Crofts Original
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1714 B South Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704

Susie G. writes: Well, I guess when you buy an original, you pay the price for one.

Nothing here was too amazing. Some "fake vintagey" pieces. Modern day things meant to look old school. Why do that when you can go next door and just buy the real thing for half the…

Zocalo Cafe Taqueria Fresca
Neighborhood: Clarksville

1110 W Lynn
Austin, TX 78703

Kyle S. writes: Just enjoyed a pleasant lunch here.

Always gotta give props to any mex place that makes their own tortillas (flour, corn, and wheat (!), corn was as usual the best). My mahi tacos were good but not great. But good. The black beans and rice were both…

Bettysport
Neighborhood: Downtown

916A W 12th St
Austin, TX 78703

Kristen F. writes: I'm going to be in a triathlon next week.  It's my first one.  I've been training in just regular workout clothes, but I needed an outfit that will work for swimming, cycling and running for my big day!

I went to Betty Sport on a friend's…

El Arroyo Original

1624 W 5th St
Austin, TX 78703

Jill W. writes: I thought El Arroyo was pretty nice for a place called "The Ditch."  They feature a large outdoor dining area, but since temperatures hit 97, we decided to eat indoors, where we were seated in a cozy booth by a lovely velvet Elvis painting (actually…

Copymax
Neighborhood: Downtown

907 W 5th St
Austin, TX 78703

Susie G. writes: Unique only because out of the office Max's, this is the only one to have a separate "Copy Max." Special only because whenever you are stranded downtown with a script and you have to make copies for a dozen children and the only copy shops are far…

Fresh Plus Grocery
Neighborhood: Clarksville

1221 W Lynn St
Austin, TX 78703

will h. writes: four stars is probably too high. three stars is probably too low.

i do love this place, so i'm erring on the high side.

i've lived in the hood for about 10 years,
and go in no less than once a week.
usually more.
so on the short side, that's 500 visits.…

Zoot

509 Hearn St
Austin, TX 78703

d m. writes: i noticed the congratulatory note across the top of the menu. a nice personalized treat for my friend. the decor was nice. this restaurant is inside a house that has no outward evidence that it is a place of business. there is a low contrast sign…

Goodwill Industries of Central Texas

701 Newman Dr
Austin, TX 78703

Jessica A. writes: When I was a kid my mom worked next door to a Goodwill and would often come home with clothes she had bought for me there. I was mortified by the thought that someone would suspect I was wearing something from a thrift store. Flash forward 15 years…

Velvet Spade
Neighborhood: Downtown

912 Red River
Austin, TX 78703

Stephen V. writes: This place has changed owners and names so many times I have a hard time keeping track, and I don't understand why.  It's a great place to hang out from the groovy interior to the spacious patio/deck.  Always a fairly mixed crowd there, and can be a…

Fortney's Artful Home Furnishings

1116 W. 6th
Austin, TX 78703

Jackson R. writes: I really, really like old furniture.  The second I walked into Fortney's, I thought, "This place is freakin' great."

Whether you're looking for a couch, dresser, painting, or just some sort of collectible, Fortney's is a great find.  Think of it as an…

Juanita's Tacos and More

1120 W 5th St
Austin, TX 78703

Rose M. writes: This place used to be called Taco Loco. Now is is known as "Juanita's Tacos and More"

cheap
fast
tasty
no hassle parking lot
family owned and run
covered patio seating
adorable (it's in a freakin' train caboose)

My friend Patricia turned me onto this place…

City of Austin: Aquatics

400 Deep Eddy Avenue
Austin, TX 78703

Larry M. writes: Whatever your skill level or age, Austin Aquatics is able to service your swimming needs, from learning to swim to mastering your strokes.

Although most programs seemed geared towards young people, there are several leveled programs open to adults.

I…

Soccer USA

4301 W William Cannon Dr
Austin, TX 78749

Rosalind C. writes: This place has moved down south off of William Cannon. I play rugby and came to this store for some leather conditioner for my rugby boots (cleats). I was happily surpised to be given the stuff for free! That was the beginning of a beautiful…

Golds Gym International

1701 W Ben White Blvd
Austin, TX 78704

Jessica A. writes: The Gold's on Ben White feels a little ghetto, but since it is a mere 3 minute drive from my apartment complex I call it Home Sweet. Like in most corporately owned gyms the staff at Gold's can be slightly obnoxious. It isn't enough that they sold you…

Therapy
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1113 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704

Dawn M. writes: eek!  $238 for a cotton tunic top?!

i ran for the door and never looked back.

Yoga Yoga
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1700 S Lamar Blvd Ste 312
Austin, TX 78704

Rose M. writes: Once at work, on a particularly boring day, I asked fellow employees,
"If so-and-so were an animal, what would they be?"

"Oh my God, Mike is so totally a pug and Lisa is an ardvark, Annette is a koala and you, Rose, are a sloth."

A sloth. I knew better…

Siddha Yoga Meditation Center of Austin
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1700 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704

Larry M. writes: I'll be the first to admit that chanting in a language I don't understand (even though the translation runs concurrently), inside a strip mall, to a woman's portrait on a chair is a bit weird, a bit cultish, a bit get-me-outta-here.

Yet as I'm…

Plume
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

909 W. Mary Street
Austin, TX 78704

Sarah M. writes: Plume is a pint-sized women's clothing store that's been meticulously arranged and lovingly developed.

Like a doting mom, owner Pam Miller fusses over her freshly steamed dresses and neatly folded designer jeans. The merchandise is minimal, but what…

Changos Taqueria
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

3005 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704

Tara H. writes: On the corner of a non-distinct strip mall, Changos features charbroiled meats, fresh veggies and tortillas. The inside is full of light and color - and while they keep it a little on the cool side - it's almost always a comfortable, casual dining…

Resistencia Book Store
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1801 S 1st St # A
Austin, TX 78704

Rosalind C. writes: Ask yourself these questions:

1) Are social justice issues important to you?

2) Are you looking for the revolution?

3) Would you consider yourself an activist?

4) Do you want to take down THE MAN?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, resistencia…

The Opera House
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

2209 S 1st St
Austin, TX 78704

Rachelle R. writes: We went here for the first time tonight.  While on our way to End of an Ear to do some CD browsing, we noticed a cluster of people in the back of that cluster of stores.  Intrigued, I tugged my man back to the Opera House.  There was some art exhibit…

Hobbytown USA
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

4211 S Lamar Blvd Ste A4
Austin, TX 78704

andrew t. writes: If you don't have a hobby, you can go here to find one but mostly, it has to be something that has to do with toys. The store at this location is a bit small compared to the one at parmer lane. The store in parmer lane has some interesting display…

Nails 2000
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

314 W Oltorf St
Austin, TX 78704

Shanna H. writes: I've been going to this family-run nails place for years. They are really reasonable, and they give a good pedicure with the spa chairs and all. Expect a bit of a wait at peak times, but they'll always do their best to get you in quick.

Tu Musica
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

3500 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704

Alexandra L. writes: This place has more than Tejano or Cumbia music.  Whenever I'm having a craving for 1980s Mexican pop, this is where I go.  (I spent my childhood summers in Mexico during those years.)  I've picked up some old 80s classics like Timbiriche and Flans.…

Ridgway's Reprographic Specialists
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

615 S. Lamar St
Austin, TX 78704

Tara H. writes: Everytime I go here to pick up a set of plans they act like they have no idea what's going on. They are, like, "You called in a set for XXX restaurant and they are for XXX company? We don't see them here." Then they poke around for the plans for like…

Cash America Pawn
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

2400 S 1st St
Austin, TX 78704

Jackson R. writes: Now this Cash America I have had good luck with.  I scored a banjo for $70 and a lap steel for $20 (with the tone bar!).  Deals like that don't happen everyday, and I never really learned the banjo too well.  The lap steel has paid for itself many…

Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken & Biscuits
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

516 W Oltorf St
Austin, TX 78704

Jaye J. writes: Oh yeah, I'm doin' it. I'm reviewing a fast-food joint.

I've pretty much sworn off fast-food in the past couple of months, but nobody does it like Popeye's. If it's good enough for Beyonce, it's good enough for me.

Seriously, I kind of grew up in the…

E-Z Pawn

2219 W Ben White Blvd
Austin, TX 78704

Jackson R. writes: Here's a place you can score a bargain.  I got a 50's reissue Strat here for $250.  I had a friend score an AT 4033 for $175 here.  This is one of those pawn shops that give pawn shops a good name for finding cheap gear.  

Finding those deals takes a…

Whole Life Books
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1006 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704

Olivia P. writes: If you are on the nerdy side, and hippie-inclined (again, with this tragically embarrassing admission about myself) you will love this place. Healing quartz crystals! Information on chakra cleansing, reincarnation, tantra, and auras! Do it up,…

The Warehouse Saloon & Billards
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

509 E Ben White Blvd
Austin, TX 78704

Andrea F. writes: Who can't love this bar, we love it and we work at the airport.
when we are inbetween flights we love to hoist up 6.50 pitchers until we are so drunk we cant read the bag tags.  some people complain.  but F*** them... I get my 8.75 so F*** you!   its…

Subway
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

2315 S Congress Ave
TX 78704

Eduardo A. writes: I agree with Pete P., this subway stands out amongst the rest.  If I need food fast, I avoid the burgers and drift towards subway to stay somewhat healthy.  Therefore, I have sampled many of the various stores and they do vary.  However, this…

La Terraza
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1605 E Oltorf
E Oltorf & I-35
Austin, TX 78704

Robin B. writes: In February, I went to New Orleans for Mardi Gras and, more importantly, to spend a week with a man I was madly in love with. We had a stupid fight on Lundi Gras and I ended up spending my Mardi Gras afternoon driving back to Texas. I could not get…

Hong Kong Restaurant

4211 S Lamar Blvd
Ste E1
Austin, TX 78704

Daniel M. writes: A very friendly, low key, family run restaurant in an otherwise bleak shopping center, Hong Kong is a solid, affordable local asian restaurant.  They make a very respectable vietnamese coffee, and have some of the best fried tofu in the whole city...…

Diamond Shamrock Inc
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

3630 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704

Larry M. writes: Also called Everytime Mart, next to 7-11...

There are no slurpees here (damn!) but you can pay at the pump AND the gas is usually at least 10 cents cheaper than 7-11 and HAS ALWAYS BEEN the cheapest gas in SoCo.

Richard Jones Bar-B-Que & Restaurants & Catering
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

2304 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704

jennifer p. writes: The atmosphere was cozy and simple. The food was good enough to get full for a lunch, but not good enough to have a delicious dinner. The prices were cheap and the staff was nice, but slow. The potato salad was very delicious, though! I rather to eat…

Sun Harvest Farms

4006 S Lamar Blvd
Ste 400
Austin, TX 78704

Don P. writes: Remember that time we played hide -n- seek with the blowfish but we never found it?  Pretty sure it (and Jimmy Hoffa's body) are hidden in and around the meat department at this Sun Harvest.

You'd sooner find Brigham Young with just one wife than…