Weird has been a word associated with Austin, the capital of Texas for a long time. It gained in popularity after one of the many taglines for the city included ‘Keep Austin Weird’.
Although that tagline was to promote small businesses, it stuck with it and local residents have proudly used weird as a way to describe various facets of life in Austin including its food.
Now if you know anything about this lively city, you will know Austin does weird in the absolute best way possible. So, when I first came across the popularity of weird foods in Austin, I knew I had to them all.
Here are some of my favorites that are unique to the city and is a must-try for all food adventurers.
Page Contents
My Top Weird but Delicious Foods to Eat in Austin
These dishes may be considered weird for the uninitiated but they are definitely delicious. Along with the dish, I have given the best place to taste those dishes in Austin.
Rabbit Rattlesnake Sausages
Fancy some good rattlesnake? Then you need to try rabbit rattlesnake sausages at Austin.
This is basically a sausage but instead of the standard meat that you would get in other locations across the US, in Austin, you can have with gamey wild rattlesnake with rabbit meat. Definitely a unique game meat taste if not delicious.
To try rabbit rattlesnake sausages, head over to Lonesome Dove Bistro run by chef Tim Love.
Broccoli Reuben
Typically, Reuben sandwiches are grilled with corned beef. However, in Austin, you can have a delectable vegan version of the famed sandwich called broccoli reuben.
Now putting broccoli instead of beef does not sound so weird, does it? What’s weird is the amount of flavor chefs have been able to extract in this superb broccoli sandwich.
To taste broccoli reuben in all its glory, you need to visit the popular vegan restaurant, Tellus Joe at Austin.
The Bloody Mary Meal and Drink
I think most of us would have had The Bloody Mary or at least its mocktail version at some point in life. However, have you ever had The Bloody Mary meal?
In Austin, you can have your Bloody Mary drink with massive toppings that include anything from sliders to corn dogs, chicken nuggets, tacos, bacon and anything else the chef desires.
It’s the Bloody Mary meal plus drink Austin style. To eat or drink the Bloody Mary meal and drink, go to Casino El Camino at 517 E 6th Street at Austin.
Corn Dog Shrimp
Another dish that is not exactly unique to Austin, but perfected in the city. Corn Dog Shrimp is simply the traditional corn dog but with jumbo shrimp instead of beef.
You would never know how good corn dog shrimp tastes till you actually try it. In general, fried or battered shrimp is the best thing you can eat, as per me. When it’s topped with honey mustard and blueberry swirl, then it’s simply heaven.
To try delicious corn dog shrimp, you need to visit Moonshine Grill in Austin.
Ice Cream Tacos
Everybody loves ice cream. Everybody loves tacos. Hence, its only natural that in Austin, you would get ice cream tacos – your new favorite dessert.
Best part, you could have this mouthwatering dessert in eight super fun flavors including cookie monster, s’more lovin, over the rainbow and doughn’t be salty.
These and other signature ice cream tacos can be found at Taco Sweets situated at Lakeline Mall, Cedar Park in Austin.
Doughnut Burgers
Now if you are thinking that doughnut burgers are simple doughnut shaped burgers, then you need to visit Austin right away.
These are the real deal. With your typical doughnuts that come with angus beef, applewood smoked bacon, southern dill pimento cheese blend and loads of other goodies.
Austin style doughnut burgers are definitely in the weird but super delicious category. It’s a taste that you need to experience to truly comprehend the wonderfulness of this super dish.
For amazing doughnut burgers, you need to visit Gourdough’s Public House in Austin.
Sake Mac & Cheese
The all-time favorite comfort meal mac & cheese has a completely different take at Austin with a sake reduction.
This one is not meant for kids. However, if you want something comforting but at the same time something that challenges your taste buds in all the right ways, Sake Mac & Cheese is definitely what you need to taste.
This Japanese alcohol based dish, Sake Mac & Cheese can be had at Maiko Sushi Lounge at San Jacinto Blvd in Austin.
Texas Sized Donut
What’s better than having a doughnut? Having a doughnut big enough to feed your family.
Texas Sized Donut does not fall under the weird category, just the bigger is better category.
As you may already know, Texas does everything bigger and better, so for this Texas Sized Donut that can be had in glazed, chocolate or half and half versions, you need to visit Round Rock Donuts in Austin right away.
Buffalo Mac and Cheeze Balls Vegan
Buffalo mac and cheeze is nothing new but the vegan version in Austin is mouthwateringly delicious.
Being vegan, you obviously don’t get any meat or cheese but their plant based version of it is delectably creamy and cheesy.
It just shows how versatile food in Austin can be that can satisfy every type of foodie.
To taste vegan Buffalo Mac and Cheeze in Austin, you need to visit Counter Culture.
Korean Squid Ink Hot Dog
Hot dogs are one of the highest consumed food products in The United States. Korean hot dogs with deep-fried rice, cheese and various meats are a super hot trend in Korea.
So, in Austin, you can combine the best of both worlds with incredible Korean hot dogs made classical or unique style such as Squid Ink hot dog.
Squid Ink Hot Dogs Korean style has a distinct taste and is quite different from any other hot dog you may have had before.
To try Korean squid ink hot dogs, you need to visit Oh K-Dog that has multiple locations in Austin.
Bone Marrow Tacos
Bone Marrow Tacos takes tacos to the next level with quelites, smoked butter and pecan gremolata.
This is not your typical Mexican street-food. It is more of a fine-dining version and is part of modern Mexican cuisine in Austin, Texas.
To taste Bone Marrow Tacos, you need to visit Comedor, a modern Mexican restaurant operated by chef Philip Speer.
Green Eggs and Ham
No, this is not the beloved children’s book or animated series. Green Eggs and Ham, Austin style is a popular dish served at multiple locations.
Overall, Green Eggs and Ham is served in various cities across The United States. However, Austin does things its own way.
One thing to note, there are multiple places that serves their own versions of the dish that can include anything from chopped ham hocks to pork belly with brioche. They all have some kind of a green sauce and of course an egg as per the name of the dish.
While there are multiple restaurants where you can try Green Eggs and Ham in Austin, The Salty Sow seems like the most popular place for the dish.
Final thoughts
For those still wondering about the term ‘weird’, just know that it’s an endearing word used in Austin to show the unique life in the city.
One of the best cities to live in The United States, its cuisine is vibrant, lively and definitely distinct.
Try as many as these weird but delicious dishes in Austin and let us know your favorite.
