walker f.'s Profile

wish we could give more stars for these shindigs. Free whiskey and bourbon, crafted in the style of days of yore?! boy did they make em strong back then. Especially impressive given they were free! The whole bar scene was stellar - actual bar stretches from one end to the other, stocked with plenty of booze and friendly, helpful bartenders. Was curious about the multiple jars containing what must be fruit soaking in alcohol (or is it the other way around?).

Also contained in the bar is the kitchen where you can see every move being made. cool. And everything that came out of that kitchen was great, in particular the chicken salad on endives and the spicy quail.

On one side of the giant bar was the bowling alley rigged up with old skool ball returners. I agree with Erik W's assessment that they appear different than regular alleys - but I think they are shorter. The skee ball is on that side too, but disappointingly there were only two games.

On the other side rests a large dance floor and stage. And the two sides connect via a corridor with bathrooms. Genius.

Finally, on both sides are all sorts of tables and booths - there is plenty of room here.

Upstairs is where they have hidden away the karaoke rooms, and hidden they are. Whole vibe up there is a little creepy: low ceilings, dark narrow hallways, mysterious rooms with a tiny viewing window. I dunno, the fun part about karaoke is embarrassing yourself in others in a room full of strangers. My closest friends hear me busting out in the car all the time, why rent a private room?

Many a star to all the peeps who dressed up. For those who didn't you are forgiven because you probably didn't have time. The only negative thing about this event is that it started at 5:30!! I live and work relatively near the Highball and had to leave work early - still didn't make it until 6pm. Boo.

This is a really swanky place. If I go back, I think I'll dress up, wouldn't seem right any other way!

I have been back twice more. Yes, that's three times in 7 days. But that amazing blackened chicken salad (for $5!!) keeps calling my name (yes, i ate it in addition to an order of sliders).

Please note I fully intended to minus a star, cuz seriously, it's way too friggin loud in here. However, the jazz guy that plays on Wednesday was there again and holy hell, he's amazing. He gets more ballsy as the night goes on. I thought he couldn't top himself when he did White Snake. But then came Billy Idol. And then....Blame it it on the A-a-a-alcohol. I'm not kidding.

Just a shout out to CF Austin and an update.

So I've been sore for four months. This is the hardest thing I've ever done, pushing myself both physically and mentally. But I've lost at least 3% body fat: 2 inches off my belly, that pinchy thing at 24 hour fitness says im down from 17 to 13 on my bicep, dimply stuff around the hind end has disappeared, etc...and I'm making crazy progress: like I could deadlift myself (adn more!)  if I had to, and have shaved 7 minutes off my 5K time. Sure, now all my pants are falling off (saggy drawers=hot) but otherwise I hope I'm looking good. But more importantly, I FEEL incredible. I feel empowered and every time i leave that garage I feel like I can take on anything.

I know I said there is no drinking, and no bar stools....but it turns out we do have meet ups at Little Woodys for steak night, and I donned my best 80s gear for the Pub Run. so scratch that.

Another reason for the update:  they just added what's called an "on-ramp" class so you can ease into it. Along with training you on all the CF stuff, you also get schooled in nutrition, sleep, etc.

I had to grab some stuff on the way to a BBQ and happened to be in the area. It's only fair that I visit again to really flesh out this review, but it was worth noting:

They have Pabst beer in a bottle.
They have Garden of Eatin tortilla chips (black bean - yum!)
Avacados were $1.50 EACH. But, each of them were perfect.
Large wine selection with interesting organic options
Grass fed local meat (which I will have to try)
They have Pabst beer in a bottle

PS. They have Pabst beer in a bottle

Pumpkin pie ice cream has graham crackers already mixed in. What what!? And the combos here are insane: friend got some junior-mint-oreo-cookie-w-fudge goodness ("Because it's a little mint. It's a *Junior* Mint."). Yum!

Came here after a UT game and though busy, they were fast and friendly. (Also had a water station right up front - great call) Plenty of seating and A/C was going. Ahhh.

Trudy's is f-ing fantastic and I concur with all the positive comments here. Thought I would comment on my experience Saturday because I was pleasantly surprised.

This is the absolutely most perfect spot to meet up for a morning football game. We got here about 9am and parking was easy. (Note: we parked on the street seeing as we'd be heading over to the stadium) The place was busy but we got a table right away. I was reluctant to go here thinking it would be a crowded hot mess, but maybe the campus crowd is too hung over on sat morning? Again they were busy, but service was solid and multiple people attended to us, all very friendly.

I've always done the buffet in the mornings up north so I'd forgotten what yummy menu items they had. A girlfriend and I split the chorizo/egg mess and had an enormous amount of food. Had a bite of the fajita omelet that rocked, as did the taste of the migas enchiladas. They have weekend drink specials and I indulged in a couple grapefruit margs. (We also channeled our inner party animals and chugged two mexican martinis before heading out to the game.)

It was about a 15 minute walk to the stadium. Awesome. On the way back we got ice cream but I could have just as easily been convinced to head right back inside and have another round of drinks and some lunch!

Donuts don't really figure into my diet plan. Thus, I've driven by this place a bunch of times and managed to resist. However, this morning I was desperate for food, and this is conveniently located on the feeder right before getting onto 183.

A fan right off the bat. Parking was a cinch, and there was no line. The door handle here is a little pink D. So cute. It was bright and clean, and was greeted with a smile. And the smell...Makes me shivery just thinking about it.

Surprisingly, even though they decorated almost half a wall in all all their sugary glory, I did not indulge. Instead I choose the egg white-turkey sausage number. Not bad! I removed half of the flatbread (for carb sake, but also, because it wasn't that flavorful) and was quite satisfied. The egg-spinach-sausage mix itself isn't the best ever but for a "healthy" item, it was pretty darn good. Plus the swiss on it was real and melty...maybe it was designed this way but i definitely was craving some creamy sweet coffee goodness to wash this down with, so next time I'll try that light latee thing. Or maybe it just needs a little salsa...

Considering I figured the size of my ass would increase ten fold just by walking in here, I was impressed with the number of menu items I could eat and feel good about.

On my way out, I noticed a drive thru. Nice. Oh hell yeah.

Came here on Sunday cuz my sister let the secret out: Eggnog latees are back! (but not yet on the menu) Now a latee doesn't quite go with football like beer does, but eitehr way it was tasty and I was grateful the folks at Little woody's let me bring it in.

dunno if I have ever reviewed a starbucks, but this one was worth it simply for the man behind the counter. At first I thought he might be on something (not like a little pot buzz, but like, LSD or something), but given this was Starbucks I thought maybe he was just special in some way. Or maybe, he was just extremely happy and felt comfortable being himself. Which included delivering my oatmeal with a little song and dance. Love it. There was indeed something slightly *off about this guy, but he was incredibley friendly, and weird enough that it made me laugh instead of freaked out.

I will go back just to experience this guy again.

For me, for what this place is after, 5 stars and many more. (For other people, like family members of mine who only eat meat and potatoes, this place would freak them out!)

All natural, all vegan, all good. This was the first place I have eaten in a long time that I didn't have to worry about the food selection and knew I could eat as much as I wanted without any care in the world. For the most part I follow a paleo diet so sadly, I couldn't get my animal flesh fix here. (I did however have my protein shake beforehand j.i.c.). And sure, they do serve grains, but seriously, beans and rice go together like bert and ernie, and one corn tortialla isn't going to kill me.

So it was Guatemalan night last night (Thursday) and the place was pretty busy. Apparently that night is quite popular. (Also, its right by the baseball field, chuys, and shady grove - parking is a bitch.) The setting is really pretty as you walk up - very peaceful, with wooden archways, greenery, and christmas lights. Outside was a little chilly so we chose to share a big table with some other folks. It's basically a cafeteria-type setting inside, but everyone was really friendly, helped us out when we didn't know the system, and engaged in convo about the food.

So you pay up front then serve yourself for soup and salad, and they give you a wooden "coin" to leave on your table so the guy will drop off dinner. Salad was great with just a very light dressing. Miso soup had lots of veggies in it, kinda boring, but did the trick as a starter. Dinner was veggie tacos w/ carrots, mushrooms, some others. Great flavor and texture, and the sauce was yum. Speaking of yum sauce they had this green tomatilla-avacado mess that was divine. I wasn't sure what it went on, so I choose the rice and beans. Beans also had "sun cheez" on it that tasted like feta. Pretty impressive considering it was made of sunflower seeds, vingear and garlic (I had to ask).

The greens were kale, and thanks to Casa De Luz I now know I like kale!  That was one of the best parts about this place - for someone like me on a limited diet, it really gives you ideas. I would love to eat here a couple times a month just to inspire myself.

Final note, you must bus your own table here. I also recommend don't go back for seconds (to which you are entitiled to), instead save a little room for dessert. They are not included in the buffet price but looked pretty tempting. Next time...

Feel very comfortable stating that the migas taco is the best breakfast taco in Austin.

We arrived just after 9am on a sunday and waited maybe five minutes. (but the peeps in from of us had been there a half hour? maybe people come in waves...then again the place doesnt open until 10?)  Worth noting you have to figure out what you want before you get to the head of the line - grab one of the menus lying around. I can imagine the line is always out the door here, but man do they have a system down in there!

We did the math and I believe they cranked out 100 orders a hour!? Nuts.

Part of the system is what makes the migas taco so good. They cook the eggs and combine the other goodies all together in patties (sounds weird, but clutch, i'll get to that in a second). They throw the tortillas down on the grill (there is NOTHING like a tortilla hot off the press, ah) right next to it. Then they scoop up the fresh egg goodness and plop it in the tortilla. The best part is, all the goodies are there but shit isnt falling out both sides when you try to eat it. Brilliant!

I also had the al pastor taco on recommnedation and it was simple and yum. a little greasy for my taste, but if you were hungover it would be perfect. Served on that same grilled tortilla....soooo good.

Glad we got there early to get  seat and all, but we missed the Gospel music. Starts at noon. Bummer.

The setting here is so Austin...you cant miss it from the outside. Huge patio (dog friendly), interesting decor inside. Note the womens restroom here looks like a mix of Laurel Engles and the movie Saw. I think its the lighting that makes it fee like a horror movie. Frightening...

Will be back asap.