The esteemed Michelin guide finally came to Texas and last week served up one star awards and other designations of quality to excited chefs and restaurants throughout the state. If you caught my last post you will have noticed that Austin walked away a big winner. I was most excited about what Michelin would designate as a “Bib Gourmand “.
Per Michelin’s website, the category “Bib Gourmand” is defined as:
That is a bit open to interpretation. Let’s be honest, some foods are recognizable to some people more than others. I’ll wager that in the case of Austin tacos are pretty darn recognizable and so is BBQ which might explain why the list favored both.
Best of restaurant listings are always going to have some sense of controversy. Something always gets left out. But I think one thing we can all agree on is that dining out is simply more expensive and I for one am more picky than ever on slapping the label of “value “to any restaurant experience.
With that being said here is the Ali Khan Eats guide to the 2024 Michelin Guide to Texas, Austin Bib Gourmand version.
In my mind this was where the 2024 Michelin Guide to Texas absolutely nailed it. Without a doubt Cuantos Tacos offers the most bang for your buck when it comes to tacos in Austin Texas. Prices at $2.75 a taco, these delectable authentic Mexico City style street tacos are consistently delicious and reflect a style not seen often in the city. Expect to drop well under $20 per person, which is excellent value for the quality of taco you are getting.
Chef Christopher Krinsky grew up in Mexico but ramen is his muse. The result is a remarkable balancing act at Ramen Del Barrio. His tacos feature Yakitori – mini Japanese shish kebabs if you will, but ramen is the main focus. There is a fascinating version that plays with Molé in the broth that I am keen on trying but it’s hard not to settle on the Carnitas Tonkotsu.
Foodies eschew the word fusion because it seems like a gimmick, the forced merging of two things that don’t naturally go together. That’s why I won’t use fusion but it comes to this Ramen because it’s more like destiny: two distinctive foods separated by an ocean that somehow harmoniously go together.
Kareem El-Ghayesh made a life changing career change that took him from corporate finance in Cairo to becoming one of the most exciting new BBQ Pitmasters in Texas. He snagged a James Beard nomination, landed himself in a hit Netflix series, and as if that wasn’t enough he also has a Michelin added to his name.
You’ll be tempted not to simply order a gigantic platter like what you see here but in the spirit of Bib Gourmand, allow me to offer you the cheap eats hack. Order one of his rice bowls and see how amazing classic Texas brisket pairs with the flavors of Egypt. The bowls are hearty enough for two people to share at lunch and won’t break a $20 spot.
The recipe to a Michelin Bib Gourmand winner it turns out, is one part family tradition, one part a dedication to eye catching details and the last is hitting something Austinites truly treasure: an excellent breakfast taco. While the main focus is braising perfect beef barbacoa, La Santa Barbacha spoils you on scrambled eggs cooked to order, once you get used to it, there is no going back.
Those are a few of my favs from the 2024 Michelin Guide to Texas. What unites all of these for me is an impeccable sense of value. For me, a “Bib Gourmand” means one person can eat for about $20 before drink and tip. In 2024, certainly in Austin Texas, exceptional food at the price point is worth recognizing and my congrats to the Ali Khan Eats Bib Gourmand winners.
Leave a Reply