What's the Point?

 

Hey guys, I figure it's a good idea to let you know what is the motivation behind this blog. There are so many new people to Austin, and no doubt they want to eat out. Hanging out with friends at a convenient, fast serving, tasty eatery is by far one of the best stress relievers that I've come across! So, when you want to go out...where do you start? "Umm...I think I saw this one place down the street..." Little did you know, that place didn't pass the last health code inspection, their food is burnt, and their service sucks!

This site is dedicated to providing the most comprehensive reviews of restaurants, so you know the good quality places to eat! I enjoy eating out, especially at a top-of-the line place. I try to check out restaurants that others have recommended to me so I'll have something good to say. I don't want to hit a dud and just rant about how terrible it was. Anyhow, if you are new to Austin or just want to check out some place new this is the hot spot. You can also search for a restaurant that you've been curious about and see if I've already been there. Then you'll get a good idea of what to expect before you head out. It also helps if you want to bring a party of 10 or so.

I try to include the information about the restaurants at the beginning as well as a significant pic for everyone's interest! I'll be including links to their websites soon so look foreword to that.

Be sure to let your friends know or link to us from your myspace, facebook, xanga, etc. to get the word out! I want to let everyone know so they don't have a disaster dinner!

Maudie's Tex-Mex

1212 S. Lamar

(512)440-8088

The Menu:

They have typical tex-mex, but it's quite yummy. Dishes of note are the Kimberly's Favorite and the Enchiladas Perfecto. Try those out and see what you think. I know it's common, but it's worth mentioning that you get free chips and salsa too. 

Average Ticket: $8.50

The Taste:

I had some of the Chili Con Queso. It was a little thin for my liking, but full of rich cheesey flavor. The Kimberly's Favorite meal was very good. The innards (in this case portobello mushrooms, spinach, garlic, tomatoes, and onions) have a great mixture of green and mushroom flavor together, the tortillas were nice and chewy, and they were covered in cheese! They put this poblano cream sauce on top that had a hint of citrus. See if you taste it when you go there. The Enchiladas Perfecto sure were that! I think it may just be me, but I feel it tasted kind-of like frito pie. Anyone agree? I love frito pie though, so no problemo. The onions add a nice little touch, you can barely taste them. I got some flour tortillas on the side and I loved the texture. They were firm and chewy! Great Tex-Mex, I truly enjoyed the food.

The Atmosphere:

Something else I tell ya. It's fun and funky inside. They have tinted windows so that if you plan on having lunch there, don't worry about getting blinded. They were going for a funky-south-Austin feel. I think they did a great job. They have swirly hand-painted light fixtures. The tables have Mexican tile with a wooden border. The tables, chairs, floor, and walls are a rich wood. The manager told me that they should be getting in some local art work soon. I always enjoy seeing the local art work in restaurants. It gives me a better understanding of how other people think. Well before I go too far off on a tangent, I'll stop myself right there. The music is funky too...I actually heard funk music playing! Haha. It's a great fun atmosphere, and I approve!

The Employees:

Everyone is pretty chill, and they work well as a team. If one person is overloaded, the other will take over. They'll have a short conversation with you sometimes. They are pretty good about letting you know when your food is out, and if you need anything they're sure to help. It doesn't surprise the pants off of you, but it's not bad service. You mostly interact with your one server just as any other sit down restaurant. I enjoyed my experience there.

Wahoo's Fish Taco

509 Rio Grande

(512)476-3474

The Menu:

What a menu indeed, I must start out by saying that I absolutely loved this place. For appetizers they have the famous Baja Rolls which have cream cheese, spinach, chicken & salsa rolled in a "lard-free" tortilla. (I took "lard-free" straight from their menu) Some good old's like Maui Onion Rings, French Fries, Nachos, Quesadillas, Taquitos, and Chips & Salsa/Guacamole.

Soups, Salads, & Sandwiches! I love those three S's. They have their special salad with cheese, guac, salsa, and a choice of meat. (fish, chicken, carne asada, carnitas, shrimp, or vegitarian.) Their sandwich is a lot like the salad except with less lettus, and served between slices of bread. The Chicken Tortilla Soup is quite a treat. If you aren't feeling too adventurous, just try the Garden Salad.

Want just the filling and not so much bread? They have a fix for ya, Wahoo's Bowls. They are all served over ahi rice& black beans or spicy cajun white beans. They've got a Maui (carne asada), Chicken (flame grilled or blackened), Wahoo's (fish flame grilled or blackened), Veggie (banzai vegies), Kalua Pig (shredded carnitas), Banzai (banzai veggies, and you choose meat), or the Shrimp bowl.

Banzai Burritos are pretty much the Banzai bowl wrapped in a "lard-free" tortilla.

A La Carte- filling choices are: fish, chicken, carne asada, carnitas, shrimp, mushrooms, banzai veggies, or vegetarian. Get some Soft Tacos with corn tortillas, or maybe you want a big taco...the Classic Burrito. The Enchiladas shouldn't be overlooked either.

Now some Combo Platters, which are served with rice & beans. These are basically combinations of the A La Carte items. They have 1 Taco or Enchilada, 2 Tacos or Enchiladas, 1 Burrito (classic or banzai), The Kahuna Burrito & 1 taco/Enchilada, The Kahuna Grande is 1 taco or enchilada & 3 taquitos. <------- What a meal huh? I'm sure I'd leave with a full stomach, and a to-go box or two.

Kid's Menu! For the young ones we have the Kid's bowl, Kid's Taco/Enchilada, Mini Quesadilla, or a Black Bean & 2 Cheese Burrito. Most items are served with fries or ahi rice & beans.

On a "side" note they have Beans (black or spicy cajun white beans), Ahi Rice, Tortillas (3 soft corn or 1 lard "lard-free" flour), Guacamole, Soure Cream, Fresh Sala, Wahoo's Green Sauce (non-fat, roasted pepper, cilantro dressing), Mr. Lee's Chili Sauce (blend of red chilis, garlic, and ginger).

At the end of the lovely meal check out the desserts. All oldies but goldies: Cookies, Ice Cream, or a Maine Root Organic Root Beer Float!

Thirsty? To drink they offer fountain drinks, bottled drinks, Red Bull, Maine Root Organic Root Beer(by the pint!). For some alchololic beverages they have a selection of beer, wine, Pina Coladas, and Margaritas. The "Beer of the month is only $2.00.

Average Ticket (including drink): $7.99

The Taste:

My favorite thing about the general flavor is that nothing is fried! Your arteries will thank you! They offer their meats grilled or blackened, and any item can be made vegetarian. The proportions are pretty much just right. If you are a little hungrier, try out some starters. I had the Baja Rolls which have amazingly crispy fresh spinach, cream cheese, chicken and salsa wrapped in one of their signature tortillas. I dipped it in their spicy green sauce, and it went very well with it.

The meats (I tried the fish and the chicken) are juicy, tender, and full of flavor. I ordered my fish tacos with blackened fish. I was pleasantly surprised to find they didn't burn it beyond belief; it was truly "blackened" to perfection, which concentrates the flavors.

The Pina Colada I had was the perfect flavor, and they put fresh strawberry puree on top which gave the most subtle hint of strawberry goodness. It went quite well with the pina colada flavors.

I REALLY enjoyed the fish taco, but my associate must have liked it more because I only got 2 bites. The blackened fish was fantastic, and I am so thankful that it wasn't burned!

The only somewhat negative thing about the food was that I had a hard time keeping the ingredients from spilling out, but it tasted great! I adored the rice and grilled chicken. The chunky vegetables add a great texture.

The Atmosphere:

It has this totally cool skater/surfer/snowboarder theme. Any one is welcome to stick anything on any wall (which is already covered in stickers, boards, etc.) as long as it isn't offensive. It's a really laid back place with Pink Floyd and the like music, open beam ceiling (seems to be popular in Austin eh?), wooden booths/tables/chairs, and concrete floors. The lighting is dim, but bright near the registers. It is a little complicated to find your way to the register, but not too bad. Just head back and right; you'll find it. They have these really huge, awesome windows. However, if you sit too near them a cigarette smell creeps in. If you smoke, then no problem eh? The smell isn't that bad since the windows are open, so don't get too worried. It's just a really laid back place.

The Employees:

The Employees make the place as much as the food and atmosphere do. They are all attentive, nice, diligent, and chill. The place is quite relaxing and the employees help you feel so too. The only effort that you have to put into the place is ordering. They do everything else for you. Take your food out, clean it up, box up your stuff to go, etc. My server as well as the others I observed there treat you like a friend, and they have great patience if you are completely new and have no idea what anything is talking about on the menu. One thing that I love about good servers is that they aren't annoying when they check on you. They don't check on you too often and ruin your dinner with interruptions either. I liked the whole experience!