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Armando Vazquez and Maria Rios Vega, owners of Granny’s Tacos
With all of the quality taco options within reach, we’re straight up spoiled here in Austin. It takes a lot to impress me now; you might say I’ve become a bit jaded. And after finding Granny’s Tacos, I wonder if I’ll ever be impressed by another taco again. It’s tough living in this city.
Holy Roller pays homage to punk rock and old Austin (Credit: Robert J. Lerma)
Brunch is one of the best things about winding down for the weekend, especially when you’ve had a hell of a week. Callie Speer knows this and has upped the ante in the restaurant scene with her new venture, Holy Roller.
Why wait for weekend brunch when you can have it every day? After working her way through Austin at big name eateries such as Swift’s Attic and Geraldine’s, Speer opened Holy Roller earlier this year to much anticipation from brunch-loving Austinites.
You’ve arrived at Noble Sandwich Company, which has two north Austin locations
Editor’s Note: As of late December 2018, the only Noble Sandwich location is on Burnet Road. The original location on 620 is being transformed into Interstellar BBQ by the owners and chefs of Noble Sandwich.
I’ve always been a sandwich lover. If I had to decide on one meal to eat for the rest of my life, then it would definitely be a sandwich. Probably a Reuben. When I first heard about Noble Sandwich Company, which opened in 2010, I immediately went to its website to peruse the menu. I was intrigued by the unique creations and wanted to try them all. Needless to say, I’ve become a frequent customer.
Not only is the Noble menu creative and delicious, but the vibe is pure Austin. The first time I walked into the restaurant, blues music was playing. There’s no better combination than good food and good music, in my opinion. Aren’t both integral to what makes Austin a fabulous city to live in?
I’ve now worked my way through the breakfast and sandwich menu, and tried a few variations of the mac and gouda dish. With scratch-made ingredients and original flavor combinations, Noble Sandwich Company does not disappoint. I’m hooked. [Read more…]
Reyna Vasquez inside her Austin food truck, Veracruz All Natural
If we call Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue the king of Austin’s barbecue world, then can we all agree Reyna Vasquez of Veracruz All Natural is the queen of Austin’s taco world? Her name means queen, after all.
Veracruz All Natural has grown to four locations and an half-hour waiting line at the original trailer, and its migas taco is on Food Network’s list of the five best breakfast tacos in the country. The first trailer nearly a decade ago, which makes it easy to think the fame, devoted following, and lines have always been there.
In reality, Vasquez’ path to the top has been as challenging as it could possibly be for an undocumented immigrant with no money to spare, striving to bring the food of her native town of Veracruz, Mexico, to the saturated Austin market. [Read more…]
Feast to remember at Tamale House East
Having moved to Austin about a year ago, I have trouble pining for the “old Austin” in the same way a longtime resident might. “I remember the good old days,” I commiserate. “When there were only two condos going up on my street, not four.”
As a transplant from the northeast, I’m admittedly contributing to the immense development and change this city has undergone in recent years. That’s not to say, however, that I don’t know an authentic Austin restaurant when I see it. With this idea in mind, I make my way past the new apartment buildings, the construction zones and closed-off sidewalks of East Sixth Street. When I want the taste and feel of old Austin, I go to Tamale House East. [Read more…]
Head to Lick Honest Ice Creams for fall-inspired flavors (Photo Credit: Annie Ray)
Lick Honest Ice Creams is known for scratch-made ice cream and use of local ingredients. The change in season calls for a change in seasonal flavors. The fall 2017 lineup has finally arrived!
Lick is happy to let you try any and all of the flavors before making the difficult decision of which scoop to choose. Here is a preview of the fall flavors that were just released. They’re only available for a limited time, so don’t miss out. Lick Honest Ice Creams now has three locations in its hometown of Austin: South Lamar, Burnet, and Mueller. [Read more…]
Juicy brisket from Micklethwait Craft Meats at Texas Monthly BBQ Fest 2017
Getting out of my Uber in front of the Long Center last Sunday and seeing the crowds gathering to eat some of the best barbecue in Texas gave me a slight feeling of overwhelm. The 8th annual Texas Monthly BBQ Fest was the biggest one yet, with over 4,000 meat lovers in attendance.
Thirty BBQ joints from around the state–all featured in Texas Monthly’s latest list of the top 50 BBQ joints in Texas–were offering samples of their meat. The prospect of having all-you-can-eat brisket, ribs, and sausage from the best pitmasters was both exciting and intimidating. Especially when I realized I only had four hours to try them all! [Read more…]
Alcomar takes us beyond tacos and margaritas with dinner series, Flavors of Mexico (Credit: Alcomar Facebook)
Tacos, tamales, moles, and tequila— that’s just the beginning of what’s on the menu at Alcomar’s three-part dinner series, Flavors of Mexico. Chefs Jeff Martinez andAlma Alcocer’s elaborate dinners feature five courses made with local ingredients. Each course is paired with handcrafted cocktails and spirits, to complement the fare and transport you deep into the regions of Mexico.
I spent an enchanting evening at Alcomar on Halloween for the second part of the series, Mezcales & Moles. Here are the highlights to whet your appetite for the final installment on Dec. 5, 2017. [Read more…]
Cherry tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers from Gray Gardens add vibrancy to Mueller Farmers’ Market
(Credit: @dollarsaenz)
Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller, known by locals as Mueller Farmers’ Market, is a slice of farm-fresh heaven in east Austin. The setting alone is dreamy, as the market sits in and around Austin’s first airplane hangar in a charming waterfront park. Though harvest season is upon us now, the market overflows with freshly-reaped goodness year-round. [Read more…]
For delicious flavors and Insta-worthy meat pics, head to Rollin Smoke (Credit: Rollin Smoke BBQ Instagram)
In Austin, barbecue is religion. There are devotees of the Church of Franklin, disciples of La Barbecue, and followers of many other local barbecue faiths. The quality and quantity of smoked meat destinations in Austin are true highlights of our city. While this is great for Austin residents and visitors, all the options can make it difficult for a smaller operation to make a name for itself. Luckily, for every Goliath, there’s a brisket-smoking, pork-pulling David hoping to stand out.