H20 Hand Carwash & Detail
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

500 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704

Jaye J. writes: After years of thinking Genie was really the only thing in town, I finally tried H2O Hand Car Wash. For $30, these guys washed my car to perfection, cleaned the entire inside including the center console and all of the door panels, conditioned the…

Your Living Room

220 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704

Jackson R. writes: Your Living Room has some of the coolest furniture I have seen in Austin.  

The store is sectioned off in places to create quasi-living rooms or bed rooms.  The designs are very original, all in cool colors and fabrics.  I found a suede sofa there…

New Bohemia
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1606 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704

Bruce R. writes: If you want vintage or western wear, this is the only place to be.  Coming from San Francisco's thrift shopping culture, Bohemia was impressive.  Prices seemed fair, staff was helpful and the clothes were well organized.

And contrary to RENT, Bohemia…

Ecowise
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

110 W Elizabeth St
Austin, TX 78704

Hoa N. writes: Environmentally conscious store: housewares, toys, clothes, flooring, paint and more. We bought low VCO paint here for our kitchen which they mixed to match a color I found in a magazine. No fumes, amazing.

Sometimes the owner can be cantankerous. One…

Austin Motel
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1220 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704

Kerry P. writes: Keep Austin wierd...the only liberal oasis in a state of conservative Christian, right-wing Republican, straight white American males (just to quote Todd Snider...and grossly stereotype the state we love to hate).  

Two years ago my life was on a…

Soup Peddler
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

501 W Mary St
Austin, TX 78704

Sarah M. writes: The Soup Peddler began with a man on a bike. Once upon a time, David Ansel pedaled all over South Austin delivering soups. Today, it's kind of the same deal. But instead of bikes, the peddler has trucks; instead of serving South Austin, they have…

Monster Book Store
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1800 South 5th Street
Austin, TX 78704

Michelle M. writes: $5 for a box of books!  The most amazing deal ever.  Pavarotti's My World, The Manny, a hardback websters dictionary, Secrets of Droon #18, Video Night in Kathmandu, and so many more. It was heaven. I'll be back often. It was a great place to relax…

Polvo's Mexican Restaurant
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

2004 S 1st St
Austin, TX 78704

Ryan S. writes: I played hooky last night from working or catching up on much needed sleep and instead ended up sitting out on the patio of Polvo's with a couple of friends in mid 40's weather.   Sure, the patio heaters ran out of propane a couple of times.  Sure,…

Tekgnar
Neighborhood: University of Texas

305 W Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Austin, TX 78701

Ulf K. writes: Tekgnar is Laurie Pevey's skate shop, which prior to moving to its current location at MLK was situated at Rio Grande and 5th and called Blondie's.

Now I'm not much a skater myself, but when I decided a few years ago that a longboard would be a…

Porfirio's Tacos
Neighborhood: East Austin

1512 Holly St
Austin, TX 78702

Jill W. writes: Technically, I've never gone to Porfirio's; fortunately, Porfirio's has come to me.  At seemingly random intervals, a little taco truck shows up outside my parking garage (17th/Brazos).  I don't typically purchase things from the back end of a…

Nubian Queen Lola's Cajun Soul Food Restaurant
Neighborhood: East Austin

1815 Rosewood Ave
Austin, TX 78702

Jonathan W. writes: You know, I guess there's a reason they call it "soul food."  Not only were Lola's creations a flavor explosion that resulted in an unexpected cascade of brain chemicals that left me with big warm fuzzies, but the atmosphere Lola created - with the…

Austin Public Library - Terrazas Branch
Neighborhood: East Austin

1105 E Cesar Chavez St
Austin, TX 78702

jen c. writes: As far as libraries go, Terrazas is pretty cool.  It's a bit smaller than ones I'm used to, but it makes the experience kind of homey.  Like maybe you just happened to walk in this pretty airy house and it just happens to have all these books and…

GSD&M
Neighborhood: Downtown

828 W 6 St
Austin, TX 78703

Colby B. writes: I have nothing but great things to say about my time at GSD&M. I met some of my best friends in the world here, and, 5 years after leaving, we're just as close. They do fantastic work across the board, and I miss them, their culture and, even their…

West Austin Park & Wading Pool
Neighborhood: Clarksville

1317 W. 10th Street
Austin, TX 78703

Rose M. writes: I call this park "Mosquito Alley". When it rains, for days afterward, the ground stays soggy and mosquitos hold their family reunions. The park is pretty, though, and if you arrive with a can of toxic bug repellant, you might stink but be alright.…

Brick Oven on 35th

1608 W 35th St
Austin, TX 78703

Keon R. writes: I LOVE this place (and the owner isn't hard to look at, either). I think I've eaten their veggie sandwich 5 times this week! It is absolutely awesome - you must try it if you're a veggie sandwich lover like I am.
They serve a tomato basil vinerarette…

Teez Salon
Neighborhood: East Austin

1704 E 5th St
Austin, TX 78702

Jaime S. writes: This salon is pretty new and, as a one-woman operation, it's still pretty bare bones. But that didn't matter to me because the proprietor, Tonya, did a fantastic job with my cut and color. Really, she seemed to have sixth sense about what I wanted…

Absolute Concrete
Neighborhood: East Austin

4608 Kitty Ave
Austin, TX 78721

Alexandra L. writes: Hardwood floors come and go, carpet is so passe, pergo is really just a cheap imitation - but concrete floors are the thing of the future.  You might think to yourself that having a concrete floor is ugly and hideous, but when scored and stained…

East Side Pedal Pushers
Neighborhood: East Austin

1100 E 6th St

Austin, TX 78702

Ben P. writes: This is a great little bicycle repair shop. I have a newer bike that has served me well on many trips around town lake.  Well, at least it had until around a week ago when my rear wheel got knocked out of place.  I walked home and took off and reset…

Austin Public Library - Oak Springs Branch
Neighborhood: East Austin

3101 Oak Springs Dr.
Austin, TX 78702

Kristen F. writes: Let's get it out in the open- I used to work at this branch of the Library, and I LOVED it.  The staff there are so nice and really care about our patrons.  Our patrons are similarly awesome, especially our kids.  We have a big selection of dvds and…

The Blue Theater
Neighborhood: East Austin

916 Springdale Rd
Austin, TX 78702

Stacey P. writes: Cool little venue hidden behind a Goodwill in East Austin. We saw kidnapped by craigslist last night, which is really funny by the way. I like this theater a lot and I love east Austin, I plan on checking out more shows here, seating is perfect I…

Jack In the Box Restaurants
Neighborhood: East Austin

1151 Airport Blvd
Austin, TX 78702

Megan R. writes: Jack in the Box curly fries are the best hangover cure ever!  Hands down.  Another awesome perk of Jack in the Box: all day breakfast!  This place has really got me as a hangover haven.
This east Austin location has never been busy when I have gone…

The Tiniest Bar in Texas
Neighborhood: Downtown

817 W 5th St
Austin, TX 78703

Don R. writes: Cool new place that is all about patio lounging.  It is on the South East corner of W 5th and Bowie.  (Btw that is prounouced 'boo-ie, not bow-ie)

This is just west of Shoal Creek - the actual creek not the street.
Ironically, The Tiniest Bar in Texas…

Austin Furniture Consignment

1611 W 5th St
Austin, TX 78703

Sarah M. writes: Any business that can successfully maintain a customer base and earn a profit by selling their product on the front lawn is fine by me.

Austin Furniture Consignment is awesome. They sell new and used furniture curbside on the never quiet one-way 5th…

The Charles Moore House

2102 Quarry Road
Austin, TX 78703

Larry M. writes: The only Charles Moore house designed for himself that houses his library, folk art and toy collection, I happened upon this small compound just west of MoPac for a fundraiser, benefitting the Charles Moore foundation, helping to preserve his work…

Ben and Jerry's
Neighborhood: Downtown

500 North Lamar Space 150
Austin, TX 78703

Jaye J. writes: Ben and Jerry's used to be my favorite type of ice cream in the world. Now, not so much. First, it's too sweet. I'm talking sickly sweet. And the texture is not my favorite. I much prefer the texture of Amy's, which is a little richer in my opinion.…

Sweet Leaf Tea Company

515 S Congress Ave
Ste 700
Austin, TX 78704

Jay B S. writes: Let me tell you something...If you don't like Sweet Leaf Tea, you're probably dead, and if you're dead, I'd get that checked out, because that'll ruin you're day, or even your week if you had a lot of plans.

This stuff changed my life.

Picture this;…

Ross

5361 North Interstate 35
Austin Capital Plaza
Austin, TX 78703

Carrie C. writes: God, I love Ross Dress For Less.  I love their designer shoes when they go on sale and I love their designer handbags when they go on sale and I love just digging through the piles and piles of crap to find that one nice whatever it is I was looking…

Freddie's Place
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1703 S 1st St
Austin, TX 78704

Kristy R. writes: I came here with some coworkers for lunch while here to do some training and they said "it's a quintessential Austin establishment - laid back and a little hippie-ish".  
It's a cute place, low-key, burgers, fish tacos, salads, etc.  Seems like it's…

Gardens

1818 W 35th St
Austin, TX 78703

Dennis C. writes: I always catch grief from the fellas about liking to go to this place.  The fact that is lost on them is that landscaping is not the same thing as home decorating.  It's hard work, requiring perspiration, and, therefore,  inheritantly masculine.…

Austin Circle of Theaters
Neighborhood: East Austin

701 Tillery St
Austin, TX 78702

Susie G. writes: ACOT ( Austin Circle of Theaters) is one of the most wonderful things that has ever happened to the Austin theatrical community.

If you are a struggling theater artist, this is the first place you should go . Anyone who is anyone is an Acot member.…

The Peacock
Neighborhood: East Austin

515 Pedernales St
Austin, TX 78702

Sarah M. writes: Head East, my friends.

Just one more example that the zestiest merriment and pleasantries are to be found east of IH-35. True, the exterior can be misleading, but all the more reason to duck inside. Prepare to enter a world of cool blues and…

Taqueria Chapala
Neighborhood: East Austin

2101 E Cesar Chavez St
Austin, TX 78702

David O. writes: Lovely place.  Good food.  They try to make me speak Spanish but I won't, except every now and then I do, just to yank their chain.  Then I go right back to the mother tongue.  Speaking of which, the Lengua tacos there are good.

TOPS - Texas Office Products & Supply
Neighborhood: East Austin

1100 E 5th St
Austin, TX 78702

Ben P. writes: It is easy to miss the best part of this place.  You walk in and get all distracted by a warehouse full of used office furniture.  At the peak of the dotcom bust, you could come in and find dozens of Aeron chairs ready for the taking.  I am wondering…

Design It With Consignment

4211 S Lamar
Suite A-23
Austin, TX 78704

Robin C. writes: I was pleasantly surprised when I took a client shopping here today.  Their stuff is in great condition and pretty reasonably priced.  There's a lot of "Texas elegant" kind of riff-raff in here but we also found some streamlined, more modern stuff as…

Austin Gift Company

4211 S Lamar Blvd Ste A19
Austin, TX 78704

Sarah M. writes: Jackson R.'s review of Austin Gift Company is spot on.

A wonderful alternative to the many gift stores in Austin. I thoroughly enjoy this little hot spot because it's just as it claims to be..."something different". It's not creative in the way…

SoLa
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

2005 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704

Dawn B. writes: my first visit to sola today was filled with anticipation.  i was lucky to find an amazing dress from sola at pecan street festival last fall.  i have been putting off visiting due to the wimpers from my wallet...."please don't go, i'm afraid you…

Washburn's Town & Country Cleaners
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1423 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704

Michael T. writes: Good prices and greater customer service. After the second visit they recognize my car as I drive up and have my clothes waiting for me before I make it in the door. Fast service with a smile. A SoCo original.

St Vincent De Paul Store
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1327 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704

Jessica A. writes: Unfortunately St Vinny's, like so many thrift stores these days, has gotten too big for its britches and believes it is a vintage boutique on Rodeo Drive rather than the dumpy little place filled with castoffs that it is. There is no logic whatsoever…

McDonald's
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

303 E Oltorf Street
Austin, TX 78704

laura d. writes: i love ice cream and i love caramel topping.

i hate walking past here all of the time to get to my apartment though, because mcdonalds food is (obviously) horrible for any human, but the fries just smell so yum.

anyway, the point is.... they have the…