Blanton Art Museum & Whole Foods ~ #101PreschoolDates

I have 10 weeks left with my 4 year old until the big kids come home for the summer.  And you know what happened next fall? My baby goes to kindergarten.  So in an effort to make some memories with him, I am instituting #101PreschoolDates  Follow along as we count down this list and find some really cool places in the Austin area to take your preschoolers! 

Blanton Art Museum

I have lived here almost 6 years and still have not visited the Blanton Art Museum and both my older kids have - multiple times.  Now granted, viewing art is not at the top of my list when it comes to finding ways to spend my free time.......

However, looking for a fun date with my preschooler, I wanted a quiet walk through a museum.  Ha. Did I say quiet? 

As you walk in, you encounter "Living Waters" - this gorgeous room is covered in marble that shimmers as if it's a waterfall - pictures do not do it justice - and it provides such a sense of calm as you walk in into the building.  However, it did the opposite to my son.  He wanted to jump up and down the stairs and shout "yee-haw" at the top of his lungs.  No, not calming at all.

The Blanton has several rooms to visit and as I get older (ahem) I have learned to appreciate it more.  I wanted to take my time, but my preschooler wasn't having it and we rushed from room to room. Until we encountered this exhibit:

You are invited to touch this exhibit and we spent a good 15 minutes here counting the pennies and making piles out of them. It's a magnificent piece that has a very deep meaning, but I don;t quite think he cared too much what it meant. The nice thing about the Blanton is that there were excellent plaques next to all the pieces that helped explain what they all meant. 

As we moved into the modern room, my guy headed straight for a pile of blocks on the floor, thinking he could climb on them....NOOOOOOOOO! No wonder the museum docent looked so nervous when we walked into the room.

So, the Blanton for a rambunctious 4 year old?  Maybe not.  The nice thing was, we visited on Thursday, where admission was free, so we didn't feel too guilty when we spent less than an hour there.  I think I really would like to visit again - it's a tremendous museum that deserves much more time than I gave it - just might visit alone next time. 

Whole Foods Downtown Austin

Knowing my little guy was full of energy, we headed to my personal favorite for lunch in Downtown Austin - Whole Foods.  The creme de la creme of grocery stores - ok "markets" -  they have an amazing area of prepared food to take to go. You could honestly eat every day for a month at Whole Foods and never have the same thing twice.  

Little man always gets a slice of cheese pizza and a special cookie, but I always build a big, fresh salad that always seems to weigh a ton (and yes, you pay by the weight).  It's delicious and unique and the reason we love it the most? This guy:

The rooftop of Whole Foods is a beautiful urban park with green spaces, picnic tables, and big a playscape.  I love the picnic-y feel our lunch has to it when we dine on the roof.

This last week, we noticed a new building - the Hemloft is a recreation of the original Canadian Hemloft.  Next time you are there, go inside and read the story and check out original notes that were left in it.  Doesn't mean much to kids, but it's pretty cool.

The quiet time we spent together made me realize how important these dates were going to be.  Can't wait to see where the next few months take us!  Follow along on our social media channels with the #101Preschool Dates.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
101 Things to Do with a Preschooler in Austin 
Pet Sounds at Laguna Gloria & Mayfield Park
Special Events at Safari Champ
5 Tips for Your Next Trip to Thinkery
A Free Fun in Austin Day
Katherine Fleischer Park

Smashburger Arrives in North Austin! ~ A Giveaway!

This week, I was invited to preview the newest Smashburger to open in the Austin area.  Y'all, it was awesome......

This Texas gal loves me some burgers.  And here in Texas, we have a WIDE array of burger joints to choose from.  Luckily, my family likes burgers too, so it's a standard go-to in our house.  I never used to love burgers this much, but with restaurants creating such unique burgers, with the most amazing flavor, I honestly crave them.  We don't live in the time where a piece of meat, slice of cheese and 2 buns is acceptable anymore (unless your my 4-year old).  We are most definitely spoiled into wanting something more.

Lucky for us, Smashburger brings us more. 

Smashed Fresh. Served Delicious.  The motto for Smashburger lives up to it's claim.  Each smashburger starts with a fresh ball of 100% Angus Beef, smashed onto a hot-buttered grill so that the flavor is seared right in - it's caramelized and it makes it yummy.   We actually watched the process - after we tried all the burgers - and it made me hungry again.  Most smashburgers are served on a fresh artesian bun and come in the most amazing combinations.

Signature Recipes. Smashburger offers a regular burger - if that's your thing - but it's the signature burgers that I was most excited for.

I thought the BBQ, Bacon & Cheddar was going to be my favorite - and it was amazing - BBQ sauce, applewood-smoked bacon, cheddar, and haystack onions on an egg bun - YUM!!

But the burger that blew me away was the Truffle Mushroom Swiss - Truffle mayo, sauteed baby portabella mushrooms and aged swiss on an egg bun.  The truffle mayo brings so much flavor to the sandwich - you have to try it.

What's really cool is that Smashburger makes unique, regional burgers, based on local cravings.  For us here in Texas, we have the Texas Burger - American cheese, yellow mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles on an egg bun.  If you head out to Colorado, you would get one with green chilies or Las Vegas with a fried egg - the "all-nighter".

There's More? Lucky for us, the Smashchicken is just as good as the burgers - and yes, it's smashed too.  They offer freshly made salads, served in a huge frozen bowl.  And the Smashfries (tossed with rosemary, olive oil, and garlic were to die for. They also offer sweet potato fries, haystack onions, veggie frites, and if your real nice, they will make you fried pickles or jalapenos (shhh....it's on the "secret menu").

And For Dessert. If you still have room after all that, you have to try a shake.  Made with Haagen-Dazs ice cream, real milk, and syrup, it is delicious.  We tried the Oreo and the PB&J (another secret menu offering) and loved them both!  Save room my friends, save room.

Smashburger has 4 locations in the Central Texas area:

South Austin: Slaughter & I-35 

 North Austin: Hwy 183 & Lakeline Blvd. 

New Braunfels: I-35 & SH 46

Temple: S 31st St & HK Dodgen Loop 

Want to try a Smashburger yourself??  I have some free burgers up for grabs!  Let's do a quick contest!

Enter to win one of two 4-pack Smashburger Passes. Contest starts Friday, August 30, 2013 and lasts until Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at midnight.  Winner will be notified by email on Wednesday, September 4 and will have 24 hours to respond or I get to pick another. :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was invited to a preview of the new Smashburger location.  I was not asked to write this post nor was I compensated for it.  I just really think it's a great burger and want to tell y'all all about it. 

Firehouse Subs {A Gift Card Giveaway!}

Firehouse Subs is one of my family's favorite "go-to" meals.  They have something that everyone likes.  And after hearing their history, humble beginnings and how much they give back to local communities, I like them even more.  

A few weeks ago, Firehouse Subs invited me to a local event, where I met Robin Sorensen, one of the founders and tasted some of their best-sellers.  

They actually have a pretty interesting history.  Started in 1994 by two brothers, both firefighters, who wanted to start a sub shop.  They came from a family of firefighters and loved the fellowship, camaraderie, and the food.  They were simply consumers, not chefs and certainly not trained to start a business from the ground up.  But look at them now, with restaurants in 35 states and looking to go internationally soon.

In the beginning, it was all about making the subs better than the competition.  So they worked hard to use only the best quality meats, cheese, breads, and even the pickles.  And you honestly can taste the difference.  For example, the Smokehouse Beef & Cheddar Brisket happens to use hickory smoked beef from Sadler's BBQ in Henderson, Texas.  They searched high & low to find the best brisket to use in this sandwich (also the most expensive in the store) to make this amazing best-seller.  And y'all, it has replaced my favorite Hook & Ladder - if you have not tried this sandwich yet, it is a MUST the next time!

What sets Firehouse Subs apart from other sub sandwiches is the steaming.  Sounds a little crazy to steam a sandwich, I know, but it honestly makes the sandwich.  Steaming is the opposite of microwaving, putting moisture into the sandwich, allowing all the flavors to come out.  For example, as we tasted the Italian (the #2 seller), you could smell and taste all the oregano because of the steam.

My kids totally dig the fun Coca-Cola machine, where there are tons of different options to add your sodas and waters (cherry-vanilla diet coke anyone?).  In addition to the fun machine, Firehouse Subs & Coca-Cola partnered to develop the Cherry-Lime-aid fountain drink as well, only available at Firehouse Subs.

One of the things I learned that night that impressed me the most, above all the yummy sandwiches, was the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, an amazing way Firehouse Subs give back to local communities.   This foundation provides first responders and public safety organizations with life-saving equipment, training, tools, and disaster relief (providing food).  The day Robin was in Austin, they were making a donation of 10 wildfire fire suits to the Cedar Park Fire Department.  Over the last 5 years, the foundation has made over 495 donations equaling over $5.7 million to police, fire departments, and schools.  Amazing.

About 60% of all donations are raised by the individual franchises too.  Donation Canisters are at each register for your loose change.  You can also round up your cash or credit purchase to the next dollar.  And you can purchase an empty, five-gallon pickle bucket for only $2 - what a great way to recycle the buckets and donate to a good cause!

Learning more about Firehouse Subs that day endeared me to them.  I think differently, knowing the quality of the sandwich I am eating (and feeding my family).  I respect the stores so much more now, seeing how much they give back to our local public safety communities.  I loved hearing the Sorenson Brothers' story and am proud of how successful they have become.

But it wasn't just about letting me taste all their yummy food.....Firehouse Subs wanted me to "share the love" to you as well, providing me with gift cards to give out to some readers!!

Want to win a $10 gift card to Firehouse Subs?  I have THREE up for grabs!

7 easy entries for you to win a $10 gift card to Firehouse Subs:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest begins Monday, February 25 at 7:00 am and ends Monday, March 4 at midnight.  Three inner will be choose Tuesday, March 5 at 7:00 am and notified via email.  Prizes will be sent directly to the winners.  Good luck!

GiGi's Cupcakes ~ Austin, TX

Happy Halloween!!  Thought I'd show you a little treat today, rather than any tricks.  How about a visit to one of my favorite places to get a "treat"??

 GiGi's Cupcakes, the cupcakery in Cedar Park, is famous for it's very tall and very swirly icing.  And it's delicious and unique flavors.  And it's freshness. Are you sensing a theme here?  I mean, just look at these gorgeous cupcakes!

 They opened in December 2011 and had actual lines to get in the store every time I wanted to visit.  I actually put off trying it (despite all my friends raving about it) for a few months.  Shame on me!!

 I didn't even have to taste these babies to know I would be in trouble. I conveniently find excuses to "pop" by for a cupcake.  Mom's lunch at school?  Let's get a cupcake!  Daddy had a bad day at work? I'm sure a cupcake will make it all better!

But looks aren't everything.  They taste amazing too.  That is because GiGi's Cupcakes are baked fresh everyday.  Each day, they feature 11 different flavors to try, changing them seasonally.  During the fall & winter, they have Blackberry Cobbler, Pumpkin White Chocolate, Sticky Bun, along with their most popular flavors, Wedding Cake, Midnight Magic, and Birthday Surprise!  You can check their daily menu here.

I was able to chat with the owner, Chet, last week.  He and his family moved to the Austin area to open a GiGi's and have been very happy with it's success.

GiGi's Cupcakes started in 2007 in Nashville, TN.  There is an actual GiGi and she has a fun story.  She was cleaning homes of Nashville stars when her brother convinced her to make her cupcakes, as he discovered that her's were MUCH better than the East Coast cupcakes. And the rest was history.

GiGi's Cupcakes is known for it's trademark icing swirl.  It makes it a gorgeous cupcake, but I like the fact that there is plenty of icing for my entire cupcake.  It's my favorite part actually.  I like to cut my cupcake in half, lay each one on it's side and get a perfect bite of both cake and frosting every time.

Gigi's offers a Loyalty Program for those who find reasons to buy a cupcake frequently (as if we needed any reasons).  You get one point for every dollar you spend and once you get to 50 points, you get a $5 reward!  Free cupcakes anyone?

So if you can't tell by now, I love cupcakes and I love GiGi's - They are so moist and fresh - not a dry cupcake that has been baked elsewhere and defrosted. And I love love love all the flavors to choose from.  I have never been disappointed!

GiGi's Cupcakes has 3 easy ways to order - online, call it in, or come in the store and browse the wonderful selections.  You can also pre-order if you can't get to the store early in the day and they will set some cupcakes aside for you. Cause once they sell out, they are done for the day!

So now that I have your mouth watering, I recommend the Caramel Sugar Mama. Or the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.  Or the Grasshopper...

Your welcome.

I was not compensated for writing this post.  All opinions are my own.  I just love cupcakes and wanted to share them with you. Cheers!

Round Rock Food Trailer Park ~ Round Rock, Texas

Ever since moving here, I have had a fascination with the Food Trailers.  I'm slightly obsessed, as anytime someone suggests going downtown, I'm always chiming in with - Let's go to the Food Trailers!! You would think it is the best thing we have going for Austin (and clearly, it's NOT friends!) as everyone who visits us, gets an opportunity to visit a Food Trailer Park.

I just love the ambiance.....picnic tables and strung lights, and trees, and live music - it practically forces you to sit and have a great conversation with a friend.   I love the variety.....so many different things to choose from all in one setting, everyone is happy.  And of course, I love the food!  The quality is top notch!  This is not your ordinary snack bar food.  Gourmet BBQ, amazing gyros, crepes, and cupcakes.....ah the cupcakes.....

Know what I didn't love?  The location.  As a "northernite" (aka. Round Rock), I didn't get down to the trailers as much as I liked.

And that is why I was thrilled to hear about the Round Rock Food Trailer Park, which opens next week!!  Located less than 10 minutes from my house, I will be there as much as I can - Kids, no cooking tonight...let's go to the trailers!

I took this photo earlier this week, but each day, new trailers are being added in preparation for their Grand Opening Weekend - October 5th - 7th.  I spoke with the owners, Star Corp, Inc. (same owners at the wonderful Star Coffee in downtown Round Rock) and confirmed the details:

Round Rock Trailer Park

Located at 500 North Mays, Round Rock, Texas

featuring

Beef Cake Shop

Full House BBQ

Curly's Perfect Pig

Meat Up & Veg Out

Hatch "Yo" Taco

New Orleans Po Boy & Gumbo Shop

Flavors of the Bayou

Dawn's Thai Kitchen

Hey Cupcake! 

Sylvester's Soft Serve

Jak Concessions

Carnival Concessions

They are having a "soft opening" on Monday, October 1 and will be playing "Pee Wee's Big Adventure" for the crowd.  Food and beverages will be available from all the trailers.

The Grand Opening Celebration is on Friday, October 5th - Sunday, October 7th and features live music, games, and a bounce house.  I will certainly be there - who's going to join me??

* I added what links I could find for the food trailers.  

Cake-A-Doodle ~ Austin, TX

 I had a ton of questions regarding this adorable cake we had made for my youngest son's birthday party, so I thought I'd do what I do best...blog about it!!   After all, I love sharing a great find with all my friends!!  Cake-A-Doodle is an awesome find!!

I wanted something different for my sweet boy's 3rd birthday - not a typical store-bought cake (not that there is anything wrong with a store-bought cake, but sometimes you just want to do something creative!).  I did a little research online and came across Cake-A-Doodle's fun website.

Cake-A-Doodle had some amazing cakes - especially a fun swimming pool cake - and I knew they could make me something FUN!  I'm not too picky but I also don't give a lot of detail about what I want, so that can either be a blessing for the cake artist....or not.  Luckily, all I had to do was say "Very Hungry Caterpillar" and I had five pictures emailed to me the very next day.

Jhoana, our amazing cake artist, was so easy to work with and came up with an absolutely precious design:

 The details are what amazed me - from the holes in the fruits to the caterpillar's body, you can tell that a great deal of time was spent on making it a perfect cake.  Everyone oohed & ahhhed over it.

So then the real question is "how did it taste?"  Ah-mazing!  Since it was a toddler party, we asked for a white cake with a white-buttercream frosting.  There was a hint of citrus flavoring that made it unique and delicious.  Fresh as can be.

I can't recommend an easier cake artist to work with, who does amazing designs.  Please check her out. I just love supporting a momma's dream, especially one they are so good at! Thanks Jhoana & Cake-A-Doodle!

Cake-A-Doodle

http://www.thecakeadoodle.com

(512) 516-5247

info@thecakeadoodle.com

https://www.facebook.com/cakeadoodleaustin

Cake-A-Doodle graciously supplied the gorgeous cake, however all opinions are definitely my own.

Walburg Restaurant & Biergarten ~ Walburg, TX

I know what your thinking - what is she doing posting about a BIERGARTEN on a Family Blog???

Hold your horses friends - this ain't no smoky joint!!  We discovered a unique little gem a few weekends ago that several of my friends told me NOT to tell y'all about......

It's that AWESOME of a place to take your family no one wants the "word" to get out......

A few miles up I-35 (north of Georgetown) sits the sleepy little town of Walburg.  It doesn't sleep all the time,mind you.  It comes to life every Friday & Saturday night at this joint -> The Walburg Restaurant & Biergarten.

The restaurant is nestled in the Walburg Mercantile building built in 1882.  The Walburg Restaurant is the place to go for a true German meal.  You can enjoy a wonderful buffet filled with German delicacies or order front he menu.  Although it can seat up to 250 people, they do recommend reservations, especially on weekends.

Back behind the restaurant, in the shady grove of oak trees lies the very family-friendly Biergarten.  Lay claim on one of many picnic tables out under the trees or under the tent and plan on making it a night.

A full kitchen is available for you to order from featuring both German & American food.  We enjoyed  yummy bratwurst plates while the kids were able to have cheese pizza! Perfect!

The Biergarten also features that...good, cold beer, both domestic and imported varieties are available.

Some one very brilliant put an arcade in for the kiddos - my kids were int there most of the night.  And if there weren't in there, they were exploring in a field where they found a teeny, tiny frog...they were in heaven!!

As it starts to get a little darker  and the crowd gets a little bigger, the bands start to play under the tent.  Bands?? Yep- two of them!

The evening we were there, the Brushy Creek Brass Band started with some fun Swing songs. They were fantastic.

Once they had completed their set, The Walburg Boys began on the other side of the tent - they played everything form some fun German songs to the infamous Chicken Dance to a few waltzes.  The hubby & I got up and danced a bit, embarrassing the fool out of our kiddos.

But I will say, we were not nearly as good of dancers (or as adorable) as this fun couple!

The Walburg Biergarten was like stepping into a big fun party!  The shaded grove made a nice, cool environment for everyone.  It was one of the best nights we have had in a long time. Maybe that's why all my friends wanted to keep it a secret...so it stays that way!

Texas Travel Facts for Walburg Restaurant & Biergarten:

Location: 3777 FM 972 Walburg, Texas (Great directions here)

Hours: Restaurant has varying hours (click here)

            Biergarten open Friday & Saturday at 6:00 p.m.

Admission: free

Recommended Time: all night! :)

Good to know: Parking to the left of the restaurant or in the back of the biergarten; Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays; no pets; reservations for the restaurant are recommended; credit cards accepted; check their website for special events

Website:http://www.walburgrestaurant.com/

Blue Bonnet Cafe ~ Marble Falls, Texas

"It's What's  Cooking in Marble Falls." - this sweet slogan is so true.  For one of the best home-cooked meals and amazing pie, everyone in the Hill Country knows you head to Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls, Texas.

With a cozy, down-home atmosphere, the Blue Bonnet cafe is busy at all times of the day.  Could be their yummy pancake breakfasts, big platters of chicken fried steak, or just pie that keeps everyone coming.  Yep, I think a LOT of people are there for the pie.

Blue Bonnet Cafe offers a Pie Happy Hour! (Monday-Friday 3-5 pm) The menu boasts 14 different pies to choose from and you an get that plain, heated up, a la mode with whip cream or ice cream - I tell ya, it is a hard decision.

Luckily, when we went over Spring Break, all 5 of us ordered a different slice, so we could sample - Lemon Cream, Apple A La Mode, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Meringue, and German Chocolate - all for one table. Just look at how tall that meringue stands!

We did order dinner - the plates are big, so bring an appetite or save room for pie - so despite that, we had no trouble clearing off our pie plates.

The Blue Bonnet Cafe is the perfect place to stop and get a bite (and a slice of pie!!) after you visit the Longhorn Cavern State Park or take a trip on the Vanishing Texas River Cruise.  Maybe you worked up an appetite climbing Enchanted Rock or picking strawberries at Sweet Berry Farm?  Maybe you don't need any other reason to go there....except for a piece of exceptional pie.

More Fun Things to do in the Hill Country:

Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm

LBJ Ranch at Lyndon B Johnson National Historic Park

Longhorn Caverns State Park

Inks Lake State Park

National Museum of the Pacific War

Enchanted Rock

Vanishing Texas River Cruise

Sweetberry Farm in the Fall

Picking Strawberries at the Sweetberry Farm 

Salt Lick BBQ

Texas Travel Facts for Blue Bonnet Cafe:

Location: 211 Highway 281 Marble Falls, Texas

Hours: Mon-Thurs: 6 am - 8 pm

            Fri & Sat: 6 am - 9 pm

            Sun: 6 am - 1:45 pm

Recommended Time: 1-2 hours (depending on the wait)

Good to know: the line to get a table moves pretty fast (and it is worth the wait!): don't forget about Pie Happy Hour M-F 3-5 pm; For all the wonderful recipes, grab a copy of Blue Bonnet Cafe Cookbook

Website:http://bluebonnetcafe.net

Waterloo Ice House ~ Austin, Texas

Don't you love days where unexpected fun just kinda falls in your lap? You go to a place, not knowing what to expect, and you have the best time?

My little guy (he's 3) and I have been exploring every Wednesday as the 2 older kids are in school.  It has been so much fun, as we have been able to play at some really cool locations like the Play For All Abilities Park last week.  This Wednesday, I had a few errands to run and then I promised him I would take him to a "park" (does a playscape count?).

We were meeting some new friends at the Waterloo Ice House on 360/Capital of Texas Hwy.  I googled it - saw there was a playscape - thus it became the "park".

We had the BEST afternoon there y'all. If you are looking for a relaxing weekday location to get the kids out to play - this is it.

I was able to drink my ice tea and have a delicious cheeseburger (yes, I indulged!) while my guy ran around the sand pit and playscape for 2 hours.  He made new friends, played with trucks, climbed up & down the playscape, and barely came over to get a drink.

I sat under the shade of big oak trees, enjoyed the cool April breeze.  It was incredibly relaxing and I think  it could be a great place for play dates.  There is a ton of seating and a outside bar that opens in the evening, along with horseshoe pitches and a few tvs.  It looked like a great place to hang out on a Friday night with the entire family.

I loved the Hill Country feel to it - ice cold beer, burgers in your backyard - can't get more relaxing than that.  Having been around since 1976, Waterloo Ice House has perfected the atmosphere.  With 8 locations across Austin, there is definitely one near you....though I can't say if it has the amazing backyard feel to it that the 360 location does.

What? You already knew about this place?  You mean, this is not Austin's best kept secret?  Well, consider yourself reminded.  Your welcome.

Other Fun Things to Do in Austin:

Austin Bats 

Austin Children's Museum

Austin Mural Scavenger Hunt

Austin Nature & Science Center

Austin's Park

Austin Zoo

Big Top Candy Shop

Bullock Texas State History Museum

Cathedral of Junk

Cedar Rock Railroad

The Dinosaur Park

Dino Pit

iFly

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Lake Travis Zipline Adventures

Mt. Bonnell

Pioneer Farms

Texas Military Forces Museum

Texas State Capitol

Texas Travel Facts for the Waterloo Ice House (360 location):

Location: 6203 Capitol of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX

Hours: Mon-Sat - 7 am - 11 pm / Sunday 8am-10pm

Good to know: Wear flip flops for the kids to play comfortably in the sandpit; wipes/sanitizing gel to clean hands for meals

WebsiteTexas Travel Facts for the Play for All Abilities Park:

Location: 151 North A.W. Grimes Round Rock, TX

Hours: 6 am - midnight

Admission: Free

Recommended Time: 1 hour

Good to know: Don't follow GPS instructions to get there - there is a new entrance to get to the park off A.W. Grimes (right near the Railroad Track Bridge); bring bikes/trikes to ride in the Mini Township only; 

Website: http://www.waterlooicehouse.com/

Salt Lick BBQ ~ Driftwood, Texas

What?  BBQ for Spring Break? 

For most Texans, BBQ is really not that big of a deal - don't get me wrong....we LOVE our BBQ, but we can get it (or make it) with ease in these parts.  So why on earth is  The Salt Lick, in Driftwood, TX on my list of ideas for Spring Break?  Because it's all about the experience.....

The Salt Lick opened in 1967 on a ranch in Driftwood, TX.  They came up with this original name by the deer who were attracted to the large rocks found on the ranch.  They would gather around and “lick” salt and minerals found in the rocks.  Thus the name, “Salt Lick”.  

Just a short half-hour drive outside of Austin into the Texas Hill Country, it is a well-know BBQ joint that is busy for both lunch and dinner...and we can see why!  Just take a look at how much charm it oozes, and this is just the outside:

Go on in through the creaky screened front door and find yourself a picnic table to settle in at.  But don't forget to stop and marvel at the array of juicy, sizzling beef, pork, and chicken on the open pit.  This BBQ is seared and slow-cooked over coals - a method the family who owns Salt Lick has used for generations.

    Our meal was fantastic- smokey, juicy, tender brisket, ribs, and sausages with homemade rolls and pickles. We topped it off with homemade peach cobbler.  YOu can order family style or bit by bit - nothing will disappoint you.

Pair a trip out to Salt Lick with a stop in Wimberly at the Blue Hole or after spending a few hours exploring Austin.  It is a scenic, peaceful drive and a relaxing, fun meal.  And for those friends who live in the other 49 continental states (and beyond), if you really want to get your taste of good Texas BBQ, the Salt Lick will ship!!

Texas Travels Facts about Salt Lick BBQ:

Location: 18300 FM 1836 Driftwood, TX (also located in the Austin airport and in Round Rock)

Hours: Everyday 11 am - 10 pm 

Good to Know: Cash only & BYOB, bring a BIG appetite!

Website:http://www.saltlickbbq.com