Trudy's Tex-Mex: California Dreamin'

Being new to this whole blog thing, I've learned a few crucial life lessons during my short tenure. First, it's not easy on the wallet. Might need to be making a call to mom and pops in order to survive this venture. And secondly, its opened my eyes to the many things that Texas, in particular Austin, offers that I have been deprived of as a California-raised girl. These being (just to name a few): queso, outdoor patios open all year long and the always present live music.

I found one brunch spot that offers these foreign commodities and much more. It's called Trudy's Tex-Mex Restaurant and Bar. I visited here the first time two years ago but I thought it was very much worthy of a blog entry because of my frequent trips back for brunch. When I first decided to make the long trek and attend The University of Texas from the Bay Area, I knew my god-family was well connected to the Austin area but I had no idea that they owned the Trudy's property. It was one of the first places they took me on one of my first tours of campus. I was immediately confounded with the setting. A chilly 95 degree day, a bustling patio filled with happy margarita drinkers, and live music that made the restaurant feel more like a concert venue than a mexican eatery. The esthetics were merely the beginning as the food was even more impressive. My god-mother quickly recommended the stuffed avocado for an appetizer or the chorizo stuffed chicken. My dad went for the latter (as pictured below), paired with a bloody mary. Being that this was one of his first times in Austin, he was more than elated that I had decided to spend four years here, merely based on this food.

Dad's Chorizo Stuffed Chicken
(photo: my paparazzi father)

I went for something different and it's become somewhat of a staple every time I attend Trudy's. The pastor fajitas. I've always loved mexican food, but never like this. Pork, pineapple and chorizo; all drenched in jack cheese. It's basically happiness on a skillet. I think I realized it might be somewhat of an obsession when my friends woke me up on my birthday with breakfast in bed and this is what they brought me. I'm not ashamed. You'll know what I'm talking about when you see this magic.

Pastor Fajitas = leftovers for weeks
(photo: myself)

Anyways, you can say I like the place and you caught me, it's not breakfast. But it may be the best brunch I've ever had so there's that. It's hard not to love the convenient location, the funky service and relaxed atmosphere. A 45 minute wait for a table could feel like five if you sit down at a picnic table under a mister and take in some Austin heat and a killer setting. This family owned place rocks some wild hairdos on the waiters and some even wilder art on the walls, but the food is what I come back for and suggest you do the same. It's a must see place when any of my siblings or family come into town and it never disappoints. I may be putting it under a lot of hype but hopefully you feel the same. Happy brunching!