Through the Lips

Through the lips and over the gums, look out tummy, here it comes! That was the prominent thought running in my brain today. Back in August when the family was celebrating my birthday, one of my gifts was a ticket to an 'Austin Eats Tour'. Because this involves walking and eating outside, we decided to do this in the autumn. (NOTE: After living with older folks these past four years, I've learned that 'fall' is not a good word. In fact, it's included in the list of bad four letter words. Thus, I call this season 'autumn.') So here is how the tour proceeded:

I'm hoping that you can see the van that we traveled in to the various eateries. There were 14 in our group, including the driver/guide. We met at a large park in downtown Austin where a Farmers Market is held. Scott, our guide, brought us some pastries to start the day. They were from a bakery owned by Sandra Bullock and her sister. Her sister is the pastry chef. I'm hoping you'll see them in the next picture. They were very tasty (sweet).

From there, we walked across the park to one of the booths where the owner made specialties from some form of a bean shipped to him from South America. The samples we tasted reminded me of obese M&M peanuts. He told us the history of chocolate. Very Interesting, if true. The samples were made of four types of chocolate. He also told us how the different type of chocolate are made. (So this makes the tour educational, too.)

Next, we went to the previously pictured van. (Not going to post the picture every time we get into the van.) We drove to someplace near downtown to a food truck which specializes in Italian sandwiches called Puccias. "Lucky" of "Lucky's Puccias" makes the bread as you approach the trailer. Therefore, it is very warm, fresh and delicious. He makes a variety of sandwiches. We had the Lucky Special, made of a variety of things (meats, veggies, bread and sauces). It is one of Chris and Susan's favorite places to eat. I can see why. NOTE: Lucky and his puccia truck is going to be featured on TLC next Friday, Nov. 1st. on the show called Secret Princes.

After the puccias, we returned to the van to head to what was to be my favorite stop, LaBarbecue. (Must be my Memphis influence) This is one of the most popular 'eateries' in all of Texas. We were told one of the top three barbecue places in the state. Several months ago a barbecue place here (Franklin's Barbecue) was featured on national TV. Apparently there was a rift between 'Mr. Franklin' and his pit chef. The pit chef left (or was fired) and started his own barbecue business. Hence, LaBarbecue was 'born'. At this point I must say that having lived in Memphis over four decades, I think I am qualified to 'rate' barbecue. I've eaten so called barbecue in Kansas City, Memphis, and Austin. IMHO nothing compares to The Rendezvous dry ribs and Corky's wet ribs in Memphis. Texans barbecue brisket at the drop of a 10 gallon hat and rave that it is the best ever. Now there is a lot, and I mean A LOT, of good things about Texas, but give me pulled pork or dry rubbed ribs any day. With all that being said, I have to admit that the brisket, sausage, and ribs that we had today at LaBarbecue were the best I've ever had in the Lone Star State. When we got there, there was a line of customers longer than any I've seen at any eatery ever. Here are a couple of pictures. I wish we had taken a picture of the line.

Our group licked that platter clean!!!!! Next, we just walked across the street to the Dock and Roll Diner. It's not really a diner. It's another food truck with tables and chairs outside. Now what would you think we would have there? No, not sushi. We had ....... are you ready for this?........Lobster Rolls. OMGosh, they were soooooo good. After eating all that barbecue, I didn't think I could eat anythings else until I saw the lobster rolls.

Now one would think that the tour should end right then and there. How could you top surf and turf? How could our stomachs hold any more? Not to be......there's more, so back to the van we go. We drove to Congress Street. If you've been to Austin, you know the place. If you haven't, just let me say that it's kinda like going back in time to the 60's. There are two of the oldest motels ever. One advertised 'No Vacancy' and that it is celebrating it's 75th anniversary. I noticed that one of the stores was named "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds". I didn't ask what it specialized in. It was sorta hard to tell by looking. At first I thought it might be a head shop. SHAME ON ME!!! But I digress. The next eatery was called Burro Cheese Kitchen. The truck specializes in food with cheese and a taste of France. We ate something called 'Croquet Madame', I think. I think this would be a wonderful breakfast treat. The 'bread' was similar to two waffles with smoked ham, mozzarella, a fried egg, and sauce placed between them. Soooo goooood!

I think that the next time I go there, I may try the Waylon and Willie or the GQ or maybe both. And on we go to our last stop, Sugar Mama's. You may have heard of Sugar Mama's if you watched The Cupcake Wars on cable. They won the contest with their Marilyn Monroe Cupcake. It's a vanilla cake with vanilla icing and crystal sprinkles on top. They had 15 varieties of cupcakes from which we could choose. I chose a Strawberry Love, similar to a strawberry shortcake. (I have to admit that I haven't eaten it yet. I got mine 'to go.') I also bought one of their specialty bars to salute Tennessee and Texas. It's made with Texas pecans and Tennessee Bourbon. (I thought I would wait until bed time to try that one.)

I forgot to mention that all of these places except the last one were BYOB places. Our guide had large cooler in the van filled with drinks of our choice ranging from water and sodas to 'exotic' beers and ales. After cupcakes we rode the van back to the city park/farmers market, tipped the guide and waddled to the car. Now don't you wish you had gone with us? I'm closing with the thought on Sugar Mama's mailbox: