As Austin’s growth stretches southward past the established neighborhoods of Circle C and Shady Hollow, newer communities like Bridges at Bear Creek are being developed to meet the demand for more sophisticated housing. And as the number of residents increases, upscale retail, grocery and entertainment follow, providing an ever-growing number of shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities.
Just 8 minutes away via Slaughter Lane, Southpark Meadows is a 90-store shopping center. The center features many popular retailers including Walmart, Ross, JCPenney, Marshall’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, Sports Authority, Hobby Lobby, Sam’s Club and a 14-screen Cinemark movie theater along with a host of restaurants and fast food chains. Southpark Meadows also has outdoor picnic areas, a popular playground, and a small amphitheater where local musicians play concerts the whole family can enjoy.
Stores, Stores and More Stores
A little more than 15 minutes north, locals shop at Sunset Valley Shopping Center. With over 80 stores and restaurants, shoppers stop at Home Depot to pick up materials for a home improvement project, to pick up the latest video game at GameStop or check out Nordstrom’s Rack for bargain prices on high fashion. There you’ll also find TJMaxx/HomeGoods, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Target, Buy Buy Baby, Michael’s, OfficeMax, Petco, Kohl’s and restaurants like Schlotzsky’s, Zoe’s Kitchen, Luby’s, Mama Fu’s, La Madeleine and Longhorn Steakhouse.
There are three more major shopping centers within 15 minutes of The Bridges of Bear Creek — Arbor Trails, Escarpment Village, and Barton Creek Square Mall. Among these three area shopping centers, there are almost 250 more high quality department stores, local merchants, services, and restaurants.
Locals do most of their grocery shopping at the local super HEB at Escarpment Village, just over 10 minutes away, or at the Whole Foods Market at Arbor Trails just less than 15 minutes away.
Shogun Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar, an authentic family-owned place, is less than 10 minutes away. Locals say the hipsters can keep their sleek, chic, nouveau sushi bars around downtown or up in northern Austin. Shogun is decorated elegantly and simply in a traditional style, and even has a room for groups and special occasions that has tatami mats where guests remove their shoes before sitting on the floor for dinner.
Loyal patrons love the warm greeting that the family who owns and operates the restaurant give every guest. The sashimi is remarkable and fresh, and the sushi rolls range from firmly traditional to some that incorporate a few new ideas. It’s one of those places where patrons eagerly recommend dishes, and rarely does anyone have anything negative to say. Among some of the most popular entrees are yakisoba and udon noodle dishes, katsudon (a lightly fried pork cutlet with rice, condiments, and sauce), gyoza (pot stickers), and teppan (crispy grilled) tofu.
Go-To Mexican Locals Love
Less than five minutes away, locals feel lucky to live so close to Mi Ranchito Taqueria, a modest looking and inexpensive place that a number of reviewers and chefs around town have called their “go-to Mexican restaurant.” Mi Ranchito Taqueria’s menu looks like many other menus of little taquerias around town — the biggest difference is in the quality and flavor of their food.
Diners who order breakfast tacos, tortas, gorditas, or platters with entrees such as carne guisada or pork in salsa verde, or the lightly breaded chile rellenos — or even hamburgers — rave that its some of the best Mexican food in town. Mi Ranchito’s special hamburger comes with a tremendous beef patty topped with jack cheese, generous amounts of bacon, ham, and avocado. The regular burgers come topped with Mexican chorizo, and regular diners advise that you order them with cheese to keep the crumbly chorizo from falling out.
Other Local Foodie Favorites
Bridges at Bear Creek residents have a wealth of other dining choices — all of the restaurants in South Austin or downtown, to the original, world-famous Salt Lick Barbecue in Driftwood — only about 30 minutes from the lucky residents of the Bridges of Bear Creek. Some nearby favorites include small, Texas-native fried chicken chain Bush’s, which serves fried gizzards and livers (to the delight of many), as well as the delicious fried tenders that are the main event. And Railroad Barbecue is another delightful choice.