Juan in a million.

Several TV shows Travel Channel and Food Network have discussed this East Austin restaurant. They are known for their breakfast tacos. I finally made it there. When we first arrived, there were about 20 people waiting for a table. It was mostly frat rats from UT.  The wait was not too bad.

We tried a few different tacos. I had a migas taco and a potato, egg and cheese. Both were very good. I still think Maria's Taco Express is better.  My coeater had a Machacado with egg, tomato, onion and chile jalapeño.  She said it was very good.  Since we had seen the restaurant featured on Man vs. Food, we went and took a picture with Juan.  He was very nice and greeted all the guest to his restaurant.  I would recommend this place but I personally like the breakfast tacos at Maria's better.

Doing my part to Keep Austin Weird

Alan

The hunt for the best hamburger continues

I usually don't eat out on weeknights.  Last night was an exception.   We had not taken anything out for dinner and I was craving a hamburger.  Decision time.  Was it going to be Mighty Fine, P Terry's or was it time to try someplace we had not been.  P Terry's was the winner.  We hit the newer location on North Lamar.  The only way to go at P Terry's is with the double double.  The meat patties are very thin.  The single does not have a good meat to bread ratio.  This is the kind of burger that the meat and cheese blend together into a perfect bite.  The fries that go with this are the thin cut, peel on variety.  One of the better fries in town.  P Terry's is somewhat of a copy of the famous In-N-Out Burger.  The menu is limited to burgers, fries and drinks.  P Terry's takes it to the organic level.  Everything is organic.  From the all natural Black Angus Beef to the organic tomatoes for the burger.  The fries are made fresh cut in the kitchen.  I have to qualify my statement that everything is organic.  They do serve Coke products and the ketchup is regular Heinz.  All in all, a good experience.  Much better than fast food.  There are many places that I need to try in search for the perfect burger.  I will report back as needed.

Doing my part to keep Austin Weird,

Alan

Many days, no blogs. Let's correct this now.

Okay, I have not been online over the weekend.  I have been to many restaurants and coffee shops since I was last on.  The few people that follow this blog have instructed me to add some excitement and normal Nirenbergisms.

Last Friday evening, I went to the Boathouse Grill on 620.  I have been there once before and did not remember it being anything special.  My memory was correct.  I had the fried shrimp basket.  The main event, fried shrimp, is mediocre.  It is not even close to being as good as Sam's Boat.  I have not been to Sam's since the blog was started but I will get in a visit soon to tell about how good the fried shrimp is at Sam's.  I will say the french fries at Boathouse are very good.

On Saturday afternoon, I had been doing some work in the South part of town and was hot and thirsty.  I needed a beer.  We stopped in at the original El Mercado on South 1st.  We split an order of crispy beef taco's and had a couple of Dos Equis.  The food was okay, nothing special.  The beer hit the spot.  The visit did give us an opportunity to watch the World Cup.  We watched Spain beat Paraguay.  I normally have cheese enchiledes at this restaurant.  Those are usually good but I would not get taco's again.  Store bought taco shells was the issue.  You have to make them fresh or don't even bother.  If I want store bought, I would make the taco's myself at home.  Hell, my significant other makes taco shells fresh when we eat taco's at home.   

Saturday night, we went to the last beta testing night of the newly opening Uchiko.  Before I begin, I should indicate that I am very new to eating raw things.  I have never been to the original Uchi.  The design of the place is nice.  I like the architecture a lot.  Very cool.  All the beautiful people were there.  Even the food is beautiful.  We went with another couple that are regulars at Uchi.  I depended on them for ordering.  The bottom line is that this just is not my kind of food.  The other couple loved it.  So I would defer to them on whether the restaurant is good or not.  We had a couple of different Saki's and about 7 or 8 different dishes.  We had a Sushi roll that had grilled tongue on top.  My first experience of tongue other than the female human variety.  It was interesting.  I liked it.  Then we had Uchiko's version of ceviche.  It was served like sushi.  It was a slice of cucumber with a scallop that had been "cooked" in lime juice.  It was good.  We also had a dish that was made with fried pork belly and apple.  It was good but not for me.  I guess it was the Jewish mother screaming in my ear that I should not be eating pig.  Then we had a dish that included slices of big eye tuna and a hot rock.  You are supposed to cook the fish on the hot rock.  Another interesting experience.  It was good.  As I mentioned before, I will take the word of the other couple that the food was very good.  Just not my thang.

Sunday morning was the usual run on Lady Bird Lake followed by coffee and conversation.  Today was a special counselling/advice session.  The Kunik's are always full of advice but today we had an in depth conversation about marriage, divorce, dating women with children and why that is probably not a good idea for someone that does not like kids.  Well, let's clarify, it is only ill behaved kids that I don't like.  The jury is still out on how this advice will effect my life.

Today I hit a new coffee shop.  I had heard that one of the main guys from my favorite coffee shop, Cafe Medicci,  had ventured out on his own.  So we hit Houndstooth Coffee.  As soon as I walked in I recognized the barista that I had not seen in awhile at Cafe Medicci.  He had started his own coffee shop.  He serves coffee from the same roaster as Medicci but also has some beans from a couple of other roasters.  Today I stuck with the regular french press and had the Guatemalan single origin.  It was very good.  Just as good as Medicci and closer to my house.  The owner/barista described the other roasters that are used in the espresso drinks.  I will give one of those a try next time. 

I will try to be more timely with my post.  That way I am more likely to remember the experience to describe in the blog.