Retail Roundup: Travis Country West Area Shopping, Dining and Entertainment

Shopping is a breeze for Travis Country West residents, who find everything they need for home cooking at nearby grocery stores such as an HEB about 5 minutes away, or Randalls and Whole Foods Market, both about ten minutes away.

Residents here have distinct choices in where and how they would like to shop. The neighborhood is only 15 minutes or less from six major shopping centers that altogether represent more than 450 shops, department stores, retailers, restaurants, movie theaters, services, and more.

A Day of Food, Fashion and Fun at the Hill Country Galleria

One of the most popular nearby retail centers, the Hill Country Galleria, is just 10 minutes from home. An outdoor regional shopping mall, the Galleria features more than 20 restaurants and 80 stores, including Whole Foods Market, Banana Republic, Chico’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dillard’s, Eddie Bauer, White House Black Market, and American Eagle Outfitters, to name a few.

More than just retail shopping and dining, the Galleria is also home to a Cinemark multiplex movie theater and a small outdoor amphitheater that hosts local musicians for an ongoing, all-ages concert series the entire family can enjoy. The center also includes offices, apartments, condominiums, and 50 acres of green space.

Eggs Francisco and the Mouthwatering Brush Fire Taco

Travis Country West residents enjoy some of Austin’s favorite homegrown restaurants, including the funky, fun Kerbey Lane Café and Torchy’s Tacos. Kerbey Lanes keeps Austinites coming back with dishes such as their unique Eggs Francisco — scrambled eggs layered with bacon, tomato, avocado and queso on an English muffin. All of Kerbey Lane’s food, including a wide variety of tasty vegan and vegetarian items, are made with fresh, locally grown produce.

Torchy’s Tacos fills fresh tortillas with delicious and inventive ingredients that stretch the traditional idea of what goes inside a taco. For instance, the mouthwatering Brush Fire Taco, made with tender Jamaican jerk chicken, zesty grilled jalapeños, and sweet, juicy mango; or the beloved Trailer Park with fried chicken strips, green chiles, lettuce, cheese, and pico de gallo with poblano sauce — order it “trashy” to replace the lettuce with chile con queso.

“Chicken-Fried Anything” and Tasty Mimosas

Jack Allen’s Kitchen is a popular destination for area diners looking for a locally owned, top-quality fine-dining experience with a distinct Texas twist. Jack Allen’s is centered on Southern-inspired dishes with an infusion of southwestern flavors to create plates that are both intriguing and comforting. The restaurant is devoted to sourcing its ingredients from vendors close to home — the vast majority of ingredients in every dish are from within the state of Texas. Texas-centric specials vary to take advantage of the freshest local produce while creating dishes that suit the changing Texas seasons.

Frequent diners at Jack Allen’s Kitchen recommend considering one of the unique daily specials, but also insist you can’t go wrong with something from the “Chicken Fried Anything” options, especially the chicken-fried New York Strip steak. The South Texas Taco Platters (such as the popular and inventive chile, mango, and shrimp taco). Any of Jack Allen’s excellent gourmet burgers are also huge favorites. Desserts are created daily in-house also come highly recommended. And don’t forget to check out Jack Allen’s famous Sunday brunch, featuring fresh tasty mimosas and an extensive buffet that draws diners from all over the area.