With SXSW approaching I figured I would make a special installment of “Where to ear near venues.”

Ahh SXSW…a week filled with booze, music, movies and overall debauchery. Usually during this time you will fill your bellies with BBQ and other junk food for free at parties and showcases. However, usually at some point in the week you’ll want something a little ahem..different, or it’ll be 2 am and your options will be limited. Also, if you’re like me and are generally there during the film portion of the festival, there aren’t as many parties as there are come music time therefore meaning need real food. Below are only some of the places you can eat at during the festival. There’s definitely far more food options than listed below but these are just a few that I’ve personally been to that are still up and running…

Iron Cactus
606 Trinity St
Austin, TX 78701
http://www.ironcactus.com

I came here the first year I attended SXSW back in 2007. What caught my attention was their queso. Either I was just really hungry or Iron Cactus has been having an off year on their queso ever since because I feel like it’s never been the same. Anyhoo it’s a great place to stop in and have some Tex-Mex, queso and their cactus margarita. Plus it’s right in the thick of 6th street and the Convention Center so easy access to all nearby locales. It’s pretty mellow during the film time but during music expect it to be busy at all hours. Also, make sure there’s no private party already when you decide to go. It’s mid-level pricing so with food and drink expect to spend close to $15 per person.

Champions
300 E 4th St
Austin, TX 78701
www.championsaustin.com

Located directly in front of the convention center, Champions is the equivalent of a TGIFridays. They have just about anything All-American. I’ve gone here just for appetizers before movie screenings and for salads when my body desperately needed greens after too much consumption of overall crap. It’s close and convenient and doesn’t cost too much. It’s nice for a little lunch spot during the week.

Stubb’s BBQ
801 Red River St
Austin, TX 78701
http://www.stubbsaustin.com/

Even though you’ll be having BBQ-a-plenty at grab some at Stubb’s while you’re watching a show. It serves as restaurant and venue. If you really want you can try and grab a seat inside and have a full sit down menu or you can try your hand outside over by the stage at one of the stands with a BBQ pulled pork or beef sandwich w/some potato chips and a beer. Stand and eat while you watch. You’ll spend around 8-10 bucks at minimum depending on all you get and remember to tip.

Iron Works BBQ
100 Red River St
Austin, TX 78701
www.ironworksbbq.com

Iron Works is on the other side of the Convention Center facing away from downtown. Apparently this place is the bees knees as it’s a favorite of the former presidents Bush as well worthy enough of a feature on Food Network courtesy of Rachel Ray. It looks like a big picnic with the set up but just inside. Get away from the hustle and bustle of 4th and sit here and get some good ‘ol BBQ. You order by the pound, get a couple of sides and of course plenty of sauce at the tables.

Old Pecan Street Cafe
310 E 6th St
Austin, TX 78701
http://www.oldpecanstcafe.com

Obviously located on 6th it’s a little French style bistro and almost unassuming. At first glance you think this place is 1. expensive and 2. too frou-frouy when it comes to food. The menu was rather unappealing to us just for a quick lunch but someone tipped us off that they actually have a lunch-time special where you can get a normal burger and fries for about $10 or so. You just have to ask.

Paradise Cafe
401 E 6th St
Austin, TX 78798
www.paradiseonsixth.com

Came here for lunch my first year at SXSW. It was very eh but it’s an option for sandwiches and what not. The plus is it’s very affordable you can get entrees and pasta dishes for under $10.

The Hideout Theatre & Coffeehouse
617 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701
http://www.hideouttheatre.com/

This particular Hideout is located next to the Paramount theatre on Congress. It’s more intended when you’re over there to see a film but if you find yourself crossing Congress’ path, stop in here for some coffee or a sandwich. It’s a refreshing and relatively inexpensive option for food.

Amy’s Ice Cream
1012 W 6th St
Austin, TX 78703
http://www.amysicecreams.com

Amy’s to me is a Texas institution. I was first turned on by it from a Food Network special and then a friend of mine saw it on some Travel channel show. It was supposed to be a quirky experience for ice cream with the cashiers flipping ice cream up, around and upside down before it landed in your cup but it’s since mellowed out. Either way the closest Amy’s is next to the Waterloo Records where throughout the week there are performances. It’s a bit of a hike but if you can hop on a ‘dillo. They usually have quite a range of flavors apart from your normal run-of-the-mill. It’s also nice if you’re just looking for a cool sweet treat. May I recommend the Mexican Vanilla Ice Cream. It tastes like vanilla ice cream with cinnamon except there is no cinnamon in it. Odd ain’t it

Jim-Jims Water Ice
615 E 6th St
Ste A
Austin, TX 78701
http://www.jimjimswaterice.com/

Jim-Jim’s is located directly across from Emo’s and if you don’t look close enough you’ll miss it. If you can’t make it out to Amy’s come to this little stall right here and get yourself some shaved ice or normally what I get is some soft serve (Chocolate and Vanilla mix) in a cone. You get a lot for a little. The only drawback is this place closes real early so come looking for it after hours.

Alamo Drafthouse (various locations)
www.originalalamo.com

These are movie theaters. During the film portion of the festivals movies and documentaries are shown in the various drafthouses located through out Austin. The best part about them? They serve you food AND alcohol! That’s right eat, drink and be merry. When you grab a seat there’s menus you can peruse and servers that come up and down to take your orders. You can get pretty much whatever you want: pizza, pasta, sandwiches, wings you name it in a MOVIE THEATER. And it’s GOOD food. I personally go for the Green Chile Mac & Cheese (no surprise there). And they take cash or card

Various Food Carts:

If the place you want to eat is not open come 2 am or you don’t want to make the trek anywhere or your just plain drunk, Downtown Austin provides several food trucks around the area. Be careful though when they are the only things available at 2 am EVERYONE is in line but here are some to note:

Hot Dog Trucks
My guy is on 6th and Red River but there are several up and down 6th. Some serve hot dogs some serve sausages but all are good and inexpensive. The hot dog guy on 6th and Red River has a variety of different dogs to choose from — your regular beef frank in a bun to Chicago Style and even veggie and turkey franks. But remember Cash only.

Pizza/Mediterranean
If you go onto 7th and Trinity there is a Mediterranean cart (Kebabalicious I believe it’s called) as well as pizza take your pick. Mediterranean has got gyros and hummus plates and pizza has…well obviously pizza. Vegetarian and meat selections alike and again an affordable option

Ice Cream Man/Cupcake mobile
Ice Cream Man is actually FREE Ice Cream Trucks that stop at different locales around Downtown strictly during SXSW. They specially come out to give you FREE Ice Cream. That’s right FREE (have I mentioned it enough?). Just find a van, go up to it, and pick out what ice cream you want and BOOM! It’s yours.

Now the cupcake mobile I think is relatively new because I saw it for the first time last year and only that one time. But it pulled up next to Jim-Jim’s. They were selling Chocolate, Vanilla, Red Velvet and other assortments of single cupcakes for roughly 2-3 bucks each. Again cash only

Chains
There are a couple of chain restaurants at your disposal if you’d prefer to stick with something familiar

P.F. Changs
201 San Jacinto Boulevard
Austin, TX 78701
www.pfchangs.com

Yes I must admit I did eat here one year, but in my defense it was cause it was torrential downpour outside and we really didn’t want to have to think about where to eat. Located directly across from the Convention Center on San Jacinto It’s also probably the only Chinese food you’ll find around here.

Roy’s
340 E 2nd St
Austin, TX 78701
www.roysrestaurant.com/

I’ve never eaten at a Roy’s but it’s also directly across from the Convention Center and across from the Purevolume House located on 2nd. That’s the only reason I know it’s there…from waiting in line at the Purevolume house. This is also a very pricey option.

Jimmy Johns
515 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
http://jimmyjohns.com/

If you’re looking for sandwiches/subs then come here. It’s also open relatively late (although I don’t think until 2 am). It’s a little bit on the “off-beaten” path but that just means it won’t be crowded when you get there

Taco Cabana
517 W Mlk J
Austin, TX 78701
http://tacocabana.com/

Don’t hate. I love me some Taco Cabana. This particular location is over by UT which is where I normally stay during SXSW so it’s always a stop on the way in. Cheap Mexican food with a drive thru (but not ala Taco Bell these are sizeable portions) and a salsa bar. It’s also open late. If you’re Vegetarian or Vegan though be sure you pick black beans in whatever you get because TC definitely cooks their pinto beans in bacon fat.

Chipotle (multiple locations)

I’m not a fan of Chipotle but if you are just know there are a couple locations one over on campus and one on Congress next to the Paramount Theatre.

McCormick & Schmick’s
401 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701

If you’re able the best time to stop in is during Happy Hour. You can get burger and fries for half the price and the entire bar menu is 50% off.