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[lovettshaper-blog]

Austin is a city that seems to never sleep. In a place where the hill country meets the urban jungle, this rapidly expanding town simply doesn’t have time to rest. Its inhabitants are either weird, talented, out to change the world, or a mix of the three. Austin has a celebrated food scene, but seeing what the city has become, there is no room for the food scene to sleep either. Whether you are finishing up a long night of work, or the bars are beginning to shut down on 6th Street, everyone has fallen victim to midnight food cravings at some point. Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind the next time the late night munchies attack.

The Experience:

Opening its doors in 1950, this Austin-based café chain has been serving quality, homemade food around the clock for millions of satisfied customers. I visited the university branch, where one can seldom find the establishment completely empty no matter what time of day. The layout is much like that of a 50’s style diner (minus checkered floors), but with some Austin funk thrown in. A blue and lime green color scheme keep the place seeming bright and lively at all times. At the time of night I visited, the crowd was almost entirely college students who had stopped by for a late night bite.

The Eats:

The menu is so extensive that if you aren’t quite sure what you are in the mood for, this is the spot for you. That being said, if you do show up thinking you know what you want, there is a serious chance that you might change your mind after a brief skim over the options. Because I enjoy breakfast no matter the time of day, I went with the Crispy Chicken Benedict, which is two homemade biscuits topped with poached eggs, chicken fried chicken breast, hollandaise sauce and onions, and topped with a green chili sauce for some extra zest. I inhaled it along with my side of homefries. Salads, sandwiches, gourmet burgers, tex mex, pancakes, omelets, and everything in between can be ordered to your liking twenty-four hours a day. If none of those tickle your fancy, look to “Kerby Lane Creations,” where you will find standouts like the Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf and the Green Chili Mac (which actually comes with fried chicken in it).

Info:

Hours: 24/7

Address: 2606 Guadalupe, Austin, TX 78705

kerbeylanecafe.com

(logo and picture from kerbeylanecafe.com)

The Experience:

At Frank, where they have dubbed themselves “purveyors of artisan sausage,” you will find endless shareable plates and libations bound to satisfy anyone’s late night cravings.  The old wooden tables and white-painted brick give it an authentic feel of a sausage house/beer garden. I would highly recommend this place for a group outing. I found that most patrons order several different sausages and sides to share around the table (they will even cut up the hotdogs for you). It’s a fun way to eat with a group, and gives you a chance to try a little bit of everything. With plenty of TVs on the walls, a drink menu that is twice as big as that for food, and the easily shareable nature of its plates, Frank is a great spot for a late night hangout with friends.

The Eats:

I was amazed by some of the items on the menu. The Stag caught my eye, which is a jalapeno, cheddar, venison, and pork sausage covered in smoked black pepper-honey cream cheese, blueberry habanero espresso BBQ sauce, and crushed barbecue chips as a garnish. I was also intrigued by the Frank Thunder Brat, which was a Austin Beerworks Black Thunder Schwarzbier-infused smoked bratwurst accompanied by cider grazed red cabbage, caramelized onions, and scratch-made mustard. Both of these came inside a warm, custom-made Frank Bun. Don’t forget to pick a dipping sauce of your choice to cater your own tastes. They do not limit themselves to sausages and brats either. Their menu also contains a veggie and gluten free section, along with a catalog of waffle fries and pretzels.

Info:

Hours: Sun: 10AM-12AM/Mon-Thu: 11AM-12AM/Fri-Sat: 11AM-2AM

Address: 407 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701

Hotdogscoldbeer.com

(logo and picture from hotdogscoldbeer.com)

The Experience:

Homeslice is one of Austin’s most well known spots for serving New York style pizza. Located down South Congress, it is at the heart of the city’s food scene. More Homeslice is the takeout sister restaurant that doesn’t quite count as a sister restaurant considering the two share a parking lot. Even though it is designated as “takeout,” you’ll still find plenty of its patrons scarfing down their pizzas outside on the steps or nearby picnic tables. I enjoyed my slice of ‘za on the steps soaking in the views of South Congress, and looking out towards the illuminated downtown skyline.

The Eats:

Customize your own pizza with a long and assorted list of toppings, or look to their “Tried and True” section for specially priced, signatures pies. I decided to stick to the basics, and went with two slices of pepperoni pizza.  The pizza is thin, as NY-style pizza generally is, and has a puffy, yet chewy, crust. This can be attributed to cooking the pizzas in a brick oven rather than a conventional one. When ordering my pizza, I asked why a brick oven produces a better pie, and was told that the higher cooking temperature crisps the outside of the dough faster so that it locks in the moisture as, well as providing a smoky flavor that cannot be reproduced in a conventional oven. The menu also features select salads, calzones, sub sandwiches, and even a beer & wine menu to accompany your takeout order.

Info:

Hours: Sun-Thu: 11AM-11PM/Fri-Sat: 11AM-12AM (Window open for slices only until 3AM)

Address: 1412 South Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

Homeslicepizza.com

(logo from homeslicepizza WordPress/picture from Michael Hsu)

The Experience:

If you are heading up Lavaca Street and aren’t looking for this little gem, you very well might miss it. Walking in, you would think that someone took an old sports bar and turned it into a restaurant. It is a small and cozy establishment. The walls are covered ceiling to floor with beer signs, sports posters, and other paraphernalia of the like. Rather than watching one of the TVs, you can easily spend your meal entertaining yourself by admiring all of the “artwork.” It’s pretty hard not to. Here you’ll find college kids, families, and regulars who have been coming for decades. Despite the modest appearance, don’t let the look of the place fool you into thinking you’ll be served subpar bar food.

The Eats:

For all the chili lovers out there, this place must be added to your list of restaurants to try if you haven’t already. Go for a Frito Pie, Chili Mac & Cheese, or one of their “legendary” bowls of red chili. Bowls of red come in three degrees of spiciness: 1X, 2X, and 3X. I went with 3X (yes, I live life on the edge) and was very satisfied with my choice. It had good spice, but not an offensive amount that would drown out any of the flavor. If you’re looking to treat a special someone to some high-class dining, look no further. Feast like royalty with the $100 Chili Dinner, which offers with two bowls of chili, a large Caesar salad, and a bottle of Veuve Cliquot Champagne. For those not inclined to order chili, the menu also offers a variety of burgers, sandwiches, and tex mex.

Info:

Hours: Everyday 11AM-2AM

Address: 1409 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701

(logo from Democratic Underground/picture from Trip Advisor)

The Experience:

Classic 50’s diners inspired this establishment, but it has been put together with a modern twist. You won’t find a jukebox or any fluorescent lights here. Seating comprises of booths and contemporary bar stools, all of which are well lit by some fashionable light fixtures. If the weather is nice, they have a covered outdoor seating area where you can enjoy your food along with some fresh air. Located on the corner of 6th and Lamar, it is only a few blocks away from Austin’s prime bar scene. You are sure to find some folks enjoying a late night munch after they’ve been out on the town.

The Eats:

This diner’s name represents the fact that they serve food to eager customers around the clock. Breakfast, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and an assortment of entrees are always available to order. There is even a gluten-free menu available. Make sure to look into their various hash and Belgian waffle dishes. I ordered the 24 Hash, which is hand-cut potatoes mixed with onions, jalapenos, cheddar, bacon, sausage, and two runny eggs. If you are feeling adventurous like I was, add chili on top of that for only a few extra bucks (because why not). For those looking to stay away from breakfast, the Bacon Gorgonzola Burger is a favorite, and so is the Steak & Fries. Be sure to check out their daily blackboard specials that include items selected from local farming partners.

Info:

Hours: 24/7

Address: 600 N. Lamar, Austin, TX 78703

24diner.com

(logo from @24dinerATX Twitter/picture from fedmanwalking.com)