The peace, joy, and utter contentment from this past weekend still wrap around me like a warm blanket. My heart is genuinely overflowing. What started last weekend in Dallas, seamlessly flowed into an unforgettable Austin adventure, transforming into a symphony of delicious food, deep connection, and rapidly blossoming love. My amazing chosen family – Shelby and Mary Anne – joined Matthew, the blue-eyed bandit, and me for a culinary odyssey through some of Austin’s most iconic and beloved eateries. Now, as the four of us prepare to head back to Abilene, I’m reflecting on a weekend packed with too much laughter, just enough (okay, maybe too much) drinking, incredible bonds being formed, and some truly amazing, soul-satisfying food. This was a feast for every sense.
One of the greatest joys of dining with people you truly connect with is the shared experience of food. We embraced a family-style approach, ordering a multitude of appetizers and shared plates, allowing us to sample widely and experience a diverse array of flavors together. It’s an intimate way to eat, fostering conversation and communal enjoyment.
Our Austin Culinary Map: A Trail of Unforgettable Flavors
Each restaurant we visited holds a unique place in Austin’s vibrant food scene, and each contributed a distinct flavor to our unforgettable weekend.
1. Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que: The Quintessential Texas Smokehouse
No trip to Austin is complete without a pilgrimage to its legendary BBQ scene, and for me, Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que is a non-negotiable stop. This isn’t your fancy, sit-down, white-tablecloth kind of place. This is authentic, no-frills, Central Texas barbecue at its finest, embodying the raw, smoky heart of Texas.
- Backstory: Originating in Llano, Texas (the “BBQ Capital of Texas”), Cooper’s is famous for its “Big Chop”—a massive pork chop cooked over open flames in its signature brick pits. They champion the “Hill Country style” of barbecue, which means meat cooked simply with salt and pepper over mesquite wood, then served by the pound, wrapped in butcher paper. It’s a true institution.
- Our Experience: Walking into Cooper’s is an experience in itself. The air is thick with the intoxicating aroma of smoked meat. You line up, pick your cuts directly from the pit (brisket, ribs, sausage, turkey – it all looked incredible!), and then grab a tray. We loaded up on a glorious pile of brisket (perfectly rendered fat, smoky bark, and tender meat), succulent pork ribs (fall-off-the-bone goodness), and their famous jalapeño cheese sausage. We added some classic sides like cole slaw and beans, but honestly, at Cooper’s, the meat is the star. Sharing this massive platter, tearing off pieces of brisket with our hands, and getting delightfully messy was a communal culinary dream. It was a true taste of Texas, perfectly embodying the unpretentious joy of good BBQ shared with great company.
2. Hula Hut: Lakeside Vibes and Tropical Delights
After soaking in the sun and energy of Austin, a trip to Hula Hut on Lake Austin is a must for its uniquely Austin vibe and delicious “Mexonesian” cuisine.
- Backstory: Hula Hut has been an Austin institution since 1993. It’s famous for its prime location directly on Lake Austin, offering stunning lakeside views, especially at sunset. The decor is a quirky, colorful blend of Polynesian kitsch and Tex-Mex flair, creating a perpetually festive atmosphere. It’s the kind of place that embodies “Keep Austin Weird” in a delicious way.
- Our Experience: The ambiance alone is worth the visit. Sitting on their outdoor patio, overlooking the sparkling lake with boats cruising by, felt incredibly relaxing and fun. We kicked off with their famous Queso Compuesto (a loaded queso with ground beef, pico, and guacamole—because Texans take their queso seriously!). We then dove into their Polynesian Pork Nachos, piled high with tender kalua pork, pineapple, and cheese. Their Grilled Fish Tacos were fresh and vibrant, a perfect complement to the lakeside setting. Everything tasted like sunshine and good times, a perfect reflection of the Austin lifestyle. The vibrant, casual atmosphere, coupled with the delicious food, created a wonderful shared experience.
3. Gabriella’s Downtown: Upscale Mexican, Deep Flavors
For an elevated, yet still authentic, Mexican food experience near downtown, Gabriella’s delivered spectacularly.
- Backstory: Gabriella’s Mexican Restaurant has been a beloved family-owned and operated establishment in Austin since 1993, founded by Gabriela and Salvador Saenz. They pride themselves on using fresh ingredients and traditional family recipes, offering a more refined take on classic Mexican dishes compared to typical Tex-Mex. Their downtown location has a vibrant, inviting atmosphere.
- Our Experience: We started with their phenomenal Queso Flameado, a bubbling, molten cheese delight served with warm tortillas, a perfect sharing starter. Their Guacamole was fresh, chunky, and perfectly seasoned. For shared plates, we dove into their Parrillada, a sizzling platter loaded with grilled meats (steak, chicken, shrimp), peppers, and onions, allowing everyone to build their own tacos. Their Enchiladas Suizas were rich and flavorful, and their fresh Ceviche was a bright, zesty counterpoint. The flavors were deep, complex, and incredibly satisfying, a testament to generations of culinary expertise. It was a sophisticated, yet utterly delicious, exploration of Mexican cuisine.
4. Phoebe’s Diner: Southern Comfort with a Modern Twist for Brunch
Our final meal together before heading back to Abilene was a leisurely Sunday brunch at Phoebe’s Diner, a place that perfectly blends Southern comfort food with a modern, Austin sensibility.
- Backstory: Phoebe’s Diner is known for its inventive, elevated diner food with a focus on quality ingredients and house-smoked meats. It has a hip, yet welcoming, atmosphere, making it a popular spot for brunch enthusiasts in Austin. They take classic diner staples and give them a gourmet, often indulgent, twist.
- Our Experience: The menu at Phoebe’s is a delightful challenge of choice, with so many tempting options. Of course, I had to indulge in my personal comfort food: their Biscuits and Gravy. And let me tell you, they did not disappoint. The biscuits were fluffy and tender, and the sausage gravy was rich, peppery, and incredibly savory—pure, unadulterated comfort food bliss. Matthew being the true Louisiana man he is, naturally had to have his shrimp. He opted for their Shrimp & Grits, a dish he takes very seriously, and he raved about the creamy grits and perfectly cooked, flavorful shrimp. We also shared an order of their famous Smoked Half Chicken Hash, which was smoky, hearty, and utterly delicious. Every bite was packed with flavor, the perfect end to a weekend of culinary indulgence.
The Sweet Aftertaste: Bonds Forged, Love Blossoming, and a Full Heart
As the four of us prepare to pile back into the car for the drive home, my heart is genuinely overflowing. This weekend was more than just amazing food (though there was plenty of that!); it was about consolidating connections, building new memories, and cherishing the people who make life truly vibrant. The laughter, the easy camaraderie, the moments of vulnerability, and the undeniable sense of rapidly blossoming love with Matthew—it’s all a testament to the power of human connection. The “too much drinking” was just a delightful side effect of so much shared joy!
This trip, with my amazing friends and my wonderful new companion, feels like a true culmination of the personal growth I’ve been striving for. It’s a joyful affirmation of choosing to live fully, to embrace connection, and to savor every single precious moment, especially when they come with amazing food. What a weekend. What a journey. What truly, truly amazing fucking food.
What are your favorite food adventures with friends or loved ones? What dishes hold a special memory for you? Share your thoughts below – let’s keep these Sweet Treat Sundays generating delicious discussions and heartwarming memories!