Obama’s Favorite Pho at EurAsia Bears No Resemblance to Trump’s Faves

Posted by on Sep 12, 2018 in Asian, Rob's Blog

Obama’s Favorite Indonesian Pho (Bakso Sapi) has become a staple at EurAsia Sushi Bar & Seafood in Oak Hill. I have to agree with President Obama on this one. This is a beautiful Pho, and at EurAsia (located at the Y in Oak Hill) the meatballs are homemade. I my wildest dreams I can’t even […]

The Classic Banh Mi – a bit of history, and where to find one in Austin

Posted by on Sep 3, 2018 in Rob On Cuisine, Rob's Blog, Vietnamese

You might say that the creation of the Banh Mi sandwich was an historical inevitability. Many great dishes have evolved out of cultural mergers brought about either by war or otherwise. The French occupation of Vietnam during the 1950’s is another example. The classic French baguette merged with Vietnamese bbq popular in the small country […]

Pastrami or Pizza? Tough Choices on the Menu at Pieous in Belterra Village

Posted by on Aug 31, 2018 in News, Pizza, Rob's Blog

So I went in to Pieous for pastrami and then I bumped into this pizza, the wonderfully named “Fat Queen.” Tough decision, but this was one hell of a pizza. Pieous is now open at Belterra Village on Hwy 290 W. By the way, they also have a blueberry pie that rocks!   Pieous Belterra […]

Meet Frankie Hoch, Pitmaster at It’s All Good BBQ in Spicewood

Posted by on Aug 29, 2018 in Barbecue, News, Rob's Blog

Does this guy look happy? He should. He’s Frankie Hoch, Pitmaster at It’s All Good BBQ. Frankie has been a weekend smoker and griller for years when he’s not fixing police cars for the city of Austin. He met his eventual partners at It’s All Good at barbecue competitions around the area. Dale Wieczyk, for […]

Josh Kaner at the Old Pieous Building Before the Move to Belterra Village

Posted by on Aug 28, 2018 in News, Pizza, Rob's Blog

When Pieous first debuted several years on 290 in Cedar Valley, it took the area by storm. Foodies that far southwest had never had genuine Neapolitan pizza before. And the word quickly spread about their tasty pizza pies and their amazing moist pastrami. Pieous has now moved to a larger location at Belterra Village off […]

Beat the Texas Heat with Cold Water New England Oysters at III Forks Downtown

Posted by on Aug 27, 2018 in Rob's Blog, Seafood

III Forks is known for their beautifully marbled Ribeyes and New York strips. But there are nights I am drawn like a moth to a flame to their huge selection of Blue Points, Malpeques, and other mollusks from Prince Edward Island, Maine, and Cape Cod. Sure, we all love great steaks but in this steaming […]

A Little Variety at The Switch

Posted by on Aug 22, 2018 in Barbecue, Rob's Blog

Pork ribs, moist brisket, beautiful sausage, hush puppies and a side called smothered cabbage. Nice plate and it’s a great sampler. Great things happening down at The Switch in Belterra Village.

Bill Dumas on His Turf by The Smokers at The Switch in Belterra Village

Posted by on Aug 18, 2018 in Barbecue, News, Openings, Rob's Blog

Bill Dumas is a tested BBQ veteran griller and smoker who is taking care of business at The Switch, a partnership between the Stiles Switch BBQ and Lenoir brain trusts that recently opened in Belterra Village near Dripping Springs. Shane Stiles and Todd Duplechan of Lenoir are friends and also partners in the revival of […]

Carmela’s Keeps the Pasta Coming in the Hill Country near Dripping Springs

Posted by on Aug 9, 2018 in Hill Country, Italian, Pizza, Reviews, Rob's Blog

I tend to patronize family owned and operated restaurants because they usually place a premium on customer care and satisfaction. Carmela’s Pizzeria Café & Deli on Route 12 at Hamilton Pool Road near Dripping Springs is one such spot. They make authentic Italian dishes and always leave me satisfied. They’re not going to be on […]

Juniper Delivers a Classic Roman-Style Cacio e Pepe

Posted by on Aug 4, 2018 in Italian, Reviews, Rob's Blog

Does the above picture intrigue you? If you like Pecorino Parmesan cheese tossed with fresh al dente spaghetti and ground black pepper with (of course) butter, then you will love this classic Roman-style offering. Juniper at 2400 East Caesar Chavez totally gets this dish – as they do with so many other iconic Italian offerings […]

Creativity Defined in the Breakfast Pot Pie at The League

Posted by on Jun 18, 2018 in Breakfast, Brunch, Morning Fare, Reviews, Rob's Blog

I have never tasted anything quite like this before. The Breakfast Pot Pie definitely makes it worth heading to The League Kitchen & Tavern for weekend brunch. Belterra Village – Dripping Springs The League Kitchen & Tavern 166 Hargraves Drive Suite B300Austin, Texas 78737 (512) 595-7477 Lakeway The League Kitchen & Tavern 11310 Ranch Rd […]

Austin BBQ Wars: Best Austin BBQ

Posted by on Dec 7, 2017 in Barbecue, Best Of, Reviews

Like any other red blooded Austinite, I love eating the entire panoply of smoked meats and fowl that most of us fondly refer to as “cue.” Unlike most other Austinites, however, I am a restaurant critic. In that capacity, I have traveled to many so-called meccas of BBQ including the Carolinas, Memphis, Kansas City, and […]

BBQ Wars Coming Soon: who has the best barbecue in Austin?

Posted by on Nov 27, 2017 in Barbecue, News, Rob's Blog

We’re about to take on a project dealing with the most hotly contested and ongoing Central Texas food argument that’s raged from downtown to The Hill country: who, in the Austin area, in our opinion, really has the best BBQ? It’s bound to make some folks happy while pissing other people off, but that’s what […]

Pizza Wars 2017 Part 2: Rankings 11-20

Posted by on Oct 14, 2017 in Best Of, Pizza, Reviews, Rob's Blog

11. Little Deli & Pizzeria You would think its rather out of the way location would would inhibit customer discovery, but any time we’ve been there the place has been packed. Why? Really good Jersey pizza. I love the aptly named The Italian. The sausage and red peppers work with onions to create a really […]

Pizza Wars 2017 Part 1: Rob’s Best Pizzas in Austin

Posted by on Oct 6, 2017 in Best Of, Pizza, Reviews, Rob's Blog

It’s hard to believe that this is our 17th year of Pizza Wars. Austin has turned into a world class city in the interim and the local pizza scene has evolved from a chain-driven environment to literally dozens of owner operated places. Given my background of growing up in the pizza rich environment of New […]

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