by Sharon Yeates

Created on: June 19, 2009   Last Updated: August 13, 2009

Austin is a city that sparkles with life, and the downtown reflects that unique artistic senergy best in the fantastic restaurants you'll find downtown. My favorites are reflect that special blend of modern and historical and are located in historical buildings downtown. They also have their own unique history to go along with their fantastic food. Bar-b-que and Tex-Mex may sound a bit cliche' , but when you offer some of the best in the world you can afford to be cliche. My top choice for restaurants in downtown are

Stubbs Bar-B-Que and Jaime's Spanish Village.

Stubbs is located at 801 Red River, and is now known all over the state for their unique bar-b-que sauce, but it started out as a small little shack where the food and atmosphere were so good that musicians from all over would go out of their way to stop by Stubbs for a jam session and a little bar-b-que. Though it did not begin in Austin, it outgrew its old hometown and has been a bright spot in Austin's downtown scene ever sense. This is not your usual bar-b-que joint though. Stubbsstill serves up the food with good entertainment, but its menu is what really draws people to the place. The hardest part of a visit is deciding what to eat. I recoemmend the beef brisket and pork ribs, but they also offer up chicken, turkey breast, sausage, pork ribs, and baby back ribs.

Start off your visit with some of their flavorful appetizers. If you like it mild, check out the fried-green-tomatoes served up with ranch dressing or and if you like a little spice in your meal, order a round of spicy polittos made of tender chicken wwith a hit of fresh jalapeno wraped in bacon and served with a side of homemade ranch dressing. Braver souls should check into the beer-battered jalapeno slices.

Stubbs really lets you have it your way, and if you choose the family style, you'll get a fantastic bar-b-que banquet for the whole family that comes with three meats, potato salad, coleslaw, pinto beans, pickles, onions, Serrano peppers, and thick Texas-sliced bread. Or if you want to pay a little extra, cornbread. If that sounds like more than you can eat, just order a plate and pick your meat.

On Sundays they offer a Gospel Brunch with Live Gospel Music and a buffet that includes fried catfish, brisket, and southern grits. Call ahead though. To make a reservation call (512) 480-8341 ext 306.

A piece of Austin history, Jaime's Spanish Village is another restaurant in the downtown area that you need to check out. Visitors from all over the world will stop into Jaime's just for a taste of the Jaime Rita, and Jaime's has been serving the great food to Austin for over 70 years. Located at 802 Red River, Jaime's is a favorite stop for Longhorn fans on game day. They offer up their authentic picante salsa in both red and green, and they make it with fresh ingredients. In fact, all of Jaime's ingredients are fresh. No processed substitues at Jaime's. You'll find real cheese in your Chile con Queso, and real mole in your chicken nole. The most popular offering at Jaime's is the Jaime Rita, a margarita topped with fresh sangria.

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