Conan's Pizza

 Of the several pizzerias who call Austin home, Conan's is easily my favorite. Established in 1976, Conan's was the first to bring Chicago-style deep-dish pizza to Austin. The pizza crust is homemade each morning and allowed to rise three times to ensure thickness. Conan's also makes their own pizza sauce, and uses as many local, fresh ingredients as are available. The result is a unique and delicious pizza experience.

 A thin crust option is also available, but why would anyone do that?

 The decor of every Conan's takes inspiration from village eateries; wood panels and beams, booths and tables depending on your preference. Each is also decorated with Frank Frazzeta-style art; the artist famed for his curvy pinups, Death Dealer paintings, and the classic Conan the Barbarian designs. It also would not be an Austin icon without being a little weird and allowing patrons to contribute their mark to the walls.

 Starting with an appetizer, the cheese bread is what I would recommend. It is a warm, fluffy baguette buttered and covered in a gooey layer of mozzarella cheese. With a side of their pizza sauce for dipping, this by itself could make a satisfying light lunch.

 Gabe ordered the Savage; sausage, hamburger, pepperoni, green pepper, mushroom, onion, black olive, jalapeno, and anchovy. You have the option of with or without fire (jalapeno) and fish (anchovy). Gabe went with a wheat, thin-crust (why?). For Gabe, the standard deep-dish crust is almost too thick, an opinion that I disagree with.

 I ordered the Meaters; sausage, hamburger, pepperoni, and Canadian bacon on a wheat deep-dish crust (my choice instead of white). We both went with the 10" small pizzas. Both are cut into 6 slices and would easily be enough for two people (half of each of our pies we took home). The Meaters was deep and filled with ingredients, then covered with a thick layer of mozzarella. You will even want to eat the crust.

 The waitstaff at the West Anderson was attentive and clearly enjoyed their work, and I appreciate their skill at making certain they cleared the table of empty dishes and filled our drinks without being obtrusive. I am looking forward to my next visit.

http://conanspizza.com/

2438 W Anderson Ln.
Austin, TX 78757
Phn 512 459 3221

Tumble 22 Hot Chicken

 I love fried chicken. For most of my life, my favorite fried chicken has been KFC. I have had Popeye's, Golden Chicks, Churches, Hoovers, Lucy's, Lee's... and many others. KFC had been the standard by which I measured them. The savory flavor or Original Recipe had beat out every other offering I tried.

 Until Tumble 22. I had no idea that fried chicken could be so good. People from out of town who have said to me "how good could a fried chicken place be?" have become Tumble 22 converts, telling people they HAVE to visit when they come to Austin.

 Seriously, it is that good.

 The Burnet Road location has indoor and outdoor seating. It has a country diner vibe; small tables for two, booths, cocktail tables, and picnic tables outside. A full bar has a couple of televisions for sports enthusiasts, and they offer a series of signature cocktails that are well worth trying. The bottom line, though, is that Tumble 22 is about the chicken.

 All the offerings, from pieces to tenders or even "oysters" (the fatty bit between the leg and the thigh, FANTASTIC if you like dark meat), are served at your choice of heat-level, from wimpy (no spices, level 1) to "Cluckin' Hot" (level 5). I am a "Mo' Hot" (level 3) person; sweet and spicy enough to burn a little.

 I have yet to try anything beyond Mo' Hot. Rumor has it there is an off-menu 6th degree of heat.

 My go-to is either the 1/4 Dark (leg and thigh) or the Chicken Oysters. The chicken is crisp, hot, and savory. A variety of sides are offered (two come with the meal). The fries are fairly standard. The beans pair well with the chicken, very flavorful. The macaroni-and-cheese is good, but even better when chicken is added (at the heat level of your choice) from their Happy Hour menu.

 Chicken tenders and oysters come with a selection of dipping sauces. The tenders are made from huge pieces of breast meat, prepared and seasoned-to-order. The boneless options are the tenders (white meat) and oysters (dark meat). The favored sauce is the sweet chili-lime, adding another source of sweet and heat to each bite.

 Don't forget to order one of their signature pies. Lemon Meringue is my current favorite.

 The staff is always great; attentive and friendly even when they are very busy. They are often very busy, especially during lunch and dinner. The best time to go is at 3pm, right at the beginning of Happy Hour, Monday through Friday. Traffic in the shop is much lighter. Otherwise, be prepared for a 20 minute wait or longer. I would not recommend Tumble 22 as a stop for a lunch break if you only have a limited window to dine. Make time to sit down and enjoy the experience.

http://tumble22.com/

7211 Burnet Rd.
Austin, TX 78757
Phn 512 520 1998

FoxHole Culinary Tavern

 The FoxHole is a gorgeous, modern restaurant tucked-in among several shopping centers off of highway 183 in north Austin. There is a subtle sport-bar vibe behind a very high-end dining environment. The wood-fired grill is behind a seasonal, scratch kitchen. The seasonal, scratch nature of the menu means that it not only changes regularly, but also that not every item on the menu is consistently available. On most of my visits, the waiter started their introduction itemizing what menu features they were currently out of.

 I was very impressed on my initial visit, with subsequent visits by both myself and friends changing that opinion. The waitstaff is often inattentive, even when the patronage is light. My observations have been that often the staff were more focused on socializing among themselves than ensuring my drink was refreshed. There has also been a sense of some eminent drama on the back-end. I have overheard talk of problems in the kitchen, staffing issues, and other business that probably should not be discussed in the dining area.

 The experience that truly set my opinion of the FoxHole was they day my drink arrived with something unusual in it. I ordered a soda, and it arrived with a weird garnish placed vertically in the glass. It was large enough to be wedged in the glass so as to not float, and thin enough to suggest it was some kind plant. When I noticed it, I surmised that it was a slice of water-chestnut based on the color. When I took it out of the glass, I discovered it was a FoxHole Coaster.

 The waiter suggested that the bussers regularly put garbage in the glasses when they bus the tables; napkins, straw wrapper, and coasters. The glasses are dumped and placed in a dishwasher. The persons manning the dishwasher missed the coaster wedged in the glass, as did the waiter who filled my drink order.

 And nothing was mentioned about it afterward; no visit from the manager, no offer to comp an appetizer, just kind of a "I'm sorry, that just sort of happens" apology. My last visit was for the purpose of providing a recent review.

 I started with the Point Judith Calamari, calamari mixed with broccoli florets and julienne-cut peppers. It is a good appetizer, lightly breaded with large pieces of calamari. The appetizer is also about half vegetables, and as it is all breaded-and-fried you often are surprised with a vegetable when you might have expected calamari. While the appetizer is similarly priced as other calamari plates, you get far less calamari here. Great if you have a mix of people who may or may not enjoy calamari, a disappointment if you ordered calamari for calamari.

 The Country Fried Akaushi Steak was a good country fried steak truly set off by the jalapeno-mushroom black pepper gravy. Without the gravy, the steak itself was fair. The portion size is large enough that two could split the meal and be satisfied.

 My daughter had the Tomato Wild wood-fired flatbread. She has tried several of the flatbreads at FoxHole and noted that the Tomato Wild flatbread always seems to be crisper than the others, almost burnt. Otherwise, she enjoys it.

 FoxHole Culinary Tavern is a mixed experience. If the chef and staff are having a good day, the results are likely to be good. It seems like management there is very lax, with the staff left to their own devices regarding how to manage issues and provide service. A lot of love and care has clearly been put into the aesthetic of the place, but the staff seems far less invested.

https://www.foxholeaustin.com/

13995 N Highway 183
Austin, TX 78717
Phn 512 386 1354

Moonshine Grill

 The Moonshine Grill has a beautiful location in Avery Ranch that is worth the visit. The indoor seating is expansive yet intimate, and there is a spacious outdoor patio that is wonderful in our milder seasons. During my several visits I have found the waitstaff to be consistently pleasant and attentive. The complimentary appetizer of not bread, not tortilla chips (as is common in Austin), but seasoned popcorn, demonstrates how this restaurant strives to stand apart. Moonshine Grill is a great location for date-night, brunch with friends, a corporate outing, or a family meal.

 Serving classic American "comfort food", there is a problem with consistency with the food itself. My go-to is the Chicken Fried Steak with chipotle gravy and yukon mashers. During this visit, the steak was flavorful without the gravy. The gravy added an additional layer of flavor that enhanced the taste of the breading and meat, and I really enjoyed it. Usually that is the case, but I have also had experiences with the Chicken Fried Steak that were less flavorful or the steak seemed tougher than it should have been. Not bad per-say, but not as good as the typical experience.

 The Street Corn Queso was a real surprise. I had not experienced corn in my queso before, and had shied away from ordering it in the past. If you like queso, don't wait to try this appetizer. The corn kernels are only noticeable for the sweetness they add to the queso flavor, and the tortilla chips are fantastic.

 My daughter ordered the Pimento Cheeseburger with the addition of a fried egg. Burger orders, in particular, have been hit-or-miss at Moonshine Grill. In her opinion, the burger was overcooked; the egg fried hard and the patty was "rubbery". The Pimento cheese added texture, but no flavor. Dissatisfaction with the burgers at Moonshine seems to be a reflection of the expectations of the experience. It is a beautiful restaurant, the plate is a wonderful presentation, so the run-of-the-mill burger experience tends to be a let-down.

 I enjoyed the Bootlegged Sour, a very well-made whiskey sour. The mix enhanced the whiskey flavor instead of overpowering it. Drinks at Moonshine Grill have consistently been on-point; well-mixed variations of familiar cocktails that are very enjoyable.

 Moonshine Grill is a great space with generally good food and a wonderful staff. "Comfortable" is descriptive of more than just the menu.

https://moonshinegrill.com/

10525 West Parmer Lane
Austin, TX 78717
Phn 512 5518669

Heaven's Bistro Bakery

 I would have missed this little gem on Parmer Lane had it not been for one of my friend's patronage of a local board gaming store. Tucked into a small building next to, but separate from a strip-mall, this place is easy to miss, but well worth the visit. Heaven Bistro Bakery offers a full-service coffee-bar, and I was able to enjoy a delightful iced-mocha that was on-par with many of the local coffee-shops. 

 The pastries, however, are incredible.

 My daughter enjoyed the tiramisu, which looked light and creamy. Unfortunately, I did not have the chance to try it. Instead, I ordered the lemon bar, oatmeal chocolate-chip cookie, macaroon, and hazelnut rocher (don't judge me). Each was simply more wonderful than the next. We had just had lunch, so I could not have more than a bite of each, but every tasting

was worth it. 

 I enjoy a macaroon, but I have yet to have one that was as tasty as the macaroons here. Flakey, chewy, with the perfect balance of coconut as to not be overly dry or acidic. 

 Lemon Bars are another of my favorite treats, and Heaven's Bistro did not disappoint. The bar was juicy and decadent, just fantastic.

 The hazelnut rocher was new experience for me. Rich, creamy, and with a flavor not unlike a ferrero rocher candy. The chocolate shell contains a creamy hazelnut custard layered on-top a chocolate cake.

 There menu includes breakfast and sandwich options, which I am looking forward to trying on my next visit. Treat yourself to this delight.

 https://www.heavensbistrobakery.com/

 2205 W, Parmer Ln.

 Ste. 100

 Austin, TX, 78727

 Phn 512 351 8044

Maudie's Tex-Mex

 Maudie's Tex-Mex (for me) sets the standard for Tex-Mex restaurants, and is one of the first restaurants my wife and I visited when moving to Austin. We were regular patrons of the North Lamar location for many years; taking our kids there for breakfast most Sundays and catching Monday Night Football and sharing drinks there for our weekly date-nights. The North Lamar location is small, intimate, and very authentic-feeling. Maudie's Triangle is far more modern and spacious, with a youthful and energetic vibe.

 For National Margarita Day, it is easily my go-to spot.

 My favorite drink at Maudie's is the Mexican Martini, a sweet and spicy variation of the margarita. Most of the Tex-Mex restaurants in Austin have some version of this drink, but Maudie's raises the bar.

 Maudie's is also the source of my favorite breakfast tacos, served all day with several options on the menu or you can have them your way (I'm a sausage, bacon, egg, and cheese guy myself.). Paired with the Mara's Bean Dip, you get a huge bang for your buck.

 When not dining on the wonderful breakfast tacos, my favorite item on the menu is the Nachos Compuestos. Again, there are several versions of this item at other Tex-Mex restaurants, but Maudie's sets the pace. The appetizer is more than a meal for two people, and great to enjoy while watching the game on one of their televisions.

 There are some caveats to the high praise I heap on Maudie's. The Austin-Bergstrom Airport location is practically a different restaurant, much to my disappointment. Save your money for a Maudie's in town. Carry-out at Maudie's is good, but not as good as dining in. I am not certain why, but the care in preparation and even the portion size seem to be different (less) when ordering to-go. To enjoy Maudie's, dine-in is recommended.

Price: about $10 a plate.

https://www.maudies.com/

North Lamar
10205 N. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX, 78753
Phn: 512 832 0900

The League Kitchen and Tavern

 I first heard about The League Kitchen and Tavern via a radio advertisement. I had frequented the area near their Avery Ranch location several times, but never noticed the restaurant. It is set back a little ways from Parmer Lane, and its corner location in a small shopping center is easy to miss. The Avery Ranch location has a small sports-bar vibe, the store is divided into a bar with booths side and a general dining side with booths and tables. They also have a small outdoor patio. 

 On our initial visit, the waitress described the theme of the restaurant as 1920s, prohibition era, though I feel the decor was more reflective of the 40s or 50s. The menus was also meant to reflect the 1920s, but with a modern take. For example, as this was our first visit we were treated to a "deconstructed dump-cake". In other words, the cake was not dumped on anything, but a sprinkling of crushed nuts served as a garnish (so, technically it is no longer a dump-cake).

 The service was great, with a courteous host and attentive staff. We started with Bacon Mac and Cheese and Coconut Shrimp as an appetizer. The mac-and-cheese was fantastic; creamy, gooey, cheesy sauce coating seashell macaroni noodles with bacon and breadcrumbs. The serving size would be a meal in itself for two people. 

 The coconut shrimp had a far lighter breading that other restaurants, which greatly improved the dish by comparison. The sweet apricot sauce paired perfectly with the coconut, making it a real treat to eat. Four pieces of jumbo shrimp made it a plentiful dish.

 My go-to for first time visits to a pub-style restaurant is the fish-and-chips, which was lackluster by comparison to the appetizers. Good, but no better than most the local pubs. You will be relying on the tartar sauce and malt vinegar to make the meal interesting. The french-fries were also standard fair, and I next visit I opted for the truffle upgrade to the fries for a better experience. 

 My daughter had the Southern Burger, described on the menu as a burger including sugar-cured bacon, cheddar, tabasco shoestring onions, and brooklyn barbeque sauce. I would expect the burger to have a sweet, tangy flavor based on the description, but in her opinion it was on the bland-side. She also noted that on our first visit the burger was over-cooked (ordered medium), but was correct on our next visit.

 The G-Ma's Old Fashioned Dump Cake was complimentary on our initial visit, which was a nice touch. Again, though, the verdict on the cake was "okay", good, but nothing special.

 On our next visit, we tried the lobster roll sliders as an appetizer. While good, the three small sandwiches were probably not worth the $16 price.

 I was excited about seeing a Prime Rib Sandwich on the menu, looking for something closer to home than the incredible sandwich at Bartlet's. The sandwich only served the re-enforce our initial experience; kind of mediocre. The shaved prime rib had the flavor and appearance of cooked deli roast beef, the swiss cheese was barely noticeable, requiring the horseradish and au jus to add any zing to the experience. 

 I enjoyed The League's atmosphere, and could see popping in if I was in the area and wanted to catch a game while having a burger. The Bacon Mac and Cheese is definitely worth going back for. The other items I have tried so far have not been anything to be excited about. 

 Price: About $15 a plate.

 https://www.leaguekitchen.com/

 Avery Ranch Store

10526 W. Parmer Ln.

Austin, TX 78717

Phn: 512 366 5627

Lick Honest Ice Creams

 A buddy and I were out on Burnet one night waiting to go meet-up with our crew for a few beers, when he says "I'm in the mood for ice cream". He did a quick search for places close by, expecting to find a Baskin Robbins or Dairy Queen. Instead, he found a place called "Licks".

 How could you not go to a place called Licks?

 I have found the sweeping changes in the Austin Market fascinating. Nothing is simple anymore. You cannot just open a burger-joint in Austin; instead it either needs to be "gourmet" or "retro". Pretentiousness has become a gimmick. It was a bit of a cultural jolt to find a specialty ice cream place sandwiched between two very classy restaurants and in a strip-shopping center including a couple of high-end furniture stores next door to one of the newly built apartment/shopping structures. Not long ago, this same area is where one would go to visit local comic-book stores, tattoo-studios, and head-shops. 

 Austin is changing.

 Licks is closer to a European ice cream shop than the traditional American shop, primarily in that the scoops are smaller than what you might expect. The distinction that Lick wants you to recognize is their use of all-natural ingredients and artisan ice creams. You don't just get vanilla, you get "Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans enhanced by the sweet, complex notes of local Good Flow Honey". You don't get chocolate, you get "buttery notes from SRSLY Chocolate and Texas Olive Ranch olive oil shine through this dark chocolate and sea salt flavor".

 That is what I got. Two scoops of that in a chocolate-waffle bowl. As weird as chocolate, olive-oil, and sea-salt ice cream might sound, it was very good. There was just a hint of salt in this very chocolaty ice cream. Service was friendly, even though it was a busy night. seating was limited, as was parking (half the 20+ spaces lot was closed off for the valet parking being offered by one of the restaurants). 

 The price was very reasonable. My two scoops of specialty ice cream with a chocolate waffle bowl was right around $4.00. 

 The crowd at this place on the night I visited matched the decor. Definitely the "in" crowd or those desperate to be seen that way. My friend and I stuck out like two sore thumbs. Lick Honest Ice Creams appears to be a favorite of the Hipster-Elite in Austin, but don't hold that against it.

 Next time I visit, I am trying the Goat Cheese, Thyme, and Honey ice cream.

Dan's Hamburgers: North Lamar

 I have been shopping at the Half Price Books on North Lamar Boulevard south of West Koenig Lane for over a decade. The entire time, Dan's Hamburgers was right across the street, but I never bothered visiting. I went to Fran's Hamburgers on South Congress when I first moved to Austin (until 1990, they were the same company), and as readers of this blog know I was not impressed.  I had a little time one day and was in the area, so instead of stopping into DK Sushi next door, I decided to give Dan's a shot.

 Dan's Hamburgers is another Austin original business, founded in 1973. Going into the Dan's on North Lamar has the feel of stepping back in time to the 1970s; the restaurant has a simple floor-plan with red and chrome fixtures and an almost dingy look (unavoidable in an open room where lots of things are fried every day). The menu has nothing out of the ordinary; burgers, fries, onion rings, sodas, and shakes. Dan's has a breakfast and dinner menu that includes omelets, breakfast tacos (because this is Austin), biscuits and gravy, chicken strips, and chicken-fried steak.

 The onion-rings are a must, though they are a little thick for my taste they are still amazing. The double-hamburger with cheese I ordered was good; just what you would expect of a simple hamburger. A burger, onion rings, and a soda was just over $10. The service was friendly and the food was cooked to order. It is not a place you will get in-and-out of quickly, but you won't mind the wait.

 Dan's Hamburgers has expanded to four locations, and based on the images on their website (http://dans-hamburgers.com/), the North Lamar location is either the oldest or the most in need of renovation. Good food for a good price, but lacking in aesthetics. A hamburger place doesn't need to be pretty, but when the word I think of to describe the interior is "dingy", there is room for improvement.

Old School Bar and Grill

 On a Sunday, we had the need to be on 6th Street.  We were on our way to Tears of Joy and we were trying to decide on what to have for lunch.  My daughter is a minor, but unbeknownst to many minors can eat at the bars that serve food in Austin as long as it is before a certain time, like maybe 8pm.  So, as we happened to be walking by the Old School Bar and Grill, their greeter stopped us at the door and asked if we wanted to see a menu.  We decided to roll with it, and ended up on the third-floor balcony overlooking 6th Street, waiting for our lunch.

The Old School Bar and Grill is in a really beautiful building, one with a great deal of antique charm.  We were escorted through the ground-floor eatery up two flights of wooden stairs to what appeared to be the dance-floor and stage on the third-floor, and from there to the balcony.  This was the perfect day to be eating outside, maybe in the high 60s and just a little cloudy.  They had probably only opened within the last hour, but the wait-staff proved to be very attentive to the handful of patrons already out on Sunday.

 A couple of items caught my eye on their menu.  They serve a Blue Cheese Buffalo Burger, a hamburger patty seasoned with buffalo sauce, blue cheese, and bacon.  I considered this as an option until I saw they have fish-and-chips, my base-line pub-food of choice.  I elected to have the fish-and-chips, while my daughter went with a burger.

 In addition, there drink menu included a concoction called "The Granpa", a collection of fruit liquors that sounded tasty.  I am one who likes my drinks to taste good, and not require developing a taste for them.

 The order was filled in roughly ten minutes.  The Granpa proved to be an excellent choice; sweet while not syrupy and strong enough to offer a mild buzz.  The fish-and-chips were better than average, but not near the top of my list of good dishes, making me wish I had went with the burger.  My daughter enjoyed her burger, but was neither impressed nor disappointed.  The home-style fries were as good as any other part of the meal. 

 All-in-all, the meal was well worth the $30 spent on two plates and a drink.  I will be going back to try that burger. 

 Old School Bar and Grill Austin Texas

 401 East 6th Street, Austin, TX 78701

 (512) 722-6351

Your Mom's Burger Bar, Home of the Stuffed Burger

 Unfortunately, Your Mom's Burger Bar has closed.  I hope Ryan and Gina give it another shot sometime soon.

-J

So, here's a little story.

 Last Saturday, my wife and I were on our way to take me to work.  We decided to get a little lunch on the way, and not feeling like eating at any of our usual spots I suggested we visit "Your Mom's Burger Bar" on Airport Blvd.  It was on the way and I had been wanting to check it out since it opened.  My wife suggested that the only reason I wanted to check it out was because of the "tattoo vibe".  The logo features a woman with a tattoo on her wrist and the building is painted black.  I pointed out that the name is clever as well. 

 When we pulled-up Saturday, it was about 11:15 in the morning.  At the door was a woman who I assumed was a waitress who turns out to be Gina Blackmore, one of the owners.  She informed us that the restaurant did not open until noon, but if we were willing to stick around until 11:50 she could get the chef to start out orders early.  Despite this kind offer, my wife and I both had places to be ( I work at a tattoo studio that opens at noon).  I took a menu and said we would come back.  Feeling bad, I even called the owner on my way to work and told him that my wife and I would be in for our "date night" Monday.  I just wanted to let him know he had not lost a customer.

 True to my word, we pulled up to the restaurant Monday night around 8pm.  It had been a slow Monday for Ryan Blackmore, the owner, and he had just closed the shop and was in the process of turning another diner away we he saw us.  He was excited to see us, and invited the other diner to come back in.  Inside, he told his step-son to fire up the grill and asked us all for our orders. 

 My wife was correct about my being attracted to the vibe.  The interior was decorated with kitchy signs and stencil art work.  Punk rock music played on the stereo.  We sat at the bar and chatted-up Ryan while he cooked.  Ryan is easily the most gracious host I have ever met at a restaurant.  He truly has a passion for making a great hamburger and making the experience a great one. 

Oh!-rings.  Had to pull an image from Your Mom's FB page.

 We ordered the Oh!-rings, Elvis Fried Pickles, the Willie Nelson Burger and the Robert DeNiro Burger.  I love onion-rings, and the Oh!-rings were hands-down the best I ever had.  The 1/2 pound stuffed burgers were incredible, and worth every penny at about $8.00 each.  We were lucky enough to catch Ryan experimenting with a new menu item, which he treated us to.  The Cupcake Shakes sound awesome, but if we are lucky he will add the Cheesecake Cupcake Shake to the menu.

 All-in-all, Your Mom's Burger Bar is a great dining experience.  Ryan and Gina Blackmore have added something special to eclectic mix of venues and eateries that are enhancing the section of Airport Blvd west of I-35.  Swing by and get a burger at Your Mom's... You will not be disappointed.

 Your Mom's Burger Bar

 5001 Airport Blvd

 Austin, TX, 78751

 512-454-MOMS (6667)

The Hideout

 The Hideout caters to and has a focus upon performers; comedians, actors, vaudeville, and burlesque.  It is one of those businesses that "gets" what it is to be a part of Austin.  

 I love this place.

 The first time I visited, it was to catch a burlesque show.  The place was packed, but the folks behind the counter were jazzed about the crowd; happy, friendly, and quick-to-serve.  You could tell that the people were not just employees... they recognized that they were a part of something special, something that goes beyond serving coffee, beer, and sandwiches.  

 The coffeeshop rocks.  They have relatively the same drinks you would expect from the big corporate machine; frappes, cappuccinos, espresso drinks, etc.  The prices are competitive with those other places as well.  What you don't get at those other places is the atmosphere... the vibe.  Hanging on the walls of this place is a rotating display of art by local artists; whimsical, political, realistic, child-like... As an artist, I can tell you what a boon it is to have a place like The Hideout who will display your art.  Try walking into your local Starbuck's and getting your work displayed.  Yeah, not without going through and getting approved by the corporate office, and only if your work meets whatever standard they are trying to maintain as per their brand.  

 The food is drawn from other local businesses.  This morning I went in and had an espresso-shake made with Amy's Icecream, a croissant sandwich by a local vendor, and my wife had breakfast tacos from Torchy's Tacos.  Even with the food and drinks offered, The Hideout is a hub for many things that are "Austin".

 The seating offers a variety of options, from over looking the street to sitting in a private corner in the back.  You can come in here on your own or with a large party, and not only find adequate seating, but you can usually be as open or private as you want.  My kids and I like to sit at the table that is on the stage (for when they have local musicians perform) and watch the early morning activity on Congress.  

 Even the music playing caters to the uniqueness and community conscious vibe of the place.  It's not piped in from some corporate-approved digital soundtrack, and is not your top-forty drivel.  Most mornings you will either hear from a local musician or they are pulling music from around the world.  It is always something different and always helps complete the mood.  The Hideout is the kind of coffeeshop where you can relax with your friends, sit on your computer and work on a book or artwork, or just get your thoughts in order.

The Coffeeshop supports the improv theater, which is the heart-and-soul of The Hideout.  These folks are students of just about every style of improv you can imagine; short form, long form, Chicago-Style, NY-Style, CA-Style, Austin-Style... especially Austin-Style.  They teach improv to those who are interested, even offering a free introductory class for the curious.  They are dedicated to their craft and keeping the art-form alive-and-well.  They offer classes for adults and children. 

 The Theater has something for everyone.  Comedy is their main billing; offering not only a venue for local, amateur, and professional comedians, both Stand-up and improv, but also a stage for a variety of performers.  You get the feeling that everyone involved feels like they are a part of a family, and that they are keeping something of the essential showman experience alive from the days of vaudeville. There are several shows each week, and every show is unique.  For those who are looking for something "Austin" to do, The Hideout is one of the best tickets in town. 

 I cannot recommend this place more highly.  Check out The Hideout for coffee in the morning, for information about what is going on with the creative community, and for an entertaining evening.  

 The Hideout Theater and Coffeeshop

 617 Congress Ave  

 Austin, TX 78701

(512) 443-3688 (H-I-D-E-O-U-T)

The Cedar Door

 The Cedar Door on 2nd (Willie Nelson Blvd) and Brazos has been an Austin Original since 1975.  What drew our attention is its claim as the "Home of the Original Mexican Martini".  In my review of Chuy's, I point to their Mexican Martini as one of the best in Austin, so it only made sense that I needed to try the original.

 Recently remodeled, the Cedar Door has an impressive outdoor seating section overlooking Brazos, banquet rooms, and glass garage doors facing 2nd St.  The interior was spacious, with large flat-screen television within easy viewing distance in any direction you looked but also not everywhere you turned you head.  You could watch the televisions or focus on the conversation at the table with equal ease.  

 The staff was friendly, and it seemed like the servers make a point of letting you enjoy your food and the atmosphere while themselves not getting in the way.  Our waitress did not hover around our table or her section of the restaurant, but kept our drinks filled.  The check came a little more slowly than I would have liked, but then it is the kind of place that encourages you to sit and relax.

 The menu, which also recently changed, included what I would consider common sports-bar fare.  For example, we ordered fried mushrooms as an appetizer and I had the chicken-friend chicken.  The fried mushrooms were similar to those you get at Cheddar's, and the chicken-friend chicken was a step below Applebee's.  Price-wise, though, these same items were slightly less expensive than from the two places I mentioned.  We went with the top-shelf Mexican Martini, and we didn't like it as much as its counterpart of Chuy's.  It was good, maybe even a little smoother than Chuy's Mexican Martini, but it lacked the same spicy-kick.  

 If you are not a fan of spicy food, then you would probably favor the Cedar Door's drink over Chuy's. 

 Over all, it was a cool place to eat; just a couple of blocks from 6th St, good food, great atmosphere, and a competitive price.  If you are looking for a place that everyone can afford to hang-out at before hitting the bars on 6th St, then check out the Cedar Door.

 The Cedar Door

 2nd and Brazos

 Austin, TX

 512-473-3712

Five Guys Burger and Fries

 My 11 year old, Gabrielle, raves about Five Guys Burgers and Fries.  She must have had it somewhere in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.  When we passed the location on Guadalupe in Austin, she was very excited, and said that we had to try it.  Personally, I couldn't imagine what her fuss was about, I mean, it is just another burger-joint.  Still, the next opportunity we had to go out and didn't know what we wanted, we opted to check out Five Guys Burgers and Fries. 

 On the plus side, they keep burgers simple.  There is nothing overly pretentious about the place.  Steak-and-Shake is what I would call an overly pretentious burger-joint... I mean, it is a burger.  Calling ground beef "ground steak" is just assuming that your customers are idiots.  "Burger-and-Shakes" lacks the same ring to it, but that is as far as I would go with the whole "steak" thing.  Five Guys Burgers and Fries has a simple storefront, a simple menu, and is a fairly straight-forward operation.

 I think this is coincidence, but there happened to be five guys working the shift we paid a visit.

 At the front of the store, guiding you to the order-counter, was a walk-way lined with giant bags of what I think were peanuts.  They might have been potatoes, and that seemed to be the impression I had that day, but that would mean that they go through a ridiculous amount of potatoes.  Everything is made fresh.  The place has no freezers, so maybe they were potatoes.  Anyway, I thought it was a nice touch.

 The menu, like I said, is simple.  A burger is 2 patties with whatever toppings.  A little-burger is 1 patty.  You also have hot dogs and (of course) fries, regular of "Cajun".  The variety of toppings allows for 250,000 variations on how you get your burger.  They only do "well-done".  I had a burger with bacon, cheese, and barbecue sauce.

 The burger wasn't too bad.  It wasn't too greasy (not necessarily a "plus" in my book), had only a hint of seasoning, and definitely was better than a once-frozen patty somewhere else.  The fries were good, and they have malted-vinegar on hand for those who like that.

 However, there was nothing outstanding about the burger, nothing worth the hype, anyway.  I am confident that most people could make the same burger at home in a frying-pan on their stove top.  The fries, also, weren't amazing.  My kid was actually a little disappointed.  Apparently, the Ft. Wayne store over-flowed the bag with fries.  Our fries just filled the container.

 Oh, that was the other cool thing.  No trays or anything.  They hand you your food in brown-paper bags, even if you are eating in.

 The food was not bad, but not amazing.  The amazing thing was the price.  My burger, which in size I would compare to a Whopper at Burger King, was $6.99!  That is not with fries and a drink.  My cup-of-soda was another 2 bucks.  To feed the four of us, I spent more than $40.  That is the price I expect to spend at Applebee's, or maybe a local burger-joint like Dirty Martin's where the burger is massive, not a franchise burger-joint.

 So, Five Guys Burgers and Fries was not bad, but was over-priced.  Either make the same burger at home or go somewhere that you get more bang for your buck.

 Five Guys Burgers and Fries

 3208 B Guadalupe St

 Austin, TX 78703

 Tel: 512-452-4300

Ken's Donuts

  My uncle owned or managed several donut shops, and some of my fondest childhood memories involved being at one of his shops early (like 1 or 2 am) on Christmas or New Year's night and having donuts freshly made.  My dad, during the really hard economy in the 1980's, used to work for my uncle at the shop and bring home donuts literally by the garbage-bag full.  You could say I know donuts.  The mockery of pastries that Krispy Kremes tries to pass-off as a donut just does not cut it.  How they can legally call them donuts is beyond me.  Ken's Donuts makes donuts... and as close to the donuts my uncle used to make that I have had in a while.  Best of all, Ken's Donuts is open 24 hours a day and is right off the Drag.

 The down-side is that Ken's Donuts is not exactly the most inviting donut shop to sit-down and enjoy a pastry in.  I am certain the place is clean enough, but the word that comes to mind to describe the look of the place is "grimy".  It is almost like the idea of people actually sitting down for some donuts and coffee in the place was an after-thought.

 I have to admit that this is the only donut-shop I have visited since being in Austin, and being diabetic means that I probably will not have the occasion to visit too many others.  While I am sure that some of the other donut shops may be better than Ken's, this place is conveniently located and open 24 hours a day.  That alone rocks.

 I might get the kids up at 2am and make a donut run.

 Ken's Donuts

 2820 Guadalupe St

 Austin, TX 78705

 512 320-8484