Nites Out: El Arroyo (Austin, TX)

A tall Bloody Mary awaits at El Arroyo.

1624 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78703

Known for catchy signs, which are commemorated in photographs along the interior walls, El Arroyo anchors the west end of the popular 6th Street downtown area.  It’s almost up against Mo-Pac (Loop 1), across 5th street from the Mean Eye Cat. 

I tried the Tacos El Pastor (pork with pineapple), they had very lean cubes of pork with a good about of achiote pepper flavor.  Not greasy at all.   My dinnermate had the tamales, which are a pain to make at home, and they were spiced in the right ways.  I’d say fairly authentic Mexican fare!

The “fish” is Tilapia, including the ceviche, which is not my favorite (maybe it’s a Southern thing, it’s certainly foreign to this Canuck!)  I wanted to try their ceviche but was not going to eat Tilapia.  If you like it, go ahead and try it.

El Arroyo can also entertain you with live music on select evenings (check the website).  I hear this is a great place for breakfast on the weekends.

 

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Nites Out: Korea House (Austin, TX)

Kimchi, Tofu, and Bacon Stir Fry. Surprisingly tasty for the kimchi-inclined! It was enough for two people, or lunch and dinner for myself. They also have just Kimchi and Bacon if you don’t like tofu. The rice is on the side, not fried with the goodies.

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Meat Meat Meat

On the hunt for peppers on your burger?  I found three around town and I’ll tell you which one was my favorite.

First up is the Oasis Hatch Chili Burger.

The Oasis

The bun was big and dry, the burger was dry too.  Come for the views of Lake Travis (and yes there was water in there), however the incredibly slow service may irritate you.

Second were the Hatch Green Chili Sliders I found at Round Rock Market Days.

Hatch Green Chili Truck

These little babies had a creamy sauce and juicy slider patties, topped with roasted hatch chili peppers.  Perfect quick lunch while on the go at the market!  Saw the Rockin’ City Rollergirls there too.

The last one I want to share with you is a Poblano Burger from Louisiana Longhorn Café in Round Rock.

Louisiana Longhorn Café

The Poblano Burger was on the special menu, and it was loaded with toppings.  The Cajun fries were tasty but a little greasy.  It had fresh pico de gallo and avocado to compliment the peppers.  All held together with cheese!  Our server brought out a pitcher of ice tea, none of that annoying tea to sweetener ratio control required, you can refill at your own pace.  The décor was full of purple and gold (LSU), mirrors, and odds and ends.

Even though I enjoyed the Poblano Burger with the added avocado, I have to say my favorite pepper burger was the Green Hatch Chili Truck’s hatch sliders.  It’s great to see a few trucks around Round Rock after the Trailer Park went vacant this summer.  Sucks to lose a spot to hang out with the dog and kids, while eating a variety of foods.  I hope to find the Green Chili truck again!

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Nites Out: La Tapatia (Austin, TX)

Need a quick no fuss lunch option under 10 bucks? If you’re in north Austin (ok, way NORTH) I’d suggest stopping at La Tapatia. It’s a tiny taqueria on the south bound frontage of Research Blvd (Hwy 183).

Typical selection of sodas are available, as well as beer. The chips and salsa are nothing to write home about, probably not freshly prepared in-house, not that I’d expect it here.

There’s a jukebox that randomly wakes up to flood the cement-walled eatery with Latino folk music. A bit loud when you’re sitting right next to it, and startling if you’re not expecting it. Restroom was clean and well maintained but didn’t have a changing table, just a heads up if you tote along ninos.

Lunch for myself was less than $5 (not including tip). The lengua was very soft and sliced thin, very few clumps of pure fat, in fact I only found one. Needed a little salt, or I’m just craving salty tongue right now for some reason. Very filling lunch option for those with smaller appetites (and wallets).

La Tapatia is located at 13450 N Hwy 183 Austin, TX 78750

For more Mexican Restaurants click here! For more Austin Restaurants click here!

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#Transformers4 and Texas BBQ

What’s the connection?

Well, Paramount set up shop east of Austin to film portions of the anticipated fourth installment of Transformers. I went to Taylor to check out the digs. The filming ended weeks ago, but the aura of Mark Wahlberg remained, like when you walk by people smoking, the fumes linger in the hot humid air.

It would have been exciting to see Bumblebee up close, or from the barricades a few blocks away, same difference.

The new Bumblebee?

I asked the bartender/waitress in Taylor Café about Transformers, she said much of Taylor was shut down during filming including the café. It’s neat to realize a film was being made about 10 miles from my house! Of course there have been other great films set in Austin, Office Space for example. That’s a whole other topic.

Food. BBQ, specifically, is what I was hunting today. (Man meat aka Mark will have to wait.)

Taylor Café is on the list of Texas Monthly’s BBQ lineup for BBQ week, going on now through Friday.

We tested two plates: ribs and turkey sausage.

Rib BBQ plate @ Taylor Café

Turkey Sausage BBQ Plate @ Taylor Café

I’m a sucker for ribs.

These ribs were moist and seasoned well. A good amount of smoke permeating the meat. Quite a bit of fat, but that comes with oinker territory. It didn’t stop Little Sister from picking the bones clean! And then stealing her brothers beans.

He didn’t care, so long as he had the last of the Dr. Pepper.

The turkey sausage was plainly seasoned with pepper, I couldn’t decipher many other spices in them. The BBQ sauce was mildly sweet and very tangy.

The beans were named “crazy beans” by my son because they had quite a bit of black pepper on them. He’s sensitive to spices, what 8-year-old isn’t. I can’t blame him, he’s half Canadian, bland runs in his genetic makeup. Yet he loves beans, go figure.

The potato salad was alright, not convinced it was made in-house. Does that matter?

For less than $20 we had ourselves an evening out, complete with a tour of a Hollywood movie set and Texas rainstorms. Quite an exciting Monday!

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Nites Out: Sushi Sake (Austin, TX)

Sushi A lunch with Alaskan Roll (click for map)

Sushi Sake sits along the frontage access road of Research Blvd. in north Austin’s Gateway Shopping Center. An unassuming place with surprisingly good food. It was clean and orderly, staff was friendly, complete with sushi bar or table seating. I had the “Sushi A Combo” for lunch with an upgrade to the Alaskan Roll for $1 more, a total of $12.95 for miso soup, salad, a roll and five generous sashimi pieces. Not bad at all. The roll was a little thin compared to Midori, but the fish was fresh and cucumber was crisp. The wasabi and ginger were presented family style and were also pungent (in the best way). There were a few younger guests in the next section enjoying bowls of noodles. Not a buzzing restaurant, but sometimes that can be a relief from the constant chatter of the world. Maybe it’s busier at night, who knows! I think I will go back again, it’s convenient for lunch.

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Nites Out: Molcas (Austin, TX)

Salsa options range from mild and tangy, to slightly sweet fire sauce.  Clockwise above: medium heat tomato based salsa, hot Habanero sauce, and mild tomatillo sauce.

Lunch specials include $4.99 for two tacos and an iced tea (including refills).  I tried the Cochinito Pibil tacos, pork in a habenero sauce cooked in banana leaves, which was flavorful and very tender.  If you are gluten-free, ask for corn tortillas.  I didn’t ask if they have separate kitchen areas for the gluten-free orders, although a friend eats there on a regular basis who recently discovered their aversion to gluten.

This is one of the other lunch special tacos on the menu: Green Chile.  Not spicy.  Pork is just as tender as the first tacos.  I removed most of the large pieces of white onion, otherwise it’s a great taco.

Also tried the vegetarian option on the lunch menu that did not involve fish, the Spinach Enchiladas, which were tasty and full of veggies.  The black beans were slightly harder than I would make them.

Lastly, the carnitas rojo tacos which are pork simmered in a red sauce, probably my favorite so far.

The atmosphere is hole-in-the-wall but the staff were all pleasant.  They try to spruce up the tangerine walls with art and mirrors.  It lacks in high class comforts but makes up for it with authentic Mexican flavors.  Evidence is on the chalkboard menu on the wall next to the kitchen, it lists “Gourmet Tacos” which are not found on the menu, you’ll have to ask if they have any of them available that day.

Molca’s is at 8127 Mesa Dr, Austin, TX 78759

For more Mexican restaurants check out my city guide post, or view the entire Austin City Guide here.

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#atxcityguide Korean Restaurants

The best places to find authentic Korean food all seemed to be tethered to Lamar Boulevard.  There are a couple downtown worth noting, however North Austin keeps the best kimchi and bulgogi secrets.  Surprizingly, there are hardly any Korean themed restaurants south of downtown.  A few of the places recommended below cross into sushi territory but have notable Korean menu items. 

Downtown

Geisha Sushi & Grill (616 East 6th Street) Downtown fusion restaurant where bibimbab and bulgogi on the menu.  Geisha shares the block with El Sol y La Luna, a local Mexican restaurant, and is a short walk from Esther’s Follies if you like twisted political comedy shows (8pm start time).
Koriente Restaurant (621 East 7th Street) North from Geisha on Sabine Street you’ll find Koriente.  A quaint and cozy spot to enjoy vegan-friendly MSG-free Korean fare and bubble tea.  Nearby you will find Lipstick24 and Barbarella to get your groove on after dinner.

North Austin

Together Restaurant (9200 N. Lamar Blvd.) Nestled between a Mexican joint and a Pho place you’ll find Together.  The menu is full of authentic Korean dishes, some of which are only in Korean so you might have to ask what they are.  The decor is old and doesn’t really seem Korean, more like a collection of posters of places the owners might have been or want to go.  The Effiel Tower being among them.  The kimchi was fresh, crisp, and clean tasting.  I had the beef bulgogi which came in a bowl of sweet broth topped with carrot and onion slices.  Very affordable if you don’t mind the setting.

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Korea House (2700 West Anderson Lane #501) My favorite Korean restaurant in this area.  Often a lunch spot for traveling clients who want to try something other than BBQ or Mexican, this is at the top of the list.  Service can be curt but they are generally quick.  The lunch bento boxes are plenty of food and are great when you can’t decide what to order.  Prices are fair.

Bento Box off the lunch menu at Korea House

Tous Les Jours (6808 N. Lamar Blvd) A French-Korean bakery chain that started in Korean in 1997 and opened thier first store in the USA in late 2000.  It smelled amazing in here!  Beware if you have nut allergies by reading the labels.  So many delicious pastries with almond cream that I could not test for you, but I did buy a chocolate croissant and a bean bun.  There are a few sandwiches if you’re looking for a light lunch with a juice or coffee.

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Manna Korean Restaurant (6808 N. Lamar Blvd) Manna shares the same plaza as Tous Les Jours, Rockin Rice, a Korean grocery store, Austin Karaoke, and a hair salon.  You are greeted with a smile by the waitress and hostess for the cozy Korean restaurant.  Clean design, Korean television, and a peek of the wizardry in the kitchen is visible from your table.  I had to try the Bi Bim Bap in Hot Stone!  I even took a video so you could hear the snap-crackle-pop of the rice in the blazing hot stone bowl.

Outskirts

Umiya (1540 Cypress Creek Road, Cedar Park) Usually pretty busy for dinner but worth the wait once you get in.  The Korean dishes are delicious and the sushi is reasonable with a fair quality.  A good place to eat if your night includes Cedar Park Center for a hockey game.

Here’s a handy map

For more Austin City Guide Click Here!

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Thanks Michelle from Foodie Is The New Forty for some of the photos!

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Nites Out: Midori Sushi (Austin, TX)

A really fresh sushi experience at Midori Sushi in North Austin last week for lunch.  Oh the sauces!  I’m a saucy kinda girl, always pouring extra gravy on my poutine or cranberry chutney on my poultry.  Sushi also deserves to be saucy!

I had the Spider Roll and Scuba Roll.  The Marilyn Monroe Roll looked awesome, that’s what I’m ordering next time!

Go for lunch and expect a sizable crowd any day of the week.  The prices might seem high until you get your plate and bite into that first piece, not only will it be a fantastic roll, it will be fat.  It’s a good value for excellent sushi. 

Find Midori Sushi at #301, 13435 Research Blvd, Austin, TX  (512) 257-1411

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Nites Out: Hopdoddy (Austin, TX)

You enter and saunter down the bar while pouring over the aptly named burgers and drinks.  I had my eye on the Vanilla Bean milkshake.

Beer on tap.

Buns made in house.

Buffalo Bill (hold the blue cheese) with a vanilla cream soda, total $12.50 + tax and tip.  Pretty darn good burger, could have used a bit more seasoning but was moist for bison meat.  At peak hours expect to wait in line, so go early to beat the rush at lunch and dinner.

This location is near the Alamo Drafthouse if you are looking for a date night movie, before or after chowing down at Hopdoddy.

Hopdoddy is located at 2438 A West Anderson, Austin, Texas 78757 and is open daily 11am-10pm  (512) 467-2337

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