Best Comfort Food Restaurants In Austin Revisited

Our readers have requested this, so here’s a repost of one of our “Best Of” articles.

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We all love comfort foods, be it a heaping bowl of Blue Bell Pralines ‘n Cream or a delicious dish of mac and cheese. So for those of you who are looking for the best restaurants for comfort food in Austin, here is our list!

Hoover’s Cooking
Hoover Alexander is master of Southern comfort fare. From his weekend Hoe Cakes to his mac and cheese, along with a superlative chicken fried steak, Hoover dishes up a plethora of lip-smacking goodies: Pan fried battered catfish, smothered pork chops, and a wonderful peach cobbler for dessert just to name a few.

Homespun Kitchen and Bar
This little joint in Dripping Springs is as good as it gets on the comfort food front. Love their deviled eggs, the Fried Catfish Pontchartrain, the black angus cheeseburgers with bacon, the uber creamy mac and cheese, the shrimp and grits, and without question co-owner Jennifer’s strawberry cake.

24 Diner
Not only is this delightful spot open around the clock but beginning with their waffles, the frittatas, the steak and egg sandwich, Eggs Benedict, and so much more … it all just rocks.

I love the sweet potato hash with poblano peppers, breakfast sausage, and Jack cheese. The chicken waffles are also a hit. 24 Diner has a great Austin vibe as well.

Jack Allen’s Kitchen
Some might wonder why we included this popular local chain. Let me refresh your memory.

When Jack Gilmore opened the first Jack Allen’s Kitchen In Oak Hill it was in a building that had housed several failed high-end restaurants, but he debuted a comfort food menu and within weeks, the Oak Hill hospitality community saw something shocking: a line out the door of the restaurant and an hour wait … on a weeknight!!

Today, Jack Allen’s is still offering the same comfortable dishes. Love the smashed guacamole with Cotija cheese and pumpkin seeds. This is a delight as is the catfish, the green chile burger, the deep fried beef rib, the country club fried chicken salad, and much more.

The service is always excellent as well! JAK truly belongs on this list.

Kerbey Lane Cafe
Seems like this local institution has been around forever. And I guess that’s the ultimate compliment. Their menu is varied and approachable. The Chilaquiles are delicious. The blueberry pancakes are always spot on. Love the omelettes, their BLT’s, Mediterranean platter, the quesadillas, the chicken bites, and just about every burger they serve.

I suspect we’ll be saying a lot more comfortable things about Kerbey Lane!

Joe’s Bakery
While technically a Tex-Mex joint, Joe’s offers a broad array of American comfort food along with the best damned huevos rancheros in the city and migas and queso that delight the palate. The pork chop tacos must be tried as well.

This is a family spot and has been for years. The legendary patriarch, Joe, has passed but his daughter Rosie runs it with a joy that is reflected to all who dine there.

Phoenicia Bakery & Deli
There are two locations of this Lebanese comfort spot: on Burnet and South Lamar. Malek Sr. Gets up at 2am and goes to the South Lamar store every day to bake pita bread for half the city. His sister makes some of the best gyros and shawarma anywhere.

Malek Jr. runs the Burnet store. They make terrific falafel, tabouleh and dolmas. They also have an amazing olive bar with fresh kalamatas.

New World Deli
If you’ve been craving an amazing reuben sandwich, thus is the place. This cozy little spot on Guadalupe also has a vintage cheese steak sandwich, a roasted turkey panini, and a smokin’ good Cubano. The broccoli and cheese soup Is very good as is the pasta salad.

Biderman’s Deli
A relatively new arrival to the Far West restaurant scene, Biderman’s is a classic Jewish deli. They make excellent bagels which are the base for their terrific sandwiches. Great matzoh ball soup as well .

Little Deli & Pizza
This iconic spot off Koenig serves up great pizza pies, wonderful Italian subs and a killer liverwurst on rye sandwich (that takes me back). My only complaint is that it’s too far north for those of us who live south of Oak Hill. 🙂