playground | A is for Austin

The other day we decided to attend a board games Meetup in North Austin at the Silver Grill Cafe. Our goal was a geek-happy afternoon playing games like Settlers of Catan and Carcassonne. But what we found in the process was a great little cafe with low prices and delicious home-style food (including my new favorite, Migas!)

We got to chat with one of the restaurant’s two owners, Rehan Awan, while we ate. He told us the restaurant had been open for about 2 years, and that he had been involved in the restaurant industry for years. Their goal at Silver Grill, he said, was to make sure guests got food they loved in a place they were happy to be. He succeeded on both counts with us. From the large servings of fresh food to the all-you-want salsa and jalapeno bar (Yeah! A place that doesn’t charge extra for jalapenos!), we feasted until game time.

Mr. Awan said that several Meetup groups have chosen his place for their events. The large open floor plan and affordable food certainly made it seem like a natural to me. We had about 20-30 game players eating and playing board games in the restaurant, and it never felt crowded or noisy.

The restaurant also has a patio for al fresco dining and a large play set for younger diners to run off energy until the food is ready.

Restaurants typically offer younger diners crayons or maybe a page or two of puzzles. But Freddie’s has a better choice…a whole play structure within the restaurant’s outdoor dining area.

And when we went, the youngest patrons were taking full advantage it while their parents relaxed at nearby tables. But the charm of Freddie’s Place doesn’t stop with the small fry.

Pets are welcome to dine with their people in the spacious outdoor area, and big bowls of water are provided for the canines as soon as diner’s are seated. The backyard picnic feel of the space, complete with purple picnic tables and strings of big colorful lights made me feel at home and comfortable as soon as we arrived. And the witty sayings on signs and waitstaff shirts (one read “Freddie’s: Home of good-looking beer and ice-cold waitresses”) make it fun to look around. Live music adds the final Austin touch to the place. There’s even an open mic night on Wednesdays, in case you’re feeling like showing off your own talent.

And then there’s the food. Did I forget to mention the food? Frito Pie with layers of beefy chili, cheese, jalapenos and more. Hand-cut fries. And a veggie burger made in Freddie’s kitchen from hummus. (It was delicious!) The menu is as casual and comforting as the setting — no fancy fixings or complex dishes. Freddie’s keeps it simple — and from the crowd enjoying dinner on the night we went, simple is just right.