Austin's "Dirty But Delicious" Restaurants

Texas Chili Parlor has been serving bowls of red on Lavaca Street since 1976. It's the kind of place where state legislators rub elbows with construction workers, where the neon beer signs have been there since Reagan was president, and where the chili—especially the XXX hot—is the stuff of legend.

Health score: 79. Average over multiple inspections: 81.5.

Is anyone surprised? This is a dive bar that happens to serve food, and it wears that identity proudly. The Frito pie is still excellent. The enchiladas still hit. The atmosphere is still pure old Austin. A 79 isn't going to change anyone's mind about a place they've been going to for decades.

Justine's Brasserie scores 79, and you know what? It almost feels appropriate. This isn't a sterile fine-dining temple—it's a French brasserie in a converted house where the vibe is "romantic, slightly chaotic, and open until midnight." The escargot swimming in garlic butter probably isn't cooked in a NASA clean room, but it's still some of the best in Austin.

Kerbey Lane's Westlake location sits at 74—which is eyebrow-raising for a breakfast spot, but the gingerbread pancakes remain legendary. The Central location on actual Kerbey Lane scores 90, proving that your mileage may vary depending on which location you visit.

These are places that trade on atmosphere and history as much as food. The slight grubbiness is part of the charm. A pristine health score would almost feel wrong.

Hula Hut has one of the best patios in Austin—right on Lake Austin, with views that justify whatever you're paying for mediocre Tex-Mex. It's a tourist trap, and everyone knows it. But Austinites still go because sometimes you want to drink a frozen margarita while watching boats go by.

One location scored 70. The other: 84. That 14-point gap between locations is worth knowing if you're choosing where to sit.

The Oasis—that massive multilevel restaurant overlooking Lake Travis that's famous for sunsets—comes in at 84. Again, nobody's going for the food. But if you ARE eating there, at least the score isn't dismal.

Here's the thing about this list: every single one of these restaurants has passed inspection. A 79 isn't a failing grade. It means issues were found—temperature problems, labeling issues, cleaning that needs attention—but nothing that poses an immediate health risk.

Some of Austin's most beloved spots are on this list, and they're beloved for good reason. The food is genuinely great. The experiences are memorable. The history matters.

We're not telling you to avoid these places. We're telling you to go in with your eyes open. If you're the type who needs a 95+ to feel comfortable, this list isn't for you. But if you understand that great food sometimes comes from imperfect kitchens—and that a dive bar probably isn't going to score like a hospital cafeteria—then eat up.