Salsa and Hot Sauce

Salsa! We like it sweet, creamy, spicy, medium and mild in Texas! With so many choices to choose from I thought I’d make a list of a few emergency “must-try” stand outs:

Chuy’s – They will automatically give you their medium salsa but also ask for the “ketchup sauce”.

Mother’s Café and Garden – It borders that delicious fine line between medium/hot. 

Taco Deli – The salsa station isn't overly convenient when it gets crowded but their hot sauce can clear the stuffiest of noses!

Azul Tequila – Ignore the nearby Target and get yourself some chips, guacamole and the house salsa.

Santa Catarina Restaurant – If you are in the Lakeway area check out their fresh take on Mexican food.

Rainy Day Austin

September will be here soon, and so will more rainy days. Although Austin is a very outdoorsy city, don’t let the lack of sun keep you at home. Here’s a list of ideas that are the alternative to going to the movies or staying home:

American Bingo – This is not your typical senior center Bingo parlor. 

Pinballz Arcade – They have an impressive collection of pinball machines and arcade games for the

kid-at-heart.

Contemporary Austin – Formally called the AMOA-Arthouse, spend the day exploring the new international art museum.

iFLY Indoor Skydiving – Great for the whole family. Feel like you’re flying in their state-of-the-art wind tunnel.

The Art Garage – Sign up for one of their many art workshops and classes.

What do you do when it’s raining in Austin?

Evening out in Austin

Are you looking for ideas of what to do for date night or just a night out on the town? Here are some suggestions that will suit all types of tastes:

Continental Club – Located on South Congress this club has a wide variety of musical * from country, rock, blues and jazz.

Broken Spoke – Learn to line dance at a true Texan dance hall.

Botticelli’s – Bring a date and enjoy the Italian cuisine and the ambiance.

Gourdough's – They offer an impressive variety of specialty donuts. Stop in for dessert or for a late night snack. 

Texas BBQ

There is a lot of BBQ in and around Austin. I have a lot of places that I call my favorite so this list can get long. Instead, I’ll limit it to five top BBQ joints in the area:

Rudy’s – Come here if you like brisket, it is the place to go to. 

Salt Lick – The only way I’ll stop coming here is if they issue a cease and desist order on me. I love this place!

Donn’s – Try the chopped beef and the chicken. The beans are out of this world.

 

Buster’s – If you are in Lakeway, check out them out.

Franklin – To answer the big question, “Yes, it’s worth the wait.”

Biggee size that salad

Everything is bigger in Texas, even our salads. Here is a list of where you can find a salad in Austin, TX that is more than a side dish but an actual meal:

Leaf – You have the option to build your own with tons of toppings to choose from. Plus, some of their produce is organic and local.

Mothers Cafe & Garden - Their cashew tamari dressing never ceases to amaze me. It really would be

great on almost anything.

Shady Grove – More than just a bed of greens; this one is filled with veggie and noodles.

Kerbey Lane Cafe – They have a ton to choose from on their menu but their entrée salads aren’t to be missed.

Mr. FruitCup – This trailer offers a variety of fruit salads ranging from sweet to savory.

Cool Off Austin

It’s hot out but sometimes you just don’t want to go to the pool. Here’s a list of summertime treats to help you escape the heat:

Tèo – They offer Italian gelato, sorbets and iced coffee. They have some unusual flavors plus all the ones you expect.

Waterloo Ice House – Grab a beer and enjoy the air conditioning.

Amy’s Ice Cream – This is an Austin staple and a “must-do”. Check out the Mexican vanilla. I repeat: check out the Mexican vanilla. 

South Austin Sno – Snow cone trailer that offers a wide variety of flavors to choose from. Cash only.

Smoothies – There are a few places to check out: Daily Juice, JuiceLand and Gonzo Juice.

Volunteer in Austin

Here are some wonderful local organizations that are worth giving up some of your time for:

Johnson’s Backyard Garden – You can work for your share of veggies. RSVP since spots fill up fast.

Austin Parks Foundation – Be sure to check into one of their biggest events, “It’s My Park Day”. There are close to a hundred different projects to get involved in throughout the city. 

Austin Zoo & Sanctuary – Check them out if you are over 18 yrs. old and want to help care for animals. You can sponsor an animal as well.

Travis Audubon Society – They are a small group but they make a big impact on the environment; for us and for the birds!

VolunteerMatch – Enter in your location and your interests in the search box. The site will match you up with different volunteer opportunities from the local food bank to mentoring kids.