Clara Wang

Jan 10, 2025 | theinfatuation.com | Clara Wang

On a dusty lot off U.S. 79, La Patrona is a Mexican trailer serving remarkably fresh seafood under covered outdoor seating. You pick your raw protein—fish, shrimp, or squid—and build a ceviche or aguachile with housemade sauces of varying spice levels (we recommend mango habanero). While waiting for your order, take a gander at the rest of the little businesses on the lot. Need work uniforms and western wear? There's a casita next door with boots hanging outside.

Jan 10, 2025 | theinfatuation.com | Clara Wang

When you walk into Little Mama’s—one of the few Filipino spots in the Austin area—many Filipino customers will tell you that the food is made exactly how their mom used to do it. Filipino food tends to value function over form. If you think stir-fried ham and shrimp, dark-sauced pork stews, and unusually colored jelly desserts don't look appetizing, know that appearances can be deceiving.

Jan 10, 2025 | theinfatuation.com | Clara Wang

Paige’s is an adorable downtown Round Rock haven for sugar, spice, and everything nice. The bakery, which was featured on Food Network’s Cake Hunter, specializes in exquisitely crafted cakes of all kinds. There’s plenty of cafe-style seating in the brightly colored space that's painted in various patterns like a wrapping-paper sampler. Sip on an iced coffee from the counter and ooo and ahh over the incredible attention to detail in each of Paige’s pastries.

Jan 10, 2025 | theinfatuation.com | Clara Wang

Palermo Pasta House serves fresh, handmade pasta and thin-crust pizzas with lots of flavor and no pretension. The white stone building located in the middle of Round Rock's downtown strip is always buzzing with tourists and repeat customers downing reasonably priced plates of bucatini, taglierini, and fettuccine. Pick your pasta type and select from a variety of red and cream sauces, or go for a hearty baked dish—the lasagna is fantastic—paired with something off their impressive wine list.

Jan 10, 2025 | theinfatuation.com | Clara Wang

Subham Chettinad Grill lives up to its lengthy name. This is where you go for pizza-size dosas, a large array of curried and fried vegetables and proteins, soft idlys, and many other South Indian specialities. The smell of toasting masala jolts you right as you walk through the strip-mall doors. Happy families fold their paper-thin dosas into pockets of masalas and chutneys, tear them apart, and dip them into spicy sauces.