Is there a special girl that you wouldn’t mind taking on a date? Is there a place that you want to just chill with your friends, yet still eat something a little better than a McChicken?  If so, then maybe you should try Austin Grill.

              Austin Grill is a small restaurant in dowtown Silver Spring that, ironically, often gets overlooked even though it is located smack dab in the middle of a lot of teenagers’ most convenient hang-out spot. It’s right behind the colorful staircase and directly across from ULTA, the make-up shop. Sure, there are plenty of good places to eat downtown, but Austin Grill is one of the few restaurants that has a variety of different foods for decent prices. You can order anything from chicken to pea soup, and all the prices range between $7.99 and $14.00. Appetizers vary depending on what you get but prices are anywhere between $4.00 and $6.00, although “Texas Size” wings are $8. Austin Grill is a hot spot for wings; “NO ONE DOES WINGS LIKE US” says the Austin Grill menu, which draws your attention from the minute you look at it.

            Many people enjoy bacon cheeseburgers from local fast food restaurants such as Five Guys or Wendy’s, but one of Austin Grill’s specialties is burgers. With great excitement and a big smile, Keith Douglas, a boy who was eating at the restaurant, says, “This burger is “like that,” and the bacon is actually real.” The waitress didn’t seem too disappointed to hear that. Something else said to be hot on the menu are their chicken fajitas, served steaming hot with black or pinto beans, sautéed vegetables, melted cheese, and white rice on the side.

            This restaurant would most commonly be chosen for an outing with friends but can very well be used for a cheap date. It isn’t a mushy romantic place with lit candles or white tablecloths, but when you walk in, the lighting is low and the mood is calm. You can also enjoy a live music show on weekends after 5 PM. If you plan on having a family breakfast, lunch, or dinner at Austin, your best bet is to go on a Tuesday, when kids eat free …that is, if you’re looking for a decrease in payment, and have a bratty little brother or sister who is 12 years old or younger.

            Finding a gift for a friend or a family member is no longer a difficult task because Austin Grill has gift cards and Rewards Club cards. These cards allow the people who have them to get discounts or free food. Rewards Club cards are cards that you use every time you buy something, such as a drink, an appetizer, or a meal. The waiter or waitress scans the card and you get a point. After so many points, you get a free meal. You may have seen these cards in other restaurants such as Cosi and Red Lobster.

So, whenever you’re in downtown Silver Spring, instead of running to Chipotle, which many teens seem to eat at once a week, or heading to Chick-Fil-A, stop by Austin Grill and give your taste buds a lil Texas.