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Austin is home to hundreds of restaurants
that serve up virtually every cuisine. From Tex-Mex
and soul food to Indian and Greek fare, your taste
buds are sure to be satisfied during Texas Relay
Weekend in Austin.
Of those hundreds of restaurants,
African Americans own about a dozen. And because
Texas Relay Weekend transforms Austin into the
Black Capital of Texas for one weekend at
least - we want you to have the lowdown on the
best that black-owned restaurants have to offer.
So, here is the most complete list,
in alphabetical order, that we know of. (If we
missed your favorite - email us complete details
to info@urbanmusicfest.com).
Support as many as you can this
weekend. Your taste buds (and the souls of Malcolm
X and Marcus Garvey) will thank you.
(South Austin)
2316 S. First St.
(512) 462-1697
Hours: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday,
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Looking for a light, healthy meal? Owner Sharon
Mays opened this wildly popular drive-through-only
restaurant in 2004. As the name says, it’s
all about salads at Baby Greens; the menu offers
only gourmet salads and healthy wraps, either
with meat or vegetarian.
Choose from Cobb, Greek, Caesar,
chicken with spinach and more. The homemade dressings
are magnifique and include blue cheese and Greek
vinaigrettes, chile lime, balsamic vinaigrette,
honey mustard, ranch, Caesar and more.
(Central East Austin)
900 E. 11th St.
(512) 477-2516
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.;
Friday-Saturday, 10-30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday,
noon to 4 p.m.
Much to the chagrin of barbecue lovers, this restaurant
closed in 2002 when owner Ben Wash, then age 62,
decided that he simply was too old to keep running
the restaurant, after 31 years in the business.
Apparently, Wash needed only a short
break. He re-opened the beloved barbecue joint
in 2004, and patrons – who are from all
walks of life – couldn’t be happier.
Located just one block east of Interstate 35 on
11th Street, the restaurant offers pork ribs and
sausage, pork butt, mutton and brisket, along
with some of the tastiest sides in Austin, including
coleslaw, pinto beans and a peach cobbler that
will make you slap yo’ momma!
If you’re planning to be here
for an extended period, stop by on a Wednesday
for Soul Food Wednesday, when the restaurant also
serves up some of the best comfort foods in Austin.
The menu on Wednesdays also includes chicken and
dumplings, meatloaf (all beef), ox tails or smothered
porkchops. Each entrée comes with two sides
and an iced tea for less than $9. On Sundays,
the famous barbecue is all you can eat, with prices
ranging from $12.95 for adults to $6.95 for children.
(East Austin)
1401-B Rosewood Ave.
(512) 322-9777
This to-go only restaurant features catfish, rockfish,
shrimp, oysters and chicken wings, all fried to
perfection.
– (Far Northwest Austin,
near Lakeline Mall)
www.fredasseafoodgrille.com
10903 Pecan Park Blvd
(512) 506-8700
Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
:
According to a recent restaurant review, chef
and co-owner Larry Mack has crafted a menu that
melds Cajun-style seafood – which we can’t
get enough of – with a fine selection of
steaks.
Some offerings include (the rare)
fried pickles and fried green tomatoes, and the
usual seafood fare.
(Central
East Austin)
www.genesrestaurant.com
1209 E. 11th St.
(512) 477-6600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m; Saturday,
8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Austin American-Statesman restaurant critic Dale
Rice named Gene’s oyster po’ boy one
of the Top Ten Sandwiches in Austin in 2005. And
that’s just the tip of the iceberg of tasty
food at this restaurant. Rotating specials include
red beans and rice, smothered pork chops, spaghetti
casserole and jambalaya (a house specialty). The
smothered chicken is so tender, you can cut it
with a fork. Save room for dessert, because the
peach cobbler is a must!
(Central East Austin)
www.hooverscooking.com
2002 Manor Road
(512) 479-5006
Hours: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday,
8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
(Nortwest Austin NEW LOCATION!)
13376 Research Blvd. #400 (512) 335-0300
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Food Network featured this landmark restaurant
on its “Best of Comfort Food” series
for one of its most popular entrees, the smothered
pork chops. It’s one of those meals that
makes you want to eat until you pop . . . and
then lick the plate.
Chef-owner Hoover Alexander is an
Austin native who has been cooking for more than
25 years. While Hoover’s is known for its
big selection of Southern comfort foods, the menu
also tempts patrons with entrées such as
Cajun pork roast, crawfish etouffee, jerk chicken,
muffalletas, fried chicken and fish, chicken fried
steak and much more.
Hoover’s is open for breakfast,
lunch and dinner and is located less than a half
mile from Interstate 35 on Manor Road.
(East Austin)
1814 Harvey St.
(512) 473-2225
Eat on the patio or take your food to go at this
barbecue joint. The menu features Elgin sausage,
brisket, pork spareribs and mutton.
(East Austin)
2931 E. 12th St.
(512) 220-3650
It’s a small restaurant with big flavor.
Owned by Maxine and LaVern Carlock,
Maxine’s has only about five tables, but
serves up the usual soul food fare, just like
momma used to make, as well as the bigger establishments.
Menu highlights include smothered pork steak,
baked chicken and beef tips. Noteworthy sides
include collard greens, blackeyed peas and cabbage.
(Two Locations)
www.mrcatfish.com
(North Austin) 850 E. Rundberg
Lane, (512) 997-7878
(South Austin) 1010 Springdale Road, (512) 927-6666
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Yes, catfish is the overwhelming specialty at
Mr. Catfish.
But, Mr. Catfish also offers fried
chicken, shrimp and oyster platters. Some of the
delicious sides include French fries, gumbo (which
could be a meal on its own), red beans and rice,
collard greens, coleslaw, hush puppies and potato
salad.
(Disclosure: Mr. Catfish is
jointly owned by one of the producing partners
of UMF.)
(Two Locations)
www.msbscreole.com
(Northwest Austin) 8105 Mesa Drive,
(512) 372-9529
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for
lunch and 5:30 to 10 p.m. for dinner
(Central East Austin – NEW
LOCATION!) 1050 E. 11th St., (512) 542-9143
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Owned by Billy and Brenda McGowan, this Austin
favorite has an intimate ambiance with some of
the best service – and more importantly
– some of the best creole food in town.
Favorites include the gumbo, where
the foundation of flavor lies in the all-important
roux; as well as the shrimp etoufee, crawfish
bisque, seafood jambalaya and fried catfish and
shrimp. Savory sides such as dirty rice or white
rice, fresh veggies or potatoes make for a hearty
meal too, without being overly heavy. Desserts
include a peach cobbler, a unique sweet potato
pecan pie and bread pudding.
(East Austin)
2000 E. 12th St.
(512) 478-0378
This longtime favorite has received national recognition,
most recently in author Steven Raichlen’s
book, “The Barbecue! Bible.” They
have the usual offerings of brisket, chicken,
sausage, pork spare ribs and mutton.
(Central East Austin)
www.tonyssoutherncomfort.com
1201 E. Sixth St.
(512) 320-8801
Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday-Friday
11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Saturday; Sunday, 11
a.m. to 4 p.m.
The name speaks for itself with this restaurant
too. Southern-style comfort food is the specialty
here, and Tony’s (owned by Anthony Herring),
does it very well.
Indulge in dishes such as the ubiquitous
Texas favorite chicken fried steak, pork chops
and sirloin steak. The chicken and waffles special
is also a treat.
Tony’s is located only a few
blocks from downtown Austin and the Urban Music
Fest. In what has quickly turned into a Texas
Relay weekend tradition - every Friday and Saturday
of the Relays – Tony’s turns into
Austin’s version of Roscoe’s Chicken
and Waffles! Crispy fried chicken breasts and
wings, served up hot and fresh with light and
fluffy waffles; all served up late into the night.
After the after-party – it’s
the after-party for your taste buds at Tony’s!
Call ahead to make sure they are still serving.
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Gene's
New Orleans Style Po' Boys & Deli 
