Hitting the road? Ask questions about dining out anywhere, and post your trip reports here!
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Lois Mauk

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Austin, TX dining options Christmas Eve and Day

by Lois Mauk » Tue Dec 07, 2010 4:37 pm

I'm heading to Austin, TX to see my son for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and his birthday (the 27th). Unfortunately, his only days off from work will be the 24th and the 25th. The rest of the visit, I'll be largely on my own to explore. No worries.

But, anxious to investigate our dining options on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I posted a query to the Austin board on www.chowhound.com. I've received several interesting options which we'll explore upon my arrival. However, I wanted to share the staggering menu offered for the Christmas Day Brunch at the Driskill Hotel. WAY out of our price range, but I thought you foodie folks would enjoy reading it:

http://www.driskillhotel.com/pdf/Christ ... iskill.pdf
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Dan Thomas

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Re: Austin, TX dining options Christmas Eve and Day

by Dan Thomas » Wed Dec 08, 2010 12:56 am

I find that menu very interesting. About twelve years ago, when I was working at the Hilton at Tapatio Cliffs in Phoenix, AZ, we ran a similar Sunday brunch every week at that price point. We had no problems putting butts in seat week in and week out. Times have certainly changed :? Except for that Lamb with Mint Jelly..... :roll:
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Sara R

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Re: Austin, TX dining options Christmas Eve and Day

by Sara R » Wed Dec 08, 2010 2:44 pm

I went to UT in Austin for my undergrad degree so I'd be happy to help! I must say, Home Slice Pizza is the best pizza I've ever had in my entire life...I'm talking in the US and abroad. It is absolutely amazing. Be prepared to wait at least an hour, sometimes two on weekends. It's definitely worth it though!
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Lois Mauk

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Re: Austin, TX dining options Christmas Eve and Day

by Lois Mauk » Wed Dec 08, 2010 9:03 pm

Thanks, Sara. My big concern was trying to line up dining/eating/food options for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. My son's kitchen is going to be one step above a dorm room, I'm sure, with only the most rudimentary equipment and supplies. (You know . . . a bowl, a pan, a couple of spoons, etc.).

We found quite a few places that will be open Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, the pickings get a little slimmer. But I found several places that we'll have to check into.

He's only off work on Friday and Saturday. Monday and Tuesday, I'll be on my own to explore while he works second shift at Apple.

Lois
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Re: Austin, TX dining options Christmas Eve and Day

by Lois Mauk » Tue Dec 28, 2010 4:19 pm

Heading home to the Derby City on Wednesday morning, but wanted to report in from Austin, Texas. (I wanted to say "Sunny Austin, TX", but it's raining today.)

Enjoyed several tasty meals here. Cooked a few too. Let's see . . . Where have we been this past week?

Salt Lick BBQ -- Combo plate was awesome with brisket, sausage smoked on site and a big, meaty rib. Mustard-based sauce available for those who like their Que "wet". Thought the coolers everyone was toting was odd but later figured out the place is BYOB. :lol: http://www.saltlickbbq.com/

Threadgills -- Austin institution, open 365 days a year. We enjoyed Christmas Dinner here. It was crowded but we only had about a 10 minute wait for an excellent table and superior service. I had the obligatory CFS and my son enjoyed fried oysters, both with all the fixings. http://www.threadgills.com/

Got to see 4 horses and 1 deer (DOR) on the way out to Driftwood, TX. Have seen lots of sand, rocks, cacti and pecan trees. A shocking number of fences too. Haven't seen a cow or a steer yet! Not even an armadillo!

Luby's Cafeteria -- Southern cooking; fried chicken; greens; CFS (chicken fried steak); etc. A Texas institution but fairly standard cafeteria cuisine. http://www.lubys.com/en/

Stuffed -- Visited a Cajun meat market. Picked up some Andouille sausage and shrimp. Made a pot of Jambalaya. To tell the truth, their Andouille is almost as good as my own. Mine has less fat and maybe a bit more smoke. But still, excellent. http://stuffedfoodstores.com/

Jardin Corona Mexican Food -- If you're in North Austin, this place was excellent. We had breakfast tacos, though I passed on the barbacoa taco (traditionally barbequed cow's head). Everything we tried was excellent. No website, that I could find.

Texas Land & Cattle Company -- Couldn't leave Texas tomorrow without at least one steak under my belt. Don't know how "authentic" it was, but we had a terrific lunch today at TXLC. My son enjoyed a couple of Fish Tacos (fried tilapia) and I had a bacon-wrapped sirloin. That's not my favorite cut of meat, but it was part of their "2 for $25" special. Nonetheless, the sirloin was excellent, very well seasoned and perfectly medium rare. A big thumbs up! http://www.texaslandandcattle.com

Also dropped in on several HEB grocery stores ("Here, Everything's Better") in the process of stocking up sonny boy's pantry. In fact, that was the ONLY chain of grocery stores I spotted, other than the ethnic ones. http://www.heb.com

There are a jillion greyt places to eat in Austin. We drove downtown on Christmas Day, just to do a little mobile sightseeing. Saw the Capital, the Colorado River, the amazing architecture. Saw a few of the food carts that are so prevalent here. Didn't get to enjoy them this trip; maybe next time.

To see and learn more about Austin's food carts, see http://austinfoodcarts.com

My son was off work only on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. He works from 1 PM to 10 PM, which cuts a huge swath through the available hours to do any sightseeing. So, we worked out a compromise. We did lunch together each day before he went to work and I had supper ready when he came home at 10:15 PM. Tonight, we're going go exploring in search of the elusive late-night hamburger or something. I understand WhataBurger is open around the clock. Available only across the southern tier of states, from Arizona to Florida. http://www.whataburger.com/

Hope to be home Wednesday evening. Good Lord willing! Trusting most of the delays and cancellations caused by the NE blizzard will be cleared out by tomorrow morning.

Lois
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Becky M

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Re: Austin, TX dining options Christmas Eve and Day

by Becky M » Tue Dec 28, 2010 4:37 pm

Lois glad you have enjoyed yourself in austin. It's good to hear that though you have a tight schedule you and your son are spending some time together.

Do try the barbacoa.... it is traditionally from cow's head, but people have strayed from that. Barbacoa has taken on more to mean the breakfast type tacos or how it is cooked.

H-E-B..... awww how i miss those.... Yup, not much else to shop in that area and southward. They tried having Albertson's around, but i think it was too pricey. Because they closed pretty quickly. Here Everythings Better....nice to hear their new tagline.... HEB actually stands for the founder son's name, Howard E. Butt.
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Lois Mauk

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Re: Austin, TX dining options Christmas Eve and Day

by Lois Mauk » Tue Dec 28, 2010 6:12 pm

Thanks, Becky, for the info about the barbacoa. Though I was raised by people who enjoyed head cheese, tongue sandwiches, etc., I've just never been a fan of "head parts" of any critter. Just my own personal prejudice, I know. Next time I'm in Austin, I might give it a whirl!

That HEB slogan did sound kind of "made up" or "made to fit". I looked for an "About Us" link that might have provided a glimpse of the company's history. Found a good deal more on Wikipedia.

Yeah, we had a good time together. Didn't get to see as much as I'd hoped but James and I spend a lot of quality time together, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and his 31st birthday. And, so far, we haven't squabbled. :)
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Re: Austin, TX dining options Christmas Eve and Day

by Lois Mauk » Tue Dec 28, 2010 7:01 pm

Hey, Becky! Just got an email from my son. He works for Apple in Austin and they frequently cater meals for the staff. He wanted to know if I wanted him to bring me a Barbacoa Burrito when he comes home tonight. I told him, "Bring it on!" Wanted you to know that I acted on the opportunity!
Last edited by Lois Mauk on Wed May 04, 2011 9:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Will Terry

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Re: Austin, TX dining options Christmas Eve and Day

by Will Terry » Wed May 04, 2011 3:42 pm

It's a little late for this, but if you are ever in Austin, try P. Terry's... it's a hamburger stand (local chain now) started by my uncle Pat.

Family allegiance aside, it's a great burger and they have wonderful milkshakes.
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Lois Mauk

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Re: Austin, TX dining options Christmas Eve and Day

by Lois Mauk » Wed May 04, 2011 9:10 pm

I'll check it out the next time I get down to Austin. Thx.
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