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Rudy’s Country Store & Barbecue: Fuel Your Car and Your Belly at This Quirky Barbecue

October 2, 2014 by

Texas is known for many things, but barbecue is surely one of the most important. Rudy’s Country Store and barbecue restaurant is a standout spot in Austin’s booming restaurant scene, beloved for the way it merges a restaurant, general store, and even a gas station if you need to fuel up after dinner.

While the operation is quirky, Rudy’s food menu is one to be reckoned with. Half-pound racks of tender, juicy ribs, moist brisket, tangy potato salad, and sweet creamed corn keep regulars coming back again and again. Order at the counter and watch the skillful cooks slice your meat right in front of you, and then enjoy your meal over a cold soda or beer at one of the long, communal picnic tables either inside or out. Finish your meal with Rudy’s excellent banana pudding and you’ll leave feeling positively stuffed.

Rudy’s Country Store is open 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. weekdays and 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekends. On Sundays, the restaurant is open 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Rudy’s Country Store & Barbeque
11570 Research Boulevard
Austin, TX 78759
(512) 418-9898
www.rudysbbq.com/page/location/name/bbq-austin%20-%20360
www.yelp.com/biz/rudys-country-store-and-barbecue-austin

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

Jack Allen’s Kitchen: Locally Sourced Goodness With New Items Nightly

September 25, 2014 by

This impressive restaurant uses only fresh, locally-sourced meats and produce to create its refined, Southern-inspired menu, and new dishes are featured nightly depending on what ingredients are the most plentiful that season.

The restaurant itself is furnished with warm wooden fixtures, sumptuous fabrics draped from the ceiling and a patio area with an outdoor fireplace. Dinner begins with a plate of pimento cheese and crackers to snack on, and an impressive list of wine, beer, and handcrafted, seasonal cocktails are also available to accompany any meal. Whether you opt for the traditional crispy catfish and slaw dish or a more adventurous pumpkin seed pesto chicken, Jack Allen’s offers a taste of Texas that’s both unique and traditional.

To make a reservation at Jack Allen’s Kitchen, visit the convenient website or call the restaurant directly.

Jack Allen’s Kitchen
7720 Highway 71 W
Austin, TX 78735
(512) 852-8558
www.jackallenskitchen.com
www.yelp.com/biz/jack-allens-kitchen-austin

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

How to Take the Stress Out of Back-to-School

September 18, 2014 by

From the school supply shopping to the transportation planning, going back to school can be stressful on both you and your little one. Luckily, these helpful tips will take the stress out of the beginning of a new school year.

  1. Instill a positive attitude. First and foremost, it’s important to help your child to think positively about the beginning of school. Ask a lot of questions about how he or she feels, and be sure to speak encouragingly whenever discussing school. Even the most confident child likely has a few butterflies about starting a new grade level, so be positive enough for the both of you.
  2. Create a back-to-school routine. After staying up late and sleeping in all summer, it can be difficult for children to get back into the swing of things once fall rolls around. A week or so before the first day, start instating a reasonable bedtime and serving a wholesome breakfast a bit earlier than usual to create good habits once school starts.
  3. Get organized. Purchase only the essentials when school shopping and pack them into a backpack a few days ahead of time. Obtain a bus assignment or other transportation information, and spend some time going over your child’s new schedule. Finally, be sure to set out a reliable camera to snap that priceless first day of school photo.

Ease Back-to-School Stress [School Family]
What Not to Take Back-to-School? Stress. It’s Toxic! [Healthy Child]
Ease back to school stress with these six tips [Good to Know]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Grand Nail Spa: Buff, Polish and Pamper

September 15, 2014 by

Not all nail salons are created equal, and regulars insist that Pflugerville’s Grand Nail Spa is one of the best in the Austin area. This stylish nail salon features a friendly staff of technicians who are skilled in all of the latest nail trends, and the salon itself is stylish and comfortable. Teal colored walls and modern furnishings create a relaxing environment, and the spacious waiting area is filled with magazines for customers to page through while waiting to get their nails done. Grand Nail Spa even offers complimentary drinks and a candy bar for guests to munch on, and the high-tech massage chairs are completely customizable.

Once it comes time for the manicure or pedicure, Grand Nail Spa buffs away dead skin, then moisturizes and polishes fingers and toes to your specifications. The salon even offers a much larger assortment of shellac polish colors than most salons for those who want to splurge a bit more on their manicure.

Grand Nail Spa is open 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

Grand Nail Spa
1700 Grand Ave Parkway
Pflugerville, TX 78660
(512) 990-7300
www.grand-nailspa.com
www.yelp.com/biz/grand-nail-spa-pflugerville

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

New Facebook Sweepstakes! Enter to Win an iPad Mini!

September 5, 2014 by

To enter the Sweepstakes, Like our Facebook Page and then look for the Sweepstakes tab (image shown below) located on our Facebook Page to enter. Sweepstakes ends October 31, 2014.

For mobile users ONLY, like our Facebook Page, and then click here to enter!

Filed Under: Life at 3500 Westlake Apartments Tagged With:

How to Take the Stress Out of Home Entertaining

September 4, 2014 by

Even the best party planners get stressed out when it comes time for a large get-together, but there are some simple tips that help to take the pressure out of entertaining. Here are a few smart ideas that will make your upcoming holiday party or gathering effortless and worry-free.

  1. Make a to-do list. Any expert entertainer will tell you that the easiest way to stay organized is by making a to-do list. Detail everything that you need to do to prepare and keep things separated by days. If you start the planning a week or so in advance, everything will come together on party day.
  2. Keep things relaxed. It doesn’t take fine china to set a beautiful table. Keep things low-key by using attractive paper tablecloths and napkins, and make sure that all of your flatware matches so that you can mix and match pieces depending on the type of food that you’re serving.
  3. Create a lively atmosphere. Do whatever it takes to make your guests feel welcome and comfortable, from creating a fun playlist to drawing up seating place cards that best match guests who don’t know one another. This ensures that the conversation will flow all night long.
  4. If all else fails, make enough food. If your guests love the food, you can almost guarantee a good party.

10 Tips To Help You Throw a Great Party Without Losing Your Mind (Or Blowing Your Budget) [The Kitchn]
12 Secrets to Hosting a Stress-Free Holiday Party [HGTV]
The Stress Less Dinner Party [Real Simple]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , ,

Bring a Hearty Appetite for Tex-Mex Fare to Chekos in Austin

August 28, 2014 by

What is it that makes Chekos stand out from other restaurants? It’s all about quality and portion size here. If you're craving a really hearty meal, this is a place that serves large portions of well-regarded food.

The burritos here might just be some of the best lunch deals in Austin. You can get a burrito topped with cheese for under five bucks, and you might even have leftovers when you're done. Other popular dishes include the carne guisada, a hearty Mexican beef stew perfect for cooler days, as well as the sizzling fajitas. Tacos are also dependable (try the lengua!). Regulars also praise the margaritas at Chekos.

Note that the lunch specials menu (which promises Chekos' best deals) doesn’t allow substitutions.

Chekos
1304 W. Koenig Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 407-8480
www.gotchekos.com/GotChekos/Got_Checkos.html
www.yelp.com/biz/chekos-austin

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Safety First! How to Safely Handle and Store Food During Your Outdoor Vacation

August 21, 2014 by

The summertime is filled with fun outdoor activities, and many people like to take their meals outdoors as well. If you want to bring a picnic along on a vacation or day trip, here are a few safety tips to make sure it doesn’t go bad.

  1. Keep cool. Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind when traveling with food is that the hot sun can cause it to thaw and, in turn, make you sick. Be sure to pack all foods in coolers or on ice, and store drinks in a separate cooler to avoid opening the food cooler too frequently.
  2. Pack meat while it’s still frozen. If you plan on cooking hamburgers or hot dogs once you arrive at your destination, pack it in the cooler while it’s still frozen to keep it cold for longer.
  3. Pack lots of bottled water. If you’re hiking or camping where you won’t have access to fresh water, stock up on bottled water. Avoid drinking from streams or rivers, as they may be contaminated with bacteria.
  4. Avoid leftovers. Try to pack only enough food for the day, and throw out any leftovers. Food starts to go bad as soon as it sits in the sun, so it definitely won’t be safe to eat the next day.

Food Safety While Hiking, Camping & Boating [USDA]
Handling Food Safely on the Road [USDA]
Food Safety While Boating, Camping and Hiking [MDH]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Dazzle Coffee: Premium Java Served From a Drive-Through Window

August 14, 2014 by

With the goal to create a cafe that focuses on premium roasted Arabica beans and a friendly relationship between barista and customer, Dazzle Coffee opened in Pflugerville in 2006. This drive-through-only coffee shop has seen great success over the years since it opened, mainly because regulars love the convenience of purchasing high quality coffee without exiting their cars!

The menu includes affordably priced classics like freshly brewed coffees and flavorful caffe lattes, as well as specialty drinks like white chocolate mochas and caramel macchiatos. Dazzle Coffee also sells cold beverages perfect for hot Austin days, including the popular Frezian, which includes your choice of milk blended with ice and coffee. Milkshakes and 100% fruit smoothies also make delicious treats after dinner or to cool off during a hot summer day.

Dazzle Coffee is open 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays. Sunday hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dazzle Coffee
100 N. Second Street
Pflugerville, TX 78660
(512) 670-1100
www.dazzlecoffee.com
www.yelp.com/biz/dazzle-coffee-pflugerville

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

NeWorlDeli: Taste the Art of the Deli Sandwich

August 7, 2014 by

Everyone loves a good sandwich, and the folks behind Austin’s NeWorlDeli believe that a truly great sandwich doesn’t need to rely on trendy presentation or fancy fixings. This casual Hyde Park deli serves traditional sandwiches piled high with simple ingredients such as roasted meats, fresh cheeses, and freshly baked breads. Regulars love NeWorlDeli’s French Dip, Reuben, and the Avocado Veggie sandwiches, the latter being entirely meatless for vegetarian customers. The menu also comprises a variety of burgers and fresh salads, and the New York cheesecake provides a sweet finish to any meal.

The restaurant’s interior is beautifully decorated with warm shades of gold, blue, and red, and artwork lines every wall. Comfortable tables are comfortable for lunch with a friend, and the spacious counter makes it easy to order. With a cooler full of beers and wines and live music every Monday night, NeWorlDeli is a sandwich shop with with a whole lot more to offer.

NeWorlDeli
4101 Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 451-7170
www.neworldeli.com
www.yelp.com/biz/neworldeli-austin

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,
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