Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Uchi

Please have at least one greasy Texadelphia cheesesteak for me! At Dell Diamond if at all possible!

Jezebel is supposed to be pretty awesome (under the splurge column). And be sure to get a dose of east-side barbecue while you can: Sam's, or Ben's Longbranch.

We've had a lot of good meals from Java Noodles on E. Oltorf. It's Indonesian, and the beef rendang is awesome. Delicious nasi goreng, too.

I hope that some of the great Vietnamese places on N. Lamar fall into the "go to" places you've already tried. If not, I highly recommend you hop up to Sunflower, Tam's Deli, or something similar.

At all:
I still need to go: to Uchi, the Eastside BBQ joints, Crepes, taco deli.

Things I love that others have mentioned: Yes I go to the vietnamese "chinatown" center on lamar and braker-love the banh mi and the bbq place.
i live across the street from a texadelphia, and any time my arteries can handle it pick up a queso compuesto for dinner. Plus happy hour prices is only costs 3.50!

Love el chilito. The daily hipster fashion show makes for entertaining eating. How is real el chile? never been.

I want to go to that indo place but haven't yet.

Tiff's will have to happen, I live close to it, but it is always closed when I drive by.

I actually dislike star of india, I think there are many superior places. Bombay Grill on braker and 183, madras pavilion on 183 and burnett, and that gujarati place on north lamar.

Thanks all, keep it coming.

Hog Island Deli

I second Homeslice, it's not NY pizza but hello, Texas has tex-mex. And bbq.
others to try:
-Guero's on SoCo
-Juan in a million - on the East side, really really good if you have a hangover on a Sunday morning/afternoon
-Clay Pit, 16th and Guadalupe - amazing lunch buffet for like $7!!!
-Salt Lick in Driftwood, TX (plzzz tell me you've been there! If it's too far, Stubb's will do).
-Eastside Cafe - Manor just past 35
-Vespaio/Enoteca Vespaio on SoCo (one is more expensive than the other, but they are both amazing)
-Amy's ice cream - not really a restaurant, but yummyyy
-Zoot (haven't been for a while and I heard it changed locations and is not so good now, but their sister restaurant Wink is supposedly pretty good)
-Uchi, S. Lamar, and only if you have a few hundred dollars to throw around...

Well, I have a lot more suggestions where those came from, but if you only have a month you might not even have enough time!

Let me know which of those place you've already been to.

I moved from New York City to Austin in late 2006. I had intended to hide out in a place where New York blogs couldn't possibly find me. This Austin focus is disturbing. I'm hiding out here, I tell you. Living the quiet life, expecting baby #2 in June.

Star of India is a regular with us. We also like the Texican Cafe--between 4-7 they have appetizers, according to a recent ad. Hut's Hamburgers, of course. Cannoli Joe's (all you can eat Italian) for the kids. I wasn't impressed with Gatti's pizza, but its play area is OK if you have kids. We even like chains such as Texas Roadhouse. Mimi's Cafe is another solid chain, with good breakfasts and even a good burger. Rudy's breakfast tacos aren't bad. Carino's (another chain) now has an all-you-can eat pasta feast. Whataburger has 24-hour service. The Mediterranean Buffet is another family spot. The Hunan Garden and China Cafe offer reliable Chinese. Don't forget to try Z'Tejas!

Texas has a lot for families--that's why we moved out of my Manhattan closet.

I highly disagree with most of the places listed with the exception of Clay Pit, Juan in a Million, Tiff's Treats, and Torchy's Tacos. If you have had a real (i.e., Philly) cheesesteak or even one from any other city in the northeast, you will NOT like Texadelphia. I have tried to like that place two times, and it just never happened. I've never tried Uchi, but I've heard a lot about it.

You should also go to Rudy's BBQ (they also have a new burger place on Brodie Lane), if you haven't. I like that place much more than Salt Lick (I was very disappointed with the bbq at SL). Good luck! You're lucky to have found a job! I cannot wait to graduate and leave Austin!! Congrats!

However said Jezebel I wholeheartedly second it. BEST MEAL OF MY LIFE!

Polvo's is a definite must! In a town full of tex-mex this is truly great interior mexican food.

I have to disagree about Jezebel. I went there for my birthday in February, and was quite disappointed. The ambiance was nice, but the food was not impressive. The complicated flavor combinations sounded interesting on the menu, but in the end they just didn't work for me. My crab cake was cold, and the vegan spring rolls were nothing special. For the main course, my mom had the Chilean Sea Bass which was excellent, but the horseradish mashed potatoes it was paired with ruined the brightness of the dish. I had the El Rey Salmon, one of their specialties. I could see how the chocolate might bring out the sweetness of the fish, but the salmon was over powered. Perhaps, I went on an off night?

Alesbica: You're absolutely right about Rudy's. It's so much tastier than Salt Lick. Their sauce was a let down, and not worth the drive.

Specifically at Taco Deli i recommend the Thunderheart bison picadillo taco!

wow, thanks for all the comments.
Benn to thanh ni- was good.
LOVE salvation, go there at least once a week. Way better than the sanctuary or whatever that place is on 43rd and b. Though if you like crust go there.
Rudy's=good
Mother's- Really? Like seriously? I have been there twice and neither time was very good. I've got nothing but love for the (chronically misguided) vegetarians, but haven't found anything worth eating there.

I went to El Caribe mexican on north lamar last night, was pretty good. I like the salsa bar. The charro beans were very good.

Going to Java noodles right now, with one of the commenters. Drop by if you want. He looks like the aggie he is and I look like the New Yorker I am.

Also, have made reservations for Uchi and Austin land and cattle for when the gf comes down next week to help me pack. Also planning on hitting up karibou ethiopian on the eastside.

Thanks so much to everyone for giving suggestions, keep em coming. I really am going to try to eat my way through Austin in the next three weeks.
-Casino el camino looks awesome, and I will def eat there.
-Will prob skip all the cupcake places to focus on cheese and meat
-Clay pit- the first time I ate there I thought it was overpriced crap, the second two times were much, much better. I will give props where it is due, it is the only good indian place downtown. That being said it is expensive. I would much prefer to go up north to Madras Pavillion or Swat.
-Sarovar and Shalimar- both ok, not my faves
-Taco Deli will be done.
- Random rant, why doesn't tamale house have tamales, makes me angry.
-random rave- barfly's- I love you so much barfly's. You are responsible for the best terrible decisions in my life.
-Rudy's- meh
-Ruby's- I like, good beef ribs, call ahead. Brisket is ok.
-Vespiao- amazing, I want more of it
-Eastside cafe- it is ok, but I don't see what the fuss is about.
-The omlettry looks like a must try
-Huts's-meh
-Hoffbraue- tasty onion rings, old school

Last night- Top Notch
Chili burger- meh, typical fast food style, with the redeeming feature of a chargrill.
Onion rings=da'bomb. I love them, crave them, and want more.

Today- Angry Goat tacos- super greasy and not worth it.