ATXReview
photo credit: Maggie Svoboda
Shady Grove
This spot is Permanently Closed.
When we make our way to heaven (fingers crossed), we hope it’s something like Shady Grove. This is everything you could ever hope for out of an Austin restaurant, from its Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives-worthy menu to its ridiculously strong frozen cocktails. We’d be tempted to say that the most wonderful thing about this Tex-Mex classic is its sprawling outdoor patio with big pecan trees to shade you from that brutal Texas sun. But then there’s the chicken fried steak. And the queso. And the Hippie Sandwich. And the huge stock of Austin craft beers. And the live music and people-watching. This spot is by no means an appropriate venue for Instagram-obsessed food bloggers or people that wear high heels. This is a place known for its ambiance, destined for day-drinking or evening-chilling glory while being surrounded by all that is good in the state of Texas.