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.