Angel's Icehouse, Spicewood

It’s been awhile since I’ve been to Angel’s Icehouse in Spicewood, but I wanted to blog about it anyway. I’ve been craving their fried macaroni and lemon icebox pie. When I went online and pulled up their new menu I almost had a panic attack because their menu changed. The fried macaroni is missing from their appetizer section! I love those little triangles of fried macaroni. When you bite into them they are creamy goodness inside. Good news though; they still have them on their kids menu, so all is not lost. I will drag a kid with me if I have to. But, I will not share my fried macaroni. If you try to take one from me, I might just stab your hand with a fork. If you are one of the lucky few who I share them with, you will know you are truly loved.

Angel’s also has really good turkey burgers. I somehow feel a little better about myself if I have a turkey burger with my fried macaroni instead of a beef burger. I’ve also tried their chicken fried chicken strips, and wedge salad, all very good. Make sure you leave room for their lemon icebox pie. It’s something they make not purchase elsewhere and will melt in your mouth. It is the perfect combination of sweetness and tartness. They frequently run out by the end of the evening. We were there late one night and I was told they were out. I think when the waitress saw the sad look on my face she went and stole a piece they were saving for someone because she was afraid I would start crying. That earned her a big tip!

Your Mom's Burger Bar

After trying Your Mom’s Burger Bar, it beat out Casino El Camino as my all time favorite place to get a burger. It’s a small place with plenty of attitude tucked away on the east side and a little hard to find. When you see their burger menu choices, you will probably have a hard time choosing. You could definitely tell we were first-timers from the amount we took to figure out what we wanted to order. I just stood there with a dazed look on my face while drooling from the wonderful smell of their burgers.

You can choose from one of their concoctions or build your own, which is what we did. They have every topping from avocado to won ton strips, and spreads from BBQ to wasabi. All this on a 1/2 pound natural Angus burger, yum! And I would be remiss if I don’t mention their fries, which are very good. I had a blackened burger with an egg and pepper jack cheese.

There is a small covered patio area to eat in but we chose to eat out on the side on the picnic tables facing the road. We were mildly entertained by a car chase until it almost jumped the curb where we were sitting.

The next time we go back I’ll try their fried zucchini slices.

Lucky J's Chicken and Waffles

There is a trend here in Austin called Trailer Park Eateries. What’s not to like? Various culinary delights served out of food trailers. The prices are usually very reasonable and the places fun to eat at. My favorite is Lucky J’s Chicken and Waffles. The first time I heard about the chicken and waffle phenomenon I was intrigued. After reading about a place called Lucky J’s I was finally able to convince my partner and the kid we really needed to try it. To be honest, they were a little grossed out with the idea.

So, being a Sunday we decided to go all out and try their Croque Monsier (boneless chicken strip, ham, and Swiss cheese wrapped in a waffle). We sat down at their picnic table and I proceeded to pour the maple syrup and a several dashes of Tabasco sauce on my “waffle taco.” They were both a little horrified that I was actually going to put that in my stomach. The kid wasn’t about to let me see she wasn’t as brave as I was so she doused hers with the same. My partner just watched, more than a little skeptical. She ended up trying hers without the hot sauce. We tried it and it was the perfect combination flavors. The chicken was moist and very flavorful. I will have to say I think I prefer just the chicken and waffles without the added ham and cheese. Depends on my mood.

It was a big hit with all of us. We will definitely go back. Try the one on East Sixth St. Very cool location.

Auslander Biergarten and Restaurant, Fredericksburg

I’ve tried Auslander Biergarten and Restaurant on a few occasions. It can be a bit on the pricy side so I usually order the schnitzel sandwich. It is good but not anything to get real excited about. I’ve had much better schnitzel, even here in the states. This last time, I tried something new. I should have stuck with the schnitzel sandwich.

I decided to try the Kassler Rippchen (smoked pork chops). They looked and tasted like ham and were very salty. I chose the potato pancakes as one of my sides and they were okay but basically dry and flavorless. I did try some of the hot German potato salad my partner got with her meal. It was pretty good.

I am on a small budget when it comes to eating out and I viewed it as a waste of money. I lived in Germany for a few years and don’t think it even comes close to comparing to their food there. I won’t be going there again. I’ll just save my money and try someplace new the next time I am in the Fredericksburg area.

Las Cocinas Mexican Grill, Bastrop

There’s a little Mexican cafe in Bastrop on Highway 95 called Las Cocinas. We stopped by there for lunch awhile back. The parking lot was packed but the lunch rush was just ending so we didn’t have to wait to get a table.

We were seated and when they brought our drinks, they also brought chips, salsa and queso. The free queso they serve with lunch made me like the place before I even ordered. I ordered the enchilada plate. The enchiladas were good and the rice and beans were pretty good also. I got full before I finished half my lunch. Maybe I shouldn’t have eaten so much chips and queso.

We sat there awhile letting our food settle. The owner came by and asked us how our lunch was. I think he was a little concerned because I had so much food left on my plate. We told him we enjoyed it and he asked if we wanted dessert. We all said we didn’t have any room left for dessert. That didn’t stop me from asking if they had flan and if it was homemade. It was so I just had to try it. The flan was the best part of the meal. It was perfect, not too sweet any syrupy like most places I’ve tried. I begrudgingly let Martie and our friend try a bite. By the time I got back on my motorcycle I was so full I was almost miserable. I needed to get to a place fast where I could go into a happy food coma. I will definitely go back soon and save a little more room next time for more flan.

Arkie's Grill

It has been a while since I last blogged about restaurant, so I have a few of the more noteworthy dining experiences to catch up on. So, I guess I’ll start with Arlie’s Grill. One of my work suppliers from the east coast asked me if I ever tried this place. He saw it on The Learning Channel’s show “Darned Good Diners” so of course I had to add it to my list of places to try.

A few weeks ago, we set out to try Arkie’s Grill. When we walked in, we were assailed by the smell of grease from the kitchen. I was a little concerned and so were my arteries. We both decided we had to try the fried chicken. Fried chicken is not usually my first choice for a meal but since they specifically mentioned their fried chicken on the show and in several reviews I read, we just had to try it. Our fried chicken meals came with a small side salad, mashed potatoes, navy beans, corn sticks, and rolls. The chicken was very good, not in the least greasy and perfectly done. The mashed potatoes tasted like homemade, not typical restaurant kind. The corn sticks were interesting and were about the size of a finger. They were a bit overdone, but not bad. The prices were very reasonable and the portions perfect for lunch. I would go there again.

The Omelettry

I’ve driven by The Omelettry so many times since I moved to Austin. I’ve been wanting to try it for years. We finally had a chance to eat breakfast there a few Mondays ago.

The place is very Austin-like. It’s been around since the 70s, and it shows. The waitstaff is nonchalant, but seem comfortable in their work environment. I noticed the regulars got better service, but that’s typical in small places like this; no big deal.

We both had the ham and cheese omelet with home fries. The portions were huge and the prices reasonable. My omelet was good but the homefries were a little on the overcooked and bland side. I wanted to try the gingerbread pancakes but it seemed a bit too much, even as hungry as I was.

It was a fun way to spend a Monday morning having breakfast. I enjoy people watching and The Omelettry doesn’t disappoint. Although, I could have missed seeing the guy with way too much of his ass crack showing, and been better off. I just strategically moved out of his half moon view. I must go back to try those gingerbread pancakes! Oh, and make sure you have cash; they don’t take plastic.