Whoa. My first blog post as a dad. It’s been tough. As Wes sleeps (or doesn’t), we sleep (or don’t). These past few weeks have been rough, so to combat the morning … and day … and night … exhaustion, we’ve dialed up the coffee intake quite a bit. And in the Texas summer, iced coffee is really the only option.
Well it happened again. More family came into town and self-restraint went out the window. Both of our moms came to visit as well as my sister Jackie. We ate a ton, so let’s get to it.
Even before they arrived, froworker Tyler and I grabbed lunch downtown at Swift’s Attic. I’d been touting their “Bowling Alley Burger” as one of my Top 3 Burgers in Austin, so the time had come to try it. I’m not sure if I had hyped it too much in my own mind, but it didn’t quite live up to my own expectations. Very good! But probably not Top 3-worthy (keep reading).
Swift’s Attic Bowling Alley Burger
The family arrived and got settled at their hotel while we were finishing up at work. We picked them up and headed to Fonda San Miguel for some Interior Mexican. After some menu translations for the inexperienced palates, we all ended up with some fantastic meals. I had the Camarones Adobados, loosely translating to six huge grilled shrimp on top of corn tortillas, peppers, onions, and a chipotle-black bean sauce. Ev got the biggest Chile Relleno either of us had ever seen. And, for obvious reasons, we passed on even looking at the dessert menu…
Fonda San Miguel Camarones Adobados
…because from FSM we zipped over to Cow Tipping Creamery. Who didn’t see that coming? Since they had already sold out of the daily special, I got a Salty Sweet stacker and Jackie got a Gimme S’mores. Due to a mix-up in the truck, they also brought us a Whiskey Rivers on the house. It was a lot of ice cream…
Saturday we ran some errands downtown and found ourselves at Clark’s Oyster Bar for lunch. I’ve had it before, and couldn’t resist ordering the burger this time too. A thick, juicy patty topped with gruyere and a smear of fancy mayo (called Sauce Gribiche). On the side come some of the most addictive matchstick fries. My sister Jackie got the same thing and both were demolished. This burger pushed Swift’s Attic out of my Top 3.
Clark’s Oyster Bar Burger
Six hours later, after running more errands and still barely hungry since lunch, we had reservations at Olivia in South Austin. We’d heard good things, and my mom found it listed on several “Top Spots” lists in her Austin research. How was it? “Blown away” would be a good start. The highlight appetizers for me were the Brussels Sprouts and the Lamb Tongue. My pork loin entree, paired with grilled watermelon, was good but didn’t stand up to Jackie’s Mushroom-Truffle Cream pasta. We almost didn’t get dessert … until my mom ordered three out of the four on the menu. I rarely order it, but the Creme Brulee had to be the best I’ve ever had.
Sunday morning we took it easy before heading to la V for brunch. Before the waiter could finish telling us about the special Sweet Potato Doughnuts, I cut him off and ordered some, along with large French Press of Blue Bottle Coffee*. The doughnuts took forever, attributed to making sure the kitchen could execute them perfectly. Anyway, eventually they arrived and were incredible. I panicked when he took our ordered and got the scrambled eggs with trout roe and brioche toast, which was very good, but not memorable. We rounded things out with very cute mini eclairs. Also good, but they didn’t hold a candle to the doughnuts.
*it was tasty, but why not serve some amazing, local Austin coffee?
After brunch we enjoyed a lazy Sunday at home and watched a movie before ensuring the family got excellent barbecue before heading back to Florida. We headed to Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ to show-off our hidden gem that happens to also serve dinner. I ordered a whole spread including 5 chicken tacos, 3 brisket tacos, a beef rib, guac, and queso. The tacos, on homemade flour tortillas, in my opinion have no equal. The chicken is my favorite. It’s the best chicken I’ve ever had, on the best tortilla I’ve ever had. Everything was devoured.
And no trip to Austin is complete without visiting Whole Foods downtown, so we stopped by for dessert. After a quick walk around the store I decided on blueberry cheesecake gelato while the rest of the family went to town at the chocolate case. Ev also snatched up a tres leches cake to share with Jackie, which turned out to be my favorite.
It’s always fun to host people when they’re in town… because that means showing them our favorite places to eat. And no one ever leaves hungry.
Well it happened again. We had guests in town and we went on an eating frenzy. Four of Evelyn’s good friends from college came to Austin to check out the city and see Evelyn before our little man gets here. Here’s a recap of how the weekend of indulgence played out.
My dad and step-mom came into town to visit for the first time, so we showed them the ropes. And by ropes I mean we ate a crazy amount of food in a very short period of time. Like a few weekends ago, it would be a lot for a week, let alone two days.
Today I set out with two friends to do the unthinkable — have lunch at five different food trucks. Ok, it’s actually not that unthinkable, and it wasn’t even hard. And I didn’t even plan on it. Wow that was some pretty lame bragging, huh? Ok, let me explain.
For every time I’ve heard “breakfast is the most important meal
of the day” I think I’ve met ten people who say “I don’t really eat breakfast.” It makes no sense to me! If I could only have one meal per day, breakfast would be my choice. I mean, I subsist on cereal and milk to the point that some might question if I’m getting kickbacks from Big Cereal. So why then are there so few places to get great breakfast? Enter: Proper Breakfast.
Click image to see the full 2013 AFBA City Guide
While some choose to focus the calendar around January 1st, Austin revolves around something a little more important: South by Southwest. I mean, sure, you could celebrate the day changing, just like it does 364 other times a year, along with every single person in the world. OR you could be a little weird and celebrate 2,500+ bands, 730+ film screenings, and thousands of other events, all crammed into 10 days.
I like to use this as an opportunity to reflect on the newest food trailers making a name for themselves. By no means is this list a full representation of the dozens (hundreds?) of new trailers hitting the scene. In fact, this post would get unwieldy very quickly if I tried to include them all. Here are just a few to whet your appetite. Hope you’re hungry. (all photos are mine)
Kicking things off, an entirely new trailer park has opened on UT Campus called the Rancho Rio Eatery. You could stop here in the morning and be all set until bed time, with coffee, waffles, smoothies, sandwiches, Thai food, pizza, sausages, dessert, and more.
Velveteen Coffee House – Facebook | Food Trailers Austin
Run by a young husband and wife, this trailer makes a mean cup of coffee. Though primarily targeting the bleary-eyed students on their way to class, you should plan to swing by for your caffeine boost and avoid the lines at Starbucks. If the line gets long, they’ve been known to offer up free samples of other menu items while you wait.
Coffee at Velveteen Coffee House
Cow Tipping Creamery – My Reviews One Two Three | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
For a new spin on ice cream Cow Tipping Creamery is working its magic with soft serve. This isn’t some pedestrian TCBY knockoff; this truck puts together special flavor combinations. Grab a Cone, Shake, or Stacker (below) and sit back and let the goodness wash over you.
Fluffer Nutter at Cow Tipping Creamery
The Mighty Cone – Website | Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
Not new by any means — in fact, one of the oldest food trailers in town — has a new home. You’ll find all the same, coney goodness in a new location. The Mighty Cone is an institution, and as such, its new location needed to be mentioned.
The North Loop neighborhood has seen a boom in bars and restaurants recently, and now trailers are finding their way there too. Two new spots, which couldn’t be more different, are offering some great eats worth checking out away from the downtown fray.
Melvin’s Deli Comfort – Website | Facebook
With a weekday, lunch-only, meat-heavy menu, Melvin’s Deli Comfort makes big sandwiches with house-made deli meats. We’re talking huge pastramis, hefty hot Italian beefs, and rich Croque Monsieurs. Get there early, though, because they seem to run out of popular menu items (ahem, pastrami) pretty quick.
Italian Beef at Melvin’s Deli Comfort
The Vegan Nom – Website | Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
To counter Melvin’s meatastic menu, The Vegan Nom focuses on vegan tacos, along with other animal-free breakfast, lunch, and dinner fare. No promises, but you might just forget that there’s no eggs, meat, or cheese by the time you’re finished here.
Guac N Roll – Website | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
A green truck, with a mohawk, and a clever name — talk about a winning combination! Plus most of their guacamole menu –yes, a whole section of different guacamole options– is based on musical puns (Guac The Casbah, anyone?). It’s just outside of the North Loop area, and worth a stop on your way to or from downtown. Follow them on Twitter, since rumor has it they may be going more mobile soon.
Little Big Mike’s – Website | Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
Pizza in Austin has seen some relative improvement recently, but is still a veritable dead zone in the land of Tex-Mex and BBQ. Little Big Mike’s, located on South Congress, offers a new style to the city by featuring individual pan pizzas with all kinds of unique flavor combinations. Hatch Green Chile & Avocado, anyone?
Burro Cheese Kitchen – Website | Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
If there’s something more comforting than a grilled cheese sandwich, I’m not sure I’ve found it. Burro Cheese Kitchen elevates the grilled cheese to the next level, while staying true to its roots. The cheese is the star of the show, made obvious by the impressive list of options listed on the menu. Check them out on South Congress until the trailer park closes down.
Waylon & Willie at Burro Cheese Kitchen
Yeti Frozen Custard – Website | Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
You say “frozen custard”; I say “ohmygodgetoutofmyway”. With that said, true frozen custard is rare find, kind of like a Yeti. Swing by Yeti Frozen Custard on South 1st for a real treat. Even better idea? First grab some La Barbecue (scroll way down) and follow it up with some Yeti dessert.
Concrete at Yeti Frozen Custard
Tommy Want Wingy – Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
Although I question the name choice, the premise is solid. The worst part about chicken wings is the mess. TWW does the prep work for you and you’re left with chicken wing popsicles. Think of them as wings in drumstick form, like this. Find them at the Barton Springs Neighborhood Food Court.
Honky Tonk Hot Dogs – Website | Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
Sometimes you need a good ol’ fashioned hot dog, dressed how you like it, and served with a punch of live music. Honky Tonk Hot Dogs delivers on all counts, including performances from the very talented owner Scott. Drop by for a dog, some tunes and, as is typical with many food trailer parks, be sure to BYOB. They’re next door to Tommy Want Wingy.
All-American w/ sample of chili at Honky Tonk Hot Dogs
Lard Have Mercy! – Website | Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
Probably the best name for a trailer, ever. Specializing in deep fried everything, Lard Have Mercy! is a great late-night snack place — y’know, when that fried Twinkie doesn’t sound quite so bad. Find them on South 1st.
One of the most noteworthy trends this past year has been the expansion of food trailers to the greater Austin area. Now Round Rock and Pflugerville each have their own dedicated food trailer parks serving the underserved and doing it quite well. From my experience, both of these mentioned BBQ trailers can hold their own against any barbecue found in the greater Austin area.
UPDATE: THE ROUND ROCK FOOD TRAILER PARK IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED.
Round Rock isn’t just home to Dell and giant donuts anymore. The Round Rock Food Trailer Park is the first food trailer park to set up in this Austin suburb.
UPDATE: CURLY’S PERFECT PIG AND HALL OF FLAME BBQ HAVE CLOSED THEIR TRAILERS AND HAVE OPENED A JOINT VENTURE BRICK-AND-MORTAR RESTAURANT CALLED CURLY’S CAROLINA, TEXAS.
Curly’s Perfect Pig – My Reviews One Two | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
Sure, Curly’s serves barbecue, but this isn’t like any Q you’ll find in Texas. Here pig is king. At this Carolina style BBQ you’ll almost forget you’re in Texas with the first bite of pulled pork. Get it on a sandwich, baked potato, or just on a plate. No matter how you order it, you’ll be impressed. Right off of I-35, it isn’t really that far to pay a visit up to Round Rock.
Pulled Pork Baked Potato at Curly’s Perfect Pig
A little northwest of Austin you’ll find the new Pflugerville Pfood Ranch serving the outer edge of Austin to those who don’t want to fight I-35 traffic to get deep into Austin.
Hall of Flame BBQ – My Review | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
Technically not new, but new to the mainstream scene, Hall of Flame BBQ knows how to cook meat. With brisket that rivals the best in town and a wasabi cole slaw that will blow you away, it’s worth the trip away from downtown just a bite before heading back. Currently only open on Saturdays, they’re hoping to expand hours and locations soon.
Beef Ribs and Sausage at Hall of Flame BBQ
Little Fatty’s – Website | Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
Serving up gorditas (which quite literally translates to little fatty), these guys are taking to the streets in a seriously mobile way. At five bucks apiece, you’ll be handed an extra large arepa-like pocket packed with big flavor. Easy for on-the-go mouth filling.
Fried and True – My Review | Website | Facebook | Twitter
Oh boy. Decisions, decisions. Funnel cake or fried Oreos? Chocolate-covered candied bacon or deep fried Sriracha grilled cheese sandwich? If you’re like me, the only choice is to get all of it. Want it for half the calories? Go with a friend and share. Open late on the East side, perfect for post-drinking refueling.
Deep fried Oreo and Funnel Cake at Fried and True
Lastly, I want to mention two (three?) trailers that have reinvented themselves in the last year.
East Side King @ The Grackle – Website | Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
Never content with success, (Top Chef) Paul Qui has rebuilt one of the East Side King trifecta. The Grackle location has a new truck and new menu, making it as new as an old trailer can be. The menu is just as inventive as the other spots, but remains heavily focused on utilizing it’s big grill. A great stop at the easternmost stretch of East 6th St to either start or end your night.
J Mueller BBQ –> La Barbecue “Texicana Cuisine” – Website | Facebook | Twitter | Food Trailers Austin
Thought of as one of the tops in the city, J Mueller BBQ has been rebranded as LA Barbecue Texicana Cuisine (don’t even get me started on the name). The change came after John Mueller was unceremoniously relieved of his post as pitmaster and replaced by Franklin BBQ alum John Lewis. It’s still turning out some of the finest BBQ in the city under John Mueller’s sister (LeAnn)’s watchful eye. (My Review of J Mueller BBQ)
Beef Rib at LA Barbecue
JSM Meat Market – Website | Facebook | Twitter
John Mueller is the pitmaster you love to hate. Not one to shy away from controversy, one thing most people can agree on is he makes some mean BBQ. Perhaps best known for his beef ribs, go grab a sampler from his new location out East.
Sampler at J Mueller BBQ
There’s an unassuming trailer in a nondescript parking lot in a oft-forgotten part of town. In that no man’s land on Burnet Road, north of 2222 and south of Anderson, one trailer is making noise by offering an uncommon combination of tasty fare. The Hot Rod Coffee Trailer specializes in coffee to get you going in the morning, and then naturally shifts gears to serve up fancy-sounding hot dogs. Why? Well, why not. And to round things out, the trailer is all about motorcycles and muscle cars. Coffee, hot dogs, horsepower. I’m in.
One of the perks of being in the Austin Food Bloggers Alliance is exclusive invites to cool get-togethers. Case in point, Ev and I got to go to a private coffee tasting at Houndstooth Coffee. Sean (the owner) and his crew gave the group of about 30 bloggers and friends a crash course in “cupping”.
It’s the end of an era. Two weeks ago I made the rash well-thought out impulsive decision. Get my brief, shaky justification here. Basically I committed myself to yet another challenge without fully understanding my reason behind it. But over the last two weeks I’ve come up with a succinct, well-reasoned response that should at least appease the most fervent skeptic.
