Dining Out: Torchy's Tacos

I rarely make it to the South Side, but last week was Spring Break and I had the opportunity to try the goods at Torchy's Tacos, which has been around for a while and recently opened a location near UT as well.

Torchy's, along with two other trailers (one a burger joint, the other a gift shop), makes up the "South Austin Trailer Park and Eatery." A bit gimmicky if you ask me, but on a nice day it's quite pleasant to sit outside under the trees off South First Street.

Nothing on the menu is what I'd consider "standard." The queso, above, has green chilis and is topped with hot sauce, queso fresco, and cilantro.

Fried Avocado Taco

Green chili pork taco and "dirty sanchez" taco

I didn't order the pork--they gave it to me by mistake--but my dining companion Lizzie had ordered one herself and declared it to be tasty.

The Dirty Sanchez taco

This was my favorite part of the meal--fluffy egg topped with guacamole, fried poblano, and escabeche carrots.

All tacos come with either flour or corn tortillas. Drink selections are minimal--they could use a couple of aguas frescas or even just iced tea.

Bonus dessert pic: chocolates at Whole Foods during SXSW

Recession-Proof Breakfast

There's nothing glamorous about oatmeal, but it can still be pretty tasty if it's done up right. This week I happened to have some half and half on hand (try saying that 10 times fast) and it was just the right finishing touch to a bowl already flavored with plumped-up raisins and toasted sliced almonds.

But just about anything can go on oatmeal... I even heard Mark Bittman say he likes soy sauce on his. Personally, I'm more of the stewed apple and cinnamon sugar camp, but I'll reserve judgment until I try it...

Besides being versatile and heart-healthy, easy to make and reheat, oatmeal is also super cheap. I'll enjoy it while the weather is still cool enough to make hot breakfast cereal appealing!

Eat Your Veggies: Kale Chips

One of the least-anticipate side effects of being mostly vegetarian, I've discovered, is random cravings for vegetables. You'd think it would be the opposite--random cravings for hamburgers or pork ribs--but surprisingly often I think, "Wow, what I really want is a big helping of really tasty veggies." 

Until recently, those cravings were never for kale, but that may be changing. Kale belongs to the leafy green family, those miracle plants that are supposed to be so good for you yet are often intimidating in their leafiness and "healthy" taste. Having enjoyed kale in a stir fry a few weeks back, I came across this recipe for kale "chips" (or crisps, if you prefer) and decided to give it a shot.

In the pan

On the plate

They are very good. In fact, I ate them all in one sitting (about one small kale head's worth). Very delicate and crisp. Highly recommended! I kept mine in the oven a little longer than the recipe called for, about 30 minutes.

Dining Out: Yogurt Planet

Well folks, I made myself hungry by writing about yogurt last week, so I decided I had to visit the new neighborhood frozen yogurt establishment, Yogurt Planet. I didn't really know what to expect but I was really impressed and plan to go back soon.

(Apparently these places are old news even in Austin--but it was new to me!)

Original "tart" yogurt with kiwi, lychee, mochi, and coconut jelly

The self-serve yogurts

I was impressed for a number of reasons:

1. The yogurt was clearly high quality and they even had a sign up about how it was healthy and had live cultures etc.

2. The toppings were a mix of standards and unusual ones, both fruits and candies, largely with an Asian bent... And all of them looked amazing

3. It's all self-serve and mix/match so you can get whatever suits your fancy... Usually I'm not a fan of "do it yourself" restaurant themes (don't you go out to eat so that others make those decisions for you??) but in this case it works

4. Very clean, and clearly popular... At least with college age women and young families!

Next week I won't even mention yogurt, I promise. ;-)