BlaringSmelly

So I was down at Austin for this year’s SXSW Interactive. Aside from geeking out with SXSW attendees, it was my opportunity to experience the infamous city of music, also to sampling what Texas is about.

BBQ

I like bbq, but I don’t think I ever had authentic American style bbq. Being in Texas is one of the rare opportunities I’d ever get to try some good old fashion bbq. To my luck, Ironworks BBQ is right off the east corner of Austin Convention Center. The first time I went there was before lunchtime. I had the luxury to take my time studying the menu and decided on a junior beef ribs meal. When I was handed the junior portion ribs, I was shocked by the serving size. Two slabs of giant ribs, beans, potato salads, pickles, a slice of bread, it was a lot of food. The ribs were good, but it was the sauce that made it special.

The 2nd time I went with bunch of friends. It was during lunch rush hour and the line extended about half block long. This time I tried the BBQ chicken. The chicken was moist and smokey-lious. Yummy!

Tacos
Like bbq, I don’t believe I’ve ever had a good one. And because of that, I never grow to like Mexican cuisine. I was told there’s a big population of Mexican community, which contributed to excellent Mexican food in Austin. So in search of awesome tacos was one of my personal quests of this trip.

A friend we encountered whom lived in Austin for 8 years recommended Guero’s on South Congress St. The tacos were decent. The way it is prepared was simple so you tasted all the ingredients. Although I found it funny to see pineapple chucks in my tacos.

I was not entirely sold this was the best taco this city can offer. So I yelped some local favorite taco places. Torchy’s Tacos showed on the top of the list. I was walking my way to Torchy’s with the help of my iphone. Torchy’s location was away from the clean, touristy street. For a second I thought I was lost until I saw the sign “Trailer Park & Eatery” and decided to check it out. Torchy’s was one of the trailers inside. I ordered green chili pork tacos. On the other side of the parking lot, I sit down at a spot under a big tree and started munching on my tacos. The taco was better than Guero’s. Green chili sauce spiced up rest of the ingredients. It was refreshing and simple. However, I was still a little disappointed the taste was rather in the blend side.

Heavenly Caribbean food

That’s right, the best Caribbean food and mojito I ever had was in Texas! Habana Restaurant & Bar conveniently located behind the downtown Hilton Garden Inn we stayed. We made several trips to Habana and the dishes we tried are: fried plantain chips and spiced fried chicken wings with delicious pork grease called mojo; pork roast empanada with the most wonderful taste and fragrance in the mouth; the mouth watering, simple and yet delicate taste of mojoto.

Boots! Boots! Boots!

I really wanted to buy a pair of cowboy boots from Taxes. Even before I went on the boots hunt, I was picturing myself finding this perfect pair of used cowboy boots from a vintage store. Instead of a vintage store, we wondered into something better, Allens Boots.

There were rows and rows of boots. I have never seen so many boots under one roof. Narisa and I tried out boots of all kinds. But these boots were way too pointy for my liking. I ended up buying a pair of boots from a different store the day after.

Charming vintage shop

Uncommon Objects is one of the most charming vintage stores I’ve visited. Every little corner I turned was a picture perfect arrangement of beautiful nick-knacks.

Architectures

Austin has a lot more grandeur, well-maintained historic buildings than the Northwest. Few blocks off East 6th St, I wondered into a quiet street full of historical mansions. They were all unique and splendor on its own way.

There was also The Driskill Hotel. Stepping inside the hotel lobby, anyone can sense the old money glamour from the lavish details of the hotel interior.

At the end, Austin turned out to be all that and more than I expected. The warmth when the sun comes out, the vibrant restaurant scenes, and the vivid night life. I like the city more than I thought I would.