The Austinot

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5 Best Ethnic Grocery Stores in Austin for Kitchen Inspiration

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Jackfruit at MT Supermarket in Austin, TX

Jackfruit at MT Supermarket

Getting bored cooking the same old dinners week after week? It’s time to spice up your life with exotic food. These five ethnic grocery stores in Austin make it easy for you to try something new, no matter your background or cooking skill level. Nothing can transport you elsewhere quite like the smell of toasting exotic spices filling up your kitchen.

You can buy all the ingredients it takes to make your own curries, sushi, dumplings and mole from scratch at these grocery stores, or you can get products that are mostly already made to enjoy an easy weeknight meal. [Read more…]

Top 3 Favorite Nachos in Austin

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Favorite Nachos in Austin

I’m willing to be honest with myself. It’s important. With that said, the degree to which I am into nachos and the frequency at which I order them is astonishingly atrocious.

However, after two weeks of nutritionally preparing for this article (that’s a nice way of saying I’ve eaten nachos pretty much every night during this time period), I can tell you that nachos are best enjoyed in moderation.

My will was tested; my heart was burned. But I made it, and I’m here to showcase my top three favorite nacho platters that Austin has to offer. Keep in mind that, though I tried, I was unable to sample every nacho dish throughout the city. This is only the beginning.

I encourage you to comment below with suggestions, as I’d like this list to continue to grow over time. Additionally, please know I will do my absolute best to get through this article without using any cheesy “nacho” puns (okay, starting now). [Read more…]

Barlata Brings Spain’s Regional Tastes to Austin

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Olives, Simple Spanish ingredient

Spanish Olives at Barlata

Austin doesn’t have enough Spanish food. Sure, there are a couple of tapas restaurants, but even though Austin is known as a foodie city, authentic Spanish cuisine seems to be a needle in the haystack of Tex-Mex, BBQ and kimchi fries. If there are any restaurateurs reading this post, heed my cry! Please make Spanish tapas the new ramen. [Read more…]

Expand Your Taste with These Funky Sweet Spots in Austin

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Snow Monster Dessert in Austin

Snow Monster is home to monstrous glaciers of flavored ice topped with fruit, boba, nuts and much more

This article is dedicated to the Austin confectionaries that are keeping it weird…that is, the innovative dessert spots that defy your run of the mill snow cone trailers and overused ice cream flavors.

From a frozen banana trailer with an attitude to a north side shaved ice shop that offers beautifully glacial treats, these funky sweet spots are a beacon for foodies and the adventuresome across Austin. [Read more…]

New to Northwest Austin, Galaxy Cafe Expands Selection

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Galaxy Cafe Northwest Austin

Galaxy Cafe’s new Northwest Hills location

During a recent tasting at the newest Galaxy Cafe on Mesa Drive in Northwest Austin, the food and service exceeded all expectations — not that Galaxy Cafe wasn’t great to begin with. I’ve visited many times, so I know they’ve been serving delicious, health conscious and environmentally friendly food to Austinites for years.

For those of you who haven’t been in a while, I highly recommend a return visit for any meal of the day. Their bread and produce is delivered daily, most of the ingredients used are organic or all natural and they have some of the best gluten free options in the city.

Galaxy Cafe is a great place to get a fairly quick, guilt free, homestyle meal with quality ingredients and options that cater to any diet. The Northwest Hills location is the largest yet. But it’s not only unique in its size and interstellar décor, but in the craft beer, coffee and wine selection it offers. Take a look at what you can expect when you visit. [Read more…]

Freshen Up with Snap Kitchen’s Summer Menu

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Snap Kitchen Westlake

Snap Kitchen Westlake

I recently had the chance to sample Snap Kitchen’s summer menu, which will be available through September. During my first exposure to this healthy food shop, I was pleased by the neat lines and colorful aesthetic of the Westlake store I visited.

Snap Kitchen’s image and model seems to be serving them well. Although the first store opened in Austin in 2010, the company has managed to spread through [Read more…]

Avenue B Deli Preserves Old Austin in Sandwich Form

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Avenue B Grocery and Market Austin

Avenue B Grocery & Market in Hyde Park (Credit: Nomadic Pursuits)

I love Hyde Park for its quaint cottages, abundance of trees and multi-cultural vibe. You’re just as likely to see grandma walking her lapdog as you are a tattooed pedestrian on a unicycle.

But there’s another reason I gravitate towards this area of Austin. It’s a place where Star Wars and Brie imported from the Isle de France co-exist. A place where you can buy an ice cold soda pop and deli sandwich wrapped in paper and sealed with tape, then glide past squeaky screen doors to an outdoor picnic table to unwind amid the jaunty tune of birds serenading in oak trees.

This place is my little slice of Hyde Park heaven, Avenue B Grocery & Market. [Read more…]

36 Hours in Austin, Texas

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Migas breakfast taco at Veracruz All Natural in Austin

The migas breakfast taco at Veracruz All-Natural is scrambled eggs, pico, avocado, cheese and tortilla chips on a handmade corn tortilla = breakfast taco bliss

If you only had 36 hours to spend in Austin, what would you do?

By the time you read this article, I will be several hundred miles north of Austin on I-35 towards Minneapolis. For four years, my wife and I have called Austin home, but now it’s time to say goodbye to this wonderful place.

So I asked myself, “What will I do during my last 36 hours in Austin?” What resulted was an itinerary of sorts that I hope Austinities and visitors find useful for planning a spare weekend. More importantly, I hope this gets you thinking about what you would do if you had 36 hours left in Austin. Just don’t put off your exploration until it’s too late.

[Read more…]

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