Salvation Army Thrift Store
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1142 S. Lamar
Austin, TX 78704

Rose M. writes: For the last couple of years I have been working on a book called How To Live Like a Cheap Bastard. Until recently, I didn't really need to live what I wrote.

A few months ago, I lived the cheap bastard way for an entire month. This was an excellent…

Twomey Auto Works
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1009 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704

Kelley R. writes: 5 stars. Nothing less. I love the shit out of these guys!! They took great care of my car, had it back incredibly fast, did great work and didn't try to BS me about anything once. Super nice folks.

Stella Alesi Photography
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1712 Bouldin Ave
Austin, TX 78704

Alexandra L. writes: Stella is all New York, cute and short (she will often use a small stepladder to get a better view of her subject) and sweet as a button.  Her husband Brian is her assistant.  Being a painter as well, she knows how to capture color, composition, and…

Beauty Store Salon & Spa

4006 S Lamar Blvd Ste 650
Austin, TX 78704

Trisha K. writes: I haven't really shopped at the store itself but would like to rave about the service I received in the salon.  I previously had a terrible experience getting my legs waxed at a different spa and was nervous about trying again.  Natalie at BSSS had…

El Gallo Restaurant
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

2910 S Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704

Dawn B. writes: every single person i encountered here was so nice and friendly!  i'll be  honest in saying i couldn't taste or smell that night because i was sick but my enchiladas felt warm and happy in my mouth.  

the outside seating was lovely.  the food was…

Zen Japanese Fast Food
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1303 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704

Jessica A. writes: I've eaten at Zen on S. Congress countless times because it is the perfect place in an easy location to grab something to eat during a short lunch break or rest your pups and nosh a snack while on a S. Congress window shopping spree. Is it authentic…

Vacation Rentals by Owner

3801 S Capital of Texas Hwy
Ste 150
Austin, TX 78704

Andi T. writes: We found a great cottage in an obscure artsy CA town through this site and had a fantastic getaway.  Our communications with the property owner went just fine, and the experience exceeded our expectations.

World Liquors
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

997 South Congress
Austin, TX 78704

Paul L. writes: Kind of pricey but convenient for the south of congress traveler or resident.  The selection is quite good for a small place and they have Tattinger already chilled.  The staff there is super friendly.

Blues on the Green
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

Zilker Park
Austin, TX 78704

Allison P. writes: Blues on the Green is one of my favortie things about summer. I'll head downtown after work with a blanket and picnic basket in the back of my car to go hear some the concerts at Blues on the Green.

The '07 line was just announced:
6/13   Ruthie Foster…

Flameworks
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

522 Sunny Ln
Austin, TX 78704

Treg R. writes: This is a really cool glass blowing studio and gallery. I'm not generally an impulse buyer, but I wasn't able to leave here without picking up a couple of items. I'm now the proud owner of a multi colored shot glass and a glass pen! They have a…

The Waxing Studio
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

2110 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704

Debbie R. writes: I'll write this review, but we'll see if I'm brave enough to keep it up.

Jodi does my waxing, and she does a great job. When she says she's fast, she ain't lyin'. You're in and out. While I'm impressed with her work, I wish she were a little…

Beverage World
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1948 S I H 35
Austin, TX 78704

Don P. writes: I dropped by Whip In because of Jackie A's ROTD.  Cool place... but while I was there, I remembered that I owed my roomie a bottle of liquor.  And while Whip In is VERY cool, they don't carry liquor but sent me next door to Beverage World.

Ok... so I…

South Congress Beverage Barn
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

3612 S Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704

Catherine D. writes: What is there not to love about driving through a beer barn and asking for a 6 pack of Guinness and a bag of Doritos's?  Really, what is there not to love. Maybe I am easily impressed as I had only heard about beer barns and up until Saturday night ,…

Fiddlestick Bow Shop
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1403 Alameda Dr
Austin, TX 78704

Santa V. writes: This is the place to get your bow rehaired, restored or even made!
The prices are fair and the work is never less than great.

Margaret, the proprietor, is very knowledgeable regarding her trade and practices it skillfully. She gives her work the full…

Happiness
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

2209 S 1st St
Austin, TX 78704

Erika G. writes: When I was a kid, one of our class projects was to seed and pot a begonia and see whose grew the biggest and highest. Mine I named Fertile Fred, and that he was. He grew insanely tall and fecund, and I nearly won the challenge.

Sadly, since then, my…

Longhorn Collision Center
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1607 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704

Kristy C. writes: i feel very out of place at any garage or body shop but the people at longhorn collision were so friendly and helpful that i (almost) felt at home.

the service was quick, they did a great job, and overall it was painless.

Design Center of Austin
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

3601 South Congress at Penn Field
Building C
Austin, TX 78704

jessica r. writes: The Design Center of Austin at Penn Field is easily one of the coolest spaces in Austin for two completely different reasons.

If you are an interior designer (not me) or are interested in interior design (me) or just appreciate good design in general…

Garden District Coffee House
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

2810 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704

Sarah M. writes: Shop for plants or get some food? Easy decision for me and my black thumb, but for the outdoorswoman or man, a tough call.

Garden District Coffee House is a by-product of South Congress's Great Outdoors Garden Center. This bustling herb emporium has…

Carter's Transmissions
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

3411 S Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704

Cheyne M. writes: Carter's... oh how you have done my car right.

I was having some problems and I dragged it kicking and screaming to Carter's. Worried about my car, I rented a rental because I didnt know how long it would be in the shop.

They called me about 2 hours…

Re

102 Krebs Ln
Austin, TX 78704

Shanna H. writes: I have a soft spot for the Re store. I discovered it when it just opened last spring (I think), and we must've talked to the owner for half an hour or more and came away with some great deals. The owner's gotta be the friendliest store owner in South…

Zachary Scott Theatre Center
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1510 Toomey Rd
Austin, TX 78704

Don P. writes: Camron was cool enough to ask me along so he and I went to the Zach Scott Kleberg theater to see 'Speeding Motorcycle' this weekend. If you have ever heard Daniel Johnston's music or seen his artwork, you will probably enjoy this production. I have…

Texas School for the Deaf
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1102 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704

Larry M. writes: Hard to rate this when I haven't been in and am not suffering from hearing loss, but do know both teachers and students here, and am happy to see an audibly challenged population welcomed with such a beautiful campus.

Folks travel from all over the…

Secret Oktober
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1905 S 1st Street
Suite B
Austin, TX 78704

Adrian .. writes: A cool little store with a great selection of t-shirts. Fashion types are always trying to tell us which color is the new black. That's why I'm glad for a place like Secret Oktober, where they know that black has no substitute.  Be sure to check out…

Phlox
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1104 S 1st St
Austin, TX 78704

Sarah M. writes: Phlox Kitchen & Garden is housed in a creaky one-story on South First Street, across from the Texas School for the Deaf. The small shop is at the northernmost end of the up-and-coming "SoFi" district (www.sofiaustin.com).

Phlox has the most fabulous…

Pecan Grove Rv Park
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1518 Barton Springs Rd Ofc
Austin, TX 78704

Larry M. writes: Knowing someone with a trailer here is like knowing someone with a boat - you suck up to them.

Other than Matthew McConnaghey, some locals in the know sport mobile homes here, and with the way of the Airstream, it's a great space to meet for intimate…

Runtex Double Take

422 W Riverside Drive
Austin, TX 78704

J M. writes: To put it quite simply, Runtex is the reason I'm alive today.  Let me explain:

I like to run the Town Lake Hike & Bike trail.  A lot.  I like to run it during the summer in the hottest part of the day.  I'm a weird dude.  But that's beside the point.…

Jack & Adam's Bicycles
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

1210 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704

Colby B. writes: Full disclosure: These guys apparently sponsored my cycling team. Other than a logo on a jersey, I didn't benefit from this directly, though, and I had already bought my bike before this relationship was established.

So, last January, my other half…

Dog Almighty
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

3005 South Lamar
Austin, TX 78704

Marla C. writes: Sometimes, you just need a hot dog. It's the only thing that will do. Whenever those days occur, I thank goodness for Dog Almighty. I don't eat beef or pork, so a dawg that I didn't make myself was pretty much nonexistant until along came Dog…

McPhail Florist & Greenhouse

605 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704

Larry M. writes: METROPOLIS APARTMENT, 2004

RINNNGGGGGG....

Me: Hello?

Dude: Mr. McMahan?

Me: That's me.

Dude: We have a delivery for you at the gate, can you let me in?

Me: Shit.

CLICK

I rush down to the gate, which, of course, is broken again, and after Florist dude can't…

Filling Station Restaurant & Bar
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

801 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704

John D. writes: Good food, great lunch spot.  The Filling Station is nestled on Barton Springs road on the OTHER side of Lamar from Zilker.  

I like the "Tailpipes", which are two fried hotdog type thingies with fries.  They also serve other home-style, comfort,…

Hyatt Regency Austin

208 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704

Lisa V. writes: Stayed here for the A&T Austin Marathon and it was a perfect location.  It was across street basically for the expo and within walking distance to the start / finish line.  I loved how modern the place is going as I had stayed here in '04 for ACL and…

Sandy's Hamburgers

603 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704

Michelle B. writes: Say you have ordered a frozen custard cone, a root beer, and some nice hot salty french fries. How do you go about eating them?

1. Eat one hot french fry.
2. Take one lick from frozen cone.
3. Swig some root beer.
REPEAT UNTIL ALL ARE GONE

Maybe for some…

Bead It
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

2058 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704

Lisa A. writes: I stopped in Beat It this weekend while waiting for my haircut appointment at Bird's. It took me (way) back to the summer before my senior year of high school when I went to Boulder for summer school and all my pot smoking, soccer playing guy friends…

Friends of the Library Book Sale
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

South 5th and Mary Streets
Austin, TX 78704

Jackson R. writes: Touchdown, baby!

So what does the Austin Public Library do with all of the books and records that they don't think they need anymore?  They liquidate them at the future location of the Twin Oaks branch, formerly the Post Office.

I scored big, as they…

Kismet Cafe of Austin
Neighborhood: University of Texas

411 W 24th St
Austin, TX 78705

Borat X. writes: A student lunch joint serving great middle eastern and mediterranean food in the heart of the University area.  Great kefta kabobs, basmati rice, dolmatas and tzatziki sauce.

Mangia Chicago Stuffed Pizza
Neighborhood: University of Texas

3500 Guadalupe St
Austin, TX 78705

Carrie C. writes: I had a dream one night that I was in Chicago and I tried to order a hot dog and nobody spoke my language.   Me and the vendor just looked at each other and went, "Goo goo?" "Gaa gaa.".  That was a dumb dream.  The point is - I've never been to…

Urban Moto Shop
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)

600 S Lamar
Austin, TX 78704

Phyllis K. writes: The great scooter hunt of Summer '07 is finally over!  After scouring Austin for the scooter of our dreams, me beau and I are finally the proud owners of a 100 cc Daelim Delfino, thanks to the lovely folks of Urban Moto Shop  They carry a huge…

Seabrooktv.com

4700 S Lamar
Austin, TX 78704

Larry M. writes: Besides having the best name in the world, he's affordable, he's quick, incredibly patient and a blast to work with.

Seabrook helped edit my film in his home studio (he now enjoys editing in his swank editing suite in the Westgate/ Lamar area), and it…