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Fill up the table with Tex-Mex goodness at DK Maria’s in Austin
Imagine sitting around a campfire after a hard day of riding horses and herding cattle, tendrils of smoke wafting up from carne guisada in a cast iron kettle, and your stomach growling with hunger. You can recreate that satisfying sensation at DK Maria’s Legendary Tex-Mex in South Austin.
South Austin tends to feel like the epicenter of independent coffee shops. We have so many, in fact, that narrowing this list down to 14 places was a challenge! What they all have in common is what makes them so south Austin: a combination of organic, locally-roasted beans, free Wi-Fi, food to nosh on, and dog-friendly areas. Despite their similarities, each of these South Austin coffee shops holds a unique allure and has a legion of devotees. [Read more…]
Patrick Dean and Paul Oveisi, founders of Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden (Credit: Julia Keim)
Coffee and beer have to be the top two beverages Austin survives on. It’s easy to find either–and often both–at cafes and breweries all over the city. The newest member of the coffee-beer-hybrid is Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden off South Congress near Ben White.
Cosmic isn’t an ordinary coffee shop or beer garden, but the culmination of co-founder Paul Oveisi’s passions: live entertainment, sustainability, beer, coffee, and food. I had a chance to sit down with the entrepreneur for a chat about the interesting history behind Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden. This fascinating story is full of surprises. [Read more…]
Get haunted by the Ghost of Mary at Cannon + Belle (Credit: @dollarsaenz)
Whether you want to sip a socially acceptable cocktail with breakfast or nurse a brooding hangover, the Bloody Mary has become the standard go-to. The drink that has been around since approximately 1921 has incredible diversity, and it seems as though just about every restaurant has their own version–with our city being no exception. So whether you’re looking for the classic version, a peacock of garnishes, or something more exotic, here’s our guide to the best Bloody Marys in Austin. [Read more…]
Deepa Shirdhar and the Puli-Ra team can be found in the courtyard at Still Austin Whiskey Co.
Editor’s Note: As of January 2018, Puli-Ra has relocated to Texas Keeper Cider (12521 Twin Creeks Road, Manchaca, TX).
You may have heard of Puli-Ra’s earlier iterations, Anjore Supper Club and farmers’ market darling ChaiWalla. Both have taken the backseat since Puli-Ra moved into Still Austin Whiskey Co.’s courtyard, as the distillery’s official food truck.
The team members behind Puli-Ra are a hardworking bunch, dedicated to merging South Indian flavors with local Texas produce that will astound your taste buds right off the bat. [Read more…]
Barrels of locally-made spirits at Still Austin Whiskey Co. (Credit: Bill Tucker)
Most people don’t spend Sunday afternoon relaxing in an industrial park, but that’s where I found myself. Outside, a jazz band was warming up, as a freshly-poured old fashioned chilled in my hand. On the bar, a beaker filled with strawberries and whiskey bubbled like a prop from Frankenstein’s workshop. If it weren’t for the area, I would’ve thought I was hanging out at a swank cantina, not a working distillery. [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…]
Big Top Candy Shop on South Congress Avenue
When I was six years old, my dream was to work in a candy store. I’m pretty sure it’s a dream shared by many kids around the world. My plan ended right after my dad explained to naïve little me that even those who work in a candy store have to pay for the candy. What’s the point, then? Shortly after this frustrating discovery, I switched to dreams of becoming a Hollywood actress.
But even several decades later, I can’t help but envy those lucky, lucky people who get to be surrounded by colorful candy wrappers, listen to the sound of soda hitting glass, and inhale aromas of chocolate and freshly-baked cookies all day long.
Brandon Hodge, owner of Big Top Candy Shop on South Congress Avenue, is probably every kid’s role model, and every adult’s reminder of unrealized dreams. For the past decade, this man has been uncovering the most unique candies all over the country and the world, and transporting them to Austin. [Read more…]
Crepe and coffee at Cafe Creme on Oltorf
The first time I ate a crepe, it was love at first bite. Add to that a cup of delicious coffee, and I’m completely smitten. So when I tried Cafe Creme, I knew I had found something special in the Austin community.
Cafe Creme has put a lot of love into their family-run bakery over the last four years. This is evident in their delicious food offerings, but also in the community they’ve created. The atmosphere is lively, yet relaxed. People can go to Cafe Creme to socialize, eat tasty food, or even work. [Read more…]
Spokesman Coffee serves coffee, beer, and cider at The Yard (Credit: @dollarsaenz)
The Yard, Austin’s home to the next generation of local movers, shakers, and—above all—makers, makes the quick trip south of Ben White worth it. Whether you crave high quality coffee, award-winning wine, a place for your band to jam, or a beach volleyball haven, you’ll find what you want a mere 10 minutes from downtown. Not to mention whiskey, beer, and Thai food. This is the second installment in my series highlighting the talented people setting up shop at this development in south Austin. [Read more…]
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