rollledspleen's Profile
chow cafe
I've had lunch there once. A different and good take on a crunchy taco. Rather than loose ground meat the beef was more like a hamburger patty in the shape of the shell. Nice seasoning, fresh vegetables, cheese melted nicely, but what I like most was the fresh salsa with enough acidity and heat to be a foil for the dense beef taco.
Very casual. Inexpensive. I'll definitely be back to sample more of the menu.
Seafood Suggestions
I'd either head east Reggie's at Chicon near 12th or Nubian Queen Lola and help someone who helps everyone else (and get some great food).
Head to Shoal Creek Saloon.
Lots of downtown area restaurants have small plates/tapas. Pick your favorite that has seafood as a part of the mix. Or better yet look at some happy hour specials, even the four seasons is offering some great deals at happy hour.
Chicken and Waffles in Austin
It is called Lucky J's. Their website the trailer was painted by a local artist and they are a new operation. I've only eaten there once. I thought it was just okay. The chicken was under seasoned and the crust wasn't crispy. Waffle tasted great and is different from waffles that I'm used to. These were very thin, not crispy, with a cake like consistency. Maybe it will get better with time - I hope it does b/c I'm rooting for them. If you give them a try go hungry or bring a friend - their half chicken with two waffles is only a couple dollars more than the quarter chicken and is a good deal.
http://www.luckyjs.com/
scallion pancakes
Pao's has the best scallion pancakes I've ever had in Austin (now Lakeway). A crave-worthy version of the recipe.
Moules frites?
Second Vino Vino - very good. Fino does a nice version as does La Traviata, but I think you have to get their parm fries as a side item if I'm remembering correctly.
Help Please: Canteen, The House, Spruce, or Spork
I know four is a lot of choices, but I've looked here, there and everywhere and they all seem interesting from afar. Most interested in delicious food with extra points for being creative. Second, a relaxed atmosphere and vibe. Thanks in advance for your help in prioritizing. I only have one dinner in SF.
Where to buy Lizano Salsa in Austin?
Google search turned up a food distributor here in Austin - Best of the West - that supposedly carries it. You could call and see if they will sell it to you - 512.478.1119
Hard Hat Report
It is a second location. They tore down the hill-bert building and are building a new building on the same site.
Restaurants open Jan 1 Evening
Have friends in town so we are looking at going out the evening of the first, but not finding much open. Uchi, Fonda, and Vespaio are all closed.
Anyone know of places open for dinner on the first?
Thanks
(Fuego's) Best Burger In Austin - My Search Is Over
7600 North Lamar, Suite F
http://www.fuegosauthentic.com/aboutus.aspx
Best French Fries in Austin
Ate at Parkside for the first time Sunday and the fries we had came in a mini skillet and were among the best fries I've had in Austin. Nice seasoning, fluffy inside and completely crispy outside, and they stayed hot. Maybe we got lucky or maybe someone played a cruel trick on you. The donut holes ordered for dessert came in a little brown bag.
My other nomination for a more affordable choice is Crown & Anchor. Hand cut, some of the skin is on but never too much of the taste. What I think makes them standout is that they almost always get the salt right. The taste of the potato and salt are integrated vs tasting like a fried potato with salt on the surface (if that makes any sense). And an added plus is plenty of great beer choices
Can someone please explain chicken and waffles?
Gene's has waffles and wings. Hopefully others can add to the list
Red River cereal?
Amazon has it online. As far as local, I don't know, but it is owned by Smuckers so if you asked it might be easier to special order for you vs if it was a small independent producer.
Tasso
The central location CM had it exactly where sqwertz described late last week. Brand name is Comeaux's (I think) and it comes in one pound package.
Small joint, local products, seasonal food?
I think Wink, Zoot (both owned by the same team of people), and probably Starlite fit your description. Another restaurant that sources local, is relaxed, but is new and the execution on the food is solid but more mixed than universally great is Primizie.
Vespaio, which is Italian, has their own garden, a nice wine list, but not sure you are looking for a partiuclar cuisine.
Do Sopaipillas Exist in Austin?
Yes, they are very common. Jorge mentioned in your earlier thread has them, So does Chuco's Tacos (a rift on Chico's in El Paso with their rolled tacos), Angie's, Vivo, Fonda San Miguel and on and on. A lot of Mex-Mex/Tex-Mex don't list desserts, but call or ask when you are there. The only one I'm aware of that is a stuffed savory is Chuy's stuffed Sopapillas.
You will find it much harder to find the green chile you want the sopapillas to foil.
Enjoy your visit
Escolar Quest
They don't have it all the time, but I've seen it and bought it at Central Market near 38th St. It is sold under the name Escolar there.
Covered patios?
Vin on Kirby Lane and Fino both have covered patios. Not sure on the dogs.
Cheap Greek near Downtown?
I went by last night and El Greco is not open yet, and from the looks of where they are on the build out of the space it will be a little while until it is open.
Can't get res. at Redd...second choice?
Redd has three or four tables just as you walk in by the bar that are first come first served, so one option is to show up early or camp at the bar and wait for one to open up. There's no other restaurant that I know of that has the modern feel of Redd. Well, maybe Farm which gets mixed reviews, but our meal there was very good (but not great, and Redd is often great). The closest in the concepts of the food is Terra which has been around, but is a good option or the restaurant at Calistoga Ranch.
Good luck and enjoy.
Best Carne Guisada
I can't say how they compare to Montopolis Taco Inn, but Abarrotes Mexicanos on Tillery has them and the one I had was very good. Nice flavor and spice on the gravy and the pork was tender.
piri piri peppers in Austin, TX?
Definately the sharp heat. In fact I believe piri piri is a strain of bird's eye peppers. My experience has been when used as a marinade it actually does both. It still has that sharp peak of heat and slowly over several bites an overall heat builds a little.
piri piri peppers in Austin, TX?
I love piri piri, especially to make piri piri chicken. I've spent a few years trying to source them and here's what I know. I've found them pickled at the Fresh Plus next door to Asti (watch the expiration dates) and online off Amazon, but found little use for them in that form. Dried I have not found in town, but several online sources from Portuguese food sources. The only sauce I've found is Nando which I've seen at both Specs locations and BBQ Galore. As for fresh plants/peppers, I've asked at both local garden centers and restaurants to no luck. Even online it is difficult, but just found a place that just brought them back in their catalog. They only ship in May and June, but I've put in my order for next year at http://www.thechilewoman.com/ You have to order a minimum of 6 plants I think, so I would gladly share three I'm not going to have room for.
Glad to see others share an interest and have their eyes out for this pepper. Some new sources for sauce I'll definately keep in mind when my stash from Portugal runs out.
Best of luck finding what you are looking for.
Street Fighting Man:The legend of John Mueller
According to something I read on Hornfans he moved to Amarillo to manage a restaurant up there. Have no other source of info.
http://forums.hornfans.com/php/wwwthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=aroundaustin&Number=5025870&page=0&view=expanded&sb=5&o=0&fpart=2
Local and Organic
Thanks for such a detailed write up. I've been wanting to check this out and this review seals the deal. The opportunity to learn more about local sourcing is a further bonus.
Oakville Grocery in the Domain?
I could have sworn their website had an exact date, but rechecking it only says July 2007 (on Contact Us page).
http://www.oakvillegroceryaustin.com/
The original Oakville grocery went backrupt earlier this year and was bought by the Rudd's who own the Dean and Deluca in Oakville (as well as a fine winery and an over-priced steakhouse), but I think these franchise deals are not tied to those problems. Though something has slowed the opening.
Where to take my chef friend?
For fancy the two experiences I think are somewhat unique to Austin are Fonda and Hudson's. I know you can get game and interior Mexican in NYC, but Fonda was a national trend setter and Hudson's feels like a restaurant that could only happen exactly where it is. That said, I wouldn't let no sushi keep you away from Uchi (I think their sushi is their least interesting offering). And, I'm a big fan of Zoot - excellent food/wine pairings, excellent waitstaff, and bigger plates than Wink. (But if you are avoiding romantic, Zoot is also intimate and set in an old house like Aquarellle.)
For not fancy, I would skip the middle and go dive into Asia Cafe as a first choice or Little Thailand as a second choice.
I have not been to the Driskill since the change in chefs and would be curious to hear feedback as well. I believe the new guy was the sous chef, so if he is still executing David Bull's menu then there shouldn't be a lot of difference in execution.
For what it's worth, we had a chef friend back in town a little while back and did basically the same thing and the two places we went for dinners out were Uchi and Asia Cafe.
Good luck picking and have fun.
El Gringo Bites the Dust
NirRush, you nailed it. Chronicle blurb this morning says their attorney's warning about being the second Austin eatery to be sued is why they changed the name
Charcuterie in Austin?
Enoteca has a nice charcuterie menu as a part of their antipasta offerings. Housemade pates and cured meats from columbus, molinari, and niman ranch. I've had several of the pates and the cured meats and liked them a lot, especially the pates. The rillettes (rabbit served with dijon mustard and a coarsely ground duck pate are my favorites.
Hooters for the food??
And, couldn't muster the courage to try a fried pickle. Not a beating cobra's heart, a fried pickle. Wow.
