Moonshine Grill
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You don't find places like this very often, but EVERYTHING about it was GREAT for us. The service was by far, the best I've seen in a long time. The food was GLORIOUS and the atmosphere was better than it would've been without the big soundproofing panels they've got positioned up by the ceiling. Their music was NOT blasting, making it even more difficult to talk. Truly enjoyed everything about our brunch visit!
Food: Absolutely DELICIOUS! We went for brunch and couldn't stop raving. The grits have to be the best I've had. The green chili macaroni's and cheese- YUM!! Everything I tasted was soooo good. Beef medallions were amazing. Desserts were impressive too. Ambiance: there were a lot of people but you could still carry a conversation without raising your voice. We had a 15 minute wait but we came without reservations at 10:30an Waitstaff is super friendly and host was great
Today was our first time trying out Moonshine Grill. They served us complimentary popcorn, and it was pretty good. The vibe of the place was really nice, and we had an amazing brunch overall. We ordered the steak and eggs, a side of cornbread, coffee, and a cathead biscuit. The food was delicious! And our server, Marissa, was extremely nice and polite.
This place is right by the hotel I'm staying at and I noticed it got great reviews. So I decided to give it a try since my coworker went to dinner with her family. Once I arrived, I was quickly greeted by the hostess and she sat me at a table by the window which was perfect for me. The place was small, clean and very welcoming. Right when I sat down I had a few minutes to look at the menu and the water, Larry came by to take my order and give me a few recommendations. I wasn't that hungry but he talked me into trying a few things since I'm in Austin and having a good time. You only live once was pretty much his motto lol. Anyway, I decided to go with the shrimp corn on the cob, the catfish with crawfish and a hard lemonade mixed with ice tea. I thought the catfish, crawfish and grits (I believe) were really good! It had a lot of flavor and I really enjoyed the crawfish. I lowkey wanted to pay for more of those. I thought the shrimp corn dog was just ok. I loved the shrimp in the inside but I wasn't too much a fan of the outer bread layering. The drink was pretty good and the service was great. Overall, I may come back for the crawfish but I want just that lol. I'm not sure they have a meal of just crawfish but that with their grits would be fire!! OOOO 4 out of 5 Afros
We had a group here for dinner and were excited to try it, due to reviews. The ambience is lively, loud, and buzzy. Looked super fun. Service was good, no issues there. Friendly staff overall. The food fell flat for almost all of us. The salads were fresh and good. However, the ribs were below average. Cornbread was stale and not tasty. Biscuits tasted more like firm bread and not at all flaky/soft. That seemed weird to all of us. Chicken fried steak was soggy and not crispy. Drinks were ok. Not quite sure why the food was subpar, but there were 10 of us who all agreed we wouldn't return for food. There is a swanky little cozy speakeasy in the basement that may be good? We didn't try that.
We enjoyed the casual, relaxed, cozy atmosphere at Moonshine Grill. The staff was very welcoming and accomodating to our group. Thank you Dahlia. My husband made the reservation for our friends and family. He recommended the place because he dined at Moonshine Grill before. As a starter we ordered, the lobster corn fritters and fried tomatoes along with some cocktails. Our table ordered the chicken parmesan, chicken fried steak, wild boar rigatoni, backyard chicken, brisket burnt ends grilled cheese, brisket burnt ends quesadilla, and chicken and waffles along with the cutest basket of corn bread. I took a bite from each dish at the table and I have to say the wild boar rigatoni stood out the most. Delicious.
We made an early dinner reservation here prior to our show at the Long Center. We walked from our hotel, much preferred, as this restaurant was surrounded by construction and limited parking. Our server, was Athena, she was awesome. She helped answer our questions and make suggestions. We loved the complimentary seasoned bucket of popcorn at the table, very unique. Their menu consisted of Southern home dishes and the alcohol and moonshine selection was expansive. I ordered the steak fajita salad without cheese and dressing on the side. It was fresh, with a nice amount of avocado and sliced steak. I didn't understand the rolled up hard tortillas, maybe would have preferred more tortilla strips or veggies. Hubby ordered the trout with seasonal veggies... very disappointed. The portion of fish was very small and the broccoli along side it looked sad. He left very hungry! Dinners came with a basket of cornbread which was a nice touch. Great atmosphere, wonderful service, food just ok... Military discount offered.
The service here is good and the food is decent. I got the Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes and it was nice and tender. I got the espresso brandy with vanilla ice ice cream and it was really good. I never have to wait for a table. It can be pretty noisy at times.
How did I not know about this place before it was recommended by friends? The Sunday brunch was one of the top ones that I have had in awhile. The best part was it was not the regular, bacon, quiche, etc. There were so many choices of sweets, savory and salads. The place is perfect to meet friends and the vibe in the place makes you feel like you went to a friends home. We made early resy's and I am glad we did. It did get busy as the morning progressed. There were items fresh baked goodies, with homemade jams. The cinnamon rolls were off the rails. The savory items went from fried chicken like grandmas to pork teriyaki. When you felt a little guilty, the fruit and salad selections were great and super fresh. Service was great and they continually topped off the coffee. It was the perfect spot for brunch and look forward to stopping at this spot for dinner.
The dinner was great until the dessert came out and (kinda) ruined it. 1/5 for the peanut butter mousse. It's so dense and thick and overly sweet. 4/5 for both entries. I love both the trouts and the pork ribs. I'll come back to try out their chicken and waffles
We landed in Austin for a quick weekend getaway! Trying to find dinner and my wife chose this restaurant. When we arrived there was a wait due to prior reservations so we sat at the bar (which we prefer). Better drinks when you bond with bartender. I had an old fashioned and so did my wife . They were very balanced with bourbon, bitters, and simple syrup. Appetizer: Cathead Biscuits with Honey butter. Very moist and savory. 3 per order and they are not small. Don't fill up. We shared the Blackened Catfish with grits. The catfish is very flavorful and the grits are cheesy and seasoned. I would definitely recommend the place to anyone. Great service, good drinks, and delicious food.
This is the 3rd time we've been and it doesn't disappoint. Each table gets seasoned popcorn. Today I had the pork belly and watermelon. Absolutely delicious. Highly recommend. Great service.
Last time I was here was for lunch with the same group of 4. We were in the area nearby and decided to make plans to come by for our holiday lunch. Made our reservation for noon on a Thursday and were seated right away. The restaurant was so festive with Christmas decorations which made it the perfect atmosphere for our holiday lunch. I had heard a lot of good things about The Original Moonshine "Corn Dog" Shrimp so we started with that. It came with 4 pieces. The waitress did warn us it wasn't as plentiful as the other appetizers, but we still wanted to try. They were really good and paired well with the dip it came with (honey mustard, blueberry swirl) the blueberry might throw you off when read, but it actually pairs really well. For my entree I went with the Center Cut Pork Chop. Omg it was soooo good! I highly recommend!!! All ingredients compliment each other so well. Packed with flavor and juicy. The dill garnish on top adds a nice touch of a different flavor profile. The chutney kinda had a hint of spice to it surprisingly. Washer it all down with a French 75 which was made very well. Overall Moonshine never disappoints. Huge portions, flavorful food and great customer service.
26 days ago
6 months ago
Had an amazing dinner at Moonshine Grill! Came here for a wedding rehearsal dinner and we were tucked away in a private room. The layout of the entire restaurant is super interesting - there's lots of different rooms and they have a covered patio in the middle. All the food that was served was excellent. For apps, we had the street corn queso and the brisket burnt ends quesadilla. I had the jalapeño hanger steak for my entree, with brussels and mac as sides, and then for dessert I had the bread pudding. I really enjoyed the brisket quesadilla, the hangar steak, and the bread pudding! The steak was cooked perfectly at medium rare and was tender. I also had the ladybird cocktail and requested for it to be zero proof. It was delicious! Pink, fruity, and sweet. The waitstaff for our party was fantastic - they were prompt with taking orders, were organized in clearing plates away and bringing out our food, and were great at accommodating requests. read more
1 year ago
Great casual food! It was my first time visiting and I've heard good things about it. I like how they give complimentary popcorn as a starter and then cornbread(?) with the entrees. Popcorn has a bunch of different seasonings, which is different from buttered popcorn. My husband got a brunch special Eggs Benedict dish and I got the St. Louis pork ribs with mashed potatoes. The portions are generous and their dishes are beautifully presented! The atmosphere is very comfy and there's a sign outside that says this is an Austin landmark. They have a patio outside and a bar. Service is efficient and they refilled our water. American food isn't my favorite so I can't quite give it 5 stars-but it is a great place to fill you up! read more
3 months ago
Cody was our server and told us everything was good! We ended up going with the chicken fried steak, the lunch special tacos with blackened catfish and the cheeseburger. We also order the biscuits as an appetizer and Cody brought us some cornbread to taste as well. The biscuits come in a set of three and are fairly large so be careful not to indulge too much if you want to leave room for your entrees. The tacos were refreshing, adorned with salsa, cabbage and sauce. The burger/fries were delicious but my daughter couldn't finish them after delighting in the biscuits and cornbread. We ordered some sweet tea and weren't a fan but we also ordered the lemonade which was refreshing. The chicken fried steak was well seasoned and we were grateful for Moonshine to be our first choice of a meal in Austin! Cody made our visit worth an extra Star! read more
Right off the bat, you'll get served this complimentary bucket of popcorn seasoned with their in-house made seasoning which definitely helps alleviate some of that hunger if you come starving haha! The star of the show was surprisingly the Street Corn Queso appetizer because our waiter Chris recommended adding brisket to the queso, which truly changed the game! The sweet and creaminess of the queso complimented well with the tender brisket and tortilla chips (that were also seasoned with the same seasoning in the popcorn). It's not officially on the menu, BUT I'd highly recommend asking your waiter to add the brisket -- you won't regret the decision (THANK YOU, Chris!). As for my classic cheeseburger, it was humongous (and generally speaking, all the portion sizes are huge here) and juicy, and the fries were both airy and crispy! The bread was a bit underwhelming in my opinion but other than that, I was satisfied with this burger. You'll definitely want to come hungry to this place, or expect to take home some leftovers! :) read more
We really enjoyed our visit to Moonshine, the service was excellent and so was the food. There was a lot of construction going on around the area so we're glad we walked from the hotel to the restaurant, otherwise it looked like there was valet parking for $12. read more
My friend recommended this place because she saw it on Food Network. On the outside it's not really aesthetically cute but my gosh the food makes up for it! It's giving southern American food. I recommend the tomato and calamari appetizer, the fried country chicken steak, trout or pork chop entree and to always save room for their amazing dessert! The service was kind of slow but if you're in a time crunch let them know ahead of time. read more
4 months ago
It was my first time there, and I had the shrimp and grits, which was amazing. I thought the popcorn as an appetizer and starter was a fun addition. I really enjoyed the atmosphere, and the service was great. read more
There's more than 6000 reviews and this place sits at 4 1/2 stars, so they must be doing something consistently right over the years. The two mentionables that stand out in many of the reviews is their brunch and free popcorn. I was very surprised how many of my Yelp followers/friends have also dined here. There's more than enough photos of the food served here, I'll add some additional visual info that others may have missed. Let's start with parking. They do offer valet parking (which I recommend) or there is a convention center parking lot on red River and fifth Street nearby. It also just so happens, there is a Cap Metrorail line stop less than a block away. The building itself has a lot of character and even has its own Texas historical sign. Inside there is a timeless antique interior with both public and private dining rooms. I came with a group of 10 people and they put together a special menu just for us. We were seated in what looked like the oldest part of the building off to one side which fits a dozen people comfortably. We started off with fresh homemade biscuits, fried green tomatoes and salad greens with a lemon vinaigrette. This was followed with some protein choices and very large dessert portions. Both food and service deserved 4-5 stars. Check out the four videos and six informative photos (no food photos) below for more insight. It's definitely a place I would return to. read more
3 months ago
This is an absolute gem of Austin. We were on a family trip and there is nothing that we ordered that was not fresh, an absolutely fantastic presentation, and amazingly delicious. Each one of our meals hit the spot and surpassed the bar for sure. From the cocktails, to the kids meals to the complementary popcorn and surprise bread for the table made our experience absolutely amazing. The service and wait staff made me feel absolutely honored to be there. They were kind, and accommodating and an absolute pleasure. I had a spill of water that the staff took care of in less than two minutes. I constantly saw the general manager checking on tables personally and taking care of issues and ensuring that every guest was taken care of. I will make it a point to always visit this place when I'm in town for more than an hour. You cannot go wrong here. read more
The calamari app was a great start to our dinner. The shrimp corn dogs were also ordered for the table, however our company felt it was a bit on the mushy side. My husband and I decided to split the rainbow trout and it was definitely a good decision. Great waitstaff and the atmosphere and dining experience was Texas authentic. Enjoyed being downtown and getting a decent view of the night sky for now since the Convention Center has been taken down with plans to rebuilt. Be prepared to valet as parking areas are under construction and street parking is limited. Highly recommend reservations! read more
4 months ago
Ben was a great server, knowledgeable, friendly and very attentive. The jalapeño hanger steak was absolutely unbelievable and if I could I'd have it every night. It was cooked to absolute perfection, very tender and cut like butter. My husband had the rib eye steak, it was cooked well but the texture was off and he wasn't a fan. We both loved the garlic mash, the burnt ends were a tad dry which explains why they are incorporated in dishes and not offered as a side on the menu. We both had their Moscow Mule, each a different way we both loved them. The chocolate espresso brownie wasn't a hit unfortunately, the bottom of it was super hard almost unable to break through. Overall we had a great experience and will be back whenever we come back in town! read more
Step back into Wild West Texas atmosphere to feast on large proportions, tasty appetizers, and salty popcorn. Service was really great with helpful recommendations and steady refills. The highlights: - pretzel sticks and pimento cheese - country fried steak - the old fashion read more
A breezy night, following a humid day. But where was I again? Like a computer rebooting after overheating, I needed to take a second and allow my brain to come back online. Could this be because I am inevitably getting older? Perhaps! Or is it the ten Jamesons on the rocks guzzled down like a thirsty man lost in the desert that was creating this mind virus? Right then I found myself standing in front of what I would imagine to be the largest state capital in this beautiful country. A few more staggered steps, a right here, a left there and all of a sudden I'm on Red River Street. A look around paints a picture of what looks like a quiet street on a good day and a lonely alley on a bad day. There isn't much on this street, which only made the Moonshine Grill look more majestic than it already is. My apologies for ending my sentences with prepositions, but I'm ten Jamesons deep, so I will be bold and ask for some leniency. The wait was long and the aromas emanating from inside were tingling my olfactory senses. My olfactory senses were my only functioning senses at this moment so I decided to let them lead me to what my troubled mind believed was the promise land. The promise land being a full belly and rehydrated brain which in turn would hopefully help me remember where my hotel room hid. But the fear and hatred of waiting started to send chills down my brave spine. Fear and hate not my friends. Yes there is a wait but there's a nice bench outside where you're able to take your night cap. The breeze is nice, the people watching is top notch and before you know it your table will be ready. Once inside you will be greeted with warm Southern Culinary Fare. As you look at your menu you will see waiters walking by holding plates of Fried Green Tomatoes, Creole Shrimp and Grits, Chicken Fried Steak or maybe some mouth-watering biscuits. And as we all know good food takes time so ten Jamesons or not you might as well order yourself an Old Fashioned while you wait for your food. Once the food arrives the tummy becomes full, the head is dripping beads of sweat and all of a sudden I remember that my hotel room is around the corner. Somehow synchronicity had brought me within a hundred feet of where I was soon to lay my head and dream of a more responsible, better me. But until that "better me" arrives, stay hopeful and healthy my friends.... And if you're ever lost like I was or am, know that you are not alone and what is lost must always be found. Love and blessings.... read more
4 months ago
We celebrated my birthday as well as Mother's Day here and wow, what a hell of an experience we had. Our waitress was wonderful, checking in just the right amount of times. She even surprised me with a candle on my bread pudding and helped my family sing happy birthday to me. As far as the food...DEVINE. I paired the day's steak and asparagus special with a Lady Bird cocktail. We got the Cathead Biscuits and woof, they were ridiculously rich. Everyone was pleased in our party of 4. Although the ambiance is somewhat dark and drab, it doesn't take away from the dining experience. I really enjoyed celebrating at Moonshine! read more
6 months ago
In town visiting and staying at Fairmont, so an easy 5 min walk. Sat at the bar on a Thursday. Great experience! Bartender was lively, professional and spot on recommendations. Wife had the Fried Green Tomatoes that were show stoppers for sure! I had the Cathead biscuit! Huge and great then moved on to the Seared Trout with cornbread stuffing! A+! read more
1 month ago
Great food! I had the pork belly and watermelon appetizer which was surprisingly AMAZING! We didn't think those flavors would pair well together, but it was fantastic. The waitress was great! read more
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Moonshine Grill is everything you want in a classic Austin dining experience--warm, welcoming, and absolutely delicious. It started with popcorn, and it ended with a delicious cornbread with honey butter, and everything in between was excellent. We kicked off with the shrimp corndogs, which were fun, crispy, and packed with flavor. The blueberry mustard was a nice surprise! For mains, we had the chicken fried steak (perfectly crispy with rich gravy) and a simple but spot-on eggs and hamburger patty with avocado. Everything was cooked just right, with that comforting Southern touch. But the real standout? Our waitress, Hope. She was absolutely outstanding--attentive, friendly, and made us feel right at home. Great service can make or break a meal, and Hope definitely made ours even better. If you're in Austin and craving some elevated comfort food, Moonshine Grill is a must. We'll definitely be back! read more
Yeah, it was OK. The location was great, right at the heart of the downtown, the ambiance was amazing, the interior , the decor , the lights, the brunch barn set-up, they were all impeccable! I went here for Valentine's day dinner and luckily got a reservation. Being a vegetarian, it sometimes is hard to dine at a Souther restaurant, but it is 2025 right?! so still ventured. Parking is a hassle and I would recommend getting there early and park outside in the streets but you could also use the parking lot which charges around $45-$65. Once seated, we were welcomed immediately with a basket of fresh pop-corn. Nothing great about it but it still tasted good. My order: Roasted Garlic bulbs Beyond Veggie burger Mac & Cheese Old Fashioned The Mac & Cheese was a disaster and the taste was dismal and gets your bored in a few bites. The veggie burger was dry and bland. The garlic bulbs were complicated to eat. The service was great. Loved the old fashioned, glad they didn't go wrong with that. read more
11 months ago
Oh my gosh! Food was so good-it will send you into a food coma. We couldn't decide what to get so we went with the chicken and waffles, Mac and cheese, pretzels, and another chicken dish with potatoes (which totally melted in your mouth). EVERYTHING was great and had seasoned well overall and fresh. I would highly recommend checking this place out if you're looking for some southern food. This place is also historic so it was very cozy of a place and gave the vibes of eating with family. I also want to note we had a party of 18 and staff took such good care of us. And helped us through the ordering and process of making sure we were well taken care of. So cheers to the staff for their hospitality! I'll definitely check them out again and can't want to try a new item on the menu. *Picture are not all of my items but of everyone around me.* read more
7 months ago
The food was incredible! I'm thankful to our server, the manager, and the hostess for their great service. The ambiance was very relaxed and laid-back, complemented by some music in the background. While street parking is limited, they do offer valet service for $12. We tried the Wagyu Salisbury Steak (5/5), the Brisket Burnt Ends Quesadillas (5/5), and the Peanut Butter Mousse Cake--perfect for any peanut butter fan! Also the meals come with the jalapeño cheddar cornbread (10/5)!!! read more
Came here twice on my trip to Austin and I would go back a third time if I'm ever in the area. I ordered the chicken fried steak on my first visit and was impressed by the combination of flavors between the steak and the chipotle gravy. The baked macaroni was pretty standard however I enjoyed the cornbread quite a bit. For happy hour I ordered friend pickle spears which were a delight and the calamari which was fresh. Pros - The chipotle gravy on the chicken fried steak was a standout - The happy hour menu is an incredible value and I would highly recommend coming here for it - Fun ambiance Note - The portion size of the chicken fried steak was pretty decent so it'd be a great dish to share between two people plus an appetizer read more
7 months ago
A great place for brunch especially when you're visiting. The place has a chill vibe the staff are always friendly and attentive. I came here recently and had pork chop with Yukon mashed potatoes. It was amazing, medium temp bone in pork chop. On top of the pork was a sweet glazed apples. The mashed was savory and I like how it wasn't flooded with gravy. Cornbread was disappointing, dry and bland. I have heard about Perry's happy hour pork chop for $19 but I have not tried it. Moonshine's is $23 any day and anytime. Well worth a try in my opinion! read more
2 months ago
Service was awesome! It was not a problem for us with all the construction because they offered free valet. Now on to the food. Excellent CFS and the kids loved the chicken and waffles. Excellent margarita too. Will definitely be back! read more
Came here for a birthday party. They are very adept at handling large groups and it shows. There was almost 20 people in our group and the service never stopped. I also observed another large party near us and it was the same. A+ there. They stayed busy as it was a Saturday night and seem to be very popular. Weather was bad but thank goodness for the valet. Made it easy. The menu looked really appealing to me prior to going and there were some things I definitely wanted to try. I got the corn dog shrimp appetizer to start. I get what they are going for but there was no flavor to this appetizer. Very unseasoned. The breading was nice and shrimp cooked well I just wish there was more flavor to it. I ordered the catfish and had a similar feel. The catfish was flavorless. Cooked well. Topped with crawfish tails and sauce. But the catfish itself could have benefited from more seasoning. I also heard mixed reviews on the shrimp and grits. The pork chop looked really delicious and I wish I had gone with that. The grits are fine, not creamy but stone ground so it's almost like a mound of rice. The sweet potatoes were tasty. All in all a great time was had. Definitely would try the pork chop next time. But I can see myself returning for sure. read more
1 month ago
More info about Moonshine Grill
303 Red River St
Austin, TX 78701
Downtown
Directions
(512) 236-9599
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http://www.moonshinegrill.com
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Ask the Community - Moonshine Grill
Is there free parking?
no it's valet for fee or street (good luck with that given the construction).
Does Moonshine Grill Avery Ranch have wifi for customers?
Yes. The host have the WiFi password if needed.
What is the age limit for the kids eat free (brunch)?
5 and under are free. 6-11 are half off, and 12 and up pay full price for Sunday Brunch Buffet.
Is brunch on Sunday just the buffet or a menu too?
Menu as well from when I was here last.
Is the patio air conditioned during the summer?
Yes. They have portable air conditioning units
Do they offer a buffet-style brunch on the weekends?
According to their website, the buffet brunch came back 10/30/22
Is this location pet friendly?
I don't know for sure, but they have outside sitting, and I think I saw a couple with a dog.
Do they allow kids?
Yes, children are allowed, and there is indoor and out door seating
Can the restaurant handle large parties with 30-32 people? Do they have gluten free vegan options?
I really do not know if they pursue groups that large. IMHO, their rooms are not large enough to accommodate that many people without having to separate them.…
Do they still do the buffet for brunch?
Yes it's currently available as of 4/9/23. $35 per person
Is this restaurant good for large parties?
They host private parties, however I'm unsure of the size you're looking for with large.
How much is valet parking at the DT location?
Sign said $12 on 1/29/22. That is cheaper than the lot next door.
What are the brunch specials?
I'm sure they change often. I don't know what the current brunch specials are at this time.
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