Jul

02

2012

Summer time in Austin, Tx from Food Trailers to Watering Holes

Jul. 02. 2012

As an Austinite I enjoy the outdoors. I support local as much as I can. But one thing I do a little too much? The same thing. As a creature of habit I find myself resorting to the things I already know and love about this town, such as:

Alamo Drafthouse. (Once you watch a movie here, it will never be the same, and it isn’t only because you can eat and drink either. The events, the spacious leg room, the funny previews and commercials prior-all tops!)

Amy’s Ice Cream. The Elvis please! Mexican vanilla ice cream with banana slices and Rees’es PB cups crushed in, the funky fella tosses up my ice cream and catches it, half the time I try to Google the movie quote for a free crush in, but feel too guilty actually claiming I know it.

Bird’s Barbershop. Yes, I realize I am a lady, but this is a great place to get a trim. I even have a chick I like on the Burnett location, but why is it every time I need a haircut so does everyone else?! Always busy, but never disappointed, funky, ran well, reasonably priced in my opinion.

I can literally go on. I am pretty good about trying new entrees at restaurants, but I drink the same things, I go to the same bars, I haven’t done my hair differently since the perm I had in junior high (Ok, HS but I’d like to forget those days).

What am I attempting to do differently? (and this will be no easy task as change is hard!–Read previous personal blogs just to see how hard for me, ha) I have a SUMMER AUSTIN BUCKET LIST! I don’t care if I do these things alone, on crappy dates or with friends, but I will do it. The list maybe won’t be all complete this Summer, but at least I am out attempting and trying new things. What is sad is there are so many things I think of as I am driving past or hearing but I cannot think of the things when I sit down and write about them.

Here is what I have so far (that I can remember) on my “FUN THINGS I MUST DO AND TRY IN AUSTIN, TX THIS SUMMER”(no surprise, many of them are food related)…

*Note-Some Items I have done, but maybe did when I first visited or moved here and some I am sad to report I have lived here all this time and have yet to do/try***

  • Franklin Bar B Q
  • A greasy fantastic burger from Casino El Camino
  • Olive and June
  • Krause Springs
  • Pearla’s
  • Bat’s-go watch three fly from under bridge at sunset
  • Sky diving!
  • East side show room-for cocktails and East Side King’s 1 of 3 trailers
  • East side Pies
  • Yellow Jacket social club for brunch
  • Man Bites Dog
  • Stand Up Paddle-boarding
  • Nutty Brown Cafe Brunch
  • Bob Schneider at Saxon Pub
  • Country Dancing (it’s been a while since I’ve worn my boots)
  • Show at Antone’s
  • Uchiko
  • Your Mom’s Burger Bar (hey I like burgers, they just opened another location?!)
  • Ride the Metro Rail (as a Realtor, it should just be required)
  • The Pit Bar B Q (I never even noticed it until the other day! On Burnet Rd)
  • Elizabeth’s (I hear good things of this new place in 78704)
  • Attend more of the MeetUp groups I actually sign up for but never get to go to
  • Annie’s Cafe (Congress/DT, also hear good things and bummed I never bought the Groupon)
  • Volunteer a little more with Big Brother Big Sister
  • Perry’s Steakhouse (hopefully there will be something to celebrate)
  • Learn to drive a boat…better. ha.
  • Another photography class
  • Gospel Brunch at Stubb’s Bar B Q
  • Pelon’s (across the street from Stubb’s-looks cool, I’ve taken pics…see below)
  • Midnight Cowboy (new hide-away bar)
  • Barley Swine (I know too many people that work here and have too much affiliation to have not stopped in yet!)
  • Salty Sow (new place off Manor)
  • Craft projects I have been putting off (all having to do with the numerous Austin photos I take)
  • All the trailers that aren’t too spicy for my tastebuds up and down Congress, S. 1st, East side and then some! (I swear I am from Texas).

Last week I was super proud of myself, I tried something pretty dang spicy (for me)-East side Kings-brussel sprouts and the pork belly on sticky buns, very good, despite my nose running and the guy telling me it wasn’t hot. To cool down I tried Cool Haus Austin-the ice cream cookie sandwich place with edible sugar wrapper-amazing.

My Meal at Liberty Bar from East Side Kings (1 of several trailers)

Two sisters manning the Cool Haus Truck. One in CA, this one stays put in Austin but there’s another you must follow on Twitter to find out where it is!

I also tried El Chilito. I know a lot of people love El Chile in Austin. It does well. It has several locations, but I am not a fan. I may attempt to go back as my tastebuds have blossomed immensely since moving here, but I did try their little taco stand a few doors down on Manor. Tip: Don’t sit in your car and eat the burrito before an appt. (too hot to eat outside). Totally got burrito juice on my dress and stained it. Worth it…hmmm kind of?!

This happy tree can be found on the East side, can you guess where?

What other places and things do I need to add to my list? Any recommendations, suggestions and ideas are always welcome!

Gotta love East side artistry…


For the commitment-phobes. 🙂