Austin

The Zimmern List Austin: Fresa’s

Fresa’s Chicken al Carbon Surrounded by a super sized state best known for its uniquely Texan way of doing things, Austin is an oasis of freethinkers and creatives with a vibrant music, film, technology and food scene. Austinites have a taste for experimentation that borders on the delirious and it’s reflected in their food—from traditional barbecue…  Read More

Austin City Bites

Austin City Bites By Bob & Sue A weekend in the country’s fastest growing city (which embraces its reputation for being weird, as well as the Live Music Capital of the World) included memorable dinners at a prominent food critic’s three favorite restaurants: Qui Credit: Nicolai McCrary Philippine native Paul Qui delivers an eclectic combination of…  Read More

La Barbecue’s Austin Favorites

La Barbecue’s Top 5 for Austin In the crowded, competitive and often ruthless Texas barbecue scene, La Barbecue sits among the best of the best. Sure it helps that owner LeAnn Mueller hails from barbecue royalty—her grandfather founded Taylor, Texas’ Louie Mueller Barbecue in 1949, a temple of smoked meat that never fails to impress.…  Read More

Ben Runkle’s Top Picks for Austin

What Not to Miss in Austin The co-owner of  Salt & Time, Ben Runkle is Austin’s leading meat purveyor. What was born from Runkle’s passion for Old World charcuterie, turned into the city’s first whole carcass butcher shop and salumeria when a partnership with Bryan Butler developed in 2010. The pair are committed to sourcing animals…  Read More

Urban Roots Needs Our Help!

Operation Farm Rescue Record-breaking rainfall in Texas has had a devastating impact on communities and agriculture. Over the weekend, I received the following note from a friend, chef Rene Ortiz, with a call to action to help Urban Roots recover from flooding. An Austin-based non-profit, Urban Roots transforms the lives of young people through food and farming,…  Read More

Things We Learned at Austin Food & Wine 2014

Another Austin Food & Wine has come and gone, and I for one can’t wait for 2015. One of the most fun, intimate festivals in the country. Without further ado, some of the best moments (and one sort of ugly one) from this year’s party: 1. Paul Qui has confirmed for me that the Next Big Food Trend…  Read More

Paul Qui’s Guide to Austin

Eat Your Way Through Austin Paul Qui‘s career took off after winning Top Chef Season 9, followed by a James Beard award for Best Chef: Southwest, and a spot on Food & Wine’s roster of Best New Chefs in 2014. What’s more impressive is that the 33-year-old Filipino-born Austinite is killing it at his ambitious flagship restaurant qui, which was named the Best…  Read More

AZ in TRIBEZA Magazine

I Love Austin. And I’m looking forward to heading down there later this April for the Austin Food and Wine Festival (You can get tickets here). Here’s an interview I did with my friend Paula Disbrowe at TRIBEZA Magazine about one of my favorite food towns, complete with an Andrew Zimmern style guide.

Lunch at Franklin Barbecue

Best on Planet Earth If you ever find yourself in Austin, Franklin Barbecue is a must-stop. The food there is amazing. The brisket is universally considered the best on planet Earth. The turkey is incredible, and the sides like potato salad, cole slaw and beans are fantastic. Aaron Franklin is dedicated to his craft and…  Read More

Go Fork Yourself: Austin Food & Wine Festival 2013 Recap

Austin Food & Wine Festival 2013 Recap Keep Austin Weird Andrew and Molly reflect on their weekend at the Austin Food & Wine Festival. They discuss their highs from the festival, their Lance Armstrong sighting, and why Andrew has an issue with Brian Malarkey. Then, Molly asks the important (five) questions to Brian Malarkey and…  Read More

Austin Food & Wine Fest Recipes

Cooking Alternative Proteins in Texas I have a lot on my plate at this year’s Austin Food & Wine Festival. I’m judging Rock Your Taco, teaching a grilling class called “Head-to-Tail with Tim Love,” and also demonstrating Wild Bird 3 Ways: ducks, pheasant and dove. Hope you enjoy these recipes! Head-to-Tail with Tim Love Kyoto…  Read More

5 Questions: Georgia Pellegrini

Hunter Gatherer A few years ago, Georgia Pellegrini traded in her high heels for cowgirl boots and a shotgun, foregoing a cubicle on Wall Street for a “field-and-stream-to-table” life in Texas. The hunting enthusiast decided to get back to her roots, attending culinary school and cooking at Blue Hill at Stone Barns, before writing Food Heroes, which…  Read More

5 Questions: Georgia Pellegrini

Hunter Gatherer A few years ago, Georgia Pellegrini traded in her high heels for cowgirl boots and a shotgun, foregoing a cubicle on Wall Street for a “field-and-stream-to-table” life in Texas. The hunting enthusiast decided to get back to her roots, attending culinary school and cooking at Blue Hill at Stone Barns, before writing Food Heroes, which…  Read More

In Love With Austin

The world’s live music capital has a gourmet side. Austin’s quirky vibe and come-as-you-are attitude seems to attract a lot of creative talent, especially when it comes to food. From barbecue and tacos to food trailers and world-class Japanese restaurants, the Texas capital has a place for everyone. Here are just a few reasons I…  Read More

In Love With Austin

The world’s live music capital has a gourmet side. Austin’s quirky vibe and come-as-you-are attitude seems to attract a lot of creative talent, especially when it comes to food. From barbecue and tacos to food trailers and world-class Japanese restaurants, the Texas capital has a place for everyone. Here are just a few reasons I…  Read More

5 Questions: Paul Qui

Austin’s Top Chef Last year, Paul Qui rocketed into culinary fame after winning Top Chef Season 9, followed by a James Beard award for Best Chef: Southwest. The young, Filipino-born Austinite honed his skills at Uchi for eight years under chef/owner Tyson Cole, killed it as executive chef of Uchiko and is now at the helm…  Read More

5 Questions: Paul Qui

Austin’s Top Chef Last year, Paul Qui rocketed into culinary fame after winning Top Chef Season 9, followed by a James Beard award for Best Chef: Southwest. The young, Filipino-born Austinite honed his skills at Uchi for eight years under chef/owner Tyson Cole, killed it as executive chef of Uchiko and is now at the helm…  Read More

Foreign & Domestic

Austin’s Favorite Neighborhood Bistro Opened in 2010 by Ned Elliott, this 47-seat small bistro is celebrated for creative seasonal cuisine and unforgettable pastries and desserts. A golden-winged pig adorns the outside of the building, so it’s no surprise that pork plays a vital role in the menu, but it’s not the only praiseworthy protein—the expertly…  Read More

Foreign & Domestic

Austin’s Favorite Neighborhood Bistro Opened in 2010 by Ned Elliott, this 47-seat small bistro is celebrated for creative seasonal cuisine and unforgettable pastries and desserts. A golden-winged pig adorns the outside of the building, so it’s no surprise that pork plays a vital role in the menu, but it’s not the only praiseworthy protein—the expertly…  Read More

Uchiko

Japanese Farmhouse Fare Tyson Cole’s acclaimed Uchi and the subsequent (and much larger) Uchiko serve some of the best Japanese fare in the United States. From sushi bar staples such as yellowtail and salmon belly to unconventional options (72-hour Wagyu short rib sushi), it’s obvious that the kitchen loves experimenting, but not at the expense…  Read More

Uchiko

Japanese Farmhouse Fare Tyson Cole’s acclaimed Uchi and the subsequent (and much larger) Uchiko serve some of the best Japanese fare in the United States. From sushi bar staples such as yellowtail and salmon belly to unconventional options (72-hour Wagyu short rib sushi), it’s obvious that the kitchen loves experimenting, but not at the expense…  Read More

Torchy’s Tacos

Damn Good Tacos What started as a lone food truck serving authentic Austin street tacos has grown into a small empire with locations all over the city, of the brick-and-mortar and trailer type. This funky taqueria must be doing something right because it’s more popular than ever, touting a luscious queso, lots of interesting tortilla-wrapped…  Read More

Torchy’s Tacos

Damn Good Tacos What started as a lone food truck serving authentic Austin street tacos has grown into a small empire with locations all over the city, of the brick-and-mortar and trailer type. This funky taqueria must be doing something right because it’s more popular than ever, touting a luscious queso, lots of interesting tortilla-wrapped…  Read More

Franklin Barbecue

BBQ Genius In 2009, Aaron Franklin and his wife started smoking meat out of a trailer in an East Austin parking lot, though they quickly outgrew this spot when lines of fans and foodies began snaking around the block. Now at the brick-and-mortar restaurant, folks are still lining up at 9 a.m. for slabs of…  Read More

Franklin Barbecue

BBQ Genius In 2009, Aaron Franklin and his wife started smoking meat out of a trailer in an East Austin parking lot, though they quickly outgrew this spot when lines of fans and foodies began snaking around the block. Now at the brick-and-mortar restaurant, folks are still lining up at 9 a.m. for slabs of…  Read More