You know that one movie? The one with that one actor who wears Texas on his sleeve? I think he has…read morea catchphrase with something along the lines of "For sure, for sure, for sure." I'm pretty sure that's what he says. Anyways, he eats at this burger drive-thru place called Top Notch. Thanks to this movie representing Austin so well, the movie and the restaurant became a cultural touchstone of the Texas capital. Fifty years later, Top Notch opened their second location in the middle of Hutto, Texas. I've been to the Hutto Top Notch location three times now. Once to try, once because of its convenience during an event, and once for lunch with co-workers. Each time, I've left with the same impression: it's alright, alright, alright. That's what the quote was. I remember now. I've only had their burgers. Twice, their cheeseburger, and yesterday, the Top Pick Burger. All things considered, it's a decent burger. There is nothing obscene or wrong with the burger. It's just a burger. The Top Pick Burger seems like it could be fun and special, but it's really just a worse burger compared to their cheeseburger. It's not bad, but I didn't find it a better replacement for a cheeseburger. Their menu has a lot more options than just their charcoal-broiled hamburgers. They have fried chicken, chicken sandwiches, seafood combos, and their Top Dog sandwich. Two hot dogs in a sandwich. Something I'd whip together if I was seeing stars off Benadryl. Their fries are pretty good, though pretty simple: skinny, crispy, and salty. Good fries. Their shakes are thick without it being a fight for my life to drink. I don't know if my lack of intense enjoyment was thanks to recently having Johnny Rockets and being more impressed with their attempts at crafting a retro '60s burger joint, but Top Notch is more or less Middle-of-the-Pack Notch.

Food was good Flame broiled…read more Service was nice not busy inside at all Music was great 50s stuff Ambiance was good Retro Cheese burgers Fries Rings-were over cooked Not a bad experience We did eat inside

Excellent menu items, fast service & very clean- friendly staff - excellent barbecue!!read more

I was visiting my besties in Georgetown and they wouldn't let me visit without feeding me as well…read more We decided to get takeout BBQ and this was their local spot close to their house. I was excited to try it because we all know, the Hill Country has some of the best BBQ in the state. The restaurant itself sits in a huge shopping complex and can easily be missed if you're not paying attention. The restaurant is counter service and not too big. It seemed like they did more pick up orders than actual people dining in. They have quite a few locations scattered around Texas so they must be doing something right. My friend did the pick up so I can't speak on the customer service. My friend ordered a smaller family pack which was a perfect amount of food for the amount of people eating. It came with 2 pounds of up to 3 meats and 3 pints of sides. It also came with all the fixins' like bread, sauce, onion and pickles. We got brisket, sausage and pork ribs along with mac & cheese, green beans and potato salad. The meal was not bad by any means, but it's not that top tier BBQ you come to expect in Texas. It's more of the backyard cookout BBQ. I've been spoiling myself and checking out the Texas Monthly Top 50 and Michelin star spots recently and this is not that. Respectable 'que though! The brisket didn't have that delicious bark or a prominent smoke ring, but there was flavor. The ribs didn't fall off the bone and these days, everybody is talking about that tenderism. This didn't have that, but again, tasty. The sausage was probably my favorite meat. It was sliced super thing which isn't my favorite kind of slice, but it packed flavor. The sides were ok, nothing to write home about. If you're looking to satisfy a quick BBQ craving, this place can be a great choice for your local neighborhood spot. I wouldn't go out of my way to get back here but would happily come back if in the immediate area.

I have a friend who is married to a nutritionist, so when he picks the place to eat, he favors…read morefried chicken. Tumble 22 is one of his go-to's. The pluses of this place: The chicken is really good, both on the bone or in tenders or sandwiches. The OG sandwich is for a big stomach, be warned, but it is delicious. Nashville hot chicken has a real spectrum of heat, so work your way up until you get to the level you're comfortable with. The selection of sides are country favorites, and the broccoli salad I tried last night is the only one I didn't care for. The pies are outstanding, and they are advertised as complimentary. The minuses: The waitstaff is consistently undermanned. The group of tables we use when we go there is served by the bartender, so when the bar is busy service is slow. Likewise, they have a drive-through window and so the kitchen can get backed up. Last night, it took 20 minutes between ordering and getting our food. Finally, they have a Korean hot chicken variant, which is not very close to good Korean hot chicken and they should stick to Nashville hot. Hint: park in the adjoining lot. Most of the spaces at Tumble 22 are reserved for pick-up.

Loved the food. This is the place we visit often for chicken sandwiches and tenders…read more We usually get the O.G sandwich and the chicken tender. If you're looking for the O.G sandwich but in a smaller size, they do offer the little O.G which is like a standard sized sandwich. The chicken is very delicious and flavorful here and it is highly recommended!

Caught up to this truck over at 12 Fox Beer Co in Drip & I'm so happy I did! The Citrus Grilled…read moreMahi Mahi was cooked to perfection & came with crispy fried potatoes + grilled asparagus. It was way more elevated than I had expected from a truck + the portion was plenty to fill me up along side a couple of brews. The service was friendly and the food was ready about 15 minutes after I ordered. I have now seen the truck on Mercer street the past few days. Can't wait to go back to see what else they are cooking up!

I've been eaten here 3-4 times in the last 6months. They…read morehad been at 12 Fox brewery in DRIP, but are now at Acopon (right off 290). GREAT food. Usually large portions. Chicken dishes, burgers and sides have all been good. Someday maybe I'll try a salad... lol Go support local small businesses.

We like this place. The meat is good, service is good, sides are good. Driving through Hutto, we…read moredefinitely stop to have Bbq.

I try to give places a chance before deciding they are not for me…read more When I first moved to Hutto, I was intrigued by Southside Market and their history. I had known about the historic location in Elgin that claims to be the oldest barbecue spot in Texas. They have updated their processes to keep up with the times and in the last 15 years have begun opening new locations throughout Central Texas, with one in the Co-Op District of Hutto. I have had plenty of barbecue in my time, from chains to Texas Monthly recognized and Michelin star winning locations. I understand that not all barbecue is the same, but I also understand that barbecue served all day like at Southside Market can still be good. I do not think that is truly the case, though. My first experience was when Southside Market catered a holiday party for my work. I thought it was alright, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt, saying that it was catered. You do not judge a meal based on it being kept warm in a pan that was probably cooked at 8 am that morning or the night prior. It is not the same game. I went back a few months later for a birthday lunch and got their combo plate with sausage and sliced brisket. My first thought: This tasted like it was catered. The Jalapeño Cheddar sausage was decent but tasted a little too smoky, and the brisket really did nothing for me. The side of potato salad was good, but you cannot mess up potato salad that badly. Their mac and cheese was good, I think. I do not remember it whatsoever. I went back recently after almost nine months with a desire to get a baked potato with chopped brisket for lunch. I got it without sour cream but kept the rest of the toppings of cheddar cheese, chives, and butter. I took it to go, which I rarely do, but it was a busy day. I cannot describe how disappointing the potato was. First, the potato was smaller than I had expected. The saucy chopped brisket tasted like a smoked Sloppy Joe thrown on a spud. It was really too smoky for me to even enjoy it. I felt like I was eating a chimney. It did nothing to raise my spirits and like that, I was forever out on Southside Market. I am probably one in a million because they have steady foot traffic inside on a frequent basis, but I wonder if the name is doing all the work. The staff was great and the space is well done and spacious, but the food actually has to be good to make that a plus factor. I have no idea if the food is any better at their original Elgin location, but I would rather go to Smokey Mo's across the tracks in Hutto because the potato is a good size and the brisket had a good flavor to it. Here, I just was not impressed. I will not ever return unless I am invited with co-workers or something, and even if I am, I will debate the idea of saying yes.

I went here today for the first time. I ordered several different things. I ordered moist brisket,…read moresmoked turkey, a half chicken, quail, potato, salad, and green chili, white cheddar macaroni. Overall, I was very impressed with everything. The food was Excellent ! Definitely five stars hands-down !!!!! Definitely a must try !

we went there last thursday at noon. the place was not busy. i got the quail birds and my friend…read moregot the bbq meats. both of our dishes are not up to the expectations. my plate was sooo small and i asked them if they could swap it for another one. they are like NO. really? you just took this out of the oven just now! i left hungry. the ambiance is fast food type not the rustic bbq vide. two stars and not going there

Not sure what I love about Austin more, the opportunity to eat outside for lunch under the sun in…read morethe Middle of Jan, or finding new food trailers popping up all the time. I'll take both please! I was headed back to my office hungry and saw this red food trailer pulling a smoker trailer in the Northern Tools / Austin Ducati parking lot off I-35. I knew I had to try this place. I ordered the 2 meat plate of ribs and brisket. Got very friendly service from the owners, was told they make their own sauce (more on that later) and they've been smokoing BBQ for some 35+ odd years and have been more in the catering than retail side until about 3 months ago. Got my plate of food with slaw and beans. It came presauced which is always a concern. Brisket - Got both fatty and lean cuts, it had a great smokey flavor and was moist. The fatty part had quite a bit of fat but the excess quickly pulled apart from the meat and was also very good. There wasn't a lot of crust but it may have been hidden from the sauce, the smoke ring was present however and it was lightly but well seasoned. Ribs - I liked their ribs, the appeared to be baby backs based on the size. They pulled off the bone without being too mushy, had a good smoke flavor and were tender and not over cooked which I was concerned about being 2:30 when I tried this place. Sauce - I found that I really liked their sauce. It's similar to Salt Lick's - a brown sugar mustard based sauce but not too watery, just the right texture and worked with both meats. Beans - Were very good also, had more of a refried beans flavor with some brisket thrown in which was tasty. Overall I wasn't expecting to be impressed and found that I liked this place and would definitely stop in again to try their chicken. My only concern is I've seen a few of these BBQ trailers and when I went back again for a 2nd sample they were gone for good, hope this place has some staying power.

I think Solomon covered everything I wanted to say. I liked their chicken the best and the buttered…read moretoast was a nice touch. Extra star for great conversation with the King himself and for hooking us up with a rib. That rib had a spicy kick to it, but it was too pink for me. Next time we're in the area we might visit Mr. Barbe-Que King again for some S's and G's.

Sometimes you go to a place and feel like you have been asleep your whole life, and today you just…read morewoke up. That is what it felt like to visit Hippo Cafe for the first time. I have heard high praise from locals, and at the end of the day, nothing beats a city's local diner. It is one of those places that closes by 3 pm every day and feels perfect for brunch after a Sunday church service. I came in a little after 11 am with the man who is basically the face of Hutto at his request. He has lived in Hutto for years and has countless stories of the city to share. We sat as he shared stories with my co worker and me about the history of the city. He is a wonderful man, and if he thinks Hippo Cafe is a must visit, DAMMIT, it is a must visit. The place feels ripped straight out of the 80s with artwork of musicians including Elvis and Willie Nelson, along with Alf, ET, and Gizmo. It is definitely dated, but in the best way. Looking at the menu, they have everything you would expect a diner to have. Everything is decently priced and affordable. I ordered two breakfast tacos and a tea. One was bacon, egg, and cheese. The other was chorizo, egg, and cheese. They were not winning any awards, but my god they were like an omelet on a tortilla. They were filled with eggs. With a little picante sauce, they were great and felt like a classic diner meal. The service is great. Our lady was attentive and very friendly to us. That seems to be the vibe here. There's a lot of 1 stars here, but trust the guy with the Yelp Elite badge and the essay of a review, it's not a 1 star establishment. It's more. This place feels historic and gets plenty of love from regulars in the city. You know what you are getting into when you visit, but what does that really mean? You are getting old town love. A classic meal. A feeling like you have been standing your whole life and you just sat down. That is Hippo Cafe. RIYL: Your classic cafe or painting of 80s icons (Alf)

First time here! Plan on coming back for their lunch/dinner service and their Italian nights held…read moreW-Sa. Server tended to us quickly, and she was friendly. Enjoyed the food: ordered Blue Hippo Pancakes with sunny side-up eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns; California Dreams Crepe. The pancakes were so amazing; topped with loads of the blueberry compote, lemon ricotta, and butter. The crepe was also packed with fillings, and the eggs cooked to perfection. The inside was nice, and plenty of parking spots outside. Though, there was a small plush/stuffed animal monkey hanging from the ceiling over the behind-the-bar/beverage area.