Monday, August 31, 2009

Mallies Desserts


Mallies Desserts


While doing some filming with my good friend Marcelo of Trentino Gelato I was introduced to Luby and Abraham, the mother and son masterminds behind Mallies Desserts. I had heard a lot of good things about this company but I never had the honor of trying them. This proved to be my lucky day. Luby had long been baking up delicious treats in her home kitchen and giving them away for free. This was until her son Abraham took his entrepreneuring spirit and convinced her to go into business. Many of Luby’s original recipes are still used and they are cranking out these baked goods all over town. I was lucky enough to take a sneak peek in the Mallies kitchen and I was welcomed to a buffet of sweet goodness. I have heard so many good things about the Mallies Original Brownie. This was the same brownie that is used in the Trentino Gelato. I couldn’t wait to sample this smorgasbord. The Mallies Original Brownie is unlike anything you will ever try. At first bite your senses set off a rush of ecstasy. A chewy blend of sweet and salty, make this unlike any other brownie. The rich velvety chocolate mixes so wonderfully with the secret layer of salty goodness. I tried my hardest to get the secret out but I was with no luck. All I could do was indulge on the sweet feast before me. The only way I can describe Mallies Original Brownie as a brownie cheesecake. Next up for me was a locally titled "Oh My God Bar". J. R. Cohen of Coffee Groundz named this delicious bar after he took his first bite and I would have to agree 100%. This had to be one of the most amazing sweets I had ever had. It was a perfect combo of pistachios and raspberry with a wonderful crunchy crust. This without a doubt was utter perfection. Everything that goes into Mallies Desserts is all natural so you won’t find substitutes here. They also make everything by hand. That has always been their goal. They set out to make homemade and handmade the freshest pastries and this is a goal they have far exceeded. You can find Mallies Desserts at Coffee Groundz, Agora, Skyline Deli and even Murphy’s Deli. When I originally did this interview it was meant to be a video but due to bad sound it wasn’t able to be used. Words alone can’t describe how great their desserts are, it is something you will have to try for yourself. I can guarantee you won’t be let down.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Thank You!

I just wanted to take some time out to personally thank everyone for reading the articles. I have received a numerous amount of feedback and Bite Me Houston has really taken off. I have also received alot of feedback that everyone is tired of hearing about Austin and New Orleans. Don't worry I have finally finished and now I am fully focused on supporting my local Houston businesses. Sometimes it's fun to look outside of your own city. Over the last few months I have met so many people and made some really great friends along the way. I can not explain how much every ones support means to me and I hope you all continue to enjoy the articles. If there is a spot you think I need to check out just let me know. I have some really great articles coming up that I think you all will enjoy. I go into the distillery to learn a little bit about how Railean Rum is made, I get inside the kitchen to make gelato with Trentino Gelato, I calm my sweet tooth with Mallies Desserts and so much more. Thanks again to all my readers. Remember, support local and grow together!

-Mike-

Friday, August 28, 2009

2009 Bite Me Summer Road Trip *Austin*

Austin Pizza Toss Off

This was going to be the wrap up for the 2009 Bite Me Summer Road Trip in Austin and I felt you couldn’t do it without digging into some pizza. It’s like the top of the food pyramid for college students. When you come to Austin you can find pizza on almost every corner. This probably had to be the hardest contest of all. I have been to many pizzerias in Austin and I like so many of them but I could only choose three. We hit the streets of Austin and set out to find the best pizza in town in the Austin Pizza Toss Off.
Usually with Bite Me Houston I don’t pick chains but there is always a first for everything. I went with this particular pizzeria because of their hard work of promoting themselves online. I have heard many great things about them and I will admit I was interested to see what their Chicago style pizza was all about so I picked Mangia’s. With five locations in and around Austin plus a boat and a location the airport Mangia is pushing their piping pies across the city. You can’t come into Mangia and not try their Chicago Stuffed Pizza. So I did just that. I went with a pepperoni stuffed pizza and prepared myself. Could Chicago be the king of pies in Austin? At first glance I only notice a single slice of pepperoni swimming in a bread bowl of sauce. As you open box a waft hits your nose that makes you think of a sauce prepared by Chef Boyardee. I was beginning to wonder where the rest of the toppings were. As you pick up a slice you find that this is a pizza made upside down. With the toppings at the base covered in fresh mozzarella cheese and a hefty serving of sauce is pour over top. Granted this was a personal pizza it seemed a little flat. I felt that they could have beefed this pizza up a little. This was no thicker than a pan pizza with an inch high crust. While the bread was baked perfectly making it soft and chewy the sauce seemed a little sour. The cheese was evenly melted and delicious as was the pepperoni but the sauce kept kicking this pizza down. I think maybe if they used less sauce and more toppings this pizza would have had more flair. I’m not saying this pizza was awful but I am not a big fan of Chef Boyardee products and the sauce from Mangia kept making me think of SpaghettiO’s. This wasn’t the best experience but I wasn’t worried, I had two more pizzerias to go.
Recently when visiting Austin I started explore the outside regions of the downtown area. By accident one night I crossed over the Congress bat bridge and headed south. I didn’t know where I was going but I knew it was getting late and I was hungry. After a long night or bar hopping nothing sounds better then great pizza. While there are a few really great spots on 6th St. I wanted to beat the crowds and find something a little lower key. Cruising down Congress I saw a red lit building up ahead the seemed to draw me in like a moth to light. From the outside this place just screams Austin. This is how Home Slice Pie became a great contender for the toss off. Home Slice is indoor/outdoor pizzeria. You can either dine in our walk up to the front of the building to order a slice to go. From the line forming outside something tells me I’m in for a great treat. I place my order and give them my name. While waiting outside I take in the Bohemian charm of South Congress. Within minutes my name is called and I pick up my giant slices of pizza. Nothing beats a long night of drinking and ending it with eating fresh pizza on a curb in Austin. Just looking at the pizza my mouth began to water. It was baked perfectly and they were very generous with the toppings. I like a pizza where you get toppings in every bite. The pizza was so hot and I kept burning my mouth but I couldn’t wait for it to cool down because it was so delicious. The sauce to topping ratio was perfect. The bread was crunchy yet still nice and chewy and the sauce was robust and flavorful. Even though I went with pepperoni it wasn’t overly greasy. I was really enjoying this pie and I knew that if the next location was as good then I was going to have a hard decision to make. Before taking the drive back to the hotel I ordered another slice to carry me over. I had another full day of food ahead of me but I couldn’t get enough of this pizza.
As the sun comes up on the last day in Austin the thought of eating is the last thing on my mind. For the last few days I have been eating barbeque, cupcakes and pizza. I had only one more location to go and then I would never have to look at another slice of pizza again, or for at least a week. The night prior on south Congress I saw a pizzeria that for some reason caught my eye. I decided to take the drive back down during the day to see the sights. Southside Flying Pizza is a little building on Congress that is literally hand tossing the dough. As you walk inside to order the pizza is being prepared before your eyes. The soft dough is tossed in the air as it is prepared to be placed in the authentic brick oven. With the summer hear coming through the windows and the brick oven baking pizza this small littler pizzeria can get a little warm. It takes a little longer her to get your pizza here but if you are a fan of true brick oven pizza as I am then you know the outcome is always worth the wait. When we finally get our pizza we kind of sit back to behold this baked beauty. Melted mozzarella cheese adorned with succulent pepperoni and fresh mushrooms make this pizza shine. The crust was toasted to a perfect brown crunchy texture while still chewy inside. The sauce was mellow and tasted very fresh. I could taste seasoning in the dough that made this pizza pop. I couldn’t find anything to complain about. While these weren’t the biggest slices they made up for it in flavor. My mouth waters just reminiscing about it and I now had to come to some sort of conclusion on who was tossing up the best pizza in Austin. Could it be the Chicago style stuffed pizza, the late night bite or the acrobatic display of pizza tossing that would win this challenge? Only time and my stomach could tell.
After a weekend of chowing down on pizza I had a hard call to make. I visited three different spots in Austin and they were all pretty good but this was a challenge. I had to pick the best out of the three and it wasn’t going to be easy. They all had things I loved about them. Mangia had that thick crust that I love, Home Slice had the great toppings and Southside Flying Pizza has that brick oven fresh taste. Really they were all winners in my book but when I had to pick the best of the best I had to go with Southside Flying Pizza. While it wasn’t the biggest slice or the thickest crust they overall flavor and texture is what took the cut for me. Everything about this pizza was fresh and delicious. While it takes a little longer to get your pizza here it shows that good things come to those who wait. Mangia could have done so much in this competition if it wasn’t for their sauce. Home Slice was a very close winner. There is nothing about this place that I didn’t like and it still remains a big favorite of mine but Southside Flying Pie brought everything out and that’s why they have taken the title for the Austin Pizza Toss Off. Great work guys!

Mangia Chicago Stuffed Pizza
8012 Mesa Dr
Austin, TX 78731
(512) 349-2126
Home Slice Pizza
1415 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704-2434
(512) 444-7437
Southside Flying Pizza
2206 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704-4319
(512) 442-4246

Thursday, August 27, 2009

2009 Bite Me Summer Road Trip *Austin*

Austin Clash of the Cupcakes

Who doesn’t love cupcakes? When they are made right they are sure to be messy. In Austin and almost everywhere it seems like cupcakes are the newest craze. Big or small cupcakes are to be moist and rich with a creamy sweet heap of frosting. Austin is a very independent city and with that you find many independent businesses and bakeries are no difference. Coming into Austin I wanted to see who was baking the best cupcake in town. Just like everything else I hit the web and started to do my research. I came up with thee of the most recommended bakeries to devour. I was feeling a little anxious about this challenge. I didn’t know if I could handle all this sweetness. There was no turning back now it was do or die. Who would stand victorious in the Austin Clash of the Cupcakes?
Every time I visit Austin I like to take a stroll down South Congress. It brings a sense of nostalgia. From the antique shops to the trendy boutiques there is something for everyone. For me there is a shiny classic Airstream trailer calling my name. Located centrally on South Congress between all the shops Hey Cupcake! stands among other trailer vendors. There is always a line here so I tell myself this must be a great place to start the battle. While talking with Austenites, Hey Cupcake! seemed to be the underdog. This little trailer seemed to draw me in with its cute little pink frosted cupcake on top. We happened to stop by on the day Michael Jackson passed away and it only seemed fitting to get the cupcake named after him along with the southern traditional Red Velvet. The Red Velvet cupcake was good but it was your usual suspect. It was something that you will find through and through in the south. The cake was moist but it seemed to be a little sparing in the coca department. It turned out to be more red then velvet. The frosting on the other hand was delicious. It was very sweet and rich cream cheese frosting with a creamy and smooth texture. At Hey Cupcake! They like the top their cupcakes high with frosting but in the case of the Red Velvet, it seemed to be better than the cake itself. The Michael Jackson is a chocolate cake topped with white cream cheese frosting. In honor of the one gloved king of pop I felt this would be a great cupcake to try. At first bite it was almost everything you would want in a cupcake. The cake was very moist and had chocolate morsels in the batter to melt in your mouth after each bite. The creamy and smooth semi sweet cream cheese frosting just might have made this the king of cupcakes in Austin. This was a true chocolate cake that was both robust and mellow in flavor. It was very moist and crumbly and the melted chocolate chunks seemed to hold this big cupcake together. A shot of whipped cream to the center of this wonderful cupcake and it just seems to melt in the summer heat. Don’t worry once you take your first bite you seem to inhale the rest of the cupcake before the frosting gets runny.
Next on our stop into a diabetic coma I took a drive to the south side of Austin. I kept hearing so much this bakery that it almost seemed like a sin not to stop in. So I picked Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop. This is a small little bakery with very little parking and if you aren’t looking out for it you just might pass it by. I talked with their employee and former Houstonian Nick to find out what made Sugar Mama’s so popular. Just looking at the glass display counter he said, “The cupcakes speak for themselves”. This wasn’t a lie. The look of these sweet little cakes made you want to slam your face in the glass just to take a whiff. Usually I only try or two to judge a place but by the look of these cupcakes I had to try as many as I could. I went with a quadruple bypass box. Ok so it’s not really called that but after all this great food I was indulging in Austin I felt like I might be in the need of one. So here I was trying to find the four cupcakes that will tell me if Sugar Mama’s has what it takes to be the cupcake champion of Austin. I decide upon the Vegan Margarita, Black & Tan, Hula and The Odd Couple. As Nick packed my four pack of fun I say goodbye to the other cupcakes as if they were puppies in the window. I rushed off as fast as I could because I couldn’t wait to taste these little cakes. As I opened the box of cupcakes it was as if a blinding light shined upon these cakes. I reached in and grabbed for the first one. The Vegan Margarita was first victim I chose. The Vegan Margarita is a vegan lime and tequila cake with a lime butter cream frosting. The cake itself was a little too firm and dry. While the frosting was nice and semisweet, it seemed to lack any resemblance to a margarita. Not exactly what I was first expecting. Maybe it was too healthy for this challenge but I still had three more to try. The Black & Tan had man written all over it. It was a chocolaty Guinness stout cake layered with an Irish cream cheese frosting. Usually beer and chocolate don’t make a great combination but this was something to behold. This Guinness inspired cupcake seemed to draw by boozy side. The stout chocolate cake was nice and firm and the texture of the cake was almost perfect as was the frosting but they didn’t seem to complement each other. These were two great things but I personally they would do better with other partners. The Irish cream cheese frosting was delicious but I didn’t taste anything that reminded me of Irish cream. Next up was the Hula. This coconut cake topped with coconut cream cheese frosting and sprinkled with toasted coconut almost made me go coo coo for coconut! This beautiful looking concoction seemed to be the perfect cake. Upon unwrapping this beauty I noticed right away it was very firm. At first bite the strong aroma of almond extract seemed to overpower any sense of coconut. While the frosting and coconut topping was creamy and delicious but the almond extract became a little too much. The cake itself was a little bit of a downer. It almost seemed like a sweet cornbread topped with coconut. I am a big fan of coconut but this kind of let me down.
I was starting to doubt Sugar Mama’s and I only had one cupcake left to try. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be enough to pull this place through. Could it be too late? The lone cupcake sitting in the box was the Odd Couple. A chocolate cake topped with salted caramel cream cheese frosting. Sometimes opposites attract. Like this cupcake that is a blend of sweet and salty goodness. As you unwrap this bond of love you notice the chocolate cake is soft, moist and ready to be devoured. They top this sweet little odd mixture with a chocolate dipped pretzel to add that extra hint of sweet and salty. At first bite I knew I was in love. The sweet decadent chocolate mixed perfectly with the gooey and salty caramel. Everything about this cupcake was perfect. From the texture of the cake to the sweet creamy frosting. I couldn’t ask more from a cupcake. This finally marked high in my books but would this be enough to win?
Lastly I decided to follow the world wide web and its many recommendation. I was on the hunt for Polkadots. By the pictures and descriptions I long awaited to try their cupcakes but when we finally found them I was let down to find them closed on Sundays. Luckily there was a building right across the street calling out for attention. I would rather leave them unnamed since they weren’t even considered as a backup location. I will say though that we found without a doubt the worst cupcakes in town. I had a coconut cupcake but tasted very similar to cardboard and even had the same texture. I remember the cupcake being so dry and flavorless that I couldn’t even finish it. I felt like I had let you all down by only making it to only two locations. They were both very good and I had to still come up with a winner. One the drive back to Houston I let my mind and stomach wondering. Would it be the trailer kings Hey Cupcake! Or would Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop batter the competition. It was going to be a very close call.
When looking for a cupcake people look for different things. Some like a mellow frosting, some like a firm cake, others like a big size and some just like the presentation. As for the price both bakeries were about the same. I can say that the cupcakes at Hey Cupcake! are a lot larger. Both places had their own version of perfect but I had to come to a conclusion on who would win the Austin Clash of the Cupcakes. The decision was a lot harder than I first thought but after thinking it over I had to give it up to Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop in south Austin. I felt that though they might have been a lot smaller than the cupcakes of Hey Cupcake! I felt that they had a better selection. While I still love Hey Cupcake! I think that hands down Sugar Mama’s takes the cake! I was very drawn by their unique selections and the overall textures and flavors from their cupcakes. I wouldn’t call this the best test of Austin cupcakes since we were short one location but I felt that between the two that I had come to a decision I felt comfortable with. Hey Cupcake! was great but they were very traditional in my eyes. The cake was great but it felt a little mediocre. While the frosting was a delicious creamy dream it just wasn’t enough to win me over for this competition. I think this will have to be a rematch and next time I will make sure to have a third location in the battle. I suggest that the next time you are in Austin you take the test for yourself and see what you find. Either way there are no real losers here except maybe for the location the remains nameless. I still have a lot of love for the fine folks of Hey Cupcake! but my sycophant little heart lays with Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop.


Hey Cupcake!
5530 Burnet Rd
Austin, TX 78756-1604
(512) 476-2253
Sugar Mama's Bakeshop
1905 S 1st St
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 448-3727

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

2009 Bite Me Summer Road Trip *Austin*

Texas BBQ Showdown

“You can all go to hell, I’m going to Texas”. The same is true for Texas barbeque. We pride ourselves over our barbeque and everyone seems to put their own flare to this Texas staple. Whether its brisket, ribs, sausage, chicken or even turkey, duck and pork, Texans have been grilling it up for generations. Everyone looks for a different thing when eating barbeque. Some look for the smoked and seared flavor while others look for the moist and tender texture. Some prefer their barbeque dry and lightly seasoned and others like it swimming in sauce. No matter how you like it barbeque is king in Texas and in the state capital of Austin they are smoking the city with some of the best barbeque in the state. This journey on the 2009 Bite Me Summer Road Trip had me looking to find the best of the best when it comes to barbeque. I was looking for something that made my heart melt and mouth water. I wanted great seasonings, moist texture, smoky flavor and savory sauce. When eating barbeque you can’t forget about the sides. I wanted to find the perfect complement to go pair with the succulent grilled meat. There are a number of great barbeque joints in Austin but I was an outsider so I had to do my research. When I put the word out that I was coming to town emails came flooding in about different spots in town. We had our plates over filled so we could only pick three. Some will say we should have tried this or we should have gone there but we picked the spots the received the most praise. Once we finally decide on the places to try it was time for a showdown.
Austin, Texas is a place known for both great food and great music. Just a couple blocks off the infamous 6th St on Red River sits Stubb’s Bar-B-Q. Here you can have some delicious barbeque some cold beers and catch a great concert all in one place. Stubb’s is smoking the some of the best barbeque in Austin and has gained worldwide attention. From legendary musicians such as Stevie Ray Vaughn, Johnny Cash, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and Willie Nelson to United States Presidents and even Queen of England. All have praised Stubb’s on his barbeque. I felt like this was one of the best choices to start my showdown. I figured the best way to sample it would be to get the Stubbs Minor, 2 meats with 2 sides. I went with the pork ribs and turkey with potato salad and pinto beans. As the food arrived I felt honored to try the barbeque that was adored by so many musical icons. The barbeque looked very moist and tender. The smoky scent of hot grilled meat made my stomach rumble. I was ready to start the show. As I took a bit of the turkey it seemed firm yet tender. It was semi moist but had a great flavor. The ribs on the other hand were seasoned very nicely. Not too saturated with seasonings I had to admit I really liked the ribs. One complaint if any was that it was a little tougher than some others and the meat didn’t exactly fall off the bone. I compliment the combo with the potato salad that was a good but had that factory made taste that kind of killed this down home cooking vibe. The pinto beans were firm and cook nicely but the flavor fell a little flat. Don’t get me wrong Stubb’s was good but to me the food seemed like I was at a chain restaurant more than a landmark for great barbeque. It was a very filling meal and I wouldn’t say it was bad. In fact I really like Stubb’s but I have been on other occasions and found a better meal. I don’t know if this has what it takes to take the title just yet and I still have two more to go.
Next on my stop I was ready to find something a little different. I was looking for a place that was a little more tame and homey. I found Green Mesquites. From the outside it had that down home cooking road side attraction look. This place without a doubt seemed like it belonged right in the middle of Austin. As you walk in you can smell the sweet and smoky wood burning. Everything about this place screamed great barbeque. They even had an autographed poster of the Food Networks, Guy Fieri. I knew that I had picked the right spot. Like many others I came to Austin to enjoy the nightlife as well as the food and I had planned to partake in some drinking so I was looking for a meal that could carry me over. I felt a nice barbeque Po’Boy filled with brisket and pulled pork could be perfect for the job. Served with Cajun Rice and Potato salad I sat back and relaxed with a beer. The scent of barbeque makes your mouth melt while you wait. When the food arrived the presentation was nice. At this point I was hungry and ready to eat. So much so, that I forgot to get a picture of this big sandwich. As I started to dissect the meal I was beginning to get that not to fulfilled feeling. Sure the bread was soft and toasted but it was just your average bun that you could get from the grocery store. While to meat was good it reminded me barbequing in my own backyard. Nothing was overly season and I felt a little let down because I couldn’t taste that reputable mesquite flavor. While the meat was moist and tender it failed to spark that wow factor. As for the sides they seemed like some family pack you would pick up at the store as well. Green Mesquites was good but I felt that it really let me down in some areas. The prices were good as was the selection. It had a nice family atmosphere with a very decent patio but I think it just doesn’t have enough the take the title in this fight.
Lastly, I was beginning to grow a little tired of barbeque. I felt like maybe Austin didn’t have what I was looking for. Maybe I just didn’t choose my locations wisely. Whatever the case I had one last spot to try. Just a couple blocks away from Green Mesquites on Barton Springs I found Uncle Billy’s Brew & Que. The name alone had my attention. Even if they didn’t have the best barbeque I knew I could atleast get a chance to sample some good beer. From the outside the neon lights seem to draw you in like a moth. Once you walk inside you feel at ease. It seems more like a bar than a restaurant at first. It has very low lighting and a large bar area. As the hostess takes us to our table I felt like we got the best seat in the house, right next to the brewing room where the large beer steels shine. There is nothing better in my opinion than great fresh beer and some hot and smoky barbeque. I was really digging this place. I ordered up a beer sampler and looked over the menu. The selections were pretty good and the prices were bad either. There was so much I wanted to try. We decided to get a little of this and a little of that, a pound over there and a pound over here. When the food arrived it looked as if we ordered for a family. Thank God we had a refrigerator back at the hotel! The pork ribs were so moist they just fell of the bone. I ended up making a rib sandwich out of a couple. The flavor was so delicious I didn’t even need to use barbeque sauce. For a slight moment I felt as if I was in barbeque heaven. I had to say this was one of the best ribs I had ever eaten. Next I dug in on the Jalapeno Cheddar Sausage. The outside skin was a little tough but it didn’t bother me. The mild spicy accents with the sharp cheddar made this sausage a winning combination. The cheese was a perfect blend with the jalapeno and neither were too overpowering. Even the pulled pork scored high in my book. It was so juicy and most. One thing that I loved is that it wasn’t saturated in barbeque sauce. While I liked the taste of the barbeque sauce they had, I didn’t find the need for it. The smoked juices and the natural flavors from the mean made this almost perfect. The brisket was heavily smoked and carried that rich and powerful smoked taste but it wasn’t over done. It was still very flavorful and delicious. Even the sides were something to envy. The potato salad was made with red new potatoes and they we prepared perfectly. It was a nice combination of soft and firm. I was ready to throw in the towel but I still had green beans and macaroni and cheese. Green beans have never tasted so fresh. The color was rich and vibrant. They were cooked with bacon and caramelized onions. This made eating your greens a privilege. The Mac N Cheese was something else. Elbow noodles mixed with a queso style cheese. It was so creamy and rich, topped with crunch bread crumbs. I was stuffed. Between the both of us it looked as if we had barely made a dent. Could Uncle Billy’s take it all or was there something missing from this whole showdown?
After a weekend of eating barbeque I felt nauseous looking at ribs or slab of brisket. I was overwhelmed but not beat. I tried some really great places here and I don’t regret the restaurants I visited. I think in the end they all had great food but it really depends on what you are looking for. For atmosphere you have to go with Stubb’s. If your looking for that backyard barbeque taste Green Mesquites would be your type of place and if you are looking for a place to grab a bite to eat and sample some home brewed beer Uncle Billy’s if your favorite family member. On this trip I wanted to find the best of the best in barbeque. Sure there are a lot of spots out there and picking three isn’t the most accurate way to choose a winner but out of these three one did rise above the rest. I was looking for textures and tastes while judging the showdown and I wanted something that really blew me away and with that on the 2009 Bite Me Summer Road Trip in Austin, TX. We have picked Uncle Billy’s Brew & Que our winner for the Texas BBQ Showdown. There really wasn’t anything I could find about this place that I didn’t like. The service was great, the prices were fair, the portions were large, the beer was cold and the barbeque was outstanding. You know you have a great recipe when sauce isn’t needed. Everything about this place made me fall in love. From the fall off the bone ribs to the fresh colorful sides, Uncle Billy’s is a must when visiting Austin for barbeque. Nothing washes barbeque down better than cold beer. I highly recommend the six beer sampler. These guys have a winning recipe for both food and beer. Cheers!



Stubb's Bar-BQ
801 Red River St
Austin, TX 78701-3312
(512) 480-8341

Green Mesquite BBQ & More
1400 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704-1011
(512) 479-0485

Uncle Billy's
1530 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704-1013
(512) 476-0100