john2's Profile
St. Patrick's Day Austin
Recently moving to Austin from OKC where we have spent St. Patty's Day in Kansas City for several years - which by the way, is one of the top St. Patricks Day celebrations in the country, we want to have some scrumptous corned beef and cabbage today - Even just a good corned beef sandwich.
The type of sandwich that they serve at Kahn's in Houston. Any suggestions?
Best Pizza in Austin?
Being a native of Wichita, KS - the home of Pizza Hut - I originally thought that there was nothing better - well not so! -
To our pleasant surprise after moving to Austin in November, we found Austin Pizza Garden @ 6266 Hwy 290 West. It is in an old rustic stone building with a lot of charm and super friendly wait staff.
There are 24 varieties on their menu - but have only had the #2 Colossus - All very fresh ingredients and TONS of the best tasting italian sausage I have ever tasted. Their med. @ $13.86 is more than enough for two of us. Sauce is mild with just enough to make it flavorful. Crispy thin crust with a nutty flavor. Fri & Sat. can be a long wait.
Added their house salad Sat. night and again was enough for two.
New To Austin
We jjust moved to Austin from OKC and are anxious to search out the local fare first.
Where can I get things like good chicken fried steak, fried chicken, and mexican.
Open to all suggestions
Austin, Galveston, Houston for Labor Day week
We live in Oklahoma City but have been traveling to Galveston for several years and are planning to semi retire there early next year and cannot wait to explore more of the local fare. We were there in April and explored many of the local haunts. A diamond in the rough is Leon's Best In and Out BBQ.
We have great bbq here but Leon has us beat. Awesome ribs and sides. Small place but able to dine in. Don't forget the sweet potato pie (enough for 2) homemade by his sister. Also received a lot of local raves about the Diner. Of course, Gaidos shrimp salad is a must. Had the broiled red snapper topped with lump crab and garlic butter sauce was absolutely delicious. When asked about dessert, we told the waiter we had a piece of pecan from Leons. He gave us theirs for comparison. Leons beat it hands down.
Italian in KC
Spending Labor Day weekend in KC and want to search out more Italian restaurants.
Have been to Lydia's and Cascones on Oak Traf. Way. (Both would highly recommend) Lived in KC 30 yrs ago and remember great place downtown called Gaitanos (sp) but figured they are long gone. Any suggestions for locally owned type fare?
For breakfast, we love First Watch in Westport area. The turkey eggs benedict keeps us going back.
Week in Galveston
Wow! Thanks for all the good info. We had burgers at the Spot last visit and feel we may miss the bikers since we will be there during the week.
We will definitely check out Leons.
Week in Galveston
We are spending several days in Galveston April 20-23. Always go to Gaidos for lunch for dinner. Ready to try some of the local fare, i.e. diner, soul, mexican. Try to avoid the chain stuff. Any recommendations?
Mexican food in Wichita
Went to Felipe Jrs. last time - but found it bland. Any of the old places still alive or anything new for mexican
Oklahoma City best restaurants
I have recently given Ted's Escondido - NW 68th St. east of May Ave. my approval of good local Tex-Mex. Lots of local flare. If you want awesome Mexcian - Try Los Cobas in Jenks along Riverwalk. Excellent New Mexico flare.
Leo's on Kelly Ave. is great as well as County Line.
KC Blues on Britton Rd. is very affordable and consistently good.
Jimmy's Egg cannot be beat for a good breakfast. Like all of the locations.
My favorites is the one on May North of Memorial as well as the one on
Classen. Also try Classen Grille if you don't mind the long wait.
New Years Day In OKC
My partner & I want to try some place new for New Years Day. Tired of all the chains we have here. Any suggestions?
New to Wichita Area
Welcome to the midwest. Even tho I have not lived in the area for about 15years (OKC now), I still travel the Wichita area to see family. If you want to experience the true culture of the area, you need to take the short drive over to Yoder - An Amish community which will take you way back in time. The restaurant there is to the best homemade foods in the country. And the pies are something else. Usually 25-30 different kinds. I think the name is the Yoder Cafe.
What do Chowhounds do for a living (besides eat of course)?
My consensus is that we're all not a a bunch of rich snobbies looking for the most elite, most expensive, and best place to be seen restaurant, but instead people who genuinely enjoy good food and the multiple ways it can be prepared and served.
As a young salesman in the 70's traveling though the midwest I was always searching out the best local food which was usually the most economical. I would find these awesome "Diamond in the Rough" out of the way spots in the most remote areas and started keeping a journal of the places and the types of food and the preparation.
I then took a men's cooking class at the local power & light co. and began to experience a whole new world of food. Since then I have had some type of dinner goup to share food, wine, and stories of great places to eat.
I have learned that there is so much more to just eating to fill you hunger, but eating to fill your soul.
Good food in Glorieta, NM?
We remember Renate's and her great potato salad. We will be in Santa Fe on Fri. 6/15 and wanting to pack a lunch to take to family in Abiquiu. Any place besides the Eldorado market to get her potato salad.
Also any recommendations for dinner on 6/15?
Alternatives to pan frying bacon
my sister who is a dietician put me onto cooking bacon in the oven. I will never fry it again.
Set the oven at 325 degrees. Lay bacon on heavy cookie sheet with rim. I do turn it sometimes to speed up the process, but you will have perfect bacon without all the shrinkage of frying everytime. It takes about 20 minutes depending on thickness.
Always check it along the way.
Where did my sauce go wrong?
I have found that it is best to put the shallots, etc in first and let them get some of the flavor first then add the wine, reduce the heat after it cooks down, add lemon juice, etc.
then put the butter in last as all it needs to do is melt into the saue.
Kitchen gadget must is a whisk for any type of sauce making.
