Not Spurs Related, but Austin is Cool!
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Sep 17, 2008 11:31 PM CDT
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PrintIn no particular order, some Austin things I enjoy:
Madras Pavilion: vegetarian Indian food. Get the ~$15 special. It's a lot of food and a great variety. Bonus: the crazy decor. I particularly like the giant gold 'MP' like from a bank in a strip mall dive restaurant.
Foodheads: Tasty-ass sandwiches near campus. Bonus: The blue-eyed brunette coed who may be the most beautiful woman I have seen in person. Not smoking hot in a Hollywood way. Just beautiful.
Ruby's BBQ: The first all-natural BBQ in Texas. Bonus: their chopped beef sandwich is tasty and HOT!!
Continental Club: the place is the shit. Best place to see a band you have no business seeing in a club that small. I saw Raul Malo and the Mavericks, both, within a month there. Bonus: One of the bartenders is an Amazon blonde surfer looking girl. Absolutely gorgeous, about 6 ft tall, and one whole arm is a tattoo. It just throws you.
The Hike and Bike Trail: tons of people exercising. Bonus: tons of people exercising in exercise clothes.
ACL Festival: It's just awesome. Great bands for 3 days. Bonus: I wear skin tight Underarmor and a fanny pack. Look for me.
Asti & Fino: They are owned by the same couple. Asti is great Italian food and Fino is a great date place. Bonus: The Fino Dessert Cocktail. I can't recommend this enough. It is a chocolate liqueur martini with a shot of espresso and an orange rind. Off the charts.
Live Oak Beer: A local brewery who only sells in the keg. It is unpasteurized beer. The Big Bark and Pilsner are awesome fucking beers. Bonus: You can get it at Junior's. Yeah, Junior's baby.
Chuy's: It's an Austin restaurant that has gotten too big for its britches. Bonus(the only reason I put it on the list): Their Green Chile Stew. It is a top 5 meal. Make sure to let the waitperson know that you get a salad with it. They usually don't know.
Guero's: Consistent, decent Mexican food on South Congress. Bonus: Christy. A sassy transvestite waitperson. Love him/her and the training bra boobs.
Threadgill's: Not for the food, which is decent Southern cooking. I worked there, the REAL store on North Lamar, for about 6 years. But for the Live Music they had on Wednesday's. It's an institution. Janis Joplin started singing there. You can eat fried Chicken Livers or grilled Liver & Onions. Eddie Wilson, the owner, is an Austin icon and a strange dude. He and I had an interesting relationship. Not sure if we liked each other or not, but we benefited from each other. Bonus: I once had this exchange with Peter Frampton. Me: "You have a phone call". Peter: "How do you know it is for me"? Me: "Well, I assume you are the only Peter Frampton in the restaurant". Peter: "Good point". I also waited on Dennis Hopper. What a nut!
Dot's: Holy shit. The best soul food you can get in Austin. Or, at least, it used to be until her building burned down. The wife says the new place in Pflugerville (the 'p' is silent) isn't as good. But the place on Howard Ln served up some serious meat loaf, fried catfish, and red beans & rice. Bonus: (I hope you guys remember my post about "what is black culture"). I had always read and heard about soul food and soul food restaurants. I had just never been to one and didn't really know what soul food was. So I asked a black co-worker, a wonderful woman names Ursula, what soul food was. She said, "You see Wayne, soul food is a type of food traditionally eaten by black people in the South". I started laughing and said, "I know that, I just want to know what kinds of food it is". As it turns out, it is mostly what I grew up eating. Who knew?
The 360 bridge: It's a bridge. Yeah, but it is kind of cool looking. Bonus: About 15 years ago me and some buddies got drunk, went up to the hill on the NW side of the bridge and I hurled rocks atoncoming traffic. Lame really, when you consider that my wife got drunk and jumped off it in high school. She said her feet hurt.
Antone's: An old school blues bar that has lost it's old school-ness. When I first moved to Austin it was great. It was an old dive on Guadalupe just north of campus. Bonus: An old co-worker of mine saw Stevie Ray Vaughn there back in the early 80's. He said that the show ended and he was hanging out at closing time drinking a beer when Stevie came out. There were about 10 people in the club. Stevie sat down on the edge of the stage, everybody pulled up a chair, and he just played. Double Bonus: My wife used to wait on Clifford Antone at Threadgill's. Clifford was the owner of Antone's and it just hasn't been the same since he died. He used to come in to Threadgill's and ask for "my waitress" meaning my wife. He'd order a double Meat Loaf. If you ever went to Threadgill's in the 90's you know that a "double" anything is an enormous meal.
The Lower Deck: Going through downtown Austin I-35 splits into an upper deck and a lower deck. Each is two lanes. The lower deck is the scariest shooting gallery you have ever driven through. The entrance ramps have about a 50' "get up to speed" length. Both sides are concrete with no shoulder. Bonus: The stretch of I-35 from Georgetown to San Antonio now forbids trucks to drive in the left lane. That means that all semis have to be in the right lane through the lower deck. Fantastic!
Deep Eddy: Barton Springs gets the publicity, but I like Deep Eddy for swimming. Bonus: It used to be called Eilers Park (I think) and have a big Ferris Wheel. Speaking of Ferris Wheel, the Ferris Wheel debuted during the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893. It was MUCH, MUCH more massive than what you and I think of as a Ferris Wheel. On the original, each car held something like 20 people and a bar. You should read "The Devil and The White City". It's pretty fucking creepy, but a good book.
Dead music venues: A lot of great music venues have come and gone in Austin. Two I managed to visit before they died or changed are Liberty Lunch and Palmer Auditorium. I saw the Neville Brothers at Liberty Lunch in about 90. I saw the Cult at Palmer in '87. Some unknown band named Guns N Roses opened for them and they sucked.
Crazy growth: The city has gotten big, fast. My wife grew up here and is stunned at the size sometimes. A friend of ours got married to a guy who went to UT in the early 80's and has lived in Hawaii for 20 years. He said he used to go up Lamar to 183. Take a left and go out of town and go swimming in these old quarries in the middle of nowhere. Those are the quarries at Braker and 183. Bonus: My old neighbor was a retired military guy. We lived on Jeff Davis which is just east of Burnet and just south of Koenig. He grew up farming the land between Lamar and Burent south of Koenig.
Maria's Taco Express: Great tacos, great price, sunday gospel. Bonus: A GREAT bean and cheese taco.
Ok, Tomasito. What do you have?
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I grew up in Austin, but haven’t been there in about 2 years. I am really looking forward to going back this January (I know, not the best time to visit Austin, but I’ve got to take advantage when I am in the country). If memory serves me, there are a couple other things that needed to be added to the list.
-Tacos and More (Used to be Mama’s Tacos) on hwy 290 just at the entrance to Manor. The most incredible breakfast tacos that I have ever put in my mouth. I drove an hour out of the way the last time I drove from Austin to Little Rock just so I could get a 6 Bacon, Egg, and Cheese tacos. I had them for all three meals that day.
-Amy’s Ice Cream may be a little to well known to be cool, but it is still some awesome ice cream (I couldn’ t believe that they actually had Guinness ice cream that was soooo good.
-Zilker Park’s Summer Musicals-I hope these are still going on (ATS?) but I remember going every summer to these when I was a kid. Lil’ Orphan Annie, West Side Story, and Oklahoma stick out, but I probably saw between 12-15 different shows.
Good list, by the way, I need to check out the p-ville Dots, Live Oak Beer, and the Madras Pavilion next time I’m in town.
I'm comfortable winning -- Emmanuel Ginobili
oh lordy, it’s not even noon and you’re making me miss home. i couldn’t agree more with everything you listed. even junior’s. some days i wake up at 7 in the morning and reminisce about being a keg monkey with no cares at all.
it seems like we all have our taco places. here’s a few more:
torchey’s: it’s new. it started as a trailer stand on south 1st, just on the other side of barton springs road. i think they have a new store on the drag, too, by dirty’s (which has gone way down hill). i’ve had some of the best tacos of my life there.
taco deli: they have locations way south and way north. this place changed my perception of mexican food. they use a lot of yucatan recipes, like conchinita pork. it’s amazing. they also were the first place i ever had laser sauce. it’s like a guacamole salsa that’s bright green and ultra spicy. a little bit goes a long way, but you’ll be eating it with a spoon before too long.
los pinos: it’s out on 620 near carlos and charlie’s. i don’t really know how to get there, but find someone that does. the best handmade tortillas i’ve ever had. good margaritas, too.
and some hamburger places:
burgertex: i lived here for a year.
phil’s: it’s amy’s husband’s burger place. rivals burgertex for the best hamburger buns in town. throw in some blue cheese, huge burger patties and some sweet potato fries, and you’re good. and about $10 poorer.
you ain't a beauty but hey you're alright.
Thanks ATS
I’m going to be in the ATX in a couple of weeks, in they’ll my homeboys/homegirls about some of these spots.
It's never just a game when you're winning. - George Carlin
you forgot some stuff...
Guero’s is overrated. I prefer Maudie’s, but maybe that’s because I eat free there. Still, just because it’s free doesn’t mean I’ll automatically lick the plate when I’m done…
Waterloo Ice House: Catfish Tacos… yeah… thems is some good stuffs…
Thundercloud Subs: They’re good. They’re sandwiches. What else do you want to know?
Alamo Draft House: Whenever a theater has eighties movie nights and horror fests on the bill, it’s time to go there. ADH does that all the time, and their food isn’t terrible. Bonus.
Cain and Abels: Bar/Grill stuffed with cute college age girls and the avocado cheeseburger. Everybody has their own “best burger in the world”, so I’ll throw this into the hat.
The Mean Eyed Cat: it’s a Johnny Cash Bar. That is awesome. $2.00 Session Lager (the best beer ever directly handed to men by God.
…and some more places…
here’s hoping Austin doesn’t grow too much more. It’s a hope in vain… I like the quaintness.
"I like to use my pump fake to make them come hard, that's when I use my penetration." -Manu Ginobili
Don’t you feel cheated by the mere 11 oz. in a Session bottle?
Catch the Spurs Spirit! It's a Fast-breakin' Fiesta!
I feel cheated...
by the fact that rivers do not flow with its glorious flavor. I feel cheated by the fact that the highest and most pure mountain pools doth not overflow with the rich, bountiful flavor of that glorious lager. I feel cheated by the fact that I am not having one right now. That settles it. I am coming to Austin this weekend.
"I like to use my pump fake to make them come hard, that's when I use my penetration." -Manu Ginobili
by Justin Biehle on Sep 19, 2008 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm Late to the Party...
…but I might as well contribute. Of course, there’ll be some overlap with other people’s faves. BTW, ATS, they closed the scariest entrance ramps on the lower deck of I35. Now I don’t think there are any southbound entrances from about 45th all the way to 15th.
THAI VILLAGE
In the Lincoln Village shopping center. Higher quality food at similar prices compared to the better known places (e.g. Madam Mam’s) in town.
JIM-JIM’S WATER ICE
What is water-ice? It’s sort of like a snow cone, but different. Just try one, you’ll see. Oh yes, you will see. Often there’s a guy manning the place who looks to be on work-release. His presence is somewhat dissonant. I often wonder, why are you working at a snow cone place? Were there no jobs at the unicorns and rainbows factory? On 6th just West of I35.
ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE
Pitchers of beer + Bar food + First-run Movies = Most Awesome Movie Theater Chain in America. The offbeat film geek ambience is great fun as well; go to movies early to see the bizarre montages they screen. Probably your best chance to catch footage from Turkish Star Wars (starring Aaron Stampler), and psychedelic seizure-inducing 70s Japanese game shows. At the downtown Drafthouse, a comedy team does a live version of Mystery Science Theater 3000 that is consistently hilarious.
EL SOL Y LA LUNA
Mmmm…. migas……
SOUTH CONGRESS AVENUE
The aforementioned El Sol y La Luna, Austin Motel, Hotel San Jose, Big Top candy store (it’s like the place in the Gene Wilder Willy Wonka movie), Southside Flying Pizza, Monkey See Monkey Do, Guero’s, Hey Cupcake!, and a host of eclectic boutiques and stores. I think this is the most successful fusion of old-time weird Austin with modern upscale cool Austin.
UT on GAME DAY
I love the pilgrimage of all the burnt-orange clad fans streaming from all directions. Lots of eye candy, and as a plus, unlike, say Ohio State, or even Texas A&M, opposing fans don’t need to worry for their safety.
PHIL’S ICEHOUSE
They have great burgers and sweet potato fries, and they have a playground right there, so mommy and daddy can have some time to themselves and let the children play without going to McDonald’s or Chick-Fil-A.
BURGERTEX
Trust me, try the bulgogi burger. Why does a burger place in Austin sell an item influenced by Korean barbecue? Your guess is as good as mine.
Catch the Spurs Spirit! It's a Fast-breakin' Fiesta!
And of course, all the trails and open space: Zilker Park, Stacy Park, Bull Creek Greenbelt, Barton Springs Pool, Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail, Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, Hamilton Pool.
I like to go to the playground at Zilker with my 2 1/2 year old, then we head down the steps to the water that is just outside Barton Springs Pool. We wade out in the delightfully cold water and skip stones (me) and throw rocks in the water and laugh at the splashes (both of us). The other day I thew a stone that skipped 11 times. I think we might eventually throw all the rocks into the water and will have to find something else to do.
Catch the Spurs Spirit! It's a Fast-breakin' Fiesta!
I already said Draft House...
you’re stealing my words, you ruffian…
"I like to use my pump fake to make them come hard, that's when I use my penetration." -Manu Ginobili
by Justin Biehle on Sep 19, 2008 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions
i skip right to the meat of the post...
i don’t read no stinking pleasantries…
the only time Aggie fans need to worry about their safety on gameday is when there’s a mass influx of rapists that operate under the guise of “hurricane evacuees”… that’s when I don’t even go outside… in the words of Lawrence: “Watch out for the corn hole, Peter Man…”
"I like to use my pump fake to make them come hard, that's when I use my penetration." -Manu Ginobili
i forgot about this one, but for a really old-austin kick in the ass, go eat breakfast at las manitas on congress avenue downtown. it’s been there as long as i’ve been alive and hasn’t changed since i can remember.
bean and bacon tacos. is there any other breakfast food?
may wanna go soon. from what i hear, a hotel company bought the property out from underneath them and is forcing them to move. they may have gotten a short reprieve, though, so check it out before the last vestiges of small-town austin are gutted and eaten raw by the cannibalistic horror that is yuppie commerce.
you ain't a beauty but hey you're alright.
Man, I was this close to putting Las Manitas on the list but I thought I had gone too much toward food. Good one, though, I haven’t been there in years.
One I did forget, is John Dromgoole’s Natural Gardener (used to be called Garedenville back in the day). It’s on Old Bee Caves Rd in Oak Hill. Fantastic place to buy plants and dirt. BONUS: Their decomposed granite is the best around. If you are thinking of building paths and such in your yard or wherever, make sure to get it there. Other places use irregular sized chunks that just don’t work as well.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Sep 19, 2008 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions
You're too late...
http://www.statesman.com/search/content/business/stories/other/09/04/0904lasmanitas.html
They say they are going to reopen soon, though. My wife and I used to go to Las Manitas but found we liked El Sol y La Luna just as well or better, and it’s a little closer to us.
Catch the Spurs Spirit! It's a Fast-breakin' Fiesta!
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