Category: Travel
Wordless Wednesday: Fast Friends
Redberry Hard Seltzer
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Cucumber Crunch Salad
Bianca Fiore Pizza
Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza
Margherita Pizza
Shroom-Me Pizza
Fast Friends Beer Co
7313 N Interstate 35 Frontage Rd.
Austin, TX 78744
Wordless Wednesday: Conservatory of Flowers
Eggless In Austin
Eggs are the new luxury, with prices soaring to unthinkable heights thanks to a potent confluence of bird flu, import tariffs, and the fearmongering that is never far behind in times of scarcity. Fortunately, vegans have been preparing for this moment our whole plant-based lives. Untouched by the albuminous apocalypse, we have hundreds of egg alternatives for every application. Baking? Cooking? Scrambling? Poaching? Hard boiling? We’ve got that. Soy-free? Bean-free? gluten-free? Sure; we don’t put all our eggs in one basket.
Wakey Wakey, No Eggs and Bakey
If you’re more into the instant gratification of eating an eggy meal than making one, there are loads of options still on the table. Here in Austin, you’re never too far from an eggless feast. Spanning breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, these are the hot spots that can help you satisfy egg cravings, without getting henpecked.
Bouldin Creek Cafe
I find it impossible to visit Bouldin Creek Cafe and order anything other than some permutation of their inimitable Tofu Scramble. As their signature dish, it comes with many different flavors and possible mix-ins, and with an equally wide range of accompanying sides. Heavy on the nooch, it’s a bit old school, but in the best way. Hearty but healthy, wholesome but not austere, it’s a comforting staple that never disappoints.
Unicorniverse
Up north in Round Rock, the Omelets emerging from the kitchen from Unicorniverse are the stuff of legend. Made from JUST Egg, they’re enormous, fluffy, and stuffed to bursting. My personal favorite is the Sicilian Vegetable thanks to the inclusion of umami portobello mushrooms, but I’m happy to switch it up with the Greek and its salty feta finish. Of course, I’d never turn down the Pesto Fromages either, which is a cheese-lover’s dream on a plate.
Rebel Cheese
Available for weekend brunches, 9am – 2pm, the Eggs Benedict from Rebel Cheese is in its own category of egg-cellence. Poached Yo Eggs sit on top of toasted English muffins, bathed in rich bechamel sauce, and have authentically runny yolks in the center. If you’re really lucky, you might catch the special Croque Madame, featuring a sunny-side-up fried Yo Egg on a grilled meatless ham and cheese sandwich. Given that they do specialize in artisan cheese, always go for the cheesier option whenever possible.
Community Vegan
Mark your calendar and don’t be late; this one only pops up at Community Vegan on Sundays, 10am to 2pm. The Chick’n Biscuit Sandwich put the emphasis on crispy, fried oyster mushrooms, and rightly so, but that pillowy JUST Egg patty really brings the whole thing together. The BME simplifies things a bit with BBQ portobello bacon instead, piled on a buttery homemade biscuit that essentially melts in your mouth.
Revolution Vegan Kitchen
You never know exactly what will be on the menu when the weekend brunch service starts cranking at Revolution Vegan Kitchen, but you can rest assured that anything involving their fluffy tofu scramble will hit the spot. Whether featured front and center in a lavish Breakfast Platter or playing a supporting role in the Chorizo Breakfast Taco, this eggy protein can do it all. If you get really lucky, you might even chance upon their Breakfast Crunchwrap, which is even more epic than it sounds.
Vegan Nom
Few foods are as closely linked with the ethos of Austin as the breakfast taco, and The Vegan Nom is doing them right. Scrambled tofu is the foundation that the eggless options are built upon, from the Rockin’ Migas to my favorite, the Neuvo Onda, which swaddles sweet potato hashbrowns and avocado in tender corn or flour tortillas. Affordable basics with just tofu scramble paired with just tempeh bacon or potatoes are a big draw as well, allowing you to indulge in a generously portioned 3-taco meal for around $10.
Double Trouble
Closely mirroring the core offerings at The Vegan Nom, expect similar tofu scramble tacos at Double Trouble, with the added benefit of beer and cocktail pairings, thanks to the full bar. To quell late night munchies or grab a hair of the dog the morning after, it’s an unbeatable combo with something for everyone.
Snooze
Throwing down a Tofu Scramble that could hold its own against the heavy hitters in town, Snooze AM Eatery gives you a choice of three inclusions from a generous list of options. All the usual vegetables make an appearance, in addition to soyrizo, and even avocado at no extra cost. Savory, well-seasoned, hot, and deeply satisfying, you can’t go wrong with this classic dish.
True Food Kitchen
Another limited weekend wonder, the Southwest Tofu Scramble at True Food Kitchen shows up every Saturday and Sunday for your brunching needs. Caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, spinach, and charred scallion salsa join the mix of savory scrambled bean curds. Scoop it all up with soft corn tortillas, and don’t forget the avocado on top.
Kerby Lane
For the classic American diner experience, go all-in for Kerbey Lane Cafe‘s Vegan Breakfast Platter. Alongside your tofu scramble, you’ll find two meatless sausage patties and two pancakes the size of frisbees. Personally, I like to order their omelet options and sub in tofu scramble for the eggs to get a more veggies in my meal. Always ask for vegan queso on top, which comes from our local friends, Credo Foods.
More Egg-straordinary Dishes to Come
Having recently moved in with Barley Bean Cafe, Mission Burger will soon expand their menu to include breakfast and brunch dishes which are sure to include at least a handful of eggless indulgences. Hopefully more mainstream omnivorous restaurants start getting the hint too, because the demand for egg alternatives is not only here to stay, but growing stronger by the day.
‘Tinis and Weenies
Combining disparate items, bringing together high brow sensibility with low brow dishes, can yield unpredictable results. In the case of Tallboy in Oakland, CA, the output is downright marvelous. Though martinis and hotdogs may seem like odd bedfellows at first, and second, and perhaps even third glance, take a leap and try the pair together; you’ll get it with the first bite and sip.
Breaking it down to the base components, a classic Dirty Martini, served ice cold and with a strong saline undercurrent of olive juice, is an ideal foil to the hot, juicy, generously seasoned wiener. Both have hints of umami, simple and unvarnished, universally appealing and quite frankly (no pun intended), hard to mess up. Thankfully, at this dark and moody downtown lounge, they don’t.
From the acclaimed culinary duo Shane and Marie of former Lion Dance Cafe acclaim, you can expect a menu of bangers, which they easily deliver in a slim volume of approachable eats. Emphasizing the unexpected glizzy, everything is plant based (except for jello shots), offering an effortless gateway into meatless meals for otherwise unaware omnivores. Impossible dogs are at the base of each composition, convincingly spiced like the genuine article, further disguised by the battery of bold, inventive, if not downright whimsical toppings.
Soft, buttery, sesame-speckled buns cradle each savory creation. The Deli Dog appeals to classic sensibilities with a complete garden of pickled vegetables and a lavish drizzle of spicy brown mustard forming a tidy mountain on top. For more adventurous tastes, the Lion Dancing Dog is a must, as the namesake creation of this power couple. Sambal mayo sings alongside crisp cucumbers and crunchy fried shallots. Don’t discount the Cheese In The Trap, fusing funky fermented kimchi with gooey, slightly sticky American cheese. It’s a veritable and literal melting pot of flavors, as dog intended.
My personal favorite, which completely blindsided me, was the Chili Dog. A relative newcomer to the lineup, it’s a stunningly satisfying combination of new and old. Redolent of cumin, the chili is familiar yet novel, worthy of eating as a solo bowl. Thankfully, you also have the option of ordering a Frito Pie to do just that, which I’ll certainly take advantage of next time around. So rich and hearty, it doesn’t even need the optional cheese, despite the temptation to go all out. Unfancy and unbothered is the guiding ethos of this ballgame.
Don’t rush though the evening though; start slow, pretend you’re healthy at first and opt for a Wedge Salad that would be right at home in any upscale steakhouse. Delivering on the promise without deviation, you’ll get a solid slab of iceberg lettuce drenched in tangy blue cheese dressing and riddled with all manner of crunchy, bacony goodies. It’s perhaps the only fork and knife affair to be found, if you want to look more refined, for some inexplicable reason.
Otherwise, dive headfirst into the Potato Chips and Dip. Old school sour cream and onion has nothing on this cooling combo. The juxtaposition between crunchy, salty chips and creamy dip is far from groundbreaking, and it doesn’t need to be. It’s simply done right.
Another foolproof snack to balance out your booze is the Lion Dance Cafe Peanuts. A throwback to the original cafe creation, they sing with fiery chilies, makrut lime leaves, curry leaves, fresh lemongrass, and honestly, who knows what else. They’re famous for a reason, and that reason needn’t be fully explained to remain just as compelling.
On a budget or captive to more childlike cravings? You can always go in for The Classic hotdog, plain and simple, with optional mustard or ketchup, if your tastes skew in that direction. You can even order a straight up Nissin Stir Fry Cup Noodles for $4, so don’t say you can’t afford a night on the town. For the ambience, service and overall good vibes, that alone is worth the price of admission.
Feeling peckish but not quite ready to commit to a full dog? Feel free to avail yourself to endless free popcorn right around the bar, complete with nutritional yeast, seasoning salt, and ranch flavor shakers to sprinkle at will. Light and crunchy, always popped fresh throughout the night, it’s dangerously easy to keep munching and drinking for hours, which is exactly the point.
Martinis are highly recommended, with an expansive list of flavors and styles to chose from, though they are far from the only option. The entire cocktail program is robust, thoughtfully curated to appeal to every possible taste with a creative twist. Cocktails are equally well crafted for our sober friends who deserve more than a watered-down compromise.
Hot dogs and martinis are the new power couple. Like salt and pepper, peanut butter and jelly, coffee and cream, they belong together, no matter what anyone else says. It’s not that serious and a night on the town shouldn’t be either. Tallboy is the relief we need from being a straight-laced, responsibility-laden adult for just a minute, while still being able to imbibe like one.
