The October Hit List: Keepers, Drop Kick, Paprika, and More

A Port Aransas-themed bar and grill might not be what you’d expect to find just a few short hours away in landlocked Austin. But head on over to Southwest Austin off Slaughter Lane, and you can find exactly that at Keepers Coastal Kitchen, named after a pier on the Mustang Island city. The menu here is seafood-focused (as you could probably guess) with things like fish tacos, po’boys, and boils — the last of which is prepared in a Viet-Cajun style. And to accompany your meal, they’ve got a full bar featuring mostly rum and agave-based spirits. That means mai tais, margaritas, and whatever else helps convince you that summer isn’t really over yet.

From the folks that brought you Gabriela’s comes a new seafood restaurant in North Austin. The menu focuses mostly on seafood dishes from the Mexican state of Sinaloa — with various ceviches, tostadas, and crudos — but there are also a few sushi rolls if that’s more your speed. However you’re enjoying your fish — rolled up in rice, or fried and served whole — you can rest easy knowing it’s fresh, since they fly it in daily from California.

Call 737-222-5390 for reservations.

Over at The Aristocrat Lounge off Burnet, Yeni’s Fusion is a new pop-up-turned-trailer, dishing out excellent renditions of traditional and fusion Indonesian food. That means you can expect to find iconic dishes like beef rendang and bubur ayang right next to burgers with smoked curry. And for those sticking to a more plant-based diet, there are tempeh curries, veggie burgers, and plenty of other vegetarian and vegan options.

No reservations,

Whether you’re starting the night out on the East Side with some cocktails, or making a full night out of it, Drop Kick is a fun spot for dinner and a drink. Expect to find elevated renditions of classic bar foods — like sliders and fries — right next to rockfish ceviche, beef anticucho, and elotes. And to accompany it all, they’ve got a really solid cocktail program where you can get all the classics or try one of their house creations.

Lobster rolls might not be the first food you think of when discussing landlocked Austin’s food scene, but a quick trip to Garbo’s will quickly change that. The two major styles of lobster roll — butter-poached and mayo-tossed — are represented here as Connecticut and Maine styles, with other seasonal offerings, like one with Hatch chile and cotija. And while lobster rolls are the primary focus here, there’s also a full raw bar, fried seafood plates, chowders, and even a lobster grilled cheese to keep you coming back time and again.

Salty Donut first took Miami by storm a few years back before setting their sights on Austin for their latest location. Following a brief pop-up preview back in December, their new store has already started drawing a crowd since first opening in late August. The donuts here — uniquely flavored and incredibly Instagrammable — come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with a menu of core and rotating flavors. Try the guava and cheese for a crowd favorite, or see what new flavors they’ve been playing with recently. Either way it’s sure to satisfy that early morning sweet tooth.

No reservations.

Margaritas? Check. Chips, queso, guac? They’ve got it. But don’t mistake Eldorado Cafe for your run-of-the-mill Tex-Mex spot. Sure, you can get the staples, but you can also grab some great chilaquiles and short rib machacado. It’s Mexican-inspired comfort food, and it’s like a warm hug on a cold day — not that those are in heavy supply right now (the cold days, at least). And if you just need a quick morning snack, they’ve got a pretty extensive list of breakfast tacos, or you can build your own and recreate your favorite combination.

It’s almost impossible to make a visit to Paprika without leaving with a giant smile and the feeling that you probably ate just a little too much. But with tacos as good as these, it’s difficult to stop. Paprika typically features a few different options each day, with staples like suadero, carnitas, and nopalitas in taco, quesitaco, and quesadilla form. But check the website before you leave — or just ask when you order — to see what they’ve got going on that day. Whether it’s al pastor off the trompo or shrimp with cilantro-lime slaw, it’s almost always something you’re going to want to try. But whatever you end up going with, ask for a side of salsa macha on the side.

No reservations.

At Gusto Italian Kitchen you can avoid all the hustle and bustle of busier parts of town, while still enjoying a cozy, intimate trattoria without all the pretense. The food is exactly what you want out of a place like this — hearty, classic, and all made from scratch. It’s a spot that would feel just at home in a small Italian town as it does right here in Rosedale. And in case you needed another reason to visit, they’ve got a nice happy hour that even runs on weekends.

If you’ve ever dreamed of a cheeseburger topped with a green chile-and-cheddar latke, well, first off … we’re going to need you to tell us more about these dreams you’re having. Also, we’ve got just the spot for you. Off Airport and 51st, they’re serving up burgers and El Paso-style burritos —  all available topped or stuffed with your choice of latke. If the mashup sounds unusual, that’s on owner Mo Pittle, who is Jewish but grew up in El Paso, deeply immersed in border culture. (Hence the dual slogans on their website: “Shalom y’all. Mucho gusto!:) Anyway, you probably never knew you needed that little addition of fried potato to your burger. But try it once and you’ll see: You definitely did.

No reservations.