muralboy, Ironworks BarBQ is right across the street from the convention center. Before Franklin's and Meuller's and all the "young guns" that popped up in Austin in the last few years, Ironworks BBQ was Austin's closest thing to central Texas BBQ like that served in Lockhart, Luling, Elgin, and Taylor. It has always been good BBQ. I know that it has been there since the late sixties.
Now just about 3 or 4 blocks south from the convention center on Rainey Street is a brand new place called Bangor's Sausage House and Beer Garden. If you like chacuterie, this is the place to eat. Everything is made right there and the selection of sausages and meats is incredible. Would be a great place to try if you like that sort of thing. I know a few people here on the forum who would go crazy in that place. It is excellent.
I know that Franklin's BBQ is almost impossible to get in, but one of his major new competitors is La Barbecue and is only half the distance if you are walking, taking a taxi, or taking a pedicab. It is on 6th street a couple of blocks east of the interstate for a total of 7 or 8 blocks away from the convention center. Franklin's is on 11th directly north of La Barbeque. By the way, the convention Center is on 1st Street (renamed Cesar Chavez).
Austin is the music capital of Texas. If you are still there on Tuesday evening, take a taxi down South Lamar Blvd to the Broken Spoke for the best chicken fried steak in Texas, a Lone Star, and a dance with a pretty cowgirl. It is known as the best honky tonk in Texas. After you finish eatin', drinkin', and dancin', visit the room called the Texas Hall of Fame and Tourist Trap where they have pictures and items in a museum like setting of virtually everybody in country music that has ever played at the Spoke for the last 50 years including Willie, Elvis, Bob Wills, etc. You might even see a picture of a member of this forum hanging on the wall there....Just sayin'.
Have fun in Austin.
