The Mighty Cone Though this truck serves sliders and shakes, its savory Hot & Crunchy cones (pictured, $5) are taking Austin by storm. Each fluffy tortilla shell is filled with deep-fried avocado, chicken or shrimp battered with sesame seeds, almonds, chile flakes and cornflakes. The entire fist-size ordeal is topped off with a slop of mango-jalapeño coleslaw and secret-recipe ancho sauce. W. Monroe St. and S. Congress St.; 512-383-9609 or mightycone.com
La Condesa More Mex than Tex, this newcomer has upgraded traditional botanas with the help of chef Rene Ortiz, the wiz behind NYC taco den La Esquina. Sip on an amber Chihuahua Añejo mezcal ($10) and dig into intricate apps like hongos y huitlacoche ($14)--wild mushrooms with huitlacoche and truffle oil-laced Oaxaca cheese--or a bracing apple-and-crab guacamole ($8). 400 W. Second St.; 512-499-0300 or lacondesaaustin.com
Juan Pelota Cafe Lance Armstrong's new bike shop is home to this tongue-in-cheek café, whose name is slang for "one ball." It serves strong, locally roasted coffee drinks like Ghisallo espresso ($2)--named for the patron saint of cycling--and peachy green-tea smoothies ($5). Fuel up for your big ride with breakfast tacos ($2) and Asian chicken salad ($7) prepared by Sandra Bullock's nearby spot, Walton's. 400 Nueces St.; 512-473-0222 or mellowjohnnys.com
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