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Guero's Taco Bar
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Guero's has that renovated warehouse look, with plants, skylights and lots of pictures and signs. In addition to several dining rooms, there are a variety of bars; one is built around the open kitchen. The crowd consists mostly of younger downtown go-getters. Menu items include fish tacos in chipotle and queso flameado. When he's in town, Bill Clinton orders the El Presidente: one chicken taco, one beef taco, a tamale and guacamole.
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Ranch 616
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Ranch 616 stands out with an outrageously fun snake-like sign announcing its presence. Large plate-glass windows line one side, filtering daylight into the modestly lit restaurant. Notice the details, like iconic candles and mix-and-match light fixtures. Roomy circular booths and standard tables outfit the distinctive, intimate interior. The small menu and daily dinner specials provide unique choices, such as shrimp quesadillas, chicken-fried quail and gulf fish tacos heaping with shredded cabbage and chili lime aioli.
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Eddie V's
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Leather booths, white tablecloths, luminescent chandeliers and towering floral arrangements create a men's club feel with a fairly formal setting, but the bustling open kitchen goes a long way toward keeping things lively. A lump crab cake appetizer, one of the best in Austin, consists of rich, flaky crab meat dressed with a creamy crawfish-butter sauce. The short-smoked salmon is crested with a horseradish crust.
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Home Slice Pizza
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The tasty hand-thrown pies come in several varieties, from the traditional margherita to the outrageous white clam pie. Order by-the-slice, especially if you're on-the-go, or for the full experience, order a full pie and enjoy it on-site. Customize your own pizza from a long list of traditional (artichoke hearts, mushrooms, pepperoni) and more edgy (fried clams, fried eggplant, Kalamata olives) toppings. Family style salads come in a large bowl and are plenty for four. Made-to-order subs, salads and calzones also grace the menu.
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South Congress Cafe
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Creative decor blends into the kitschy surroundings of this popular shopping district. Enormous plate-glass windows along the restaurant's front allow natural light in and a view of the busy street. Although small, the dining area is stylish, with booths lining the perimeter and sleek, wooden-chaired tables. Less of a cafe and more of an upscale eatery, it serves inspired Southwestern fare like blue-corn crepes, crusted beef medallions and Cajun seafood scampi, all in oversized portions.
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Jo's Cofee
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Step up from the street corner to the window of this tidy little shack and order from the chalkboard menu. This neighborhood joint is located across from the Continental Club, so don't be surprised to see your favorite musicians grabbing a "cup of Jo" to go. The open-air seating offers a small patch of shade for dining. The unique sandwich selection ranges from albacore tuna with capers and lemon aioli to wheat-roast vegetarian barbecue.
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Hula Hut
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Inside, surfboards, mounted fish and Hawaiian and Mexican tchotchkes adorn the walls. The outdoor bar, built over Lake Austin in a large, 360-degree, thatched-roofed hut is a hot spot for sipping margaritas. Patios are shaded, but tanning is also a pastime. After a day at the lake, groups of friends sample coconut shrimp and tubular tacos, or fusion favorites like mango and poblano chili quesadillas or grilled salmon tacos.
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