Hula Hut, Austin

I never understood what the hype was all about until I visited Austin. Everybody raves about The Hula Hut, and I now understand why. This place is great! It's located right on Lake Austin. It's huge inside and outside. I guess everything IS bigger in Texas. People dock their boats right outside to take a brake from boating and get a bite to eat and a drink. Everybody raves about the "tubular taco" and the "fish bowl", a rum concoction served literally in a fish bowl. This place is always busy. We came in after being on the boat all day and had to wait 2 hours for a table. They only serve appetizers at the outside bar area. There, tables are first come first serve.

Favorite Dish: Everyone raves about the tubular taco. I also loved grilled fish tacos.

Hula Hut is such a great restaurant with a wonderfully gaudy interior in an even more wonderful location. Imagine hula girl dolls, fishing poles, fake palm trees, etc. as the decor inside. However, the restaurant is right on Lake Austin, which is a very pretty location. There are boats parked right outside the restaurant, as well as plenty of real palm trees. If the weather's nice, try to get a seat outside by the lake. It's really a nice view. The food isn't bad, either. Locals go there all the time. It can be crowded, though, so prepare to wait. Anyway, back to the food. It's mostly Tex-Mex with a sprinkling of items with Hawaiian influences. You'll see a Hawaiian inspired sauce here and a pineapple covered dish there in the midst of fruity mixed drinks. It's actually an interesting combination, but surprisingly, it seems to work on this menu. I was just disappointed that no real traditional Hawaiian items were available on this menu. I think they should serve poi alongside those enchiladas (or "tubular tacos"). Or maybe not...

Favorite Dish: I had some sort of Hawaiian chicken that was pretty good. However, my friend had a spinach and shrimp Tubular Taco that was pretty amazing. It's good stuff.

Situated on Lake Austin, Hula Hut has a nice patio/deck area where you can sit outside and enjoy the waterfront. The food is good. I had no complaints. Some good margaritas as well.

Favorite Dish: Diamond Head Salad with angel hair pasta in a Hawaiian Vinaigrette, and a fine margarita on the rocks. The chips and salsa were also very good. Fresh salsa is always a bonus.

Well, if you are looking for a unique location to have dinner in Austin, go ahead and put your name on the waiting list, and get ready to enjoy a wonderful evening. Austin's Hula Hut is a delicious mixture of cultures, as it will remind you of a small surf shop meeting a mexican taco stand. The Pipeline Burrito looks like a surfer's delight, and tastes like a great mexican burrito. The salsa has some mango mixed into it for a tropical taste, but overall you go to the Hula Hut for the view. When I say view, I mean Lake Austin and the boat-bunnies and suntanned guys coming in from a long day at the lake.

Favorite Dish: Pipeline Burrito, chicken and guacamole.

Hula Hut is a must if visiting Austin during the summer. It's always crowded and right on Lake Austin. The food is sort of a surfer twist on Mexican food. For example, give the tubular tacos a shot. The place has a laid back Austin atmosphere, right on the water with great drinks too.
The place is very laid back. Shorts and t-shirt are required! Sit back with a nice margarita and watch the boats come in to dock and come to Hula Hut. You can enjoy a great crowd with great food. Good times with good friends makes for an incredible time.

Favorite Dish: It's difficult to pick out just one item. But I would say that the tubular tacos always hit the spot.

Hula Hut basically sits on a pier on Lake Austin, so it's a great place to be when the weather is nice. The food is phenomenal and relatively inexpensive for the amount they serve. The drinks are great, and very creative. If sitting outside, you can feed the fish tortilla chips. I don't know what kind of fish they are, but they are HUGE.

Favorite Dish: Tubular Tacos or the Hawaiin Fajitas

Hula Hut is located on Lake Travis. You can get there by boat or car. There's a bar and dining available on the pier and on the deck so you can enjoy great food outdoors! It's a very popular hang out for the 20-somethings!

Favorite Dish: Love the Shiner Bock Fajitas