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Maudie’s
fills tall order
Who
the heck ever heard of a Tex-Mex place called Maudie's. That's like
having an Italian restaurant named John Boy's, for crying out loud.
Well, that's Austin for you. Apparently, the owner purchased the original
Maudie's on Exposition, which was kind of a down-home place that had
been around for years and tried to make a go of it. It didn't happen,
and so he changed the food to Tex-Mex. The name ... well, they decided
to not go against history.
I
went to the Maudie's at 1212 S. Lamar near Treadwell. And I'll tell
you what, I liked it!! I had a traditional bean and cheese chalupa,
and it was delicious. The chili con queso was also delectable. It
was seasoned with onion, garlic, and spiked with fresh peppers. Delisioso.
One complaint, though.
No lemons for the iced tea. I don't want lime in my ice tea. In my
vodka and soda perhaps, but in my tea, I want lemons, lots of 'em.
Also, loved the hot sauce, but the chips for dipping were a bit on
the thin side. This may
be a function of Maudie's nod to health. They fry them in canola oil.
But I like a chip that you can dip in the salsa and put in your mouth
without it breaking in half. Nice flavor, but I wanted them to be
a bit more robust.
The
cheese enchiladas with con carne sauce and onions were exceptional.
Great taste and a smooth, rich texture that made for a real
treat. They're on a level similar to the enchiladas at El Patio, and
you know how much I like El Patio! Also, try the chicken enchiladas
with spicy verde sauce and white cheese. The piquant, lip-smacking
taste of these will make you a believer.
The chicken was moist and very tasty, and that's not always
the case with chicken enchiladas around Austin. The beef fajitas were
also a treat. Tender, succulent, with that lingering flavor that characterizes
great fajitas.
As
I mentioned, they nod a bit to health here. The beans are 100% fat
free and vegetarian. But the taste, for the most part, is not compromised.
And that's a tall order in the fat, happy world of Tex-Mex cuisine.
So go check out Maudie's this weekend, and leave your attitude at
the door. There are three locations -- on Lamar, Exposition, and way
south on Brodie. Tell 'em Rob Boy sent you.
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