I just want to thank you for this. I'm a big fan of road trips, and heading your way is just about tops on my list. I, too, wandered around looking for something tasty and had what the Brits call a 'spot of bother' doing it.

Although it's true that I don't drive up there primarily for the food, it would be nice if the quality of the food even began to approach the quality of the scenery.

A tall order, I know. But this is a huge step in the right direction.

So again, thanks.

I was surprised to read in their blog that The Big Texan will send a limo for you.

Although, James, perhaps Houston might be a bit far....

As for Mr. & Mrs. Birnie, perhaps when they get time, they'll return to Chowhound with a few parting words for us.

Could be a while, though. Since they got back to the UK, it seems they've been pretty busy:

https://www.facebook.com/tanya.gunnin...

(Speaking of the UK, on the blog, they had quite a laugh about one of the waitresses in Chicago [I believe it was] asking if "the UK" was in Russia. I think that waitress must have thought they said they were from "the Ukraine." I mean surely the Chicago schools aren't so bad that folks think the UK is in Russia. Although you never know!)

One of the definitions of a "suburb" is that it's a smaller city within "commuting distance" of a bigger city. A hell of a commute, for sure, but I've known many people that do it.

However...tish tish tosh tosh, beside the point.

Back to the food: as for Gaido's... I definitely think visitors or newcomers should try it. It's legendary, and even if all you want to do is to give your opinion when you return home and folks ask "Did you go to Gaido's?", it's nice to say yes. I've had many excellent meals there and, after all, the last time I looked around back, that Gaido's kitchen is still pumping out food to all the hoity-toity BOIs, so obviously somebody still thinks it's pretty good. The Pelican Club hasn't had to close its door just yet.

The other place I'd recommend is probably Rudy & Paco's.

And, I'm a huge fan of historic hotels, so in case anyone else reading this is, too, I'd recommend for you a drink or coffee or snack at the Tremont House, and at The Galvez. I particularly enjoy walking into that lobby at the Galvez and thinking about my parents honeymooning there some 70+ years ago.

They're absolutely wonderful, as always. My very favorite peaches in the whole world. Sweet, juicy. Perfect.

I used to always plan several trips over to peach country about this time every year. Bought bags full, some to eat right away, of course, but then several bushels to peel and freeze.

So happy that HEB sells them.

I've found them at several HEBs. I guess they're in most, if not all, of the HEBs across the state.

A big day for me. Love it when the Texas peaches arrive at HEB. So tonight, having some with my Blue Bell ice cream.

Makes me durn proud to be a Texan.

I realize this thread is really old. And "Austin" on Chowhound isn't even in "Texas" anymore, as Austin now has a thread all for itsownself, but still.

If any of you Margarita lovers find the current standard concoctions way too sweet, and wonder what the original drink tasted like, you should ask for a Margarita WITHOUT that horrible sweet & sour syrup that the bars all use, unless you tell them not to.

The original drink was tequila, some sort of orange liqueur like Triple Sec or Grand Marnier or Patron Orange, and fresh lime juice. Period. That's it. No sweet & sour. And not frozen. Actually, the classic way is to shake it with ice cubes, and then strain it into the glass, like a martini, but if you don't like your drinks served "straight up," then go ahead and serve it over ice.

Lately, I've been seeing this original Margarita referred to as a "Skinny Margarita."

I do like a good "silver" tequila to make it. Especially without the sweet & sour, you can taste the tequila much better and cheap tequila doesn't work as well.

I get it, of course, but to be honest, it's possible that the cost and difficulty of sourcing those Oscar Mayer hotdogs and ketchup and Wonder Bread in "some remote part of Western China" would justify the $20.

I am too ignorant of the cuisines that you mention to be outraged of my own knowledge, so if I were in Western China, I'd probably be the dummy that was thrilled with my hotdog, ketchup and Wonder Bread, not knowing any better.

And frankly, although I can sure see your point, and agree with the basics of what you're saying, I have spent my entire life around various weird forms of "fusion cuisine."

I'm a military brat. Born in an Army Air Corps hospital, spent my entire life on various Air Force bases around the world. And if there's one thing young single men away from home are likely to do, it's date and marry a local girl. So all my life, my little military brat friends were eating various combinations of cuisines from all over the US (wherever their daddy came from) combined with Japanese, or Thai, or German, or Korean, or Filipino, or Taiwanese, or something. And taking it for school lunches. And feeding it to school friends like me that had come for a sleepover.

Walking through base housing around dinnertime inhaling the aromas that came from those kitchens was like walking through some sort of international food fair.

However, I really, really envy you your knowledge of Asian food. And in my heart, indeed I do lift up my head from my rice bowl (or, in my Western case, my plate), and share your outrage.

(PS - This really, really increases my determination to join you sometime for Chinese/Korean so I can learn what the hell you're talking about!)

Let me reiterate about trying the Houston board.

Whether they like it or not, Galveston is basically a Houston suburb, and many Houstonians visit there often.

And the city?

Although we don't recommend dinner at the Chateau, we love their Sunday brunch. The place is beautiful, and is something to see in and of itself.

And (although we're not vegetarians so it's possible I'm mistaken) there are always so many items on offer on the Sunday brunch that it's hard to imagine you wouldn't find enough non-meat dishes to fill you up.

My father really loves the Branson Belle and likes going on it every chance he gets. They do serve meals, which are non-vegetarian, but I have noticed that they bring vegetarian meals out to people that have requested them. Keep in mind that I have never tried these meals, so can't vouch for their quality, but I like floating around the lake. We've been there often enough that I no longer stay inside and watch the show. I go out on the deck and enjoy the scenery while my dad stays inside enjoying the show and the meal. If you decide to do this, you'll need to make reservations and order the veggie meal in advance.

Oh and PS, most folks agree that the best show in town is Shoji.

And not just kitchy... The food is terrific. That's been one of our family's favorite places to eat for several decades. We still go there whenever we're anywhere near to Omaha, although my 91-year-old father complains that few of the waitresses wear those cute little outfits anymore, like they did back in the 50's.

Yes, as saeyedoc says, you should check out the Houston board. http://chowhound.chow.com/boards/67

But I'll tell you that Houston is the 4th-largest city in the US, and it's a immigrant city and, according to a recent study, "The most ethnically-diverse city in the US." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/05/houston-most-diverse_n_1321089.html

I don't know where you're coming from, but I'll put Houston's "ethnic grocers" up against anyone's. I'll wager that there are far too many for you to visit each, even if you live here for decades. But certainly, you should put Phoenicia high on your list of places to check out immediately upon arrival: http://www.phoeniciafoods.com/

I've never been to the Smokey Mo's in San Antonio, but I used to live close to the one in Cedar Park, north of Austin.

It was our local neighborhood "go to" joint. It wasn't good enough that I've driven back up there since I moved to Houston (unlike the various legendary Central Texas smoked meat markets to which I do drive), but we ate there a lot and liked it pretty well.

Given your specific requirements, I have no hesitation in recommending it.

I think Doobs suggested it as an appealing possibility, but exact plans never materialized.

I'm all for it, though.

Is there an inside dining room that will be air-conditioned when the worst heat of summer arrives?

Because if not, might be smart to have a meet-up there sooner rather than later.

If you know what I mean and I think you do.

Wow. Great info, Lambowner. Thanks. I, too, am heading out right away to my local super to find some.

But still... I'm sorry, but what does that say about Aldi's shoppers? Or at least about Adli's opinion of Aldi's shoppers? That they're irresponsible shopping-cart users? That they don't have enough class to return the carts? That a quarter is enough to cause them to behave differently? Speaking of "nickeling and diming" you to death.... Not to mention that you have to be sure you have those nickles and dimes handy before you walk in.

I think it's insulting.

Like I said, I found it a rather unpleasant place to be. I have no desire to go back

Yeah, that Galveston Sea Salt is a hoot, I think. I've found it to be a terrific little gift for friends and family that live in Galveston. Amazingly enough, at least to me, was that until I gave them some, they had never heard of it!

Lived in Springfield MO for a few years. There was an Aldi right down the road from us. I was told it was a grocery store so I wandered in there one day when I was looking for a specific item. All in all, I found it a rather unpleasant place to be and I can't remember now what I was looking for but, whatever it was, I didn't find it.

So I wandered right back out.

And haven't felt the need to wander back into another one since.

Suppose I should give it another try.

Maybe.

Or maybe not.

Thanks for posting this. I've been driving past that new location about once a day since it opened. Curious about it, but I guess not curious enough to stop in.

Think I will now.

A GREAT place and really perfect for families and "meat and potatoes kind of people" and everybody else, in my view, is the Bohemian Cafe in Omaha.

My family and I have been eating there for some 60+ years. We moved away from Omaha years ago, but we still drive far out of our way to go back there.

http://bohemiancafe.net/

And the sausage is the perfect "take away" item. Brisket and ribs suffer, although they're still mighty tasty.

But the sausage keeps very well.

Another thing I really like about Mueller's is that scrumptious little bite of brisket they give you while you're waiting in line.

I do love it, but Taylor isn't really on my route anywhere, so since I moved to Houston from Austin, don't get there so much any more.

Perfect! You must get back with us and let us know your thoughts!

Also, Berrisford, I'm curious as to which direction you're headed out of Austin. Are you going east, through Houston perhaps? Because, if so, you can route your departure straight south from Austin on Hwy 183 to join up with I10. That takes you through two Texas barbecue Meccas - Lockhart & Luling.

I tried on the Springfield Cashew Chicken thing. I really did. Over and over. Not to mention that my son's best friend is the son of a Chinese master chef. Who came from China decades ago as a lad of about 17 into a number of Springfield Chinese restaurant kitchens. And I've had his, too, many times.

For me, it's just way too bland. I love Cashew Chicken - the sort you get in Hong Kong. Perhaps I just had my hopes up way too high.

So, for me anyway, it's no mystery that "Springfield-style Cashew Chicken" hasn't made it out of Springfield.

And so, the Birnies are wed! http://thebirniewedding.co.uk/Home.html

I, for one, sure hope they show back up here to "Chowhound" their trip and let us all know where they wind up going and how they like it.

And, congratulations, Tanya and Tom.

No question that Taylor is an excellent recommendation. Not sure where Berrisford's itinerary takes him/her after Austin (or his/her route to Austin, either, for that matter), but nobody could argue that Mueller's in Taylor doesn't tick all the boxes because it does: excellent food, storied history, incomparable atmosphere.

As far as "Texas stereotypes" go, barbecue is pretty-much at the top of the list. Wait until you get near to Austin for that. Depending upon what time of year you're making this trip, might want to wander a bit through central Texas's peach country. The roadside stands are full of the best and sweetest peaches you'll ever eat. And you could route yourself through Llano to eat barbecue at Cooper's. If you can't come through Llano for Cooper's, then wait for your barbecue until you hit Austin, for Franklin's, and take the short jog down to Lockhart for Smitty's, Black's, Kreuz, and then another 15 minutes or so down to Luling for City Market.

I'll admit that Springfield is no Miami (assuming you're talking about the one in Florida, that is), but there are certainly some restaurants in Springfield offering tasty food - just not so many of them as there are in larger cities. So you have to work a little harder at finding them.

Thanks for getting back with us. I, too, hate dealing with smoke in restaurants. But happy that you found BamBu good enough that you say you "will definitely go back."

Hope you try Soo's Korean and Tong's Thai sometime in the future and let us know what you think of those.