Aziz Salon & Day Spa
Neighborhood: Downtown

710 W 7th St
Austin, TX 78701

Kristen F. writes: My h-band got me a spa package here for my birthday last year, so I got a facial, massage, and mani/pedi.  I've had all of these things before, and none of these were my favorite experience.  The aesthetician made me feel like I had the grossest skin…

Treasure Island Pirate Bar
Neighborhood: Downtown

413 E 6th St
Austin, TX 78701

Jonathan W. writes: I guess the question is, "What are you in the mood for?"

If you answered, "A sketchy club, with sketchy people, playing Hip/Hop remixes of popular rock songs, with $1 wells/domestics, with a cheesy pirate theme, where I've got a 4 out of 5 chance of…

Forbidden Fruit
Neighborhood: Downtown

513 E 6th St
Austin, TX 78701

S. M. writes: Funny to say, but this is one of the places my hubby and I go to on date night. As my hubby is more open with "educational items", he is comfortable in places such as this. Although I am far from prudish, I am a bit "shy" in the areas of love and…

Lucky Lizard Curios & Gifts
Neighborhood: Downtown

412 East 6th St
Austin, TX 78701

Alexandra L. writes: This was an oasis in the same-old, same-old of East Sixth Street souvenir and gift shops.  They had the obligatory rack of souvenir Austin shirts, but they also had so much more: locally crafted Frida Kahlo decoupaged boxes, "Fish with Attitude,"…

Flashpoint Recording Studios
Neighborhood: Downtown

Austin, TX 78701

Santa V. writes: Flash is one of the best engineers in town - let alone one of the coolest folks you'll meet.
He runs a great studio!! The equipment is in top shape. The environment is welcoming.
Flash's bedside manner is amazing!

There's nothing but awesome to report…

Gables Residential Serv
Neighborhood: Downtown

300 West Ave Ofc
Austin, TX 78701

helena b. writes: i love this place.  in fact, you'll love this place that you'll want to move in.  seriously... amazing, clean, unique lofts and traditional flats.  it's fairly priced for downtown austin, which is pricey in comparison to the rest of the city, but…

Save Our Springs Alliance
Neighborhood: Downtown

221 E. 9th St
Ste 201
Austin, TX 78701

Laura C. writes: Let me tell you, no one loves Barton Springs more than Bill Bunch. And Bill Bunch is the driving force behind SOS. Of course, there are other incredibly driven people on the board and volunteering and donating money.  But Bill has dedicated his…

Haven Gallery and Gifts
Neighborhood: Downtown

122 W 6th St
Austin, TX 78701

Jackson R. writes: It was dangerous for me to be in this store.  I don't have much peripheral vision, and have had classic episodes of turning around and bumping into people or knocking over entire displays.  Whoopsy Daisy.  Good thing the gallery attendant hadn't…

Sky Lounge
Neighborhood: Downtown

416 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701

Gretchen P. writes: THANK YEW Toddy B for hooking up a house-music starved San Francisco girl with some proper beats while I was in town. Your buddies DJ Jesse and DJ Merrick were like a juicy glass of Napa Cabernet after a long spate of Lone Star (I love Lone Star and…

Sweet Cleaners
Neighborhood: Downtown

613 Congress
Austin, TX 78701

carmella m. writes: took some scrubs to get  sewed to fit and they did a great job! highly recommedthem,.

Fringe Salon
Neighborhood: Downtown

701 Rio Grande Street
Austin, TX 78701

Shanna H. writes: I've been going to Fringe Salon and Steven Anthony off and on for years. I cheated for a while (with a less-than-skilled hair student and Birds Barbershop--who couldn't get my color right after two tries--but give cute cuts) and I just went back to…

Carmelos Italian Restaurant
Neighborhood: Downtown

504 E 5th St
Austin, TX 78701

Tara D. writes: We had a company lunch here last December.  Mind you, there are only 7 in our company.  It was not great.  I had a chicken salad dish, and it was only okay.  No one really loved their lunch.  I also ordered a double espresso after the meal.  The…

Austin's Inn At Pearl Street
Neighborhood: University of Texas

1809 Pearl St
Austin, TX 78701

Astra P. writes: Before I go into this review, I should admit to some dorkiness -- I first heard about this place from a book called "Haunted Texas Vacations." Now, I'm not saying I necessarily believe in ghosts and ghouls and all that, but it is fun to read about,…

Dona Emilia's
Neighborhood: Downtown

101 San Jacinto Blvd
Austin, TX 78701

Amber T. writes: I went here last night for a nice dinner. I was pretty dressed up, but no one else there was-a lot of shorts and sandals. I guess I should have guessed, it is Austin even if it is downtown.
I ordered the classic mojito to drink, even though they had a…

Austin Film Festival

1145 W 5th St
Ste 210
Austin, TX 78703

Lisa A. writes: Disclaimer: I used to work for the AFF.
 
Of all the film festivals I've been to this is the most inspiring because it's about the screenwriter: the person who created the story, the characters, the setting, the mood, the witty dialogue, the character…

C Van R Automotive Service
Neighborhood: Downtown

604 W 6th St
Austin, TX 78701

Dave C. writes: I have been using C Van R for several years now.  What I like about them is that they are honest.  They don't fix something that is not broke, and they have on more than one occasion found out it was something really easy and fixed it for next to…

Lamb Paul Archtct
Neighborhood: Downtown

618 Lavaca St Ste 9
Austin, TX 78701

Larry M. writes: Brilliant.

When the architect friends of mine, some super fancy pants ones who've done houses in the Hamptons to 9,000 sq foot townhouses on Congress tell me this guy is the best, I take note.

If I were wanting to build something significant,…

Mother Egan's Irish Pub
Neighborhood: Downtown

715 W 6th St
Austin, TX 78701

Don P. writes: Jehovahs Witness Protection Program.                      .                                .                                              .

Pretty much my favorite team name from Tuesday night trivia at Mother Egans.  The food is adequate for pub…

Orbit Salon
Neighborhood: Downtown

500 W 18th St
Austin, TX 78701

Jill W. writes: They gave me a pack of gum!  I also like my haircut.  $45 seems completely reasonable, especially considering the convenient location and online appointment system. Actually, Orbit Salon's proximity to my office persuaded me to check it out today.  I…

Sushi Geisha
Neighborhood: Downtown

616 East 6th Street
Austin, TX 78701

Carrie C. writes: Trying to eat gluten-free with speed during SXSW is challenging. Sushi Geisha saved us from starvation twice this year. We had only basic rolls (spicy tuna, hamachi, philadelphia, etc) but they were all tasty and not fishy at all. The prices are…

Element Nightclub
Neighborhood: Downtown

301 W 5th St
Austin, TX 78701

Angel Q. writes: If you have to go here be prepared for a night of Jamin' Hip Hop. pop yo colla, some: "bring your big butt and skimpy clothing as ya gettin on riding dirty and such".
I think they hire call girls to dance here, or maybe they are just strippers on…

Gallery Lombardi
Neighborhood: Downtown

602 A W 7th St
Austin, TX 78701

Carrie C. writes: I have nothing but praise for Gallery Lombardi, even if what Angel said is true about the stinkers.  But hey.  We can't all be Picasso.  And Gallery Lombardi is not afraid to show a new artist or a strange artist or even what most folks would…

Whisky Bar
Neighborhood: Downtown

303 W 5th St
Austin, TX 78701

Kevin N. writes: Honestly?  If I could do it, I'd probably hover this place around a 3.5 star count:  a thin shotgun style bar, my very best times here have been before they got busy (warning to those allergic to crowds:  this sucker gets crowded and stays crowded).…

Rio Rita Lounge
Neighborhood: East Austin

1308 E 6th St
Austin, TX 78702

Justin B. writes: Which do I like better: a) A bar where I can drink beer and feel like I'm in my friend's mom's den, or b) A coffee shop where I can drink espresso and feel like I'm in a saloon? So often my plans are ruined because I can't decide.

Now, I'll never have…

The Kitchen Door

2504 Lake Austin Blvd
Austin, TX 78703

Shun S. writes: Is it possible to have a gutgasm?

It's been a couple of years since I've had the meatloaf sandwich here, and after one bite, I wanted to cry like I had just been freed from a Turkish prison. I dare say this sandwich represents freedom, but I don't…

Whole Foods Market
Neighborhood: Downtown

525 N Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78703

Don P. writes: Did that dude seriously have a piercing IN his piercing?  He pierced his piercing?
.                                     .
.                                        .
.                                .
That's right, he doubled-up.  Whole Foods ties with…

Nau Enfield Drug
Neighborhood: Clarksville

1115 W Lynn St
Austin, TX 78703

Bing C. writes: I'm reluctantly writing this review. This is the kind of place that you'd really rather not have too many people know about. It's a gem. A classic. It doesn't get any better....so stay away!

You will not find a better cheeseburger or chocolate shake…

Hut's Hamburgers
Neighborhood: Downtown

807 W 6th St
Austin, TX 78703

Melody L. writes: "One of the best burgers I've ever had," is what came out of my dad's mouth after visiting Hut's Hamburgers for his very first time and my three thousandth time. Now don't get crazy. My dad is not the dude who is outside every Sunday donning a BEST…

Book Woman

5501 N Lamar Blvd
Ste A-105
Austin, TX 78751

Jaime M. writes: This store is for the woman-plus.
Woman-plus-Latin American.
Woman-plus-activist.
Woman-plus-lesbian.
Woman-plus-wife.
And so on.
I'm not especially plus-anything these days, and while a few novels and general feminist nonfiction appealed to me, I felt…

Bookpeople Book Store
Neighborhood: Clarksville, Downtown

603 N Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78703

Roland M. writes: As an avid reader I love this store. Ah, BookPeople.  While not the last bastion of amazing indie book-sellers it's certainly Austin's best choice.  I was reading through some previous reviews and noticed one in particular.  In this review it was…

By George
Neighborhood: Downtown

524 N Lamar Blvd
Ste 103
Austin, TX 78703

Leslie L. writes: A store that puts Austin on the national fashion magazine map.  I'm proud that Austin has a locally owned and operated retail clothing store of this caliber....I just wish I could afford it more than once every other birthday that lands on a full…

House Park Bar-B-Q
Neighborhood: Downtown

900 W 12th St
Austin, TX 78703

Tara M. writes: If you have a dog I highly recommend you take off your clothes before entering the house after eating here; because, your clothes will smell like mesquite grilled meat after leaving here and your dog will want to eat them...

Trust me and bring CASH…

Shoal Creek Saloon
Neighborhood: Downtown

909 N Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78703

Lisa A. writes: For first-timers: When you go, the koosies are not free. You are probably smart enough to realize that, but I, on the other hand, have a number of construction company koosies at home and I've never worked for or with a construction company.

Also,…

Tribeza Magazine
Neighborhood: East Austin

1050 E 11th St
Ste 200
Austin, TX 78702

Robin C. writes: Wow, what a bunch of whiney babies!  Yes, Tribeza is geared toward Big Money Austin.  So what?  If that's not who you are then don't read it.  Pick up Rare if you're so hip and young you can't deign to cast your eyes at an ad for some super expensive…

Chuy's Hula Hut

3826 Lake Austin Blvd
Austin, TX 78703

Jill W. writes: A 1/2 order of Hawaiian chicken fajitas is all I can really review because ever since I tried it for the first time (2001?), I haven't ordered anything else.  These are possibly my favorite fajitas in the universe.  I have yet to explore the fajitas…

First Thursday South Congress
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

South Congress
between Riverside and Oltorf
Austin, TX 78704

Gweirful G. writes: Wullll.... First Thursday ain't what it used to be. Used to being this smallish little thing where you could walk into a SoCo shop and stand in a relatively short line and walk out with a buhr from the keg. Run into some buddies on the street and…

Inner Sun Chiropractic

1401 W 6th St
Austin, TX 78703

Kristy C. writes: Doc  Ron really is a miracle worker. He's given me a better quality of life, that's for sure.

He even helped me figure out that I had a food allergy that was causing so many of my symptoms -- something that traditional medical doctors didn't even…

Town Lake Animal Center

1156 W Cesar Chavez
Austin, TX 78703

Pete P. writes: you have got to hand it to these folks, they get in something like 39,000 animals a year and they MUST take them all in.  they do their best to care for the animals and keep up with the cleaning as much as they can.

here is a little secret, even the…

Plantescape Gardens
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

3507 S 1st St
Austin, TX 78704

Angus C. writes: I have been driving by Plantescape for six months now, and I finally stopped in. Like Boggy Creek farms, this place is a pretty remarkable surprise in what is essentially a residential neighborhood. I bought a little orange tree, which was fun. They…