AUSTIN | Misc. Discussions - No Politics

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by The ATX

Every gas station I've been by this afternoon is either out of gas or giant disorganized traffic mess. It appears the possibility of no gas created a growing hysteria during the day, and when everyone got off work they went to a gas station.

Yep, left a little early for work today so I could fuel up, even then the lines were so long I knew I'd have to wait till after work to get gas or I would have been late. Every gas station I passed on my way home was out of gas. Its a good thing its only about 6 miles round trip to work and home because I only have a bit more than 1/4 tank left. If only I panicked like everyone else and bought water, bread and gas when I had the chance. I wonder how many people will call in to work and let them know they can't make it because they don't have enough gas? People are still falling for the old "The sky is falling" alarm.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by the Genral

Yep, left a little early for work today so I could fuel up, even then the lines were so long I knew I'd have to wait till after work to get gas or I would have been late. Every gas station I passed on my way home was out of gas. Its a good thing its only about 6 miles round trip to work and home because I only have a bit more than 1/4 tank left. If only I panicked like everyone else and bought water, bread and gas when I had the chance. I wonder how many people will call in to work and let them know they can't make it because they don't have enough gas? People are still falling for the old "The sky is falling" alarm.

I have a five day Labor Day weekend. But I decided not go anywhere because I have just enough gas to get to work and back through the end of next week. I hope fuel deliveries resume to the point where people stop panic buying in the next week.

[The ATX]

Noticed on Streetview and both are from January. The Russian House cleverly wrote their name on their roof twice. One version faces visitors of the Marriott Courtyard and the other faces the Hilton.





This can't be comfortable.

[smith_atx]

Regarding cranes in Miami this week:

Important information regarding construction cranes and sites in #Miami, especially if you live in a high-rise building. #HurricaneIrma

https://twitter.com/CityofMiami/stat...3f2be9977a%2F0

[masonh2479]

Hey guys and gals, I'll be in Austin late this December. Does anyone have any food recommendations for the downtown area, casual dress preferred. Tex Mex and bbq is what I'm really looking for. Up in Wisconsin, where I live now, Mexican food is almost non existent, same with bbq. When I was a kid my parents took me to Maudie's and Coopers a lot, are they still good? Main thing I have been wondering is Franklins worth the wait? It seems like the go to bbq place in downtown. Thanks for the help!

[drummer]

Originally Posted by masonh2479

Hey guys and gals, I'll be in Austin late this December. Does anyone have any food recommendations for the downtown area, casual dress preferred. Tex Mex and bbq is what I'm really looking for. Up in Wisconsin, where I live now, Mexican food is almost non existent, same with bbq. When I was a kid my parents took me to Maudie's and Coopers a lot, are they still good? Main thing I have been wondering is Franklins worth the wait? It seems like the go to bbq place in downtown. Thanks for the help!

Yes, Franklin's is worth the wait (it's that good) - if you have the time to spare. However, even places that aren't as good as Franklin's are still really stinkin' good, so you can't go wrong with a lot of them. The question really is whether or not you want to go to a well-known barbecue joint or just get really quality barbecue. These aren't mutually exclusive, but my point is you don't always have to wait in line for really good food.

If you want good Mexican food, look for hole in the wall places that aren't overly hyped.

[masonh2479]

Originally Posted by drummer

Yes, Franklin's is worth the wait (it's that good) - if you have the time to spare. However, even places that aren't as good as Franklin's are still really stinkin' good, so you can't go wrong with a lot of them. The question really is whether or not you want to go to a well-known barbecue joint or just get really quality barbecue. These aren't mutually exclusive, but my point is you don't always have to wait in line for really good food.

If you want good Mexican food, look for hole in the wall places that aren't overly hyped.

Thank you for the tips, drummer! I really gotta see what Franklin’s is about if it’s worth a multi hour wait. You and most likely right, find the hole in the wall for the hidden gem.

[drummer]

Originally Posted by masonh2479

Thank you for the tips, drummer! I really gotta see what Franklin’s is about if it’s worth a multi hour wait. You and most likely right, find the hole in the wall for the hidden gem.

Definitely. And don't overpay for Mexican food. The flashy/trendy places always charge way too much. Also, there is a difference between Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican food. Tex-Mex is what most folks around the world know. I still can't find quality Tex-Mex in China, even in the mega-cities. There's a place in Chengdu that comes pretty close, though...

Regarding barbecue, every single person probably has their favorite place and swears by it over all the others. If you're the type that likes to research places before you try them, Texas Monthly has a lot of great stuff on places throughout Central Texas (https://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq-home/).

[jbssfelix]

Originally Posted by masonh2479

Hey guys and gals, I'll be in Austin late this December. Does anyone have any food recommendations for the downtown area, casual dress preferred. Tex Mex and bbq is what I'm really looking for. Up in Wisconsin, where I live now, Mexican food is almost non existent, same with bbq. When I was a kid my parents took me to Maudie's and Coopers a lot, are they still good? Main thing I have been wondering is Franklins worth the wait? It seems like the go to bbq place in downtown. Thanks for the help!

If you have the time, definitely do Franklin.

If you don't, my favorite no-line/short-line bbq is just a couple miles north at Stiles Switch.

[masonh2479]

Originally Posted by jbssfelix

If you have the time, definitely do Franklin.

If you don't, my favorite no-line/short-line bbq is just a couple miles north at Stiles Switch.

Thank you for the tips, jbssfelix!

[lzppjb]

I don't like Stiles Switch at all.

Franklin is very good. His brisket is killer. Sausage, not so much.

I haven't been to Cooper's downtown, so I can't say. The original Cooper's in Llano is hit or miss.

I've been to Terry Black's on Barton Springs few times, which is pretty close to downtown. I was pleasantly surprised. Each time was on a Sunday around noon, and the line was very short, although the place was packed. If you can afford it, get their beef rib.

There are a lot of other quality bbq joints, but most are not near downtown. Brown's at the Corner Bar on Lamar is decent. Valentina's on Manchaca Road is great. It's BBQ-TexMex fusion.

Avoid Salt Lick.

[lzppjb]

Chuy's TexMex is sort of like Salt Lick, in my opinion. Popular, trendy, good atmosphere, tradition, etc.

I only mention it because you said you were coming in late December. When I was a kid, I'd go with my friend's family to Chuy's, then walk the Trail of Lights in Zilker Park. They went hand-in-hand for me.

But there are a ton of TexMex options better than Chuy's. I do like Maudie's.

[masonh2479]

Originally Posted by lzppjb

I don't like Stiles Switch at all.

Franklin is very good. His brisket is killer. Sausage, not so much.

I haven't been to Cooper's downtown, so I can't say. The original Cooper's in Llano is hit or miss.

I've been to Terry Black's on Barton Springs few times, which is pretty close to downtown. I was pleasantly surprised. Each time was on a Sunday around noon, and the line was very short, although the place was packed. If you can afford it, get their beef rib.

There are a lot of other quality bbq joints, but most are not near downtown. Brown's at the Corner Bar on Lamar is decent. Valentina's on Manchaca Road is great. It's BBQ-TexMex fusion.

Avoid Salt Lick.

Thank you for the help, lzppjb, it’s too bad quality bbq isn’t really in downtown. Definitely gonna try Franklins now after all the good feedback! While you said to steer clear of Salt Lick, I find their sauce hard to beat.

[lzppjb]

Originally Posted by masonh2479

Thank you for the help, lzppjb, it’s too bad quality bbq isn’t really in downtown. Definitely gonna try Franklins now after all the good feedback! While you said to steer clear of Salt Lick, I find their sauce hard to beat.

Their sauce is good. Meat is not. Buy their sauce and leave. lol

[masonh2479]

Originally Posted by drummer

Definitely. And don't overpay for Mexican food. The flashy/trendy places always charge way too much. Also, there is a difference between Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican food. Tex-Mex is what most folks around the world know. I still can't find quality Tex-Mex in China, even in the mega-cities. There's a place in Chengdu that comes pretty close, though...

Regarding barbecue, every single person probably has their favorite place and swears by it over all the others. If you're the type that likes to research places before you try them, Texas Monthly has a lot of great stuff on places throughout Central Texas (https://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq-home/).

Thank you for the response, drummer! I grew up on Tex mex and miss it dearly, in Wisconsin we have authentic(ish) Mexican food. The difference really is striking...

[Riverranchdrone]

Originally Posted by masonh2479

Thank you for the response, drummer! I grew up on Tex mex and miss it dearly, in Wisconsin we have authentic(ish) Mexican food. The difference really is striking...

What part of Wisconsin are you from? I moved down here 18 yrs ago from Wausau, Wisconsin.

[IluvATX]

Off topic, but what happens when power is lost for longer than one can sustain a generator. I was in Puerto Rico a couple years ago and wonder how anything can survive a prolonged power outage. Even simple things like casinos, banks and hotels would be getting looted right? And what about the hospitals. Is the whole place running on diesel generators?I have no idea. How would there be any order?

[Riverranchdrone]

Originally Posted by IluvATX

Off topic, but what happens when power is lost for longer than one can sustain a generator. I was in Puerto Rico a couple years ago and wonder how anything can survive a prolonged power outage. Even simple things like casinos, banks and hotels would be getting looted right? And what about the hospitals. Is the whole place running on diesel generators?I have no idea. How would there be any order?

The report I heard from there today is that the island is still without power. The first hurricane wiped out 70% of the power and this last one "Maria" wiped out the rest. Those who do have generators still need to keep fuel in them. There is a fuel shortage as well. 6 hour wait to get $20 worth of gas. The help has been slow as there is no communication with cell service down as well. Not sure what they will start on first.

[masonh2479]

Originally Posted by Riverranchdrone

What part of Wisconsin are you from? I moved down here 18 yrs ago from Wausau, Wisconsin.

Sorry for the late response, I live in Appleton, Wisconsin. Most people know Green Bay better so I usually just say there. I bet you like Austin a lot better than Wausau!

[smith_atx]

Very off topic, but will we ever see any development on the land north of Cesar Chavez, west of Lamar, and south of the train tracks?

Seems like everything there now could be moved to a different location without much issue (besides money).