Lunch from Franklin BBQ in Austin, TX

A month before going to Austin, we pre-ordered food from Franklin BBQ because we didn't want to wait in an insane line for food (too old for that ish).  It was completely worth it ordered over five pounds of meat and other food in advance because the leftovers were awesome and we got to try so much of the menu.  I get why people would wait in line if they couldn't afford or couldn't get through 5 pounds of meat.  The brisket was the best I've ever had, and even their pies were awesome.  #1 bbq place in Austin for a reason.  We also picked up sides and banana pudding from Rudy's Country Store and BBQ per Pooja's recommendation.

Meats and sides

1 pound pork ribs

Half a pound of smoked turkey

3 sausage links

3 pounds of brisket!

Potato salad and cole slaw from Rudy's

Cole Slaw Potato Salad, Beans and Creamed Corn.  That creamed corn was LEGIT.

Half a pound of pulled pork

Beautiful meat and sides.  Mouth is drooling thinking about it

We got 6 mini pies (2 each flavor)

Key Lime

Banana bourbon

Lemon chess

Banana pudding from Rudy's

Dinner from Via 313 Pizza in Austin, TX

We were all craving pizza and ordered some delicious detroit-style pizza from a bar that had a pop-up stand for a brick and mortar pizza place - Via 313 Pizza.  Crust was perfectly butter and crunchy and the cheese and sauce were perfect together.  Goes to show me that I love Detroit-style pizza, which is surprising but something I just have to accept haha.

Pepperoni

Prosciutto with balsamic glaze

Margherita

Dinner at Kemuri Tatsu-ya in Austin, TX

We had an amazing dinner at a Japanese izakaya/steakhouse.  Got to try lots of delicious things, including of course fish collar, our #1 fav food order.  Awesome food and great vibe.

Hot Pocketz with gouda and brisket

BBQ eel

Sake flight

Fish collar FTW

Beautiful fish collar

Tokyo Street Corn - grilled corn, yuzu pepper aioli, cotija.  Shockingly spicy

Sticky Rice Tamale - beef tongue, chorizo, shitake

Chicharon Yakitori - insanely spicy.  I could not eat this

Inside of the tamale

Classic Karaage Chicken - so so yum

Lunch at Salt Lick in Driftwood, TX

Dan and I made the drive out to Salt Lick for the bbq mecca trip.  Despite so many cars being there, we were seated immediately and in and out of there in an hour, full of delicious BBQ.  Their brisket and sausage are out of this world!  If we ever lived in Austin, I think we'd be there once a week no joke.

all our food

Dan got the Brisket and Sausage plate- served with beans, potato salad, and coleslaw

I got Thurman's Choice - brisket, pork ribs and sausage, plus the three sides

aftermath.  My food was still good as leftovers

Breakfast from Upper Crust Bakery in Austin, TX

We picked up some pastries from a nearby bakery - Upper Crust Bakery.  The pastries were pretty cheap and lots of things looked good.  The danishes were good but not out of this world.

the entire haul

Kiwi danish

Sweet cheese danish

Bear Clause

Inside of the Bear Claw

Dinner at Loro in Austin, TX

We had a double date at Loro, which is an Asian fusion bbq place started by two very well known Austin chefs - Tyson Cole from Uchi and Aaron Franklin of Franklin BBQ.  Food was good although not as amazing as I thought it would be.  Place was fast casual but a cool vibe.

Texas Sweet Corn - yuzu kosho aioli, lime, sunburst tomato.  Too lime-y/acidic for me

Chicken Karaage - chili aioli, szechuan salt, thai herbs. This was probably the best thing we ate

Chicken Karaage and Texas Sweet Corn

Char Siew Pork Belly - house hoisin sauce, celery.  Pretty tasty but not a big portion

Oak Smoked Salmon rice bowl - coconut rice, seasonal pickles, thai herbs. Tasty but small portion of salmon

Lunch at Torcy's Tacos in Austin, TX

In March, Dan and I made a trip out to Austin to visit friends.  Our first stop was to get some delicious tacos from Torchy's.  No idea why breakfast tacos are not a thing up North since they're so awesome, but anyway, when in Austin, gotta indulge.

All of our tacos!  We only got 4 but they were ginormous

Dan's order - Crossroads (front) - smoked beef brisket, grilled onions, jalapenos, cilantro, avocado and jack cheese with tomatillo sauce on a corn tortilla, and Green Chile Pork (back) - pork carnitas, green chiles, cotija cheese, cilantro, onions, and a lime wedge with tomatillo sauce on a corn tortilla 

My order - The Wrangler and Mr. Orange

The Wrangler (up front) - eggs, potatoes, smoked beef brisket and cheese with tomatillo sauce on a flour tortilla

Mr. Orange - blackened salmon grilled corn and black bean relish, cotija cheese, cilantro and lime with avocado sauce on a flour tortilla