Around here, we use the month of February to ready ourselves – both personally and professionally – for our upcoming high tourist season. Once we get rolling in the spring it becomes time-challenging to book appointments and such. That’s not to say it can’t be done, it’s just much easier to get it out of the way, now, while we’re still moving slowly. Included in this effort was my recent visit to my doctor for an annual exam.
A Foodie’s Road Trip
Don’t you just hate it when the doctor’s assistant say’s oh so sweetly, “Let’s check your weight.” Augh… I just spent 60 days eating my way across the country on what we called our foodie’s road trip, and you want me to step on the scale?! “Five pounds exactly to the year, Patti, what’s up with that?” Asked my doctor. Okay, in my head I’m thinking scratch 1 pound for that large Chai Latte I took down on my way to her office along with the weight of my clothes, but yeah, the other 4, well, that’s all due to eating my way across the USA. I gotta tell ya, it was worth every. single. pound. Judge for yourself.
Tennessee BBQ
Just outside of Memphis, TN, is Germantown and in Germantown, there is a rustic restaurant known as the Germantown Commissary and we ate by far some of the best – if not thee best – bbq ever. I’m not sure we even bothered to breathe while eating, it was more of a inhale situation.
Ribs, beans, slaw and deviled egg. I pretty much licked the plate clean
Washington, DC
Washington, D.C. is a mecca for foodies, there are SO many choices you just can’t imagine. One of our favorites – and we indulge every time we visit – is a Perisan Restaurant called, Yekta, which is technically in Rockville, MD, about 20 minutes outside of D.C. It’s one of those places where you just can’t get enough and you end up waddling out, with a doggy bag in hand.
JooJeh Kabob – chicken
Kabob barg – steak
New Orleans
Anyone who has been to New Orleans knows that NOLA is all about the food, the music and the architecture. Did I mention the food?
BBQ’d prawns at Deanie’s – Abi was all over these
Fried chicken po’ boy
No trip to NOLA is complete without beignets at Cafe du Monde – OMG!
Austin, TX
No foodie’s road trip is complete without time spent eating one’s way around Austin, TX. TheAustin food scene is like no other. No disrespect to any of you who live in or enjoy Texas, but honestly, I’m not a big fan and holy cow does it require a lot of behind the wheel time to cross the state, but Austin – Austin has it all going on. There is such a positive vibe everywhere you go and there is a great blend between historic and new. If you find yourself in Austin, make sure to visit the capitol, it’s a beautiful building and there are free guided tours that are well-worth your time. But, let’s get back to the food.
You’ve heard of the Austin food truck scene, right? The South Congress neighborhood offers a variety of funky to high end restaurants, bars, food trucks, as well as shopping. The two times we hung out on south Congress we could not believe the crowds of people – everywhere – it is definitely the place to go to feed your face. But before we made it to South Congress, we started with breakfast tacos (twice) at the Austin Java Cafe & Coffeehouse at 12th and Lamar. Go there, please.
Chorizo Breakfast Tacos – Austin Java Cafe
Ms. P’s Electric Cock – I know, the name, right?!
Fried chicken, fries and slaw to die for – but not cheap!
Best pizza ever and well-worth the 45-minute wait for a table. Our 36th wedding anniversary celebratory lunch.
Do I even need to say anything?
Las Cruces, NM
We stayed in Las Cruces, NM on both legs of our trip and each time we went to nearby Mesilla. Yes, it’s a fun little historical village, but the real attraction is La Posta, where you can get some of the best Mexican food and the atmosphere is fun and vibrant.
La Posta – Mesilla NM
Chilie Relleno – according to Abi it was excellent
The seasoning on the steak fajitas was beyond delicious
A Foodie’s Road Trip
And, there was much more, these were just a sampling of the highlights. So, really, you can’t blame me (us). I mean looking at all of this 4 pounds after 60 days on a foodie’s road trip across the USA is nothing, right? The great thing is Abi and I live on the Abigail’s diet. This is also known as the innkeeper’s diet, or rather just the lifestyle of a busy innkeeper keeps us fit and trim. These past 3 years have brought us to the point of being in the best physical health we’ve been in for years so I’m not too worried. I would have been sorry and saddened to miss all of these incredible culinary delights. That’s exactly how I responded to my doctor when she asked, “What’s up with that, Patti?”
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I really like the idea of eating your way across anywhere and have been doing the same in South Africa. Four pounds is nothing. Drooling for the Mexican as they just don’t do that here.
Gaelyn recently posted…Playing in hot water at Forever Resort Badplaas South Africa
I can tell you Gaelyn it was worth each of the 4 pounds to indulge myself in such wonders!
With that title, I just had to click through and read this post. You’ve made me sooooo hungry. I’m from Austin but living in Malaysia, and I can almost taste that Gordoughs treat just looking at the photo. I’m going to have to say that only 5 pounds is quite low. I gained that much in a month when we went home to visit over Christmas.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} recently posted…Looking for Wildlife and Homelife on a Borneo River
Oh, you live in Austin?! How fun! Not only is Austin a foodie mecca, there is such a fun vibe to the city. Make sure you do go to Gordough’s because it is fantastic!
Wow, wow, wow all this food and you gained only 5 pounds, Patti? I would have gained way more. Anyway, I’m just glad I already had dinner or I’d be scrounging for food after your post.
Thanks for linking up, Patti, and taking us along your food trip. Btw, what did Abi have to say about that Persian restaurant in Rockville? I’m going to check it out next time I’m in MD.
Marcia recently posted…A Wine Tasting at Little Italy’s Enoteca DiPalo
Oh Marcia – Yekta is the best! Not only is the food amazing, but the restaurant is lovely. We always enjoy dining there. Definitely, make sure you go the next time you’re in the area.
I would have gained 40, not 4 🙂 Everything looks delicious, and now I am starved. I want some of those breakfast tacos!
Nancie recently posted…Travel Photo Thursday – February 13, 2014 – Chiang Mai’s 38th Annual Flower Festival
Those tacos were the best – so good we went back the next day for more!
This post should be illegal! Of all those delicious temptations, I’ll tell you what really appeals to me right at this moment – Ribs, beans, slaw and deviled egg in Tennessee. Yum! Can you believe that I’ve been to New Orleans, but did NOT have beignets at Cafe du Monde? A shame.
Cathy Sweeney recently posted…Bay Area Getaway at the Napa River Inn
I think you better get to New Orleans right away and fix that!
What? No warning to strap a bib on before reading? My drool has ruined my silk top! Everything looks great, but I seriously want to get my hands on the chorizo tacos and the beignets. One in each hand. Alternating bites.
Sorry about that. I should have put up a warning about the drool factor. 😉 Only problem is that the beignets are in New Orleans and the tacos are in Texas. Hard to eat them at the same time!
Well that is definitely a lot of good eating, i love bbq and that looks pretty good and authentic to me…at it’s now my dinner time!
noelmorata recently posted…A black sand beach at Punalu’u ,Travel Photo Mondays #32
Yes, it was by far some of the best bbq we’ve ever eaten – hands down! Thanks for stopping by.
I loved eating in Austin. I’m really hoping our tour takes us through Austin this summer because I told Brian he has to eat there- chips and salsa for breakfast? Love!
Kim recently posted…The catalyst. We all have the power to change.
Oh yeah, Austin is all about the food scene. And, if you make it there be sure to find the Whole Foods Market. Austin is their hub store and it is HUGE with everything imaginable. You could eat there every day for a week and not eat the same thing twice. Incredible store.
That doughnut looks amazing! I don’t think I’ll have trouble finding food to eat and enjoy when we finally get to the US. I’m sure once you’re into tourist season at the Inn those extra couple of pounds will melt away too 🙂
Amy recently posted…Discovering the Mysterious Plain of Jars
I can only tell you it tasted better than it looks, it was ridiculously good. I’m glad we shared one though because we would have been sick had we each eaten one!
Only 4 pounds? Gosh, did you run all the way to these restaurants? Just looking at the gorgeous pictures added 4 pounds on my eyeballs.
Ha! Ha! Thanks Neva. We did do a lot of walking and hiking to counter balance all of those calories.
A food post? *Yawn* Borrrrring. OH WAIT!!!! A food post!!! Woo hoo!!!! Hang on…be right back. I have to grab something.
Ok, I’m here again!! Darnit, Patti, I just trashed my computer screen impaling it with a spoon trying to get a bite of that dessert. Thanks a lot, missy.
Can you please just insert this post into a huge roll of bread and mail it to me please? Thank you *mouth watering down chin profusely* !!!
Phoenix, “Sorry Patti. He hasn’t eaten much today…” 🙂
Mike recently posted…Phoenix, My Golden Retriever, The Notorious Ball Cap Bandito
It’s okay Phoenix, I understand! 😉