Like many northerners and remote workers, a couple of friends and I decided to flock to Austin, Texas in the middle of the pandemic. I had never been to Texas and I didn’t know much about it, besides the fact that I would probably have the urge to purchase some fancy cowboy boots and that I was in store for some killer barbecue. We packed up our bags and decided to work from Austin for the month, sharing a tiny AirBnB in the heart of the city.
I knew within hours of landing in Austin that we were going to love it and why it had gotten so popular during the pandemic. The city made an excellent first impression on us; the sun was shining, the streets were clean, but most of all the people were so warm and welcoming.
We spent most of the first few days familiarizing ourselves with the city, walking up and down South Congress, admiring the Texas state capitol building, and giving ourselves a tour of UT Austin. We stayed in a long-term AirBnB through the company, Lodgewell. Although I loved how accessible everything was from the downtown area, I would have rather stayed by South Congress or West 6. Something I did really love about our location was that we lived above a Gold’s Gym and The Driskill Hotel was directly across the street. We loved having the option to work in the historic lobby or in the little cafe, boasting great lattes and tasty brunch items.
On to my favorite topic, the food. As I do before every big trip, I made a bucket list of restaurants and bars I wanted to try. Austin is a foodie’s dream. From hearty Texas barbecue and savory southern style biscuit sandwiches to vegan options and sushi comparable to some of the best in New York, Austin has dining down.
For brunch, there are tons of great options. Irene’s, a swanky little spot on West 6th, was one of my favorites. They have an awesome bar and back patio set up that transitions nicely into a fun night-time spot. Their biscuit breakfast sandwiches and mimosa pitchers make for the perfect hangover remedy. We also loved Joann’s Fine Foods, attached to the Austin Motel on South Congress. We were there on the most beautiful day and sat in their courtyard, sipping on bloody Mary’s and devouring classic brunch staples with a Mexican flare. If you are looking for that insta-worthy shot of a Texas biscuit, you must head to Olamaie. We went on an early hike to 360 Overlook outside of the city and ended our morning here for the most delicious brunch on the go.
I could go on for days about some of the meals we had in Austin, but there are definitely a few standouts. The Peacock in the Austin Proper Hotel was our first dinner out and it did not disappoint. The mediterranean lounge serves delicious mezze and dips, grilled kebabs, and fresh salads. It is perfect for big groups or an intimate date night. I also loved P6, located in The Line Austin. This place gives you a front seat to the sunset over Lady Bird Lake and has plates perfect for happy hour. We really enjoyed the Mexican restaurant and bar off of the lobby and were dying to make a reservation in one of the poolside yurts for dinner.
Loro, an Asian-inspired barbecue smokehouse is on South Lamar. This place was perfect for a weekday dinner; you order at a window and have a seat at a picnic table outside. Back on South Congress, Café No Sé was also a favorite of ours. They have a large menu and delicious cocktails. After we had some appetizers there, we headed across the street to Enoteca Vespaio, where we held the Italian food to Jersey standards. We enjoyed all of the pastas and the wine that just seemed to keep flowing.
On one of our last evenings, we ate at Comedor after a bartender had given us the recommendation at happy hour. It is a modern Mexican restaurant that feels like it belongs in Manhattan. They serve small plates, so naturally we tried basically the entire menu. The bone marrow tacos, the half chicken, and the desserts stole the show. I would highly recommend it if you are looking for something a little more upscale.
And we definitely couldn’t leave Austin without trying one of their signature BBQ joints. We opted for Franklin Barbecue and ordered brisket, pulled pork, and ribs by the pound. They give you a loaf of Wonder Bread, delicious sides and mini pies to accompany your meal. It made for a delicious Sunday dinner (and Monday lunch).
Austin is a drinking city. We quickly discovered Rainey Street, which became our favorite Saturday stomping grounds. Our first stop was at Unbarlievable, which is a fun college bar with a slide, huge TVs, and a stage outback for the live band. We really liked Idle Hands, Container Bar, and the Tipsy Alchemist on Rainey, but every place on the block looked like a party. As much as I liked the bar scene, I think we were just as excited to discover the food trucks along the street. Lobster rolls, grilled cheese, pad Thai, and empanadas were a short stumble from all the bars.
On West 6th, we tended to go to Greenlight Social, Buford’s, Rustic Tap, Little Woodrow’s, and the Cat’s Pajamas. All of these places were filled with recent grads.
I am so glad we stayed as long as we did. I was able to go to so many hole-in-the-wall spots, like Koriente, an unassuming asian spot serving up delicious stir fry bowls or Taco Joint, a little hut that had some of the best tacos I had in Texas. Taking advantage of the difficult situation that the pandemic created allowed us the chance to really get to know Austin and visit a place I might not have otherwise.
Walking along South Congress became a favorite pastime of mine. I found myself posted up for my work day at Two Hands Cafe, thrifting on side streets, sampling Jeni’s Ice Cream, and shopping in Outdoor Voices perhaps a little too often. I loved exploring UT Austin’s campus and checking out the popular food trucks off campus. One of my favorite days was when we just hung out in Zilker Park, greeting the dogs that would run up to us and grazing on a charcuterie board.
I’ll also give a quick recap of our weekend trip to Dallas. We rented a car and drove there to meet my friend Paige’s friend from Villanova. His place was beautiful and we were there for the Superbowl, which we got to enjoy by his rooftop pool. We went to Dahlia Bar & Bistro for brunch before heading to Happiest Hour for drinks before an amazing Sushi dinner. The next morning we got pastries at The Village Baking. We still talk about the croissants and carrot cake. We spent the day exploring the Highland Park neighborhood and heading in and out of stores on Knox street. Later in the weekend, we were able to go for a walk closer to downtown, stopping at Katy Trail Ice House and then made our way to Highland Park Village to window shop all the designer stores.
We were all getting packed up to leave Austin in mid-February. My five friends were split up amongst 2 flights, one direct and one connecting. We woke up on the morning of our flight and out our windows, Austin looked very different. The sky was completely gray and it was starting to snow. My Uber was slipping and sliding all over the highway on the way to the airport. My phone kept buzzing. My flight was delayed, then rerouted, and then cancelled.
Long story short, I was the only one that didn’t fly out that day. I spent about an extra week in Austin alone, waiting for the once-in-a-century snowstorm to pass through Texas. I think I must have booked 10 flights home that week, all cancelled. I wanted nothing more than to be home on Valentine’s Day with my boyfriend, back in my own bed with a home-cooked meal. Instead, I found 2 other girls from New York and we banded together, taking turns sleeping on the airport floor. In the morning, we snagged the last two rooms at a nearby airport hotel, where we posted up for the next five days. Austin could not have been more unprepared for the storm. The roads were a disaster and watching the news of all the people displaced by the storm was depressing. Thankfully, the hotel still had electricity, but we were boiling water to drink and running low on food. I was stocking my mini fridge up with Doritos and Jimmy Dean Breakfast sandwiches from the lobby.
As bleak as this situation felt, I really learned a lot on this trip and I actually made some really funny memories as well. Every night, I would meet the girls from the airport for happy hour and we slowly formed a group with another twenty-something and his mom. Our last night in the Holiday Inn is still a little foggy because we celebrated our flights out the next morning with a few bottles of red wine and tequila shots. I met people from all over the country in that lobby and this shared experience really brought everyone together. And hey, my travel week from hell is now a great story to tell at parties.
I finally got home after begging the man at the United desk to put me in the last seat to JFK, after the flight to Newark kept getting pushed later and later. I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to be back in New Jersey. My trip to Texas might not have ended on the best note, but I already cannot wait to return one day (even if it means I have to face my PTSD at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport). If working from home allows you to travel, I sincerely urge you to take the chance. You just never know who you’ll meet or where you’ll end up.
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