Readers' Picks

With freshly made challa, eclairs, and other pastries, this central Austin mainstay has the feeling of a true neighborhood place: a parking lot that is way too small, a line always snaking out the door, and perhaps the best bread in town. Even their sandwiches and salads at lunch testify to their culinary competence. Upper Crust is a contender and is here to stay.

4508 Burnet Rd., 467-0102
www.theuppercrustbakery.com

While the landscape on the drive out to this Driftwood barbecue mainstay may have changed over the years -- "progress" has wrought its share of look-alike mega-home developments -- the atmosphere has not. Pull into the Lick's lot on any given weekend and a fiesta's going on. The Roberts family have been Q-ing up Central Texas for years, and the friendly feel of the picnic table dining room have folks coming back for more. When it's served "family style" (all you can eat), even folks hitting deep meat stupor will hear themselves uttering the words, "Yes, please!"

18300 FM 1826 (in Driftwood), 512/858-4959
www.saltlickbbq.com

Pancakes. Cake for breakfast! Kerbey Lane serves them up a variety of ways, with all sorts of fruit, spices, and yummy goodies. Migas and breakfast tacos also tempt. Sometimes it's just too tough to choose what type of breakfast to have. The waistline conscious might just opt for some delicious fresh fruit and cottage cheese. Hey, who says breakfast has to be eaten in the morning? Open 24 hours, Kerbey can satisfy your pancake (or whatever) craving anytime.

3704 Kerbey Lane, 451-1436; 2606 Guadalupe, 477-5717; 2700 S. Lamar, 445-4451; 12602 Research, 258-7757
www.virtual-restaurants.com/kerbeylane/index.cfm

Headed by Rebecca Wallace and Leslie Moore for 20 years, Word of Mouth Catering is an Austin institution. From events for presidents and queens, to the opening of the Bob Bullock Museum, to the Junior League's Christmas Affair, and your neighbors next door, they have done it all. As a new part of a larger venture, they will be debuting a new approach called Taste Buds, which could also be called Catering for Dummies. Stephen Shallcross' 2 Dine 4 has made a big splash since starting in 1994. Take Richard Garriott's Titanic Party, for example, for which Shallcross supplied both an authentic First Class and Steerage menu served on White Star china by waiters in period costume on a specially constructed barge in the middle of the lake. At the end of the evening, the barge was sunk, with selected guests scrambling for lifeboats. Definitely a memorable event. Both establishments can cater events for two to 2,000 and up, and offer a mind-boggling array of treats to titilate all your senses.

Word of Mouth, 919 W. 12th, 472-9500; 2 Dine 4, 7950 Anderson Sq., 658-8719
www.2dine4.com

If the "spiders" at the Spider House had an official mating call it would be, "Hey, weren't you in my philosophy class?" With its near- campus location, it attracts mostly students who pretend to study. The drinks are great, and if the staff got any hipper they would be deported to New York City.

2908 Fruth, 480-9562
www.austin.citysearch.com/E/V/AUSTX/0000/58/09/

We love the most recent incarnation of this funky, longtime students/hipsters hangout. Who knew composition floor tiles and Formica tabletops turned those colors when they are completely worn out? Seriously, the food's good and portions are sizable. Some of us are just too old and square to go there any time other than during "respectable" hours of the day so we'll have to assume the "House Rules" posted by the door are for the rowdy, post-club crowd. Some favorites: "There is no volume control [on the music]." "Don't stare at the cooks." "Putting your name at the top of the waiting list is your ticket outta here." Amen.

3101 I-35 N., 478-7107
www.austin.citysearch.com/E/V/AUSTX/0005/12/24/

We can't remember the last time we ordered pizza delivered from any place besides Papa John's. The high quality of the pies is bolstered by a surprisingly quick turn-around time; it's early a lot more than it's late. And we're charmed by the pepperocini garnish. Which end of the pizza do you dip in that buttery garlic sauce, anyway?

various locations, 219-7272
www.papajohns.com

A variety of meats, local and organic produce, and gourmet foods are only some of what make Fresh Plus popular. Parking is a snap; there's never a wait. They also have the cutest checkers in town.

408 E. 43rd St., 459-8922; 1221 West Lynn, 477-5574
www.freshplus.citysearch.com/

Even if our readers hadn't named it a favorite lunch place, a snapshot from the S. Lamar location of Schlotzky's would tell the story. This place is popular and busy. And why not? The food is consistent and produced with all due speed (you are, after all, on a lunch hour). It's great for groups (no haggling over the bill or begging for separate checks) and for "those" lunch dates (i.e., not too intimate). Did we mention it's an Austin institution? Enough said.

various locations, 477-5858
www.cooldeli.com

Wake up in the garden: From Chinese eggplant to California mache, you'll find them here, as well as every cook in town. With tables groaning under a huge variety of organic foods and some prepped produce as well (where else can you find fresh-squeezed lime juice and peeled garlic cloves?), and informed staffers with ever-ready paring knives for sampling, both locations are a foodie's dream.

4001 N. Lamar, 206-1000; 4477 S. Lamar, 899-4300
www.heb.com/heb/cm/indexCm.jsp

When the finest occasions of life require the finest of dining in Austin, there's few that compare to Jeffrey's. Dazzling culinary creativity, plush interiors, and impeccable service repeatedly rank this venerated establishment at the top of the heap.

1204 West Lynn, 477-5584
www.jeffreys.citysearch.com

Located in the historic Brown Building, this elegant Deco watering hole will soothe the senses after a long day at the office. During the week, you'll find business types enjoying happy hour specials and a great appetizer menu. Building residents also love this home away from home downstairs. What a place to live!

201 W. Eighth, 480-8330

Nobody likes Mondays, right? Unless, of course, you leave work early, or never go in, and report to the bar at Trudy's, where the restaurant's regular happy hour lasts all day and you get a dollar off all margaritas and 50 cents off beer and alcohol. Then Mondays are just fine.

You've got to admire efficiency, poise, and grace, especially when it's in the form of a waitperson that you know must spend three quarters of their time on the job "in the weeds." We salute the waitstaff of Trudy's Texas Star, who always bring our quesadillas and chips quickly to our table, and we toast them with our Happy Hour margs and Mexican martinis (with extra olives). Cheers!

409 W. 30th, 477-2935; 8820 Burnet Rd. #600, 454-1474; 4141 Capital of TX Hwy. S., 326-9899
www.trudys.com

Don't call 911 -- just because the martinis are so cold they'll turn your face blue and the margaritas cause temporary memory loss, there's no need for alarm. CDV's attending bartenders and barbacks are standing by to administer EMS (Emergengy Margarita/Martini Services) at the end of a long day. Try a healthy attitude adjustment on Karaoke Night, or take the cure in the form of an enormous pint of Blanco-brewed Full Moon Pale Rye Ale or Brewhouse Brown Ale. These folks can provide all the "medicinal" libations to get you off your feet again.

900 Red River, 457-0900
www.cdvaustin.citysearch.com

Take cover -- it's a giant hamburger coming straight at us! Drinkers and teetotalers alike come here for what some call the best hamburger on Sixth Street. Don't forget an order of fries, or better yet, an order of their mighty tasty chicken wings, and you'll be ready to soar through the night ahead.

517 E. Sixth, 469-9330

It's a tie. Not surprising, since both of these neighborhood pubs attract folks from all over the city who find them worth the drive. Both are known for their super pub grub and extensive lists of brews. If you're trying to decide between a neat scotch and hot fish and chips at the Dog & Duck or the freebie snacks and aromatic Vanilla Porters (made there) at the Draught Horse, it's a pretty hard decision. You better start early, and visit both.

406 W. 17th, 858-4959; 4112 Medical Pkwy., 452-6258
www.dogandduckpub.citysearch.com

Magnolia Cafe is where to run to when it's 3am, everyone is having too much fun, and nobody is ready to go home. So don't. Instead, crowd around the tables at Magnolia and stuff your faces with the unique version of Tex-Mex that the reliable 24-hour crew serves up: fish tacos with red cabbage and carrots, black bean & chicken tacos with a vinaigrette dressing, and of course migas. Feeling satisfied and a little sleepier, push back your chairs, and with a satisfied grin you might find yourself saying, "I'd like a mint hibiscus tea to go, please."

2304 Lake Austin Blvd., 478-8645; 1920 S. Congress, 445-0000
www.austinmagnolia.com