Tex Mex

Trying to catch up on posts from Austin.  In addition to planning barbecue meals when in Texas, the other type of food that is a must is tex-mex.  The week prior to flying down to Austin, I was definitely looking forward to tacos.

What's great about Austin is a combination of things. It's in the south, so the weather is almost always nicer than in Jersey, almost all of the bars and restaurants have an outdoors space for eating/drinking, and most importantly a lot of places that only serve drinks (no kitchen) will have a small taco truck attached to them somehow.  We've been going to Austin for the past several years and the one place we discovered is Valentina's, a small taco truck next to Star Bar in Downtown Austin.  They were some of the best tacos I've ever had.  You grab a beer and drink it on the outdoor patio, and if you get hungry you run over and grab a few tacos.  Perfect setting.  Prior to flying down this trip, I looked up Valentina's and was shocked to learn they had moved from their original location.  I was devastated, but I quickly learned that their sister truck, The Violet Taco, had taken over their original location.

This place did not disappoint.  Star Bar decided to upgrade their patio with newer tables and a full outdoor bar.  This taco truck had their own take on tex-mex tacos, plus they had all of Valentina's tacos available for order as well!

As usual, I went a little nuts with my food order.  Got three tacos: Valentina's Smoked Brisket Taco, The Mighty Moe, and The A.C.P.  They were amazing.  I will be back next year.  There is nothing better after a day at the track than having a few beers outside and stuffing yourself with tacos.

As I said before, tacos can be found everywhere in Austin.  I picked up some great barbacoa tacos from the Rosarito Food Truck at the Circuit of Americas track.  For "stadium food" these were great.

And like I said before, almost all bars have taco options.  One of the places we stopped by to grab a drink was Bar 96 on Rainey Street, and naturally when I saw they had a taco truck, I placed an order.  Got the buffalo chicken and pork carnitas taco.  If you're tired of the 6th street scene in Austin, check out Rainey Street.  It's a row of old houses that have been converted into bars (some with taco trucks).  Never knew that street existed, but will return the next time I'm ever in Austin.

If anyone has any other taco spot recommendations in Austin, please let me know.