Eat well in Austin for under €15 a plate: the locals'-budget edition.
Eat well in Austin for under €15 a plate: the places locals on a budget actually use.
Veracruz All Natural in Austin is the Webberville Road breakfast-taco truck from the Vazquez sisters, the Food Network Top 5 tacos pick and the cheapest world-class plate in town.
Try: Migas breakfast taco
Tip: Migas on a homemade corn tortilla is the order; arrive before 9:30am to dodge the office-worker rush.
Cuantos Tacos in Austin is the East 12th food truck for Mexico City-style trompo tacos on nixtamalized tortillas, the cheapest entry to a Michelin-recognised Austin kitchen.
Try: Mexico City-style trompo tacos
Tip: Order at least three tacos; the suadero and al pastor are the room's standouts at the price point.
P. Terry's Burger Stand in Austin is the South Lamar original since 2005, the local burger chain serving fresh-ground beef burgers on the cheap and a soft-serve cone for under $10.
Try: Cheeseburger and fries
Tip: The double cheeseburger combo runs around $9 with drink and fries; the soft-serve cone is the dessert.
Las Trancas in Austin is the East Cesar Chavez taco truck for late-night al pastor and barbacoa, a Texas Monthly best-tacos pick with the cheapest tacos on the corridor.
Try: Tacos al pastor
Tip: Tacos are small; order four. The truck runs until midnight, ideal for after-bar dinner.
Round Rock Donuts in Round Rock is the Lone Star doughnut counter since 1926, a 4:30am opening with egg-yolk-yellow yeast doughnuts at a buck or two each, daily.
Try: Yellow yeast doughnut
Tip: The original yellow doughnut is the order; the Texas-size novelty doughnut is for sharing.
Pueblo Viejo on Tillery Street in Austin is the 2010 East Side taco truck from Nestor and Margarita, the city's regular-rotation breakfast-taco trailer at the low end of the price scale.
Try: Breakfast tacos
Tip: Bean-and-cheese on a homemade flour tortilla is the most-ordered budget pick; pair with a side of barbacoa.
Halal Bros in Austin is the West Campus halal chicken-and-rice counter on Guadalupe, the cheapest reliable halal plate in town and the closest meal to UT for under $13.
Try: Chicken-and-rice platter
Tip: The chicken-and-rice platter is the campus default; the white-sauce-and-hot-sauce combo is the menu hack.
Magnolia Cafe in Austin is the South Congress 24-hour diner, a counter and booth room serving migas, queso and gingerbread pancakes at a low-double-digit price all day.
Try: Love migas plate
Tip: Open 24 hours Thursday through Saturday; otherwise closes at midnight. SXSW makes Friday 1am a scrum.
Tacodeli in Austin is Roberto Espinosa's Spyglass Drive flagship since 1999, the local breakfast-taco chain at the low end of the price scale with Salsa Dona for the table.
Try: Breakfast tacos and tacos al Pastor
Tip: Cult Salsa Dona is sold by the bottle to take home; the Heather taco is the cheap office-lunch order.
Kerbey Lane Cafe in Austin is the all-day diner since 1980, the Central Austin bungalow that runs queso, gingerbread pancakes and breakfast tacos at a low price all day.
Try: Pancakes or queso
Tip: Two-egg breakfast comes with home fries and toast around $11; the queso-and-chip cup is the cheapest snack.
Peak food season in Austin is year-round.
Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.
service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Austin rewards trust.