EAT AUSTIN!

Guest Post from DB!

Having just returned from SXSW in Austin, here, in order, are my top 5 places we dined.  (This list is based mostly on the food, not the company, atmosphere, or anything else.)

1.  The Salt Lick - Austin airport.  Good thing we discovered this place on the way out of town instead of on the way in.  It would have been expensive going out to the airport each day for lunch.  Especially since the restaurant was on the other side of security so it would have required the purchase of a ticket each time.  One way to Round Rock?

2.  Pappasito's - near I-35.  This place was recommended by a friend in Chapel Hill, and I really though it was worth the trip out. The only problem being that the directions listed on the website are wrong, and if you have never been to Austin, the city seems to be infamous for their interstate "access" roads, ie, you can see the restaurant, but you can't get to it.  Who knew there would be such a crazy freeway system in the middle of Texas?  Anyway, the fajitas were excellent, the place was packed so we sat at the bar, and the service was good.

3. Little Mexico - South First.  Okay, mapquest is wrong.  You put South First street in, and it gives you Cesar Chavez Street, which is just south of 2nd.  South First actually runs parallel to South Congress (Thanks for the heads up, SteveR!). Anyway, ae and I stopped here for lunch on a tip from the Chronicle.  We couldn't find the taco they suggested on the menu, but the salsa was excellent.  My mouth is still burning.  Plus, I love drinking beer at lunch!

4. Threadgills - near South Congress. This place reminded me the most of something in NC.  I had chopped steak with mushrooms and onions.  Very good. Plus, WillR cracked me up when he ordered the chicken fried chicken. I don't know why that is funny considering I have lived for 15 years with the queen of redneck eating!

5.  Stubbs BBQ - Red River.  I was a little disappointed with the food.  I ordered "barbecue," which, as we know, means different things in different areas.  I got the sausage and the brisket,
which were actually just slow grilled meat.  No sauce, etc.  So, nothing much here to speak of.  I did have my first Lonestar Beer so I felt like friggin' Willie Nelson.  If we were not meeting ae's panel for the first time, I might have grabbed a guitar and hit the stage.

[UPDATE: ae format fudging.]

Comments

[The Disgruntled Chemist]

I was disappointed in Stubbs as well when I went there. I'm glad you had fun in Austin, though.

[ae]

Thanks, DC! We had a great time in Austin. As for Stubb's, I liked the fried green tomatoes and my yams were tasty, so I have to say they did the veggies right. Besides, it's a hopping place and they get great musical acts, so maybe preparing their BBQ to suit a North Carolinian's tastes may not be high on their list of priorities. I can't blame 'em. The wait staff was wonderful though, which always helps. Hope you had a fun time when you were in Austin, too!

[Meri]

You do realise that the airport Salt Lick is just the baby version, right? It's a minor franchise of the The One True Salt Lick -- well worth a visit :-)

[ae]

Hi, Meri! We do realize that the airport Salt Lick doesn't hold a candle to the real joint, but, sadly, we didn't have the time to hoof it out that far. Truly though, if the real place is even better than the airport version, my taste buds will die a happy death from deliciousness overload! Best brisket I've ever had, hands down.

Nice to meet you at SXSW! If ever you and Elly are in NC, drop us a line. =)