Roaring Fork

Great food and atmosphere!
Well prepared with a great view of the river. A «Half Ass» burgher was great without being too much! Try the tacos!
Very small portion but presentation and quality was excellent!

This is my favorite place to eat in downtown! My boyfriend and I like to come here on special occasions (it can be pricey). Our service has always been great. We love their jalepeno cornbread and green chile mac! I would love to try their brunch sometime, I bet it’s amazing as well!

I am going to keep this simple: The food was divine. We started with the Kettle of Green Chili Pork with hot buttered four tortillas and loved it. I ordered a steak (16 ounce) and it was mouth-​watering delicious. I had fries as well, but didn’t touch them until my steak was gone, as I couldn’t pull myself away from it. My wife ordered an 8 ounce steak with crab and some kind of sauce on top. She couldn’t stop raving about it! She rarely finishes her meal, but was happy to devour it all. Oh, and the cornbread muffins they bring out at the beginning were wonderful as well, but I wish we had been given more. :)
My only complaint, and reason for 4 rather than 5 stars, is the service. We like our space when eating, however, our waiter was gone for longer than normal periods of times. When he was around, he seemed very aloof. He also forgot to tell us the specials. When we asked for them, he read them off of a card without any enthusiasm. Usually waiters want you to feel like the specials are, well, special! That being said, the gentleman the kept filling our water, as well as the gentleman who actually brought out our food, were both great, the latter being extremely friendly (we wished he was our server).

I was highly disappointed. When I dined here a few years ago, I remember it being good. Maybe my memory deceived me, because choosing to eat here last night was a mistake. On both my part and RF’s incompetent kitchen. The food wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t good, and the dishes were not served as described.
I put in a large order, as follows:
Iceberg BLT — I only got two crumbs of bacon. Yes, crumbs. Like, they ran out of bacon, found a few little tiny scraps left in the corner of the pan, and threw it on my «BLT» — BACON, lettuce, and tomato — salad. For a salad with an emphasis on bacon, it should come with bacon! The iceberg was limp and kind of soggy, not crisp and fresh.
Chicken Waldorf Salad — it was pretty much missing everything that was supposed to come on it. They left off the grapes, dates, and candied walnuts. So basically this salad was made up of cheese & chicken. I was really looking forward to this, as it was my entrée, and was majorly let down. If the menu lists all these items that sound like a perfect salad, it should come with all these items to make the perfect salad! I might as well have ordered a chicken ceasar salad, or at least be charged for such.
Fried Avocado & Crab — The avocado part was good, the crab was mediocre, tasted cheap, and had way too much sauce. Reminiscent of tuna salad.
Rotisserie Chicken Flatbread — The flat bread had nice flavor & good texture, the chicken was okay, but overall it was on the bland side.
Big Ass Burger — The name in this dish doesn’t lie. It is a big ass burger, however, we ordered it well done and the meat was dry. Other than that, it was good. The fries that came with it were cold.
Green Chile Mac ‘n’ Cheese — By far, the best thing we ordered. Rich, flavorful, creamy. There is nothing bad to be said.
Steak Mushrooms — So much flavor! Perfect texture. Juicy.
All in all, I won’t be going back. From the salads missing essentially all of the ingredients listed on the menu, (except for the lettuce), to the lackluster and forgettable appetizers and entrees, it was a waste of time, money, and calories. It really demonstrates just downright sloppy, sloppy, apathetic kitchen work.

Went here for Sunday brunch with my family. I loved the atmosphere. The service was excellent! I had the Honey Dipped Fried Chicken. Savory and filling. Judging from my family’s reaction of their dishes, you really can’t go wrong with any selection on the menu.

The place is very nice and slightly fancy. There’s very nice outdoor seating for when the weather is nice as well. Most of the food had huge portions so that made up for the price of the food. The food was actually good and full of flavor. I got the spinach Waldorf salad with spinach. It has so many toppings and is more on the sweeter side. The staff was overall very friendly even during busy lunch time.

Food was great and the price was fair. The steak i had was a fair cut and they had a great wine selection. I also had a greens salad that was done perfect.

Even though the first time we went the customer service experience was less than great, the food made up for it. We decided to give brunch a shot, and disappointingly this time the food was the issue.
I love, love, love brunch meals with smoked salmon, so when I saw their smoked salmon benedict I jumped on that. Much to my surprise, disappointment, and slight disgust the salmon was not at all what I expected. I understand that it is made in house, but it was thick and fatty. Most of what was on my plate was a gelatinous residue surrounded by small chunks of salmon, I got queasy just poking it with my fork (In all reality, they should forewarn people who order this that it’s nothing liked the thinly sliced and creamy smoked salmon you expect).
Our waitress came around and I apologized wholeheartedly but said I simply couldn’t eat my meal and wanted to know if I could order the wood fired frittata instead. She obliged and brought me my new meal once it was finished, after this though she never asked how anything was again. She avoided us like the plague for some time, probably thinking I was just being nit picky and didn’t want to bother with us. An older woman who looked like a supervisor assisted us when we wanted to order mimosas because our waitress was not around.
The frittata was OK, nothing to boast about, it was very plain tasting. My bf ordered the beef tenderloin benedict which was also just alright, not worth $ 17 honestly.
Overall I’d say I’m pretty unimpressed with the Roaring Fork, lots of other businesses with much better food and service around.

The service has always been top notch. This was
My third time at the restaurant but second time at this location. The view is fantastic during sunset and the bar has great drinks and view of the lake. Go here if you like great comfort food and a good time with someone special.

I’ve come here for brunch and happy hour — loved it each time!
Sunday Brunch: Get the bananas foster french toast or honey-​dipped fried chicken and biscuits & gravy
Happy hour: Fried avocado with crab, guacamole&chips, Big ass burger, Iceberg BLT
No matter what you order, get the green chile mac and cheese. It’s delicious and incredibly addicting!

Roaring fork, what can I say about you that others have not?
My initial visit many moons ago I was greeted with my then boyfriend by a snooty hostess who asked if we had reservations. We did not, she huffed, rolled her eyes at us but sat us down immediately. I’m not sure what that attitude was but if there’s space at tables it shouldn’t offend that we didn’t make reservations. Yikes.
Second visit, we made reservations with friends, showed up and saw it was happy hour. Had some drinks made at the bar while we waited for our table to open. The drinks and specials during HH are great and I can see why many folks love to come. Can’t be beat. Mac n cheese is amazing here and I love it so so much. I’ve gotten their pork chop loin before but didn’t really like how it paired with this odd spicy apple sauce thinking it was mashed potatoes.
They have amazing menu specials that change during the seasonal times, the cornbread they give you is so tasty. Being seated closest to the window to get a view of the quarry is just wonderful so I highly recommend that.
One thing I caution is during peak hours their parking lot is a nightmare! May I suggest to folks who can’t avoid that to drive beyond the beaten track and pass the trees and shrubbery to the roundabout and there you will find more parking for the folks who work in the office spaces in proximity? That’s what I do now rather than fight my way through zipping through their cluster mess of a parking lot.
For HH, you’ll make a fine choice going to Roaring Fork!

I was in the NW Austin area working a convention and picked this spot for dinner. My friend and I quickly scanned the photos and made our reservations for the night. I’m glad we made our reservations since the place was packed on a Wednesday evening.
The place was buzzing with a lively after-​work crowd that provided an upbeat vibe. We were promptly seated upon arrival in an adjacent booth next to the bar. We made ourselves comfortable and soaked in the trendy atmosphere.
We ordered…
Mussels and Chorizo:
Traditional mussels served in a nontraditional Texas Chili inspired broth with Texas Toast for dipping (yum… buttery toast) and spicy chorizo thrown into the mix. This was very interesting and my friend and I enjoyed this very much.
Fried Avocado with Crab:
I loved this combo. I’m a sucker for everything avocado. It was crazy good. The avocado was perfectly warm with a light breading (picture provided) and topped with a dollop of crab. Yum. Yum. Yum.
Big Ass Burger:
My friend and I split the burger at our waiter’s recommendation. It certainly lived up to its name and was as ‘Big Ass’ as they claimed it to be. The burger was juicy, filling and cooked just right with a fresh buttery bun. It came with shoestring fries that were perfectly crisp and nicely seasoned. I really enjoyed the peppered bacon and would order this again. I like big burgers and I cannot lie…
The service was attentive and we really enjoyed the creative and eclectic menu. This is clearly a trendy restaurant with great food to boot. I will come back the next time I’m visiting Austin.
Hot Tip: Sit outside on the patio and enjoy the views of the lake (weather permitting) and make reservations.
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We had dinner last night. I had the Teriyaki BBQ Salmon on a cedar plank which was delicious. The Teriyaki was not too strong, not to bland. Green beans on the side were yummy too.
My wife and daughter shared a rib eye steak: delicious, tender, well cooked. My daughter had a chicken salad with apples that we all had to try because it was delicious.
Areas of improvement: The server could be a bit more attentive, especially considering how dark the lighting is in the restaurant at night. We expected warm bread like at most steakhouses and baked potatoes which are missing from the menu, but I get it, it is a slightly different concept.
The price on Unilocal should be three $ — the steak alone was $ 45. It is worth it, just inaccurate in the listing.
We plan to come back, maybe at a time we can hang out in the patio with a view of the lake.

Went here for a work happy hour the other day and can’t wait to go back for a date. The setting on the back patio on the water is so romantic and peaceful. However it does get pretty bumpin during the happy hour.
The white white they suggested was perfect. I had 3 glasses lol. I also tried the makers mark lemonade with fresh berries. It was good but a little to sweet for me.
The appetizers on the happy menus were good but almost everything had meat in it which was a bummer for me. However the fried avocado and crab was amazing as well as the chips and guacamole.
The mussel plate was huge and u could pick the meat out.
I will definitely be going back and trying more of the entire dinner menus.
However the staff was pretty bitchy from the hostess to the waitresses (we had 3).

I love it when I am pleasantly surprised. I went to Roaring Fork with only moderate expectations. It is part of a corporate chain and after the disappointment that was last week’s dining experience (at a restaurant not worth mentioning), I just wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did.
My daughter and I sat at one of the booths in the bar area. The restaurant is large and was very full on this Wednesday evening. It took a bit for someone to appear and when he did, sadly, he had forgotten to bring his personality with him. Maybe this was his personality and he should have brought someone else’s? He greeted us with a very half-​hearted hello and asked us if we wanted a margarita or other bar beverage to drink. Although he was looking at my 17 year-​old daughter when he said it, I am going to assume he was talking to me.
My daughter had the bacon wrapped pork loin, which comes with cheese grits and street corn. She subbed out the grits for mashed potatoes for no extra charge. I ordered the tortilla soup and the green chile pork with tortillas, both off of the appetizer menu.
The bacon wrapped pork was flavorful, but ever so slightly over cooked. The street corn, which is served somewhat as a garnish was tasty and added some really nice flavor to the dish. I would imagine the cheese grits would have been a better side than the mashed potatoes, but my daughter likes what she likes, I guess.
The tortilla soup was a very pleasant surprise. The broth is made from tortillas and chicken and has a sort of posole-​like taste and texture. The presentation was also delightful as the bowl is served with a stack of chicken covered in sliced avocado and tortilla strips, then the server adds the broth table side. I loved this soup and have already scouted recipes for it online.
The green chile pork is served in a little cast iron pot and covered in rich, melty cheese. It is served with a stack of hot flour tortillas, which unfortunately taste mass produced, but we’re still good with the tender, flavorful pork. I almost ordered the lamb fondue, but am glad I didn’t as I was completely stuffed!
The restaurant has a nice, intimate atmosphere despite its large size. The dim glow of overhead lights and warm leather seating creates a homey, yet romantic feel. I will definitely be back, but I may avoid the apathetic server we had tonight. The only other issue is the lack of adequate parking.

The mussels were very good. The Angus steak was excellent. The atmosphere was very quiet and conducive to great conversation. The wine was excellent. The blackened trout was excellent. Be prepared to pay for excellence…

With all the new restaurants in town it is nice sometimes to visit an oldie but a goody. This Roaring Fork is my favorite as it backs up to Quarry Lake. When you walked in the door you are greeted with a view of their wood burning oven and the incredible smells that come from steaks & flatbreads cooked to order.
Their happy hour is excellent. I take advantage of the $ 2 off wine by the glass but they also discount margaritas which start at $ 5.50, specialty cocktails like the French 75 for $ 5, $ 5 house wines and $ 3 drafts. Off the happy hour menu I recommend the brightly flavored guacamole, savory green chili pork served in a kettle and the tortillas soup with rotisserie chicken. Their «big ass» burger which is $ 10 is a crowd favorite. When I feel like splurging I will order the cedar plank salmon which is wood oven roasted with Teriyaki BBQ.
On my most recent visit I indulged in their special which was a seared tuna on top of Yukon mashed potatoes and Brussels with a soy gravy like sauce. It was incredible!
When the weather is nice find a table on the outdoor patio facing the lake.

Hey Y’all! This is the best restaurant in Austin & maybe even in Texas!
The Honey Dipped Fried Chicken, Biscuits & Jalapeño-​Bacon Gravy is the Winner, Winner-​Winner Chicken Dinner! The Queso Con Puerco & Guacamole with fresh Chips & the Pride of Roaring Fork is their Heavenly Chocolate Pecan Pie with vanilla ice cream and whip cream. The Fried Chicken & Pecan Pie were both THE BEST I’ve ever had! The bad part-​the fried chicken & pecan pie were so good it will ruin it for every other place I will ever go!

I normally try to avoid restaurant chains, but Roaring Fork is the exception. Plus I don’t feel too bad cause two of their locations are in Austin and the other is in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Either way, I used to come here a lot with a group of friends for Happy Hour and recently started coming back for their dinners. Their drinks are nice and strong (just how I like em!) and their meals are superb! I generally go for their salads, particularly the Waldorf. It’s great by itself or you can replace the chicken for salmon to take it up a notch (a waitress suggested that once, and I’ve been doing it ever since).
For appetizers, try the fried avocado, crab bites or the flat bread pizza. Their steaks and «big ass burger» are meat eaters’ delights. And don’t leave without trying their crème brulee! It’s a pretty generous amount, so it’s great for sharing.
In addition to good food, the service is spot on!

Classy atmosphere, friendly & attentive staff, great view of the lake, great food, great drinks & atmosphere.
Dusty was my bartender (and another nice gentleman, unfortunately I do not remember his name!) and he was just lovely… He kept me company since I was probably the first person there for Happy Hour lol I had the orange mojito which was delicious and he also made me a strawberry mojito that was not on the menu. I also had the lemon drop martini (an old fave) and ordered some spicy nachos… yum…
I’d love to go back for the food which friends say is delicious. I had a great time chatting with the staff and looking out at the view.
Roaring Fork has been on my list for awhile now and I pass by it every day on my way to work… So glad I finally stopped by! :)