Mexican$$east-austin
Cisco's in Austin is Rudy Cisneros's East 6th Tex-Mex breakfast counter since 1948, the room that ran the city's politician breakfasts and helped make huevos.
Signature: Huevos rancheros, Migas, Chorizo and eggs
Order: Huevos rancheros plate with refried beans and a side flour tortilla.
Tip: The morning rush peaks at 8:30am; smoother before 7:30 or after 10. Cash and card both work fine.
Seafood$$$south-congress
Perla's in Austin is the McGuire Moorman South Congress seafood patio, a Gulf-leaning oyster bar with dozens of half-shell varieties and a wraparound porch.
Signature: Gulf oysters on the half-shell, Whole grilled snapper, Lobster roll
Order: Half-dozen Gulf oysters and the whole grilled snapper; the patio at sunset is the room's signature shot.
Tip: Weekend brunch from 10:30am; reservations a week ahead for the patio or walk in at 11am Monday for the quiet oyster hour.
Taqueria$east-austin
Pueblo Viejo in Austin is Nestor and Margarita's East Riverside Mexican taqueria since 2010, a brick-and-mortar grown from a taco truck and a citywide.
Signature: Breakfast tacos, Barbacoa taco, Pastor
Order: Bean-and-cheese breakfast taco on a homemade flour tortilla.
Tip: The Tillery Street trailer and the St. Elmo and Pickle Road locations run the same kitchen with shorter lines.
Regional Mexican$$$south-lamar
El Naranjo in Austin is Iliana de la Vega's James Beard-winning Oaxacan dining room on South Lamar, a family kitchen of regional moles, ceviches.
Signature: Mole negro, Tostadas de atun, Pulpo y papas
Order: The mole negro de Oaxaca; de la Vega trained at the source in Oaxaca City.
Tip: Daughter Ana Torrealba runs the kitchen as chef de cuisine; the Sunday-supper menu is the most experimental.
Asian Smokehouse$$$south-lamar
Loro in Austin is the Franklin and Uchi teams' Asian smokehouse on South Lamar, a casual walk-in patio for Texas BBQ and Southeast Asian small plates.
Signature: Smoked brisket, Boat noodles, Thai-style sausage
Order: Smoked brisket with rice noodle and Thai chiles, plus a tall papaya salad.
Tip: Walk-in only; come at 5pm sharp or after 9pm to dodge the 90-minute weekend wait.
Japanese Ramen$$south-lamar
Ramen Tatsu-ya in Austin is Tatsu Aikawa's Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen on South Lamar since 2012, the city's most-followed ramen counter with no-booking.
Signature: Tonkotsu Original, Mi-So-Hot, Kara-age
Order: Tonkotsu Original with the extra-fatty setting; the menu calls it Kotteri.
Tip: Walk-in only; the 6pm window moves slowest on Friday. The Research Boulevard location is the shortest queue.
