Where to Find the Best Comfort Food in Austin

Feel like you’re eating at home—without the dishes.

Getty Images | Getty Images
Getty Images | Getty Images

A good comfort food dish needs to accomplish a few things. Ideally, it should remind you of home or, at the very least, your childhood spent eating good food in other people’s homes. Usually, the dish will be warm and or hearty. And critically, a good comfort food dish needs to be able to change the course of your day. Make a bad day, good—or a terrible day, slightly less terrible. Fortunately, Austin has a good handful of places that serve food that just makes everything feel all right. Here are some of our favorite comfort food dishes in town.

Holly
We already mentioned that comfort food can change the course of your day. So, you might as well start off on the right foot with a satisfying breakfast. Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop is a truly old-school spot. Like old, old. The family behind it has been serving food in some form or another for over seven decades. With those years comes experience, and with experience comes a really good Barbacoa Plate. Two delicious flour tortillas, two eggs any style, beans, potatoes, and of course, some of that barbacoa that's going to brighten the rest of your day.

Con Madre Burrito
Con Madre | Con Madre

Lunch Burritos at Con Madre

South Austin and Travis Heights
Here’s what you want to do at Con Madre—walk up, order the big burrito, and thank yourself later. It's rocking 12” flour tortilla burritos featuring your choice of chicken, carnitas, al pastor, picadillo, bistek, or barbacoa (weekends only). Fill it up with four other ingredients from all the usual suspects (black refried beans, queso fresco, veggies, rice, etc). Dig in. These things hit the spot every time. Word to the wise, if you’re able to wait to take one of these delicious creations home, be mindful of how you hold the bag on the way. These burritos are juicy and delicious and may start to seep through the paper bag. The main location is Oltorf, but a second location on Brodie Lane in South Austin recently opened its doors.

Li'l Nonna's Pizzas
Li'l Nonna's | Li'l Nonna's

Beeteroni’ n Cheese Pizza at Li'l Nonna’s

East Congress
One of the big struggles faced by newly vegan converts and the lactose intolerant is finding a pizza that tastes like, well, pizza. Li'l Nonna’s is that beacon in the dark. Its vegan cheese has nailed the cheesiest consistency that many other vegan dairy substitutes often struggle to mimic. The Beeteroni’ n Cheese Pizza makes for a perfect shareable comfort meal for those who don’t do dairy. And even if you do, Li'l Nonna’s is great in its own right and worth checking out regardless of your dietary restrictions.

Central East Austin
By definition, Cajun food is almost exclusively comfort food. And getting a little slice of New Orleans is a surefire method to introduce some feel food vibes to your day. This spot is a bit of a sleeper hit that deserves more attention. And the Roast Plate is where you should focus that attention. It comes with a big hunk of buttery cornbread and an even bigger hunk of fresh roast served over rice with two sides, like collard greens and mac ‘n cheese. It’s certifiably delicious and soothing.

Julie's Noodles Beef Noodle Soup
Julie's Noodles | Julie's Noodles

Beef Stewed Noodle Soup at Julie’s Noodles

North Austin
If you grew up with high-quality noodles and have struggled to find any half-decent substitute in town, then Julie’s Noodles has you covered and then some. The Beef Stewed Noodle soup is reassuring and delicious—basically a bowl of food that’ll make you happy. Julie’s handmade noodles are the star of the show, and the generous portion size makes for a great dish to warm your soul, then immediately take a nap.

Fried Plantains at Winston’s Kitchen

South Austin
No comfort food list is complete without at least some sort of sweets. The owners of Winston’s Kitchen are incredibly welcoming, and they are very dedicated to their shop. Their love for the place shows through in their cooking, which makes Winston’s the premiere spot to get Jamaican food in the city proper. Whatever else you’re getting there, be sure to throw in an order of plantains for some little slices of fried happiness.

Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ's Breakfast Burriot
Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ | Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ

Real Deal Holyfield at Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ

Menchaca
Valentina’s is a beloved Tex Mex BBQ spot in South Austin. The whole menu will blow you away. But if you have the gumption, you’ll want to arrive early and get the Real Deal Holyfield before they stop serving breakfast. It’s a breakfast taco with a fried egg, potatoes, refried beans, bacon, and either smoked brisket, pulled pork, or Cerveza beef fajita. Each bite is decadent and warms your heart as much as it fills your stomach. Can’t go wrong with this one.

Frito Pie at Texas Chili Parlor

Downtown
At Texas Chili Parlor you can add your old friend chili to anything. Chili nachos, chili dog, chili cheeseburger, chili queso, or throw a bunch of chili on top of corn chips and call it a meal. Cheap, easy, good for the soul, the Frito Pie covers all the bases for comfort food. It’s Frito Pie, there’s not much to explain. But the difference between the real deal and canned chili is night and day. Here they’re doing the former and they’re doing it damn well.

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Jade Fabello is a contributor for Thrillist.