To function properly, the human body requires a steady stream of nutrients, sunlight, and compliments from other species about its opposable thumbs. Use your bendable digits to provide yourself with nutrients with today’s Groupon: for $8, you get $20 worth of American fare and drinks at Hickory Street Bar & Grill in downtown Austin.

Hickory Street Bar & Grill fosters a sense of weirdness, with a cross-dressing patio-regular who was once a mayoral candidate, a stage for local performers, and an eclectic menu of comfort food. Starters, such as tortilla chips with homemade chili con queso ($3.99) and the summer salad, topped with fresh strawberries, blue cheese and caramelized pecans ($6.99), push diners down a road of culinary satisfaction that leads to a full-meal city. The mushroom, swiss, and onion burger ($7.99) and homemade black-bean burger, topped with mango salsa and sprouts ($6.49) take advantage of the great advances in bun technology. Heartier appetites can fill up on chicken-fried steak paired with mashed potatoes ($9.49), and others can check out the breakfast menu, which compiles omelets, french toast, and breakfast tacos.

Reviews

Hickory Street Bar & Grill was featured on Little Austinite. Though reviewers have mixed opinions on the service, they praise the fare. Eighty-five Yelpers give the restaurant an average of 2.5 stars and Citysearchers give it an average of 3.5 stars.

• There’s nothing pretentious about Hickory Street. It’s as relaxed as it comes, and hubby and I just chilled with our Sunday paper. – Julia, Little Austinite
• The beer is cold and the margaritas are yummy! I go there for the atmosphere. – Chelsea T., Yelp, 11/9/09