Barley Swine was named for chef Bryce Gilmore's love for pork and beer—two menu staples that brought him a big Austin following when he first opened his Odd Duck Farm to Trailer. He quickly outgrew his food truck and expanded the concept to create this little South Lamar small plates gastropub.  Food & Wine named Gilmore one of America's Best New Chefs in 2011, and GQ  named Barley Swine one of the 10 Best New Restaurants in America in 2012, so this no-reservations place is always packed. The atmosphere is unimpressive and ultra-casual—you may share a table with strangers, European-style. It's fun to share and sample the small plates here with friends, so dinner becomes an experience. The menu? Offbeat and ever-changing, with “nose-to-tail” dishes like pig face, goat shoulder, and a foie gras whiskey bacon hefeweizen (beer) doughnut with peanut ice cream. Yes, beer is taken seriously here, so forget wine parings—the brew's the thing. Kind of a hipster hangout, Barley Swine is quintessentially South Austin in style, which means laid-back, despite the sometimes long waits. Barley Swine has cornered most of the buzz in Austin these days, but locals will tell you it's all well-deserved.