second St., Taylor, (512) 352-6206.

Meyer's Elgin Smokehouse. Texas barbecue from four generations of the Meyer family. 188 U.S. 290, Elgin, (512) 281-3331.

Pok-e-Jo's. Meat gets a tasty accent from home-style sides. 1603 W. Fifth St., 320-1541.

Railroad B-B-Q. Combine good barbecue with a gardening trip to Marbridge Farms. FM 1626, Manchaca, 282-3288.

Ruby's Barbeque. Tender meat and wide choice of sides near the University of Texas. 512 W. 29th St., 477-1651.

Rudy's Country Store & Bar-B-Q. Bad country shtick can't harm the good 'cue. 2451 Capital of Texas Highway, 329-5554.

Salt Lick. Rustic setting provides best overall barbecue experience in the area. RM 1826, Driftwood, (512) 858-4959.

Salt Lick 360. Same good meat as the original. 3801 N. Capital of Texas Highway, 328-4957.

Sam's Bar-B-Que. Tasty meats, including mutton, smoked over an oak fire. 2000 E. 12th St., 478-0378.

Slab Shack. Small spot that has grown in popularity. 11501 Manchaca Road, 282-0614.

Southside Market & BBQ. Famous for its 'Elgin hot sausage.' 1212 U.S. 290 W., Elgin, (512) 281-4650.

Stubb's Bar-B-Que. Features music and meat. 801 Red River St., 480-8341.

Texas Rib Kings. Call it the Chicken King, too, for moist and flavorful barbecued chicken breast. 9012 Research Blvd., 451-7427.