Dining Recommendations in the Lakeline Mall Area
We’re getting an increasing stream of inquiries from readers about dining in North Austin, specifically around the Lakeline Mall area. The good news is that there are many neat restaurants within a 3-4 mile radius. Here are some of our favorites.
Located near The Texican just off 183, Soto is a fine little Japanese restaurant with some killer maki and sashimi. I also adore the Fire Salmon which is roasted at your table over an open flame. Best of all, YOU are the roaster. They have an exotic and delicious array of Asian beers and coctails along with the most current Sakes. Chef Andy is the owner, and can be found holding forth at the sushi bar on most evenings. When this guy gets a hold of some Toro, watch out! He’ll blow you away.
A couple of blocks north of Soto is a very engaging little Italian restaurant called Cedro. The name means cedar in Italian. This name was given because owner James originally thought he was actually in Cedar Park. Ah, but what’s in a name. The food is uniformly good, especially the pastas. Also love the Flat Breads which have an engaging variety of flavors along with spot-on texture. Great Sunday brunch, as well.
Located just off the 183 entrance to the mall this is the north sister in a locally-owned and operated chain. Best Cabrito in town, and a menu that leans toward the El Paso style of Mexican food. The Shrimp Flautas are one of my favorite dishes. Ditto for the sour cream enchiladas. Owner Mourad Belkacem has done a great job with these three stores, and it’s a fun place to spend an evening particularly if you’re a sports fan (lots of viewing opportunities). Also great breakfasts on the weekends.
Located just south or the mall on Pecan Park off 620, Freda’s is the most tenured of all these restaurants, and this place is flat-out superb. Former Eddie V’s exec JP LaCoste has recently redone the menu, and it is outstanding. The Seafood Stack is a work of flavor and artistry. The Cajun vibe to the menu is evident in the very cool Gumbo and several of the blackened fish dishes. And let’s not forget the Etouffee and the Po Boys, along with the best Fried Oysters in North Austin. And then of course, there’s the inimitable owner Freda Cheng. She is to hospitality in the north what Marc Katz was to Katz’s downtown a decade or so ago. The place would not be the same without her engaging enthusiasm.
Located just west of Freda’s on 620, Noble Sandwich (formerly The Noble Pig) may just be the best sandwich emporium in the city. They are famous for their Pork Belly BLT, and a Duck pastrami sandwich that just melts in your mouth. There is creativity in every sandwich they do and tastes that are so compelling that fans begin lining up even before they open (every day from 10am-8pm), and on weekends until 9pm. The breakfasts here have a well-deserved notoriety from the home made biscuits to the bacon and the farm fresh eggs.
Just further west down the block from Noble Sandwich Co, Dos Chivos is the newest entry into this group. This is not a Tex Mex joint: I’d call it more of Mex Mex restaurant. Great dishes here from C4 & Co who brought you Tony C’s and The League Kitchen and Tavern. They were wise enough to affiliate with a former chef from Fonda San Miguel. And the result is a tasty array of dishes ranging from a stellar Guacamole (with Cotija cheese), a lovely Grilled Corn Soup, seriously good Chile Relleno (chicken or beef) and Redfish Verracruzano. They also have a Tres Leches cake from the chef’s abuelita that is very, very good.
