It looks like I'm going to be in Austin, TX on business next week. So, if you've got one evening, where do you go to eat? What do you try to see if you've got virtually no time in which to see it?

You've just referenced one of my favorite movies. "Boat drinks" is often said at my house.

What kind of food do you prefer? For great (but a bit pricey) Interior Mexican food go to Fonda San Miguel.

The bats under Congress Street bridge are always a bizarre sight.

Mexican food is good. And it would make my wife jealous.

I've only heard good things about Fonda San Miguel. And we do have amazing Mexican and Tex-Mex here, there are heaps of options. I guess I would concur that you should see the bats, perhaps roam around South Congress (especially if you're here on the 1st Thursday of the month), eat some really good Mexican food and drink some great margaritas or Mexican martinis, and perhaps walk around Lady Bird Lake with all of Austin and their dogs. That would be a really good Austiny night, I think.

In "Dublin Blues," Guy Clark sings about the Chili Parlor Bar. A decent place for a margarita?

The three best places to go for food and entertainment in Austin in particular order Taco Xpress, Alamo Draft House, and Casino El Camino.

There is a place called the Chili Parlor that is down the street from the capitol building. I know they have good chili but I don't know about the Margaritas though.

Hmmm... It's been YEARS since I've been to Austin, but I'll put in my 2 cents anyway.

I say, skip the Mexican and go for some good TX barbecue. I hear Stubb's is pretty good and they have live music. Bonus!

You're coming at a great time, too. It hasn't been as oppressively hot as it usually is this time of year.

I have never heard of a Chili Parlor Bar, I don't think. And have no advice on barbeque. :)

Fonda San Miguel is fancy - I'd go to Chuy's - it may not be authentic but since you're coming in from Philly you may not care.

And the bats - Congress street bridge - the bats are something to see.

Not that I miss Austin at all or anything.

kana - I have a mad crazy love for Chuy's.

I'm already missing Mexican food, and I'm not even out of Texas yet.

Chuy's is muy sabroso. Aim for the original location in Autsin proper. There are other outlying locations, but the central one has the best ambiamce. AND it's (one of the places) where the Bush Twins got busted for underage drinking. See..it's historical and stuff. Stubb's is also great. As is Shady Grove if you need an outdoor lunch spot if the weather is comfortable.

Is Fonda San Miguel fancy-schmancy interior of Mexcio cuisine? If so, a friend recently had very poor service there.

Don't miss the bats. Labor Day weekend is BatFest. We're planning a pilgrimage for the festivities (Batinis!) and a Bat Cruise. On normal nights, people just show up with blankets and sit on the lawn near the Congrss Street Bridge and wait for the bats to fly at dusk.

Chuy's on Barton Springs is indeed the site of the infamous Jenna Bush incident. Great jalapeno ranch dip and fantastic enchiladas. Right down the street is Shady Grove - great chicken fried steak.

The Alamo Drafthouse downtown (on 6th) is great for a movie. The bats at the Congress Avenue bridge are cool. Town Lake is awesome for a walk (but not after dark). Central Market at 44th & Lamar is great for lunch.

And if you're looking for a margarita, I would suggest Vivo Tex-Mex on Manor Road east of I-35 near the UT campus. Also great enchiladas verdes.

And message me if you're interested in meeting the great CJRW and baby LW in person!

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions. Because I've got a lot going on with work and a bit of a hectic schedule, I will probably only get a short jaunt out. Now I've got plenty of ideas for things to try to do.