The Best Food in Austin Texas: April 2025

Old School Hotel Brunch Buffet

The Vitals: the spot: The Carillon AT&T Hotel and Conference Center, 1900 University Ave, Austin, TX 78705 the eats: Brunch Buffet the bucks: $90 per person the full nelson: Throwback Brunch Buffet for special occasions or for just feeling special  Over Easter Sunday, I took up an invite to check out The Carillon and their brunch buffet. Buffets are a tricky business. It's hard to meet a level of quality when you're also committed to quantity. I was surprised at how good the food was. A few highlights included the beef tenderloin which was cooked to a perfect medium rare, the crab and asparagus soup and the roasted vegetables. And don't miss the Cajun aioli at the chilled seafood bar. Pro tip: when you try the eggs benedict, grab a piece of lobster as a topper. You're welcome. It's that kind of brunch buffet hack that positions the Carillon to the category of some of the best food in Austin.

Cajun Meets Central Texas BBQ

The Vitals: the spot: Parish Barbecue 3220 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78723 the eats: "Texas barbecue with Lousiana Roots" the bucks: $$ the full nelson: An exciting new barbecue spot in Austin After spending some time honing his skills at top tier barbecue restaurants like Franklin BBQ and Interstellar BBQ, Holden Fulco is embarking on a new chapter of BBQ in Austin by pairing Central Texas meats with Cajun flavors. One bite of his brisket smoked over hickory instead of the classic Central Texas post oak easily qualifies some of the best food in Austin. And that's not even the best meats on the menu.Be sure to try his smoked ham, duck and muffuletta sandwich. This is one to be on the watch for potential best new restaurants of the year.

Cambodian Food Pop Up

The Vitals: the spot: Feed Me Right Mau Roaming Pop Up  the eats: Cambodian food pop up the bucks: $-$$ the full nelson: A Cambodian pop up that is popping up all over town Chanda Mau is a pure delight. She is someone who thoroughly loves food and seems to pop up all over town with her Cambodian food pop up. I caught up with her a few Saturdays ago where I was treated to her stuffed chicken and marinated flank steak skewers. Cambodian food is a rare occurrence, especially in Austin so follow her on IG for a this rare treat. That stuffed chicken wing haunts my dreams and is an easy candidate for some of the best food in Austin. The Vitals: the spot: Jabs Burgers and Fries 111 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704 the eats: Excellent Smash Burgers the bucks: $ the full nelson: Some of the best Bang for your Burger Buck Smash Burgers in town I was already hyped on trying Jabs Smash Burgers on the price alone. $10 for a double Smash Burger is a fair deal in Austin 2025. Add to the fact that they use good beef,Creekstone Farms, and their burger sauce is lights out amazing and you have zero excuses for not heading into downtown Austin. While the triple seems like a fair deal at $13, I honestly thought the double for $10 with lettuce and tomato was a more balanced burger experience. Be sure to ask for extra sauce. It's that good.  

Best Food In Austin April 2025 recap

Loved range of food for this month. Bang for your Buck Smash burgers, Cambodian Pop Up, a killer new BBQ joint and an old school brunch vibe combined for the best food in Austin I discovered this month. May has a lot to live up too . . . .

Are Protein Chips healthy?

It is a question worth asking if you are considering buy protein chips which are at times 10 times more expensive than potato chips. But if there is one thing we have learned, it is this: junk food is cheap. And you don't need a personal trainer and a nutritionist to tell you that potato chips aren't exactly a healthy food option. But are protein chips any better?

Protein chips by the numbers

If you're gonna ask the question "are protein chips healthy?" you gotta crunch some numbers and do the math. A single serving of Wilde Protein chips has

• 170 calories
• 10 grams of protein
• 340 mg of sodium
• 20 mg of cholesterol
• 6 grams of carbs
• 2 grams of sugar
• trace amount of fiber, potassium and iron.

Potato Chips by the numbers

Now let's compare that to a bag of Kettle brand potato chips. Surprisingly the total calories are less. A serving of these chips yields a total of:

• 150 calories
• 16 grams of carbs
• 430 mg of potassium, way less sodium at
• 115 mg sodium,
• 0 mg cholesterol
• 9 grams of fat.

In both scenarios one thing is critical.

Serving Size matters

If you're asking the question "are protein chips healthy" and you don't measure your portion size, you are doing it wrong. Both nutrition labels essentially offer the same serving size and that matters, like a lot. Wilde Protein chips says a serving size is 30 grams. Kettle Chips says 28 grams. Almost the same thing right? I think so. But how much is 30 grams of chips?

Enough to fit in your hand

Or a bowl that fits in your hand. Regardless if you are considering Protein chips as a "healthy alternative" to potato chips, portion size is paramount. And when you ask the question of whether "protein chips are healthy?", the bigger question becomes: can you resist the urge to eat more than you should of this food?

So, are protein chips healthy?

In place of potato chips, you are getting more protein for a comparable portion and increased protein is something I have been looking into in tandem with a dedicated workout regiment. But is it better than say 4 oz of cooked chicken breast? Like any snack food, moderation is key and it is not a substitute for non processed foods.

Why I tried protein chips

These chips came into my home for my son and his health needs are in a different place than mine. I'm looking for a calorie deficit and overeating is something I struggle with. For these reasons, protein chips fall under the indulgence category for me.

My favorite protein chips (and dip!)

I tried Wilde protein chips regular, Buffalo and Salt and Vinegar. I preferred the latter two and I will say that the buffalo flavor version with some guacamole not only slaps but kept me fuller off the recommended 30 gram portion. But overall for someone like me, the possibility of overeating is too great to make this part of a regular calorie deficit regiment. So while protein chips might be healthy snack alternative for some, it's no replacement for an unprocessed source of protein.

Healthy Steak Recipe

Is that even possible? Growing up I was taught that steak was nothing but an indulgence. Red meat was vilified as the main culprit for heart disease among other serious health risks. But current thinking has changed when it comes to some red meats in certain instances. I was recently invited to an event at SXSW(South by Southwest) by Force of Nature. They offer a line of meats that showcase regenerative farming practices. In a nutshell it's healthier meat that is good for the environment. They sent me some of their product and it gave me the perfect opportunity for me to share a healthy steak recipe and give you a review of their Bison New York steak.

Healthy Steak Recipe Step 1: Simple Seasoning

After I took the Bison steak out of the package I patted it dry with paper towels. It's very lean so I rubbed it in a little olive oil(I like Graza) and seasoned it simply with salt and pepper.

Healthy Steak Recipe Step 2: Cook hot and fast

I got my cast iron pan good and hot. I used a little beef tallow to grease the pan too. The steak isn't thick so a few flips and you will be good to go. I think I went about 3 minutes a side and then kept flipping for a minute a side for extra color.

Healthy Steak Recipe Step 3: Let it rest

I love to rest my steaks on a wire rack. Five minute is plenty of time. I have heard of some recipes calling for resting beyond 10 minutes which is bonkers in my mind. At that point you might as well order steak through DoorDash. Good luck with that bill.

Healthy Steak Recipe Step 4: Portion size

Portion is everything. Any healthy steak recipe can be compromised if you're overeating. A couple slices should give you 3-4 ounces of protein. That's a modest serving and a good way to keep your overall calorie count in check.

Healthy Steak Recipe Step 5: Choose the right side

Think about the the whole plate when considering this healthy steak recipe. I love a potato gratin but that is gonna shoot your calorie intake faster than you can say "seconds" on Thanksgiving. I chose to slice up some brussels nice and thin and cook them off in the residual fat left in the pan while steak was resting.

Force of Nature Bison Steak Review

This steak is lean, gamey and has more chew to it than say a grain fed steak. Even compared to lean cuts like flank steak, you will notice a difference here. If you're not accustomed to Bison, quite frankly it might not be for you . . . at first. I've always enjoyed game meats and it quite literally is a whole different animal. Modern farming practices have created a meat experience that showcases a rich taste and tenderness. As a result, many of us don't know what red meat tastes like when it is raised in a natural setting that the animal evolved in.

Which steak is best?

I can say that I like both experiences for different reasons. Want a steak that tastes indulgent? Go for grain fed. Want a steak that tastes "pure and clean" and with health in mind? Try out Bison or any game meat or true grass fed beef for that matter. If you're looking for the right steak for a healthy steak recipe, going for wild game and a lean cut is the move.

Would I buy it?

Over the last three years I have made great strides in my overall health. By focusing on my diet, I have lowered my cholesterol, my A1C and lost 30lbs. And I have maintained it. I also LOVE THE TASTE OF MEAT. For those reasons, I would consider buying this steak for my healthy steak recipe which is a nice change up from the usual midweek chicken breast or salmon.

Final Thought

My last thought is this: if you're concerned about your health and are looking for more lean protein options, lean steak like this Bison New York Strip from Force of Nature might be worth looking into. After making french fries from scratch for my son the other day though, the idea of making another healthy steak recipe somehow seems like a wise decision.    

Best Instant Pot Carnitas Recipe

Scroll down for recipe here

Why this is the best Instant Pot Carnitas recipe

Like all great recipes, this Instant Pot Carnitas recipe rules for two reasons: it's easy enough to do over and over again and it tastes like the taco truck. Once you make this, you might think twice about ever getting takeout carnitas ever again.

The first step is crucial

You must sear the chunks of pork before you place the meat in the Instant Pot. But that's not all. You also must sear it in a hot cast iron pan. I suppose any pan you can sear meats in will work. But whatever you do, don't use the sear function in the Instant Pot. Why? It just doesn't get hot enough. Also the surface area is small so it is tedious when working with any amount over a pound. And finally, searing in a pot means you will collect steam which is the enemy of searing. I know some people will skip this step but you will end up with a less impressive final dish.

Keep the ingredients simple

Salt. Pork. Garlic, Bay leaves(I skipped them on this occasion). And some oranges, halved, squeezed with the remaining rind tossed in. Oh and just enough water to not trigger the burn function. Sometimes I'll use homemade chicken stock(also made in the Instant Pot). That is it. I've seen recipes that needlessly add chili powder, cumin, oregano. Now look, I'm not Mexican and I've never made carnitas the traditional way with lard. That being said, I've had a ton carnitas tacos and I've never said "damn I'm really tasting the cumin right now". Just remember the punch of flavor beyond the rich meat comes from salsa and the other toppings(more on that soon).

Broiler for the finish

This step is as important as searing or even turning the Instant Pot on. Once the meat is made tender in the Instant Pot, remove it with tongs and put it back in the same pan you seared it in. Shred the meat with two forks to your desired texture and broil it up for about 5-10 minutes. Be careful to not let it burn and mix it up so you can render more fat and brown up the meat more evenly. Repeat the broiling process as needed. At this point, you should have enough fat from the searing to keep the meat moist and be able to brown it up. You can always add a little lard too or a little oil but you shouldn't have to if you picked up a well marbled pork shoulder. Carnitas is traditionally cooked in lard so if you want to recreate the flavor experience at home, make sure you are using a fatty pork shoulder.

The right toppings

Choose your salsas wisely and don't forget the toppings. Chopped onion and cilantro are always great in tacos but in the case of this rich pork, become even more crucial for textural contrast and flavor balance. I like a green salsa to go with my carnitas so either tomatillo salsa or one with some avocado in there too. Finally a quick pickle red onion and habanero mix really sets the taco off.

The next best thing to a trip to Mexico

Is making great Mexican food at home. By the way . . .this is CHEAP TO MAKE. Pork shoulder at the supermarket is pretty affordable even these days. Heck you can even splurge and get pork from a local farm and it will still be a steal compared to going out to eat. Finally I do want to give some props to the following recipe creators who helped guide me here. Honeysuckle started my journey with this great YouTube video documenting her method.  When I wanted to hone in a more traditional flavor profile I discovered Leite's Culinaria version here. Feel free to go down the Instant Pot Carnitas rabbit hole and definitely try this version too!  

Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 pounds fatty pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons Kosher salt
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled
• 2 bay leaves
• two oranges
• 1 cup water or chicken stock

Steps

• Season pork with Kosher salt
• Sear chunks of pork in a very hot Cast Iron pan will brown on most sides, reserve pan
• Juice two oranges into Instant Pot and add the leftover rind along with garlic, bay leaves and water/chicken stock
• Add the pork to Instant Pot and cook under high pressure for 35 minutes, then natural release
• Remove pork and place back into same cast iron pan used to sear with and shreds with forks or tongs to desired texture
• Broil for 5-10 minutes, being careful not to burn the meat. Use tongs to mix up the meat and crisp evenly. Add fat(lard or oil if needed)
• Grab a tortilla and some salsa and enjoy!

PS: here is the recipe for the quick pickle red onion Habanero topping

The Best Food in Austin Texas: March 2025

The Vitals: the spot: Bloody Mary Festival Fair Market, 1100 E 5th St., Austin, TX 78702 the eats: Bloody Marys. Micheladas and a few nibbles the bucks: $72.95 VIP, $54.95 General Admission the full nelson: The Best Brunch cocktail for a good cause 

Spice, Vodka, and Madness all for a good cause

If you are on the hunt for the best food in Austin, chances are a cocktail might be up your alley. When it comes to cocktails for breakfast, we all know that the Almighty Blood Mary is the king(or Queen) of the mountain top. But who serves up the Best Bloody Mary in Austin TX?

The best Bloody Mary in Austin

Turns out it was Industry and Day Maker Half Day Cafe for the categories of traditional and original respectively. But the real winners were the young women of Austin. Proceeds from the event went to a local organization called the Girls Empowerment Network whose mission is support young women a variety of challenges ranging from anorexia/bulimia, teen pregnancy or drug abuse among many other obstacles. The Vitals: the spot: Granny's Tacos 1401 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702 the eats: Breakfast Tacos  the bucks: $15 the full nelson: Breakfast Tacos with a full bar upgrade

Bang for your Buck Breakfast Taco.

Granny's Tacos is a taco trailer that has been holding it down in East Austin for almost 10 years. The fact that you can get two large, like 6" flour tortilla sized tacos stuffed with scrambled eggs and chorizo or bean/cheese/bacon/avocado for $5 each easily qualifies for the Best Food in Austin category. But the recent game changer is the addition of a full bar.

Taco recommendation: bean+bacon+cheese+avocado

Hangover not required here. And keep in mind, this custom taco, loaded with four ingredients, including avocado is $5. That's winning in the inflation game in 2025. And how you stay in the hunt for the best food in Austin for the rest of the year. The Vitals: the spot: La Plancha + Cuantos Tacos collab at 701 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Unit 101, Austin, TX 78702 the eats: Collab Torta with Cuantos Tacos's Mexico City style tripe(tripas) the bucks: $15 the full nelson: The elite taco & torta collab you have been dreaming about for one day only: Saturday March 29th 

The Best Torta in Austin is for one day only

Cuantos Tacos has received national acclaim for their Mexico City style tacos in the NY Times and on the PBS series Taco Mafia. La Plancha has been a low key gem in East Austin serving Tortas, the unofficial sandwich of Mexico from a chef who trained at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park. Now these two forces of Mexican gastronomy are teaming up this coming Saturday for a collab that is sure to be some of the best food in Austin.

Mexico City style taco meets a elevated Torta(sandwich)

Full disclosure this torta shown above is what one could call an artists conception of what the collab could be. The torta above is a similar idea. Refried beans, bacon, a fried egg and arugula combine for an unconventional yet elevated version of a Torta. This is what I made during peak pandemic cooking days. I can only imagine what Chefs Luis "Beto" Robledo and Mariha Hinojosa come up with. But I can taste it and it is bound to be some the best food in Austin. The Vitals: the spot: Tare + Sana Sana Taqueria at 12414 Alderbrook Dr, Austin, TX 78727 the eats: tasting menu from a James Beard Finalist and Michelin Guide recognized chef the bucks: $$$$ the full nelson: 8-Course Tasting Menu by Chef Joseph Gomez | Cocktails & Beverages by @tareaustin 

A fine dining Mexican tasting menu

This Sana Sana Taqueria will pop up on weekdays when Tare is closed, continuing to tell the story of Chef Joseph Gomez’s roots in the Rio Grande Valley. The son of migrant workers, Gomez reimagines food traditions from the Rio Grande Valley and Northeastern Mexico through the lens of Chicano futurism—exploring what cuisine in these regions might look like if borders didn’t exist. The originality of the concept alone might qualify it for some of the best food in Austin.

It has been selling out. Make reservations now.

The pop-up features two seatings at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. and will also showcase cocktails from Tare’s forthcoming bar, Bare, set to open beneath Tare at the end of the year. Expect drinks like the No Mames Whey, crafted with tequila, sake, and edamame syrup. The experience is priced at $150 a person + an optional beverage pairing or alternatively beer and wine are available. Reservations available through Tock.

And that's some of the Best Food in Austin

That you will find this Spring. I for one will absolutely be at the Torta pop this Saturday. Maybe I will see you there!!  

How to make Big Mac Sauce: A Big Mac Sauce Copycat Recipe

Everything you need to make Big Mac Sauce at home

And it's probably already in your fridge and pantry. Big Mac Sauce at it's core is mayo spiked with yellow mustard and relish. What gives it the signature "taste" is everything that comes next.

The most important ingredient for making Big Mac Sauce at home

Is plain old white sugar. My version also includes stuff like onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and vinegar(distilled or white wine) but the sugar is clutch. It's what makes it a fast food experience: the addictive quality.

How to make Big Mac Sauce ingredients and directions

Ingredients:

• 1/3rd cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon pickle relish(sweet is best but I made do with regular, just added more sugar)
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar or more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon white wine vinegar
• pinch of garlic powder
• pinch of onion powder
• pinch of paprika

Directions

Place 1/3 cup mayonnaise,1 teaspoon yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish, 1 teaspoons granulated sugar, 1/4 teaspoon white wine vinegar, pinch of paprika, pinch of garlic powder, and pinch of onion powder in a small bowl. Whisk to combine.

If you like Big Mac Sauce, I'd check out this post on how good it is with Tater Tots . . . on the burger!!

Watch this video to see how I make Big Mac Sauce(and a smashed burger)

 

Scroll down for recipe here

How to make Raising Cane's Sauce

A few weeks back I tried Raising Cane's for the first time. Oddly enough I had already tried the sauce because apparently it's delicious on Smashed Burgers like the one served at Dayne's Craft BBQ in Fort Worth TX. The sauce is the main draw at Raising Cane's and the best part about it is that you can easily make Raising Cane's Sauce at home.

What you need to make Raising Cane's Sauce

The most crucial elements to making Raising Cane's Sauce is probably already in your fridge. Mayonnaise and Ketchup are the two most important elements in the recipe. After that, most people have to speculate how to make Raising Cane's Sauce because the recipe is a secret.

The best Raising Cane's Sauce Copycat recipes according to Google

I did a search for the Raising Cane's Sauce recipes that topped Google's rankings. The Kitchn has been a long time resource for me so trying that recipe out was a no brainer. I enjoy Sonny Hurrell's cooking videos so I was happy to try his version. Finally I found a Raising Cane's recipe by Alpha Foodie, a recipe blogger.

Which Raising Cane's Sauce recipe was the best?

I tried all three versions of Raising Cane's sauce and compared them a sample of Raising Cane's sauce from an actual Raising Cane's location. Watch the video below to see which one was my favorite:

The winner:

The Raising Cane's Sauce copycat recipe that came the closest was Sonny Hurrell's aka That Dude Can Cook. In his video he struck me as being nonchalant about the key ingredient but trust me, make sure you add the lemon juice. And now for the recipe

How to make Raising Cane's sauce at home, step by step recipe

Recipe

Ingredients: Steps

• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/2 tsp garlic salt
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp lemon juice

Steps:

• in a mixing bowl, add mayonnaise and ketchup, whisk vigorously(ok maybe not super vigorously)
• add garlic salt, Worcestershire, black pepper and lemon juice, whisk as vigorous as before
• Or just dump everything at once, then whisk vigorously
• voila - you just made Raising Cane's sauce at home, serve at once or keep it in fridge till it's ready because it's mayo for Christ's sake

PS: if you like copycat recipes check out my hack for making Herdez Salsa at home

   

The best burgers of Fort Worth TX

One year ago I decided to drive up to Fort Worth Texas and eat 10 burgers in like 30 hours. Why? Well if I'm going to do a list of the Best Burgers of Fort Worth, I should put in the work. But the real work was shared on this Reddit thread which served as my dining guide. So a shoutout to net neutrality for shattering the gatekeepers put knowledge back into the hands of the people. Ok, now back to this list of the Best Burgers in Fort Worth, ranked in order:

#6 Pearl Snap Kolaches (closed)

The Vitals: the spot: Pearl Snap Kolaches the eats: Jalapeno Popper Burger the bucks: $ the full nelson: Kolache bun burgers

Sadly Pearl Snap Kolaches has since closed in the year since I traveled in search of the best burgers in Fort Worth. What drew me to Pearl Snap was the Kolache dough used to make a hamburger bun. Picture something close to a King's Hawaiian bun. The patties weren't too impressive, hence the ranking but the Jalapeño popper burger is a genius idea. And that's why I decided to make my own version on the grill. Check out that recipe here.

#5 Fuego Burger

The Vitals: the spot: Fuego Burger  4400 Benbrook Blvd #108, Fort Worth, TX 76116 the eats: Fuego Burger(cheese skirt burger) the bucks: $$ the full nelson: All about the crisp ring of cheese

 If you’re looking to get your TexMex Burger Fix, listen to Reddit and get yourself to Fuego. The signature to this burger is the copious amounts of cheese, a mix of Monterrey Jack and Cheddar, that drapes the burger and fries to crisp on the grill, forming a halo of cheese.

The meat is cooked medium which throws some ppl off but not yours truly. The bun is a little sweet for me, even with the roasted green chilis that are imported from Mexico. And it's a little pricey which is why Fuego Burger isn't an inferno and sits at #5 on the list of Best Burgers of Fort Worth.

#4 Charley's Old Fashioned Hamburgers

The Vitals: the spot:Charley's Old Fashioned Hamburgers 4616 Granbury Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76133 the eats: Fwhatever burger you feel like  the bucks: $ the full nelson: A basic hamburger stand you don't see too often any more Charley's Old Fashioned Hamburgers is a simple burger stand you just don't see that much anymore. The burgers are a step above fast food but that's not to say they don't scratch the itch. So why did I include this place in a list of Best Burgers of Fort Worth? The owners. Deborah Hill started this burger joint in 1991 and over the years her whole family, all the way down to her grandkids have all worked here. The prices and the portions are fair. It's an honest burger stand and you gotta remember that a burger is a cherished food of the working class. The Hill family knows this. They are the salt of the earth, and that's why Charley's Old Fashioned Hamburgers is one of the best burgers in Fort Worth.

#3 Dayne's Craft BBQ

The Vitals: the spot: Dayne's Craft Barbecue 100 S Front St, Aledo, TX 76008 the eats: the smashed burger the bucks: $$ the full nelson: A smashed burger gem at a top Texas BBQ joint Dayne Weaver is one of the coolest friendliest dudes in the Texas BBQ scene and that's saying something. His BBQ joint blew up and took him to a fancy brick and mortar just outside of Fort Worth to Aledo TX. Dayne' told me his customers would turn his BBQ joint into a burger joint which is why he only serves it on Thursdays. I'll just say this: yes, it tastes as good as it looks.

#2 M&O Station Grille

The Vitals: the spot: M&O Station Grill 200 Carroll St Ste 110, Fort Worth, TX 76107 the eats: the Greek Feta Burger the bucks: $$ the full nelson: A Greek Feta Burger??? Yes, and you have to try it! Chef Daniel Badillo is exactly that, a chef. And he has decades of experience working the restaurant industry including fine dining. His command of various culinary styles was probably how I ended up trying the Greek Feta Burger. On paper, it's unusual but here I am a year later . . . still craving it. I tried four burgers here and they were all great. Excellent quality beef patties, a generous serving and killer buns make for a great canvas for the many burger iterations they come up with. You can't go wrong coming to M&O. Just make sure you bring a friend and try more than one burger.

#1 Kincaid's Hamburgers

The Vitals: the spot: Kincaid's Hamburgers multiple locations in Fort Worth, tested at the Camp Bowie location the eats: Cheeseburger the bucks: $7 the full nelson: The most quintessential Texas Burger I have ever tried I love the burger at Kincaid's. So much so that I dedicated a whole post to what I strongly believe is the best burger in Fort Worth and the most quintessential Texas style burger. Anchored in simplicity, quality and value, the half pound patty seasoned only with salt, cooked to a juicy medium/medium well is why this burger joint has been going strong nor nearly 70 years. For anyone who thinks Whataburger is the last word on burgers in Texas clearly hasn't come here. And PS - you dont even need cheese. I went with lettuce, tomato and onion cut thin from a deli slicer, some Best Maid Pickles(available nationwide but from Fort Worth) and some straight up yellow mustard. I never get my burgers this way but it's a Texas style topping move and it works when the beef is as good as it is at Kincaid's. When it comes to looking for the best burgers in Fort Worth, Kincaid's is the G.O.A.T.  

The best food in Austin Texas: February 2025

The Vitals: the spot:Mum Food's Smokehouse and Delicatessen 5811 Manor Road, Austin, Texas 78723 the eats: Smoked Burger the bucks: $15 the full nelson: The new best smoked burger in town A month ago I would have told you that the smoked burger at LeRoy and Lewis is not only the best smoked burger in town but easily the burger I would call some of the best food in Austin. That has changed. The Oak Smoked Burger at Mum Foods Smokehouse and Delicatessen features an 8oz oak smoked patty, with oak smoked poblano peppers, oak smoked poblano aioli and swiss cheese. Yeah, there's a lot of smoke happening but that ain't all. The burger is cooked to a near flawless medium rare and scratches a burger itch that makes Smashed Burgers hit like Happy Meals. Check in with me next month for any updates but for now, this burger is king of Austin.   The Vitals: the spot: Handsome Dan's 979 Springdale Rd #124, Austin, TX 78702 the eats: The Italian, The Tuna Melt, The Cubano, Roast Beef n Cheddar the bucks: $12 the full nelson: New sandwich joint in East Austin aiming to win ppl over with decent bang for your buck sandwiches. Handsome Dan's is a new sandwich spot in Austin and my most recent post. The sandwich only menu plus bodega meets bar vibe makes it a comfort food pic for lunch or an afternoon beer hang. I'll be straight up here: Handsome Dan's doesn't serve the best sandwich in town, even though I have a soft spot for the Cubano and especially the Italian. I put Handsome Dan's on my list of Best food in Austin because they have the audacity to offer some value. Every sandwich on the menu is $12 and comes with a bag of chips. The other day I took my kid to Raising Cane's and I paid $17 for his combo meal alone. In some cases like the Italian, I could split the sandwich if I'm looking for a slightly less indulgent lunch. The sandwiches at Handsome Dan's aren't the size of my arm like some sandwiches you find on the East Coast but they wont' cost you an arm or a leg either.   The Vitals: the spot: Perry's Steakhouse locations across the US, tested in Austin TX the eats: Perry's famous Pork Chop, Wagyu flight, Hoghattan, Chocolate Jubilee Cake the bucks: $$$ the full nelson: The most famous Pork Chop in Texas I came to Perry's Steakhouse on a mission to try the Famous Pork Chop. And while that mission was accomplished, I walked away more impressed with Perry's Akaushi Wagyu flight. Slightly more expensive than the sandwich at Handsome Dan's, Perry's blew me away with a steak experience that gave my grilling ego a moment for reflection. The quality of beef they use is far and way more flavorful and more marbled than any USDA Prime steak you might be eyeing at the supermarket. I even walked away with a bottle of their house steak rub. Next month I will be deep into some R&D at Casa Khan for my Copycat Perry's Steakhouse version. The Vitals: the spot: Top Roe 120 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701 the eats: Hand Rolls, Izakaya at the bar the bucks: $$-$$$ the full nelson: Come for the Hand rolls but come back for the Matcha Pot De Creme Pot de Creme is a French custard, a first cousin to Creme Brulee. The silky texture makes it one of the most luxurious desserts one can have from the perspective of pure mouth feel. Chocolate Pot De Creme was the creme de la creme for me . . . that is until I tried this Matcha Pot De Creme. Now you might notice the addition of caviar which while audacious wasn't too off the mark considering I had this at Top Roe: a sushi hand roll specialist and Japanese Izakaya. Does caviar and custard belong together? I'll answer that with this: the Matcha Pot de Creme at Top Roe is my front runner for dessert of the year. Not bad for the shortest month of the year. Let's how the line up goes for the Best Food in Austin at the end of March.

The Vitals: the spot: Handsome Dan's 979 Springdale Rd #124, Austin, TX 78702 the eats: The Italian, The Tuna Melt, The Cubano, Roast Beef n Cheddar the bucks: $12 the full nelson: New sandwich joint in East Austin aiming to win ppl over with decent bang for your buck sandwiches.

Can Austin become a sandwich town?

It seems like a flurry of sandwich places have opened in Austin over the last year. Or maybe that's just me looking at places I can actually afford to go out to. On paper, a $17 sandwich with zero ingredients made on site would be absurd. But it was also one of the best things I ate last year. So how about a sandwich for $12 that comes with a bag of chips?

A sandwich line up homage to the country

I tried 5 of the 7 sandwiches at Handsome Dan's which seems to acknowledge different regional offerings found across the country. The Cubano is a nod to Miami/Florida's Cuban food scene. The Italian screams East Coast. The other offerings might appear a bit vague like a grilled cheese or Roast Beef and Cheddar, but they aren't exactly unwelcomed additions to a varied sandwich menu.

My fav sandwich: The Italian

With cold cuts from Boar's Head and bread from New World Bakery, I wouldn't call this sandwich high end but a decent cold cut sando doesn't have to be. Granted we were invited to the media opening so chances are the fellas at Handsome Dan's was on their A game, but the sandwich was built quite well. Meaty, well layered and an all around dressed to deliver drippingly good sando, The Italian surprised me with solid sandwich build execution.

My Second Fav: The roast beef n cheddar

Located above in the top right, the roast beef sando hit hard. The combo of the horseradish, red onion and medium rare roast beef was what a roast beef sandwich should be. While not as meaty as the Italian, the sandwich was still well composed.

A photo finish for third: The Cubano

I was most excited to try the Cubano at Handsome Dan's. It was a cold day in Austin(rare but it happens) and the idea of a pressed meat on meat sandwich sounded about right. I'm not gonna tell you this sandwich will rethink your next trip to the 305 however. Even if doesn't compare to something like Sanguich de Miami, it was a hearty enough sandwich to push it to the #3 slot.

Respect the Tuna Melt

I used to covet Tuna Melts back in college. Whether I was making them at home or hitting up some late night coffee shop or diner, a good tuna melt is a damn good sandwich. I did like the tuna salad at Handsome Dan's - the dressing had a pleasant tang but I could have used more of it. This was one sandwich I could easily finish and be hungry for more. I also tried the grilled cheese and it didn't move the needle for me. Personally I think grilled cheese is pretty easy to make at home and just don't see the value in outsourcing the sandwich. Now if they served this with a mean bowl of tomato basil soup, that might change my mind.

The last word

The best thing Handsome Dan's is offering is some value as far as dining out goes in Austin 2025. Every sandwich is $12, comes with a bag of chips and I think the team here did some decent research on the menu. The sandwiches aren't as big as my arm but they won't cost you and arm and a leg. I'll be interested to see if they can keep up the price point. For now though I commend them for thinking about value.