Major universities are often bordered by areas where students can shop, eat, drink and relax. The University of Texas at Austin is no exception. To the east and northeast of the campus, on Guadalupe Street, is a section known as "The Drag," and though it's a shadow of what it was like in its heyday from the 1970s to the 1990s, it's still a good place to kill a few hours.
Start out underground--literally. Brave New Books at 1904 Guadalupe Street is on the basement level. It specializes in books and DVDs on parapolitics, radical politics and conspiracy theories. There's even a meeting room on the premises where presentations are held.
Chow down on some Asian-style vegetarian fare at the tiny Veggie Heaven at 1914 Guadalupe. A few doors up is St. Austin's Catholic Church at 2010 Guadalupe, the grounds of which also include a school and dormitory.
Cross over to Dobie Center on the southeast corner of Guadalupe and 21st. The bottom two floors comprise Dobie Mall, while everything above that is a dorm called Dobie Tower. Long-standing tenants include Dobie Cinema, an art house, the comic book store Funny Papers and the Vietnamese and Chinese restaurant Hoa Hoa--all at 2025 Guadalupe. On the northeast corner of Guadalupe and 21st, on the University of Texas campus, is the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, one of the finest special collection libraries in the world.
Recross Guadalupe, heading west and on the wall of the building on the northwest corner of Guadalupe and 21st you'll see the "Hi, How are you?" frog, painted by indie musician and critic's darling, Daniel Johnston. Keep going north, to the big green building--the Wooten, and stop in for a haircut at the Wooten Barber Shop at 2106 Guadalupe. Ask for Don. University Baptist at 2130 Guadalupe is best known for its elaborate Churrigueresque facade and the permanent crowd of homeless people who gather around it.
Run quickly past the Church of Scientology at 2200 Guadalupe or one of its adherents will try to talk you into going inside for a personality test. The University Co-op at 2244 Guadalupe has long been the spot where UT students have bought their textbooks, though it's occupied several locations along the Drag over the years.
Go east again over to the Texas Union, the UT student center, which is located between 23rd and 24th Streets and Guadalupe. It features meeting rooms, lounges, a bar, food court, bowling alley and theater. Now go back over to the west side of Guadalupe to the Renaissance Market at 23rd and Guadalupe. This is a small plaza where local craftsmen sell jewelry, tie-die shirts and things of that nature. Large murals cover the walls to the north and south. This is also a popular gathering place for homeless people.
Proceed to Follet's Intellectual Property at 2402 Guadalupe, an academic bookstore and one of the last bookstores of any kind left on a street which was once lined with them. The stencils of musicians on the east facade are evidence of the building's previous occupant, Tower Records, while the mural on the south side of the building testifies to the original occupant, the Varsity Theater. Pipes Plus at 2418 Guadalupe used to be around the corner at the old Bluebonnet Plaza. Now it has a smoke shop upstairs and a hookah bar downstairs.
Tie on the feedbag, because the next stretch of businesses all have to do with food and/or drink. Texadelphia at 2422 Guadalupe is a long-standing sandwich and burger joint. Madam Mam's at 2514 Guadalupe specializes in inexpensive Thai food. The Hole in the Wall at 2538 Guadalupe is a much-loved bar and music venue. Thai Noodles at 2602 Guadalupe, behind the 7-Eleven convenience store is another inexpensive Thai place. Kerbey Lane at 2606 Guadalupe is a 24-hour café with excellent breakfasts. The Texas Showdown Saloon at 2610 Guadalupe is a college bar with darts, pool tables and a loud juke box. Dirty Martin's at 2808 Guadalupe is a burger joint that's been around since the 1920s.
Veer over to the left at 29th and Guadalupe now. On the south side of 29th is the local favorite Conan's Pizza at 603 West 29th, and next to it, Vulcan Video at 609 West 29th. The latter has an excellent selection of art, independent and foreign films. The "Directors' Wall" is beloved by local cinephiles. Now cross over to the northwest corner of 29th and Guadalupe and check out Toy Joy at 2900 Guadalupe. This is the sort of toy store both kids and adults can get into. There's both cute items and kitsch here, and it rather resembles "Pee-Wee's Playhouse." Lovers of quirky used clothes like to prowl at Buffalo Exchange at 2904 Guadalupe.
Walk to the east side of the street. On the northeast corner is Milto's at 2909 Guadalupe, which has some Greek items on the menu, but is mostly a pizzeria. Ruby's Barbeque is next door to the east at 512 West 29th and Spider House, the last of the great Drag coffee houses, is northeast of Ruby's back on 2908 Fruth. It serves coffee, alcohol and light meals and has a pleasant patio. Now retrace your steps and go back to Milto's. Just north of it is I Luv Video at 2915 Guadalupe. It, like Vulcan, has a great selection of art and foreign films--plus it's open until 3am.
Head west again and drop in to Antone's Record Shop at 2928 Guadalupe, which has an astounding collection of blues, soul, R&B, folk and Texas music. Tom's Tabooley at 2928 Guadalupe, #102, specializes in Mediterranean fare, while El Patio at 2938 Guadalupe has been serving up Tex-Mex for generations. Wheatsville Co-op at 3101 Guadalupe on the east side of the street is a small, human-sized grocery store with well-planned produce, meat and beer and wine sections, and every kind of bulk food you can imagine. Finish at Amy's Ice Cream at 3500 Guadalupe on the west side of the street, where the servers put on a show while they prepare your order.
