The Vitals:
the spot: Raising Cane's locations throughout US
the eats: Chicken
the bucks: $1.81 per chicken strip
the full nelson: the sauce lives up to the hype but is Fast Food still worth it in 2025?
First Impressions on Raising Cane's
My son recently caught the bug for Raising Cane's. When it comes to food I like to think we have been raising him "right" meaning introducing him to diverse range of foods and emphasizing chef driven food, local sourcing . . . yada yada yada.
He is also a 13 year old boy.
And that means he is gonna get a taste for fast food. Enter Raising Cane's, the fast food chicken finger chain which started in Louisiana. Cane's is a relative newcomer to the fast food game. When it started in 1996, I was in college. Unlike my college career, Cane's took off and does like a $1 billion in revenue.
But is it any good?
In the moment I found it pleasant enough. In retrospect it's easier to analyze the Raising Cane's experience with a little more scrutiny. The chicken was juicy although noticeably underseasoned.
The Cane's sauce is legit delicious. In fact I know two chefs who sought out to remake Cane's sauce for their popular burgers. But there is a drawback: the price.
Raising Cane's is expensive.
My kid's combo meal was like $12. That came with fries, bread, coleslaw, a drink and four Chicken fingers. It's chicken breast, I'll give you that but I'll bet money it's commodity poultry. The frozen crinkle cut fries were plentiful and not surprisingly overcooked. There was a large piece of bread too, which struck me as unnecessary, and a little coleslaw.
The drink was almost too large. Overall this combo is loaded with carbs, light on protein and generous with sugary beverage. Suddenly the idea of RFK in charge of our nation's health doesn't seem so preposterous. This meal is exactly why we have a population struggling with type 2 diabetes.
Look, I ain't gonna yuck your yum if this is your thing and no one said you need to eat this way every day. But the cost for this meal should raise an eyebrow. As a little family of three, the idea of forking over almost $40 for three Raising Cane's combos is silly to put it mildly. It really makes me pause and ask this question: is fast food worth it in 2025?
I can think of a few fast food exceptions but I'll gladly begin my recipe hack experiments for making my own Raising Cane's sauce and making my own chicken fingers at home. I'm not a total savage though. If my kid wants it(and he is thin as a rail) I'll get him some Raising Cane's here and there. Still I would ask you all this: is fast food worth it in 2025?
The best food in Austin Texas: January 2025
The Vitals:
the spot:1618 Asian Fusion 1618 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741
the eats: Beef Rib + Filet Mignon Pho
the bucks: $26
the full nelson: go where no Pho has gone before
1618 Asian Fusion might not sound like the place to break barriers when it comes to Pho. First off they serve Dim Sum, Singaporean dishes and a slew of other pan Asian greatest hits that make one ponder the idea that 1618 Asian Fusion is a jack of all trades, master of none.
Then the Beef Rib and Filet Mignon Pho hits your table. The broh is poured table side a metal kettle. The raw egg is dropped. Are we getting a tableside Caesar? No, but you are getting a giant beef rib plus filet mignon up in your pho. The grandest soup of the list is worthy any time of year but why not make your Dry January a little wet with a splash of splashy pho.
The Vitals:
the spot: Julie's Noodles 8557 Research Blvd #110 Austin TX 75758
the eats: Spicy Beef Stew
the bucks: $15
the full nelson: a Father & Son tradition that's served in a bowl
When I first took my son to Julie's Noodles I would have no idea it would become one of his all time favorite places. There are times where I wish he would get over the chopped pork noodle soup and explore the rest of the menu, let alone other restaurants, but I'm grateful that we have "our place". And it's a bonus that Julie's Noodles happens to serve some of the best food in Austin.
Beyond his spare rib spiked noodle soup, yours truly is totally gaga for the Spicy Beef stew which could feed an army or at least two to three hungry adults. The slivers of soft potato and glass noodles really hit all the hearty stew on a cold day notes.
The Vitals:
the spot: Ramen Del Barrio 1700 W. Parmer Lane Austin TX 78727
the eats: Carnitas Tonkotsu
the bucks: $16
the full nelson: Mexico meets Japan in a Ramen Bowl
Tonkotsu, the milky pork ramen broth is perfect eating on a cold winter day. What could make it better? How about the feeling of a little extra heat. The charred chile toreado in Christopher Krisinky's Mexican take on Ramen shows that the fusion of Mexican and Japanese in ramen is something that was meant to be, in Austin at least. Don't skip the yakitori tacos but given the cold weather as of late, Carnitas Ramen could the ultimate best food in Austin, at least till the cold spell ends.
The Vitals:
the spot: Mum Foods 5811 Manor Rd. Austin TX 78723
the eats: Matzo Ball Soup
the bucks: $10
the full nelson: matzo ball soup that would stand tall in any delicatessen in the country
Mum Foods has made waves since opening a brick and mortar in late 2022. A James Beard nomination and a Michelin Guide recommendation should tell you all you need to know: this Texas BBQ meets Jewish Delicatessen is a total gem and easily serves up some of the best food in Austin.
While pastrami sandwiches and the Texas Trinity steal the spotlight, let's shed some light on the Matzo ball soup. First off, where else are you even getting Matzo Ball soup in Austin, let alone Texas? Exactly. Just like the BBQ, everything about this soup screams craft. Pros get a cup and half a pastrami sandwich but in the chilly months only a full bowl will do.
The Vitals:
the spot: Vic n Al's 2406 Manor Rd D, Austin, TX 78722
the eats: Gumbo
the bucks: $8
the full nelson: a gumbo that should impress die hard Cajun foodies
Super dark roux? Check. Perfectly cooked rice? Check. The right amount of heat and proper andouille sausage? Check. It's remarkable how good the gumbo is at Vic and Al's until you find out Chef Nick Patrizi is from east Texas which is, you know, like next to Louisiana. Across the board this restaurant has a great menu with reasonably priced dishes and reasonably priced excellent cocktails. Even if I wasn't so gung ho about the best food in Austin being in served in a bowl, Vic n Al's would make my list.
“A good burger is a messy burger”
-Arnie Tex
Ever notice how a burger grilled in your backyard satisfies a craving like no restaurant can? Something about the smell of the coals, a cooler of beer and the fact that you might get "seconds" on a burger make my mouth water. And it's way cheaper than going out for burgers these days.
My pal ArnieTex, who is one of my favorite stars on
YouTube, shared a burger recipe that's perfect for your next backyard burger fest. The award winning BBQ Pitmaster walked me through how to grind my own burger patty, smoke it and then load it up like a classic Texas style burger.
Here is how you make it in pictures-
(
step by step recipe here)
Step 1: step up and grind your own beef.
You will need a meat grinder. ArnieTex recommends
this one. I used a KitchenAid meat grinder that attaches to a KitchenAid Stand Mixer. If you already have a KitchenAid Stand Mixer, it's a reasonable investment.
Be sure to
place the grinder attachment in the freezer for a few hours to overnight. And you will want to
chill the cubes of Beef Chuck Roast for 30 minutes before grinding to prevent sticking.
Cook that burger patty low n slow
I set up my grill for 250 degrees and smoked the patty till it hit a temp of 125 degrees. The flavor comes from the wood, specifically mesquite which is ArnieTex's preference. I used wood chips and mesquite charcoal. Seasoning wise, I used his Brisket rub which was perfect for a smoked burger or any backyard burger recipe.
Build the burger starting at the bottom.
Even with a big burger bun like Mrs Baird's which is 5" in diameter, you are gonna want to be smart when you build this burger. Shredded lettuce and salted tomato belong down low to prevent slippage. Use the yellow mustard on the top bun to keep the sauteed onion and jalapeños in place. I forgot the pickle but it belongs up top too.
Oh and after you smoke the burger, sear it off in the same pan you toasted the bun and sauteed the jalapeño/onion. And let it rest on a wire rack. You could add cheese but this burger doesn't need it. The beef is the star of the show, as long as you step up and grind your own beef. It's the ArnieTex way!!
BBQ Burger Recipe by Arnie Tex
Ingredients:
- 1 Beef Chuck Roast(cut into 1.5"-2" cubes, placed in freezer for 30 minutes on baking sheet)
- ArnieTex BBQ Brisket Seasoning(click here to buy)
- Mrs. Baird Buns or a hamburger bun with a 5" diameter
- Iceberg lettuce(shredded aka shrettuce)
- Sliced Beefsteak tomato, salted for 15 minutes
- Best Maid Pickles
- Yellow mustard of your choice
- diced white onion(1/4 cup per burger)
- Sliced Jalapeno
- Salt and Pepper
- Cooking oil
- Mayonnaisse
Equipment:
- Grill
- Cast iron skillet(click to buy)
- Stand Mixer with meat grinder attachment or this meat grinder
- Digital food scale(I use this one)
Steps
- Place meat grinder attachment in freezer overnight or a couple hours in advance.
- Grind beef, forming a 7oz patty
- Prepare a grill to smoke at 250 degrees, salt the sliced tomato
- Place in in grill and cook till an internal temp of 115-125 degrees(125=Medium), while the burger patty smokes proceed to steps 4 & 5
- heat a cast iron pan with cooking oil over medium heat, add chopped onion and sliced jalapeño, season with S&P and saute till lightly caramelized
- Spread mayonnaise on hamburger bun and toast for a few minutes in the cast iron pan
- remove burger patty from grill and sear in cast iron pan, rest on wire rack while you add toppings to burger
- Layer bottom bun with shredded lettuce, tomato and the burger patty
- Spread yellow mustard on top bun, add sauteed onion and jalapenos, then pickles, place top bun on top of burger
- Keep some napkins handy and enjoy!
The Vitals:
the spot: Larry's Chili Dog 3122 W Burbank Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
the eats: Breakast Burrito
the bucks: $9.85
the full nelson: The sleeper Breakfast Burrito spot in Burbank
Before we begin: some thoughts on LA and the rough start to 2025
Want to know something f*cked up? I was gonna start 2025
posting about New Orleans restaurants because A) I just went there in early December and B) the horrifying events of New Years made me want spend some time showing love to NOLA because its the greatest food city in America IMO.
Then LA caught fire. As I type this I have at least half a dozen friends who have had to evacuate their homes. What a rough start to 2025.
But LA will survive this and while they fight the fires, I will remind people but one of the many things that makes LA delicious: Breakfast Burritos.
Larry's Chili Dog of Burbank has an epic breakfast burrito
But you might not know that from the signage. It seems all signs point to Larry's Chili Dog of Burbank being a place for . . . chili dogs. Located just north of LA proper, Burbank has a reputation for chili(shoutout Chili John's) and for breakfast burritos. A simple search on Reddit or TikTok will confirm that. And while some places like Corner Cottage will draw in the crowds, there is a breakfast burrito sleeper in Burbank:
This place screams Cheap Eats
I used to live in Burbank back in the day and places like Larry's dot the map. Movie and TV studio lots like Warner Brothers and NBC fueled loads of cheap eateries like Larry's with hungry production staff looking for some bang for your buck breakfast and lunch options. The sheer amount of out of state transplants drawn to the industry meant iconic Midwest staples like Coney Dogs(Detroit style chili dogs) would land on menus.
Soon, places like Larry's would evolve their offerings leading to what has become one of the most coveted foods in Los Angeles: The Breakfast Burrito.
The breakfast burrito at Larry's Chili Dog comes with bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs and hashbrowns. Salsa is available too. Priced at just under $10 and a double dose of meat, the appeal is obvious. The love
on reddit is there too. As someone that has fallen hard for the breakfast taco culture of Texas, a well constructed breakfast burrito is a magical food and a reason why LA is a magical food city.
For everyone in LA right now: I pray for you and can't wait to come back and crush a breakfast burrito on the sunny streets of Burbank.
The Vitals:
the spot: Raising Cane's locations throughout US
the eats: Chicken
the bucks: $1.81 per chicken strip
the full nelson: the sauce lives up to the hype but is Fast Food still worth it in 2025?
The Vitals:
the spot:1618 Asian Fusion 1618 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741
the eats: Beef Rib + Filet Mignon Pho
the bucks: $26
the full nelson: go where no Pho has gone before
1618 Asian Fusion might not sound like the place to break barriers when it comes to Pho. First off they serve Dim Sum, Singaporean dishes and a slew of other pan Asian greatest hits that make one ponder the idea that 1618 Asian Fusion is a jack of all trades, master of none.
Then the Beef Rib and Filet Mignon Pho hits your table. The broh is poured table side a metal kettle. The raw egg is dropped. Are we getting a tableside Caesar? No, but you are getting a giant beef rib plus filet mignon up in your pho. The grandest soup of the list is worthy any time of year but why not make your Dry January a little wet with a splash of splashy pho.
The Vitals:
the spot: Julie's Noodles 8557 Research Blvd #110 Austin TX 75758
the eats: Spicy Beef Stew
the bucks: $15
the full nelson: a Father & Son tradition that's served in a bowl
When I first took my son to Julie's Noodles I would have no idea it would become one of his all time favorite places. There are times where I wish he would get over the chopped pork noodle soup and explore the rest of the menu, let alone other restaurants, but I'm grateful that we have "our place". And it's a bonus that Julie's Noodles happens to serve some of the best food in Austin.
Beyond his spare rib spiked noodle soup, yours truly is totally gaga for the Spicy Beef stew which could feed an army or at least two to three hungry adults. The slivers of soft potato and glass noodles really hit all the hearty stew on a cold day notes.
The Vitals:
the spot: Ramen Del Barrio 1700 W. Parmer Lane Austin TX 78727
the eats: Carnitas Tonkotsu
the bucks: $16
the full nelson: Mexico meets Japan in a Ramen Bowl
Tonkotsu, the milky pork ramen broth is perfect eating on a cold winter day. What could make it better? How about the feeling of a little extra heat. The charred chile toreado in Christopher Krisinky's Mexican take on Ramen shows that the fusion of Mexican and Japanese in ramen is something that was meant to be, in Austin at least. Don't skip the yakitori tacos but given the cold weather as of late, Carnitas Ramen could the ultimate best food in Austin, at least till the cold spell ends.
The Vitals:
the spot: Mum Foods 5811 Manor Rd. Austin TX 78723
the eats: Matzo Ball Soup
the bucks: $10
the full nelson: matzo ball soup that would stand tall in any delicatessen in the country
Mum Foods has made waves since opening a brick and mortar in late 2022. A James Beard nomination and a Michelin Guide recommendation should tell you all you need to know: this Texas BBQ meets Jewish Delicatessen is a total gem and easily serves up some of the best food in Austin.
While pastrami sandwiches and the Texas Trinity steal the spotlight, let's shed some light on the Matzo ball soup. First off, where else are you even getting Matzo Ball soup in Austin, let alone Texas? Exactly. Just like the BBQ, everything about this soup screams craft. Pros get a cup and half a pastrami sandwich but in the chilly months only a full bowl will do.
The Vitals:
the spot: Vic n Al's 2406 Manor Rd D, Austin, TX 78722
the eats: Gumbo
the bucks: $8
the full nelson: a gumbo that should impress die hard Cajun foodies
Super dark roux? Check. Perfectly cooked rice? Check. The right amount of heat and proper andouille sausage? Check. It's remarkable how good the gumbo is at Vic and Al's until you find out Chef Nick Patrizi is from east Texas which is, you know, like next to Louisiana. Across the board this restaurant has a great menu with reasonably priced dishes and reasonably priced excellent cocktails. Even if I wasn't so gung ho about the best food in Austin being in served in a bowl, Vic n Al's would make my list.
My pal ArnieTex, who is one of my favorite stars on YouTube, shared a burger recipe that's perfect for your next backyard burger fest. The award winning BBQ Pitmaster walked me through how to grind my own burger patty, smoke it and then load it up like a classic Texas style burger.
Here is how you make it in pictures-
(step by step recipe here)
Soon, places like Larry's would evolve their offerings leading to what has become one of the most coveted foods in Los Angeles: The Breakfast Burrito.
The breakfast burrito at Larry's Chili Dog comes with bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs and hashbrowns. Salsa is available too. Priced at just under $10 and a double dose of meat, the appeal is obvious. The love on reddit is there too. As someone that has fallen hard for the breakfast taco culture of Texas, a well constructed breakfast burrito is a magical food and a reason why LA is a magical food city.
For everyone in LA right now: I pray for you and can't wait to come back and crush a breakfast burrito on the sunny streets of Burbank.
