The Vitals: the spot: Uchiko Austin 4200 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78756 the eats: tasting menu the bucks: $$$ the full nelson: a curry lovers dream

The Uchiko Austin Indonesian Pop Up by Chef Jack Yoss

Was a heavyweight title bout of a tasting menu. I was fortunate to be invited by the folks at Uchiko to bear witness to the eleven course Indonesian extravaganza and it easily tops my list of elegant curry experiences. Given the price and prestige behind Uchiko, which as a Japanese restaurant put Austin Texas on the map for destination sushi, this shouldn't be too far out of left field. However this would not have been possible with Chef Jack Yoss, whose love for Indonesian food is as real as it gets.

The eleven course line up:

I won't bog your phone scrolling with all eleven courses of the Uchiko Austin Indonesian Pop Up. So I'll stick to the highlights. And spoiler alert: there will still be a lot of scrolling.

The dish of the night: Beef Rendang

I came first and foremost to the Uchiko Austin Indonesian Pop Up for my curry fix. The base of this and all the other curries, the sambal, took weeks to make. Part of that was due to Chef Jack Yoss' schedule and the other part is that the creation of these curry bases can take that long. Chef Yoss chose beef short ribs where the texture of the short rib, not too fall apart, was as spot on as the red hue of the curry.

Sumatran Lamb Curry

Had I attended the Uchiko Austin Indonesian Pop Up and was forced to choose on curry, on paper I would have chosen lamb. The gaminess of lamb is off putting for some but I relish it and the protein excels amongst bold flavors. Chef Yoss admitted to me that his lamb simmered a few minutes too long, which is why I preferred the Beef Rendang. Still, I would easily try this dish again if given the chance.

Yellow Curry Crab

The idea of making a crab curry has never crossed my mind. I'm starting to rethink that line of thought. After attending the Uchiko Austin Indonesian Pop Up, I know that sweet coconut milk and sweet crab meat make for natural best buddies. This was a touch sweet, creamy and mellow compared to the red meat curries but equally captivating.

Grilled Pork Secreto

The greatest secret in pork might be the Pork Secreto. This specialty cut, essentially the flank steak of the pig is cut from Iberico breed pigs, whose tremendous marbling makes this cut as prized as a ribeye cap. This was rubbed in a marinade and grilled and was my second fav dish of the night. In general if you see Pork Secreto on a menu, order it, whether you are at an Indonesian Pop Up or otherwise.

And the rest of the bench was deep.

I may have hit my limit documenting all eleven courses of this Uchiko Austin Indonesian Pop Up but I sure did try my best to eat every thing that came my way. The water spinach pictured above was a life saver amongst a sea of rich dishes. And with Uchiko being an all star sushi restaurant, any dish with seafood was just gonna hit extra. My biggest takeaway is that while some of these dishes also excel in street versions and in mom and pop curry houses, it was nice to experience them elevating without losing any soul. The flavors were deep and while the price reflects ingredient and atmosphere, it was also a peak into what elements of fine dining can bring to foods beyond Western European or Japanese. I can't tell you when this pop up will happen again, but when it does, I will be there.  

The Vitals: the spot: Pau Hana Base 407 Seaside Ave #107, Honolulu, HI 96815 the eats: Gyoza, Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, Udon, Yellow Tail Collar the bucks: $-$$ the full nelson: a tucked away Izakaya in Waikiki 

 

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Do you eat at Izakaya?

If the answer is no, you need to. Think bar food meets Japanese food where you can snack or supper. From skewers to sushi, depending on the Izakaya, the world is your oyster. You just have to ask yourself if you want it raw or fried.

It helps to start with a round of drinks

After landing in Honolulu earlier that afternoon and immediately getting Udon, it was a matter of time before the Asian food bug would hit again. One of the reasons we chose to go to Honolulu after spending time in Kauai was the Asian food scene. And the next words I entered in my Google search would be "Honolulu Izakaya".

Fried foods are a non negotiable

At least when it came to our Honolulu Izakaya adventure. My kid loves them and I after seeing the great char on the flat side of the Gyoza, I knew the folks at Pau Hana Base took their Gyoza making seriously.

Get the Okonomiyaki: A Japanese savory pancake

We went to a DIY Okonomiyaki place in Tokyo in 2023 and let's just say the bar for the savory pancake was set high. Each dish came out individually at Pau Hana Base, a good sign that everything is cooked to order.

The bite of the night: fried oysters

The pitfalls of all things fried, especially fried seafood is when all you taste is breading. Not the case at our Honolulu Izakaya adventure at Pau Hana Base. The fried oysters here were first and foremost plump and juicy, with what I can only assume to be Panko breading. And that breading did its job by keeping the exterior crisp and the inside moist.

Takoyaki: Grilled Octopus Balls

There really isn't a better way to describe the round balls of Octopus. Often seen at Izakayas, I leapt at the chance to try these during our Honolulu Izakaya excursion. I'm not sure why I keep ordering them. Often the taste of the octopus, which tends to be mild, gets lost in the batter, as was the case here. But it does make for beer and sake snacking.

And even more Udon.

I suppose the easy sell of getting Izakaya for my kid was that Udon was a likely showing of Udon on the menu. He had Udon for lunch and dinner that day. I abstained from trying it but he seemed please.

Gotta get some kinda fish collar

Usually it is Yellowtail or Salmon collars one finds at Izakaya restaurants. At Pau Hana Base, we chose Yellowtail. The meat just below the head is fatty but bone ridden, thus making it perfect for picking at with chopsticks. If you have never had it and love the taste of yellowtail or salmon, try it.

And the hook? Self Serve Cotton Candy

Really. Per this story from Honolulu Magazine, the hook at this Honolulu Izakaya restaurant is free cotton candy which you "make yourself". Words fail me but TikTok doesn't so see below for more clarification. Much like Maragume Udon, I would come back to Pau Hana Base in a heartbeat. It was a great Izakaya whether we are talking the Honolulu Izakaya scene or anywhere else. Affordable and had the late night Tokyo Izakaya vibes, what's not to love?  

Video

https://www.tiktok.com/@alikhaneats/video/7410976544128093471

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The Vitals: the spot: Endo Sushi 609 W 29th St, Austin, TX 78705 the eats: 20 course omakase sushi experience the bucks: $180 per person before drinks the full nelson: Cheaper than a flight to Tokyo for sushi that tastes like you went

A 20 course chef driven sushi meal.

That clocks in close to three hours too. I was invited earlier this year to try out Sushi Endo, helmed by chef Endo Yasuhiro. His resume includes high end sushi restaurants from coast to coast including working under Chef Daisuke Nakazawa who in turn worked under legendary Jiro Ono of Jiro Dreams of Sushi fame. This all makes for a compelling reason to consider spending close to $300 for a dinner(the omakase is $180 before drinks and tip. The following might help you understand what this level of sushi entails. Perhaps not surprisingly, the meal is not unlike a omakase I had many years ago in Boston at Cafe Sushi. Interestingly enough that was 16 courses for $110 and back in 2017, I considered that a deal. Regardless of whether this kind of meal is beyond your means or not, allow me to share what this high level of sushi entails. It goes beyond rolls and copious amounts of fatty belly pieces. There are classic Japanese dishes along with types of fish seldom scene at more casual sushi restaurants. Let's begin.

Endo Sushi courses 1-4

1. Goma Dofu(upper left). This was tofu bathed in a shoyu dashi
2. Otsukuri(upper right). Mature yellowtail and Tilefish. The latter tastes scallop like.
3. Nasu Orandani(lower left): Eggplant. These are the kinds of dishes that make me realize I clearly know nothing about cooking vegetables.
4. Shiro Giso and Tomorokoshi Ago: a fried fish called sillago and a fried corn fritter. I want to say the green powder was wasabi.

Just so you know I won't bore you too much with statements like "this tasted _____". Trust that it was good and let the documentation speak to the uniqueness of the menu they have composed.

Endo Sushi courses 5-8

1. Akame(upper left). Bluefin tuna nigiri
2. Zuke Akame(upper right).Bluefin tuna nigiri marinated in soy sauce.
3. Aji(lower left): Horse Mackerel.
4. Tamago: Japanese Omelette

I adore the tamago at Sushi Uroko but this was truly a level beyond.

Endo Sushi courses 9-12

1. Sakura Masu(upper left). Cherry Salmon nigiri.
2. Kinmedair(upper right). Golden Eye Snapper nigiri.
3. Suzuki(lower left): Seabass nigiri.
4. Umi Masu: Smoked Steelhead Trout

The Sakura Masu would be that salmon sashimi you order over and over and over. The sweetness was there as far as salmon goes. The Umi Masu was smoked with hay at the bar as well.

Endo Sushi courses 13-16

1. Inada(upper left). Young yellowtail nigiri.
2. Chawanmsuhi(upper right). Steamed Egg custard with Uni, crab and Salmon roe.
3. Toro(lower left): Tuna belly nigiri.
4. Wagyu with caviar nigiri

One might assume the most over the top moment here would be the Wagyu with caviar but it was the Chawanmushi for me. This dish will haunt me.

Endo Sushi courses 17-20

1. Temaki(upper left). Tuna Belly handroll. This followed up the Wagyu splendidly.
2. Anago(upper right). Sea Eel Nigiri
3. Akadashi(lower left): Red Miso soup
4. Chokoreto: Chocolate Mousse with cocoa powder, green tea sauce and strawberries.

The picture of the Temaki doesn't do it justice. Eel isn't my favorite but this was quite silky. I was scratching my head at how a bowl of miso soup could be so satisfying after all those heavy hitter courses but it was. And who doesn't love chocolate mousse? Like I said, whether you swing for the fences and spend this kind of money, know that this is what a real deal high end sushi experience looks like. The next time I go to Japan I am going to have to go for a proper splurge for comparison but for now Endo Sushi is up there with the best I have ever had in the US.  

Video

https://www.tiktok.com/@alikhaneats/video/7407633434329369886

The Vitals: the spot: Marugame Udon locations globally, tested at 2310 Kūhiō ave Honolulu HI  the eats: Tonkotsu , Nikutama and Chilled Udon  the bucks: $ the full nelson: global Udon phenomenon worthy of a visit when in Honolulu 

The Udon that got me hooked on Udon.

Straight out of Japan and with a thousand locations that literally span the globe, Marugame Udon's Sanuki style Udon speaks volumes to the success that can happen when a restaurant concept hits a nerve. I know I'm hooked and I'm not even the world's greatest noodle lover.

Made to order yet built for speed.

Marugame Udon is known for long lines but they move fast. Despite the noodles being made to order, the place moves like a well oiled machine. The only guaranteed pause is when you have to decide what to order when it is your first visit.

Marugame Udon Tonkotsu

Billed as "most loved" on the menu, my son chose the Marugame Udon Tonkotsu. He is the official noodle head of the family and the one who pulled the trigger on trying Marugame Udon for our first meal in Honolulu. And that was after only going a day since our last Asian noodle soup meal, in Kauai. Turns out we were well rewarded for his noodle obsession.

Nikutama Udon

I'm an Udon noob so I opted for the Nikutama because like the Tonkotsu, this noodle soup carries the menu description of "most loved". Loaded with shaved sweet beef and a soft boiled egg, it was a hearty choice. The Sweet beef, the rich egg yolk and the chewy thick noodles would make anyone an Udon fan. Pro Tip - grab the chili powder and give it a healthy shake. The heat balances the sweet beef well.

Chilled Ontama Udon

Remember how I said we just had our last Asian noodle soup fix like 24 hours ago? That's what prompted the Mrs. to try a chilled Udon. Going with a soft boiled egg and the "BK sauce"(same at the Nikutama) the dish can be served cold and it totally works. A great change of pace and worth trying when it's hot out or when you are eating Asian noodle soups daily. I'm hooked on this brand. There is one in Dallas so my guess is I'll be back at Marugame Udon before I'm back in Hawaii. But I would absolutely return to Marugame Udon in Honolulu too. In the words of my tween: "this Udon is fire".  

The best food in Austin Texas: June + July 2024

Summer in Austin means traveling and that I have been doing. Still, I found plenty of great spots to share when it comes to the best food in Austin for June and July. You might want to break out the stretchy pants because daddy is on a diet after taking down plenty o' pizza, mozzarella sticks from heaven, Prime rib lunches and a mac n cheese bbq burrito. The Vitals: the spot: Maie Day 1603 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 the eats: Prime Rib Special  the bucks: $$ the full nelson: The family friendly Prime Rib deal in Austin The ultra hip steakhouse vibes fit right in on South Congress avenue, at least in 2024. Situated next to boutique shops one might find on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills or the Design district in Miami, Maie Day should be that chophouse that carries major sticker shop. Unless you come in for lunch on Fridays. That's when Chef Michael Fojtasek wheels around a Prime Rib cart, offering a full slab of sous vide than seared Prime Rib perfection for a mere $19. Make it a meal with mashed potatoes and creamed spinach for another $9. Or stick to that caveman diet you have been working on ever since you saw that TikTok. Speaking of TikTok - my IG video(ok not TikTok) netted over 200k videos: Maie Day Prime Rib,  so if you don't believe what you read, believe what you see. And what you are seeing is clearly a top gun when it comes to value and the best food in Austin.   The Vitals: the spot: Bufalina 2215 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702 the eats: Any pizza you fancy but get adventurous  the bucks: $$ the full nelson: Best happy hour for pizza and wine lovers Prime Rib isn't the only way to save a buck. Bufalina is the type of craft pizza one tends to think about when the words "best food in Austin” are brought up. But the savvy foodies know to swoop in for happy hour on weekdays from 4pm-5:30pm and save some serious bucks. That’s when every pizza is half off as are bottles of wine, under $100. I've found the more adventurous you get with the pies here, like the Fresca which skips the tomato sauce or the Anchovy pie, become the most memorable slices. So get crazy and save a glass of Lambrusco for me. The Vitals: the spot: Bambino 79 Springdale Rd Suite 153, Austin, TX 78702 the eats: Any pizza you fancy but get adventurous  the bucks: $$ the full nelson: Best happy hour for pizza and wine lovers There is a lot going on at Austin's buzziest pizza place to add to the list of best food in Austin. Fiore Tedesco offers a signature pie that muses with ingredients that would make Chris Bianco jealous to a no flop crust that would draw at least an 8 from David Portnoy. But no, I'm not highlighting the pies or even the burger of the day special. I'm talking Mozzarella sticks. Chef Tedesco is ingredient and process obsessive from the Buffalo milk mozzarella blend to the three stages of breading. The kicker though is the Cacio e Pepe ranch that only leaves us asking this question: when will he roll out the chicken wings? The Vitals: the spot: Rollin Smoke BBQ 1108 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702 the eats: G Thang Burrito the bucks: $$ the full nelson: Central Texas BBQ meets late night munchies Just when I think I have seen it all with barbecue I hit up a food truck like Rollin Smoke that marries Texas meat smoking traditions with late night food truck vibes. Originally serving till the wee hours, Kyle Stallings has scaled it back till 9pm and 10pm on weekends. We all gotta grow up but that doesn't mean we can't like a reckless teen either. Case in point: the G Thang Burrito. Stallings smokes Prime Briskets uses them in a Tejano braise called Carne Guisada. He puts that hearty TexMex beef stew into a flour tortilla along with smoked mac n cheese, and a dual hit of salsas(jalapeno and chipotle crema. It's a burrito that should satisfy a late night craving at any hour. Though thankfully the temptation to eat one at 3am(his old last call) is no longer an option. After all, daddy is on a diet.  

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Even on a family vacation . . .

I will make a few delicious pit stops. My Kauai restaurants were a round up off suggestions from this thread on Threads and netted almost 40 responses. A BIG THANK YOU to everyone and for what its worth, folks had more to say about where I should go in Kauai then Honolulu. Go figure.

The Vitals: the spot: Kauai Sushi Station 2405 Ulu Maika St, Lihue, HI 96766 the eats: Hamachi sashimi, New Zealand King Salmon nigiri, Spicy Tuna roll the bucks: $$ but can easily go to $$$ if you're starving the full nelson: Sushi Food Truck with actually really impressive fish

Kauai Restaurants Round Up #1: Kauai Sushi Station

There is something charming about finding a place to eat as soon as you get off the plane. Way better to settle in your new surroundings at a new local eatery than your hotel room. Located in Lihue, minutes from the airport, Kauai Sushi Station is a good stop to make either coming off a plane ride or when you need to eat before one. The fish was fresh as one might expect. Coming off an all star Omakase experience recently, I'm a lot pickier these days about rice, which isn't a strength at Kauai Sushi station but in the context of a food truck, it's pretty solid. The hamachi sashimi with thin slices of jalapeño was the star of the order and something I would order every time I'm here. The Vitals: the spot: Koloa Fish Market 3390 Poipu Rd, Koloa, HI 96756 the eats: Spicy Tuna Poke, Tuna Avocado Poke, Salmon Poke, Octopus Poke, Smoked Marlin the bucks: $-$$ depending on appetite  the full nelson: A must stop for every Poke lover

Kauai Restaurants Round Up #2: Koloa Fish Market

I love Poke and I don't think I've had it any better than at Koloa Fish Market. This was another spot recommended from my Threads post and nothing missed here. The Spicy Tuna poke, usually an all star hit, was the least interesting because Koloa Fish Market makes the usually forgettable stuff, well, unforgettable. It was across the board great, but the dressing in the octopus poke would be reason enough to buy a cookbook that Koloa Fish Market puts out. My only regret here was not eating here twice. The Vitals: the spot: Stevenson's Library 1571 Poipu Rd, Koloa, HI 96756(located in the Grand Hyatt hotel) the eats: assorted sushi, rolls, sashimi the bucks: $$$  the full nelson: A lovely bar with pricey munchies

Kauai Restaurants Round Up #3: Stevenson's Library

You go to Stevenson's Library because it is a lovely bar and most likely you're also staying at the Grand Hyatt Kauai so it's just an easy decision. While it is cheaper than say dining at their formal restaurants, Stevenson's Library does serve sushi that carries a the typical hefty price tag. The fish is fresh, which is no surprise and like the sushi food truck, the rice is fine but far from exceptional. The bar rocks and has a deep and varied selection of spirits, notably the whiskey. I'd recommend this place for the bar experience primarily. The Vitals: the spot: Hamura Saimin 2956 Kress St, Lihue, HI 96766 the eats: Specialty Saimin, chicken and beef skewers, fried dumplings the bucks: $ the full nelson: Cheap Eats Kauai staple

Kauai Restaurants Round Up #4: Hamura Saimin

It makes total sense that this local gem also took home a James Beard American Classics award. Hamura Saimin was also recommend via Threads(see a pattern here?) and it slapped hard. The name of the game here is Saimin: a Hawaiian noodle soup with serious ramen vibes. I got the special Saimin which adds, ham, egg, veggies, fish cake, wontons and roast pork into the mix. We got a large to split and it was a solid lunch when shared. The skewers and meaty fried dumplings were all great as well. This was a particular highlight and was my fav along with the poke. Kauai is all about being chill to the tune of staying at your hotel/beachfront hacienda but the food is worth renting a car and taking a cruise. Highly recommend Koloa Fish Market and Hamura Saimin folks. And both are solid Cheap Eats too.

Video

https://www.tiktok.com/@alikhaneats/video/7402072783456423198?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7319628802836727327

The Vitals: the spot: Au Cheval 800 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607 the eats: Single Cheeseburger with bacon and a fried egg the bucks: $16.99 + $2.99 for the egg and $6.99 for the bacon  the full nelson: an over the top bacon cheeseburger done with class but comes at a price

Au Cheval Burger: outstanding burger or overhyped?

As soon as the Au Cheval burger landed in New York City back in 2019 that question landed in the burgerverse. If I was going to answer that question there was only one way to do it. And that would be the Chicago way. Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

Special Guest: Chef Chris Cullum

Fellow burger freak, James Beard finalist and architect of one mind blowingly decadent burgers I've ever had was in Chicago and joined me on this burger escapade. He had already been there a few days earlier and decided to come back. That speaks volumes.

An indulgent Au Cheval burger order

You have indulgent options with the Au Cheval burger order. Single patty or double? Feel like adding an egg? How about a serving of bacon that eats more like pepper crust pork belly steak than backup to a stack of pancakes? I went with all of the above which resulted in a magnificent, over the top bacon cheeseburger experience. Chef Cullum told me "the single is a double" and based on this review it would appear that Au Cheval burger starts with two five ounce patties. That means a double would be three and that is kind of insane to me. As far as the bacon and egg went, it was for the sake of indulgence and while that was clearly delivered, I don't think I would repeat this order on a second visit. That also means I'd go back for a second visit But the biggest question you should be asking yourself is this burger worth the $27 you are about to fork over for it?

Lets look at the cost breakdown:

• single cheeseburger $16.99
• bacon $6.99
• fried egg $2.99

The egg was delicious but I suspect superfluous . . . the burger is plenty rich without needing a waterfall of velvety egg yolk. The bacon was probably one of the most impressive takes on America's favorite pork product. Meaty like a smoked pork belly and as peppery as a great steak au poivre you definitely need to experience this on your first Au Cheval burger experience. So skipping the egg means we can deduct $3 from my next Au Cheval experience for sure. That leaves us at $24 to try the burger again. That's an easy yes on my part. But I would actually want to try the burger as a straight up single to see if the beef can stand on its own. If the Au Cheval burger is worth the impressive hype it gets, I'd absolutely go this route for visit #2.

The Answer:

Yes, Au Cheval is absolutely worth a try and a second visit to tweak the order to your liking. Sure, a $27 burger is a commitment but so is eating something this decadent. Whether it is price or calories, I wouldn't mess this burger more than a couple times a year but I'd definitely consider a visit every time I'm back in Chicago.  

The Vitals: the spot: Jim's South Street 400 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 the eats: Cheesesteak the bucks: $13.49 (cash only) the full nelson: a quintessential late night Philly cheesesteak experience

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Jim's South Street is the late night cheesesteak experience I've been needing and I didn't even know it. I've been coming to Philadelphia annually for almost 20 years and somehow never made it to South Street till now. It's a late night scene, akin to say Bourbon Street in New Orleans, though the crowds have thinned in recent years. After an early dinner and a few beers for dessert, I found myself on South Street and ready for my fourth meal. Cue Jim's South Street.

Jim's South Street 2.0

A fire a few years back put Jim's South Street on ice for a few years. They reopened in May of 2024 so I consider my timing fortuitous but I'll take all the late night eats luck I can get.

The perfect late night order

Back in the day I would have advocated for Provolone on my cheesesteak at all costs. It strikes me as the more sophisticated choice because it's, well more sophisticated than American cheese or cheese whiz. But this was a late night cheesesteak experience, and being in a scenario strikingly different from my other cheesesteak experiences, namely John's Roast Pork(featured on Cheap Eats), I was open to suggestions. "Get it with Whiz and American" the gentleman behind the grill told me. I happily accepted the suggestion and took it a step further and added cherry peppers, a popular spicy pickled condiment at Philly Hoagie and steak joints. Late night cheesesteak bliss was unlocked:

Zero Shame = Zero regrets

My late night cheesesteak experience at Jim's South Street checked every box. Ooey gooey meaty cheesy deliciousness that only Whiz and American cheese can provide. And the cherry peppers added just enough heat and tang to take me over the finish line. Jim's South Street is a late night cheesesteak right of passage for any student of the game.

Video

https://www.tiktok.com/@alikhaneats/video/7390097195745283359

Beyond the Washington DC Food . . .

I swear we came first and foremost to check out the museums. And on that note we recommend visiting The National Museum of African American History and Culture, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the International Spy Museum. There is so much to see and learn in D.C. that the few days we spent barely scratched the surface. And the same goes for the food . . .

DC food crawl stop 1:

The Vitals: the spot: Umai Nori 1147 20th St NW, Washington, DC 20036 the eats: Umai Temaki(signature hand rolls) the bucks: $6 and up per roll, plan on $40 a person the full nelson: solid neighborhood sushi joint

The first stop of my Washington DC food crawl satisfied a sushi craving without breaking the bank. Umai Nori does a good job of offering value to what ultimately is a luxury food. We stuck mostly with nigiri(fish over rice) which featured generous cuts of fish and hit the spot. It seems that the signature dish at Umai Nori is their hand rolls. They aren't rolled into a cone so they appear somewhat "taco" like. Pro tip: save room for a few of these.

DC food crawl stop 2:

The Vitals: the spot: Tatte Bakery multiple locations in the Metro DC area the eats: Ham and cheese croissant, French Toast, pretty much whatever you're in the mood for the bucks: $5-$15 the full nelson: The best bakery chain ever

The smoked ham in my ham cheese croissant at Tatte Bakery took my breath away. Equal parts meaty to smokey, that bite of ham washed away a sea of bad ham and cheese croissant memories and was a total value at $6. My son's french toast was literally as decadent as it looked. Maybe it's because we don't go out for breakfast like this often but Tatte Bakery was one special way to start the second day of our Washington DC food crawl.

DC food crawl stop 3:

The Vitals: the spot: Grazzie Nonna 1100 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005 the eats: Pizzas, bucatini with meatballs, antipasto, calamari the bucks:  plan on $40 a person before drinks and dessert the full nelson: East Coast Italian that splits old school comfort with new school quality 

Grazzie Nonna does fancy pizzas but don't think it is just another Neapolitan style joint either. The third stop of our Washington DC food crawl was all about the vibes of Chef Casey Patten's youth spent cooking with his grandmother. Throw in some evergreen comfort favs like fried calamari and meatballs in a Sunday gravy worth waiting all week for, and you have that quintessential East Coast Italian food experience.

DC food crawl stop 4:

The Vitals: the spot:  Eat Brgz 1200 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036 the eats: burgers  the bucks:  $15-$20 a burger the full nelson: Casual burger joint with premium-ish prices= better than I thought 

Part of a family vacation means pleasing the family. My son wanted a burger and while I had higher hopes for another spot, Eat Brgz won the bid for the fourth stop of our Washington DC food crawl. It was better than I thought. Though a bit overpriced and a dash underwhelming, the sum total was respectable enough. You've had worse food on vacation and while that might seem like a backhanded compliment, this place is still a notch up from Shake Shack.

DC food crawl stop 5:

The Vitals: the spot:  Chicken and Whiskey multiple locations in Washington D.C. the eats: Peruvian roasted chicken and more  the bucks:  $15 a person before drinks the full nelson: Peruvian fast casual fare meets whiskey bar

With a name like Chicken and Whiskey, I would have bet fried chicken was specialty of the house. Instead it was Pollo A La Brasa, a wood fired rotisserie chicken and Peruvian staple. It's also a fast casual with a bar featuring an extensive whiskey selection. Umm, what the huh? Turns out the fifth stop of our Washington DC food tour was kinda perfected for what we needed: pregaming food and drink before a baseball game. This particular location is right in Navy Yard, a short walk to the Nationals' ballpark.

DC food crawl stop 6:

The Vitals: the spot:Ben's Chili Bowl multiple locations in Washington D.C. the eats: A half smoke with chili the bucks:  $8.50 the full nelson: a Washington DC food icon ain't your average chili dog

My first time trying a half smoke was a convenient one. Scoring this chili dog at Nationals' stadium puts it in the running for best ballpark dog ever. But a half smoke is more than a hot dog and Ben's Chili Bowl is more than a restaurant. A fixture in the Washington DC African American community over 60 years, their signature menu item half smokes, are truly a DC thing. A spicier, more coarse ground sausage, their are similarities to a hot dog or even a Kielbasa but a hot smoke had a taste all it's own. And it stands up to chili like no mere weiner ever could.

DC food crawl stop 7:

The Vitals: the spot: Yellow 1524 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007 the eats: Chicken Shawarma sandwich, Falafel Sandwich the bucks:  $15-$17 the full nelson: a glimpse into the cooking of the most outstanding chef in America

For two years I have been hearing the praises of Chef Michael Rafidi. The winner of James Beard's Most Outstanding Chef of 2024 won the hearts of DC foodies by elevating the food of the Levant and even impressed Michelin inspectors which earned him a star for his flagship restaurant, Albi. Yellow was my chance to get a taste of the Palestinian American chef's cooking in a hand held. I tried the chicken shawarma which noticeably was studded with the freshest mint leaf I've ever had along with the falafel. The latter unquestionably is worth the $15 price tag. One thing is absolutely clear, my next DC trip will be built around a reservation at Albi.  

The Vitals: the spot: Reese Bros Barbecue 906 Hoefgen Ave, San Antonio, TX 78210 the eats: The Verde Burger the bucks: $13 the full nelson: A craft barbecue take on a San Antonio burger tradition 

Back in 2022 I interviewed Nick Reese about a smoked burger he was doing at his eponymous barbecue restaurant. It was when I would learn about a San Antonio phenomenon called a bean burger. A San Antonio bean burger starts with patty(a beef patty mind you NOT one made of beans) that is topped with Fritos(or some corn chip), queso, refried beans and onions. Thanks to this thread on Reddit, I found eleven restaurants serving this burger but the burger phenomenon is still somewhat under wraps. Maybe this post will change all that.

Reese Bros Barbecue is legit

In this current era of fourth wave barbecue where pitmasters are craftsmen, at times with extensive culinary backgrounds, Reese Bros fits right in along with other noted San Antonio barbecue restaurants like 2M Smokehouse and Two Bros Barbecue(featured on Cheap Eats). I only tried the burger but I will definitely be back to get a big platter of meats by the pounds and sides.

The San Antonio Bean Burger by Reese Bros Barbecue

Being my first time trying a San Antonio Bean Burger, I might have peaked. With at least 10 more versions to try, my assumption might be premature, but just taking into consideration the upgrade from traditional corn chips to a tostada fried in beef tallow, Reese Brothers Barbecue ain't messing around. The patty itself is a substantial half pound of ground brisket trim, seasoned with their 2:1 black pepper to salt brisket rub. Smoked and then seared, the patty is nestled on a brioche bun, and topped with a slice of white American cheese.

Consider the toppings

Where things get really interesting are the signatures of a San Antonio Bean Burger. As mentioned, the "corn chip element" is covered with a beef tallow fried tostada. The beans are refried pinto, cooked with onions, tomato, poblano peppers and okra, which gives the bean element a stew like mouthfeel. Lastly the salsa element is covered with a "salsa doña" which reminds me of a nod to Taco Deli's creamy jalapeño salsa, though the actual source is Sonora Mexico.

A touch of Sonora

Nick Reese credits his head chef and Sonoran native, Gabe Perez for this salsa touch. It really sets the burger off. While the salsa gives the burger bite, the kick comes from an admiration for San Antonio Bean burgers both Nick and his brother Elliot grew up with. You gotta love a burger style to upgrade it to this level. Just make sure you go on a Thursday or a Friday, that's when the burger is served. Occasionally they run the burger for a special price of $10, but I'd gladly pay the full price of $13. If Cheap Eats was airing today, we would definitely hit up Reese Brothers barbecue and certify it some straight up Bang for your Burger Buck.