First....March/April is my very favorite time of year to visit the Lady Bird Johnson Gardens.
A large number of our native wildflowers should be in bloom (we are having an early spring so don't hold me to that schedule
and that means one thing for Texas mama's....time to dress the kids in their best Sunday clothes and pose them in the Bluebonnets (state flower) and snap a few pix.
Hopping the garden walls for a photo op is discouraged but there will be someone local handing out maps to a few safe (and free ;-) fields within driving distance if you have the urge.
@Norcalbaker59 mentioned Lucy's and I am gonna second that.
There is not one thing on the menu I have not tried and not one dish I wouldn't order again (if you want to try something but have no one brave enuf to share it with ask for a half order).
Esp partial to the Chicken Fried Steak (if you are lucky it will be on the blackboard with the other specials of the day) ... the Burn-It Bowl (at the Burnet road location /img/vbsmilies/smilies/wink.gif) is another favorite.
Homemade mashers topped with sweet corn and shredded chix with a generous ladling of cream gravy studded with the house made chorizo.....pure comfort in a bowl.
Great pie as well....altho I ask mine be boxed up to enjoy at the hotel later..or take along to enjoy after walking off lunch...there are picnic tables and park benches dotting the trails at LBJ Gardens.
You will hear Franklin's BBQ is the best in town (and it is very good...that's what got him a Beard award) but the lines are usually long and not really kid friendly.
With Texas enjoying a BBQ renaissance there are many contenders for second place as well as third and fourth.
Check out Texas Monthly (online) for their yearly "best" article and go from there (we like Salt Lick but County Line smokes a rib roast to perfection so it just depends).
If you are planning a picnic stop by Rudy's for a couple of pints of their creamed corn casserole...I am not enamored of their meat but that one side dish is a must have every time I am in the neighborhood....
I love me some TexMex and when in town (even just driving thru) I ALWAYS make a stop at Rosie's Tamale House.
The best cheese enchiladas (ask for extra red gravy and chopped onions) to be had outside of my own kitchen lol.
The chalupas are everything they should be as well.
Corn tortillas fried to order (fresh and crunchy, never greasy) and heaped with whatever you like, I always have at least one that includes a stewed chicken concoction (also can be had in enchiladas topped with a tomatillo gravy and sour cream...perfection) with the usual lettuce tomato and fresh avocado wedges on top (ask for a few lime wedges ...the freshly squeezed juice adds a nice hit of sunshine).
Yum.
There you have the trifecta of Texas must haves but don't even think the offerings stop there...ask around...the natives are friendly and talkative and always ready to share (whether it be directions or just a smile).
mimi