Learn Your EATs
An epicurean orientation for students new and returning, but also for ACL visitors and recently arrived residents
By Claudia Alarcón, Fri., Sept. 23, 2005
Eating Out All Night
There are a few all-night eateries and late-night establishments in or near the campus area, ideal for nourishment after parties or during all-night cram sessions. Perhaps the closest one is the Kerbey Lane location on the Drag (2606 Guadalupe, 477-5717), an old Austin late-night standby famous for their pancakes, vegetarian options, and all-day breakfast dishes. If healthy breakfast is not your idea of a late-night meal, go to Player's (300 W. MLK Blvd., 478-9299), a venerable and beloved campus institution where you'll get great burgers, milk shakes, and all sorts of fried veggies till 3am every night.For a funkier scene, you can't go wrong with the Star Seeds Cafe (3101 N. I-35, 478-7107), perhaps the best late-night spot in Austin. The veggie omelet is huge, packed with all kinds of fresh veggies, avocado, and cheese, and is way worth the occasional long wait to get seated. Deeper Downtown is Katz's (618 W. Sixth, 472-2037), the almost obligatory spot for a bite after a night on the town. I love the potato pancakes, and the Reuben sandwich is not bad, either. Most of all, I like munching on the traditional kosher-style pickles. Great people-watching, too.
I know doughnuts are not really considered a wholesome meal, but one of my favorite memories from the days when I was new to Austin is driving through in the wee hours at Mrs. Johnson's Bakery (4909 Airport Blvd., 452-4750) for the melt-in-your-mouth, freshly baked donuts after a night of clubbing. Drop by when the munchies attack.
For those students who live in the many apartment complexes southeast of the river, there are a couple of late-night options in the East Oltorf area. Wanfu (2400 E. Oltorf #1, 462-3535) stays open until 4am nightly, and serves tasty and affordable Chinese food favorites in a very comfortable setting. Just down the street is 888 Vietnamese restaurant (2400 E. Oltorf, 448-4722), a small restaurant with friendly service until midnight every night. The food is very tasty and incredibly affordable. For me, a nice bowl of Pho after a night of partying is just the thing to avoid the nasty results of the morning after.
