(Part of the Austin Rocks series of posts by a local about things to do and see in Austin, Texas)
When you have young kids, you don’t spend much time at Sunday brunch.
I mean, why lose your mind when you don’t have to?
Now that my youngest is almost 10, however, I’m starting to get a life. 🙂
Threadgill’s is an institution here in Austin, Texas — there are even two great locations, north and south, so you can have your fill of good food and live music.
My family and I went to the North Austin branch on Lamar Boulevard (“Old No. 1”) for their Bluegrass Brunch one weekend this summer.
In the words of original proprietor Eddie Wilson:
“….the 1930’s through 1960’s in Austin [is] the theme of the original Threadgill’s on North Lamar Blvd….Boasting the bragging rights to owning the first beer license in the county and being the place where Janis Joplin [a Texas native from Port Arthur] cut her teeth in the 60’s and Jimmie Dale Gilmore crooned in the 80’s, Threadgill’s original location offers delicious food in a quaint and comfortable atmosphere….”
The brunch is a buffet with lots of choices, including a wide variety of Southern-style vegetables (a Threadgill’s specialty, as is chicken-fried steak) plus migas and cheese and garlic grits.
Yes, there is such a thing as “Texas Black-Eyed Pea Caviar.”
Yes, I had a Shiner Bock beer with everything, including sweet potato pancakes, if I recall correctly.
I managed to take notes without dumping maple syrup on the paper, but then seem to have misplaced the notepad amongst the singing and picking and eating. (Update – found my notes! Looks like I remembered everything, except that I did write about this drink on the bar menu….The Janis Joplin, made with Southern Comfort and Jack Daniels. “As soft as she got,” said the menu. $6.25/drink. Whoa.)
Meantime, on the small stage in the main dining room was Danny Santos y los Bluegrass Vatos, playing a variety of enjoyable bluegrass and Tejano-tinged tunes. The audience was a mix of colors and ages including bikers, corporate-looking types and families like ours.
It was a very congenial gathering; the music and food were good and so was the air-conditioning. At a time of year when it’s tough to enjoy the Texas outdoors….the triple digit days are never-ending….Threadgill’s gave me an excuse to hop in the car on a Sunday.
(This post will join other entries in WanderFood Wednesday at the Wanderlust and Lipstick site.)
Related posts:
*** Austin Rocks: even the airport is cool
*** A New Year’s hometown discovery: Austin’s ArcAttack
*** Texas temple of gastronomy (The Whole Foods Market flagship store and corporate headquarters is in Austin)
It’s exactly these types of things that make me love Austin. Where else can you enjoy such great food and a rockin’ band during brunch? Well, maybe a lot of places but not so much here in Seattle!
Hi Beth,
Really? I would think that Seattle would have lots of places like that. I’ll find out in October when I go there for a conference. Tweetup!
Sounds good! Part of the world I haven’t visited… yet…
Hi Rachel,
Well come see us, then (when it’s not triple digits.) 🙂
WOW! i think i need to come and eat there. i don’t think i’ve had music with brunch except for piano or classical. time to head to TX!! thanks for the great review…
Thanks for the post. Makes me hungry. I like how Texas celebrates life.