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- Happy Friday ATX! Edition 5
Happy Friday ATX! Edition 5
2/9-2/11 2024
Aaron Primeaux
February 09, 2024
Happy Friday ATX! It’s National Bagel & Lox Day! Hit up Wholy Bagel (they have North and South locations) for a heavenly Nova Lox bagel 🤩
Ok, so I promise I didn’t take psychedelics before writing this. This is just how my brain works.
I want to open this week’s newsletter by reminding you all that we are spiritual beings, made up of cosmic energy, that inhabit sacks of water and carbon and can move around freely on a rock that is moving 67,000 miles per hour while it SPINS.
That’s crazy. Don’t let them convince you that this reality we live in isn’t some magical sh*t.
With that being said, I encourage every single one of you (regardless of where you are on your journey) to keep hold of your wildest dreams. Chase them down as if your life depends on it because ultimately it does.
Anyways…. Let’s get into what’s going on in Austin eh?
Weekend Forecast: Highs around 74, lows in the 50s until Sunday evening when the temperature drops into the 40s after dark. Saturday and Sunday look like there will be some rain 🌧️☔ From dance parties to comedy shows, there are plenty of ways to escape the weather and get down.
Best thing we ate this week…
This week we went back to a spot that we hadn’t been in a while.
Before dinner, we ran 3 miles around the Town Lake trail (or Lady Bird Lake for you newbies) and my craving for a substantial dose of protein was off the charts.
Rolling into the location on the corner of West Lynn and W 12th, I was so excited to slam some of the Saudero tacos, and the best house-made tortilla chips in Austin, with freshly smashed guacamole.
Left to Right: Chicken Flautas, Birria Taco, Saudero Taco, Chips and Guacamole
Taco Flats is the spot I am talking about, and I feel like it is weirdly slept on. This spot has a fantastic selection of tacos and a strong cocktail program. I have eaten here a lot and have worked my way around the menu, but some of my favorite things to order here are…
The trio - full servings of queso, guacamole, and housemade salsa + some of the best house-made tortilla chips in town. This appetizer is a crowd pleaser every single time.
The Suadero Taco - tender smoked brisket, served with cilantro, onions, and a creamy green sauce with a bit of spice to it. While the price is undeniably steep at $7 for one taco, these aren’t street tacos. I’ll pay the asking price 7 days a week because their smoked brisket is pretty damn good, and they load up the tacos generously.
Chicken Flautas - Taco Flats has to be the chicken flautas champions of the world. They serve the fattest juiciest flautas here topped with cabbage, guacamole, crema sauce, and cheese. These things are only $11 bucks and will easily fill you up.
Agave Old Fashioned - Anejo tequila, mezcal, honey, mole bitters, luxardo cherry, orange peel. This was the first time I had an Old Fashioned crafted with Tequila and Mezcal instead of Bourbon and it was a total game changer for me. This drink is fantastic. The dark anejo tequila mixes with the smokey mezcal and the mole bitters to create the most luxurious blend of flavors on every sip. It’s a drink that just tastes classy, and now I have to try it any time I see it on a menu, always judging against this one as the gold standard.
There are many things that I did not list that are worth ordering here as well, there’s a frozen hibiscus drink that I cannot remember the name of, which is also off the chain, but I consistently come back to these 4 items. I dig this spot, and if you check it out I hope you do too!
P.S. - the fact that I like these items means that you will 100% like them as well because I am a man of exquisite taste and this is totally not a subjective food review segment 😉
Most fun we had last week… I love comedy shows. Austin’s comedy scene is BOOMING.
I have one problem with the majority of comedy shows here though. Item minimums on top of ticket costs.
With the price of two tickets (because who goes to comedy shows alone…) on top of a two-drink minimum per person at most places, it’s a $100 night out any time I want to go see a show.
Now I don’t mind spending some money to have a good time, but I go to a lot of comedy shows. I try to go to at least 2 a week, and it adds up.
On Sunday night a friend of ours invited us to go to a rare happening in Austin… (or so I thought) it was a free comedy show, with no drink minimums! And it turns out it’s not as rare as I thought it was.
They host this show at The Creek and The Cave, every Sunday night. The show is called Banana Phone and it’s hosted by local comic Kandace Medina.
Banana Phone isn’t just a regular comedy show though, heckling is encouraged.
Waiting out front to be let in for the show, there seemed to be some commotion happening. I look up and the great Kam Patterson has appeared out of nowhere and next to him is his Uncle David Jolly, two of the most hilarious comics in the Kill Tony Universe.
They duck inside, and several of the people hovering around them follow.
15 minutes go by, it’s 10:15 now and the show was supposed to start at 10:00. I’m getting a little curious about why there is such a delay. Next thing I know, I’m staring up at a 6’4 Shane Gillis, who strolled out of the club right as a large brand new black suburban rolls up and I hear a familiar voice herding the gaggle of young comics “Come on everybody, in the car in the car. “
Lo and behold, it’s Tony Hinchcliffe himself.
Clearly, I am at a very relevant comedy club, and might’ve picked the wrong show that night…
The Banana Phone show we went to see turned out to be a hilarious and immersive experience. There was substantial participation from the audience. This made the dynamics of the show very different than other comedy shows that I have been to.
Roasts are flying across the room left and right. The panel of comics that have microphones hurl insults at the comic on stage. Audience members chime in and are viciously booed if their jokes don’t land.
This was a blast and is a show that I will be revisiting.
It’s every Sunday at The Creek and The Cave at 10:00 PM. Have an espresso before you go because it is a LATE show, and chances are you’ll be torn apart if you fall asleep.
The Creek and The Cave
New Business that we want to try… I wrote about the Suadero taco above, and honestly, I think if I had to survive off of one type of food for my entire life… it would probably be barbecue. I’m one of those guys… but hear me out.
There’s this new barbecue spot that hasn’t opened up yet, that I know for a fact is going to be out of this world because I have already tried it.
Kind of…
Leroy and Lewis’ long-awaited brick-and-mortar joint that’s set to open up towards the end of the month is to me, the most exciting development in the Austin food scene in the past year.
Now I haven’t been to the brick-and-mortar location yet, but I have been eating at Leroy and Lewis and singing their praises to everyone I know since probably 2018.
That was before we moved to Denver, and then returned to Austin, and the very first thing I wanted to eat whenever I moved back to Austin was Leroy and Lewis.
In fact, when I told him I was moving away and was going to miss his barbecue, Evan Leroy himself pointed me towards the now defunct Owl Bear BBQ so that I would have a place to get some fantastic barbecue while I lived in Denver.
I’m gonna make a statement that might ruffle some feathers here but I will die on this hill.
The crew at Leroy and Lewis are the kings and queens of Barbecue in Austin in my opinion.
There is nothing that they don’t do exceptionally well. While I’ll confidently put their brisket up against any brisket in this city, at Leroy and Lewis, it’s all about the cheeks baby.
Beef Cheeks on the left, Brisket on the right, Kale Caesar slaw, House Made potato Chips
They serve smoked confit beef cheeks here which are some of my favorite things I have ever eaten. They’ll knock your socks off and leave your jaw on the floor.
They’re so rich that you will HAVE to order a Kale Caesar to wake you from the spell that you will be under from the cheeks… oh the cheeks.
Honestly, there’s so much more here than just the beef cheeks. I think they’re such a good jumping-off point to find out what this place is all about though. The pork and rice hash, refried beans, and just about every other thing on the menu is worth ordering, and then coming back and ordering again.
And if you can catch them on a Saturday with bacon ribs (go to their instagram to see for yourself) then consider yourself lucky. From what I’ve heard, when they decide to bring the bacon ribs out, they make less than 10 of them.
Anyways, this place is opening a brick-and-mortar, and from what I hear it’s gonna be the whole shebang. Full cocktail program, expanded menu, beautiful location.
(5621 Emerald Forest Dr. Austin, TX 78745) actual opening date TBA
I am so stoked for this.
In the meantime, if you want to stuff your face with some cheeks, go to their location at Cosmic Coffee. Expect a line on weekends, but nothing like some of the others around, and I can promise the payoff is well worth it.
(Pro tip: Grab a cocktail from the bar inside of Cosmic before going to wait in line.)
more cheeeeks!
Want your business featured here? Let’s talk! [email protected]
Listing of the week
411 Brazos St 206, Austin, TX, 78701
Price: $2750/mo
Neighborhood: Downtown
Square Feet: 1095
Unit #206 at Brazos Lofts
Check out this unique loft-style condo smack dab in the heart of Downtown! Unit #206 at Brazos Lofts is a gem boasting exposed reclaimed Chicago brick, lofty ceilings, and big windows offering killer city views. With wood and hardwood flooring throughout, this space is a blank canvas waiting for your creative touch— and it’s got nearly 1,100 square feet to play with.
The kitchen is a dream, featuring gas cooking, sleek stainless steel countertops, and a seamless under-mounted sink. Plus, don't sweat the laundry—washer and dryer are included. And guess what? You get your own parking spot in the gated garage!
Located just a stone's throw from Brush Square Park and Congress Ave, and a mere five streets away from the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail, a pad like this is pretty unique to find in Austin.
The one caveat I have is that I think a spot like this is best suited for the creative type. It needs someone who is going to make the most of it by going all out on the interior design.
Check out all of the details here.
Reddit post of the week from r/Austin…
SA tries to throw shade, and gets put in their place.
3 interesting reads from this week in Austin…
This Austin Classic wasn’t gonna go away that easily: Dirty Martin’s to remain following tweaks to Project Connect’s light rail alignment
Wait, it’s not legal here? Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing Austin over its pot laws. So what are they?
Weirdly warm, creepily cold: An exercise in extremes
Where’s the party?
Friday 2/9
Demons & Angels: Anti-Valentines Affair 9:00 PM
@ The Riley Building
Dillon Francis 9:00 PM
@ Superstition
Gimme Gimme Disco 10:00 PM
(Disco themed dance party)@ Empire Control Room & Garage
Roast Battle: Austin 11:00 PM
@ The Creek and The Cave
Bruno Furlan 11:45 PM
@ The Cut
Saturday 2/10
Can You Buy Me Love: A Valentine's Market 12:00 PM
@ Hotel San Jose
Second Saturdays Valentines Edition 3:00 PM
@ The Blanton Museum
Sound Sanctuary: Infused Restorative Sound Bath 6:00 PM
@ My Vinyasa Practice Highland Studio
Etica Grand Opening w/ EDX 9:00 PM
@ Etica
Sunday 2/11
High Frequency Sound Bath + Cacao Circle 7:00 PM
@ My Vinyasa Practice Soco Studio
DetailsSuper Bowl Watch Party 4:00 PM
@ Sapien Center
The Big Game w/ Side Eye 5:00 PM
(this place looks like a vibe)
@ Marlow Bar
CMW Super Bowl Party 5:10 PM
(look at the specials in the link)
@ Central Machine Works
Sleeping in your bed getting ready for the week 11:00 PM
@ Your bed
Alright Austin, remember that if your friends ask you if you want to do anything on this list, the answer must be an enthusiastic “hell yes” followed by a shot of tequila 🤠
But in all seriousness, have a great weekend Austin. If you’re subscribed to this newsletter, we love you 🖤
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