Second Helpings: Pub Grub

"Second Helpings" offers tasty, bite-sized restaurant listings compiled from new and previous reviews, guides, and poll results. This week's entries were updated by Erin Mosow. For quick, reliable info about Austin eateries, check here.

Bitter End Bistro & Brewery

311 Colorado, 478-2337

Sunday, 9pm-midnight;

Monday-Saturday, 11:30am-2am
From wood-oven pizzas to meal-sized salads, the Bitter End aims to please everyone with its distinctive menu. The ceviche, pancetta pizza on chewy sourdough crust, and the calamari are three standouts. The salad niçoise with grilled tuna filet is a particularly good value for fresh-fish lovers.

North by Northwest Restaurant and Brewery

1010 Capital of TX Hwy., 467-6969

Sunday-Thursday, 11am-10pm;

Friday-Saturday, 11am-11pm
This hot spot brings the downtown brewpub/bistro concept to the heretofore-deprived Silicon Hills region. NXNW's eclectic American bistro menu includes many delectable appetizers, including a roasted garlic bowl and crab and shrimp cakes. For bigger appetites, try the pepper-crusted beef tenderloin or fresh vegetable grill.

Copper Tank Brewing Company

504 Trinity, 478-8444

Tuesday, 7pm-2am; Wednesday-Saturday, 5pm-2am
The Copper Tank supplements its wide array of brews with a menu of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and personal pizzas. The roasted veggie calzone is another favorite. The Copper Tank is located right in the heart of the Sixth Street entertainment district, so expect the requisite collegiate revelry on weekends.

Casino el Camino

517 E. Sixth, 469-9330

Daily, 4pm-2am
This hip haunt has bigger-than-life burgers, amazing BLTs, excellent hot dogs, great cheese fries, and a delicious veggie sandwich. The Buffalo wings pack more of a wallop than many of the adult beverages. Casino el Camino also has a good bar, one of Austin's best jukeboxes, pool tables, weird movies on TV, and a South Park pinball machine to boot.

Crown and Anchor Pub

2911 San Jacinto, 322-9168

Sunday, noon-2am; Monday-Saturday, 11am-2am
The Crown and Anchor is a longtime favorite of both university-area and Hyde Park residents. Their perfectly greasy burger-and-fries combo is great for the budget-minded who need to save their ducats for another pitcher of Shiner Bock. Thrifty herbivores can chow down on veggie tacos and veggie burgers that convincingly approximate the hearty taste of ground round.

Hooters

2525 W. Anderson (Northcross Mall), 458-6112

Sunday, 11am-10pm;

Monday-Saturday, 11am-midnight

425 W. Riverside, 478-9464

Monday-Thursday, 11am-midnight;

Friday-Saturday, 11am-1am; Sunday, 11am-11pm
Although their nudge-wink use of sex to sell chicken wings at a "family restaurant" is a lot more twisted than anything you'll see in a real strip club, Hooters is a convenient compromise for those who can't decide between T.G.I. Friday's and the Yellow Rose. In addition to their trademark Buffalo wings, Hooters serves burgers and other sandwiches. For those not watching the hot-pantsed waitstaff, Hooters has big screen TVs (usually) tuned to sporting events.