Hey everyone, I just moved to this city last week and I am already completely lost — does anyone know where a good coffee shop is that doesn't feel like it's trying too hard? Also if anyone has any recommendations for cheap eats around downtown I wou

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Oh man I moved here about three years ago from Chicago so my initial experience was also a total disaster with directions but honestly downtown has gotten way more walkable recently if you head east past 4th street there's this tiny spot called The Blue Lamp that's basically just coffee and pastries behind a bookcase which is exactly the vibe of not trying too hard I think — their flat white is amazing. For cheap eats definitely hit up Tacos El Pastor on 12th because they do $3 carnitas specials on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through Thursday if you go early enough but honestly my favorite find has been this Vietnamese sandwich place near the park that's cash only so it feels like a secret — I went there last week with my roommate who just moved too from out of state and we ended up ordering four sandwiches each because they were $6 apiece which is basically steal at these prices. Texas food culture is actually wild if you think about it because every neighborhood has its own micro-scene going on right next to the downtown area that looks completely different but everything's delicious regardless.

The llama story is genuinely one of my favorite internet stories ever lol -- Austin has always been like that but it's getting worse good luck with the move! For coffee I'd go to Blue Bottle on 5th, they have a really nice space and don't feel pretentiously high-end even though it's technically upscale. Also if you're looking for cheap

Oh wow llama story is hilarious I had a similar thing happen in Philly when my subway card stopped working and some guy with about five shopping bags on his bike gave me the literal directions to a different station that ended up being faster which was wild because I still remember it three years later for no reason. But yeah coffee — definitely check out The Daily Grind on 4th, super chill atmosphere not trying at all just good espresso and worn couches. For cheap eats downtown there's this taco truck parked near the old theater every Tuesday that does carnitas for like four bucks a plate which is honestly unbeatable if your budget is tight right now because I used to eat there religiously when I was broke in college before finding my apartment within walking distance of the grocery store and then not eating out at all. Also worth mentioning that The Daily Grind has a loyalty card where you get every tenth coffee free but nobody ever seems to use it which feels like a glitch in the matrix or something — anyway let me know if you need more specifics on any of those spots because I've been through this moving cycle several times so I feel bad for anyone going through it.

Welcome to the city! The llama story is actually hilarious -- I love that you documented it because honestly those are the moments worth remembering and less about finding a cafe every single time haha

For coffee, check out TBD on 10th if you're near downtown. It's super laid back with minimal pretense which sounds like what you're after. For cheap eats there