I’ll post links to some of my favorite food here.
Dishes
Sides
Austin Restaurants
V – vegetarian
V+ – vegetarian, but you can scrape off the cheese!
V++ – vegan
* – could be modified to vegetarian or vegan
Recipes I’m thinking about this week, as Heather and I are Thai-inspired (2/21/10): Tom Ka Gai, Pad Ke Mao, Fettucine with Limas, Peas, and Leeks
Dishes
- This Chinese Chicken Salad (*V++) recipe can be made without chicken. I recommend using less peanut oil. You don’t have to crisp the noodles, depending on your preference. Make it vegan by removing chicken and adding a Chik’n Patty on top. -AR
- Every Egyptian has their own Ful Mudammas (V++) recipe, as it’s the staple of Egyptian homes worldwide. Here’s mine.
- Technically this is a Chicken Teriyaki (*V++) recipe but I use the sauce on tofu, wings, veggies, and shrimp. I sub sherry for sake. It’s a pretty mild so you’ll want to oversauce. – NR
- This North African Veggie Stew (V++) can be made with tons of different veggies. Sub some in and out. Really easy to make.
- Tortellini Salad with Cherry Tomatoes (V+) – Good warm or cold. Make it vegan by using spinach tortellini and leaving out the parm. -CL
Sides
- Soy Sesame Kale (V++) . Try it next to potatoes or squash. – CL
AR – from AllRecipes
CL – Cooking Light
NR – No Recipes (blog)
Austin Restaurants
- Alamo Drafthouse. Okay, it’s not exactly a restaurant, but the food is still good. Heather likes the steak sandwich.
- Austin Land and Cattle. Half price burgers from 5-7. Definitely a good deal.
- Chipotle. It’s a chain, it’s majority-owned by McDonald’s, Heather got salmonella, blah blah blah that’s just noise. It’s tasty and they have a veggie burrito (V+). Carnitas burrito bowl is my choice.
- Curra’s. Tell them it’s your first time there and you might get a salsa platter. The Fish with garlic (Al Mojo de Ajo) is Heather’s favorite fish in Austin. She also likes the colorado enchiladas.
- Galaxy Cafe. I like the fish wrap. Heather likes the chimichurri steak wrap and Blake likes the veggie wrap (V). Clearly we like their wraps the best. Migas are great for breakfast.
- Hula Hut. Go for the atmosphere, stay for the food. I like the shrimp relleno, Heather likes the veggie tubular taco (V), and many people like the chicken tubular tacos and enchiladas. I eat about 6000 chips before each meal here.
- Hyde Park Bar & Grill. An old house converted into a delicious restaurant. We always get the same thing: soup (lentil is V++) and salad combo (V+) for me–tamari ginger dressing is amazing–and veggie stir fry (V++) for Heather.
- Iron Works BBQ. A hidden gem in downtown. I think this is one of the most underrated BBQ places in Austin–their beef ribs and sausage are great.
- Madam Mam’s. Quick Thai food. Heather likes the Pad Thai (no spicy) (V++) and I like the Nam Tok – salad with beef. Tastes better than it sounds.
- Mann’s BBQ. I was really happy with our recent visit there. Everything was above average, and I like that they change up the side dishes.
- Matt’s El Rancho. Heather’s favorite veggie fajitas (V+).
- Maudie’s. Your wallet’s favorite veggie fajitas (V+). Only 6.95.
- Mekong River. A vermicelli bowl with charcoal pork is one of my favorite dishes in the world, and they do it well here. Heather likes the veggie fried rice (V+).
- P. Terry’s. The In-n-Out of Austin. Great burgers and fries, and the veggie burger (V+) is great – my mom says it’s the best she’s ever had.
- Pok-e-jo’s BBQ. Get the turkey, brisket, and choose from like 30 different sides. Favorites are mac and cheese, broccoli salad, and jalapeno cornbread casserole.
- Portabla. Always call ahead, because they take forever. Veggie ciabatta (V+) is great–we always love goat cheese.
- Rounder’s Pizzeria. One of my two favorite pizza places in Austin. Favorite is with pepperoni, sausage, red onions, ricotta, and extra garlic. It has a fun vibe, too, but they deliver to us so we don’t sit there often.
- Rudy’s BBQ. Good experience, pretty good food, too. I’m not in love with their sides but the jalapeno sausage is great.
- The Salt Lick. The best overall BBQ experience in the Austin area. Make the drive, BYOB, and enjoy some of the best BBQ in the Hill Country.
- Star of India. It’s a buffet with many V++ options. Evie loves it. Heather and I found if you mix the CTM and mint sauces, you get heaven in semi-viscous form.
- Taste of Eithiopia. Just a bit north in Pflugerville, but worth the drive. The best Eithiopian food I’ve had in the Austin area. You can get the one-person veggie combo (V++) even though it’s not on the menu.
- Texadelphia. Modified cheese steaks. Any steak with their mustard sauce is wonderful and totally unhealthy. Half-price apps for dinner–always get the curly fries. Their veggie steak (V) is an option, too.
- Threadgill’s. Down-home cooking. I get the veggie plate (V+); they have about 25 options.
- Thundercloud. The Nada Chicken (V+) is quite good for a non-meat sandwich. Otherwise I get the Texas Tuna–tuna, jalapenos, guac and provolone.
- Tarka. Fast-casual Indian food from the makers of Clay Pit. Definitely lots of V++ options. We like the CTM and the saag paneer (V).
- Veggie Heaven. Maybe everything tastes the same, but the Protein 2000 (V++) has a meat-like texture so I don’t care.
- Z Tejas. I can’t really pick a dish here, but the chicken relleno is always good. Heather gets the salad with pumpkin seeds and all that stuff (V). Go early and get half-price apps.
Ful Mudammas
1. Sautee some chopped onions and jalapenos in olive oil. You may want to use a pan instead of a pot to make step 3 easier.
2. After they brown, add a can or two of fava beans, cumin, and a dash of vinegar. You may want to drain some of the juice out. Let it simmer for a few minutes.
3. Mash it up/stir with a potato masher, if you have one. I learned this trick from Uncle Shawkat Fahmy (let this go for 5 or more minutes.
4. Add some chopped tomatoes, more cumin, and salt. Mix it up.
5. Top your serving with diced avocado and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve with some lightly toasted pita bread.
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I’ll put more recipes here when I can.