Birthday Food

by Hannah Thornby Posted on October 5, 2012

It was my birthday this last week. As one of those people who considers their birthdays a holiday, I made sure to live it up and eat some really good meals.

No, it did not involve the local Austin food scene, but the tub of Birthday Cake Blue Bell Ice Cream I received as my first present on my birthday eve is not to be forgotten when talking about all the good things I devoured. It was just too good. The best marriage of two of the best things in the best way possible.

(Pasta not pictured)

Next was dinner. I was lucky enough to receive a gift card for dinner from my father to Vespaio, an Italian restaurant on South Congress. It’s one of those places I pass constantly in a car and stare at longingly every time, knowing that it is out of my budge 99% of the time. I was so very happy to learn that I was going there for dinner.

Ordering took forever because I literally wanted everything and knew that everything would be good. Finally, I decided I would also be in charge of what my companion ordered so that I would be able to choose two things. We got an eggplant pasta with red sauce and the steak-frites because you just can’t go wrong with steak and I have yet to see it offered in our cafeteria. It was definitely a dinner to be remembered- not just because it was my 19th birthday but also because the food was so very heart-warming and delicious. There is nothing quite like a warm bowl of pasta and a big ol’ steak to make you feel homey and happy.

Dessert, of course, included going back for that tub of Blue Bell. As soon as I finished my steak, it was all I could think about.

Posted in Eating Through Austin, Treat Yourself | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Tacos and Hippies: Gospel Brunch in ATX

by Hannah Thornby Posted on September 27, 2012

One of my favorite taco joints in Austin is Maria’s Taco Xpress on South Lamar. Tacos are cheap and a plenty and the salsa/condiment bar is more than satisfactory. Plus, the place just feels and looks like a Texmex Disneyland the way that it is decorated. My friends and I have being going to Maria’s for some time, but until last weekend we had never beheld their claim to fame – their famous Sunday morning Gospel Brunch. To say the least, it was a uniquely Austin experience.

We have seen live music before at Maria’s – mostly cowboy crooners – but nothing we had seen could prepare us for Gospel Brunch. The band playing when we made our way to Maria’s last Sunday was all about soul and funk and living the music. Alternating between gospel music and Stevie Wonder covers, the band jammed out to eight minute songs, dancing almost as much as they were playing their instruments. But that’s not all. On the dance stage in front of the band could be found what seemed like all of the elderly hippies of Austin. Draped in tie-dye and sporting long flowy white hair, about a dozen hippies over 60 were dancing up a storm, shaking their arms and closing their eyes with the music.

It was a sight to behold and a perfect complement to my migas taco breakfast.

So, if you ever have a rough Saturday night and need some good vibes and good food, go to Maria’s. They’ll make all your problems go away with breakfast tacos, soul music, and hippie hugs.

Posted in Austin Institutions, Eating Through Austin, Tacos | Tagged | 1 Comment

Juan in a Whoa

by Hannah Thornby Posted on September 20, 2012

I have never met a breakfast I didn’t like. Never. I am actually of the thinking that those responsible for brainstorming breakfast foods must know everything.

Growing up on the west coast, I have a long-running history with breakfast burritos. Eggs, some cheese, some sausage, and whatever else we had in the fridge all wrapped up in a hot tortilla always seemed like the perfect way to start the day back home. The breakfast burritos my dad made for me before I trudged off to high school will always have a special place in my heart.

However when I moved to Austin last year, I fell in love with the breakfast taco. It’s true the two may not be that different and both uphold eggs in a gloriously Hispanic way, but I prefer holding a taco and how breakfast tacos more readily take tasty salsas. Also, I adore the way that Austinites esteem breakfast taco – as some kind of miracle food that goes perfect with the active Austin lifestyle and should be found at every coffee shop. I do have some qualms over the fact that coffee, my other great love, tastes terribly alongside breakfast tacos, but no one can have it all, I guess.

I have been hearing for months that the breakfast tacos of Juan in a Million in East Austin are legendary. I finally made it there last week. All I can say is whoa. Whoa.

Don’t mistake me, my tacos were delicious and I think Juan in a Million is totally worthy of buzz. I can’t pronounce it, but I love a good machado and all the ingredients in my other taco – tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, and cheese – were all delicious and did wonders alongside the eggs and tortillas. The salsas that came free with the chips were also surprisingly (in a good way) spicy.

But I was a wimp – I didn’t order the “legendary” dish – the Don Juan. My friend did however. It was a monster. I can’t even guess how many eggs were plopped on top of that pile of tortillas. It was insane. I learned later it was actually a meal worthy of the Man vs. Eats, the Travel Channel show where Adam Richman eats ridiculously portioned meals.

To be honest, I’m not sure how I feel. Sure it’s a lot of food for $5, but the beauty and simplicity of the breakfast taco seemed to be lost in the Don Juan. The dish was more about the heap of ingredients and not the marrying of eggs with careful ingredients. Plus, I like sampling different, reasonably sized tacos. And the way that an eater had to approach the Don Juan and coordinate tortillas with the waitress was crazy.

I’ll probably be back at Juan in a Million, but I don’t know if I’ll be ordering the Don Juan.

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