We'll take a pass on their taste in football teams, but we'll happily share restaurant and bar recommendations from people who know Austin.
Buckeyes fans visiting our rival state capital and mega-college town for Ohio State's Sept. 12 matchup with the Texas Longhorns
won't lack food and drink options during their stay. With its mix of Texas twang and modern cool, Austin has plenty to make your weekend memorable.Here's hoping the Buckeyes do the same.
We've culled the most recent lists of recommendations from three solid sources — Austin American-Statesman critic Dan Odam; Visit Austin, the city's official tourism agency; and Eater Austin — to come up with these places we think you'll like.
Pre-gaming in Austin? Try these places
Crown & Anchor Pub: The reigning champ for Austin's burger
under $10 opens at 9 a.m. on University of Texas game days and is always open until 2 a.m. There's also plenty of locally brewed beers on tap.
Details: 2911 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin; 512-322-9168; crownandanchorpub.com
Dai Due: With a menu that reflects more modern Austin vibes than old-timey Texas, Dai Due opens for brunch at 10 a.m. and serves dinner until 10 p.m. On the early end, breakfast sausages are made with antelope, cheese is made in- house, and potatoes are fried in beef tallow.
Details: 2406 Manor Road, Austin; 512-524-0688; daidue.com
Spread and Co.: The Austin newspaper's dining expert says the spot just a mile from DKR Stadium serves among the best breakfasts and sandwiches in town. His respective recommendations include the Turk-ish Eggs and the Italian sandwich.
Details: 2406 Manor Road, Austin; 512-814-2002; spreadandco.com
Texas Chili Parlor: The 50-year-old Austin legend, praised by Visit Austin for its "classic Texas dive atmosphere," serves up plenty of the state's official dish. You can order your chili with beans, much to some Texans' chagrin, but the restaurant prides itself on offering no fries or fancy cocktails.
Details: 1409 Lavaca St., Austin; 512-472-2828; texaschiliparlor.com
Run! These Austin restaurants close at 10 p.m.
Bar Toti: Self-described as a lively spot (and backed up in that claim by Odam), Bar Toti's menu of small plates to full entrees is influenced by flavors of Mexico and the Mediterranean. The restaurant takes reservations but says it accommodates walk-ins.
Details: 2113 Manor Road, Austin; bartoti.com
Black's Barbecue: Five generations over 95 years have expanded Black's from tiny Lockhart, Texas, to four locations, including Austin. The menu includes brisket, beef or pork ribs, smoked turkey or chicken, and pulled pork on platters or in sandwiches.
Details: 3110 Guadalupe St., Austin; 512-524-0801; blacksbbq.com
Mi Madre's: The Austin American Statesman food critic calls its menu "classic Tex-Mex." Mi Madre's offers everything you might crave in that category, including breakfast starting at 7 a.m. if you get to the stadium really early.
Details: 2201 Manor Road, Austin; 512-322-9721; mimadresrestaurant.com
Places in Austin that are open late
Cain & Abel's: "A go-to gathering place for Texas fans," according to Visit Austin, the campus-area bar is best known for its Texas Tea (it's Long Island iced tea with club soda instead of cola), cheap eats (the kitchen is open until 11) and lively patio.
Details: 907 W. 24th St., Austin; 512-476-3201; abels.com
Hole in the Wall: For more than 50 years, the Hole in the Wall has been a live-music staple in a city that prides itself as the live-music capital. This weekend's events include a kickoff party Sept. 11, as well as agame-time tailgate and post-game after-party Sept. 12.
Details: 2538 Guadalupe St., Austin; theholeinthewallaustin.com
Techo Mezcaleria & Agave Bar: Mi Madre's, the restaurant that closes at 10 p.m. on Saturdays, is located below this rooftop bar that's open until 1 a.m. Techo Mezcaleria was selected as a 2025 James Beard best-bar semifinalist for both its selection of mezcal and the cocktails it creates from them.
Details: 2201 Manor Road, Austin; 512-480-8441; facebook.com/techomezcaleria
Follow Dispatch dining reporter Bob Vitale on Instagram at @dispatchdining. You can reach him directly at rvitale@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: We asked the experts for the best places to eat and drink in Austin
