Friday, October 18, 2002

Austin American Statesman's Restaurant Guide came out today. The usual suspects rounded out the Top 10 as usual. Place such as, The Four Season's Cafe, the Driskell Cafe and Hudson's on the Bend all made the top eateries. Let's get real for a second, nobody asked me what my top choices for sophisticated culinary delights are. I'm a man of substantial wealth and elegance, so here's my Top 5:

5.) Taco Bell - A pleasant atmosphere with accents from interior Mexico. The cuisine here is obviously influenced by many of the popular dishes of the Yucitan Pennisula. Try the Marinated Steak Taco Combo and finish it off with a nice Cinnamon Twists and/or Choco-Taco.

4.) Long John Silvers - A personal vice of mine. The food here originates from some of the finer Sea Food Cafe's of the Eastern Sea Board. Head Fry Cook, George Salazer, has had a meatoric rise into fry cook stardom with his newest creations. His #4 Fried Fish Fillet Combo with Hush Puppies has been a favorite of patrons for quite some time now. Don't forget to ring the bell before you leave!

3.) Luby's Cafeteria - This small town eatery is known for their unique turns on traditional meals. From home favorites such as Chicken Fried Steak to Turkey and Dressing, you can't go wrong with anything on the line. The cafeteria's atmosphere is quiet (due to the average age of the customers) and the waitstaff is amongst the best in the business. Bon appetit!

2.) Reale's Pizza and Cafe - Not too far from the fictional tale of Mystic Pizza, Reale's serves up some of Austin's best pies. When entertaining out of town customers who wish to experience the Italian life style first hand, I take them here. They are usually impressed by the Romanesque surroundings and the waitstaff. Many first impressions from my guests include: "Wow, just like the Soprano's!" and "This is exactly how I pictured New Jersey to be..except without the Soprano's." Definately one of my favorite places for Jersey Cuisine.

1.) Pho' Noodle Soup (anywhere) - An exotic mix of hot broth, rice noodles and beef, straight from the Far East or my mom's kitchen. Many of Austin's finest Pho' Restaurants are reminiscent of Vietnam's own cafes. The generally cheap tables and chairs (rustic to some) can be somewhat of a visual hinderance to the untrained patron. The money is spent on the ingredients instead. Just like Vietnam, the soup sides are given on one plate per table in Marxist/Communist fashion, leaving everyone to share. When wanderlust hits me, urging me to visit my homeland and smell the Perfume River of my birthplace Hue, I instead hit the local Pho' next to the Jack in the Box or Target. It's almost like being there.
posted by HZA | 1:49 PM | email | archive