Sweet street corn at ATX Cocina

We ate dinner at ATX Cocina the other night and loved this version of Mexican Street corn with a tasty aioli sauce. I could have made a meal off of this dish alone.

Tortilla Soup

One of the best versions of this soup anywhere can be found at Fonda San Miguel, a premier local restaurant. Just spicy enough and so good on a rainy day.

Swordfish swims with flavor.

A new local restaurant called ATX Cocina opened the other day. We were privileged to attend the soft opening and this swordfish dish was served to us. I found it to be very well prepared, with plenty of juiciness and flavor.

Veggie enchiladas -- so healthy!

Had this fantastic plate of enchiladas at El Alma across from the Palmer Events Center
after the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. 

Holy Guacamole!

The guacamole service at Fonda San Miguel is unique and delicious. Those sticks of white cheese add to the experience.

Just another migas morning

We just returned from a trip to France and thought that a nice batch of migas with a side of guacamole would be a good start to the day. We were catching up on our reading as well and especially liked the good news in this front page story.

Something Has to Do It!

This motto on the South First El Mercado sort of says it all. Be the change and all that.

My Texas Chili Parlor Favorite

Occasionally we walk up to the Texas Chili Parlor near 15th and Lavaca and each order our favorite. Mine is usually Freida's Enchiladas, cheese enchiladas covered with your choice of chili (my choice is meat 1X) with rice and sauteed veggies. I usually get a beer but on this occasion I had water.

Crowd Psychology

When there's a line, people flock to extend it. For some reason, the line at this farmers market booth was attracting a huge amount of people the other day.  I'm sure the food was good!

Breaking the chains

Jovita's, once a popular Mexican restaurant and bar on S. First, has been closed for a while.  In context, this mural on the side of the place has special meaning.

Strong Peppers

I love this logo for a little joint on Holly Street. A muscular jalapeno!

Hotter than a Pepper Sprout

FFP shot this at the Keeping it Weird Festival of a taco vendor's salsa in a giant molcajete (lava rock mortar). It was pretty hot that day, but we still need heat on our tacos.

Memories

This is Cisco's Restaurant. Back in the day (a few decades ago) it was known as Cisco's Bakery and, while even then it was a restaurant pioneering the Mexican breakfast treats of Huevos Rancheros and Migas, it also had a display of pan dulce just inside the door. We were walking by the other day and I snapped this picture. Haven't visited for a long time but many years ago on the morning of our wedding day, FFP and I took our parents here for breakfast. Yes, seriously. Must revisit soon for old time's sake.

Salsa and Cerveza Bus

At Austin institution El Arroyo on Fifth Street this old bus has quite an interesting hood ornament.

Burrito Van

I didn't see it myself but I heard that during SXSW this van was driving around passing out some free TexMex. It was parked on Tuesday in front of the south location of Freebird's World Burrito just across the river on Congress. It is a small chain, but they fit nicely into Austin-style with this sort of promotion.

Chile Lady

We went to a media party and fund-raiser at El Chile on Congress yesterday. The paintings decorating the spot are interesting especially this one of a red chile lady on a green chile float on a sea with yellow chiles. The food is fresh and tasty at this newest outpost of the Manor Road spot. The owners are building a little local restaurant dynasty with their more casual El Chilitos and Red House Pizza. We'll have to get back to this spot although we wish they were open for Sunday brunch. Businesses on Congress seem to feel there would be no business on Sunday, but that is changing as more and more people move downtown.

Feed Store Still

I wonder how many people getting a taco or enchilada fix at Guero's on South Congress notice the old signs showing that it was once a feed store for poultry, horses, cows and pigs! Some of the vintage signs and look remain.

Tortilla Makers

Our own little slice of Mexico is Fonda San Miguel on North Loop. The ladies at the tortilla station were busy last night preparing a basket of fresh corn and flour tortillas for every table.

Tile Mural at El Sol Y La Luna

A popular Tex-Mex restaurant (El Sol y La Luna) moved its digs from South Congress to E. Sixth. This is part of the decoration.

Tortilla Factory

El Milagro Tortilla Factory stands proudly on E. Sixth (east of IH35) to help maintain our Austin Tex-Mex cred.