Austin Restaurant Week

Coupon cutters and cheap dates, now is your moment in the sun. Austin's Fall 2010 Restaurant Week is just around the corner. Restaurant Week (really, two half weeks; September 19th - 22nd and 26th - 29th) provides frugal Austinites the opportunity to sample the extraordinary culinary scene blossoming throughout town at prices much closer to ordinary. Lunches run $10 - $15, while dinners go for $25 - $35. These aren't Tamale House prices, but you’re getting a three course meal, and there are definitely deals to be found.

For more casual fare, start the week off at Austin’s favorite hot dog hang Frank, where it’s hard to go wrong on an appetizer (they all include the word “waffle”) before ordering the popular Jackalope (antelope and rabbit sausage) or spicy Slaw Dog and a dessert ($25 for two). Max’s Wine Dive caters to the sophisticated redneck in you with its Max ‘N Cheese, Southern Fried Chicken, and New Orleans Style Bread Pudding ($25 per person). Wine is not included, unfortunately. And if you’re still not painfully stuffed, sit in the picturesque courtyard of newcomer El Arbol and order grilled beef heart in chili oil, seven ounces of ribeye, and flourless chocolate cake with dulce de leche for only $35.