Fourth of July Weekend: Burgers and Q
As we approach the Fourth of July weekend, all red-blooded central Texans are hunkering down for fireworks, get togethers, and of course, whether at a restaurant or at home, burgers and barbecue. The two go together like apple pie and ice cream, Rick and Anita, even Obama and Boehner (well, on second thought…). So here’s […]
Get Ready for Our Annual Pizza Wars Feature
Coming very soon will be one of our most anticipated yearly features: Pizza Wars. This will be our 8th year of the piece and man how things have changed since then. Indeed there have been changes since last year’s piece: more openings and closings. And a major shakeup in the Top 5. How’s that list […]
What’s in a Name? The Story of Cedro
One of the more complicated and interesting aspects of the restaurant business is the actual naming of the establishment. Some names work well and last a long time. Others (Peso and Bucks, Rival’s Steakhouse, Sardine Rouge, Demi Epicurious for example, while well-intentioned, don’t seem to last long at all). Now I’m not saying the names […]
Downtown Density and Dining Out
When Will Wynn (great name for a politician) was serving as mayor, his most frequent mantra was downtown density. The idea was to create an enterprise zone where a significant amount of potential retail and restaurant customers actually lived and worked downtown. With all the residential and business construction in the past five years, we […]
David Bull and the Evolution of Austin as a Major Food City
I can remember the day almost as if it was yesterday. We had gone to dinner at the Driskill Grill in the famous downtown hotel. It was a slow night for a Saturday and we were surprised to see that the restaurant was staging a “mystery dinner” evening. You know: one of those dreadful events […]
Brad Meltzer: Mr. Teppayaki
Most Teppanyaki/Hibachi restaurants I’ve been in have been owned and operated by Asians. So how did a Jewish guy from Massachusetts become a pivotal force in the Texas teppanyaki scene? It’s an interesting story. Meltzer is a Renaissance man to be sure. He studied accounting in college, and it was in that capacity that he […]
Great Oysters in the Burbs: Café Blue
Growing up in New England where clams on the half shell ruled the day, I came down here with a complete lack of appreciation and understanding of oysters. Well that certainly has changed. Ever since Auggie Garrido coaxed me into my first platter of oysters at Eddie V’s about 14 years ago, I have been […]
A Culinary Reason to Head to San Antonio: Sumo
Things are a bit sparse in Austin on the Tepanyaki/Hibachi front. But this is an itch I have to scratch now and then, and so we drove to San Antonio last Saturday night to check out Sumo on I-10 next to a rather large Carmax. The owner is Austinite Brad Meltzer who, from a long […]
Saccone’s Pizza Scores Major Victory at Pizza Expo in Las Vegas
Saccone’s Pizza on Highway 620 in Austin returned victorious from the prestigious Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. Owner Dan Saccone, a New Jersey native who has delighted Austin pizza lovers for years with his East Coast style pies, won Best Southwest Pizza in the regional competitions and came within an eyelash of finishing in the […]
Cho Sushi Thrives in Lakeway and Steiner Ranch
John Cho did not aspire to run a sushi bar or Japanese restaurant. His brother David was the cook in the family (and a damned fine one at that all the way back to Midori Sushi). John headed to New York to make his mark in the tech/finance world while David remained in Austin. But […]
The PoK-e-Jo’s Back Story
Danny Haberman and Doug Bohne are two very unpretentious guys who have a fierce passion for the BBQ business. They have nurtured and guided the growth of PoK-e-Jo’s through a tough beginning to their current success with multiple Austin locations. Danny’s dad Porky and friend Joe Slayton actually began the first store off Mopac at […]
Easter Dining Recommendations 2014 – ARCHIVED
Each year we usually provide you with a ponderous list for Easter brunch choices. This year will be a bit different. We’ll narrrow out list a bit, and provide some brief commentary on each choice. So enjoy and have a wonderful day. Don’t forget to email us at info@diningoutwithrobbalon.com with any questions. Freda’s Seafood Grill […]
Crepe Crazy Set to Launch in Dripping Springs
Crepe Crazy, the popular trailer and winner of the 2013 Dripping with Taste Festival, is going brick and mortar. I stopped by yesterday to the location next to Oak Creek Cafe on Highway 290W in Dripping, and asked to speak to the owner. The woman I spoke to indicated using sign language that she was […]
People, Places and Dishes in Austin: Our Favorite Photos
The Austin dining scene is a blend of diverse dishes, personalities, and that unmistakable vibe that characterizes the River City. This photo essay is a composite of some of our favorite views of the people and the dishes that make Austin unique. All in the family at Hao Hao and Hao Q This is a […]
An American Success Story: Francisco Cortez and Santa Catarina
There is a wonderful Mexican restaurant in Lakeway featuring interior and coastal Mexican cuisine. It’s one of my favorites, and it’s called Santa Catarina. But the most fascinating aspect of Santa Catarina is the back story of the man at the helm, Francisco Cortez. He began his lifelong passion for great Mexican food working for […]
