You have visitors in town, or your a visitor to Austin yourself, and you have no idea where to eat that isn't just one of the typical chain restaurants you can find anywhere. If you're looking for a so called Austin institution, Shady Grove is it. It is a restaurant that reflects the Austin lifestyle, simple, outdoors, good entertainment, great times, and relaxation.

Shady groves earned its name from its location. It is gently nestled under the shade of a tall pecan grove, which provides great shade from the sun and elements on a hot summer day. While there is seating inside, that's usually not where the Shady Grove clientele chooses to sit. Rather, they choose the expansive patio with a large number of tables, making it easy for anyone to sit outside.

The food is traditional American cuisine with a slight flare: tortilla fried catfish, chili burgers, chicken fried steak, and so much more. Everything is reasonably priced and affordable for college kids, large groups, or just a casual lunch or dinner.

In addition to great food and a relaxing atmosphere, Shady Grove also caters to the entertainment element that Austin is so well known for.

The restaurant features Starlight Theater, which shows films ranging from Hitchcock classics, to old westerns, sci-fi films, and beach movies. What's better than sitting down to a good meal on a great patio under the stars with a big screen playing an old classic film?

If classic movies aren't your thing, they also have the "Unplugged at the Grove" series. Every Thursday night in the Spring and Fall, they have Austin's best musicians out to put on a great live music show. This fits in nicely with Austin's "Live Music Capital of the World" nickname.

Shady Grove already offers so much that there couldn't possibly be more right? Wrong. Not only is there a great porch for you to enjoy, but your pets are also allowed. As long as they are on a leash you can tie them up right outside the fence. You can let them have a little fun while you enjoy a great meal.

Shady Grove is located in Barton Hills. So after you eat you can head over to Zilker Park to throw around a frisbee or play soccer. During Christmas when the Trail of Lights is held in Zilker you can see one of Austin's favorite seasonal attractions.

Shady Grove is not only a cool place to just hang out with friends watching an old flick or listening to great music, but it's also a great place to take visitors from out of town that want to experience a true Austin hangout. Its vibe is indicative of the Austin culture and will be so much fun for any guest you take there. Go enjoy what Austin has to offer. Shady Grove is on that list.

Escapeso realty is a small brokerage assisting clients in the Austin Texas real estate market. They provide a graphical search of the Austin MLS and updated statistics on their blog covering Austin real estate news and events.