Texas Book Festival: Two Days of Lit-Focused Fun

Before Laura Bush was a First Lady, she was a librarian. So it makes sense that she'd want to bring literacy to a larger group of people—which is precisely why she co-founded the Texas Book Festival in 1995. She and Mary Margaret Farabee wanted residents of Texas to not only have access to good books, but also to get excited about reading.

Now more than 20 years later, the Texas Book Festival is still going strong. This year it'll unfold at the State Capitol Building and nearby venues in Austin with the help of authors from around the country. More than 20 are scheduled to attend, including a mix of local talents and nationally renowned writers. So if you love a good book or you're interested in meeting some of the authors, head to the Texas Book Festival this year.

Texas Book Festival
When: November 5 -6
Where: State Capitol Building, 610 Brazos Street, Austin, TX 78701
www.texasbookfestival.org
www.facebook.com/TexasBookFestival

Visit The Texas Music Museum to Learn About Our State’s Music History

Austin is home to some great live music and has been a popular spot for live performances for decades. In celebration of that history, the Texas Music Museum was established. The Texas Music Museum puts the spotlight on musicians of today and yesterday who performed in Austin as well as the musicians who called Texas home. The artifacts and exhibitions throughout the museum explore all sorts of music from Texas-related patriotic music to country to jazz and swing. The exhibitions here showcase sheet music, snippets of songs, and more.

In addition to its regular collection, the museum is currently home to two special shows: an exhibition about gospel music and Texas and a exhibit about Mexican Americans who create Tejano music in Austin. The Texas Music Museum is conveniently just over two miles from Elan East, so be sure to check it out this summer.

Get a Free Juice with Your Purchase of Six at Daily Greens

When you’re looking for a refreshing but healthy treat in the East Austin area, check out Daily Greens on Springdale Road. The Juicery is conveniently just two miles from Elan East Apartments. Local residents can buy Daily Greens juices across lots of different locations in the city of Austin, but guests can taste and buy different juices at the Springdale Road storefront location.

Each of the Daily Greens juices have been made from six pounds of produce, and each contains up to two grams of fiber. Inspired by southern food, the staff at Daily Greens strive to create unique and healthy flavors like Himalayan pink salt and Madagascar vanilla. Guests can buy single juices for approximately $8.00 each or several juices as part of a more extensive juice cleanse. Stop by today to take advantage of Daily Greens' current special: when you buy six bottles of juice, you’ll get your seventh free.

Enjoy a Coffee, a Show, a Beer, or All Three at Cherrywood Coffeehouse

In a world full of cookie-cutter cafes, Cherrywood Coffeehouse stands out in the crowd. From it's ornate mosaic-topped tables to the stained-glass art pieces perched on the windowsills, Cherrywood Coffeehouse is full of life and color—and not just when it comes to the decor. The Austin cafe also regularly hosts live music and, after happy hour, switches from coffee to booze, so you can enjoy a beer with the show.

But if you're just swinging by on your way to work for a morning pick-me-up, regulars highly recommend that you order the Cuban con leche, which teems with sweet condensed milk. You may have to wait in line for it, but it'll be time well spent. Of course, you can always just grab a cup of brewed coffee, a latte, or an Americano at Cherrywood Coffeehouse too. Add a breakfast taco too, like the Sol. It contains a blend of eggs, black beans, bacon and sausage, potatoes, green onions, and cheese.

Try the Best Food Truck Fare in Town at Trailer Food Tuesdays

You can visit the colorful food trailer parks of Austin any time, but if you want to taste the best grub its food trucks have to offer, there's no better time than Trailer Food Tuesdays. One Tuesday each month through the summer, Trailer Food Tuesdays brings out the best of the best for a food truck festival. The idea originated with the Gypsy Picnic in 2010 and has only grown in scope since then.

The next Trailer Food Tuesday is July 19, and it will feature live tunes by the Anthony Ray Wright Band. Although its exact food truck lineup has yet to be announced, you can expect vendors similar to those who showed up for the first Trailer Food Tuesday on June 7. They included Wholly Kabob, Mission Dogs, SLAB BBQ, and Mmmpanadas, to name just a few. If you can't make it to the Trailer Food Tuesday on July 19, mark your calendar for the next one on August 16. Doodlin's Hogwallops will supply the live music for this fest, and you can expect prominent local food-truck chefs to make an appearance too.

Treat Yourself to Some Affordable Mediterranean Fare at Abo Youssef

Some of the best Mediterranean food in the area is available at Abo Youssef, an unassuming food truck that is usually parked on Manor Road. Located just a half-mile from Elan East, the food truck serves an assortment of Mediterranean specialties like shawarma, falafel, gyro, tabouli, and baba ganoush. The truck even offers a selection of desserts to top off your meal—think baklava and rice pudding. The food truck is loved by locals not only for its delicious food but also for its affordable prices. Most wraps cost around $5.99, and most entrees are just $9.99.

Unlike many food trucks, the area around Abo Youssef is complete with a number of picnic tables for those who want to dine there. The food is also available for take-out for those who would like to bring it home. Many patrons have called Abo Youssef the best spot for Mediterranean food in Austin, so be sure to check it out soon!

In.gredients: Shop Differently

In.gredients is a neighborhood grocery store with a farmers' market feel. Just a five-minute trip from Elan East Apartments, In.gredients is trying to change the way people shop for their groceries. The store focuses on three core values: zero waste, local food, and community.

The shop sells everything a shopper would need, from high-quality meats to fresh produce, but only features products on their shelves from local vendors. Guests who bring their own containers to package foods bought in the store will have the ability to donate a portion of their purchase to a choice nonprofit or charity. Unlike your regular local grocery store, In.gredients regularly hosts community events like live musical performances on the store porch and community block parties. A full schedule of events can be found on their Facebook page. In.gredients is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. while opening at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays.

In.gredients
2610 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722
(512) 275-6357
www.in.gredients.com
www.yelp.com/biz/in-gredients-austin

Barleybean: Enjoy Convenient Coffee, Ales, and More

A combination coffee shop and specialty grocery, Barleybean has everything you could want in a neighborhood cafe. The thing that sets Barleybean apart is the wide variety of food and drinks you can get here. Start off your day with a cup of freshly brewed coffee, a delicious signature smoothie, or even a glass of kombucha—Barleybean offers several different varieties both "on tap" and bottled.

For lunch, there are paninis, wraps, and salads available here like the Three Cheese Panini, the Yummy Hummus Panini, or the Melty Tuna Wrap. Another great perk is that Barleybean offers craft beer on tap—have a drink on the outdoor patio or take some home with you in a growler. There’s also a mini-market with natural and organic goods and snacks, perfect for a quick stop while heading home. Barleybean has a great location for you too—it’s only a short trip from Elan East.

Barleybean
2222 Rio Grande Street
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 382-9106
www.barleybean.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/barleybean-austin

Butterfly Bar: A Hidden Gem of the Austin Bar Scene

Just a short trip from Elan East, Butterfly Bar is a laid-back and one-of-a-kind bar with a cool vibe that can only be found in Austin. Butterfly Bar is located inside of Vortex, an avant-garde theater, but it’s definitely worth a visit whether you have tickets to a show or not. Butterfly Bar offers both indoor and outdoor spaces including a huge patio, a spacious lawn, and a small greenhouse, though the main bar is housed inside the theater.

Parked out back is Patrizi’s, a family-owned food truck serving some of the highest-quality and most delicious meals you’ll find in the area. Pair your plate with a specialty mixed drink, champagne, wine, or a beer from the rotating selection here. As you may expect from a bar inside a theater, Butterfly Bar hosts unique entertainment like magicians, musicians, trivia, and more.

Butterfly Bar
2307 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722
(512) 478-5282
http://butterflybaraustin.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-butterfly-bar-austin?sort_by=date_desc

Indulge in a Honey-Nut Latte at Thunderbird Coffee

There aren't many places where you can take your pick between beer and java, but Thunderbird Coffee in Austin is one of them. It actually has two outposts in the city, one on Manor Road near Elan East, and another on Koenig Lane. Both offer beer and coffee, but the Manor Road location boasts a much larger selection of brews. Try a Pecan Porter or the Double IPA from Austin's own (512) Brewing Company, or enjoy a Hefeweizen or Liberation Ale by another local brewery, Live Oak.

If you're coming to Thunderbird for the coffee, regulars highly recommend the honey-nut latte. But you can also order a classic espresso, Americano, or cappucino. Or perhaps you might want to indulge in a Thai iced coffee or Iced Toddy instead. Pair your coffee with a freshly baked treat from Quack's Bakery or Rockstar Bagels, a turkey-cranberry or tomato-basil sandwich, or a fully loaded salad.

Thunderbird Coffee
2200 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722
(512) 472-9900
thunderbirdcoffee.com
www.yelp.com/biz/thunderbird-coffee-austin-2

Pin It on Pinterest