Hyde Park Bar and Grill Crosses River

In a move that should have south Austin gourmands and gluttons shaking their fannies like a yellow lab greeting their owner after a long, lonely day at home, north Austin landmark restaurant Hyde Park Bar and Grill is opening a second location this Sunday.

Please, though, don't call them a chain. The people who brought us the best fries in town (with their incredible Hyde Park dipping sauce) is making it possible for all you southies there because you're not all there to continue to represent southside while enjoying one of the best Manhattans in town, or one of the best veggie burgers in town, or a salad with some of that kick-ass tamari vinaigrette, or the insanely delicious and guilt-ridden Horseshoe sandwich (Texas toast, grilled sirloin, cheese sauce, and fries in the sandwich.)

If you hear a weird noise on Sunday, it might be the shuffling stampede aimed at the new HPB&G location in the Westgate Central Market Shopping Center. See you there.

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By Sam Armstrong in Food on August 25, 2006 8:13 AM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

anon

I've been here 13 years and found Hyde Park B&G to be overrated since the first time I went. The fries were okay, but yes, today Opal's is king when it comes to fries.

Brenner

Sure & it's great that Hyde Park Bar & Grill is adding another location, because two isn't too much of a good thing and who would begrudge the southies such tasty eats and casual swank on their side of the river?

But: The fries?

The fries.

Overrated.

They're pretty tasty, sure, what with their seasoned coating and all. But they're a bit too heavy with that same coating, aren't they? Kinda like thick potato strands ganked from a giant shag rug made of batter-coated fries? Which, after a few bites, is too much to enjoy.

But, now, the fries at Opal Divine's ... now THOSE are some perfect fries: Similarly well-seasoned as HPB&G's, and usually perfectly cooked, but without that ultimately repulsive coating of batter.

They're lighter, the O.D. fries. Cleaner. More fuel-efficient. Also rumored to be an aphrodisiac. Mmmmmm, god, it's lunchtime, BRB.

cornhuskerangie

oh god, how i remember with loving fondness the delicious and most incredible french fries.

have some for me next time your there sam.