Need Hot and Spicy recommendations ASAP!!!

[mkfoodie]

I am working with the Cooking Channel on a new show focusing on hot and spicy cuisine. The have already chosen Austin as a city to film in and were/are looking for dishes from trailers first, but they also open to non-trailer options, especially Mexican and Tex/Mex. Any/all suggestions would be helpful but i need your list of hot and spicy dishes ASAP!

[taliesin15]

the best trailer in Austin in terms of Mexican isn't necessarily known for it's hot and spicy salsa, though it does have *that*, as most real ones do, but rather for it's traditional slow food--I'm talking about Tacos El Rico, corner of Vargas and Felix, a block or so east of Montopolis--best barbacoa I've ever had--so many places do hot and spicy here that it's kind of a given, and just one color among many
New India Cuisine has the spiciest food in terms of *spices* (not heat) I've had in terms of Indian, but they apparently are relocating now

BTW, if you go to Madam Mam's, the better location is the one near UT--though the South Austin one might have better decor to shoot in the restaurant...

[achtungpv]

Just went to Madam Mam's on the Drag last week. It smells like a nursing home and the food was just mediocre at best. The smell was so bad my wife wanted to leave before our food arrived. My wife's dish tasted like dishwater. Pretty disappointing since we like the one at Westgate.

[amysuehere]

I only go to the one on Anderson, although 99% of the time there's (a) screaming, free-range kiddie(s) in there.

[Chicago Wine Geek]

I know that everyones experience is different, but some of the worst Thai food I have ever had was at Madam Mam's on Anderson Lane.

[danny_w]

That goes for me with Madam Mam's on Guadalupe, and as achtungpv said the smell was terrible.

[jwynne2000]

I had a dish called Gang Som at Titaya's back when it first opened and tears were running down into my lap. My wife had to force me to stop. I don't think it's on the menu anymore, but if they've stuck to their guns, any of their 3 pepper dishes in the Specials section of the menu should get it done. Can anyone confirm if they've dumbed down their spice recently?

[TheSprinkler]

I go to Titaya's at least once, if not twice a week for lunch. I wouldn't necessarily say they've dumbed down their spice levels, but it can definitely be inconsistent at times. I always order my dishes 3 peppers spicy - it's always got a good kick, but sometimes it borders on mild and sometimes it borders on painful. Also, it always seems like you have to convince them that you really DO want something genuinely hot... like they don't believe you can handle it or something. Don't get me wrong, Titaya's probably has my favorite food in town; it can just be annoying sometimes to have to convince a waiter that you know what you want and what you're getting into when you order something. Now, if you ever want to eat something that'll REALLY make you cry, then the magic words are to order it "Thai spicy." It's like a secret code or something, but seriously - WATCH OUT!

[NirvRush]

that dona sauce from Tacodeli/green salsa from El Pollo Regio is the sheeyit. but might not be consistently hot enough.

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El Pollo Regio
207 N Interstate 35, San Marcos, TX 78666

[dinaofdoom]

i came in here to post about the dona sauce.

i think it meets the hot/spicy requirement, unless you are looking for "hottest things in all of austin".
and it does have a cult following.

what about the trend of savory (read: pepper, etc.) infused liquors at some local watering holes?
even better if it's tito's vodka and/or any other local spirit.

[rickys]

ie: hatch tequila @ lovejoys

[puddles]

And when the dona is on, it's the bomb, in more ways than one. Addictive stuff

[JackWood]

Habanero Cafe does a chicken mole on friday as a lunch special at is outstanding. Also Pao's Mandarin House in Lakeway has a hot mustard sauce that will blow your head apart.

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Pao's Mandarin House
2300 Lohmans Spur, Lakeway, TX 78734

[sqwertz]

I second the Green Sauce at El Reggio/El Pollo Rico (or whatever their two names are). Considering what some people consider "spicy", I think the green always qualifies even if it varies by 50% ( I haven't noticed that).

Anybody know what the thickener/emulsifier they use is? I can't get the consistency right at home.

-sw

[achtungpv]

FWIW, ZaasChila makes a fabulous version that's available at HEB. It's called "Guacamole con Chile Habanero". It is better than El Regio's green sauce, IMHO.

From memory since I'm at work the ingredients are just avocado, habanero, cilantro, onion, salt and water.

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El Regio
6615 Berkman Dr, Austin, TX 78723

[dinaofdoom]

i buy that and i like it, but sorry, it's not the same for me.
totally different flavor and texture.

and i think your ingredient list is right on.
it's the avocado that makes it so green.

[sqwertz]

El Pollo Rico and El Regio do not use any avocado in their sauce. I've made it at home, I just can't get the consistency right. Jalapeno, corn oil, garlic, and salt. Believe it or not.

-sw

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El Regio
6615 Berkman Dr, Austin, TX 78723

[chrisdds98]

to me it tasted like serranos were in there too

[dinaofdoom]

sorry, i meant the bottled stuff achtung was referring to had avocado in it, not the stuff at el pollo rico and el regio.

[sqwertz]

Is the refrigerated or on the salsa shelves?

The ingredients you list are completely different than El Reggio's (other than that they both contain salt)..

-sw

[dinaofdoom]

it's on the salsa shelves.
the same company makes a bright orange habanero sauce too but i haven't tried it.
it's basically a bright green, very slightly creamy hot sauce flecked with some herbs.
it's not the same consistency or flavor, though-- it's entirely different imo.

[amysuehere]

Madam Mam's Pad Ped Nor Mai (up it from four peppers to five). I'm from El Paso and it's the only thing in town that will even come close to the heat I like.

[bloody hammer]

The dish I like best at Madam Mams' is the NS14 - Guay Teaw Tom Yum Moo with Peanut (i get it rice stick noodles).

It only gets a 2-pepper rating on the menu but it is plenty spicy hot for me. More importantly though... the FLAVOR is out of this world. it is delicious.

It just may be my favorite bowl of soup in town.

*Disclaimer: I have only eat at the Madam Mam's in Westgate.

[NWLarry]

XXX at Texas Chili Parlor. Stat!

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Texas Chili Parlor
1409 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701