Retail Roundup: North Shoal Creek Area Shopping, Dining and Entertainment

North Shoal Creek residents have access to great family recreation, dining, and shopping options. The neighborhood is just minutes away from the Village Shopping Center, one of the best eatery centers in the area, with choices ranging from American, Korean, Indian, Tex-Mex, and everything in between.

Locals are especially fond of Hopdoddy Burger Bar, Austin’s newest upscale burger restaurant. Diners enjoy a variety of delectable gourmet specialty burgers cooked the way they like. Signature burgers include El Diablo, with Angus beef, pepper jack cheese, salsa, chipotle mayo, and roasted habanero and serrano chilies for a real Texas kick. With extra options like apple-smoked bacon and fried farm eggs to garnish the burger, along with an enviable selection of locally brewed beers and mixed drinks, Hopdoddy Burger Bar is a vibrant restaurant that can’t be missed.

The Village Shopping Center also features the Alamo Drafthouse. A pioneering movie theater that now enjoys tremendous popularity, the Alamo offers its own extensive food and beer menu for patrons to enjoy while they watch their movies. The Drafthouse shows not only new releases, but also hosts unique live interactive events such as music video sing-along nights. During the week, the theater has themed nights such as Terror Tuesdays, a delight for horror fans. The Drafthouse stands alone in offering a totally satisfying, raucous fun night out at the movies — with dinner!

A Wide Variety of Convenient Shopping

When the focus turns to shopping, many locals get their groceries at Whole Foods Market in the Gateway Shopping Center less than 10 minutes away. Another option is the small and friendly Fresh Plus, which offers a complete inventory of groceries including grass-fed beef and other healthful and mainstream options within walking distance of the neighborhood. Randalls also has a store less than two miles away.

Another popular place to shop, nearby Northcross Shopping Center, features a CVS Pharmacy, Guitar Center, and Wal-Mart in addition to one of Austin’s only year-round ice skating rinks.

Not to be overlooked, Anderson Lane hosts a tremendous number of both national and local businesses, too. Some of the local businesses include acupuncturists, furniture stores, coffee shops, yoga studios, all kinds of restaurants, and even a gluten-free bakery.

Among the local stores on Anderson Lane, Terra Toys stands out as one of the most fun for everyone. Terra Toys feels more like a little toyshop from a bygone era, except that it is quite large. Terra Toys specializes in toys that are both high quality and tons of fun – from board games to wooden trains to Hello Kitty lunchboxes, they have something to charm almost anyone of any age. They also carry a limited children’s clothing selection.

Finally, for a unique shopping experience, the Arboretum at Great Hills is an open-air mall about 5 minutes from the neighborhood, which features more than 40 specialty shops and restaurants, as well as a park, water feature and picnic area. Some of the more popular retailers include Barnes and Noble, Chico’s, The Gap and Gap For Kids, Jos. A. Bank, Pottery Barn, Z Gallerie, Coldwater Creek, GameStop, SAS Shoes and AZIZ Salon and Day Spa, to name a few. Hungry shoppers can also get a bite to eat at Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Brio Tuscan Grille, Zoe’s Kitchen, Estancia Churrascaria, Cheesecake Factory, and for dessert, Amy’s Ice Cream.