Dishola: Reviews by the Dish
- dishola /dish•ō•lâ/
- v. To share the love of food - dish by dish. n. The ultimate source to find real meals at real places that rule.
Paula's Profile
500 San Marcos St,
Austin, TX
(512) 493-0963
Paula
on 12/29/06
Think turkey sandwiches are a bore? Think again. This terrific combination ($7.49) from Progress pairs plenty of moist, sliced turkey with cream cheese, subtly sweet and fiery jelly (made in Austin), and mixed greens on crusty ciabatta. Served alongside a pile of tortilla chips or a field green salad, this is my idea of midday sustenance. And the cappucinos are divine, to boot.
1010 Fort Pickens Rd,
Pensacola Beach, FL
(850) 932-4139
Paula
on 05/16/07
Haaaarrr! These crispy nuggets of lightly fried grouper are reason enough to book your next vacation on Pensacola Beach. At Peg Legs the nuggets are always hot, fat, and flaky, and made from generous, irregularly-shaped portions of fresh Gulf grouper (hooray that they're not perfectly stamped-out discs off the Sysco truck). Served with fat fries, homemade tartar sauce and, if you're smart, a generous dousing of Crystal Hot Sauce, and this just may be the world's best beach snack. Add cold beer, a classic rock soundtrack ("slow ride...!) and salty sea air and you have, well, reason to place another order.
1600 Westheimer Rd,
Houston, TX
(713) 524-7744
Paula
on 05/05/07
Blame it on the perfect margarita and spicy peanuts that I sipped and nibbled when I arrived: I was in the mood for the unexpected I rarely order tostadas, or shrimp, particularly in a spectacular restaurant that specializes in interior Mexican cuisine, but something told me the version done at Hugo's would be special, and it was. A crisp, delicate fried tortilla was slathered with rich and smoky black beans and topped with shredded lettuce and sweet shrimp that were lightly sauteed in garlic oil. A crumbling of creamy queso anejo pulled all the flavors together. I had one of my best meals of the year at Hugo's, and this deceptively simple dish is the one I dream about.
2529 S Lamar Blvd,
Austin, TX
(512) 444-0261
Paula
on 04/23/07
If La Quinta is Spanish for "free internet" then migas is Spanish for "breakfast nirvana, hangover panacea, or Texas birthright..." As most any Austinite knows, migas actually means "little crumbs" and a beloved morning scramble involving eggs, crushed tortilla chips, and any number of other ingredients including onions, tomatoes, fresh chiles, etc. Maria's Taco Xpress takes their version to another level--they fry the migas until it's crusty and browned, top it with an unapologetic amount of cheddar that melts as the bottom crisps, and serve a weighty portion in a warmed flour tortilla. Add plenty of Maria's tart and fiery chimichurri salsa, and you have one sublime eating experience. Pass the napkins and the cafe con leche.
1412 S Congress Ave,
Austin, TX
(512) 707-8232
Paula
on 01/13/07
If I flew into Austin and had two hours to get some chow, there's a very good chance I'd get myself to the bar at Guero's, for a Perfecto Margarita (made with Patron) and a platter of 8-10 tacos al pastor. The appetizer tacquitos are where it's at--the tender, spicy pork, sweetened slightly with chopped fresh pineapple, is served on small corn tortillas, topped with chopped onion and cilantro and a scattering of lime wedges (the larger tacos, on flour tortillas, are disappointing and mask the flavor of the meat). Squeeze that lime, amigo, and sip that bracing drink. And don't forget a spoonful of the tart tomatillo salsa. Then thank your lucky stars that you're in Texas.