(11) Trailer Culture

Unlike in the rest of the country, in Austin, the word "trailer" does not coincide with the word "trash." Instead, you are more likely to hear it juxtaposed with "food" or "delicious." Food trailers in Austin are everywhere. The hip, cute, quirky, and popular spots are popping up by the dozens and have not only been welcomed by the city, but have been completely integrated into Austin's unique vibe. Some stands are here for a season and move on, but others, like "Hey Cupcake," have been around for years and are now signature dishes of Austin. Sure other major cities have food stands, but none are as eccentric and involved as Austin's very own. You won't just grab a generic hot dog or a simple slice of pizza from some unnamed source, instead, here you can choose from Vietnamese, Mexican, French, Japanese, American, Turkish, German, Indian, Texas BBQ, soups, smoothies, innovative desserts and more. Many of these landmarks have picnic tables set up in front, while others have full on fire pits for do-it-yourself s'mores. Austinites don't only eat out of trailers though, they live in them. It's not only socially acceptable to say you live in a trailer here, it's strangely trendy. In fact, some of Austin's most demanding real estate does not have penthouse view, rather, it comes with a hitch. Matthew McConaughey, for example, is just one of many affluent trailer owners residing in Barton Springs trailer park. So, if you tell your mother you're living in a trailer park in Austin, she should ironically feel at ease.

I find myself frequenting these mobile tin cubes on the regular. They are scattered around the city, but you can find the majority along South Congress and at the Trailer Park and Eatery on South 1st Street. For me, the crowning jewels of this category are East Side King (long may she rein), Kababalicious, Me So Hungry, The Mighty Cone, Torchy's Tacos, and Crepes Mille. Now, I could go on here to explain each in great detail, but being that I am a pious disciple of each, that could make this post a bit lengthy. Instead, I will suggest my favorite treats from each so you can make your own humble pilgrimage to these sacred sites.

East Side King- Located in the back of Liberty Bar on E 6th. The first time I ate here, my taste buds were slightly confused. A good, cheap, fast-food Asian restaurant? I ordered their special katsu dog- a panko fried hot dog with shiso on a sticky bun. Outrageous. If you get the curry buns, expect the heat. 


Kababalicious- Appropriately named, is located on E 7th and Trinity. I usually end up here after a night on the town and I am not alone in my craving. If you're too having a late night episode of the munchies, skip the slice of pizza, and wait here in line here for fifteen minutes with a collection of inebriated and salivating individuals. My best advice when you get to the front, order their lamb/beef kabab that is delicately wrapped in a pita with lettuce, tomato, and taziki sauce. Try it spicy, or alternatively, go for the hearty vegetarian falafel wrap. Whatever state of mind you're in, you will not be disappointed. 


Me So Hungry- Me so happy that it is newly located at E 6th Street. Try their spring rolls with peanut sauce and the BBQ pork banh mi. You could stuff a mattress with this sandwich's delectable bread.    

The Mighty Cone- Mighty overpriced, but worth it if you are craving crunch. Located on South Congress, this staple stand has hot and crunchy shrimp and avocado that has been fried with sesame seeds, almonds, chili flakes, sugar, and corn flakes all stuffed in a cone shaped tortilla. I must admit that I don't recommend their fries however- too small. Why not get another cone instead, or better yet, try their sliders!


Torchy's Tacos- Located at the Trailer Park Eatery on S. 1st Street. My favorite taco, aptly named, is the Trailer Park: Fried chicken, green chilies, lettuce, pico de gallo, and cheese served on a flour tortilla with poblano ranch. As it says on the menu "get it trashy"  and substitute lettuce for queso. I say, while you're at it, "be a fat ass" and don't forget a side of their green chili queso! 

Crepes Mille- I have to pause for a moment out of silent gratitude for discovering this place. If you want to partake in the most savory, flavor explosion of your life, order the mango and sticky rice crepe. Black sticky rice, mango, nutella, peanut butter, corn flakes, and sugar. In between euphoric bites and "Mmmms" that transformed me into Bill Murry at the dinner scene from What About Bob, I literally mumbled to passing pedestrians saying, "You're making a grave mistake. Come try this! You don't know what you're missing. I pity you." 

So there you have it guys. I am still dying to try Treat, Sushi A Go-Go, The Best Wurst, G'Raj Mahal, and Flip Happy Crepes (just to compare). If you have anymore suggestions, don't hesitate to share, especially if you know of any new trailers heading my way!

(10) Moonshine Patio Bar and Grill

The fact that Moonshine Grill has an abundance of rocking chairs on their front porch should tell you something: you're going to leave this place with an incredibly full stomach. So full that you might oscillate on said rocking chair for twenty minutes while the valet guys stare at you in amusement, possibly placing bets on when you will be able to move again. I recall once gazing over at a friend (post-meal) from my chair who reminded me somewhat of a dying insect; she was completely immobile, apart from the sporadic twitch in her limbs occurring just enough times to show me she was still alive. Yeah, that about summarizes Moonshine.

(9) Asia Cafe

This blog has proved to be more challenging than I originally anticipated. It has been one week since my last post and I feel like my writing schedule has been quietly lost to the air like a single balloon. I can easily attribute this slip to numerous factors; work, my gregarious nature, yoga, eating out (purely for research...), reading, writer's block, and/or an endless pile of errands. I can even trick myself to think that my schedule slid because my subconscious wants to give some of you time to catch up on reading, or give others the sweet itch of anticipation for my next post...if only...Maybe it's that my lack of motivation simply stems from my lack of followers (so if you're out there reading, please show me- it will help!). But whatever scapegoat I choose to ride down this mountain of a task, in the end, I must acknowledge that one may have to sacrifice certain things and work diligently within the confines of their own schedule in order to prevail in a goal- whatever it may be. So without further ado, here is me pressing forward with my goal...

(8) Blue Dahlia Bistro

Last Sunday was one of the laziest days I've had in months, probably because I spent all Saturday night donating my vocal chords to the greater cause of karaoke. I awoke to a rainy Sunday morning and reluctantly moved myself from the bed to the couch, which appeared to be a distant mirage in my torpid state. I somehow maintained the same ball-like position that I had in bed during my change of venue and fell back asleep (unknowingly on my friend Mandy's foot). She too was sound asleep on the couch due to the previous night's endeavors. We both woke up with scratchy voices and bad 80's songs revolving in our heads like a record baby round round, and were immediately attacked by hunger. I gave her the whole exaggerated "if I don't eat right now I'll die" speech and we cooked up some terribly good fried food that held us over throughout the day.

(7) Challenges

To be an artist means to deal with Mr. Insecure. We all know him- he's the insidious guy inside our heads that first cheers us on, but then suddenly slips back into the closet of our minds to change his halo into horns. He starts yelling through the curved groves of your brain, "You suck! Just admit that you're no good and move on!" His maliciousness surprises your unguarded mind so much that you nearly stumble and begin to wonder, 'Why is he doubting me so much? Is he right? Am I just kidding myself? Maybe I should take that safe, insipid job around the corner?'

(6) Austin Java

You can't live in Austin without eating at Austin Java. Maybe it's because you can find it at three locations downtown, on-the-go in the airport, and now in random shopping centers, or maybe it's just because it's so tasty, quick, and accommodating that you continue to stop there again and again.

(5) Rio's Brazilian Cafe

By now you have been wondering, 'when is this woman going to start writing about Austin's restaurants? You know, the reason I started reading her blog in the first place?!' Well, to answer your question...today. I understand your anticipation has possibly been disrupting your reading, and for that I apologize, but I also thank you for your loyalty during my first few introductory blogs. Additionally, I must remind you that this is also a blog of self-discovery and, if willing, you may have to follow me down alleyways of breakaway thoughts every now and then. For now, lets talk about Rio's Brazilian Cafe.

(4) My Garden, My Austin

I mentioned in my previous post that I had a vegetable garden, but somehow omitted a few chief details. I recently planted a garden with my boyfriend on March 30th. This is a first garden for both of us and frankly, we have no freaking clue what we're doing. It all started when a sweet, elderly neighbor came knocking on our door last week. Not only is this woman the epitome of a retired Austinite, but she is also the epitome of a retired gardener.

(3) My Mission

Today I've decided to give myself a task with this blog in order to, well, stay on task. I feel like if I have a specific mission then I will actually keep up with this blog instead of allowing it to wilt away- much, to my dismay, like my new vegetable garden. I am only going to be in Austin until August (it is now April 6th) so that means I have roughly 100 days left to write about this city. Meaning, I plan to write 100 entries. 'Can she do it?' you ask. 100 entries is a daunting undertaking for anyone. That means I have to basically write everyday regardless of how I feel. I might be sick, I might be tired, I might have work to do, and hey, I might not be in the mood to even write, but you are getting something from me damnit! That, I promise. I know everything I write isn't gold (I would love it if my writing earned me gold...), but I'm going to at least try to entertain you on some level and give you a reason to stick by my side, or in this case, my stomach. From now on, I will number all my posts. Some days I might write two or three, and some days I might not write any at all, but by the end of this, I hope there is a nice three-digit number of blogs for you to read. If you are even out there reading...?

Food: My true love

I guess I wasn't quite finished with my first entry. As I said, I'm new to this...

The reason I'm continuing today is because I wanted to share more information about myself so that in the off chance you accidentally clicked too many times to the right and ended up on my page, you wouldn't feel like you completely wasted your day. So in the spirit of sharing, I will give you a bite of my bio....

First off, you might be thinking 'who is this person? why does she think a bunch of strangers would be interested in what she has to say? this girl is completely self-absorbed and is using this blog like a hand-held mirror.' Well, I hope you don't think the last one. I do at times feel that this is silly and self-centered, but then I think of all the great memoirs and first person narratives I've read. Were those not just 20-something-year-olds at one point in time trying to get by? Weren't some of those authors "nobody's" when they were little kids eating around the dinner table. I don't think anyone is a "nobody." If you are on this earth, you are somebody, but I understand your desire for qualifications.

La Premiere

Well, here we are. I, the writer. You, the reader. Today, we've made a conscious decision to actively share something between us: words. Although this will be more of a monologue, I truly hope you gain as much out of this as I do (even though I'm uncertain as to what that is). I do know however, that I am in a desperate search of a steady, creative outlet. For this reason alone, I am here. I have never blogged before, but already, I know that I want this blog to be of utmost self-expression: a safe place where I feel no pressure to impress and no self-imposed fabrication of failure. This is an evolving blog primarily about food, with a dash of the unpredictabilities of life, and a pinch of travel stories. I understand that I share the passions of food and travel with many of you out there. I mean, who doesn't love touring an infamous prison in the middle of Bolivia, or the distinct smell of veal running (or I suppose, standing) through the air? The only difference now is that instead of sharing my zeal for food with the table next to me, I wanted to communicate on a larger scale. I realized this one day while painting. Yes, at times I paint. At times, I sing. Always, I write- but for whom? While painting, I thought, 'who is ever going to see this, but me'? 'what is the point of continually creating art all the time if no one else gets to enjoy it'? Of course, one should always do what they love for themselves first (and I would truly go crazy if I ever stopped), but now, I feel like I need to contribute my energy to rest of the world. It's almost selfish of any of us to keep it locked in one place! In turn, maybe the creativity that I release here today might return to me instead of slipping away like a first love, never to be seen again.