Posted by Sara on Mar 9, 2010 in
Restaurant Reviews,
Texas 
We recently celebrated the annual anniversary of Kenny’s 29th birthday. Few things say “man-grub” like hot dogs, so I thought lunch at Frank Hot Dogs and Cold Beer in downtown Austin might be a fun excursion.
Well, the food was an adventure…
After all, in what alternate universe would you expect Hill Country gourmet to shack up with Windy City street fare on a single menu? However, Frank makes it work.
Snooty artisan sausages made in-house and 100% Vienna beef hot dogs shipped in from Chicago are paired with creative and traditional toppings to deliver big tastes.
A nice selection of Texas grown-up brews, and my personal favorite – the sweet sudsy local Maine Root Beer- are all on draft to wash down every bite.
And I’m not even gonna talk about the whoopie pie…
Who am I kidding? Of course I’m going to mention the whoopie pie – rounds of chocolate cake sandwiching the richest cream in the world – whoooooopie!
If the food warmed my stomach at Frank Hot Dogs and Cold Beer, the people won my heart.
The owner made time stand still during the busy lunch rush. It’s as though he blacked out the rest of the room and shone the spotlight of his attention on Kenny and me. He easily chatted with us while we waited for a table.
Why? Because he heard we were first-time guests.
A few weeks later we planned to introduce our friends to Frank.
“It’s closed for Sunday dinner!” we realized as we stood disappointed at the door peering in to the dark restaurant. The two remaining employees saw us, opened the door and invited us in.
“Cathy! Look at all this gorgeous salvaged wood!” Our friend Bill, a fine craftsman, exclaimed about the interior of Frank.
And that was just enough to get the employees talking. They poured a round of Maine Root Beer on the house, hung out with us for about 25 minutes and showed us all the behind-the-scenes care that went into Frank’s interior design and menu. Then they sent us off with a list of their other favorite restaurants in town to try instead.
Wow! We came hungry and left as friends.
So while the humble hot dog may be out-of-this-world at Frank Hot Dogs and Cold Beer, the people are sure to make you feel right at home.
Important Info:
Location: Corner of 4th and Colorado, Austin, TX
Website: http://www.hotdogscoldbeer.com/ The photo above is just a teaser of the many enticing pics on the Frank Hot Dogs and Cold Beer website.
Note: Closed for Sunday dinner. Vegetarian options available.
Tags: Austin, Frank Hot Dogs & Cold Beer, Maine Root Beer, Texas
Posted by Sara on Jun 1, 2009 in
Restaurant Reviews,
Texas 
More prickly than pear, I was disappointed with my foray into prickly pears last summer. I continue to see them on menus across Texas, so I have wondered if my experience was more user-error than an inherent problem with the prickly pears.
I decided to give them a second chance. Kenny, Titus and I recently ate lunch at a Wahoo’s a quirky taco chain downtown. One to respect imperatives, I noticed the draft by the check out commanding that I, “DRINK PINK DRINK”.
What is Pink Drink? A prickly pear soda locally bottled by none other than the Maine Root Beer Company. My yummy experience with the Maine Root Beer at last summer’s farmers’ market was enough to convince me to give Pink Drink a try.
“What do you think of Pink Drink?” I asked the guy at check out.
“Here, taste a sample,” he said. “I’m a big fan. It’s sweet without the sugar crash.”
The prickly pears deliver in Pink Drink. Slightly sweet, slightly tart, with a good kick of fizz – this drink is yummo!
So do what you’re told and DRINK PINK DRINK.
Tags: Maine Root Beer Company, Pink Drink, Prickly Pears
Posted by Sara on Apr 7, 2009 in
Restaurant Reviews,
Texas Texan’s are serious about their BBQ, and Cooper’s in Llano is reported to be one of the best in Texas.
My oh my, it is yummy.
Tender smoked meat, a peppery rub and a spicy hot BBQ sauce tart with vinegar – how can you go wrong with that combination?
INSTRUCTIONS FOR EATING AT COOPER’S
1. Wait in the line snaking outside the door.
2. Chat with the strangers next to you in line. Chances are their story is more interesting than your own.
3. Pick your own meat right off the smoker.
4. Load up with beans, white bread, onions and jalapenos from the bars of complementary sides.
5. Sit at the picnic tables inside with your new friends from the line. Add a few more strangers to the table for more lively conversation.
6. Enjoy!
P.S. Heed the warning: don’t forget to bus your spot when you’re finished.
Tags: Cooper's BBQ, Llano
Posted by Sara on Dec 20, 2008 in
Restaurant Reviews 
One adventure leads to another.
Early this fall Kenny and I zig-zagged our way through the streets surrounding University of Texas in hunt of a Renaissance Market. A clean modern restaurant with a large patio caught my eye.
“Austin’s Best Green Salsa,” the sign outside boasted. I promptly forgot the name and exact location of the restaurant, but the green salsa I knew I must try.
Read more…
Tags: Cuatro's Austin
Posted by Sara on Dec 2, 2008 in
Restaurant Reviews,
Travel Oops. A lost Banff post. Here you go:
We heard about the Grizzly House from a local. It’s a funky fondue restaurant from the 60’s. We were promised the opportunity to cook elk and caribou on a hot rock.
Kenny was really excited about the chance to be a cave man and cook exotic raw meat on a hot rock, so we knew we would visit The Grizzly House. This place was so much fun!
Read more…
Tags: Banff, Canada, The Grizzly House
Posted by Sara on Dec 1, 2008 in
Restaurant Reviews,
Southern Cuisine 
One word. Yum!
Get it at Hoovers in Austin.
Don’t walk. Run!
Tags: Hoover's, Sweet Potato Cheesecake
Posted by Sara on Sep 16, 2008 in
Restaurant Reviews,
Travel 
What would you eat if you were headed to a hike with your family? My family ate donuts at The Donut Mill in Woodland Park, Colorado.
Read more…
Tags: Donut Mill Woodland Park Colorado
Posted by Sara on Sep 2, 2008 in
Restaurant Reviews,
Texas Every time I go to South Congress, known as SoCo here in Austin, I can’t wait to go back. I see one more place I want to visit. My birthday is this week, so we decided to celebrate early since it is a holiday and Kenny is home. He let me sleep in on Labor Day and took Titus duty. I was so excited about not having responsibilities I didn’t sleep in. I got up and read a magazine!
After Titus’ morning nap we headed out to South Congress for lunch at the South Congress Cafe. The cafe would be easy to miss, but here is my recommendation: don’t miss it! It is fru fru food for a great price and is delicious! If you are a traveler to Austin, definitely don’t miss it. The locals are on full display here, and the people watching is fabulous.
Read more…
Tags: South Congress Cafe
Posted by Sara on Aug 18, 2008 in
Restaurant Reviews,
Texas 
Trudy’s is fun. It’s very casual and the food is great – Tex Mex and southern.
Kenny enjoys the stuffed chili relleno – a chili stuffed with shredded meat, cheese and spices and smothered in a sauce.
I like the array of vegetable sides I can order for Titus, since he’s still adjusting ever-so-slowly to “big people” food.
The vegetarian combo plate is my favorite. I like to request the enchilada to be filled with spinach and mushrooms stuffed in the whole wheat tortilla covered in chipotle sauce.
Stay tuned ’cause tomorrow I’m going to teach you to make my version of these little pretties.
Tags: Trudy's
Posted by Sara on Aug 14, 2008 in
Restaurant Reviews,
Texas Hudson’s is a lovely little hill country restaurant just outside Austin. The building is a smallish cottage with odd levels and quirks and beautiful Texas stone and rustic charm.
The menu is adventurous featuring all types of game, as well as more standard steak and seafood fare.
Read more…
Tags: Hudson's On The Bend
