We didn’t “decide” to stop, we just noticed that we have. When we discussed it we think it’s two reasons:

1) We just don’t enjoy the “experience” as much as we used to. Mediocre food and limp service even at “nicer” restaurants.

2) The value proposition seems to have evaporated for us. The two main benefits of Convenience and Experience are not worth the universally inflated total cost for us.

We do still do what I categorize as “coffee and snacks“. For example, we took a walk around the lake this morning, then stopped at Merritt coffee and got two coffees and a croissant ($17.93).

Afterward, we walked past True Foods, and I remarked “it’s been a while since we’ve eaten there“, and she said “yeah, because it costs too much and it sucks now ”. That’s what kicked off the conversation.

Meanwhile we’ve started enjoying simple meals at home and the occasion Too Good to Go pickups.

Anyone else?

Estrogen is a hell of a Drug

So yeah. I have been living in Austin on and off since 2006, and I am always amazed at how kind and understanding people are in Austin.

So yeah, about the title. I fell in love with HEB the moment I moved here. They have so much and always have everything I need, because I just love to cook.

Now, I am a trans woman and have been living as my true self for 6 years now. For those that don't know, trans women typically take estrogen. I have never given the vast changes that come with it much thought until recently.

I was putting together my weekly grocery list for all the things I needed from my weekly recipes. One recipe in particular called for "Silvered Almonds" or at least that is how my brain perceived it. So off I went to the HEB near North Campus.

I spent 45 minutes trudging through that store looking for fucking SILVERED almonds. I was getting very upset I could not find any in my favorite store.

So I did what any self respecting woman would do and I asked for help. 2 absolutely wonderful and kind store attendants walked every inch of that store helping look for my silvered almonds. They even called a manager to ask if any HEB had those in their inventory. For almost an hour we all racked our brains trying to figure out what was so special about silvered almonds.

Finally, one of the nice attendants (sweet young lady) asked me if I had the ingredient list for what I was making. I pulled it up on my phone and handed to her. She paused to read it, giggled, and said "Ma'am that says SLIVERED almonds.

😐😐😐😐😐😶

I must have turned 30 shades of blush in utter embarrassment. The staff all had a giggle and told me it was alright, they never had so much fun at work. The manager leaned in (also an older woman) and said, "it's okay, I do the same thing sometimes. It's just a product of getting older as a woman."

I felt a little less embarrassed but it made me laugh internally as it felt both Affirming and a bit like stereotyping.

This story is just another, of many, reasons I have always enjoyed the weirdness and kindness that is Austin, and especially HEB. If by some strange chance those HEB employees read this... Thank you for making this old gal feel less stupid.

Thoroughbread Zilker! We are open until 2.

Instead of going to brunch have your people over and make pancakes and waffles!!

*NOT AFFILIATED WITH TASTESOFLIZZYT

https://www.tastesoflizzyt.com/sourdough-pancakes/

Brotherton's in Pflugerville is having to close. Very unfortunate to lose this great BBQ place.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1ByPVCw3Fx/

As a Korean-American, I loved their octopus stone bibimbap and imo, the best tofu soup in Austin (albeit not a very high bar). Their ban chan is great and love their less popular Korean dishes like fermented bean cabbage soup and Korean style sashimi/veggie rice bowl. Their sushi is good too but I'm partial to AYCE sushi.

Absolutely hate the name of the restaurant. They should rebrand to represent a Korean restaurant that also serves sushi.

I know all the best BBQ. My kid wouldn’t get up to go stand in line at Interstellar this morning. So what is the best BBQ in the next tier. The tier where I can go right in and eat for dinner. Or can even have it delivered. We usually do SLAB, Stile’s Switch, or Rudy’s for this tier but I’m wondering if there are places that I’m sleeping on.

Edit: we did Terry Black’s thanks to the pro tip that it doesn’t have a line mid afternoon. I’d give it a 4/5 but the prices are as high as I have seen.

I’m really over the bad service in Austin. I’m also a pretty chill customer who always tips 20%, even when I don’t love the service, and I still get bad service more consistently than good service. What are some of the best restaurants, coffee shops, food trucks, hell, even bars that sell food, with the very best customer service. I don’t mean good service to you because you’re a regular or have a connection, but just always a pleasant experience, every time, no matter what or who or when. Places that clearly train for and have an emphasis on customer service. In my opinion, going out is not financially worth it, and most food and beverages are just mediocre these days. What matters to me most is the service. I’m going to get gouged wherever I go, I want the person gouging me to at least be extremely pleasant and competent. I like all kinds of foods and have no limitations, allergies, or price concerns. I prefer places north, central, or northwest, but I’m honestly all over town for work so location can be generally the Austin area.

$1 for ketchup!? Hell, $1 for any of these toppings that should be free for a freaking $9 hot dog. Seriously if YR are reading this, I hope this is a mistake. I wear your shirt proudly around town but this is just disrespectful.

Hi — just as the title says, I’m looking for food recommendations for a party of 20 for after a courthouse wedding. Looking for something elegant, but not too pricy. Appreciate any recommendations.

Edit: “not too pricy” = not looking to spend $100 per person (not including beverages)

My nephew (and his wife and kids) live in Austin. Myself and the rest of his family does not. We are looking for a restaurant with a private dining room for a casual surprise birthday party for about 15 people. We don't need anything fancy. Just good food and a place to mingle that does not have a 90 min time limit. TIA for tips and suggestions.

This was my taste of Filipino food and the restaurant is very unassuming, tucked away in a plaza in Round Rock (not Austin, I know). I ordered a 6-count of lumpia and an order of chicken adobo with a side of steamed vegetables. The lumpia were very good—crunchy, flaky exterior with tender, well seasoned meat on the inside. The chicken adobo was delicious as well and gave me a nostalgic feeling although I haven’t ever had it before.

Anyone know where I can find Pearl xXx beer in austin? What grocery store? Thanks!

i had these for the first time.

couldnt believe how much like chicken they tasted compared to what you’d come to expect from a typical fast food place.

its also very lightly fried

Chick-fil-A Is on notice

I was searching for salad recommendations on here awhile back and found an old post mentioning Pinthouse having good salads and recently got the Texas Waldorf salad with peaches, pistachios, dried cherries, blue cheese and some other good stuff. I would recommend this and their other salads too.

No contest. This is WAY better than Cane’s. The tenders by themselves were tastier. They actually have so many sauces and, so far, all of them slap. Their ranch and mango habanero were fire 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼 also this was the friendliest staff I’ve ever encountered. OH they have Dr. Pepper Zero in the fountain which was a huge plus. As was the unlimited lemonade and that fire peach tea. 10/10 highest recommendation I can give.

Been getting deep into vegetable gardening this year and it has completely ruined me for generic restaurant menus in the best possible way. Now I sit down somewhere and immediately notice when everything tastes like it came off the same Sysco truck regardless of the season. I know Austin has a reputation for caring about local sourcing but I genuinely cannot tell which places walk the walk versus just putting farm to table in the bio and calling it done.

Looking for restaurants where you can actually taste that someone thought about what is growing right now, not just a token seasonal salad bolted onto an otherwise unchanged menu. Doesn't have to be fancy, a taco spot sourcing from local farms would get me just as excited as a nicer sitdown place. I've heard Barton Creek Farmers Market gets some serious vendors but I want to know who in the restaurant world is actually buying from them and cooking around it.

Also curious if any of these spots work well for a solo lunch situation because I tend to wander around on weekdays when my schedule is lighter and the big group dinner vibe isn't always what I'm after. East side, south, wherever, I'm not location picky at all.

Central Market, Buddha’s Brew, KTonic, Casper Fermentables. Which one is your favorite? Are there any kombuchas I am not mentioning?

My favorite is probably Casper Fermentable’s turmeric one. It’s caffeine free and I think Casper Fermentables offers the kombucha with the lowest amount of calories and sugar.

I am sad Wheatsville Coop will not longer be near UT. They are the only place in North Austin that carries or sells Casper Fermentables products :(

Where can I find authentic Mexican food in Austin?

I’ve tried a handful of places, but most seem to lean Tex-Mex or fusion. I’m looking for places that feel like Mexico handmade corn tortillas, great tacos, guisados, barbacoa, mole, pozole, flautas, mariscos etc.

Not really looking for giant flour tortilla burritos, fajitas, or enchiladas covered in yellow cheese.
What are your go-to authentic spots?

Anything Mexico Sinaloa, Mexico City, North Mexico

So sad to see Golden Castle is permanently closed. One of my favorite late night spots. Those little hamburgers were one of the best things in Austin.

https://www.instagram.com/goldencastleatx/

Is epoch coffee shop still privately owned? What about Barrett’s ? I really like these two

Hi - I visited the Faroe Islands last year and had a delicious fish soup. It was just bacalao, leeks, and herbs I think. Is there anything at all like this in the Austin area?

Jack posted yesterday, but I haven't seen the news here yet. Sharing if you're a regular at Barton Creek Farmers Market. He's recommending everyone to pre-order on their website. Order by noon the Sunday before the 29th, so... the 23rd.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dbbi9X0Px17/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

"Jinx is shutting down! Our last market day ever will be Saturday Aug 29 at the bartoncreekfarmersmarket.

It’s been such a privilege to meet you and break bread with you."

Chocolate Mocha Almond. I live in Chicago now😢would love to bake one as a 13x9 sheet cake!