Yes, Tres Agaves was another one that had me baffled by Bauer's good reviews at the time.

This place was bad even when Kuleto owned it. I was there within the first year of opening and it was everything was less than mediocre. Bauer seems to have a thing for Kuleto’s restaurants. The lunches I’ve had at Water Bar were just as bad, yet he put that in the top 100 a few years back as well.

I ate there last week and thought the lobster roll was really good, meat was sweet and rich, roll was very buttered and nicely griddled. My only criticism is that I wished there was a little more meat on it (I feel the same way about Wise Sons' pastrami sandwich), but the flavor was great. I think the Old Port Lobster Shack heaps it on a little more. Also tried the Manhattan clam/crab chowder but it was a little bland, lacking in clammy brininess, the taste I had of the lobster bisque seemed a better option. Definitely better than the roll at the Woodhouse Fish Co. which I found watery and not particularly fresh tasting. As noted the chips are thick and home made. Menu is limited, they don't have all those fried options that are available at the Old Port. Setting is much nicer than the Old Port strip mall as well.

When I was at Mozza about three years ago the clam pie was regular size and priced roughly the same as other pies. When went last year I found it mildly irksome that the clam pie was now a "pizzette" so we had to order two for a group of four to have a decent taste.

Too bad, I only got to try them once but thought they were the best in the Bay Area. Although purchasing them was too much of a hassle to make them a regular thing.

Right the 23 will drop you right in front, or the 36 Teresita will drop you one block down if you are coming from the Glen Park BART, just get off where it makes the turn at Foerster.

Thanks for the specific recommendations, you're starting to make me think I should dine in next time as I've had no luck with take out.

Hmmm. The Lucky River is an enigma to me. I've gotten takeout from there at least 20 times over the 8 years I've lived in the neighborhood and it has always been mediocre at best, and generally less than mediocre.
But I've never eaten inside and when I've been picking up my order I've seen large family style plates of food being hauled upstairs that looked better than anything I've ever been served. Also they do a regular business with Chinese construction workers, families and postal workers (it always amuses me to see eight mail trucks lined up along the hill on Gennessee every Saturday) and I've read a couple Chowhound reports of some gems among the menu. So there are indications of good food to be had, but personally I have been unable to crack the code and swore off the place about a year ago.

Excellent, thanks Melanie.

This weekend I tried to order take-out from Creekside Villa (formerly T&T Seafood) on Monterey Blvd., right across from the Lucky River, but no one answered the phone. When I went out later I looked in and saw a change of ownership sign posted and a closed for renovations note.

Then tonight when I got home from work there were men installing a red and yellow awning proclaiming "Shanghai Dumpling King", that looks just like the sign over the one in the Outer Richmond.

Could this be my lucky day? Does anyone know if this is related to the SDK in the outer Richmond, or better yet related to the original SDK owners?

My wife and I had lunch there yesterday and I wore a suit with no tie and did not feel overdressed. One of the men at the 4-top behind us was wearing dark jeans with a dark blue blazer and did not look underdressed. So no they wont turn you away with jeans, but I wouldn't feel comfortable in faded and/or tattered jeans.

Actually there were 5-6 boats selling crabs, one advertising $6/lb, so although I didn't check with all of them it seemd to be the going rate. I agree though that it seemed expensive, its more than I've ever paid off the boats. They were delicious and had a lot of meat, I'm making crab cakes for lunch with the leftovers.

I just bought 3 off the Irene Marie in the harbor at Half Moon Bay, just under 2 lbs each, $6 per lb. All lively in the bag but one seems to have died about an hour after I got back to SF. Makes me wonder how long some are kept on the boats.

First, thanks to everyone for their advice and tips, although we didn’t get to all the places we had planned, we still left Austin 10 lbs heavier and in need of a Lipitor infusion, so had a great time and will definitely return.

OK first night we decided to hit Salt Lick to get our feet wet BBQ wise. I have to say, it was a great way to start the trip. We sat outside with our cooler full of beer on a gorgeous warm night listening to the band while our 5 year old ran around and danced - instantly relaxing. We got the brisket (burnt ends please), pork ribs, turkey, pecan pie and peach cobbler. While certainly not the best BBQ in Austin, all was good and better than anything you’ll find in San Francisco (I actually thought their turkey was better than Franklin). Good potato salad, pecan pie and cobbler were just OK, sauce was mustardy/vinegary, almost like a North Carolina style, which I liked. I would almost call this an obligatory stop for someone that’s never been to Austin, jut for the scene as a whole.

The next morning we arrived at J. Mueller about 10:45 and had after short wait, ordered almost everything on offer. We had an ordering plan and I sent my wife up while my daughter and I took pictures of the giant Texas flag and checked out the food-cart-court across the street, but they kept giving my wife samples, so we ended up ordering almost everything. We had brisket, pork shoulder, pork ribs, sausage and the short rib that weighed something close to 1.5 lbs. The meats are really extraordinary, particularly the coarse ground sausage with a super snappy casing and the brisket. The short rib, my wife’s favorite, really deserves its own category for heart-attacky over the top richness – this was something along the lines of foie gras in terms of decadence, super moist, meaty and enough for about 3 people. The sides were decent, chipotle slaw, beans (tasting mostly of garlic salt) and baked squash that was more like mac-n-cheese with squash standing in for the pasta, so can’t complain about that. The sauce tasted of tomatoes and BBQ drippings, more of a rich broth than a sauce. J. Mueller is putting out some great BBQ. Despite the foodie notoriety, being a pit master is no glamorous occupation as we watched Mr. Mueller trek back and forth between the hot smoker and the counter with pounds after pound of meat, but his efforts are certainly appreciated. (BTW we did not eat all the BBQ but brought most back for our hosts and ourselves to chow on later – even that beef bone was enjoyed for days by their 3 dogs, so money well spent)

We hit up Gordough’s Donuts across the street for the ODB and the Flying Pig. These were OK and certainly fill the sweet tooth craving, but really did nothing to dispel my general ambivalence about food trucks. The menu seems to put cleverness over high quality ingredients– basic packaged bacon, packaged coconut, etc.

For dinner we took jwynne2000’s recommendation had has enchiladas at El Alma. We were lucky to hit happy hour, so half priced empanadas and $5 margaritas. I had the duck enchiladas with mole and my wife had the vegetarian with a verde sauce – both very good. It was real treat to sit on the patio as the sun went down sipping margaritas and (again) be able to dine outside.

Friday a.m. we made the pilgrimage to Franklin, arriving about 9:15 which put us about No. 15 in line. We were prepared with fold up chairs, a cooler and magazines, and I held down the fort while my wife and little one found some coffee nearby. By 10:00 the line stretched to the end of the parking lot below. I would say that waiting in line at Franklin is another obligatory stop for a first time Austin visitor. If you know its going to be 2 hours the wait is not bad and the time really flew by talking to the friendly college students and people watching. A taxi van pulled up and 8 frat boys sitting on the floor of the van rolled out and immediately began tossing the football, several people alternated between sips of Shiner Bock and coffee and one woman had a 3 month old baby about to get his fist taste (or at least smell) of some of the finest BBQ I’ve had the pleasure to eat. The whole thing felt like trying to get tickets for a Grateful Dead show or something. When we bellied up to the counter we, again, ordered most everything on the menu. We split the Tipsy Texan sandwich as kind of an appetizer, then each got a 2 meat plate, mine with ribs and brisket and hers with turkey and brisket. We also got a 1/2 pound each of brisket and pulled pork to take home for our hosts, as well as a pecan pie and a Big Red (must be an acquired taste, since 3 of us couldn’t finish one). Its all been said before I guess, so I’ll just say that the brisket is a work of art, but everything was great from the ribs to the pulled pork to the sides to the pecan pie. The beans are cooked with a bunch of brisket and were several steps above either J. Mueller or Salt Lick and the potato salad had a healthy portion of pickles which worked well to balance the richness of the meat. Only the Turkey didn’t wow me (I thought Salt Lick’s was juicier and smokier), but overall this is a first rate operation. All the sauces were good, but I liked the tomatoey one the best as the acid cut the fatty BBQ.

Yes, we had dinner after all that BBQ. Black Star Coop Brewery was great. I had a couple sour beers and an IPA, both really interesting and well made. The menu reads like pub fare but everything is done a cut above. I would never have ordered the fried jalapenos, but they were pickled first and fried in a tempura batter, just excellent. Fish and chip also expertly prepared, tempura beer batter and unique way of cutting the fries – long but thin and wide if that makes sense. We also got a wedge salad that was good, but a little too much oregano overwhelmed the dressing. The location is a little incongruous with the co-op buss your own table-no-tipping vibe of the place – we sat outside on the patio almost on top of the highway and across from a bunch of strip mall chain stress. Would definitely go back.

Saturday we got some good iced-brewed coffee at Progress, then hit up the farmer’s market where we came upon the Cake & Spoon stand that I recognized from the pecan pie package at Franklin, so we had to buy a pecan pie and a chocolate cake thing for after dinner later. Strangely, the pecan pie from the stand wasn’t half as good as the one we bought at Franklin (but the chocolate cake was excellent).
We had familial obligations to meet for an early dinner/late lunch at Hopdoddy burgers, as some of the crew were catching the UT/Baylor game later (quite extraordinary to see ¾ of the city all wearing Texas Longhorn shirts). Hopdoddy was good – I had the prime time, would probably get the truffle oil aioli on the side next time. It reminded me of Umami Burger, but cheaper and with a better beer and milkshake selection.

So didn’t make it to Contigo, Barley Swine, La Fruta Feliz or Los Pinos – we just couldn’t see eating indoors with such fine weather. Next time.

Yes, flying out tomorrow morning and very excited to start feasting. Thanks to all the Austin hounds for the advice. One last question, looks like J. Mueller also runs out of BBQ at a certain point, is there any estimated cut-off time I should get there by?

Sounds like I'll need a couple weeks to check out all that Austin has to offer. San Francisco is in the middle of a food truck boom and not to lump them all together, but overall I haven't been too impressed. I've found them to be hit or miss, with smallish portions for the price (excluding the original Mexican taco trucks - Tonayense still has the best carnitas and lengua tacos in SF). I thought the food truck/cart scene up in Portland was better. Having said that, I do like the looks of the East Side King menu so will check it out if we can. Thanks for the advice on Luling & Salt Lick, might hold off and see what happens on the last night in town, our gorging schedule is filling up.

Great, thanks for the taco and posole recommendation, La Fruta Feliz sounds right up my alley. I meant to ask about coffee and as someone who drinks iced coffeee daily despite San Francisco's foggy chill Progress sound good.

.Oh thanks, we're staying at my wife's aunt’s on Westminster Glen Avenue - don't know the name of the neighborhood.
Re: Franklins – I was planning to sit in line while my wife grabbed coffee and breakfast. If I get there at 9:00 will I be OK (or is Thursday any less crowded than Friday). I’m happy to get in line at 8:00 to avoid any potential disappointment, as I don’t know when we’ll get back to Austin.
I was looking at Barley Swine, menu sounds interesting, but worried about the wait, but if we eat early I imagine the wait isn’t as bad,
Re: Takobo – I liked the look of the outdoor space and was thinking It’d be a good place to treat our hosts for dinner, but if we can get in then Barley Swine does sound more appealing.
But where to get Tex Mex? I had Chuy’s about 12 years ago in Houston but really have no memory of it and I’m reading mixed to negative reviews here.

Me, wife and 5 year old are coming to Austin October 17th-21 from San Francisco, a BBQ wasteland, looking for unique to Austin eats and, of course fine BBQ. We have car so open to travel for great food. SF is the land of burritos and has various quality regional Mexican cuisines, but really no Tex-Mex or breakfast tacos, so aside from BBQ we’re interested in those (and anything else we can’t get in SF). We’d also like to take advantage of the weather and eat outdoors when possible. Any advice/critique is appreciated. Also, is the Salt Lick the equivalent of Fisherman’s Wharf or worth the trip for the atmosphere? Someone this board recommended ordering brisket /burnt ends, turkey and baby back ribs if we end up there – but the menu doesn’t show baby backs or specifically “burnt ends”, do we just request them when ordering the brisket? Friday dinner I’m thinking about taking a break from BBQ and would like to try some unique brews, but my wife doesn’t drink, so is there a brew-pub with good food (I like the looks of the Fish-n-Chips at Black Star Co-Op) that would allow my indulgence (and allow children – we’ll likely be there early evening). Tentative schedule is as follows. Thanks in advance for any input.

Wednesday
Dinner: Takoba
Lick ice cream for dessert

Thursday
Breakfast: El Tacorrido - breakfast tacos and coffee; or Torchy’s
Lunch: J. Mueller BBQ
Donuts at Gourdough’s
Dinner: Contigo

Friday
Lunch: Franklin’s BBQ
Dinner: Black Star Co-op Brewery or Hoppdoddy Burgers

Saturday: Maybe head to Lockhart for Blacks or Luling City Market? Salt Lick for Dinner? Maudie’s?

Sunday: Noble Pig Sandwiches in a.m. before airport?

Thanks, I'll probably go that route - order from the menu and have them come up with a pairing.

I have a reservation at Acquerello for my 45th B-day. I have never been before and despite a Michelin star, this palace seems to have flown under my radar. With a 2 year old we don't get out as much as we used to, so I'd like a decadent sort of meal with wine pairing for this occasion. My favorite of this sort has been at the Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton, but having been there a few times I'd like to try someplace new.

So, should i go to Acqerello and if so should I get the tasting menu. From the website, the dishes that are not on the tasting menu actually seem more interesting to me. Any experiences here? Thanks

Oh thanks. What a terrible tease, you have to see and smell the Q but can't really indulge.

My wife talked me into going up to the Fairfield Tomato Festival this weekend based on the lure of getting my Q fix via the West Coast BBQ Championship taking place at the festival (not that I don't love in season tomatoes). I emailed the BBQ Championship and was told that they can't sell their Q, but that a "non profit will vending samples". With that vague answer I'm assuming aI wont be able to fully gorge myself on BBQ as I've done at the Best of the West Nugget rib cook-off.

Has anyone been to this festival before? Are there other interesting eats there or should I just be happy to get out of the SF fog for a night?

My wife just bought four extremely lively 2-pounders off one of the boats in Half Moon Bay. $5 per pound.

Well I've never had the lamb-gyro or the fig so I can't vouch for them. The nettle, margherita, potato have all been good.

I tried Gialina when it first opened and was disappointed - I think A16 has the best piza in the area, mainly due to the wood oven. But since I live in the neighborhood I've been back to Gialina recently and I have to say the pizza is much improved since their early days. I've been there 2-3 times in the last 2 months, and they've been consistently really good - I like the crust much better now. The wild nettle pizza is amazing. If you haven't been recently you might be surprised at how good it is.

Its OK. I've been 2-3 times when I've had a largish group with kids and didn't have a reso - so its good for that. The seaweed salad is really god and I thought the fried oysters were good - I went to Nick's Cove 2 days before my last time at Pacific Catch and the fried oysters were inedible (and the entire meal was also wholly medicore at twice the prices of Pacific Catch) . Fish and chips just OK. Coconut shrimp are not worth ordering. Basic sushi is generic/bland but generous.

The best place for fresh live crab by far is off the boats at Half Moon Bay. We bought some the Sunday before New Years and they were amazingly delicate and sweet. just bring a cooler to get them home. They were $4.50/lb, and the seafood shop in town was selling them for $7.99/lb. You can get them live in shops but you never know how long they've been in those tanks.

The last couple of times I was there they allowed you to purchase 2 bottles per person - I guess it depends on the time of year. So bring a couple people with you that aren't interested in purcahsing and you could get their bottles. I've always found Rafanelli to be nice enough - just low key, not outgoing, but not rude or anything.

K&L has the best overall selection and pricing. the Jug shop has a great selection of Austalian and new Zealand wines, but the service is pretty weak and the prices are average.