My icons

The Chronicle's running a contest to pick Austin's icons.

Here are my top ten (most iconic at the beginning).  I've excluded natural features like Barton Springs and Mount Bonnell, and landmarks like the Capitol, UT clocktower, and the Congress Street bridge.  I.e., my list is limited to privately-owned businesses or buildings.

1. The Driskill
2. The Salt Lick (does Driftwood count?)
3. The Broken Spoke
4. Alamo Drafthouse (all of them)
5. Maria's Taco Xpress
6. Saxon pub
7. Frost Bank Building
8. Hill's Cafe
9. The Paramount
10. Whole Foods

Comments

[Robbie]

Good list. Hard to object to any of them.

I'd try to find spots on my list for: RunTex, the Canoe rental place down on Town Lake, and The Texas Chili Parlor.

[M1EK]

I find it more interesting to come up with a list of "Icons We Hate". For me, the aforementioned Texas Chili Parlor is way up there thanks to their evil, selfish, opposition to the 2000 light rail plan.

[Klobetime]

Continental Club, Posse East, Scholtz Garden, and Chuy's should all be in the discussion as well.

[AC]

For my list or M1EK's?

Chuy's of course busted the Bush girls for underage drinking in 2001 or whenever. I guess it'd be on the Dems' list of "Icons We Love" and the GOP list of "Icons We Hate."

[DSK]

I'd leave off Hill's Cafe and include a smaller live music & beer venue, like the Little Longhorn or similar.

[AC]

Which reminds me I have should have included ACL.

M1IK's right, a list of "icons we hate" would be more interesting. I just don't have enough bile to come up with 10.