While the origin of Frito pie is debatable (some say New Mexico, some say Texas), one thing is not: these creative takes that we found are undeniably delicious and unequivocally "Austin." From brisket to bison and everything in between, you'll be in meat-bathed-corn-chip heaven. That's sounds gross, but it's totally not.
Cover 3
West Anderson Lane
Head over to Cover 3 for lunch (11am-3pm) for their Frito pie. It's made with a secret chili with queso recipe, cheddar, onions, and house-pickled chiles with onions & cilantro.
Micklethwait Craft Meats
Rosewood
Their brisket Frito Pie is just another home run for Micklethwait Craft Meats, which can stand up there with the big boys in town. This tasty snack is a handful of Fritos topped with their signature moist brisket, cheddar, red onion, escabeche, and cilantro.
Black Star Co-op
Crestview
Black Star's aptly-named fiery chili, "Bowl of Red," is made with 44 Farms beef brisket braised in a spicy Texas chili, and topped with sharp cheddar cheese, onions, and jalapeño. Add Fritos for free!
Texas Chili Parlor
Downtown
Since the mid-'70s, Texas Chili Parlor has been serving chili to a devoted group of patrons, including sports fans and Texas legislators -- and its Frito pie is a big part of that storied history.
Kerbey Lane Cafe
Multiple locations
Local favorite, Kerbey Lane Cafe, has a bison Frito pie that combines bison and pork chili served on top of Fritos, black beans, sour cream, cheese, pickled jalapeños, and red onion -- just one of many reasons it continues to be a local favorite.
Whip In
South Austin
Whip In has amazing Indian food, and the South Asian Frito pie is an intriguing mash-up of flavors. It's made with Fritos (obviously), black beans, spicy Bastrop beef chili, cheddar-jack cheese, sour cream, and a cilantro chutney. Mmmm...
Frank
Warehouse District
Okay, so it's vegetarian and gluten-free, but it's oh-so-good. Frank is keeping it simple with a veggie chili served on top of Fritos with cheese, sour cream, and onions. You won't even miss the meat.
Yellow Jacket Social Club
East Fifth
YJSC's chili is seasoned to perfection and served baseball field-style: in the bag. Pair that with a cold Pearl Snap, and you're good to go.
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1. Cover 3
2700 West Anderson Ln, Austin -
2. Micklethwait Craft Meats
1309 Rosewood Ave, Austin -
3. Black Star Co-Op
7020 Easy Wind Dr, Austin -
4. Texas Chili Parlor
1409 Lavaca St, Austin -
5. Whip In
1950 S Interstate 35, Austin -
6. Frank
407 Colorado St, Austin -
7. Yellow Jacket Social Club
1704 E 5th St, Austin
Home of TX Monthly's 12th-best burger in the state, this fine-dining sports bar has 20+ HDTVs for you to enjoy. Come in on the weekend, and you'll be enjoying those TVs with $4 make-your-own Bloody Marys.
Smoking and barbecuing craft meats, Micklethwait has authentic, Texas country-style BBQ, including specialty homemade sausages that vary daily. This ramshackle, neighborhood spot serves up some of the best meat in the ATX (beef rib, brisket, pulled pork, chops 'n sausage, to name a few offerings), all of which you can enjoy at camp-style outdoor picnic tables with a cold beverage in hand.
Black Star Co-Op is a not-for-profit neighborhood brew-pub and eatery entirely owned and run by its members. Beyond house-brewed beers, bar food, and a pet-friendly patio, Black Star employs power-to-the-people policies and promotes a democratic workplace through end-of-year profit redistribution and living wages for all members. You don't have to be a member to enjoy Black Star's bounty, but you're encouraged to go to show support for the small, local businesses of Austin by drinking a beer or several.
Texas Chili Parlor is an Austin staple that's been propping up Austin's Mylanta consumption dishing up delicious and super-spicy chili for over 40 years.
Whip In has a lot going for it: 72 beers on tap, growlers for you to take your brews home, live music every night of the week, and Indian cuisine with a Texas flare.
Although Frank is known for its creative hot dogs and sausage sandwiches made with nontraditional meats like antelope, venison, and kangaroo, it also boasts an extensive selection of fries, including chili cheese and Reuben waffle fries. Its cold beer menu includes gluten-free ales, rare craft beers, and ciders.
This high school mascot-inspired bar has a late-night patio with plenty of ambiance, booze, and not-so-bar-like snacks. Locally soured ingredients make their handmade paninis and apps as tempting as that second drink.