AUSTIN FOOD TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Taste & Sounds of the Chitlin Circuit: East Austin’s Living Archive of Music and Food
A three-hour, fully guided walking experience through East Austin that traces the Chitlin Circuit’s music legacy while sampling Black foodways and visiting sites such as the George Washington Carver Museum.
Taste & Sounds of the Chitlin Circuit: East Austin’s Living Archive of Music and Food.
This intimate, adult-only walk through East Austin stitches together music, memory, and bold Southern flavors. Led by Black Austin Tours, the Taste & Sounds of the Chitlin Circuit tour moves from an opening tasting at Community Vegan through historic churches, murals, and cultural markers before finishing with a full brunch or dinner that ties the neighborhood’s culinary traditions to its performance history.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Appetizers and an Introduction at Community Vegan
The tour opens at Community Vegan with flavorful appetizers and a framing conversation about the Chitlin Circuit and African American foodways—setting the cultural and culinary context for the walk that follows.
Sacred Sound and Gospel Roots at Metropolitan AME Church
A stop at one of Austin’s oldest Black churches highlights how spirituals and gospel shaped the rhythms that influenced generations of local and touring musicians central to the Chitlin Circuit story.
Markers of a Cultural Corridor: Murals, Museums, and the Victory Grill
Walk past the Rhapsody Mural and other East 11th Street markers, visit iconic sites when available—such as the George Washington Carver Museum—and conclude at a historic Chitlin Circuit venue turned dining room, where history meets a full entree and dessert.
What the day feels like
What the experience feels like
You move at an easy walking pace for two-and-a-half to three hours, alternating brief tastings and interpretive stops with storytelling about East Austin’s role in the Chitlin Circuit. The route threads through sacred spaces, public murals that recall East 11th Street’s heyday, and cultural institutions; depending on the edition, the experience culminates with a full brunch at Hillside Farmacy or a dinner at the Historic Victory Grill.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this tour suits—and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The walking experience runs approximately 2.5–3 hours.
The tour meets at Community Vegan, 1124 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702.
Bring weather-appropriate clothing and gear (umbrella, raincoat, boots) in case of inclement weather; avoid carrying valuables and do not leave valuables in your car.
Brunch and dinner editions are offered; cocktails are available for purchase but alcohol is not included. Vegan and vegetarian choices are provided, and other dietary needs may be arranged with advance notice.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The walking tour runs approximately 2.5–3 hours.
Where do we meet?
The tour meets at Community Vegan, 1124 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702.
Is this suitable for children?
This is an adult-only experience.
Are there vegetarian or vegan options?
Vegan and vegetarian options are available; the operator may accommodate other dietary requirements with advanced notice.
What should I bring?
Bring appropriate clothing and gear for inclement weather (umbrella, raincoat, boots), and avoid bringing valuables; do not leave valuables in your car.
Will we visit the George Washington Carver Museum?
The tour may include visits to the George Washington Carver Museum or Ebenezer Baptist Church depending on day and timing.