NWLarry's Profile
Best food truck in Austin?
Besides yours? Link?
MK is too modest to talk about his site, but it's the most up to date and has the best map.
Taco Journalism is also excellent.
New Latin American Bistro in my north central hood - Al Sur
I got Yelp'd here pretty bad a couple of months ago. Looking to try someplace new, I came across rave reviews of what seemed like a promising Latin hole in the wall.
What I found was myself and my companion being the only diners on a weekend night-not good. Empanada's were bland and oily, my churrasco steak was nearly inedible, and my friends fish dish merely rose to average. Which seemed great in the context of everything else.
Avoid at all costs.
Where to dine on thanksgiving??
You're not alone. I have eaten at both locations of Hoover's multiple times and I'm always astonished at the love for Hoover's. They would last a week in the south.
Texas Monthly BBQ Festival....Who's going?
well you pretty much nailed it. I suppose you could make the calculation that you would easily spend $60 trying to hit multiple pitmasters in one road trip, but then, you wouldn't do all that driving for 2 small slices of brisket either. Lines were long for all the heavy hitters (Snow's, Franklin, City Market).
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City Market
633 E Davis St, Luling, TX 78648
Mission style burritos...
If you long for 3 year plus raging debates on Chowhound-I know I do-this thread on Cal-Mex vs Tex-Mex is pretty great, and closing in on 200 posts.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/505569
Mission style burritos...
Kevin? Haha, I just got back from SF, stayed in the Mission, and hit El Farolito and Papalote. I'm partial to Papalote myself. I love that SF has dedicated burrito sites, kind of like Taco Journalism: http://burritoeater.com/main.php
Anyway...no, we don't have anything like that here. You will typically get a slightly larger enchilada in most of the Tex-Mex places I have been to in Austin!
Trailer I couldn't normally try
I was really in the mood for something new this weekend, and remembered the rave write-up for Arancini by Texas Monthly. Unfortunately Arancini is closed due to the chef having knee surgery.
I came across some nice reviews of La Tasca so I went there instead. It has moved-most of the reviews online say it's on Guadalupe, but it's in the Jessie Street trailer park, which is right by Romeo's on Barton Springs.
I sampled a couple of mushroom dishes which were superb, an interesting chilled tomato soup (I really wanted a gazpacho) and a summer salad with watermelon and feta that didn't overwhelm me-it needed some black pepper. The prices were all $5 to $8, so definitely reasonable. Overall very solid, the owners are very friendly.
And then I hit Bananarchy, because it's close by and I love it!
Favorite Austin Desserts?
Coffee Panna Cotta at Uchi: coffee panna cotta with mango ‘yolk,’ coffee soil and white chocolate sorbet.
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Uchi Restaurant
801 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
austin itinerary - any edits/suggestions?
I'm obviously in the minority that still likes Torchy's. I think they are great, I love the Mr. Pink Tacos and the Brushfires, but hey, I'm all for backlash. Having said that-I don't think Torchy's world domination has really invaded downtown yet. And y'all don't have a car.
But if you are looking for an awesome trailer experience, you are pretty close to G'Raj Mahal, which is open late, has a great patio, and food that is so consistently good. If MMMpanadas, Chi Lantro or Coolhaus show up, those are all great too.
Based on walking distance restaurants, here is how I would rank them: Lambert's, Parkside, Chez Nous, and La Condesa. Lambert's is my personal favorite restaurant in Austin. Chez Nous is a tiny, yummy French place right off 6th. I haven't been to Congress, but the reviews are all stellar.
I kind of like splitting the differenc and hitting La Condesa for brunch. It's kind of an 'it' place, and the service suffers on a weekend night. You might think about South Congress Cafe for brunch as well, especially if you can combine it with some general hanging out on Congress, which you should.
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Chez Nous
510 Neches St, Austin, TX 78701
La Condesa
400-A W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
austin itinerary - any edits/suggestions?
yeah please elaborate on Elliott-I didn't see anything in that interview that rubbed me the wrong way. I like F&D-it swings for the fences a lot, but I appreciate that.
Who makes the best coconut cream pie in town?
The Texan Cafe in Hutto has some fine pies-and I had the coconut cream today. Mmm.
http://www.texancafe.net/pies_and_more.htm
The Monument's Chocolate pie though, with that pecan crust is ridiculous.
New to town-need central austin recs please!
welcome to Austin. Yelp has a useful search by neighborhood thing-y:
http://www.yelp.com/search?find_loc=Austin%2C+TX&cflt=restaurants#l=p:TX:Austin::Rosedale&show_filters=1
just don't read the reviews. you should go to Fonda and weigh in.
Soda shop/market in Austin?
The Soda Gallery is amazing-make your own six-pack! Sigh. Nothing like that here, as far as I know.
One thought though is Big Top Candy Shop, which has an old-school soda fountain.
Hyridge is pretty near me, I will try and check it out.
Denver Food Scene
Interesting. I am going to Boulder/Nederland this weekend (last minute trip!) and beginning my research. Can you get a table at Fracsa, or is that a hopeless type thing?
Do you have any coffee or chocolate recommendations? I am a huge Blue Bottle fan.
Uchi recs
I definitely agree on the foie gras recommendation. The Coffee Panna Cotta is briliant. I kind of view ordering sushi at Uchi as unadventorous. The cold and hot menu's are so creative, so don't play it safe.
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Uchi Restaurant
801 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Trip Report and a big thanks
I got to spend some time eating my way through your great city this weekend, and some Chowhound research paid off. I tried to post earler, but the internet gods ate it! So this may be brief!
Camelia Grill-fresh off the road from TX, a mocha freeze and a greasy burger hit the spot!
Drago's-Wow. My friend said the gumbo was pretty good, which means better than anything here in Texas. The grilled oysters and crusty french bread was just crack.
Cochon Butcher-pretty great nose to tail experience, and I was pretty delighted to find Barq's in a bottle.
Elizabeth's-my french toast underwhelmed, but my friend's oyster, spinach and eggs dish was amazing. and praline bacon!
Tracy's-fantastic soft shell crab po boy as the trip was winding down.
Slim Goody's-a decent enough breakfast at this sentimental favorite.
The highlight of the trip for me, besides Drago's was Sucre. Zomg, I would live here. The meuniere truffle was so decadent, and I think I dropped $60 here.
Thanks again!
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Cochon
930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130
Where can I get Montreal-style coleslaw in Austin?
Haven't ever heard it called Montreal-style...but it's common enough that I have heard people ask whether your coleslaw was mayonnaise or vinegar based. I'm pretty sure Foodheads does a vinegar-based cole slaw.
Hello Northerners! I guess Northwest to be specific.....
The El Greco I went to down near campus was terrible. Tino's is what it is, as the kids say. The falafel is forgettable and the tabbouleh inconsistent, but I like their hummus. And the insane amount of food you get.
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El Greco
3016 Guadalupe, Austin, TX
Hello Northerners! I guess Northwest to be specific.....
I haven't been very recently-maybe 6 months or so. Troy talked about it here before though: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/747837 I have had some good tacos there!
Do you mean Tino's at that center? Which I personally like.
BBQ Sauces?
I keep a quart of Dreamland BBQ sauce in my refrigerator myself.
http://www.dreamlandbbq.com/Catalog/CategoryInfo.aspx?CID=7
Hello Northerners! I guess Northwest to be specific.....
Hey! That's my 'hood! Noble Pig probably should be at the top of your list, I'm a believer.
I have actually been to the Taco Stand at Pond Springs a few times, and it ranges from good to awesome. Not sure why the inconsistency, but I have had some great tacos there.
On the sushi front, Midori is kind of my favorite. It's not the best, but the bang for your buck is pretty high, and the service has always been exceptional. Finally, I'm a big fan of Moonie's Burgers at 183/Anderson Mill. They have this kind of grilled sweet bun that I think is great, and they also have insanely good Blue Bell milkshakes.
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Noble Pig
11815 Ranch Road 620 N #4, Austin, TX 78750
Great places to find chocolate/truffles
Funny that you mention Roscar. They carried them at Viva and I definitely enjoyed them. I haven't seen them around. Your survey of places to find chocolate in Austin pretty much mirrors my own experience. I occasionally strike gold in Central Market.
The artisan chocolates from Dude are amazing, but if you ever get to the store in Dallas, the ice cream is insanely good:
http://sidedish.dmagazine.com/2010/08/26/eat-this-now-dude-sweet-chocolate/
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Central Market
4477 S Lamar Blvd Ste 100, Austin, TX 78745
Great places to find chocolate/truffles
Viva Chocolato is closed, and Big Top Candy Shop is spotty at best in terms of carrying my favorite, Dude Sweet Chocolate. I'm looking for new places, can anyone help?
Teuscher's doesn't do that much for me. Thanks!
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Viva Chocolato
3401 Esperanza Xing, Austin, TX 78758
Chronicle Restaurant Reader's Poll 2011
Well, I like Torchy's and Virginia Wood. I'd still take the Chronicle over Yuck! any day. But still, the Salt Lick? And those wretched fries at Hyde Park.
Seeking a restaurant in Austin with both a good beer selection and a tasty macaroi and cheese
Beat me to it. I would say insanely good. No idea about their beer though.
Best FRIED PICKLES in Austin
Evangeline Cafe does slices, with ranch. They also have soft shell crabs, which I love.
