an Austin barbecue secret

I’m going to let y’all in on an Austin barbecue secret. Sure, Salt Lick is amazing and the experience of driving out in hill country and seeing the meat smoked on the open pit is one not to be missed. I plan on taking all of my out of town visitors to Salt Lick still. But if you’d rather stay in Austin and eat the best barbecue I’ve ever eaten, you’re going to go to Franklin’s.

Yes, Franklin’s BBQ. The one that used to be the trailer on the side of the highway. It is now a proper restaurant that just so happens to be nextdoor to my boyfriend’s apartment.

The wonderful thing about Franklin’s is the ritual involved. It is open “11am-sold out” and they mean it. I’ve been twice now and each time, upon getting in line at 10:30am along with several other die-hards, it still took over an hour to get through line. There is nothing like waiting outside in the Austin sun for over an hour and then finally getting inside the restaurant and smelling the food. 

We chose to take the food back to his place to eat this time, but when the weather is nice I recommend sitting outside and soaking in the barbecue. Rahul and I actually went on our second date to Franklin’s so it is his fault I’m so obsessed.

(sorry for the blurry photo!)

I recommend getting the two-meat plate (which we split) and some extra meat on the side to share as well. The pork ribs are my personal favorite, being a Virginia gal, but the brisket (lean and fatty) is out of this world. The pulled pork is good by Texas standards (but not by Virginia standards) and I have yet to try the sausage but it looks great. The pies look delectable, too.

So get your butt to Franklin’s BBQ around 10:30am, prepared to stand in line for a while, and earn yourself the best barbecue I’ve ever eaten.

restaurant review: Red’s Porch in Austin, TX

Recently I met one of the owners of Red’s Porch here in Austin, a venue I had heard a lot about. As soon as I checked the menu online, I couldn’t believe that I had never visited! The menu boasts a cool mix of cajun dishes and Tex-Mex specialties. Well, I was given an offer I couldn’t refuse (free food!) and took my camera along to snap some pictures.

So my friend Emilie and I headed to Red’s, along with two of her out-of-town guests, Caroline and Diana. Nothing starts off dinner like a cocktail: the spicy Voodoo Queen. Best Bloody Mary I’ve had in Austin, hands down. And the waiter even made sure mine had a smiley face for the picture!

Glancing at the appetizer menu, we decided on the Boudain Balls and the Cheese Biscuits with Bacon Gravy. Any time I see biscuits and gravy on a menu, I simply must eat it. At one point the waiter tried to clear our plate when there was just crumbs and gravy left and we slapped his hand out of the way. I believe I actually said, “You never take gravy away from a Southerner.” I’m sure he loved me.

Then came the main event and no one could decide. Caroline and Diana ended up ordering a burger and a sandwich and splitting, so Emilie and I did the same. We split the Oyster BLT and the Smokey Goat burger. As a Virginia girl, the combination of fried oysters and bacon took me right back to the marshes of my youth. And we know that I am a sucker for anything with goat cheese on it. They were both delicious in their own way, but I think the burger was my favorite.

I think Emilie liked the BLT.

I threw caution aside and dove right into my burger, covering myself in ketchup along the way.

As we digested another round of cocktails and our burgers, we sat back and took in the scenery. I love the fact that I can eat outdoors at the restaurants of Austin almost every day of the year. And Red’s has an incredible view, especially from the top floor of the porch!

Eventually dessert arrived and we enjoyed the Fruit Cobbler and the Fried Snickers Bar. We all agreed that, while delicious, the cobbler was not a traditional cobbler. It was more like a cake than a cobbler, but still good with melty ice cream on top! However, the Fried Snickers Bar was the best. I’ve had deep-fried Snickers at the Virginia State Fair but this was way better! It was as if it has been fried in crepe batter and not just heavy breading. Delicious!

My arteries made the sacrifice to taste that for you. This is just my cross to bear.

All in all it was a delicious evening at Red’s Porch with good service, tasty cocktails, and amazing food. If you’re in Austin, head to Red’s Porch on S Lamar (across the street from Broken Spoke) and relax on the porch!

who doesn’t like French fries?

Communists, that’s who. Or at least that’s what Mary and I decided today while sampling the new naturally cut fries with sea salt at Wendy’s!

And why, pray tell, were we at a fast food establishment? Because Foodbuzz Tastemaker’s program sent me some gift cards to go try the fries and review them!

Now, I like to consider myself a fry connoisseur of sorts. There was a very sticky situation this summer in Belgium when I was having lunch with my Uncle Benôit (French) and his friend Arsenne (Belgian) and Arsenne innocently asked me “Where do French fries come from?” (“D’où viennent les frites?”). Apparently this is a hot topic between the two but I got bonus points and another pour of champagne from Arsenne when I correctly answered “Belgium”. See? I am an expert.

I digress.

So I like fries. Who doesn’t?! It is un-American to not crave a pile of fried carbs topped with salt, in my humble opinion. Well, after all the hype and publicity, I have to say that Wendy’s did a great job with their new fries. I love the saltiness of them — sea salt! — and they actually taste like potatoes, not the oil they were fried in. I could see the potato skins on some of them, assuring me they come from real, old fashioned potatoes and not some soy-potato nasty fast food hybrid.

I eat ridiculous amounts of ketchup sometimes.

We may or may not have gone back for seconds.

So now you want some fries, right?

Well I have excellent news. I have another $10 giftcard to Wendy’s to give out to one lucky reader! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post telling me what you like to dip your fries in. Are you a traditionalist with ketchup? Like ‘em naked with no sauce? Perhaps in a Frosty (the best, in my opinion)?

I’ll announce the winner in my next post, you have until Monday (December 13th) at 5pm to enter!

restaurant review: El Arbol in Austin, TX

Last night I had the pleasure of spending happy hour at El Arbol here in Austin, TX. Disclaimer: I was asked to review the restaurant and given a coupon for a happy hour appetizer. My opinions are 100% honest.

When the restaurant contacted me, I kept asking myself “Do they know that I study hispanic literature? Do they know I once lived in Argentina?!” The menu is full of food I used to eat while living in Argentina, from steak to gnocchi. And empanadas!! It was my personal goal in Argentina to eat empanadas at every restaurant that offered them on the menu (and I do believe I did). So Mary and I headed out, as she wanted to try the food and is now the unofficial co-photographer of An Epic Change!

The restaurant is beautiful. My pictures of the outside didn’t turn out well but still, they don’t do it justice. It feels very modern, yet still old-world. The namesake of the restaurant is a very old oak tree which is also what the restaurant is built around. It is a spectacular venue!

The staff were very welcoming and attentive. I think my water glass was refilled every few sips!! Our waiters were very nice and answered any question we had.

Since it was happy hour, there were great drink and appetizer specials. The prices of the restaurant reflect its quality, but don’t quite fit in with a graduate student’s budget. However, happy hour was VERY reasonable and I’d definitely go back for the full menu for a special occasion.

Mary and I started out with a round of mojitos — they were delicious.

We nibbled on the bread basket while waiting for the empanadas! How can you not like them? Meat, vegetables, and anything else imaginable baked inside pastry. I had the Empanada Cerdo (pulled pork, almonds, raisins) and Mary had the Empanada Carne Suave (sirloin and potatoes). They were very authentic, in my opinion, and tasted like many empanadas I ate in Argentina. And the chimichurri sauce was quite good.

Next up was our actual appetizer, the Bruschetta de Bife Ancho. You guys… I need to take a moment to myself before I can talk about this dish.

It was impeccable. Phenomenal. The ribeye was so rare it melted in my mouth like butter. The mushrooms were the perfect texture. The bread and the carmelized onions were buttery smooth. The aioli was creamy. Audible moans were heard by all waiters attending my table. Sonnets were composed. Birds sang. Rainbows shined.

It took Mary and I a few moments to compose ourselves. We literally had to stop talking to each other for a few seconds just to comprehend the food in our mouths. When food stops Mary and I from girl talk, you know it has to be good.

I mentioned how it would be cool to meet the chef but was too embarrassed to ask. Then Mary flagged down a waiter and asked and we were told he’d be right up to see us. I need to keep Mary around. Just as the waiter promised, the chef came right upstairs to talk to me. I was surprised he wasn’t actually South American, but a born and bred Texan, because his food was so incredibly legitimate. I told him that the food was impeccable and that I hadn’t had ribeye treated that way since I left Argentina (where I made a sizable dent in the cattle population). He stayed at the table and chatted for a few minutes, which was very nice of him, and I could do nothing but compliment his food. He’s doing something right — thank you for some wonderful food, Chad! I was also invited to go down into the kitchen and take a picture of their custom made 1700 lb. oak burning stove. Yes please.

I also spoke to the General Manager for a moment and he, too, was very welcoming. I made sure he knew how I felt about the dishes we tried and the restaurant because I was just very impressed all around.

For all those who live in Austin or are thinking of coming to Austin: go eat at El Arbol. It has a cozy yet upscale atmosphere, incredible food, and a great wine selection. Considering the restaurant probably didn’t realize I had lived in Argentina and consider myself well-versed in Argentine cuisine, I was really happy to find food similar to that which I feasted upon during my stint down in the Southern Hemisphere. I highly recommend El Arbol and plan to go back soon!

big sky adventures

It is official: I’m in love with Texas. I know I’ve said “Austin” before, but now it has branched out to the whole state. I’m sure this is a huge overstatement, but I don’t care. I had a magical day.

The day started by a roadtrip to the original Salt Lick , a famous barbecue joint in Driftwood, TX (the original location). I’d seen it on the Food Network and the commercials on TV here would make even a vegetarian salivate. I went with my usual companion, Mary, and we both loved our sliced beef sandwiches and sauce dripping down our arms.

And after our delicious meal, we were on our way out the door when I smiled politely at a cute waiter and asked if I could snap a picture of the world famous meat pit. It is amazing what a smile and a pair of boots gets you around here, because he let me go into the kitchen and go behind the pit for a great picture!

After traipsing around and taking pictures, we took our bbq food babies back on the road and headed further west into Texas Hill Country. On the agenda? WINE!

Our first stop was at Texas Hills Vineyards in Johnson City. They had an adorable cute dog in the tasting room and you knew the wine was made on sight — you could smell the fermenting in the next room (reminding me fondly of my aunt and uncle’s champagne storehouse in France). There we did a 5 wine tasting where we picked the wines, sticking mostly to reds. They have an award winning 2005 Syrah that I highly recommend!

Next up was my favorite, William Chris Vineyards in Hye where we were greeted by the cutest sign ever!

We enjoyed a delicious wine tasting of 3 wines: 2 reds and a dessert white. I was absolutely smitten with the Enchanté, their blend of a merlot, malbec, and a cabernet franc. It was divine! I’m not a merlot fan, but even their merlot was amazing (and Mary liked it a lot, too!) The William of William Chris chatted with us as we tasted and he was so laid back and nice. The whole environment of the tasting was very relaxed and casual, but you still knew the product you were tasting was of great quality (all natural!) and elegant. Even with Bill’s dirt smudged boots and blue bandana, you knew it was a great wine. Perhaps that added to the character of the place?

Our next (and last) stop was Woodrose Winery in Stonewall. The tasting was in a giant dance hall with some love music, compliments of a guitar-strummin’ cowboy. Mary and I had decided on this winery because of a recommendation from a nice couple we met at the first wine tasting, and we ran into them again at Woodrose! They joined our table and let us know that our tasting was on the house because they’re members of the wine club there… also meaning we got a few extra pours, a free cheese plate, and excellent company! We sat there for a good hour and a half, maybe even two hours, and enjoyed great conversation with fun people. I even have slightly modified career aspirations because of our conversations with this couple! The whites were terrible, but the red wines made up for it and we certainly had a lovely time.

We rolled ourselves out of wine country around 5pm and headed back to Austin. Between the wine, the people, the boots, the big blue sky, and the sense that I truly belong in Texas, I’m sold on this place. Does it get any better than this? Today was a perfect Saturday for adventures in Big Sky Country.

inspired baking

Lately, I’ve been inspired to try new things. I think it might be the atmosphere of having just moved to a new state and virtually starting a new life. Or possibly it is all the big blue sky and fresh air I’m breathing in down here deep in the heart of Texas. Either way, I’m definitely okay with all the inspiration!

Based on the great support I got from everyone when I wrote this post, I went forth and prospered by eating meat. I was inspired by your support and wise words — thank you! I won’t get into this again, but final words: I am not denying my body a food it wants and am going to find a healthy, ethical, and environmentally balanced way to incorporate meat in my diet on occasion. So of course I was inspired to start with barbecue brisket. I had to do it.

Got me some famous Texas bbq!

After the barbecue escapades at the famous Austin institution, The Green Mesquite, my friend Mary and I proceeded to galavant all over Austin looking for cowgirl boots. And boy did I find a pair! I decided to be responsible and go back for them when I get my first paycheck for being a TA, so in less than a month they will be mine!

Then this morning, to celebrate Labor Day, my friend Andy joined Mary and I for a tubing adventure on the San Marcos River. I felt inspired to get back in touch with nature. I haven’t been on the water in a while! It was so peaceful out on the water, helped along by the beers we brought along in our floating bag, and the weather was hot and blue skied until the very end when it started to rain.

My feet + Mary

After a lunch at a river-side pub and a sleepy drive home, I showered off the mud and took a lovely nap. Upon waking I started to hatch my next inspired, money-saving plan.

Bread. Yes, I am baking bread. I used up my last slice today and I started thinking that a decent loaf of wheat bread at the grocery store runs about $3.50 or more. There has to be a cheaper way! So Mary and I went to Whole Foods and bought the necessary supplies I was lacking.

I could have sworn I had packed a loaf pan when I moved, but sadly I seem to have been mistaken. But I wouldn’t let that stop me! I was inspired by my Aunt Joelle who made bread on a sheet pan every day while I visited my family in France (part 1, part 2, part 3, and part 4). She made amazing bread without a loaf pan, so why can’t I?

Before: a lump of sticky dough.

While the bread baked, Mary helped me load all the ingredients onto the Sense to Save Recipe Cost Calculator and it turns out my entire loaf costs $1.67 and I have plenty of supplies for more. I love this! I’m so glad inspiration struck me to save a little money! The baking supplies were an “investment” up front but they’ll last a while and I can feel good about the bread knowing it has wholesome, whole ingredients in it.

After: wholesome carby goodness!!

I’m definitely going to be looking up more bread recipes online, but I used this simple one and I think I’ll be keeping it around!

beer, bloggers, & balance

I just had a great night!!! I got my teaching assignment for being a TA, I successfully navigated the public transit system, and I had a blogger meet up with some lovely ladies!

Cara, Caitlin, Teddy, Sarah, Carina, and I met up for a great dinner! I have “known” Caitlin for a while through the blogosphere and she, too, just moved to Austin the same week as me! And Cara and I found each other when I announced my move to Austin, so I’ve been reading her for a few months. The other girls were fun new finds! Sarah actually went to college in Virginia so we have some VA love to bond us!

We started out with a pitcher of Austin’s finest… Lone Star!

Lone Star (a Texan beer)

And then some pizza!

White pie (this + another small slice!)

And my lovely dinner buddies!

Left side from bottom: Carina, Teddy, Cara; right side from bottom: me (duh), Caitlin, and Sarah!

Thanks, Salvation Pizza, for some yummy pie! I normally am not a huge fan of thin crust (it has a carb deficiency) but this was quite delicious! We had originally planned to go to the restaurant next door and it was randomly closed But this turned out to be a great alternative.

Salvation Pizza on 34th

So let’s talk about my food intake lately. Yes, it appears as if I’ve been doing nothing but going out to dinner, drinking beer, and eating pizza. But, as you should know, I am a huge advocate of balance. So what if I eat pizza for dinner? I don’t apologize for what I eat. I’ll have a lighter lunch and make sure I get some good healthy fruit & veg in somehow. Having a healthy relationship with food means finding balance. I don’t believe in swearing off a food (except maybe meat if you’re a vegetarian like me… but that is a different issue). Labeling a food as “bad” creates bad food vibes and a bad relationship. There are foods I tend to keep out of the pantry, but I would never swear it off for being unhealthy. And I hate the word “moderation”. So you eat a few too many cookies? Keep making good food decisions and eventually they’ll outweigh the not so good decisions. Balance, people. Balance.

Life is too short to give up pizza and beer!!

bike ride & a new neighbor

Yesterday, I joined some of the current graduate students in my department for a bike ride to start learning my way around Austin. No one warned me that my department was so athletic!!! They’re all really strong riders and athletes, for a “social ride” it was a decent workout. My thighs are burning this morning! But I have to say, I loved socializing during exercise. I don’t always want a sweat buddy, but sometimes it is nice to have someone to talk to. It makes the time go by faster!

I didn’t snap any pictures because I was busy overcoming my fear of riding my bike in traffic, but we did stop at a really cool place to have lunch. For lunch, we went to a grocery store called Central Market where there is a small restaurant inside and a great patio. I had a Green Machine smoothie (orange, mango, and spirulina) and a granola bar. I was shockingly NOT hungry, just HOT and THIRSTY! The ride started around 10am and we wound around the city, ate lunch, and finished up around 1:30pm. When we were done it was nearing 103 degrees outside so I spent the rest of the afternoon chugging water and sitting in the pool at my apartment.

After recovering from the bike ride, I got a text from my friend Mary (the one in town looking for a place to live & my dinner buddy from the other night). It turns out, she signed a lease on an apartment in my complex!! My complex is made up of 2 different communities, but they’re all run out of the same leasing office. She will be about a 5 minute walk down a parking lot from me!!! We went out to dinner, again, to celebrate!

At North by Northwest Pub & Brewery, I enjoyed a carb fest. I sat down for dinner and realized it was 7pm and I hadn’t eaten anything since my granola bar & smoothie at 11:30am! I was ravenous!

Northern Light from the brewery at NXNW

Our appetizer... Skillet Fried Cornbread with goat cheese & wild mushrooms

Bleu cheese & artichoke pizza with caramelized onions (came with chicken & I subbed with artichokes!)

The pictures didn’t turn out great because of the lighting in the restaurant, but at least you were able to see my carb fest! I ate half the pizza and have the rest to eat for lunch today!!

So do you enjoy social exercise? And more importantly, do you enjoy the occasional carb fest? Carbs are not evil!!!

tex mex & a famous sunset

I have some time to kill this Sunday morning and, in the spirit of relaxation and down time, I figured I would share my dinner experience from last night!!

My friend Mary is moving here at the end of the month, so Mary and her mom are in town looking for apartments. They got in around dinner time last night and wanted Tex Mex, for obvious reasons. I had heard about this restaurant called The Oasis at Lake Travis and how it was famous for the view and for the margaritas.

Well we all hopped into my car and I drove us 25 minutes east and we arrived at the biggest restaurant I have ever seen.

I think I'll slip on down to The Oasis...

We had to park about a mile away and take a shuttle (glorified golf cart) to the front door, where we waited in a very long line JUST got get a buzzer for a table. I had NO idea it was such a big place!!! They’re doing a big expansion right now and the construction will make it even more of a massive mini-city. While we waited in line, Boy Scouts peddled popcorn, jewelry was being sold, and there was a man drawing caricatures! When we finally got our buzzer, we were shocked to hear that the wait was only 30 minutes for a table!

We headed up to the 3rd floor where a band was playing live music and there were 2 bars. We found a table and ordered some famous margaritas!

Me & Mary with our famous margaritas

After some music and brain freeze (that would be me with brain freeze), our buzzer went off and we were seated on one of the cliff-side patios. Seriously, I should have taken a picture, this restaurant is HUGE! In addition to the 3 floors, there are all these patios built into the cliffs! As we were seated, we were greeted by this view:

Another famous, perfect sunset over Lake Travis

The view was incredible as we ate our chips and Mary and her mom sipped margaritas. I was the DD, so I switched to water. Another bonus? You got to take the water cups home! They’re big, plastic, touristy souvenir cups… right up my alley!

Our food arrived and I was in love. I thought it was slightly over priced, but I think you pay for the atmosphere. The vegetarian selection wasn’t very ample, but the cheese enchiladas sounded great. I love Tex Mex, and thankfully I live in the right place to find it. I was impressed by the red sauce on my dinner, it was sweet but quite spicy… perfection!

Vegetarian Cheese Enchiladas with rice & black beans

With the breeze, the view, the company, and the love I’m developing for Texas, it was a perfect evening! I dropped Mary and her mom back at their hotel and finished the quick drive back to my apartment where I fell into bed and woke up this morning, totally in love with Austin.

epic taco win

Happy Wednesday! Today is a good day because I am officially a resident of the state of Texas! I spent an hour and a half at the DMV this morning to emerge victorious…. and with a giant, paper, temporary license. Seriously, in Virginia you get a real license immediately! Here they hand you a paper and mail you the real one. How the heck am I supposed to go to a bar with a license that looks like I printed it out from home?

Well to fuel myself for the DMV, I made myself a delicious dinner last night. I made one of my staples: the perfect baked sweet potato.

Baked sweet potato topped with vegetarian baked beans & goat cheese; cactus pear

To make the perfect baked sweet potato, simply rinse off and dry the potato with water, drizzle/spray a bit of olive oil onto the skin, rub it down with some salt and pepper, and place it on a baking sheet for 45 minutes in a 400* oven. And you have perfection. As for the cactus pear, or tuna as I know them from my summer in Mexico, they are impossible to find in VA but bountiful here in TX! I sprinkle them with lime juice & chili powder, just as I ate them for an entire summer in Guadalajara!

This morning I had a baby green smoothie & toast and headed off to the DMV. I also got very angry with my bank and joined the UT credit union here in Austin shortly after leaving DMV. Yay! After all that excitement, I was hungry again. Thankfully I had lunch plans/a social life!

Yesterday I geniusly thought to use the departmental mailing list to find friends and classmates to hang out with. One student, Sam, said he wanted to check out Resistencia Book Shop which is a shop of Latin American literature (what we’re both studying in grad school). It is in a cool part of town, so we figured we’d find a restaurant near by for lunch.

Resistencia Book Shop

It said it was closed but they had a sign in the window that said they’d be back at noon. So we waited until 12:10pm and then figured they were running late and decided to grab lunch next door at Somnio’s.

Somnio’s serves “South Austin Cuisine” and it is a good thing I live in South Austin because “South Austin Cuisine” is local, organic, and mostly vegetarian. That is a cuisine I can get behind! Also, Somnio’s serves nirvana, known in the food pyramid as a TACO.

Somnio's in South Austin

Nynavae's Tacos (panko crusted mushroom fritters, slaw, amazing sauce, wheat tortillas)

I have a new religion: mushroom fritter tacos

Thank you, Somnio’s Cafe for making the best vegetarian taco I have ever had. Seriously, these were epic. And for offering whole wheat tortillas! Even their daily specials sounded incredible, I had such a hard time picking what to order. I mean spicy watermelon gazpacho?! Don’t be surprised if I go back soon…

We went back to the book shop after lunch and, of course, it was still closed. Sam and I parted ways, but hanging out with him was really great. It was nice to get back in touch with my academic side and it has made me start thinking about grad school and my classes. I got a lot of responses to my email about meeting up, so hopefully I’ll meet more students soon!

Off to hang by the pool for a bit