Hello Friends!
This past weekend, we headed to Austin for a mini reunion, great food, exploration and a lot of fun! I have to admit, all of my adventures should be credited to my trusty tour guide. We had so much fun and such happy bellies. It was the perfect blend of relaxation, adventures and having fun!
Once we arrived, we wanted to just relax for a few. Lucky for us, there is a great little bar nearby from where we were staying. The Crown & Anchor Pub was perfect for us. A great selection of microbrews (including many of Austin’s finest). Each night has three beers on special, really fast and friendly service and apparently their burgers are a huge hit. Even enjoy $11 pitchers. Atmosphere – your pub with a ton of pictures and memorabilia on the walls, sit on high stools or at a regular table, there’s room for everyone inside or out on the covered patio (dogs welcome).
Friday’s dinner hit the spot after a traffic filled drive down SB35 at Mandola’s Italian Market. There’s something to be said when you ask what some favorites are and you’re told “between me and my family we’ve had everything and we’ve never been disappointed”, you know it’s going to be good! Spencer picked his “usual”, Tortellini Moda Mia and I opted for Shrimp Scampi. Add a glass of wine (you at least need a glass) and it was perfection in it’s finest. Full bellies, big smiles and a great evening. This is also an Italian Market so leave some time to check out what else they have to offer.
Menu Description: Tortellini Moda Mia (Classic pasta stuffed with chicken, pork, mortadella, prosciutto, ricotta and Parmigiano, in a cream sauce with peas & mushrooms).
Menu Description: Shrimp Scampi (Large gulf shrimp sauteed in butter, garlic, white wine and fresh lemon juice, served with Fettuccine Alfredo).
Saturday morning left what I had been super excited about – a tour of the University of Texas. We walked campus for about two hours, let’s just say we worked up an appetite. Spencer went 2 for 2 in the food department. Sandwich shops are the best but when you find a great one that understands the art of making a great sandwich, you stick with it. Fricano’s Deli finds the perfect freshly made bread to sandwich filling ratio. Two important key’s of info – get the sour dough and make sure it’s grilled. Your sandwich will be crispy on the outside and gooey melted cheese and greatness on the inside. (Great on prices.)
Menu Description: Turkey Special (Turkey, cucumber, sprouts, avocado & provolone on your choice of bread.
Speaking of the University of Texas – does Cain and Able’s ring a bell to any of Texas grads? A pure college bar and an extensive line-up of brews. This is a great haunt especially if it’s game day (I’ll have to check that out this fall). I’m not sure which I enjoyed better, the bar or the unending college stories that goes with this place. Either way, can’t go wrong.
Everything’s bigger in Texas right? Well, even around the biggest, you can still find a tiny gem. Let me introduce you to the Tiniest Bar in Texas. Found down on 5th and Bowie, have a seat and enjoy a cold one. Hungry? There’s a small food park connected. Friendly people, great brew variety and relaxation at your fingertips.
If we haven’t had enough adventures, more awaited on Sunday. Austin is full of great art and murals. Perhaps you’ve seen a few. We headed on over south of the Colorado River to find Jo’s Coffee for the beloved I Love You So Much wall. Didn’t disappoint for a quick picture.
We then headed directly across the street to grab a scoop of Amy’s Ice Cream. Pick a flavor, add a topping(s) and be ready to bring a little coolness to your summer day. Our picks were Mexican Vanilla with cookie dough and Blackberry with rainbow sprinkles. Hit the spot! Each time I go to Austin and get to know it a little bit more, it seems a little smaller and a little more familiar. I suppose it helps that I’m welcome with so many other Subaru’s on the road. The food and beverages are great, the people are wicked friendly and it’s all about taking it easy. Life is good folks, life is good!
Have you had a chance to check any of these locations out? Which are your favorites?
It looks like you had a YUMMY time 😉 !
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Oh my word. Your food pics are amazinggg, especially that sandwich! I have yet to find a sandwich place that makes my sandwiches exactly how I like ’em (does Subway even count? Hehe).
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Thank you! Don’t get me started on the sandwich, if I start thinking about it I’ll want another one and I’m not in Austin anymore. It’s a hard life!
we live in Louisiana and love visiting Austin. Gonna have to try these places soon
Austin is such a fun place to visit!
I think I just need to follow you around and eat whatever you do. I hear Austin is such a great place.
Haha! I had a trusty partner in crime for this one. I couldn’t have imagined anywhere better to eat local while in Austin. I’ll let him know we’re going to have guests next trip 😉
Great post! Looks like you enjoyed a lot of VERY YUMMY FOOD! I love a place that knows how to make a great sandwich! It looks perfect, gooey, crunchy and all the yumminess in between! Glad y’all got to enjoy your time while in Austin! That ice cream looks great, I know you enjoyed that in the Austin Humidity! That is one city I want to visit and I will be searching for that sandwich when I go!!! Thanks for sharing the great reviews!
~Amanda Marie~
It was such a fun weekend (and yes that sandwich was fantastic). It’s nice to know that you don’t always have to travel great distances to have a mini-vacation! I can’t wait to go back (humidity or not)!
Can you believe one of my staff members who goes to Austin all the time had NEVER heard of Amy’s ice cream?! It’s only the best ever!!!!! I’m going to keep notes of all these places for the next time we visit Austin – I’m intrigued by the Italian place!!
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She will definitely have to check it out! These are all great places. To be completely honest, I’d be ok with going to all of them all over again on the next trip!
All of the food looks delicious!! We drove by Jo’s on our way to eat at HopDoddy’s a few weeks ago! I wanted to stop by the wall as well but after we waited in a crazy line for the food {which was tasty!} the toddler was ready for a new scene! Next time I’m in Austin I will stop there and Fricano’s Deli is on our list!
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This sounds like such a wonderful trip – so much good food 🙂 The I love you so much wall is so cute, love it!
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The wall is adorable. I actually took it for the main purpose of including it in my Father’s Day gift.
Great ideas for my next trip to Austin! I’m slowly but surely coming around to liking seafood and that shrimp looks incredible!!
Seafood is delicious! I’m excited you are starting to like it! Austin is so much fun. Hopefully, you’ll be able to incorporate these places into your trip or find places you love as well!
Austin offers some of the best of food! I will have to check out Amy’s. Thanks for the reviews!
Austin is so much fun! Definitely try to check out Amy’s!
I’ve heard so much about that ice cream place, but have never been. Have you been to the famous food trucks in Austin? We ate at Torchy’s Tacos last time we were there and it did not disappoint!
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I have not been to the food trucks in Austin – just the ones in Fort Worth. There’s a bunch of Torchy’s Tacos around DFW. There’s one in Fort Worth not far from University 🙂
That sandwich looks delicious. I’ve only been to San Antonio, if I’m ever back in Texas I’ll have to check out Austin 🙂 I’ve been wanting to go to SXSW for years too.
Austin is SO much fun! You’ll have to put it on your bucket list Miss Liz! 🙂
Texas in general is on my bucket list! The only time I went was briefly, in 2011, for work, and that was just San Antonio. 🙂
Liz @ Yes/No Films recently posted…Movie Review: Magic Mike XXL
Texas reminds me of Oregon, when it comes to food and weirdness lol.
I’m originally from Vermont and everyone says Burlington, VT is a lot like Portland, Oregon which is a lot like Austin, TX. I need to visit Portland to confirm this and complete the trifecta! I’ve heard great things!