For migas, a common Tex-Mex dish that has roots in Spanish cuisine, pieces of crunchy tortilla chips are cooked in butter or oil with scrambled eggs, onion, tomato, chile pepper, cheese, and some sort of salsa. Popular for breakfast—and especially ideal for hangovers—migas are usually served with tortillas and refried beans. It’s similar to Mexico’s chilaquiles, only with eggs and more cheese. And it's a must-eat when in Austin.
Where: Migas is another of those dishes found all over Austin, for which every local will surely have a different favorite. Ours was from Tamale House East (1707 E 6th St., map), the last remaining restaurant of a small, family-owned local chain that's been around for decades. Many recommended these migas to us.
When: Wed, 9am-3pm; Thu-Sat, 9am-midnight; Sun, 9am-4pm
Order: Served with two flour tortillas, refried beans, and a pillow of black-pepper-flecked potatoes, the made-fresh-to-order migas ($10) here are incredibly creamy and moist, though the tortillas manage to maintain their crunch—an addictively tasty combination of flavors and textures. (Please note that a takeout container is pictured.) The breakfast tacos, especially when spiced up by TH’s house-made hot sauce, are also quite good. Flour and wheat tortillas are available.
Alternatively: If you prefer a drier type of migas, try those at Magnolia Café (two locations including 1920 S. Congress Ave., map), where breakfast is served 24 hours—the dish is quite cheesy there and offered as regular and “Love migas,” made with a garlic-serrano butter—or the 24-hour Kerbey Lane Café (multiple locations including 3003 S. Lamar Blvd., map), where you can add the excellent queso to your migas. We also hear they’re great at Enchiladas y Mas (1911 W. Anderson Ln., map), especially with the addition of chorizo, and at divey Amaya’s Taco Village (5804 N. IH-35, map). Migas are truly everywhere in this town—explore around to find your own favorite.