Austin Neighborhood Spotlight: Allendale

Allendale is a mid-century neighborhood in north-central Austin with quiet roads, manicured yards, Shoal Creek Greenbelt meandering through its center and large twisted oaks shading the sidewalks. Allendale’s northern boundary is Anderson Lane, to its East Burnet Road, to the South Hancock Drive, MoPac to the West and a large district park right in the center.

The Village Shopping Center on Anderson is home to the Alamo Draft House. Dinner, drinks, and a movie in one spot is great when out with the family. Madam Mam’s for Thai and Korea House for Korean and sushi are two of my favorite Asian spots. Cover 3 prides themselves on great food, service, sports, and their Allendale salad is yum-oh. Hopdoddy, a new Austin favorite for burgers and brews, is opening its second location in the next week. At the corner of Anderson and Burnet Road is Bartlett’s with a great wine list, delicious food and quality service.

This area has great shopping for kids. My daughter has loved Terra Toys since she could walk, The Pumpkin Patch is a wonderful children’s resale shop, and Sandy’s Shoes has the best for kids’ feet and quality toys. Austin’s crafting community can also find beads, fabric, notions, and classes at several locations all along Anderson Lane.

Anderson Lane, also known as furniture row for all its furniture stores, gives you many options from made in America, imported, and modern to classic styles.

Down Burnet Road you can find the new, used and weird at Austin’s Furniture Depot. If you’re looking for a drink, there are several delightful offerings: The Pour House(large outdoor area with large picnic tables, tasty bar food, and an indoor area for the cooler nights), Lala’s Dive Bar(it’s Christmas year round in memorial of the owner’s son and the juke box has all your favorite tunes), The Poodle Dog Lounge(a place for cheap canned beer, indoor smoking and pool tables).  For the early riser on Saturdays, the  6701 Burnet Road Market offers in-season produce and nifty finds at the flea market.  Asahi, located in the Northwest Center (you’ll know it by the blue awnings), is a great little Japanese import store for food, kitchen accessories and gifts. Another gem under the blue awnings is Dragon’s Lair Comics and Fantasy an ideal place for those into comics and role play gaming.

Allendale is a charming neighborhood with a park, a pond and a quaint elementary school at its center, grocery stores at the NW and SE corners,  and surrounded by entertainment, retail, and a multitude of dining options it would be a  lovely place to call home.