ATX Index: Austin on the Cheap (For Out-of-Towners, at Least)

We've got cheap dates, displaced pizzerias, and grim history in today's rundown of Austin links.

Austin on $100 a Weekend: The New York Times’ Frugal Traveler blog shares some recommendations for a semi-affordable weekend in the City of the Violet Crown. Declaring that “Austin has a worldly heft all its own,” the itinerary hues closely to affordable eats and entertainment: Heavy on the food carts, Capital Metro rides, and even a stop at campus mainstay Ken’s Donuts (for a samosa, naturally).

Red House on Hold: One place traveling Yankees won’t be visiting anytime soon is popular Manor Road food and drink purveyor Red House Pizzeria. Eater Austin laments that the establishment has gone ‘on hiatus’ after losing their lease.

The Dark Side of Weird: The new, noirish Travel Channel program “Hidden City” will be showcasing Austin tonight, albeit not in a visitors bureau-approved fashion. The show, which delves into cities dark histories, will apparently be focusing on three crimes that rocked Austin decades ago: those of Celeste Beard, convicted of murder for convincing her female lover to shoot her wealthy husband, Steven Beard; the abduction and murder of atheist activist Madalyn Murray O'Hair; and Charles Whitman’s infamous shooting spree. It airs at 8 p.m. CST.