Love Life, Hate Kittens

[pictures via yelp]

Noble Pig is the perfect balance of a gourmet eatery in an unpretentious (may I add.. even ironic) setting. Luxe meets local. Specialty ingredients meets household favorites. It’s the perfect “Austin” establishment. 

Nestled in a non-descript strip mall, the popular sandwich shop shares a parking lot with apartment hunters and Chevron customers alike. You would never imagine that next to the gas station corn dogs stands a chef doling out seared beef tongue or deviled eggs with garlic mayo. What makes Noble Pig special is that each component of your meal is carefully crafted and homemade. Yup, they make everything in-house from the fluffy bread to the mustard down to the pickles. 

My current favorite is the seared beef tongue sandwich. Seasoned with chilies and braised for hours, the beef tongue is delectably paired with tender red peppers and whole roasted green onions. The aforementioned bread is so fluffy that you’d think it’d melt or get soggy but it holds the sandwich perfectly. 

The sides are worth mentioning as well. I always hated potato salads cuz a) it’s fattening and b) it’s usually bland. But Noble Pig seems to cross out point b, their potato salad is lightly salted, each bite bursting with subtle spices and herbs and not mayo-y. You’ll still get fat but whatevs. The homemade potato chips are good and the side of pickles cuts into the rich sandwich nicely.

If you love the beef tongue, make sure you come back for the awesome duck pastrami and also their signature Noble Pig sandwich! 

It’s clear that Noble Pig has a very loyal fan base with a steady stream of customers. Luckily there always seems to be one or two tables available even during weekday lunch hour (NB probably seats about 35 at most and I’m being generous.) Currently they are only opened for breakfast and lunch but host monthly dinners. Make sure you sign up for their mailing list!

Noble Pig
11815 620 N
Ste 4
Austin, TX 78750
(512) 382-6248
www.noblepigaustin.com

Confession: I stopped blogging because Austin people are so damn nice. From my coworkers to my friends to the little old man that owns the sushi shop in Cedar Park. In LA, you can blog with no responsibility. Joan’s on Third is not shutting down because you hate it and you feel that everyone should hate it. Which you should btw.

Cobras and Matador’s is not hurting because I told everyone they have crappy food and questioned who the hell puts peanut butter on top of asparagus and charges 8 dollars for 6 stalks.

It’s different in Austin.

People are nice. Someone’s mom owns this stupid strip mall restaurant. I cannot verbally slap someone’s mother. That’s just rude. Not to mention everyone is uber enthusiastic and kind and genuinely wanting to give you the best of Austin and here I am …. the bitch with the black LA heart thinking this is the worst sushi I’ve ever eaten and hope that you and your fake neon tuna die in a fiery pit.  

Austin, you’re really cramping my style.

OK. I hated bbq.

Yes. It’s blasphemous. Especially for a girl living in Austin.

But come on, I love meat. Rare meat. Bloody meat. Not meat that’s been cooking for hours smothered in mystery sauce. Yes, I am prejudice toward bbq. I just assume all bbq meat is old, overcooked meat covered with equally unappetizing sauce presumably to hide how old and overcooked it is. 

This is all still very valid by the way (Ironworks). But not at Franklin’s. Never at Franklin’s. 

With our friend in town, I decided that I am allowed to have a cheat day (who am I kidding. I’ve been having a cheat year. but you know what they say.. when in texas..) and load up on the best brisket in town. 

Franklin’s started out as a popular food trailer who sold out at 11:30am. Every morning. What time do they open you ask? 11am. That’s how good it is. People line up around corners like crack fiends drinking their mexican cokes and sweet teas in the sweltering heat. Recently they converted to a brick and mortar with real seating and guess what.. it still sells out at noon and now you have to stalk tables for a seat. Shake off your hangover and get your ass in line now.

Ask for the fatty brisket. Go hard or go home. The lean just doesn’t cut it. The fatty brisket lives up to its name. Juicy, tender, slightly pink. Nice salty crust. Good flavor, literally melt in your mouth meat. No sauce needed. You can feel your thighs expanding. The pork ribs are messy, juicy, moist, any other adjective that could also double in a porno. Order more, the leftovers are great the next day (wrap in foil, slow heat @ 250. You’re welcome)

Sides are nothing to write home about but who needs sides when you can get meat with a side of meat. 

Franklin’s

900 E 11th St
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 653-1187 

Die. Please. Die.

I. HATE. UNPACKING. ARGHXX#$%.

Not only do I want it done quickly but I am super neurotic about it. Moving with me is not an enjoyable experience. I get insane. Like shutup. Don’t talk to me and let me wash dishes at remarkable speed. The sooner I get done, the sooner I’ll be back to normal. 

You know what makes it better? Veuve and roasted duck.

+

The apartment is quite lovely although I often forget that we live on the first floor and I hate wearing clothes. :-/ 

I decided it’s less about whether I like Austin, it’s just that I miss LA more. I miss things I didn’t know I loved … like the trannys at Target in WeHo. The taco trucks. The innate fabulousness. I can’t believe it’s only been a couple weeks. It feels like years. I guess living in corporate housing will drive you a little stir crazy. 

However, it’s move in day! I can’t wait to fill up all 3 walk in closets. I wish all the closets were connected like through a tunnel or something. Cuz that would be sorta cool. I’d hide there and hang out and stuff. or smuggle midgets. 

My friend used to have a hole that led from her closet to her sister’s closet in the next room. We thought we were so cool going through the closet instead of the door. Until I got fat and got stuck one day and then they boarded it up. It was a sad day. 

Bonus (aka boring pics) after the jump.

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#1: Mickey Mouse Fish. Want. 

Although our last goldfish got “released” at the park cuz we got sick of feeding them :(

#2: Pissing Shrimp

Let me tell you. I love pissing shrimp. So delicious. For the longest time, I thought pissing shrimps were hella pussy because they apparently pee when they are being killed. 

But they are not. In fact, they are super gangster. Like the mobsters of the sea gangster. See for yourself. 

I’ve never been quite sentimental. Places, people are places and people. The new place and people will replace the old place and people and so on. You know when people say the best way to get over someone is to get under someone? Yea, I do that with LIFE. /emo Before you figure out that sentence made zero sense, let’s move on to the point. I didn’t expect taking a trip to Austin would send me into a whirlwind of panic. Over FOOD.

The next person that tells me Austin has great BBQ. I will cut them. I meant, real food. Where would I go for pho? for uni pasta? for normalcy? Will I gain a million pounds from eating fried mayo balls and ribs? Kill me now.

Luckily, I’m dating someone who also hates bbq and willing to take on the challenge of giving me a slice of LA in Austin. Here’s a couple asian places I tried on my recent trip. You can trust me cuz I’m chinese. Yes, I just pulled the “I’m authentic” card. What bitches. 

Pho Saigon / Pho Van - Tried two pho places in Austin. Both were pretty good. The broth was hearty, the egg rolls were hella big, and they didn’t skimp on meat. In fact, I dare to say? Westminster approved! Says the girl who eats at Pho Show on the Westside you say. Touche. (Pho Van, 8557 Research Blvd, Austin, TX 78758 / Pho Saigon, 10901 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 7875)

Din Ho BBQ- Cantonese. Surprisingly good. From roasted duck to sizzling platter of black pepper beef, everything had tons of flavor and they have an extensive menu. It’s like a cleaner and better Sam Woo. The country style noodles was lacking in beef but the flavors tasted decent. They don’t load everything up with tons of sauce to feed into the ‘american’ taste. (Din Ho, 8557 Research Blvd, Austin, TX 78758)

Coco’s Cafe - same as any Tapioca Express out in LA. Boba, milk tea, taiwanese menu. This seems like a good lunch option for folks in the area. Niu ro mien, fried tofu, fried squid, eel rice.. all less than 7 bucks. Yes, asian girls work there. (Coco’s Cafe (next to Din Ho), 8557 Research Blvd, Austin, TX 78758) 

We went into a couple asian supermarkets but I felt that they were a bit lacking. It’s big but it still feels like a pricier, dirtier 99 Ranch. I’m hoping to find something similar to Mitsuwa or at least a Nijiya for my japanese needs.  

All in all, I guess Austin isn’t too bad. It is home to Tom Ford, Benjamin McKenzie and my favorite TV show of all time (Friday Night Lights.) So god, if you’re listening, build me a Uwajimaya and I’m completely sold.

xoxo.