Chef
Rene Ortiz

Austin

My Venues

Accolades

Nominee for Best Chef: Southwest
James Beard Foundation
Nominee for Best New Restaurant
James Beard Foundation

America's Best Taco Spots
Food & Wine
Top 50 Mexican Restaurants
Texas Monthly
#1 Favorite Restaurant, Readers Poll
The Austin Chronicle
ChefsFeed Winner
One of the Best Things to Eat in Austin

View all accolades ▾

Where I Go Out

Tempura onion rings

Uchiko

$$$$, Happy Hour, Sushi, Japanese, Full Bar, Rosedale

"Topped with togarashi and white soy, Uchiko takes something as simple as an onion ring and elevates it to something beautiful and elegant."

Chef

Rene Ortiz

Launderette, Fresa's Chicken Al Carbon

Hama Chili

Uchi

$$, Sushi, Curtis Park

"Uchi is the French Laundry of Japanese food, and the hama chili is a dish that has power in many ways. Pure, studied addictions of salty, sweet, fresh, spicy, and cold fish. It's a must-have in Austin."

Chef

Rene Ortiz

Launderette, Fresa's Chicken Al Carbon

New Orleans-style BBQ shrimp

Perla's Seafood and Oyster Bar

$$$, Happy Hour, Outdoor Seating, Full Bar, Seafood, Bouldin

"It's dirty. You eat it with your fingers and use the housemade ciabatta to soak up all the delicious juice."

Chef

Rene Ortiz

Launderette, Fresa's Chicken Al Carbon

Texecutioner

Contigo Austin

$$, Happy Hour, Outdoor Seating, Reservations, Modern, Full Bar, American, Bar, Mlk

"The Texecutioner cocktail is perfect breakfast drink to wake you up. The bitters (Cocchi Americano) give you the herbacious deliciousness that your stomach needs after a hangover, and the grapefruit is refreshing."

Chef

Rene Ortiz

Launderette, Fresa's Chicken Al Carbon

Brisket

Franklin Barbecue

$$, Outdoor Seating, Bbq, Breakfast, Central East Austin

"It's all about the secret preparation. Aaron controls the experience from start to finish, and nobody can explain why it's so good (it just is!). Bonus tip: Stay in line, it's worth it!"

Chef

Rene Ortiz

Launderette, Fresa's Chicken Al Carbon

Baja shrimp tacos

Torchy's Tacos

$$, Happy Hour, Outdoor Seating, Tacos, South Lamar

"It's the ideal version of a Baja-style fried shrimp taco. It's hand-battered perfection."

Chef

Rene Ortiz

Launderette, Fresa's Chicken Al Carbon

At My Venues

Assorted Desserts

Launderette

$, Happy Hour, Outdoor Seating, Reservations, Modern, Full Bar, Southern / Soul, New American, Holly

"The desserts here are great... but I would push you to get desserts that maybe sound non-classic. My favorite desserts hear contain blue cheese, salt & pepper ice cream, beets, avocados, etc. and if you just want to be a fat kid, ice cream sando"