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.