I'll hit up any taco truck in town... I am a sucker for tacos, especially lengua, but sorry... not into "Enchiladas Suizas" and that bullshit.
On a side note, met a client at Ski Shores today. Best view in town. Prices are stupid... although less stupid when you expense your lunch.
Honestly I choose from three items: breakfast tacos, tacos al pastor or ensalada Guero so hard to screw up any of those. Queso does the trick and the pickled jalapenos are free and plentiful. Margs are still good and the beer is cold. I don't eat typical tex-mex (enchiladas, other goop covered cheese bombs) so their menu is perfect for me.
Haven't seen a line there in a long ass time
Man, I know there's some hate for the place but stick me at Guero's on the front patio with 3-4 chico tacos al pastor, some chips and queso and a Pacifico and I'm good. Move me to the oak garden with music and I'm good there, too.
Funny thing is I kind of like the vibe/patio at JoAnn's... I mean, that's a great patio. Prices? Suck. And LOL...
Green pea guac
Queso with soyrizo
...and while its criminal to charge for chips and salsa, $6 for slices of cucumber with tajin? LOL.
What I found amazing is that someone felt that was an appropriate way to identify themselves to the business community. Not to say that there aren't others that feel like this guy but, man, that is laying it all out.
The one near is about two blocks away. Pretty accurate. Hels me also get a good read on rain amounts since I'm sandwiched between that an an LCRA gauge.
Go to Wunderground, open the map that shows your neighborhood and all the various weather stations. Find the station closest to you and then track that one.
Example - here are a couple in Hyde Park:
Clicked on the 98 near Hancock to show a station you can track. No, I don't live in Hyde Park. I wish.
Haven't been up there in a while. Need to find something central. But I was looking at the menu of his location... simple dishes executed well. That's what it's all about.
Back to pizza... y'all like Allday pizza next to Flo's? I know its more NY Style but I like the concept of a slice of pizza and wine. The patio is great... if you can get a spot.
So, this is where the Italian snobbery comes out...
I wouldn't go to Reale's. Very Italian-American and I'm trying to wrap my head around $17.99 fried calamari. Anyway, Austin just kind of sucks for your "trattoria" type Italian places... good quality unpretentious Italian food that is reasonably priced but well executed. That's why I mentioned Giacomo's in Houston.
Artipasta is good but its a food truck... owner is nice and he does a great job. Its not like Dolce Vita where I can go on a Sunday and have a two hour relaxed lunch (sniffle sob sniffle). I DO like Bufalina and particularly for happy hour.
Austin's Italian food scene sucks.
For the whole sheet, right? RIGHT???
I hear you. I miss our friends. I wish my parents were here... otherwise...
I really really miss Dolce Vita but that ship sailed in 2020 when Marco Wiles decided to sell off the building. Having Giacomo's in Austin would help. Nothing like really good quality affordable Italian in Austin. That's a big gap here. Pizza is good if you know where to go and having a new DeSano within shouting distance will kick ass.