Austin amazes with five star cuisine

The culinary scene in Austin, Texas is rich, robust and packed with racks of ribs. These southwestern restaurants know how to turn up the heat in their kitchens to just the right level and prepare meals for any occasion with skilled precision. The Lone Star State deserves several stars for its regional cuisine that stands out from the rest of the pack.

Start off with Jo's Coffee, founded in 1999 and currently expanding into new areas outside of Austin. There's even a location inside the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to enjoy before flying on to the next destination. The 2nd Street District wraps up breakfast tacos for early birds and continues satisfying service through supper.

For more caffeine try Dear Diary Coffee, a woman owned establishment with weekly open mics and special events that connect this vegan coffee shop to the community at 1212 Chicon Street. Unique drinks such as the Cleopatra Pistachio Chai Latte bring a buzz to this modern venue that feels like home.

Another female-fronted business Taquero Mucho paints the town pink with an explosion of color at 508 West Avenue. The indoor/outdoor photograph opportunities might draw you in, but the menu will keep you coming back for more thanks to creator Gabriela Bucio. Sip on a Guava Cosmo Rita or some Anti-Bitch Juice and fill up on the skirt steak enchiladas full of flavor. A DJ spins classic Latin jams during peak hours and the atmosphere drums up a sense of romance with heart-shaped balloons in every corner.

Fly over to Polvo's Barton Creek for more Mexican food fare from a menu that's definitely not dusty. For breakfast dig into the Trash Can Plate mixing eggs with a variety of ingredients or dive into the Red Snapper Tacos for a spicy sample of seafood.

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que serves some of the best brisket in the country in a friendly environment of picnic table seating. To stir up one's appetite, the pit master opens up a stainless steel chest of Texas Hill Country BBQ where patrons can pick their poison and choose between beef or pork options. A buffet of treats is free to add to the dishes so scoop up some signature sauce, grab a slice of bread and plop a pot of beans on your tray. Prepare for the meat sweats and plenty of juice as rolls of paper towels are on hand to tackle the messy goodness of this tangy experience. Set aside some time and patience with long lines at times for this company which has been cooking since 1962!

The original Hopdoddy Burger Bar is located on South Congress Avenue in Austin and the company is busting at the seams to expand into other states. Juicy handmade hamburgers are cleverly named and will hit the spot in this fast paced sports environment.

Queer-owned Jacoby's Restaurant & Mercantile and la Barbecue are both off the beaten path but worth the trip. Chicken fried steak and Central Texas barbecue served by the pound are just a few of the delicious gifts the LGBTQ+ community has to offer.

Casino El Camino is a hidden gem for late-night bites and big buns in a bustling area. This Sixth Street bar boasts beer-braised pork belly served with a side of sass from the employee taking orders in the window.

For dessert Lick Honest Ice Creams presents a rainbow of flavors. The gay owners have cultivated a celebration of locally sourced flavors such as Grapefruit Paloma and Texas Sheet Cake swirled with native pecans.

This is just a small taste of what's in store for diners in Texas while exploring the land of the Longhorns. From farm-to-table offerings to barbecue bits falling off the bone, Austin has something to satisfy anyone's hunger no matter how big the appetite.