You read about the good ol' Whip In all you want but the experience is what you want. I had flagged this spot on my list of places to visit even before we moved to Austin. Countless drives up and down I-35 would have me turning my head to look at the old-school sign out front and thinking, "We still need to go there." Well, we finally did. The former gas station turned craft bottle shop in 1986 (the original sign is still up!) has been servicing not only the thirsty but the hungry as well once it developed into a grocery market and then restaurant. Here's the catch though - it's not your typical gas station food; it's Indian-Texan cuisine.


With more than 65 drafts, 300 retail craft beers, and 400 bottles of wine, the Whip In (owned by the Topiwala family) is one stop you should make whether or not you're planning on eating there. There are many choices inside to slake your thirst, and with their layout including an extensive bar, you have the option of relaxing with your beer, wine, or cocktail inside with many others or outside under some makeshift overhangs, enjoying live music. There was a casual DJ out on the small stage when we went for brunch, playing some tunes for us to enjoy with our pints.


In addition to alcoholic beverages, we ventured around the corner with the refrigerators and saw that in another area, they function almost like a cafe with some coffee and tea options. At any point, we were able to put in our food orders too so we did and went outside to sit comfortably with our brews to listen to the music.

The menu itself was a fascinating fusion of Texas-style food with Gujarati influence. Put together by the mom (Chandan Topiwala) of the owning family, the dishes are made from locally sourced produce and combine Indian pub staples with the southern U.S region's flair which is only fitting for the community in Austin. Some examples included switching out spices to include turmeric, saffron, and cardamom. Curry found itself in the mix somewhere too. Overall, it spoke to us of comfort food, perfect for the location and paired with craft beers.


To begin, we chose the very popular Elegant Stoner Snack ($7.95 - fresh cut fries topped with Kashmiri pepper queso, crisp bacon, pico de gallo, sour cream and green onions) which were enough to pick at throughout our meal. The fries were thin but skin-on and had a great balance between crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. There was certainly a kick to it from the Kashmiri pepper but overall, a solid hit.

Duc's brunch order was the Bangalore Biscuit Sandwich ($12 - ajwain-seeded biscuit, goat chorizo patty, Vital Farms fried egg, melted cheese, grilled tomatoes and mixed greens served with grilled crushed coconut potatoes and curry hollandaise), a beast of a sandwich that was rightly served with the top biscuit bun on the side. With the generous amount of curry hollandaise slathered atop the patty, the "sandwich" was more of a fork-and-knife affair than a two-hander. We really enjoyed the inclusion of the ajwain seeds in the biscuits; they resemble caraway and added a different dimension to the buttery, flaky goodness. Additionally, the crushed potatoes were a pleasure as there were creamy from the coconut.

I spotted potato cakes in the Pork Belly Aloo-Tikki ($13 - Richardson Farms house smoked pork belly, coconut curry potato cakes, poached eggs and curry hollandaise topped with fried shallot & caper gremolata) description and couldn't resist. Though we don't typically have heavy breakfasts, I'm a sucker for potato cakes and theirs was one to come back for. The eggs were perfectly poached, and the beautifully vibrant, almost neon curry hollandaise held a savoriness that traditional hollandaise is missing. The pork belly balanced between tender and crunchy in all the correct places, and I really appreciated the occasional zesty bursts from my capers.

Are you going to find fine Indian cuisine at this changed-over gas station at 1950 S Interstate Hwy 35, Austin, TX 78704? Not necessarily but you'll definitely find creativity and dishes that you can easily imagine drinking a beer with. So next time you see Whip In's old sign as you drive up or down I-35, make a quick stop for a bite or sip and whip right in.

Photos by Duc Duong. More photos available on Facebook here.

A hot afternoon walking around downtown Austin somehow made us crave ramen. It's odd - hot noodle soups seem to be good in any weather. Daruma on 6th Street happened to be on my list of places to check out, particularly because they are a ramen shop that has a less common type of method to their dishes. With so many versions of ramen in Japan itself, it's always interesting to see which types of prevailed in America; any time I see a restaurant touting variety, I'm curious to see how it turns out. For the hot day we were experiencing when we popped into Daruma, their base was ideal.


The inside of this restaurant is quite cozy, as is the case with most ramen shops. The bar seating allowed diners, ourselves included, to watch the cooks make up the dishes as orders were placed. What makes Daruma a little different from other ramen spots was that their specialty was in ramen made with whole chicken broth and accompanied by eggless, tapioca-based noodles. Most commonly, we see pork bone bases for broths and iconic yellow flour noodles so this was a change of pace. They boast making their bases and stock every day, and their menu focuses on the lightness of the broth.


Ordering is made simple by giving diners just a handful of choices. Four options of ramen, actually. There are few sides as well, and the only dessert you can get is some ice cream. How's that for making your decisions easier? We eyed and ordered the Tatsuta-age ($5.50 - fried chicken thighs) to start, knowing that a place focused on chicken broth should know how to make a chicken appetizer. Did they? Absolutely. The bite-sized pieces had the right amount of crunch to them and seasoning, not even needing the thick dipping sauce they came with (though that was tasty as well). We would have ordered a second round of this had we not seen how sizable the ramen bowls were.

I went for the Shoyu ($10 - chicken-chashu, aji-tamago, bok choy, scallions, menma, naruto, sesame, and anchovy oil) and Duc for the Miso ($10 - miso base + chicken broth; shredded chicken breast, aji-tamago, bean sprouts, scallions, chili threads, chili oil). Both came out warm enough but not the steaming hot they ought to have been. The broth was visibly light for both so we were excited to see what flavors a chicken-based broth would impart on the rest of the whole dish. My chicken chashu was a fantastic change-up from the typical pork chashu; it looked to be compressed moist chicken leg that had been thickly sliced and salted. In both cases, the aji-tamago (soft-boiled egg) had a great runny yolk but was lighter in flavor than preferred; perhaps they were done so to not overwhelm the delicate broth. Because the stock was less fatty than pork-based stocks, we had to pay closer attention to the nuances of the base which was slightly sweet, light-bodied, and certainly built to express the other ingredients per bowl. Overall, certainly a style befitting of those wanting their ramen without all of the fat!

You can find Daruma Ramen at 612 E 6th Street, Austin, TX 78701 in downtown Austin. I'd think that a chicken-based broth would make this the perfect spot to go to if you're also feeling under the weather but want something more fun than just plain chicken soup.

Photos by Duc Duong. More photos available on Facebook here.

I'm going to venture out there and say that for the most part, people don't make plans to go out and eat salad with friends. Do you call up your buddies and say, "Hey y'all, let's get a salad tomorrow!" often? Likely not but maybe you will once you dive into the self-proclaimed "salad bistro" known as Vinaigrette. I first laid eyes on the restaurant's photo while going through a large event planning industry magazine which featured the unrivaled oak tree in the back patio as a stunning centerpoint for diners in Austin. The restaurant itself has roots in other locations, having begun in New Mexico (Santa Fe and Albuquerque), but more specifically, its beginnings boast homegrown sourcing paired with an attention to balanced dishes.


The menu has more than just salads (soups, sides, sandwiches, etc) but these entrée salads are nothing to push aside. Their ingredients are tossed with just the right amount of dressing (mostly vinaigrettes...hence the name) and can be accompanied by a variety of generous protein portions. Aside from the culinary execution, what makes the salad-centric dishes special is the ingredients' origin. 70% of the produce used in the New Mexico locations come from the owner's own 10-acre farm, and a farm in Bastrop hosts the produce for the Austin location; all of the restaurants attempt to minimize food waste by returning it to the farm to feed the animals and/or composting, depending on what it is. Not only would your dining at Vinaigrette fill up your own stomach but anything remaining would be repurposed to continue the farming cycle. All of that is just the bonus to the lovely atmosphere inside and outside the restaurant of course which is welcoming and friendly throughout.


When we arrived with our friends, there weren't as many diners in the late morning but it filled up quite quickly. Blame the good weather and the enticing menu, especially the beverages. We ended up choosing a colorful variety that made for refreshing sharing as we all wanted to taste each other's choices. There was the Earth Bite ($4.75 - golden beet, grapefruit bitters, soda, pineapple and lime), The Pepino ($4.25 - cucumber, lime juice, club soda, lightly sweetened), Ginger Turmeric Tonic ($4.50 - turmeric, ginger and carrot juice with lemon and seltzer), and Moscow Mule ($8 - ginger beer, vodka, fresh ginger and mint). Each one was thirst-quenching, sweetened seemingly only by the fruits' natural sugars. There were plenty of other options we didn't get to try so if you're wanting to drink a bit of each, make sure to bring a couple of friends with you!

Our friends' opted for some savory salad choices, one getting the Arugula Duck ($14.95 - duck confit tossed with baby arugula, creamy goat cheese, balsamic roasted pears, and hibiscus vinaigrette) and the other choosing the Tuna Salad Salad ($18.95 with seared tuna steak added, $11.95 without - baby greens with shaved carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes and pickled fennel tossed in a Romesco dressing). The duck salad was extremely hearty as the heft of the duck confit combined smoothly with the goat cheese's creaminess and roasted pears' caramelization. As for the seared tuna steak, it was so tender that it came away with a gentle push from a fork and was a soft accompanying contrast to the crispness of fennel and carrots. Both were excellent choices.


We also added some protein to our own dishes, and when they arrived, we were surprised by just how generous the additions were. Duc's Apple Cheddar-Chop ($15.95 - grilled pork tenderloin over baby arugula, julienned green apples, pickled fennel and sharp cheddar, chopped and tossed in a ruby port vinaigrette) featured very moist pork tenderloin. Many places tend to err on their pork being dry and tough but somehow, Vinaigrette got their piece perfectly. Combined with the green apple tartness and pepperiness of arugula, the pork was a fantastic match.

I got ahold of their The Omega ($18.50 with cilantro lime shrimp added, $11.50 without - leafy greens chopped and tossed with sweet corn, diced bell pepper, tomato, avocado, red onion, cilantro and toasted pine nuts, dressed with blue cheese vinaigrette) which I happily took up on the suggestion of adding shrimp. I didn't expect near prawn-like shrimp that was quite large and meaty. They could have been seasoned more strongly but were still a great combination with the sweetness of the corn and bell peppers along with the creaminess of the avocado. The salad actually was quite thick once you mixed together both a blue cheese-based dressing with avocado that inevitably got mashed as I forked around the mix.

The portion sizes of these entree salads seemed nearly insurmountable when they arrived at the table but because of their make-up, it wasn't long before we had cleaned our plates. If you're hankering for a solid, healthful salad spot, Vinaigrette is located at 2201 College Ave, Austin, TX 78704 near SoCo. It's lively in design, hearty in dish, and vibrant in service. I'm thinking about the next time we'll go back already!

Photography by Duc Duong. More photos available on Facebook here.

I had stuck Asiana Indian Cuisine on my list a long time ago when I was first planning on visiting Austin for a few days because I had been looking for good ethnic food in the area. Indian cuisine is something I crave frequently so when this popped up as a good option, it was bookmarked. However, we never got to go on our visit in 2016. Now that we live in the area, there's no excuse. We had a friend come into town and when I suggested Indian, his face lit up with a resounding, "Let's do it!"


The restaurant is unassuming. It sits in a large plaza with a casual-looking sign for its name but from the outside, we could see that it could likely seat quite a handful of people. Our dinner time was early by most standards so there was only one other table of diners when we walked in. The menus placed in front of us were extensive with a lot of dishes I actually had never seen before. That's not a bad sign at all! In fact, we were excited by the options to the point of just deciding we'd choose a variety.

That came in the form of the Mughalai Special Dinner ($29.99 - reshmi kabob, lamb khorma, aloo gobi curry, saag paneer, chicken tikka, sheek kabob, rice and nan) which is meant for two people and comes with one dessert each. The first dish out was the reshmi kabob which was ground seasoned chicken (with holes in the middle from the skewer); this one reminded me almost of a curried breakfast sausage because of its texture and heavy seasoning.

Then all the rest came out including the juicy chicken tikka and sheek kabob sizzling on a hot cast-iron skillet over onions that we left to caramelize. The lamb khorma was fantastically flavored and generous in pieces of lamb while the aloo gobi curry left us without worry about how many chickpeas we'd have that night. I was particularly enchanted by the saag paneer which tasted so different from any other that I'd had before; this one was heavier on the creaminess and the spinach was more finely  chopped. It felt almost buttery in my mouth, and I couldn't stop eating it.

For dessert, we chose the Rasmalai ($2.99 - Cheese patties served in condensed sweet milk) and Pistachio Ice Cream ($2.99 - homemade pistachio ice cream) to round it all off. The rasmalai was the perfect ending bite to the feast as it was light and bright with just the right amount of sweetness. The pistachio ice cream felt more like a pistachio shave ice due to its texture but we enjoyed it as well as it seemed to be made with rosewater.


Not thinking that the "dinner for two" option would be enough, we had ordered also their Masala Dosa ($7.99 - thin rice crepe stuffed with seasoned potatoes and onions) and picked at it a lot throughout the meal though it had to be taken home in the end. The crisp crepe edges were great pieces to dip into their many sauce options, and inside, the curried potatoes and onions really made for a comfort food feel-good experience. Once we had taken all of the crunchy pieces, we used this for a breakfast the next morning and that only gave it more time to marinate in its own flavors. So tasty.

Find Asiana Indian Cuisine at 801 E William Cannon Dr, Ste 205, Austin, TX 78745 where they serve both lunch and dinner. From what we saw, the lunch buffet seems quite popular and affordable too. Come to think of it, maybe we should go there sometime for lunch...

Photography by Duc Duong.

Is this the real life...or is it fantasy? Oh, it's real. The moment we learned about Vigilante Bar, we knew we had to go. It's more than a bar with food. It's a unique experience that recently opened to the excitement of those who enjoy gathering for board games. However, rather than just be a ragtag location with a jumble of used board games for the public, Vigilante has done something more special. It has elevated the recent enthusiasm that many have found in the hobby and has designed itself to befit the "modern, grown-up nerd," as they claim. There is quality to the food and drink menus, service, and furnishings in addition to innovative uses of technology that cater to the guests.


When we first stepped in, we were immediately impressed by the decor. Well-designed and modern with a flair of geekiness, the interior looked carefully curated to appeal to small and large groups. In one section, you'll spot the board game library where shelves are lined with custom-built boxes with engraved game titles. Boasting several hundred games, Vigilante Bar takes their stock seriously and the presentation is akin to serving a platter of delightful bites in front of a diner - when the waiter/waitress slides open the box, you'll see your tantalizing game inside. In fact, you even order the games from a tablet menu where you can select how many players you have, how much time you have, and more.

Not only is the library impressive but so are the custom-made tables. Each table features cup holders, food trays, card holders, meeple drawers, outlets, a switch to let others know you want more players, and service call buttons that are charmingly labeled, "Accio server!" (for the Harry Potter fans). Above your table is a unique icon (such as Pac-man) and a light-up indicator; when you hit the service call button, the indicator's "wings" light up and raise so the waiter/waitress knows you need something. Why do it this way? They don't want to interrupt your game if you don't want to be disturbed!


We've been back to Vigilante Bar several times now, bringing people to see how impressed they are with the set-up. So far, raving reviews! Not only are there hundreds of games to choose from, there is also a great selection of libations and food items that can be eaten without worry of distracting from gameplay. We've tried out their Elote Taquitos ($5 - chef's creation: fresh roasted corn with bell pepper and onion wrapped in a tortilla and fried, served with green chile ranch), Honey Walnut Shrimp Roll ($6 - crispy shrimp and candied walnuts drenched in a sweet sauce with seasoned rice wrapped in nori and topped with sriracha aioli), and Falafel Bites ($4 - with cucumber mint sauce) before on separate occasions. Of the three, we favored the honey walnut shrimp roll the most due to its balanced mix of textures and the play of sweet with savory. All of them made for easy snacking while drinking a cold brew and beating each other at our games of choice.

If this has you chomping at the bit to go to Vigilante Bar with some friends, you can find them at 7010 Easy Wind Dr, Austin, TX 78752, open until the wee hours of the night. It costs $5 per person to make use of their board game library but last we saw, they also are open to people bringing in their own games to play. If you're looking for more players, the people we've met there are a jolly bunch and would probably join you!

Photography by Duc Duong. More photos available on Facebook here.

It's not quite in Austin but it's not so far away that people would skip the drive out there. Salt Lick in Driftwood (Texas Hill Country) has more than just tasty barbecue to keep you there; it's set up to accommodate quite a lot of folks who might want to spend special occasions there on account of its ideal layout. It's beautiful out that way actually, and with the Salt Lick Cellars next door, you'll have a grand time. We went out here after an ATV adventure with a group of people and partook in the Roberts' family recipes (from the mid-1800s!) wholeheartedly.


One thing to note as you make your way to this Salt Lick location is that there are plenty of signs to help you point to the right entrance. If that doesn't work, well just follow your nose...or the many, many cars turning down a certain driveway. The parking lot is massive, and considering the amount of seating on-site, it makes sense. With the thousands that descend upon the restaurant weekly, Salt Lick has a lot of barbecue to make and mouths to feed. There is always a line no matter what time of day you go. Maybe that's also why the grounds have some quirky parts to them like a seemingly random Tardis near the pick-up area. You probably want something to look at as you loiter about, sniffing in the smell of smoking meat.


If you can't wait without quenching your thirst, make your way around the back area to where they have plenty of wine and cold beer. You can wait among the century-old oak trees and rest on any of their multiple wooden picnic tables while listening to live music. If you're curious like us, you might even just peek into the restaurant itself where several open pits of barbecuing meat are visible. The sight is enough to make your mouth water (see top photo).


When we finally got seated, it was difficult to make a decision with such great options before us. To be fair, there weren't really a large number of choices but everything sounded wonderful. In the end, we opted to go all in and get their Family Style for the table which puts you out $24.95 per person but pits you against an all-you-can-eat situation of beef brisket, sausage, pork ribs, potato salad, coleslaw and beans. Bread, pickles and onions are also unlimited and available on request. How does one say no to AYCE barbecue? Everyone dug so quickly into the moist brisket which was tender, smoky, juicy, and oh-so-satisfying. The pork ribs too were moist and flavorful though; while we didn't add sauce to the brisket, we could with the ribs and it merely enhanced the flavor overall. The sausage was hefty and a tad salty so we ate those sparingly (or as little sandwiches between bread) but still quite tasty.

I was also quite impressed with the sides accompanying the feast. The potato salad was unlike any that I had had before because it was, first of all, orange-brown and more savory than not. Could they have mixed some of the sauce into it? Regardless, it was the right amount of both smooth and chunky so acted as a binder in between bites of slow-cooked meat. Their housemade pickles and onions helped cut through the fattiness of the meat as well and were not overwhelmingly acidic. The beans had a brightness to them that made it okay to keep scooping more onto the plate. My favorite of all the sides was their coleslaw however because of its simplicity; it was thinly sliced, crunchy, and well-seasoned.

As we were fitting to burst, we ordered individual servings of the Blackberry and Peach Cobbler dessert options ($5.95 - with scoop of ice cream, additional $1.00) which were enormous. They were so rich in their own right, neither too sweet nor fatty, and required ice cream to finish up after overindulging in meat. I think everyone preferred the blackberry over the peach between the two. If you want to dive your face into the meats at this Salt Lick location which has stood ground since 1967, find them at 18300 FM 1826, Driftwood, TX 78619 and make sure to give yourself plenty of time. There is always a line!

Photography by Duc Duong. More photos available on Facebook here.