On the road again... (Austin, TX)

This past weekend we took a short trip to Austin, TX. It all started when Lisa invited us to Luke's 2nd birthday party at the Austin Zoo. The boys also had their cousins' birthday party that day too, but I had a free room from hotels.com, so I let the boys decide what they wanted to do. I asked them, "Do you want to go to San and Grace's birthday party at the log cabin or to Luke's birthday party at the Austin Zoo? The Austin Zoo doesn't have as many animals as the Houston Zoo (for Jacob's sake) and we will have to stay in a hotel (for Andrew's sake)." I asked them five separate times, wanting confirmation that they were aware of their choices. Jacob consistently said Austin Zoo, even though he was aware that there were no cheetahs (his favorite animal) and very few snakes (which he also loves). Andrew never chose his cousins' party (actually chose my mom's house initially) but later chose to go to Austin as well. I secretly hoped they picked Austin as I definitely would have more fun there than at a kid's party at a log cabin.

We left Saturday morning and meet up with Mike and Venus at Pluckers for lunch. We got the fried pickles (a must eat) and of course, wings. The kids' corn dog and mac & cheese were really good. Really good. It was worth repeating twice. The "hot" wings were doable so the next logical step is to try the "fire in the hole" wings. Mike and I are going to try them next time we're there... eat 25 of them and get your picture of the wall of flame. Afterward we got some bubble tea at Momoko. The milk tea was good but the tapioca balls were so big they couldn't be sucked through the already fat straw. Fail.

Deep fried goodness.

Pluckers
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Momoko has some big balls (and I'm not talking about testicles).

Momoko
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

In the afternoon was Luke's party at the Austin Zoo. Lisa had some made-from-scratch chocolate cupcakes with chocolate ganache (yums) and P. Terry's burgers (yums). Even though the zoo wasn't as big as the Houston Zoo, the kids really liked it. If a place has big cats and snakes, they will be satisfied.

Happy birthday Luke!

Saturday night we had dinner at Lisa and Mike's house where they made Korean BBQ. It was such a nice setting... sitting outside on their patio deck eating good food and having good conversation. The funniest moment had to be when we decided to have a pull-up and push-up competition. It was hilarious to watch Mike (Chamberlain) as he struggled to do two pull-ups (he didn't last long enough for me to get my camera out as his facial reaction was priceless) yet he dominated in push-ups as he completed 59 in one minute. Good times with family.

No, they weren't playing with water. That's their own sweat.

Sunday we hung out at the UT campus. We got Torchy's Tacos for lunch and ate outside at the West Mall. I got the Democrat and green chile pork tacos. It was sooo good. We did the obligatory stop at Co-op off The Drag. We let the boys run up and down the steps of the Main Tower and saw the turtle pond (twice). Then it was time to head on home, but only after we picked up a large pizza to-go from Home Slice Pizza. Drool.

So effin' good.

Torchy's Tacos
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fueled by pizza.

Home Slice Pizza
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

This trip was really fun, but short. I wish we had more time to well, eat. I still need to try Gourdough's and a few other new places. With so many new places to eat on top of eating at those established favorites, it would require at least a full weekend (or maybe we should move to Austin solely for the food). I wish I had a long list of favorite food eateries in Houston but sadly I am still searching.