Lunch downtown used to be a tug-o-war between the two poles of Congress Avenue: Hickory Street Bar and Grill (“secretary station”) and Las Manitas (because if you didn’t eat there for breakfast, you might try to catch up at lunch).
There are so many options today, people in other cities are talking about our foodie scene. Which is great, but there is an old standard that helped create a buzz about lunch downtown.
The Texas Chili Parlor (1409 Lavaca Street)
The old timers who first opened the Texas Chili Parlor remember their original wait staff – which includes Jeffrey’s waiter Johnny Guffey. But, they shrug when you ask them about why the place is decorated like an Elgin gas station, “because it was cheap”.
The walls are covered with old Shiner and Ford dealer signs. There is a light hue of neon and a strong smell of onion. The chili is thick and nearly black, and seems to create conversation about the Deepwater Horizon spill. The meat is hearty, in square cubes and it’s up to you to put on cheese, onion or jalapeno.
And, being good Texans, we don’t add beans. Some do, we call them Okies.
On a hot day, a small Chili seems like a good idea for some reason. On a cold day, a large Chili is a great idea and for good reasons. On any day, you’ll understand your overwhelming desire to grab a mint, or three, by the door on your way out.
What’s hot? Get the XX on a hot day, and on a cold day try the XXX. Pair it with a cold Shiner on both days.
One day last week I went to the Texas Chili Parlor and marveled at the decorations on the walls and said hi to some people inside including a well-known Austinite who is a former music promoter.
The next day, I went to Swift’s Attic on Congress Avenue and I marveled at the decorations on the walls and said hi to a well-known Austin music festival promoter…hey, wait a minute.
Swift’s Attic (315 Congress)
There are so many options for lunch downtown and Swift’s is a good one. Sure, there isn’t the cadre of the good looking and over-drawn at lunch, as there is in the evening. But, what an incredible site when your Croque Madame (a Monsieur with a fried egg on top) or any of their wide array of terrific sammches arrive.
I had a salmon that was crusted with Corn-Nuts! Phenomenal! It was sitting on in some sweet potato mashed potatoes! Scrumptious!
Clearly there was a lot of thought put into the décor. I appreciate that they kept the old hand painted advertisements that were once on the exterior of the building that is now the brick interior wall.
There’s a lot of neat-o contemporary feel, plus a faded royal blue wall with handful of fleur de lis-looking designs that is reminiscent of Sainte-Chapelle in Paris.
What’s hot? Get the Edamame with Chili Oil and Pop Rocks. It sounds nuts, but the chili oil brings the heat, and the Pop Rocks are tons of fun and remind you of buying them in little cartons at a Wag-A-Bag.