Meet the City Cast Austin Team
There’s a lot to love about Austin. And whether you’re a fifth-generation Austinite or you just got to this taco-and-barbecue capital of the universe, you’re part of this place. Austin is a gem of a city – it’s also politically complicated, insanely hot, and everything’s more expensive than it was 5 minutes ago. It’s also so full of really gifted musicians, of all kinds. Every day, on City Cast Austin, you’ll hear from the team highlighting what makes this beautiful, complex city so wonderfully weird– and how we might make it just a little bit better. Get in touch with us at austin@citycast.fm.
Let's eat here:
We’d start the morning at JuiceLand, my favorite smoothie and juice spot! I seriously go here multiple times a week...lol. I usually grab a Guayusa Shot for energy and either a Paradise Found or Cosmic Charlie smoothie.
I also love Mr. Catfish. I always get the catfish dinner with a salad and seafood gumbo. And I can’t forget Pappadeaux! My go to is the fried catfish with red beans and rice.
And if we’re talking barbecue, Southside Market has been my favorite since I was a kid. We used to go to the original location in Elgin, but now there’s one at The Shops at Arbor Walk. I get the sausage every single time!
Austin is best at:
One thing I think Austin does better than a lot of places is really trying to take care of the people who make this city special. We have HAAM, which helps provide healthcare for local musicians, and the SIMS Foundation, which supports their mental health and wellness. The Austin Live Music Fund puts millions of dollars back into our music community, supporting musicians, promoters and venues. And then there’s DAWA, whose motto is “giving to the givers,” providing support to the artists, creatives and community workers who give so much to Austin.
We call ourselves the Live Music Capital of the World, and I love that we have organizations actually doing the work to take care of the people behind that title.
Best pop culture about Austin:
The CNN Original Series My Happy Place episode featuring Questlove really embodies Austin and the culture that makes this city so special.
In the episode, Questlove explores East Austin with Dr. Javier Wallace, founder of Black Austin Tours, who takes him through the rich history and Black culture that helped shape this part of the city. They stop at East Austin gems like Sam’s Bar-B-Que and Skylark Lounge, formerly Airport Bar & Grill, which served the East Austin community for 30 years. He’s even joined by longtime community leader and entrepreneur Homer Hill, former owner of Catfish Station and now Mr. Catfish.
Fun fact: The Roots actually played at Catfish Station back in 1995, an important stop in the group’s early history in Austin. I love this episode because it doesn’t just show you Austin, it gives you a real feel for the people, history, music and culture that make Austin, Austin.
Becky Fogel
Executive Producer
Let's eat here:
There are so many places I'd take someone to eat in Austin. One is House of Three Gorges for Mapo Tofu. Another is Cuantos Tacos to order one of each taco. Also make sure you have space for a fish taco from Ensenada ATX, which is in the same spot. We're also going to Matt's El Rancho for the Bob Armstrong Dip. We're sinking our teeth into some BBQ from Distant Relatives while having a beer at Meanwhile Brewing. For dessert, we're getting ice cream from Gati Cafe. (I love eating out in Austin.)
A tourist trap in Austin that's actually great:
I have taken so many photos in front of the "I Love You So Much Mural" on South Congress when friends and family visit. It's iconic!
Best pop culture about Austin:
Two Richard Linklater movies top the list for me. There's Dazed and Confused (I'll never get over Ben Affleck being in this movie). The other is Everybody Wants Some!! I can't resist a movie with a bunch of hunky baseball players.
Elissa Castles
Producer
An Austin hidden gem:
Sam's Town Point. Sure, Donn's Depot and The Broken Spoke are great but have you ever had a random dog jump into your lap while Sentimental Family Band plays a set in what feels like a rundown dance hall from the 70's (that might also double as someone's living room)? The floor's a little slanted, the lights are kept low, and the drinks are cheap. Sam's isn't trying to be anything other than what it is: a longtime local spot where you can take a twirl on the dance floor or tap your foot from a table in the back. Bonus: There's free pool.
Let's eat here:
We just finished a swim at Barton Springs or Deep Eddy and I'm taking you to Sno Beach. I'm ordering a small tiger's blood with cream and asking for bites of your sour grape. If we're still hungry after our sugar and ice appetizer, we're getting Turkish Delite sandwiches from Thundercloud.
A hometown hero:
Molly Ivins was a tall, fiery, award-winning journalist best known for her humorous and unrelenting commentary on Texas politics. She elbowed her way into many a good ol' boy club and eventually became co-editor of The Texas Observer. She was fearless, bold and sliced her critics with her razor sharp wit. Her social circle included Texas legends like Ann Richards, Bob Bullock and Willie Nelson. Though she was raised in Houston, Ivins spent her later years in Austin and I believe really helped to shape Austin's reputation as a free-thinking blue dot in a deep red state. If you haven't seen the Molly Ivins documentary "Raise Hell"--stop what you're doing and watch it!
Kelsey Bradshaw
Newsletter Editor
An Austin hidden gem:
Austin Creative Reuse. I'll never miss an opportunity to promote this place. It's a craft thrift store! I bring leftover fabric from my sewing projects here, but they have everything including yarn, school supplies, beads, tiles, paint, and more. Prices are close to garage sale prices!
A hometown hero:
KXAN Meteorologist Jim Spencer is one of my favorite people in Austin. Maybe you don't watch TV news anymore, but you should tune in for Jim. He's an old school weather fanatic and I trust his forecasts.
Best pop culture about Austin:
"911 Lonestar" is a hilariously bad take on Austin. If you're looking for a laugh, this is it!
Forrest Milburn
Audience Development Manager
An Austin hidden gem:
Austin Camera and Imaging! It's my favorite place to buy film and get my film photos developed. And they give great tips for folks like me just starting my film photography journey.
A hometown hero:
Brigitte Bandit. She's a drag performer in Austin who is really involved in activism at the local and state level, which in this resurgence of anti-LGBTQ attitudes, we need more like her.
The Austin tourist trap that's actually great:
I actually really like Taco Deli. The creamy salsa verde is my fav.
Dawn Weston
Senior Account Executive
An Austin hidden gem:
Let's eat here:
Thai Fresh and I'd order the Thai beef jerky with sticky rice, Tom Kha and an Iced Thai Coffee.
A hometown hero:
Meme (Mi-Mi) Styles is a data activist, community strategist, and founder of Measure, where she helps communities shape the future of data and AI through equity, lived experience, and human-centered research. Her work is redefining how technology can better serve people.