Residents of the Westcreek neighborhood have convenient access to Austin’s best shopping. Less than five minutes from home in the Shops at Arbor Trails, Whole Foods Market stocks a wealth of organic, healthful groceries and delicious ready-to-eat meals. There is also a quality Randalls supermarket across the street from the shops at Arbor Walk. For other family and everyday shopping, Costco, Target and Walmart are all within about five minutes or less of Westcreek.
Ten minutes away, Barton Creek Square Mall, which is among the largest malls in Texas, hosts more than 180 stores offering everything from the latest electronics to fall collections from top designers. Some of the popular retailers at the mall include Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Macy’s, Abercrombie & Fitch, Ann Taylor, Apple, Banana Republic, Bath & Body Works, Chico’s, Gap, Lane Bryant, Nine West, and Old Navy. The mall also offers some great dining selections, including such popular spots as California Pizza Kitchen, Charley’s Grilled Subs, Frullati Café & Bakery, Ruby Thai Kitchen, Sarku Japan, Steak N Shake, Villa Pizza, and more. And for date night or family fun, everyone loves to check out the latest Hollywood fare at the 14-screen AMC Barton Creek cinema.
Fun, Food and Fashion on SoCo
A home in Westcreek also means quick access to the iconic South Congress (“SoCo”) shopping district. Just 15 minutes away, SoCo shops offer fun, fashion-forward boutiques and shops for men and women. Men find custom-fitted, retro-styled clothing that is at once stylish and practical at Service Menswear. Kick Pleat offers a range of fun sundresses, kicky heels, and other fresh clothing for the weekend. Popular casual and fine restaurants also appear on SoCo, including the upscale Vespaio and locally ownedcomfort food places like Hopdoddy Burger Bar and Homeslice Pizza.
In addition to Barton Creek Square Mall, there are six more major shopping centers within a 15-mile radius including Village at Westlake, Southpark Meadows, Hill Country Galleria, Arbor Trails, Escarpment Village, and Sunset Valley Market Fair. Together, these shopping centers represent almost 550 more fine department stores, national and local merchants, services, movie theaters, and restaurants.
Authentic Cajun Food and Chicken-Fried New York Strip Steak
Woodcreek diners find both fine and casual dining close by. Local Austin-owned favorites such as Torchy’s Tacos, Kerbey Lane Cafe and Chuy’s are all restaurants that are fun for the whole family. The authentic Cajun food at the Cypress Grill is a local foodie favorite along with its live jazz, signature cocktails, and a variety of craft beers.
Jack Allen’s Kitchen is another popular choice less than 10 minutes away. Frequent diners at Jack Allen’s Kitchen recommend first 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, or one of the South Texas Taco Platters (such as the popular and inventive chile, mango, and shrimp taco), or any of Jack Allen’s excellent gourmet burgers. Desserts, which 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.
The Remarkable Hecho en Mexico
One of the truly outstanding local restaurants is the remarkable Hecho en Mexico. The restaurant serves food based on the owner’s experience growing up in San Miguel de Allende. The owners assert they’ve blended the street food, restaurant fare, and home cooking of their hometown with tastes from each distinct region of Mexico to create an authentic Interior Mexican menu that is like no other.
Even the breakfast menu adds flavorful items and ingredients like the “Dynomite” taco that includes nopalitos, or the huevos motuleños that feature a huarache (a masa-based oblong flatbread stuffed with beans named after the huarache shoe). The dinner menu is extensive, and features items that one doesn’t see everyday, even in the Mexican-food rich environment of Austin. For instance, one of the salads includes marinated rabbit in chipotle peanut sauce with onion served on a bed of lettuce and garnished with sour cream.