http://www.chow.com/boards/61 Wed, 22 May 2013 00:09:45 GMT Keep track of the lastest threads on Chowhound http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/902808#8092188 I'm guessing, but it was probably the folks who sell Taco Deli's tacos and the sauce was likely their Doña sauce. (Green, smooth, pleasantly hot and garlicy) They are always there. You can also get their products at (I think) three bricks and mortar locations. The one I go to is at about 4200 N. Lamar. You can google for the others. Others probably will chime in with other Austin sources of similar sauces and great tacos. akachochin Thu, 23 May 2013 15:57:36 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/902808#8092188 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/902021#8091938 The best way to enjoy Austin is to live here from late Sept. to mid June. Go to Barton Springs a couple of times, and then get out of town. Yes, it is hot, but the hot only lasts for four long, grueling months! rudeboy Thu, 23 May 2013 14:12:35 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/902021#8091938 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/901106#8091443 First night: Uchiko: first of all, it is a bit further than I thought based on the responses above...and getting a taxi 'home' afterwards was a real challenge (took at least 25 minutes and at one point the hostess came out to check and confessed that taxis don't like heading to the neighborhood late at night.) However, the meal was worth it! Was seated at the sushi bar. Great service. Dishes I tried included maguro sashimi and goat cheese, pork tataki, iwashi (sardine), razor clam, and the brussel sprouts (which had to be among the best I've ever eaten, and I love brussel sprouts),. and more. All was excellent to outstanding. The only dish that I didn't love was the fried milk for dessert, even though the sushi chef and the regular seated next to me insisted it was a must order...admittedly I was very full by the time I got it, so that could have been a factor. An impressive start to the week.... susancinsf Thu, 23 May 2013 03:26:52 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/901106#8091443 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/859497#8091378 New construction on empty land: "Meat Market and Gas Station" (?) being built at South First and Dittmer That would make three gas stations at one intersection in a residential neighborhood. Anybody know the extent of the "meat market"? -sw sqwertz Thu, 23 May 2013 02:43:06 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/859497#8091378 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/902394#8090732 maybe next time leave the "not too fancy" part out :) willtryanythingonce Wed, 22 May 2013 21:29:32 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/902394#8090732 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/900710#8090446 I think the steaks at Vespaio are always very good, sometimes excellent. (The hanger steak next door at Enoteca is decent, but often a little overseasoned.) Post-Backstage Steakhouse (RIP), El Arbol (RIP) was the answer to this, but now it is Olive & June. I do love Shawn's cooking; it is possible their steak (still oak-fired, per the menu) is the answer. tom in austin Wed, 22 May 2013 19:11:58 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/900710#8090446 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/889753#8089318 I have only been to Justine's once. It has some charm and an interesting menu, but I am left with the memory of an overly salty steak and not much of a desire to return. Ashforth Wed, 22 May 2013 03:04:54 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/889753#8089318 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/902476#8089306 Fonda San Miguel could fill the bill for your splurge dinner and desire for complex Mexican (not Tex Mex) food. The duck enchiladas with poblano-spinach sauce are devastatingly delicious. Ashforth Wed, 22 May 2013 02:57:08 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/902476#8089306 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/835009#8087266 That place is called New Mandarin. Terrible food and they'll ring up your credit card for 20% over the advertised cost of the food and tell you "price go up" (yet they didn't change any menus). Evil place. sqwertz Tue, 21 May 2013 05:11:29 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/835009#8087266 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/900421#8085659 Sweet Lord !!! I think I am supposed to be appalled, but strangely wouldn't mind at least taking a bite (and where's the cheese?). I guess it's their version of a McGriddle, an apparently successful atrocity I've not yet sampled. Can't break the McMuffin grip. slowcoooked Mon, 20 May 2013 16:04:11 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/900421#8085659 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/899841#8085487 I found it at the one just off Far West. TroyTempest Mon, 20 May 2013 14:51:10 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/899841#8085487 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/882291#8084415 Went to Sway on what I hope is the busiest they get (2 hour wait). Food was delicious, portions were generous, service was enthusiastic. Everything hit the table at approximately the same time and we shared everything family style: prawn miange, shu mai, jungle curry, pad thai, son in law, and blue crab fried rice. Shared the banana split for dessert. I went in having been warned that it was Dallas-esque. This was not true. Everything was great. Absolutely exceeding my expectations. Resplendent dishes. Vibrant, fresh, bright, and citrus flavors trading off with sumptuous, hearty flavors. Exceptional balance to everything. I should probably go into depth on the specific dishes before I forget them. Maybe later. On top of that, the prices were on the high end of fair, but certainly not fiendish. Approximately $35 per person total. The only drawback is that this place is absolutely not a secret. We didn't have to wait there (ran the clock out at a friend's house a block away) which would have been obnoxious given the bruising throng. If not for that convenience, I would definitely not have waited. Reading the other reviews of Sway on Chowhound Austin, I have to think they've worked out some of the kinks reported on this and other threads. The only thing that they're obviously still quite bad at is dealing with the bone crushing demand. Then again, maybe that had something to do with it being graduation weekend for UT. Better than expected; a pleasant surprise given what I had heard. tom in austin Sun, 19 May 2013 22:16:50 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/882291#8084415 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/901070#8081254 They've posted the official dinner & bar menus on their website now. I'm curious to see the wine list/prices. Mike B Fri, 17 May 2013 19:50:53 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/901070#8081254 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/902118#8080120 If you liked La Condessa, consider Sway. It's a take on Thai food from some of the same people. It's not technically downtown, but less than a $10 cab ride away. Pmd669 Fri, 17 May 2013 04:05:22 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/902118#8080120 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/901422#8079119 i tried the pork rib pastor, carnitas and pork belly tacos. to be honest, i couldn't taste a huge difference between any of the three. it wasn't bad, just a little bland. i'll keep trying it though. i like the menu and frankly the ribeye burger looked pretty good at a neighboring table. ieathereforeiam Thu, 16 May 2013 19:16:45 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/901422#8079119 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/902207#8078610 Anybody seen these around town? I think they were discontinued several months ago, but I think stores are allowed to sell their remaining stock. I saw them at a gas station in Crockett, but that's a little far away. All help appreciated. Pmd669 Thu, 16 May 2013 15:34:44 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/902207#8078610 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/891102#8077063 Wanted to report back: La Barbecue did the trick! I don't really have anything to compare it to, but I thought the chopped brisket sandwich and pork ribs were outstanding. Add in a free beer, free music, a beautiful day, and friendly locals and it was a perfect Austin moment. Mr. Arkham got some fish tacos across the street that he enjoyed as well. And we finished up by splitting some sort of ridiculous topped doughnut thing at Gourdoughs. JoanArkham Wed, 15 May 2013 19:48:52 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/891102#8077063 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/901026#8076161 the ones I'm familiar with are Hebrew Nationals mainly, and I haven't tried any other Kosher varieties. I do like the HN's but I still prefer the Sabrett slowcoooked Wed, 15 May 2013 13:46:03 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/901026#8076161 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/902032#8076103 I love the beef barbacoa at El Taco Rico, but who doesn't. I also love the Taco Chivo - goat barbacoa at La Fruta Feliz slowcoooked Wed, 15 May 2013 13:10:59 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/902032#8076103 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/901757#8072508 How far south? Southeast or southwest? Jack Allen's in Oak Hill gets well deserved raves for their modern southern food. There's great Indian food to be found at Asiana on William Cannon, and wonderful pan dulces, tortas and more at Chuy's Panderia in the same shopping center. Further east, Mi Ranchito on William Cannon & Pleasant Valley (inside the convenience store) will blow you away with their homemade plates and wide variety of salsas. Evangeline Cafe and Cypress Grill are both nice Cajun cafes south of the river. Some of the best fried fish and crawfish are found on Stassney Rd. @ Cherry Creek Catfish - I highly recommend this one. I've also had nice meals in the past at BakeHouse, but it has been many years so I can't tell you how they are currently doing. Closer in, I enjoy the Thai @ Sap's near Central Market. All this great food, and I'm still south of Ben White! Alan Sudo Mon, 13 May 2013 17:08:32 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/901757#8072508 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/901243#8069495 Correction - the buy one get one free is at lunch and on Sundays. They have happy hour drink specials. rudeboy Sat, 11 May 2013 12:49:18 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/901243#8069495 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/894740#8067309 yeah, it's in the shopping plaza surrounding the mall. tj maxx, bed bath & beyond, and toys r us are the stores you can see from 183. dinaofdoom Fri, 10 May 2013 02:31:27 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/894740#8067309 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/901403#8065735 What? jwynne2000 Thu, 09 May 2013 11:50:42 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/901403#8065735 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/871809#8064719 I would give the large edge to Dock & Roll. We tried Garbo's today and, while the lady who owns the place is very, very nice and fun to talk with, the lobster was practically flavorless and watery and I also prefer the bread at Dock & Roll. The sides were meh... I did like the topochico and the clam chowder but even so, I can't justify $37 (including tip) for this lunch. Will definitely give it another chance, though, as it may have been an off day and I love a good lobster roll. My next one will be from Dock & Roll or Perla's.... Rene Wed, 08 May 2013 20:57:12 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/871809#8064719 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/898161#8063280 Try calling Jeffrey's 512 • 477 • 5584 Tell them that rudeboy sent you. I called ahead - they will waive the $40 corkage if you order off menu, and they will create anything to accommodate the vegetarian requirement, especially if the person consumes eggs/dairy. I'm not affiliated with them, it was just a thought. rudeboy Wed, 08 May 2013 02:43:43 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/898161#8063280