Celebrating 4th Of July In Austin
Fourth of July lands on Friday this year, making this the perfect long weekend to celebrate Independence Day and enjoy one of Austin's many different culinary events with family and friends.
Black Sheep Lodge
Celebrate Independence Day and give back to a local non-profit. Twenty dollars will enter you as a contestant in Black Sheep Lodge's Annual Corn Dog Eating Contest. It's limited to just 15 competitors, so you have a 1 in 15 chance at winning a cool $250, a commemorative Black Sheep Lodge 4th of July t-shirt, and a drink of your choice. All fees and a portion of the sales goes to Austin Pets Alive!
Counter Culture
Need vegan options this Independence Day? Counter Culture will be serving up vegan fare like corn dogs, special burgers, coleslaw, potato salad, and strawberry shortcake, along with surprises and "All-American" music. Head over to the East side and toss your hat in the ring at a chance to win the cookbook giveaway.
Duchman Family Winery
If afternoon in the Texas Hill Country wine region more to your liking, then join Duchman Family Winery for an afternoon of BBQ from Chef Patrick, accompanied by award-winning wines and live local music. Get your share of BBQ for just $14, and sample their famous wines for $5 per glass. The food will be served until it runs out and the tasting room is open until 6pm.
Greenhouse Craft Food
If you live in Northwest Austin or up in the Round Rock area, be sure to check out owner and chef Rob Snow's Greenhouse Craft Food. I had the pleasure of tasking Chef Snow's food at the recent Sustainable Food Center Farm to Plate event at Barr Mansion a few months ago. It was so much more than I expected and it was gluten-free, a fact he didn't share until after you tasted his offerings. If this tasting was any indication, grab a few friends and order plates of dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients to share.
Salty Sow
This year, forget firing up your BBQ and head over to Salty Sow for the 4th of July. The owners of Salty Sow are "picking up the check for one entrée for every entrée purchased." With a happy hour menu that sports some of the best tacos and booze-forward cocktails in Austin, you just can't go wrong at this favorite East Austin hot spot this holiday.
Swift's Attic
With chefs Matt Clauser, Zack Northcutt, Abby Yates, and Callie Spears serving small plates of locally-sourced fare, the cuisine at Swift's Attic will surely deliver a bang this 4th of July. Why not order the charred edamame with chili oil pop rocks to kick off your 4th of July just right? With a menu that is allergy-friendly, cocktails to whet every palate, and sumptuous desserts that are sure to please, it's hard to find a better place to celebrate this weekend.
Monument Café
If you're looking to take a day trip this holiday,The Monument Café, located in the historic heart of downtown Georgetown, is worth the drive up from Austin. Be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner, I suggest sitting at the counter to watch all the action. My recommendation: order a cup of coffee and a slice of the "Monument Pie" (you can thank me later). Afterwards, enjoy the historic downtown square and all its shops or enjoy the beer garden and music just outside the main restaurant. You can even pop into the farmers market to take some local produce, meats, and artisan goods home to enjoy over the weekend.
Trattoria Lisina
To celebrate the Fourth of July, Trattoria Lisina will be offering various family-friendly activities and treats, including s'mores, sparklers, as well as bocce ball, large chalk boards for kids as well as drawings for door prizes each hour from 11am to 10pm. To supplement their spring and summer menu featuring authentic Italian dishes, from 11am to 5pm Trattoria Lisina will serve pepperoni pizza ($9) and cheese pizza ($8) from their mobile pizza oven.
Travaasa
Set in picturesque Hill Country, festivities at Travaasa will include grilled food from 12noon – 4pm, along with lawn games and music. Don't miss out on their featured cocktail, "Freedom Colada," especially made for 4th of July the at the pool bar (yes you read that right—there's a pool bar).