Serendipity Leads the Way

Walking down charmingly funky Rainey Street in Austin, I’m looking forward to lunch at G’Raj Mahal. So is Michael. However, before we even enter their courtyard, a gentleman sitting on the curb looks up and tell us, “They’re closed. Google said they’re open, but they aren’t.” Yep, Google told me that they are open for lunch too. Turning back the way we came, we search for another place to dine. Most signs say closed, then inches from where we are parked, we bump into Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden. Everything about it says—come on in!

Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden

The weather is beautiful today, so we ask to sit outside, and although at this moment the guests are sparse in number, we can’t help but notice that Banger’s can handle a crowd.  A very big crowd. Our host hands us three menus each. Two for beer—they have 207 varieties on tap—and one for food—they have 20 different house-made sausages. My initial perusal of the menu zeros in on Bangers and Mash. I think of England—I love Bangers and Mash, but I order something entirely different.

The Bangers

All I can say is Banger’s has reimagined the humble sausage of my youth—eaten with gusto at the big wooden table on my grandmother’s farm, and the sausages of my adulthood, purchased from the local HEB. Michael’s sandwich of duck sausage garnished with bacon and dried figs plumped in port wine and honey is unimaginably delicious. And I am more than happy with my wild smoked boar sausage with onions, peppers, and bar-b-que sauce. Each of our banger sandwiches is a melange of savory bites touched with a tang of sweetness on a fresh soft roll. The sausages are light, not heavy. The accompaniments— imaginative.

The Sides

Then there are the sides. Our server tells us the side dishes are single servings, but we discover that they are adequate for a couple to share. Jalapeno cream corn calls Michael’s name, especially with the claim that “The onion gratin really takes this bad boy to the next level.” When set before us we discover the onion gratin is a mound of perfectly cooked, crunchy onion rings. I’m in heaven. I am ready to ignore the baked beans made with bar-b-que sauce, jalapenos, pineapple, and ham hocks. But I don’t and am glad that I don’t.

The Beer

And the beer, well there has to be beer to wash it all down.  I wouldn’t want anything else, and I’m not even a beer lover. I’m honestly somewhat ambivalent toward this beverage unless drinking beer with the right food. And Banger’s serves the right food! I take the server’s recommendation of a wheat beer that is smooth, not bitter, and drink the whole thing.  Michael samples two Belgian ales, one from Belgium, one from Texas. The old country wins. Three down 203 to go. I don’t think we can manage the challenge.

But we can try — we will be back.

Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden

Banger’s Sausage House is a casual eatery serving up scratch-made delicious food, craft beer (as well as wine) with a laid-back atmosphere and music on weekends. Check their calendar to see who is playing when, and for possible closures due to private events.

HOURS: Monday – Wednesday 11am – 11pm, Thursday – Saturday 11am – 12am, Sunday 10am – 11pm

ADDRESS:  79, 81, & 81.5 Rainey St., Austin, TX 78701

CONTACT INFORMATION: info@bangersaustin.com, (512) 386-1656