BBQ was high on my list of food to try in Texas. When Austin City Limits (ACL) decided to cater their food from local eateries, I was stoked to be able to try the local food while enjoying the music festival. The lines were long but moved quickly. Salt Lick BBQ is a famous BBQ chain originated from Dallas. I tried the pork ribs and was very pleased. The ribs were meaty, perfectly cooked, and full of flavor from the dry rub. Finger lickin’ good BBQ.
Tag Archives: food
Pike Place Public Market
When in Seattle, it is a must to check out Pike Place Public Market. This large open farmer’s market is like no other.
On the far left side at Pike Place Fish Co., check out the flying fish thrown at high speed by the guys transferring fish from counter to the slicers.
In front of Pike Place Place Fish Co. is Rachel the piggy bank donated by Fratelli’s Ice Cream in 1986. Feel free to feed the pig.
As you move along the market, you will come across the large, beautiful flower shop. Be sure to stop and smell the roses.
Once you reach the end of the flower market, don’t think it’s the end. Keep walking along Pike Place and start your foodie adventure at Beecher’s Handmade Cheese. One block further, stop by Piroshky, Piroshky and the original Starbucks for more eats.
Beecher’s Handmade Cheese
Known to the world as one of Oprah’s favorite things, the “world’s best” mac and cheese from Beecher’s Handmade Cheese lives up to its hype. The intense depth of flavor comes from aging the cheese for 18 months. On display at the window, you can witness the cheese making process. Be sure to sample the cheese ranging from the curd to the aged cheese. On your way out, grab a bowl of the mac and cheese or order it online to enjoy when you like.
Piroshky, Piroshky
I didn’t learn of pirozhkies until this trip to Seattle. They are Russian baked buns with a meat or vegetable filing. They remind me of Spanish empanadas. You can find Piroshky, Piroshky a few stores down from the original Starbucks. Be sure to stop by and grab a mid-day snack. You won’t regret it.
There will be small line but it moves quickly. They offer sweet, meat or vegetable pirozhkies. I went twice, and each time, I got a savory pirozhki.
The salmon pate is adorably shaped like a fish. The bread was amazing. Its sweetness balanced the smoked salmon and cream cheese filling.
The beef and onion reminded me of Porto’s potato balls but with a flaky crust.
The Original Starbucks
You may see Starbucks on nearly every corner around the world but if you didn’t already know, it all started in Seattle. Located at Pikes Place Market, you won’t won’t easily bypass this place considering there is always a long line to enter the original Starbucks.
If you find the wait too long to order a drink, don’t worry. You can easily go to the next Starbucks, since it won’t be the only Starbucks you see in Seattle. There is nearly one on every corner.
Ivar’s Seafood Bar
Growing up in the Bay Area, my standard of good clam chowder was what they sold at San Francisco’s infamous Fisherman’s Wharf. Boy, did I not know what good clam chowder was until I tried Ivar’s. The creamy, savory clam chowder with its bursting clam flavor and unexpected bacon makes it the best clam chowder I’ve ever had.
The smoked scallops won’t disappoint either. The scallops have a wonderful smoky flavor that balances out the sweet cracker that it’s served on.
If you aren’t overwhelmed yet by the clams from the clam chowder, order the clam entree. Cooked in white wine sauce, it’s so good that you’ll slurp every last drop. My family kept fighting over this dish that we had to order two to keep the peace.
Kiku Sushi
Fresh sushi places for a decent price are hard to come by in the Bay Area with its rising cost of living. Kiku Sushi keeps their prices reasonable despite being in Berkeley. The upside to this is getting to enjoy fresh sushi without breaking the bank.
The negi toro roll was decadently fatty. After one bite, I wanted more and couldn’t stop until the plate was finished.
From the specials menu, I got the sardine and hiramasa. Hiramasa (yellow amberjack) is the pink fish pictured below. It was fresh and delicious. I was excited to try the sardine since it was served in two parts: two nigiri pieces and a deep fried body. The nigiri was salty, just like sardines, but flavorful. The fried body is dipped in a special ponzu sauce before consuming. It was crunchy and tasty.
The chirasi bowl was different from the norm since they only offered one slice of fish per variety. It had eel, sardine, hamachi, salmon, albacore, tuna, and tomago. The fish was fresh however, the eel was coated in a cinnamon sugar sauce, which was off-putting. Otherwise, I would recommend this.
Hard Knox Cafe
These days the Dog Patch neighborhood of San Francisco is looking to face lift everything, but one place that hasn’t changed in the past 16 years is Hard Knox Cafe. This inconspicuous restaurant, located across from Mr. & Mrs. Miscellaneous ice shop, serves up hearty Southern style comfort food. For $13, you can get a three piece fried chicken dish with two sides of your choice and corn bread. The fried chicken is meaty and perfectly crisp. The mac and cheese is the classical hearty and cheesy mac and cheese that everyone loves. My favorite was the corn bread. It was sweet and moist.
They also serve chicken and waffles and ribs of all sorts. I’m definitely going back to try those next.
If you’re in the Richmond district, look out for their second location.
Locations: 2526 3rd Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
2448 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94121
RN74
The Michael Mina restaurant group is offering a three course #outtolunch special for $29 at all three restaurants: Michael Mina, Pabu, and RN74. For those who haven’t tried it yet, I highly suggest you hurry and make your reservations soon since this deal ends on August 31.
At RN74, the out to lunch options are:
- Appetizer- Butter Lettuce Salad or Sweet Corn Soup
- Main- Pork Schnitzel or Traditional Bouillabaise
- Dessert- Valhorna Chocolate Bouchon
The sweet corn soup was not as sweet as stated. The soup was sweet while the corn bits were sour. It was marinated in a vinegar-like flavor.
Everything about the pork schnitzel was perfect: the thinness, the breadcrumb layer, and the flavor bomb it left on taste buds. On top of the schnitzel was a light salad, roasted pecans, and pommes anna (Anna pototoes) topped with an apricot mustard.
When they took our order, the waiter asked if we would like the dessert to go. I loved that they offered this option, considering how difficult it is to enjoy your lunch in an hour time slot, I definitely wanted to savor my dessert. The Valhorna chocolate bouchon reminded me of a crumbly cookie brownie.
Now go taste Michael Mina’s work for a fraction of the price before it’s too late.
Torta Ahogada
Torta ahogada is a drowned sandwich, which is a typical dish of Guadalajara. The birote bread has a crunchy crust, which allows it to withstand the sauce, and a soft interior. This regional bread is filled with fried, chopped pork and then submerged in a chili pepper tomato sauce. Top it with raw onions and cabbage and enjoy! Tip: It’s messy so have napkins handy!
YUMTRAVELS 