Update: Various Topics #1

The purpose of this post will be to provide a brief update on various topics previously shared on this blog. So, let’s get started…

I have a new (to me) tasty drink treat to share – Bacardi Razz (Original Raspberry Rum) and cranberry Juice.  This wonderful combo makes a nice cocktail or delicious chilled shot. The young men at Wahoo’s Fish Tacos – Austin have perfected this outstanding mix. Over the Christmas Holidays I was introduced to a new (to me) beer – Czechvar (Premium Czech Lager). Very tasty and way too easy to drink. Lastly, I bought and tried a new Austin produced rum – Treaty Oak Platinum Rum. Again, very tasty.

There is a new burger joint in town. We first tried these burgers and fries in the VA/DC area, based on a recommendation from our ACL buddies. Five Guys Burgers and Fries opened in early November and is located on Guadalupe. I recommend the burgers, cajun fries, and the bacon-cheese dog. Lastly, it was sad to hear that Mars (restaurant) on South Congress has closed. It is our understanding that a seafood restaurant will take over the location. If this is true, then I hope they serve a variety of oysters on the half-shell; it could make for a fun Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

Renewed our love for La Zona Rosa and live music by going to hear The Sounds and the Black and White Years – Great show… Tons of fun… Already have tickets for Susan Tedeschi and James Hunter on February 7, and we are even thinking we may need to consider Adele on March 12 (I know, I know she is one of the many UK divas that have disappointed us by not showing-up at ACL, but something tells me she will deliver the goods on March 12).

Also renewed our love for the Mean Eyed Cat for drinking cold draft beer. Went to the Barton Springs Saloon for the first time. It was an interesting visit. Huge biker looking dude walks up to the bartender and asks for a shot and a beer. After consuming both drinks, the huge dude asks the bartender to please call the police because he has outstanding warrants and wants to turn himself in. So the bartender calls and a petite female officer arrives. The officer talks to the huge dude, calls-in on the warrants, calls for back-up, and puts the cuffs on the big man. The whole time this was happening, the huge dude was compliant, courteous, and even laughed a little when he was cuffed. Big man must have needed a place to sleep. Went to Nasty’s for the first time. We heard Bear and the Essentials, the Horton Brothers, and Benny and the Fly by Niters. Good drinks… great music… good times…

I know I said this post would be brief, but I have two last topics for future posts. 1) I feel bad I did not write a post about/before the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar.  I love this event and will write something next year around October-November (cool crafty crap, drinks, and live music). 2) I also need to share my thoughts on a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Austin, TX, especially if Monday is a holiday.

Okay, that’s it… I’m done for now… Please be safe bringing in the new year…

As always, comments are welcome…

I knew this was a bad idea… I’m hungry now…

I like to eat, and I feel lucky to have access to so many great places in Austin that serve tasty food. The following list (with links) provides a nice sampling of my favorite places:

Breakfast

Kerbey Lane Cafe – great breakfast, expect to wait

Magnolia Cafe – great breakfast, expect to wait

Katz’s – good breakfast, big menu – great sandwiches too

Manny Hattan’s – tasty, good quality, many choices – great lunch and cheese cake too

Comfort/Home Cooking

Hoover’s - unbelievably good, great desserts too

Threadgill’s – great food and music – home of the chicken fried steak

Burgers

Mighty Fine – Burgers, Fries, and Shakes  – Currently my favorite – no beer

Huts – the standard by which all burger joints are judged – huge onion rings

Phil’s Ice House – regular burgers and little baby burgers – beer and wine – very kid friendly

Billy’s on Burnet – great selection of beer too – I hear the veggie frito pie is very good – nice selection of pub grub

Five Guys Burgers and Fries – new joint in town – great burgers, cajun fries, and bacon-cheese dogs – no beer

Casino el Camino – you better be hungry – these are great big burgers – think Texas BIG – great bar too

Frans – the one on South Congress – tasty – great hangover burgers

Doc’s Motorworks – cool outdoor place, good menu choices

Shady Grove – sit under the trees and enjoy, great menu, the queso fries are the real deal

Pizza

Home Slice – simply the best, stopped ordering delivery after tasting this pizza – this is a special place

Reale’s – this is also a great pizza

Mangia Chicago Stuffed Pizza – the double crust pizza stuffed with goodness is great

Mexican

Guero’s – one of my favorite places of all time, great good, tons of choices, great drinks – stay away from the wine

Fonda San Miguel – a wonderful place to celebrate special events in your life

Chuy’s – fun place, great food

BBQ

Rudy’s Country Store – great BBQ, ice cold drinks, that damn cream corn – great breakfast tacos too

There are tons of great BBQ joints across Austin and the surrounding communities.  Ranking BBQ is a state sport, and I’m not packed for a BBQ discussion.  I don’t eat that much BBQ because it is so damn good and it has become so difficult to choose between brisket, ribs, chicken, turkey, links (sausage), cole slaw, potato salad, onions, pickles, the sauces, and that damn cream corn from Rudy’s, so we eat it all and way too much and generally need a nap afterwards.

Italian

Vespiao and Enoteca – Vespiao is another nice place to celebrate something special in your life, great food – Enoteca is more comfortable, less formal, great bar

Botticelli’s – new kid on the block – great food – the Italian beef sandwich tastes like my Mom’s recipe

Mandola’s Italian Market – great food, great desserts

Seafood

Perla’s Seafood and Oyster Bar - New on South Congress (in Mars’ space) – great oysters and seafood… cold beer…

Different

Wahoo’s Fish Tacos – I love this place – I could eat there everyday – great healthy food, good beer selection, they serve Pearl Pomegranate Flavored Vodka, Hideous Liqueur, 32oz CB in the paper bag

Cuators – another new kid on the block – fun place that brings the outside in – great beer selection, good fun food – dog friendly

Screaming Goat Tacos y Cerveza – Cool Austin vib… tasty tacos and daily cold beer specials…

Texadelphia Texas Cheesesteak - unbelievably good

Dog & Duck Pub – great beer selection and great pub grub – the best fish and chips

Mother Egan’s Irish Pub – great beer selection, very good food – fun places to sit alone or with friends

Opal Divine’s – fun place, great menu, lots of choices, great beer selection and other drinks

Boomerang’s Pies – not your frozen pot pie – great food – I live on these pies during the Austin City Limits Music Festival

Galaxy Cafe – great food – love eating lunch at this place – get there early parking can be tuff

Ranch 616 – fun place, cool small bar, great creative food – pure Austin vibe

Dessert

Amy’s Ice Cream – invented fun – tasty – an Austin original

Hey Cupcake! – way too cool to describe – wonderfully tasty – they help turn the dial to 11

I will continue to update this post overtime. Please let us know your favorite places to eat in Austin through the comments…