Round Rock Donuts: Not Just Donuts

Since 1926, Round Rock Donuts has been a Texas tradition with their famous golden doughy delights. Their signature donut — glazed, warm and Texas-sized — has been featured on national TV food shows. Other donut options are simple and traditional — don’t expect any fancy flavors or sprinkles. In addition to the glazed, cake, and cream filled donuts, the bakery also offers a variety of other baked goods like danishes, fritters, muffins and coffee cakes.  Customers rave about the cream filled eclairs. And though Round Rock Donuts is a famous area landmark, it hasn’t gone to their heads — everything is reasonably priced and the lobby has a homey feel with stone walls and wood paneling. 

In a hurry or don't want to be tempted? Use the drive-thru. Round Rock Donuts also creates custom cakes for birthdays, graduations, weddings and other special occasions.
 

Round Rock Donuts
106 W Liberty
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 255-3629
www.yelp.com/biz/round-rock-donuts-round-rock-3

A Fun Night out at Round Rock’s Krave Wine Bar & Bistro

Krave Wine Bar & Bistro has quickly become a trendy destination in downtown Round Rock.  Located in a renovated historic building, the atmosphere is upbeat and perfect for a fun date or girls' night out.  There are many selections from around the world, and customers appreciate that nearly every wine they stock is available by the glass, as well as by the bottle.  There are many themed wine flights at reasonable prices to taste your way through their offerings.  If you’re there for drinks and snacks, a popular choice is the build your own meat and cheese board.  Other small plate favorites are the krave fries tossed in fresh garlic and herbs, and arancini rice balls served in a spicy marinara sauce.  There are a handful of Mediterranean inspired options like chicken piccatta.  In addition to happy hour discounts on drinks and appetizers, Tuesday is ladies night with $5 lavender cosmos. 

Krave Wine Bar & Bistro
121 E. Main Street
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 382-5446
www.kravewinebar.com
www.yelp.com/biz/krave-wine-bar-and-bistro-round-rock-2

Tasty Chicken and More at Pluckers Wing Bar

Want to watch the game? Head to Pluckers Wing Bar in Round Rock, just a few minutes from Hardrock Canyon. This place loves to use their fryers! Pluckers has 19 zesty sauces to coat their crispy and juicy wings, like the Hallelujah, sweet sauce with a kick, and Spicy Mandarin, for a flavorful twist. If you want to challenge your taste buds, try Fire In The Hole, their hottest sauce.  Those that manage to put away 25 wings will appear on their “wall of flame.” (If you do, make sure to cool off with some sweet tea.) Other fried favorites are the pickles, fried mac and cheese, and thick-cut homemade potato chips with warm blue cheese dressing. Burgers and sandwiches round out their menu, along with several sides including twice baked potato casserole, waffle fries, and mac and cheese — which many people swear is the best they’ve had. So what are you waiting for?

Pluckers Wing Bar
300 Mays Crossing
Round Rock, TX 78662
(512) 671-9464
www.yelp.com/biz/pluckers-wing-bar-round-rock

 

French Quarter Grille: Cajun Fare in Austin, Texas

If you’ve ever been to New Orleans, you know that Cajun food can be presented two different ways. There’s the quick and tasty plates of shellfish and oyster po’ boy style, and then there’s the upscale, French-influenced dining that brings out some of the most intense and nuanced flavors that the cuisine has to offer. The French Quarter Grille in Austin ably bridges the gap between those two styles, presenting excellent Cajun and Creole food at good prices in a classy atmosphere. Start your meal with an order of the crawfish beignets – these small French donuts are stuffed with spicy, tender seafood and come with a light jalapeno tartar sauce for dipping. Entrees are diverse and universally good, with some favorites including the exceptional blackened catfish gumbo, the pecan-crusted trout, and the blackened ribeye Ponchartrain, which updates surf & turf with a perfectly-seared steak topped with shrimp, crab and crawfish in a mushroom brandy cream sauce.

French Quarter Grille
13000 N. IH 35
Austin, TX 78753
(512) 832-9090
http://www.yelp.com/biz/french-quarter-grille-austin

Shipley Do-Nuts: A Local Classic

Shipley Do-Nuts has been serving sweet confections for over 76 years, and this location in Round Rock is known for always have fresh products. If you like to start your day with a sweet, Shipley’s has delectable sweet doughnuts of all kinds. If you prefer savory, they also serve kolaches – regulars recommend the sausage and cheese. This bakeshop is airy and the staff are friendly. Kids enjoy watching the doughnut making process through an inside window looks into the kitchen. There’s even a drive through if you’re in a hurry.

Shipley Do-Nuts
3250 Palm Valley Boulevard
Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 218-0231
www.shipleydonuts.ws
www.yelp.com/biz/shipley-do-nuts-round-rock

Spring Has Sprung!

Spring is finally here! Wishing you a season of sunshine and warmth.

The Dirty Dozen: 12 Foods You Should Eat Organic

With all the hype about buying organic produce, it’s hard to know when you should buy organic veggies and fruit, and when it doesn’t really matter. Check out this list of the fruits and vegetables – known as the “Dirty Dozen” – that you should always try to buy organic.

The Dirty Dozen

  1. Apples
  2. Celery
  3. Strawberries
  4. Peaches
  5. Spinach
  6. Nectarines
  7. Grapes
  8. Bell Peppers
  9. Potatoes
  10. Blueberries
  11. Lettuce
  12. Kale & Collard Greens

Click here to learn more about The Dirty Dozen!

Vino Vino: Drink Up

Vino Vino is a cozy, upscale spot to sample something from their impressive wine stash along with a delectable starter or entrée. The ambiance is relaxed and romantic, with amber lighting and polished wood floors. Whether your taste in wine runs to a bubbly brut cave from Spain, a juicy California pinot noir or a zesty German riesling, you’re sure to find something to satisfy the pickiest palate. The food menu includes small plates like Shrimp in Chili Oil, Mussels & Fries, a Charcuterie Plate, Arugula Beet Salad, and Wagyu Beef Sliders. If you’re hungering for a full entrée, choose from Scallops with creamer peas, Duck Ham with glazed veggies, Flounder with cauliflower & sunchokes, and Wagyu Shortribs with cornbread, among other flavorful items. Open Monday through Saturday for dinner and late-night snacks.

Vino Vino
4119 Guadalupe St
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 465-9282
http://www.yelp.com/biz/vino-vino-austin

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Wishing you a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day full of luck and laughter.

Louisiana Longhorn Cafe: “Where the Bayou Meets the BBQ”

According to the restaurant, Louisiana Longhorn Café boasts “The Best Cajun Food West of the Sabine River.” Where’s that? In the heart of the Louisiana Bayou, of course. All the proprietors hail from Cajun Country, and LLC recreates the laid-back world they grew up in.  When we say this is an authentic experience, we’re not just talking about the Mardi Gras beads; we mean all the food comes from “borrowed” family recipes, the piquant, generations-old work of people with French names and the patience to make sure those Fried Pickles have just the right snap. The Shrimp Acadiana is a peppery eye-opener, and we haven’t had Etouffee this good since we spent a long night in New Orleans. Grab some of “The World’s Coldest Beer” and toast the alligator on the wall—they fry up his buddies here, and after one bite, you’ll wish you had a few in your back yard, too. Louisiana Longhorn Café is closed Mondays.

Louisiana Longhorn Cafe
200B E Main Ave
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 248-2900

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