Despite how much the city has changed over the years, Maudie’s is a prime example of an Austin original that has stood the test of time. It’s now a major local chain - with seven restaurants around town - but we still recommend their Lake Austin Blvd. or South Lamar locations for the best overall dining experiences. Food-wise, it’s all pretty standard Tex-Mex: many different combinations of grease, cheese, beans, rice, and salsa. They also serve breakfast all day. But the bar is a focal point of the Maudie’s experience. Stop by during happy hour to enjoy one or five of their reduced-price margaritas or come after your morning jog on Saturdays and Sundays to ruin your exercise with mimosas and bloody mary’s (for $3.50 each). You can easily sit at a bar drinking and eating chips and salsa all day. Maudie’s operates on its own inconsistent frequency: sometimes the food comes out a little cold or your waiter might be a little off their game. Other times it’s the best Tex-Mex experience in town. It’s all a part of its neighborhood charm that has won over so many regulars. Use Maudie’s as a low-key spot to eat your weight in some of the city’s best queso and wash it down with many margaritas, all for very little money.