A New Yorker’s Guide to Nostalgic NYC Food in Austin
Story by Julia Oppenheim // @joppenheim_ // pronouns: she/her
Photos by Kelly Kim // @nayoungkelly // pronouns: she/her
Coming from New York, I have had experience with tons of unique foods, cuisines from all around the world, and one-of-a-kind dining experiences. Now that I’m a student at The University of Texas at Austin, the food scene seems intimidating; I have the bravery, hungry belly, and foodie perspective, but where do I start? Austin is home to some of the best barbecue, Tex-Mex, and creative desserts, so competing with that is a challenge I'm willing to take on. Especially in search of something that makes me feel a little closer to home.
Adjusting to college is always a challenge, but after quarantining with your family for over two months, and then transitioning to college life over 1,000 miles from home, adjusting seems harder than before. Whenever homesickness takes hold, food is always comforting.
There is no better way to feel like you’re back in NYC than pizza and bagels. Something about the water in New York makes replicating an authentic “New York slice” almost impossible. But whatever that New York magic is, Home Slice Pizza on South Congress has cracked the code.
Home Slice Pizza is known to replicate the thin yet crispy crust, gooey, stringy cheese, and fresh tomato sauce that every New Yorker knows and loves. The crust is foldable, making it easy to scarf down in a few bites and take on the go. That salty mozzarella cheese pull satisfies every craving and makes the perfect Instagram “food porn” post. Home Slice Pizza also does a great job at capturing the true essence of New York with its wire neon light signs, outdoor seating with red and white checkered tablecloths, and classic old fashioned flair. The long line that winds around the corner symbolizes Home Slice Pizza’s popularity and gets almost as crowded as the bustling streets of New York City.
On the other hand, bagels are the perfect pick-me-up for whenever one is feeling homesick, a little hungover, or just to get through the current craziness of the world. Nervous Charlie’s is the closest thing an out-of-stater will get to a NY bagel. Settled on North Lamar Street, they currently do take-out and outdoor dining on a first come, first serve basis. Nervous Charlie’s offers a plethora of choices, ranging from a classic everything bagel to cinnamon raisin, all the way to jalapeño cheddar. To add a New York flare, they offer flavorful cream cheeses such as scallion, roasted garlic & herb, and honey walnut.
“My friends and I are from New York and love going to Nervous Charlie’s during exam weeks,” said Jordy Love, a communication and leadership freshman at the University of Texas at Austin.
“The friendly staff and delicious bagels help us get through. My go-to order is the bagel with lox, which has scallion cream cheese, red onions and capers. It’s the perfect sandwich to make me smile and feel a little closer to home.”
Although the bagels are not a replica of New York staples like Tal Bagels, Ess-a-Bagel, or Russ & Daughters, they still hit the spot.
“I get homesick here and there, especially during the pandemic,” Love said.
“One of my favorite activities to get out of a homesick slump is to pick up a nice salad or grain bowl from Honest Mary’s, Flower Child or CAVA and bring it to Zilker Park for a picnic … reminds me of my family’s weekend trips to New York City. We always sat in Central Park and enjoyed the fresh air.”
One final spot in Austin that curbs homesickness is Uchi. Undoubtedly on the pricier side, it is still super authentic and delicious. It’s similar to the infamous Nobu, since it’s a fine-dining Japanese restaurant. They offer small plates, sushi samplings and chef specialties such as the Short Rib Roll. It combines the restaurant’s Japanese flair with Austin’s favorite barbecue flavors.
Being away from home is challenging, but Austin has many unique options to keep the homesickness at bay. From a classic slice to a fresh salad bowl, there is something to bring you just a little bit closer to home.
