Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar

"Available from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, the South Lamar Asian smokehouse’s happy hour menu comes with discounted foods, like the caramelized onion brisket cheeseburger, smoked chicken wings, and pulled pork tostadas, alongside $5 frozen cocktails, yuzu spritzes, beer, wine, and sake. North Austinites can also rejoice in a similar happy hour at the new Domain Northside location from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m." - Darcie Duttweiler

"The Zilker pan-Asian-ish Texas smokehouse restaurant in the South Lamar neighborhood is a good crowd-pleasing destination — after all, it’s led by Uchi’s Tyson Cole and Franklin Barbecue’s Aaron Franklin. There’s brisket served with a chile gastrique (that’s restaurant speak for a sweet-and-sour sauce), smoked turkey breast with yuzu chutney, and rice bowls alongside nice frozens. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are Uber Eats deliveries; and there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas." - Nadia Chaudhury

"An Asian smokehouse restaurant in Texas, a collaboration between Hai Hospitality and Austin pitmaster Aaron Franklin." - Nadia Chaudhury

"A neighborhood spot known for exciting flavors in familiar dishes and a refreshed drink menu." - Nadia Chaudhury

"Loro is an indoor/outdoor restaurant on South Lamar that looks a bit like a camp dining hall—minus the hair-netted cook and plus a large, partially covered patio. You don’t need to make a reservation or spend hours in line to eat here. However, there’s still usually a bit of a wait for a seat, which is the perfect amount of time to drink a frozen cocktail while you look over the menu of Asian-influenced barbecue. With lots of large tables, both inside and out, Loro is a great choice for a casual birthday hang." - nicolai mccrary, raphael brion