Austin/East

East Austin is a district of Austin, to the north of Lady Bird Lake and to the east of IH-35. This was the area reserved for Blacks and Mexicans in the infamous 1928 official city segregation plan. Nowadays, certain areas of East Austin are strongly gentrifying.

Get in

See

• 🌍 Texas State Cemetery. Is the state burying ground for Texas politicians, cultural figures and Republic of Texas heroes. Texas luminaries buried within its grounds include Stephen F. Austin, John Connally, Barbara Jordan, Darrell Royal and Ann Richards. The cemetery is open 365 days a year from 8AM to 5PM Audio tours are available at the office at 909 Navasota Street or can be downloaded for free from the website. Admittance is free, but can be limited during a funeral.  

Do

• 🌍 Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail. formerly known as the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail, the 1.1 mile trail creates a complete circuit around Lady Bird Lake. It is one of the oldest urban Texas hike and bike paths. The trail is the longest trail designed for non-motorized traffic maintained by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department and watched after by a local non-profit named The Trail Foundation.  

The East side practically has a park and a swimming pool every five blocks.

• Metz park. Has cheap classes for all ages, basketball, baseball, soccer fields, a swimming pool and a rec center. The rec center is air conditioned with fooseball, a pool table and clean restrooms. Outside the rec is a free water park for the young'uns. The hike and bike trails are in pristine condition since they don't get the wear and tear that the trails get on the west side of I-35. 
• East Austin Studio Tour. This wildly popular annual event has, as of 2009, expanded to the two weekends prior to Thanksgiving, with additional events throughout the week between. Artists working in East Austin open their studios to the public for sales of contemporary art and some crafts. 
• Blue Starlight Mini Urban Drive-in, 1901 E. 51 st.. 

Theatres

• The Off Center. Rude Mechanicals (Rude Mechs) manages this space. 
• The Blue Theatre. Refraction Arts manages this space. 
• The Vortex. Vortex Repertory Company manages this space. 

Performance Companies

• Aztlan Dance Company. 
• Pro Arts Collective. 
• ALLGO (Austin Latino Lesbian & Gay Organization). Has a small performance venue. 
• Rude Mechs. 
• Refraction Arts. 
• Physical Plant. 
• Salvage Vanguard. 
• dirigo group. 

Buy

Known to the locals as The Pinata District, east Austin has plenty of pinata stores.

• HOPE Farmers Market, 414 Waller St (corner of East 5th + Waller). Sundays 11AM-3PM. Weekly community gathering space where local farmers, artisans, community groups, families, and urban consumers can find fresh foods, community programs, artistic creations, agricultural education and wellness workshops. Aims to introduce those in the Austin area to surrounding area farms, healthy lifestyle companies, education in the arts and local community volunteer programs. 
• 🌍 Fiesta Mart, 3909 N. Interstate 35, ☎ [phone]. Mexican groceries, strong selection of other international fare. 

Eat

There are plenty of great places to eat in East Austin.

• Angie's Mexican Restaurant, 900 E 7th St. (behind the gas station on I-35). Good Tex-Mex with its own loyal customers. It is in an older house on a hill with a good view of downtown. They also have outdoor seating but the deck needs some updating. 
• Casa Colombia, 1614 E 7th St (at Concho St.), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Tu-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 11AM-6PM. Authentic Colombian food; absolutely delicious. Try the yucca root (yuca) and the empanadas. 
• Cisco's Restaurant and Bakery, 1511 East 6th St., ☎ [phone]. 7AM - 2:30PM. President LBJ's favorite breakfast spot is still going strong. This historic eastside spot offers outstanding migas, huevos rancheros and fajitas, and don't miss the fresh biscuits. $. 
• Eastside Cafe, 2113 Manor Rd, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Fantastic restaurant in an old house, complete with their own vegetable and herb garden, which the seasonal menu revolves around. The menu includes salads, sandwiches, pasta, fish, beef, pork, shrimp, enchiladas. Vegetarian dishes. Entrees $9-$28. 
• El Zunzal Restaurant, 642 Calles St (near 7th - almost in the HEB parking lot), ☎ [phone]. Tamales in banana leaves make a meal with just one or two. Pupusas, mondongo, salpicon, yuca, various tacos, and aguas frescas round off the experience. 
• 🌍 Franklin Barbecue, 900 E. 11th St, ☎ [phone]. 11AM until sold out. Super popular (and rightfully so) place just east of I-35. It started as a trailer, but they now have a small restaurant. They open at 11AM and only serve food until they sell out. Be warned; folks start lining up incredibly early. If you arrive later than 10 or 10:30 on a usual day, you may not get food. It's easily worth the wait if you have the time; their brisket is the best in Texas. 
• Joe's Bakery & Mexican Food, 2305 E 7th St. (right past Prospect Ave), ☎ [phone]. Has good Tex-Mex and Mexican Pastries. They are only open until 3p and closed on Mondays. The staff is friendly and there is always at least a 10 minute wait on weekends but the tortillas are fresh and the food authentic Tex-Mex. 
• Juan In A Million, 2300 E Cesar Chavez St. (past Robert T. Martinez St.), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Daily 7AM-3PM. Another Tex-Mex restaurant with a nice atmosphere and a shaded patio. The owner is always there to shake hands and meet the customers. The Don Juan breakfast plate is an Austin staple, especially if you are feeling the effects of last night's partying. Lunches $6-8. 
• La Reyna, 1505 E 7th St (near Comal St.), ☎ [phone]. This is also good Tex-Mex with fresh flour tortillas. The waitstaff is not as friendly but the word about their really good food hasn't gotten out so you never have to wait. 
• Mr. Natural, 1901 E Cesar Chavez St, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Daily 8AM-7PM. This is a must try. Everything is organic and vegetarian and delicious. They also offer yoga classes and a vitamin store. Also they have all natural baked goods. Traditional Tex-Mex breakfasts (tofu migas) are done here with a vegetarian twist. Dinners $4-9. 
• Mi Madres, 2201 Manor Rd, ☎ [phone]. It's worth it for the deliciously cheap tacos. The staff is friendly and the small restaurant is filled with regulars. Nice patio; they also serve lunch. Amazing migas as well as chips and hot sauce. 
• Sam's Bar-B-Cue, 2000 E 12th St, ☎ [phone]. Open until 3AM and on the east side, which works well after leaving 6th St. 

Drink

• The Grackle, 1700 East 6th St, ☎ [phone]. 
• Rio Rita, 1308 East 6th St, ☎ [phone]. Good seating indoor and outdoor in the back. Friendly service. 
• The Volstead Lounge, 1500 East 6th St, ☎ [phone]. Good music, funky digs, patio area. 
• The White Horse, 500 Comal St. Great rotation of everything honky-tonk. Check their website for a schedule of what's playing. Dancing and decent drink specials. Usually a good crowd. 
• 🌍 Bout Time II, 6607 N Interstate 35, ☎ [phone]. Gay and lesbian 

Sleep

• Heywood Hotel, 1609 E Cesar Chavez St, ☎ [phone]. Check-in: 3PM. Provides free off-street parking, free wifi & free bicycles. $$-$$$. 
• 🌍 Studio 6 Austin Midtown, 6603 North I-35, ☎ [phone]. Budget extended-stay hotel. 

Connect