Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds in Austin, TX

As anyone who’s been to Austin, Texas will tell you, the SoCo neighborhood (that stretch of South Congress Avenue that runs between St. Edward's University to the north, and East Ortloff Street to the south) is among the coolest and most fun areas of an already cool and fun town. 

It’s where hippie meets hipster and everyone’s invited.  There are fabulous vintage shops, like Feathers Boutique as well as retro-costume emporium Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds (that absorbed its longtime neighbor, Electric Ladyland).  Not to be missed is Uncommon Objects, a thrift store that’s merchandised by color and is filled to the ceiling with mid-century tchotchkes.

Catrinas at Mi Casa Gallery in Austin, TX

Mi Casa Gallery in Austin, TX

One of my first stops, whenever I'm in Austin, is Mi Casa Gallery – a snazzy shop that specializes both fine and folks art. 

They carry an amazing and eye-popping assortment of "Texican" furniture, Indian antiquities, Mexican retablos, votive art, and Meso-American statuary, as well as paintings of the saints (mostly from Mexico)  and Día de los Muertos Catrinas figurines.

Jacob takes a break from his styling duties at STAG in Austin, TX

Also worth a mention is their award-winning Citrus-Spice potpourri, made from such ingredients as dried oranges, cloves, spices and chili peppers. 

STAG in Austin, TX

Jacob is especially fond of STAG, a natty men’s specialty store that carries everything for the stylish guy in your life.  Whether he's into prepster gear (Sebago boat shoes) or western garb (Ralph Lauren’s resurrected RRL collection), limited edition blaxpoitation posters or first-edition books by Alan Ginsberg, Ian Fleming or Truman Capote (not to mention a great selection of coffee-table books by Taschen) there's something here for your man.  Bonus: you can mellow-out with a can Lone Star Beer and quench your thirst in the tasteful lounge.

It's not just about the pizza at More Home Slice in Austin, TX

And then there’s the food!  Next door to STAG is Autin's claim to pizza-fame, Home Slice Pizza, and its take-out offshoot, More Home Slice.  With its amazing NY-style ‘za, terrific sandwiches, wine to go, and a too-cool-for-school mural by Shepard Fairey overlooking the parking lot, it’s no wonder that Home Slice has fans lined-up out the door during annual festivals such as South by Southwest and Austin City Limits. 

Enoteca Vespaio puts a new twist on a classic SoCo favorite in Austin, TX

Woodland is a funky upscale diner with a tree growing in front of the dessert case, while down the street at Perla’s Seafood & Oyster Bar you can enjoy fresh oysters and seafood on a lovely Oak-shaded patio.  Decades-old Italian favorite, Vespaio Ristorante (worth it’s rep on the spinach lasagna, alone!) recently took over the space next-door, and opened Enoteca Vespaio (which so impressed me you’ll have to read about it in its own article). 

Coat & Thai trailer in Austin, TX

And a spiel about Congress wouldn’t be complete without a tip of the ten-gallon toward the food trucks.  With clever names like Hey Cupcake! and Coat & Thai, they’re sure to have something to get you through whatever it is for which you’ve got a hankerin’. 

So, the next time you’re in Austin, make sure to put aside a day to wander around Congress.  You’ll be glad you did.

South Congress Avenue / SoCo
Austin, Texas 

Get into it!