My 20 Best Savory Bites of 2020 (Austin, TX)

In Part One of my year-in-review series, I shared the best pastries in Austin. I didn't set out to tell this story at the start of the year, but I was happy to end with it. Well, almost. I also had some stellar savory bites in 2020. In Part Two of this two-part series, I present them in chronological order. The white plates with blue lines are mine, meaning the food was delivered to my home.

Butcher's burger and beef fat fries at Salt & Time — Butcher's Burger, beef-fat fries at Salt & Time

My first restaurant meal of 2020 was at Salt & Time, where I had one of the best cheeseburgers in Austin. I recommend it with a side of beef-fat fries.

This brunch dish was with my friend Laura at Grizzelda's before the lockdown began.

Tacos, quesadillas, street corn, and more at Reunion 19

My friend and fellow food blogger Amy invited me to a hosted lunch at the then-new Reunion 19 in East Austin. As you can see above, we sampled almost everything on the menu!

Chorizo breakfast taco at Nixta Taqueria

Move over Torchy's and Tacodeli. This breakfast taco at Nixta was the best I've had since moving to Austin, TX, in 2016.

My best restaurant meal of 2020 was at Hestia, hands down. I can't wait to go back.

Related: Best Sushi in Austin

Oak smoked beef brisket sandwich with TX sweet corn from Loro

Risotto with smoked pork from Intero — Risotto with smoked pork, focaccia with ricotta + wildflower honey from Intero

Mac and Cheese at Jacoby's Restaurant & Mercantile

Matthew McConaughey bacon cheeseburgers from Loro

Brisket, sausage, and jalapeño cheese grits from Micklethwait BBQ

Getting my meat fix at Micklethwait BBQ, which I tried for the first time.

The Cadillac pizza with gorgonzola, fig preserves, prosciutto, parmesan, and balsamic from Via 313 — Gorgonzola, fig preserves, prosciutto, parmesan, and balsamic pizza from Via 313

The "Cadillac" (pictured above) is my favorite pizza on the menu at Via 313.

Nduja, sweet peppers, onions, fontina, mozzarella - a Kevin Fink collaboration with Bufalina pizza — Nduja, sweet peppers, onions, fontina, mozzarella pizza - Kevin Fink with Bufalina

After snapping this photo, I picked off the peppers, but the pizza was still excellent! Kevin Fink is the chef and co-owner of Emmer & Rye, Hestia, Henbit, and several other spots in Austin.

Pork ribs with guava BBQ sauce from Launderette

Mascarpone risotto at Juliet's Italian Kitchen

The chance to grab lunch with my Irish friend, Benny, led me to dine on the patio at Juliet's in South Austin for the first time. I'd previously ordered their pizzas via Uber Eats several times. The risotto was decadent.

I celebrated my birthday with a few close friends at Justine's in East Austin. We dined on fresh cheeses, sizeable steaks, and several desserts. Justine's patio flies under the radar, making it the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion with friends or a significant other.

I'm so glad I got to try this juicy salmon at Hank's, one of my favorite restaurants and cafes in Austin.

Dave with cacio e pepe and white truffle pizza at Bufalina

Dining al fresco with a friend at Bufalina's East Austin location (which closed in 2021).

Whipped feta with crushed pistachio, aleppo, olive oil, and lemon zest at Aba — Whipped feta with crushed pistachio, Aleppo, olive oil, and lemon zest at Aba

Aba's whipped feta is a crowd-pleaser or at least a Dave-pleaser.

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