Pit BBQ on Burnet Rd. - Austin,TEXAS

With the influx of family/friends and an incredibly busy work schedule these past few weeks, I haven't had much time to eat out and explore the Austin foodie world. But as the family has left for greener pastures and the job is coming back under control, I took the opportunity to visit a BBQ place that I have seen for years but have never tried, Pit BBQ on Burnet Road. Hidden but well established, Pit BBQ has been operating for 40+ years. Small and unpretentious, the restaurant is easy to miss but hard to forget once you have tried it.

I arrived about 12:30pm to a crowed dinning room. With only a few booths and a couple of tables, space is a scarce at the Pit. Luckily I was able to get a place at the counter after I received my food. Everyday Pit BBQ offers a special, Mondays is Chicken. I decide to try a sample plate of brisket and sausage with two sides, beans and slaw.

The beef was tender with a nice smoky ring while unfortunately the sausage was not so hot. It just didn't have much taste. The counter help told me that the sausage comes from Austin's own Smokey Denmark, which is located on the eastside. The real let down was the sauce. I am not a big fan of BBQ sauce. I find I like my bbq plain most of the time. I may be way off base here but I swear I could taste liquid smoke. The sauce just didn't have a good flavor at all. The sides were both pretty good; I really liked the cold slaw. My total for the meal came to $10.

Senor Foodblog gives Pit BBQ one spoon up. Sorry folks, the sauce killed the deal for me. Parking was tight and the dinning room way too crowed for my comfort. Prices for the to-go meat were reasonable, with the lean cut brisket for $10.29 lb. Judge for yourself. I would eat at Pit BBQ again but this time avoiding the sauce, lunch crowd and maybe sitting outside at the lone table behind the business.

Pit BBQ
4707 Burnet Rd.
512 453 6464

Sullivan's Steakhouse - Austin,TEXAS

We didn't want to fuss, so Señora Foodblog and I decided to enjoy a nice, expensive dinner with Austin 's own Sullivan's Steakhouse, conveniently located in Austin 's thriving Warehouse district. This day, parking was not a consideration. I can say, with much happiness, that most of downtown was empty. The streets were very quit. This was a welcome flashback to old Austin , when you could go anywhere and find a good place to park, without some jerk standing in the street, directing traffic, so his little buddy can have decent parking. The valet was happy to park our car as we made our way into the restaurant.

We had reservations for 6:30pm and with a few mins to spare, we made our way to the bar. Señora Foodblog ordered a Chocolate martini while I had Sullivan's Mojito. The choc martini made Señora Foodblog very happy. The martini was not only tasty but really pretty with choc swirl designs on the glass.

Getting hungry, it was time to head to the main eating area. After another glass a wine and one more mojito, we got down to the hard work of ordering our dinner. Sullivan's operates like a lot of upscale restaurants. Your main dish is ordered separately from your sides. For our starters, we tried the Seared Ahi Tuna and Iced Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail. Both were great. The shrimp were large and fresh, while the tuna, which came with a spicy mustard sauce, was to die for. To boot, our server also brought us a Hot Loaf of Bread and each of us an Iceberg Lettuce Wedge with Blue Cheese Dressing Salad. The lettuce and bread come as comp with every meal.

Señora Foodblog went with the Small Filet Mignon 8 oz and I had the New York Strip 16 oz for our main courses. Our sides: enormous Onion Rings, Au Gratin Potatoes and Sautéed Spinach with Garlic were top notch. I love the au gratin potatoes, I wish my home cooked would turn out as well. Both of the steaks were cooked to perfection and tender like butter. The meal was so darn good, Señora Foodblog had to stop me from licking my plate….just kidding, I only lick the plate at home, never in public. We passed on the dessert and settled for some coffee instead.

Señor Foodblog gives Sullivan's two spoons up. Ok, what can I say, the steaks were fantastic as was the service, drinks and the back ground music. I am a huge fan of Sullivan's and will always recommend. Exactly how much did this cost you may ask. Well, keep in mind that Sullivan's is one of Austin 's best steakhouses and its location is the heart of trendy downtown. With tip our meal cost $210 and worth ever penny.

Sullivan's Steakhouse
300 Colorado
512 495 6504
http://www.sullivansteakhouse.com/

Spec's comes to Austin

The rabbit is back….yes I am talking about Spec’s Warehouse. Absent from Austin for 20+ yrs, Spec’s has returned with its discount liquor and amazing selection of cheese and drinking accessories. Most blogs and articles that I have read about Specs returning to Austin have all said the same thing, Specs is going to shake up the local beer and wine market! This is true; Señora Foodblog and I spent a good hr just walking around the store, checking out the shelves, blown away by the great prices.

For you beer drinkers, Spec’s is bragging about the largest beer cooler in Texas, yes folks it true. Spec’s beer cooler makes Whole Foods cooler look small, small, small. Cup Cake Death Kitten tells me that the new S. location, still under construction (71 / Brodie), will have an even bigger cooler. Someone please save my liver.


And for you smokers, a giant amount of cigars to shop inside Spec’s walk-in cigar humidor.


Most folks don’t know that Spec’s has been owned and operated by the same Houston family for over 40 yrs. The Houston store carries 40,000 different labels of wine and 900 different kinds of cigars. One of the Spec’s sales employees told me that the new south Spec’s will be twice the size of 290 store, and will occupy 50,000 sq feet of liquor selling retail space…..wow.


Spec’s also offers a discount for cash purchases. Combined with the Spec’s Key Card and if you just happen to be buying a case of wine, even more discounts. You will have to visit and check it out for yourself. Señora Foodblog told me that she had noticed the Beaujolais Nouveau was only $7 a bottle, better than Sam’s. That will mean lots and lots of Sangria this season.

Living on the East Side, I was getting tired of driving south to World Market, dealing with the traffic, having to hunt for parking. Señora Foodblog and I both agree that Spec’s is very much like World Market but without the furniture and a carries a much larger selection of beer and wine plus lots of cheese. Life is good in Austin, Ikea and now Spec’s….cool.