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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Vitals: the spot: Cullum's Attaboy 111 Kings Ct, San Antonio, TX 78212 the eats: Attaboy Burger with Glacé the bucks: $16 + $5 for the glacé poured tableside the full nelson: the most decadent burger I've had in 20 years
Let me get this out of the way: I'll never take a better burger pic with big fat tire in the background then the one I took at Cullum's Attaboy. Of course I wish I could have set up the shot better but that takes away from the barebones simplicity of Cullum's Attaboy.
The Vitals:
the spot: Saigon on 7th 2601 E 7th street unit 101 Austin, TX 78702
the eats: Mango Salad
the bucks: $9
the full nelson: Famed Vietnamese food truck turned brick and mortar still delivers in 2024
Summer is in full swing in Austin. The era of two shower days hath begun. How does one find relief outside of a dip in the pool or vacation plans to flee north(I see you Austinites flocking to Maine!). How about a tangy, Umami soaked mango and papaya salad studded with shrimp? The dish is equal parts refreshing and hearty and totally his the spot during the "warmer" months.
My favorite thing about Saigon on 7th is that it is just as good as it was when it was a food trailer with a different name: Saigon Le Vendeur. Back in 2021 I was floored by their Bahn Mi sandwich which also hits the spot during the dogs days of summer.
The Vitals: the spot: Yummi Tacos & More 12518 Research Blvd, Austin, TX 78759 the eats: "The Sunny Side Burger" - A bulgogi burger with marinated beef, cheese, spicy mayo and a fried egg the bucks: $9.50 with fries and drink the full nelson: a classic Cheap Eats find in 2024!
There isn't a lot more I can say about this Korean BBQ fusion cheeseburger that I haven't said already in my last post. I mean it's a solid meaty and unique burger that comes with fries and a bev for under $10. In 2024 in Austin, that is nothing short of a miracle. The best part of about Yummi Tacos and More is that it is catered to feed the blue collar working class folks that I have always championed when it comes to citing great food. Keep it real and get yourself here. This is the kind of place Austin needs to keep going and is a clear standout among standouts when it comes to the category of best food in Austin.
The Vitals: the spot: Pogi ATX 1700 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702 the eats: Sisig Tacos the bucks: $14 for two the full nelson: Chef Driven Filipino food truck where tacos are just the tip of the iceberg
Much like Yummi Tacos and More, my recent post about Pogi ATX pretty sums up all you need to know. As soon as I took a bite of their sisig taco, I knew these chefs has a lot more to offer than a Filipino taco fix, which in itself makes a case for making the list of best food in Austin. What Gino Vidal and Jerry Moreno could do beyond the confines of a food trailer gives me chills but for now I eagerly look forward to trying out the rest of the menu at Pogi which includes Filipino fusion takes on smash burgers and Nashville hot chicken sandwiches.
The Vitals: the spot: Endo 609 W. 29th st Austin TX 78705 the eats: 20 course Omakase sushi the bucks: $$$$ the full nelson: An intimate sushi splurge with the pedigree of a Michelin star. Cheaper than a flight to Japan but expect an airfare sized tab
My 20 course omakase sushi experience deserves a stand alone post where I can explain how a $300 a person meal(all in with drinks) is indeed worth it when you are able to commit to that kind of investment. If you love sushi and have ever been to Japan, you might want to consider just how good it can get here in the US. Chef Endo Yasuhiro doesn't just carry the resumé and the skills, he is also a sheer delight to be around. The service is really tuned to make for a memorable experience. And at these prices they should. All I can say is I have been to Japan and for the first time since I was there, I felt closest to being back. His former restaurant, Sushi Nakazawa earned a Michelin star. This certainly feels like a Michelin worthy meal.
The Vitals: the spot: Yummi Tacos & More 12518 Research Blvd, Austin, TX 78759 the eats: "The Sunny Side Burger" - A bulgogi burger with marinated beef, cheese, spicy mayo and a fried egg the bucks: $9.50 with fries and drink the full nelson: a classic Cheap Eats find in 2024!
A good bulgogi burger in Austin is hard to find. I never went but people did sing the praises of Burger Tex(RIP) and Chilantro is known to add one to the menu every now and again. Well there is a Bulgogi Burger in Austin served all the time, at Yummi Tacos and More in North Austin.
The Vitals: the spot: Pogi ATX 1700 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702 the eats: Sisig Tacos the bucks: $14 for two the full nelson: Chef Driven Filipino food truck where tacos are just the tip of the iceberg
The next time I go to Pogi ATX I won't be getting the Sisig Tacos. Sure, within hours of finding out the tangy and spicy pork belly dish was served in taco form I was eating there. But that's before I took in the whole menu. Smashburgers, Hot Chicken sandwiches and Lumpia(the Philippines answer to the egg roll) all tempt my appetite. And the options only expand if I bring a friend or two and crush the whole menu. The prices and portions are just reasonable enough to warrant that kind of ambitious excess.
The Vitals: the spot: El Grandpa Mexican Barbacoa 150 Haverland Dr, Georgetown, TX 78626 the eats: Lamb barbacoa by the half pound or pound the bucks: $15 for half a pound the full nelson: Hidalgo style lamb barbacoa cooked in a custom oven
The Vitals: the spot: La Plancha 701 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Unit 101, Austin, TX 78702 the eats: Torta Burger the bucks: $15 the full nelson: The torta meets burger collab you have been dreaming about
I am a huge fan of Chef Mariha Hinojosa. Her humble torta shop goes far beyond a food truck torta and leans on her formal training at the Culinary Institute of America. But she still honors her South Texas roots. She made me one mean burger torta for Christmas last year too, with a tamale tossed on there too. Her standard burger torta, available year round ain't nothing to sleep on either.
The Vitals:
the spot: La Barbecue 2401 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
the eats: Smashed Burger
the bucks: $
the full nelson: Austin Food Magazine's fav burger of the Austin Monthly Burger Bash
Over the years I have eaten my fair share of epic barbecue in Austin and beyond and while the names on my list might change, one place will never leave it: La Barbecue. Even before I waxed poetic about them on Best Thing I Ever Ate back in 2017 on Cooking Channel, they have always had a special place in my heart. Now they have a friggin burger and it's meant to be a deal at happy hour.
The Vitals: the spot: Cuantos Hamburguesas 1108 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702 the eats: The Americana, The Campechana, The Hawaiian, The Sincronizada the bucks: $8 each(just shy) the full nelson: Mexican Street style burgers from street taco king Cuantos Tacos
While the menu runs four deep, at the the Austin Monthly Burger Fest, they only featured the Campechana. And for good reason. The mix of smashed burger and aged chorizo aka Longaniza could be the most unique burger you will try this side of the border. And I didn't even mention the chimichurri that's tossed in the mix.
The Vitals:
the spot: Texas Made Supply Co. check their instagram for locations
the eats: Smashed Burger
the bucks: $
the full nelson: The biggest Smashed Burger Sleeper in Austin TX
Guys I was fixing to leave Austin Monthly Burger Bash before the dude at Texas Made Supply Co hollered to try his burger. Apparently he saw my almost viral video of me and Jess Pryles reviewing burgers and demanded I try his.
Holy Sh*t does this guy know what he is doing. He smashes that patty as wide as a pancake and as thin as Carls Drive In, my gold standard for smashed burger patties. Every burger I eat from now on will be inferior unless it is at a freaking clothing and swag store that does burgers on the side.
And maybe they should be doing more than burgers on the side. That's a wrap on the Austin Monthly 2024 Burger Bash. Now I'm off to eat another burger.
The Vitals: the spot: Huckleberry 440 East St. Elmo Road Austin TX78745 the eats: Double Smashburger the bucks: $15 the full nelson: Farm to truck smash burger bliss
I first encountered Huckleberry in 2021 for my CapMetro food series. I was on the hunt for a shrimp roll and the Gulf Seafood focused food trailer delivered one that could rival any lobster roll I have ever had including this one in Maine. In 2024 I'm all about their premium smashed burger. Two succulent smashed beef patties from Peeler Farms on a bun sourced from a bakery in Houston is best enjoyed with all the fixins. It ain't cheap but neither are the ingredients and this kitchen consistently delivers an excellent burger that easily makes the list of best food in Austin. Maybe that's why my IG reel net over 30k views there.
The Vitals: the spot: Chef Deepa Shridhar roaming pop up (last held at Distant Relatives) the eats: BBQ Biriyani the bucks: $TBD the full nelson: South Asian + Central Texas BBQ mashup
Chef Deepa Shridhar represents an exciting chapter in South Asian food for Austin and really the whole country. Her latest pop up had her collaborating with James Beard nominee Chef Damian Brockway at his bbq trailer Distant Relatives. They came up with two Biryani dishes for the pop up, both featuring meats smoked in Brockway's mighty offset smokers. Whether you chose chicken or oxtail, you would have experience the iconic South Asian rice casserole take on bold new flavors. I would have been the first to cringe if they told me the Biryani would come drizzled with barbecue sauce. But you know what? It worked. I guess that's why Deepa is on the cutting edge of South Asian food evolving in America and I am just along for the ride.
The Vitals: the spot: El Grandpa Mexican Barbacoa 150 Haverland Dr Georgetown TX the eats: Lamb Barbacoa by the pound the bucks: $15 for a half pound plate the full nelson: Pit lamb cooked overnight in a special pit
Going to El Grandpa Mexican Barbacoa is an event not unlike taking a trip to Lockhart TX for your brisket fix or braving the lines at Franklin Barbecue. You will most likely be waking up early with meat on the brain and a penchant for patience. Unlike typical Central Texas BBQ eateries, beef ain't an option. It is all lamb baby and that kind of specialization alone makes El Grandpa Mexican Barbacoa a candidate for the best food in Austin. Available by tacos or by the pound you can can expect to find all kinds of cuts(including the whole head). This style of barbacoa, hailing from Hidalgo MX was also my first introduction to the ancient Mexican cooking style which predates the arrival of the Spanish. It is intense, primal and goes great with salsa. So what's not to love? Lamb of God? It's definitely close.
The Vitals: the spot: Lao'd Bar 9909 FM 969 building 4, Austin, TX 78724 the eats: MPork Rinds, Escolar Ceviche, Chicken Wings, Lahb the bucks: $$ the full nelson: Laotian bar food that will question you ever thinking about going to Pluckers again
Lao'd Bar is a second effort and brick and mortar from Chef Bob Somsmith, a self taught chef adding some much needed diversity to the Austin food scene. I was more than ignorant of Lao food but not its flavors when I ate at his food truck: SXSE now called Sek Se Fud Co. It turns out one of my favorite Thai Dishes: Larb, the cold minced meat salad is in fact Laotian and is on his menu at Lao'd Up. The cold sour savory dish is instantly addicting, makes for perfect drinking food and that sums up the Lao'd Bar experience. And I didn't event get into the wings or the intense pork smashed burger. This restaurant is one of the most exciting additions to the Austin food scene and should stay in the best food in Austin line up for quite a long time.
