Headed to Austin? The University of Texas hosts many large meets year after year. If you live anywhere in the states, you’re bound to end up in Austin at some point in your swimming career.
Traveling can be stressful when it comes to eating out, we got you covered on the where and what to eat when you’re fueling or re-fueling during the meet.
PRO TIP: Order food before you leave the pool and swing by for pickup on your way back to the hotel to get as much rest as possible! Avoid sitting in a restaurant, waiting for your food when you could be resting and recovering.
Sweetgreen
Open 10:30am to 4:00pm
Menu Link: https://www.sweetgreen.com/menu
Online Ordering: YES!
Address
.9 Miles (6min) Away from the Pool
2234 Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78705
Menu Wins:
Chicken Pesto Parm Bowl
With 39g of Protein, 40g of Carbs, and 21g of Fat, this is a great bowl post prelims to get a really great amount of protein, not overdo the fat, and still get an ideal amount of carbs. If you desire extra carbs, add on a side of sweet potatoes for 31g of carbs. You can also add on a slice of focaccia with hummus for 10g of protein and 37g of carbs. Depending on how much food you are looking for, this combo can satisfy any big appetite after prelims.
Chicken Avocado Ranch
Containing 23g of Protein, 59g of Carbs, and 41g of Fat, this is a great option for a less protein heavy bowl. This could be ideal if you have a short turn around between prelims and finals. Still allows for some protein but heavier on the carbs for ideal fuel.
BBQ Chicken Salad
Containing 22g of Protein, 38g of Carbs, and 28g of Fat, this is another great option for a lighter bowl if you have a fast turn around between sessions.
**PRO Tip: Sweetgreen is not open later in the day for dinner. But if you love the options, you can order two bowls, one for lunch and one for dinner. Save the one for dinner in your hotel fridge and heat it up when you get back from finals for a quick meal.
Modern Market
Open 10:00am to 9:00pm, 11:00am to 8:00pm Sa & Su
Menu Link: https://modernmarket.com/42698/menu/lunch-dinner
Online Ordering: YES!
Address
1.7 Miles (8min) Away from the Pool
401 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701
Menu Wins:
Green Goddess Shrimp
With 30g of Protein, 83g of Carbs, and 26g of Fat, this is an awesome bowl for a good amount of time between prelims and finals. It can also be a great meal after finals. Trying to keep fat on the lower side is helpful at meets as it is slow to digest and can make you feel like you have a rock in your belly. The great option you get on this bowl and others at Modern Market is the ability to customize. If you want to remove or swap an item, it’s very simple.
Blackened Chicken Mango
Containing 37g of Protein, 99g of Carbs, and 24g of Fat, this is a great option for a more carb heavy bowl if desired. Mango is a fantastic fruit option full of vitamin c to help support your immune system.
Basil Chicken Sandwich (Whole)
Containing 45g of Protein, 57g of Carbs, and 32g of Fat, this is a fantastic option if you prefer a sandwich over a bowl or salad. If you go with the whole or the half, you can add on extra food with any of their great sides like a mixed green salad, rosemary sweet potato mash, garlic mashed potatoes, or cauliflower rice.
**PRO Tip: Modern Market has many options for the GF swimmer!
Flower Child
Open 11:00am to 9:00pm
Menu Link: https://www.iamaflowerchild.com/locations/austin-tx-downtown/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Organic&utm_campaign=Maps
Online Ordering: YES!
Address
2 Miles (9min) Away from the Pool
500 W 2nd St, Suite 133
Austin, TX 78701
Menu Wins:
Chicken Enchiladas Bowl
Flower Child doesn’t show their nutritional information directly on the menu. But this bowl has it all, protein, carbs, and good fats! Go easy on the beans as they can be very bloating and gassy in your digestive system. If you’re a bean lover just mention you’d like it lighter on the beans.
Flying Avocado Wrap
A homerun for a lunch between sessions. Pair this with one of their amazing side options like steamed brown rice, GF mac & cheese, smashed gold potato, or fresh fruit for a total meal that’s satisfying and light on the digestive system.
Pick a Protein + Two Sides
This option gives you total control over your entire meal. Select a lean protein option like chicken, shrimp, or salmon and add two sides from their amazing options. Try to hit a carb and a veggie for your two options.
**PRO Tip: If you’re looking to feed a family or a small group, the large protein, salad, and side option is a great way to feed many mouths great food.
Flower Child also uses the dirty dozen list to guide their organic food selections. This is a great option for a GF, DF, and/or pesticide conscious swimmer.
Cava
Open 10:45am to 10:00pm
Menu Link: https://cava.com/menu
Online Ordering: YES!
Address
1.4 Miles (7minutes) Away from the Pool
515 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701
Menu Wins:
Build Your Own Grains Bowl
This is a great option for the selective eaters so you can still get the carbs, protein, and fats you need but with the ability to select your own ingredients. Here’s an example of a great bowl between prelims and finals:
Brown Rice or Black Lentils or Rice
Honey Chicken or Grilled Chicken
Sweet Potato
Avocado
Tomato + Cucumber
Crumbled Feta (just a little for flavor)
Small Amount of a Dressing of Choice
Avoid: spicy options, lots of fiber filled veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage – a little of these is ok, too many gives you a LOT of gas)
Chicken & Rice Bowl
Filled with protein from the chicken and the rice. Also contains hummus (a great source of Vitamin B6 and Folate), greens (for that recovery you need), tomato, feta, and tzatziki sauce. Get the sauce on the side so you can add just a small amount. Many sauces are filled with dairy and/or seed oils that can disrupt your digestive system in high amounts. Add a little bit from the side so you can still enjoy the flavor of the sauce. If you desire a little more food, add a side of pita bread from their selection of sides.
**PRO Tip: Cava is open late so you can order online and pickup on your way back to the hotel after finals for a quick refuel so you can get to bed on time!
**FAN PICK** Franklin BBQ
Open 11:00am to 3:00pm
Menu Link: https://franklinbbq.com/menu
Online Ordering: Order in Advance
Address
.9 Miles (5min) Away from the Pool
900 E 11th St
Austin, TX 78702
Swimmers, if you have time after you are done at the meet and can get your hands on some Franklin BBQ, then you’ll complete your trip to Austin with success. This historical staple that is highly sought after in the BBQ world will be a fantastic treat once you are done swimming.
Menu Wins:
EVERYTHING!!
**PRO Tip: Make sure you get there early or order in advance. Franklin will run out of food earlier than the close time.