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4 Familiar and Not So Familiar Juice Bars in Austin

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Juice Bars Austin

Join me on my sip-able adventure through Austin

Let’s be honest, we Austinites enjoy our libations. We like our local craft beers, our flavored and six time distilled vodkas and, of course, a Mexican martini or two. That being said, we’re also a city of health conscious folk who like to fit a day’s worth of fruits and veggies into a plastic cup. Be it a smoothie or fresh pressed juice, Austin has no short supply of these nutrient powerhouses!

I’m an adamant green smoothie maker, but sometimes my blender tires, my produce supply plummets and my pantry does nothing to excite me. That’s when I hit the streets.

So sit back as I take you through a city of juice giants on my sip-able scavenger hunt. [Read more…]

Guide to the Shortest Wait Times for the Best BBQ in Austin

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Standing in Line Franklin Barbecue

The granddaddy of BBQ lines in Austin, at Franklin Barbecue (Credit: Wally Gobetz via Flickr CC)

There is nothing secret about Austin barbecue anymore. We’ve covered it extensively here at The Austinot, while state and national media outlets have also taken notice over the last couple of years. Barbecue has deep roots in the Central Texas area, contributing to Austin’s reputation as a growing tourist destination. So where does that leave us locals when we want to get our brisket fix?

Standing in line.

Franklin’s is the most notorious culprit, with 3-4 hour lines on a weekday not uncommon. But even a few of the other highly regarded barbecue trailers around town have you queuing up for hours at a time. Sure, there are other great barbecue joints around town that are open all day within the safe confines of an air conditioned building. But sometimes you get a hankering for a piece of greatness that can only come from the pit of a James Beard awarded pitmaster.

And for that, you have to wait. But maybe not as long if I have anything to do with it. With a little planning ahead of time and this handy guide, you can have some of the city’s best barbecue with minimal wait times. Keep reading for the best times to score some of the best barbecue in Austin, the Smoked Brisket Capital of the World. [Read more…]

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…]

Top 4 Cafes for Tea Enthusiasts in Austin

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Tea in Austin

Guest article by Chin Lin Pan

Most people drink coffee to jumpstart their day, and while coffee is great for that adrenaline rush, nothing tops the variety and calming effect of tea. Luckily, in a city as culinarily diverse and weird as Austin, you can usually find a tea shop right around the block!

Whether you’re already a tea enthusiast or are just starting to try it out, check out my top picks for tea in 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…]

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