"This Texas comfort food staple, with locations across the Austin area, brings the same attention to detail to its desserts as its main plates. The Oak Hill spot serves seasonal pies, fruit cobblers, layer cakes, and chocolate-packed confections. Each one feels familiar but thoughtfully executed. The vibe stays casual and welcoming, with a hint of Hill Country charm." - Darcie Duttweiler
"The chicken-fried steak at all locations of the Texas comfort food restaurant mini-chain is made with New York strip and comes drenched in green chile gravy, served alongside chunky mashed potatoes and vegetables. Also, there’s an entire chicken-fried section, which means the kitchen will chicken-fry just about anything. So if steak isn’t your thing, try the pork chop or chicken. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services." - Nadia Chaudhury
"Chef Jack Gilmore’s locally sourced, Southern-inspired restaurant mini-chain Jack Allen’s Kitchen is a great destination for a lively, filling meal without the downtown mess. There are also several locations well out of the SXSW nonsense. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services." - Erin Russell
"Avoid the downtown and east side mess by heading to the Oak Hill location of the Texas restaurant mini-chain, to load up on everything from the chicken fried-anything to the green chile pork queso. Wash everything down with many many different types of margaritas. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services." - Nadia Chaudhury
"Go big — really big — with Jack Allen’s Country Club Fancy Chicken Salad, with achiote grilled chicken, figs, pears, spicy walnuts, and bleu cheese. Takeout orders for all locations can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services." - Nadia Chaudhury