“The restaurant is a throwback to what you remember Austin being in the 60s and 70s — laid-back, very casual,” says owner Freddie Nelson. It’s also at the heart of what is still best about Austin dining, with its sublime patio, simple made-from-scratch grub, and the extra touches that make each meal more than just an opportunity to refuel.

Something seems to be happening at Freddie’s just about every night of the week, whether it’s live music on the outdoor stage, Tuesday movie night, a Sunday afternoon doggie trick contest, or a free brisket happy hour (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, “6 pm ‘til it runs out”). All of this is “just for fun,” Nelson says. “When your dog can sit under the table while you eat, it’s not just dining out; it’s an entertaining experience.”

Nelson knows plenty about casual family-oriented restaurants, thanks to the ten others he has built and operated over the years. His past ventures include several Souper Salads around the state, an ice cream shop in San Antonio, and Hickory Street Bar & Grille downtown, which he sold a while back. He opened Freddie’s Place in December 2004 and is now a one-restaurant guy.

The spot’s creekside setting drew Nelson to the location, which, over the years, has been everything from a tavern to a Chinese restaurant. However, “none of the previous tenants took advantage of this beautiful setting,” he says. To fully showcase the great outdoors, Nelson added the patio and windows in the back and constructed the space so that “the inside and the outside communicate,” with back doors that stay open most of the time and seating that graduates downward to the stage from inside to out.

With its festive atmosphere and backyard charm, Freddie’s Place is a natural choice for parties. The restaurant has hosted many holiday bashes, rehearsal dinners, and wedding receptions, and, at press time, had its first wedding ceremony on the calendar for Novem-
ber 25. While Nelson has rented out the entire restaurant on only one occasion, he will happily devote sections of the large space to private groups. “It’s a great place to have a party,” Nelson says. “The setting with the huge old oak trees is without peer in Austin.” That’s even true during the winter, when a central pit holds an ongoing bonfire, and heaters keep outlying tables warm.

Thanks to its abundance of ambiance, Freddie’s Place could draw a crowd with even mediocre food. But the homemade grub is tasty and satisfying, with big, juicy burgers (or garden burgers) and onion rings that are hand-breaded, never frozen. The creamy spinach dip is a popular party appetizer and a full bar, including frozen margaritas, keeps the good times flowing.

Ultimately, when you take an unparalleled outdoor setting, down-home cooking, and an owner who knows both Austin and the restaurant business backwards and forwards, you’re bound to have a hit. That’s the case with Freddie’s Place, where any occasion, whether it’s an official soiree or not, seems at least a little bit like a party.

QUICK INFO - FREDDIE’S PLACE
Location: 1703 S. 1st Street
Phone: 512.445.9197
Type: Homestyle
Parking: Lot
Kid Friendly: Yes
Suggested Order: The Banana Fire Burger