Matthew Odam favorably reviews three Austin-area food trailers this week: Detroit-style pizza at Via 313, Spanish tapas at Tapas Bravas, and delicious tacos at El Taco Rico. The critic praises Via 313's "fluffy, buttery dough" and Tapas Bravas' various small bites. On the pleasures of El Taco Rico:
The trailer opened about five years ago by two sisters is located across from a church and has created such a loyal following that even food celebrity Anthony Bourdain made a pilgrimage. He likely left impressed by the handmade corn tortillas, bubbled by heat and curled and crunchy at the edges. They wrap a selection of tender, juicy meats, including the light citrus tingle of pastor, a succulent and peppery barbacoa and a smoky, firm and deeply flavored suaderoThe critic's "trailer trio" feature is designed to highlight his favorite trailers amongst the many, many options around town.
Kate Thornberry visits Tamale House East for The Chronicle, which she finds is continuing the long family tradition of delicious, affordable Tex Mex. On their breakfast tacos:
All the favorite combinations are offered, and they are so very good. The eggs are fluffy and tender; the potatoes are crisply hot, with a hint of onion; the refried beans are creamy and flavorful; the bacon smoky and crunchy; and the organic tortillas are hot from the comal. The potato, bacon, egg, and cheese is their most popular breakfast taco, and at $2.10 it is an amazing deal.Thornberry's review also features a mini-history of the Tamale House dynasty in Austin. [Chronicle]
Chronicle beer writer Anna Toon struggles with an uneven kitchen and careless service at Hi Hat Public House. She enjoyed their taco Tuesday special for dinner, but did not fare so well at brunch:
Insult to injury, contrary to the overcooked quiche, my eggs Benedict was delivered barely lukewarm. The flavors were there, but it's hard to enjoy a poached egg at that temperature. We finished our plates, I ordered another drink, and we continued to sit and converse for no less than 45 minutes. During this time, no one picked up our dirty plates. The restaurant was empty and no one could be bothered to bus our tableToon concludes she's broken up with the pub for good. [Chronicle]
· Trailer Trio: Detroit-style Pizza, a Taste of Spain, and Tasty Tacos [Statesman]
· This Crispy Taco Brought to You by 50 Years of Tradition [Chronicle]
· Hi-Fidelity [Chronicle]
[Photo: Adam H./Yelp]