After driving for 12 hours including a stop at Braum's (had never eaten at one before, it was mediocre, but not terrible) in Oklahoma we finally arrived at our first destination: Columbia, MO. Jeff's parents live here which makes for a wonderful first destination.
We wake up the next morning to find that his parents had already bought food for us to make breakfast. We ended up going simple with some scrambled eggs (with some fresh minced garlic), toast, some peppered bacon and some banana pancakes. All together it made a delicious homemade breakfast. Of note was the cranberry habanero jam they had in the fridge made by Austin Slow Burn. On toast it was a perfect sweet and spicy snack. If you are not familiar with Austin Slow Burn I highly recommend checking out their sauces and salsas. I have never been disappointed.
For dinner Jeff's mom, Sally, had prepared a veggie casserole and a turkey casserole which were both perfectly done. Just like your mom always made them. She also made some sweet potatoes that were soothing and just plain buttery goodness. And it must be mentioned that anyone willing to feed 6 dudes is a saint! So regardless of quality (and it was delicious) when someone makes food for you on tour, you are very very thankful!
The main highlight was her amazing dessert. It was a German Apple Cake. It was perfect and not too heavy or sweet. It had the texture of a bunt cake almost, but was made pretty much entirely of apples with some wonderful hints of nutmeg, clove & cinnamon. (I will post her recipe in the next blog for anyone wanting to try it).
Day 2 -- St. Louis, MO
Short list today. Had breakfast at Ernie's in Columbia, MO. Solid diner style with good and super cheap options. I had eggs over easy with toast and some veggie sausage.
We decided not to eat until after the show tonight. We arrived late to our friend's house in St. Louis who had ordered some pizza for us. Not just any pizza though...it was from Imo's. It is a pretty famed pizza place known for their "St. Louis Style" pizzas. Basically it was a super thin crust pizza but with some of the best house-made mozzarella cheese and a very light red sauce. One pizza pie was all veggies, and the other had red onions, canadian bacon and more. They were delicious. Also tried their relatively famous Toasted Lasagna. Delicious bites of literally toasted lasagna pieces. Wonderful!
Day 3 -- Memphis, TN
Our wonderful hosts in St Louis made a lovely little breakfast with ham & cheese biscuits, hash browns and some fresh fruit. Simple but more than enough to get us going and help kill a couple hangovers.
We arrived in Memphis a few hours before the show and headed straight to the venue, The Hi-Tone to find that they would feed us dinner! (always an amazing plus when the venue has food and is willing to give it to you for free or a discount!) I had a nice little spinach salad with a light bleu cheese dressing and a slice of an alfredo pizza with portabella mushrooms. The first time you eat some greens on tour you thank yourself. Sometimes they never seem to be an option, so when you see it you should take it. It's a life saver on tour. Thanks so so much to Dan & the Hi-Tone staff for hooking up six hungry dudes, not to mention the drinks!
Day 4 -- Hot Springs, AR
Since they were no longer serving breakfast we opted for their lunch menu. I had the warm Brie and pear sandwich with arugula and honey. I did love their menu options (probably should have played it safe with their BLT with avocado), however, my sandwich was good but not completely satisfying. The ingredients were great but the bread was thick and too overpowering. And it just tasted slightly incomplete to me, like it just needed one more thing to set it over the top. Brandon had their burger which looked and tasted delicious and their other basics were all covered adequately. Hopefully with time they will keep adding and honing in on some of their more adventurous fare.
We arrived in Hot Springs, AR in the mid-afternoon. Jeff, Brandon, George and I ventured to the Arlington Hotel (where Al Capone regularly hung out) to have an early evening beer. Following that we end up eating at a locally owned burrito joint called, El Loco Burrito. We chose this place because it was about the only place in Hot Springs that was open past 6pm. I had a pretty simple chicken burrito that definitely hit the spot. Not the most amazing burrito place (I mean, we are in Hot Springs), but very delicious and a cool little local place that you wouldn't expect to find in an old resort town.
Day 5 -- Dallas, TX
In the morning a few of us ventured to The Pancake Shop for breakfast in Hot Springs. It was super greasy and not the best meal I've had, although that's kinda what you ask for with breakfast places on tour a lot of times. The place has definitely been around forever (the man, guessing one of the owners at the cashier booth must have been pushing 80) and obviously satisfying many tourists so good for them!
We arrive in Denton, TX in the mid-afternoon at Marc's parents house. As usual Regina and Herschel order Thai food for us from their favorite places, Andaman. I've always loved everything I've gotten here on previous tours. This time I went with the Panang Curry and some Tom Kha soup. I am a sucker for Tom Kha soup and this place has some of the best I've ever had. Always just perfectly seasoned and delectable. The Panang Curry was also really well done and had lots of great veggies.
Day 6 & 7 -- Austin, TX
Originally we had a showed booked in Houston, TX for Day 7, but sadly cause of Hurrican Ike it was cancelled. So we end up spending an extra day in Austin which we luckily got a last minute studio booking at Ohm Studios. Only one thing to mention food-wise here for these couple days -- Juan in a Million. I go there to pick up food for Jeff & Brandon and I while they are getting set up at the studio. Their breakfast tacos are always solid (although I still have yet to try the infamous Don Juan) and I had a refreshing glass of horchata. But I gotta give them an A+ on service and hospitality. Juan was there when I walked in and as is his speciality he gave me an incredibly firm and jubilant handshake. Anytime I walk into Juan in a Million it just makes me feel good and realize what I love about certain Austin restaurants, and this one in particular!
Day 8 -- San Antonio, TX
After two days back in Austin we drive down to San Antonio for the last show of our short little tour. We arrive right around dinner time and end up parking near where we knew there was an art party happening a little later before the show. SO, we walk around to find some food. I checked out some places on my IPhone and we think about heading to Rosario's which seems to be the hippest Mexican restaurant in San Antonio. It was completely packed so we decide to look elsewhere. Not far away we see a cool looking old building that simply says, "Tito's Mexican Restaurant." Speaking our language. We sit down and are promptly greeted by their extra jovial wait staff. I immediately order a large and wonderfully refreshing mango margarita and munch on their homemade chips and salsa. Then Jeff and I decide to split their chicken quesadillas. Again, kudos to their homemade tortillas, and the quesadilla itself is thick and delicious. A really really solid mexican food place if you ever find yourself in San Antonio.
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