Since first opening in 1976, Waterloo Ice House has been an Austin fixture for live music, beer, and down-home Texas cooking. The classic cheeseburger is cooked to order and served with all the fixin’s. Opt for crispy, nicely battered onion rings rather than the scorched fries. A pulled pork sandwich is substantial and pretty with pickled purple cabbage, but the meat is dry and the barbecue sauce tastes bottled. We prefer Waterloo’s chicken ranch soft tacos, which sport flavorful grilled chicken, bacon slices, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and spicy Tabasco ranch dressing. It’s hardly a revelation, but the flavors all work in passable harmony. There are several kids’ meals to choose from, but price-wise they are a bit steep.

What really sets Waterloo apart is the service. Servers come outside to let you know that your food is ready. The manager frequently stops by tables to make sure guests are happy and to talk to children. A three-year-old dumps a glass of water all over himself, begins to scream, and starts stripping right there at the table—and the manager simply brings out some nice, distracting Blue Bell with the check. There are certainly places in town with better food and lower prices, but if you are trying to dine with mercurial children, Waterloo is one of the best bets in Austin.