I was craving XLB and dragged my husband along for an adventure to Julie's. New to the area, I'd…read moreheard they were the best. Unassuming location in a strip mall with plenty of parking. You order at the counter and they deliver the food table side. No frills on the service, which is why it's affordable. We ordered: pork XLB, pan fried pork and shrimp dumplings, scallion pancakes, steamed pork buns, and suan tsai spicy beef noodles. The suan tsai spicy beef noodles with pickled greens stole the show. WOW. Perfect amount of heat in a flavorful broth. The pickled greens really balanced out the heat in the perfect way. I could eat this every day and be happy. Noodles were thick and perfectly cooked. I was inhaling the soup and scallion pancakes (also incredible) and left the XLB sitting too long. By the time I got to them, the slightly thicker wrapping had absorbed all the soup. Still good flavor though! The pan fried dumplings were also good, but just overshadowed by the soup in my opinion. I didn't try the steamed buns (not typically my jam), and my husband said the bun itself was great, but the meat needed some flavor. Nothing to photograph as we ate almost everything! I'll be dreaming about the pickled soup tonight as I roll into bed.

I ordered this to go style and was a little bit worried I was still going to be hungry. I mean,…read morejust 6 soup dumplings sound like they can go down pretty fast. And as an appetizer at that lol . But way to prove me wrong because these were nice and hearty. The wrapper itself was a bit thicker than others I've tried and the protein inside was nice and hearty. There wasn't as much soup in all of the Dumplings but I feel ordering to go might have not done it justice. Flavor was rich and serving size was just right.

Wonderful food and service! We stopped by on our way to Dallas from San Marcos. It was a great…read morechoice, would definitely stop again, if we are back over here. The atmosphere is upbeat and casual. I would recommend!!

First meal back in Austin as a family and it's back to Mama Betty's with our same pals that we were…read morehere with last time. We do have to say that what this place lacks in food quality it makes up for in convenience with kid-friendly accessibility. We sat in the same general area outside so the kids could run around, and one of us ordered the "skinny marg" and she had to say that it was actually pretty good. Chips and salsa are still fine, as is the guac. One of us shared a plate of chicken fajitas with a friend, and while the portion was hefty, the food was quite greasy overall. The fried avocado tacos were a joke--they were so uninventive and the vibe was, like, "just throw whatever is vegetarian into that tortilla NBD!" Our server was, again, really sweet and we did have a good time here, but now our conclusion is final after a second visit: come here for a fun time with friends when the kids are around, but set expectations at a three and you'll leave satisfied enough.

Utterly charming. Carefully curated without seeming to try too hard, Sugar Pine feels like a…read moregenuine kissaten teleported straight from Japan. The dining room is bright, airy, and calm, as a soothing oasis in an overstimulating desert. They've been on the scene for over 7 years, though it's still as busy as ever. The menu is compact but thoughtful, centered around Japanese comfort food with an eye for detail and utterly immaculate presentations. The sautéed tofu set truly an ideal, complete meal. With such a variety of dishes comprised of equally diverse flavors, colors, and textures, it puts the average bento box to shame. You get a steaming bowl of miso soup, pickled veggies, furikake-topped rice, and even a soft pine nut cookie to compliment the star of the show, which is a perfectly portioned serving of tofu and vegetable stir fry. I could happily eat this every day and. The yaki udon is a great standalone entree with tons of staying power thanks to those thick, chewy noodles. Plenty of tender-crisp vegetables and crispy tofu balance things out with all the protein and fiber you need to make it from lunch to dinner without any struggle. There are tons of lovely little bites, too. Onigiri are possibly their signature snack, and for good reason. Both the pickled vegetable and avocado varieties were beautifully formed and deceptively simple, letting the quality of each ingredient shine. Simple as some dishes may seem, they're made thoughtfully, and exceptionally well.

Me and a couple of friends were going to Hi Tunes for some karaoke and wanted to grab some food on…read morethe way so we put in a to go order at Sugar Pine. We didn't stay to eat but the shop is such a cute little spot! If I lived more north I think I would make this a regular spot; parking is a little limited but it wasn't super busy when I stopped by on a Saturday a bit before 6. The staff was friendly and I really liked the vibe/decor inside, and that you can get food, ice cream, coffee, or a beer! Whatever you are in the mood for! We wanted some finger food so we got a variety of onigiri, some potstickers, chicken karaage, and spicy edamame. There was a short wait past the time quoted but it wasn't long, the staff was very communicative about it, and the food was fresh and hot when I received it. I'd rather have hot food a little late than lukewarm food any day! When we got to karaoke and dug in everything was still hot and delicious. I think my favorite were the potstickers but those are just one of my favorite things anyways lol, the onigiri was great, chicken was juicy, and the edamame just a little bit spicy. This was a great choice for a fun night and I can't wait to try more off the menu!

My husband really wanted bento boxes, so he ordered their spicy chicken box and I ordered their…read morejjajangmyeon. You pay and then you sit. They have water and utensils in between the seats in the back. Husband's spicy chicken was really spicy, but it was very flavorful. I really liked their japchae. My jjajangmyeon was good and serving size was pretty big as my husband had to finish for me. Overall, we'll be back. Plenty of parking!

Delicious Korean food run by a local owner; chill environment, simple, clean, and well-priced…read more Went for dinner on a weekday and it was fairly quiet; we got to try some of their in-house juices, which were really nice, not too sweet, great flavor. The soup came with a little kimchi on the side and some rice;

OMG! What a great spot! I think it's moving locations soon to a bigger building, close to its…read morecurrent location. AUTHENTIC and TRADITIONAL Mexican. Their home made tortas, tortillas, tacos, carnes, and blue masa huaraches will amaze you! Full panaderia as well! A little Spanish will help, but the food translates so well!

I love these kind of homemade, small-town bakery vibes! I wanted to try some authentic Hispanic…read morebreakfast goods. I really wanted to try a concha which reminded me of Taiwanese pineapple buns- it was good! Slightly dry, but tasted healthy (not oily) and moreish (keeps you wanting another bite). It was also not too sweet. I have been eyeing the blue corn tortillas and flan cakes- definitely returning to try other things. The service was friendly, speedy, and sweet, and prices are affordable. Next time it's someone's birthday, I am definitely picking up some desserts from here.

Came here on a Sunday dinnertime with some friends for Vietnamese food. Showed up around 6 PM and…read morethey weren't too busy. Parking was plentiful. It's located in a strip mall with a pretty unassuming entrance. Service was great, we were warmly greeted, and they have a moderate amount of seating, though it wasn't crowded during our visit. Mostly Vietnamese food on the menu, but they also offer a lot of variety: Tom Kha Pho, iced coffee, Korean shaved ice (bingsoo), banh mi, and rice dishes. Feels like they're mostly Vietnamese focused with some fun extras mixed in. It's a pretty chill setup, you pay first at the counter, then they bring your food along with a water bottle. Pho ($17, 7/10) - Pretty standard, good flavor, large portions in a large bowl - Standard sides with mint, lime, jalapenos, and bean sprouts - No option to choose your meat, it just comes with brisket and meatballs (though I didn't ask, so maybe substitutions are possible) - Generous with the meat portions though, which was a nice bonus - Broth was rich and flavorful, plenty of noodles, left me satisfied. Definitely can compete with specialized pho spots in town Someone else at the table got the Tom Kha Pho, and it looked really good and creamy, definitely want to try that next time. Overall, this spot feels very family oriented and homestyle. Really enjoyed this meal.

We've been to Azure a handful of times now, and I honestly think it deserves to be called Azure…read moreAsian Fusion & Cafe because the food deserves just as much attention as the drinks and desserts. It's surprisingly hard to find Asian fusion done properly. By that, I mean food created by people who actually understand the different Asian cuisines they're pulling from; not just combining ingredients and calling it fusion. Doing it right is knowing the flavors, techniques and ingredients well enough to bring them together in a way that is optimal and respectful to the cultures and regional cuisines being represented. Definitely check them out for lunch or dinner, or even just drop in for dessert like we've done: Bánh Xèo Tacos ($14.99) Vietnamese x Mexican: The banh xeo shell was incredibly crunchy without being messy. It's filled with shrimp, pork belly, vegetables and pickles, with a cilantro-lime dipping sauce. You can also ask for Vietnamese nước chấm. The meat was moist and flavorful, and that cilantro-lime sauce was seriously addictive. Vermicelli Bowl ($16.99) Vietnamese x Japanese: This was so refreshing. It had wakame, red pickles, cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes and carrots. The meat was well-marinated, and I'd definitely order it again. Papaya Salad ($13.99) Vietnamese x Thai. It was served with a whole fried soft-shell crab and shrimp chips. It leans sweeter from the Vietnamese nước chấm, which I personally prefer but still kept the nod for raw crab for the Thai but in a way of the fried softshell crab. We've also had their croffles, drinks and bingsu, but the Chè Thái Bingsu ($13.99 L / $10.99 M) is our favorite. Vietnamese chè Thái meets Korean bingsu, and somehow it's even better together, lighter and less overpowering than traditional chè.

House of 3 Gorges never disappoints! I always forget how tasty their food is until I take that…read morefirst bite of the meal. The jumping fish and green beans have always been my favorite, but this time, I tried the Dry Pot Lamb as well. It was so good! I usually don't enjoy the gamey taste of lamb, but somehow the meat tasted more like beef, but more tender! Service is always fast. Very minimal interaction besides ordering up front. But hey, you come here for a tastey and reasonably priced meal, not the service!

On Sundays, we eat Chinese! At least when mom's in town, or a special occasion, or (another rare…read moreoccasion) she's not cooking. Located in the TARGET shopping center, they're spicy like DASHI, casual like AUSTIN - open for counter service 11-2 & 4:30-8:30 TU-SUN (closed MON) & delivered by UBER EATS + DOORDASH. More reasons to break out of the house: HIGHLY DECORATED & AWARDED by INFATUATION, EATER, AUSTIN AMERICAN STATESMAN & CHOWHOUND. Texans will love the heat on the CHONGQING MALA CHICKEN with LOTS of jalapeño & Sichuan pepper, but there's little dimension to the flavors beyond HOT, HOT, HOT! EGG ROLLS are satisfying with a traditional sweet & sour. VERY impressed with a BEEF BRISKET & RADISH SOUP - a rich yet delicate broth cradles simple ingredients, the radish absorbing hearty flavors but maintaining nourishing vegetal properties. I love the way they "KEEP AUSTIN SPICY" and am looking forward to some house specials upon return.

Just as everyone says....it's fantastic! It's a cute little space and nicely decorated. We were…read morethere for an early Saturday night dinner and we were the only table being served. They were doing a nice take out business. We received excellent service and the server was happy to explain the process. We each ordered one of the "build your own" hot pots and they were delicious. Prices were more reasonable than other places offering similar products and the veggies were very fresh. We'll be back!

Went here for the first time for a work lunch and was astonded how good it was. I ordered the…read moreCrossing the Bridge noodles with green pepper broth. All the mix in sides that could with the broth were fresh and all complimented well when added to the broth. The broth it self had a little tingle spiciness to it but was just so savory and delicious with veggie after taste hints. A friend who had been to Ten Seconds before recommended the green pepper and I am passing that recommendation along to you. I did not order apps but the peanuts and garlic vingear mushrooms were recommended to me by the same friend. Will be trying those when I visit for dinner. I look forward to making multiple more trips to 10 Seconds. It is a great addition to the Austin Asian cuisine landscape.

I've been wanted to try Yeni's for a while after hearing great things and was stoked to see the…read morefood truck parked outside of Night Owl, where Pedroso's food truck once was. This is a one-woman show with excellent, friendly service and delicious food! We were able to sit inside at Night Owl to beat the heat, which was much appreciated, but there are picnic tables in the shade, too. Everything we ordered was excellent: Grilled Chicken w/Yellow Rice and Green Chili was some of the most tender, flavorful chicken I've ever had. The Batagor Fried Dumplings were a large portion and very filling. We loved the peanut sauce for dipping. Lastly the Empal Gentong w/smoked brisket had a sizable portion of brisket included and the broth itself was both flavorful and light. We ate every bite of what we ordered and will definitely return to try more of the menu!

It's hard to find Indonesian food in Texas so I was super excited to find Yeni's! They have a few…read morepopular favorites like beef rendang and bubur ayam. Unfortunately, I was not super hungry so I only order one plate. I had to pick batagor which is a fried chicken and shrimp cake with spicy peanut sauce. It was delicious and is probably my all time favorite Indonesian dish. Yeni's is a food truck parked outside of Night Owl bar. You can either take to go or sit at one of their shared outdoor picnic tables. Great spot to get a small taste of what Indonesian food is like. I highly recommend you give it a try!

Very underrated and somewhat hidden Vietnamese restaurant…read more The sandwiches (bahn mi) are excellent. The bread is the only thing normal good while everything else is excellent. The veggie bowl is wonderfully fresh and reminded us of food in Vietnam. Service is very attentive and the inside is nice. There's even a full bar with fun cocktails. Parking is super easy.

One of the worst dining experiences ever. Came here for our…read morelunch break from work, wanting to try a new place. Looked super good so we were excited. We ended up ordering 2 drinks. 2 small bites and 2 unusual banh mi's. The drinks were good, then we got the small bites. Mango salad and shrimp skewers. we got the salad first which had a horrible flavor that neither me or my boyfriend could do, so we set it aside. we did eat the crackers that came with it. it was good. Then we got the shrimp skewers, which came and looked black. We decided to give it a try anyways, it was horribly overcooked. like rubber wouldn't even describe it. so we didn't eat it either. i ate the cucumbers that came with it which were good. We finally got the banh mi's which were ok we ate it but nothing special. Then came the time when server came to ask if we're ready for check. We ended up mentioning that we hated the salad and the shrimp. still untouched on the table. she said to give her a moment. and we sat and waited for 10 minutes. while they were talking about us and them saying "they did touch the shrimp" (yes we took 2 bites to try it obviously, then we didn't touch it afterwards) finally after 10 minutes they bring us the check. which they didn't take anything off of. so we paid $70 for 2 banh mis. left hungry with a horrible experience. We were still thinking of coming back just to grab some drinks cause they looked good. but after voicing our complaints, then those complaints ignored. Never again. Horrible.