The famous “Drag” on Guadalupe St. is within a short walking distance of Piazza Novona and hosts a wide variety of clothing, accessories, jewelry, UT Longhorns paraphernalia, books, music, outdoor gear, art supplies — and even a tattoo and piercing parlor or two.
Nearby shops and boutiques include Whole Earth Provision Company’s original store, Eclectic Eyewear, University Co-Op, Tyler’s, C Jane, Brave New Books, Flirt, Nice Kicks, Pipes Plus, Whet Stone Audio and the open-air Austin Renaissance Market on 23rd Street.
The Renaissance Market, established in the 1970s, is a craft market where local artisans sell jewelry, handmade or hand-embellished clothing, tie-dye shirts, maxi skirts, men’s wear, hats, hair accessories, and beautiful leather bags.
Residents do their grocery shopping at nearby Wheatsville Food Co-op, Central Market, or Randalls Supermarket. For those seeking finest and freshest produce, weekends often include a visit to one of the several the local farmers’ markets in central Austin.
Chips, Salsa and “Fuzzy Dust”
Nearby dining includes neighborhood stalwart Trudy’s, Ruby’s BBQ, Noodles and Co., Torchy’s Tacos, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, Milto’s Pizza Pub (which also serves delicious gyros and Greek food), and Freedmen’s BBQ.
At Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, for starters the chips and salsa are seasoned with mysterious “Fuzzy Dust,” which some patrons say is as addictive as anything known to man, and are served with fire-roasted salsa. Fuzzy’s made its name on its delicious Baja-style fish tacos. Today, in addition to those famous tacos, Fuzzy’s also offers quesadillas, stuffed nachos, jumbo burritos, fajitas and tamales, and even a special menu for kids.
Known by locals as a great place to enjoy happy hour or to stop in for a late night margarita — or maybe one of Fuzzy’s signature drinks — the wildly popular Fuzzydriver. Fuzzydrivers have been described as tasting like a high-octane melted dreamsicle – that is, a delicious blending of vanilla and orange (with a kick).
Another Local Foodie Favorite
Milto’s, less than a 10-minute walk from Piazza Navona, has held its corner for more than 35 years, and is still under the leadership of the original Milto himself. Milto came to the United States from Italy when he was a boy. (His father had moved the family spice business to New York.) Milto always knew the best way to apply the knowledge he gained from his father’s trade was to open a restaurant, so he opened a restaurant in New York, and it was a success.
Milto visited Austin in the mid-‘70s and he purchased the property at the corner of 29th Street and Guadalupe because he thought the area, bustling with student life and university activity, felt like a little SoHo, a little bit of New York. He opened Milto’s serving the same kind of food he still serves there today: lovingly made lasagne, cacciatore, chicken and eggplant parmigiana, souvlakis, gyros, and of course, pizzas.
But it isn’t just excellent food that has made Milto’s an institution for over 35 years. Milto is a charming man who makes friends easily and seems to love each customer. His slogan has always been: “Milto’s — Make a Friend.”