The Tiger’s Tummy Review of Augie’s Barbecue

photo by Jnewman

People's preference in barbecue in a lot of ways depends upon where they're from. North Carolina’s pulled pork vinegar based barbecue, for instance, is completely different from the wood grilled sauce drenched affair typically found in Memphis. Texas Barbecue is even more peculiar than most, to the point that other states don’t even consider Texas barbecue to be true barbecue (all of them being crazy northerners of course).

Augie's exemplifies this Texas style of barbecue where pork, brisket, turkey, or sausage is slowly cooked to perfection in a mesquite fire oven. First, the food in this ramshackle barbecue joint is simply fabulous. Every mouth watering bit you’ll savor. Even people from different cultural barbecue backgrounds will be able to appreciate the fair at Augie’s, it might just turn a few non believers onto the greatness of Texas barbecue.

photo by Jnewman

The joint is located just past the Bombay bicycle club off Mulberry Avenue on the other side of 281. The establishment boasts a front area for guest to wait in line for the lunchroom style service. After which patrons can either eat in the small cramped indoor dining room, or the much larger outdoor bar and garden in the back. The garden is the only serviceable part of the establishment. While some might argue that Augie’s is attempting to look ramshackle, it wins no point in my book for the attempt to look ugly.

So far, Augie's has received three paws for food, a half a tiger paw for the ambiance, and one paw for distance. Remaining are the judgments on the restaurants service and overall value.

Photo by Jnewman

Like many traditional barbecue joints instead of being seated and served, Augie's has you stand in line for your food. While some might again contribute this to a traditional barbecue picnic sort of feel I would surely argue against such an idea as services are simply not being provided. if I was to accept the notion of the barbecue picnic feel, Augie’s has serious rush issues due to the small serving area, thus one should expect long lines and delays in being served.

The last piece of my review looks at Augie’s barbecue as whole as to whether it has any economic value to college kids. Augie's basic barbecue sandwiches run from 5 to 7 dollars. While some might compare a cheaper price point at Bill Miller barbecue. I beg anyone who reads this to realize that B M barbecue simply cannot compare to the great savory well done mesquite taste you’ll find at Augie’s.

Overall I give Augie’s barbecue 7 and a half tiger paws. I have to comment, however, that all my gripes with Augie’s are simply cosmetic to the general restaurant. I believe that many however, will forget all about my misgivings once they have tasted the mesquite smoked brisket at Augie’s. If you like barbecue, then you’ll love Augie’s, it’s as simple as that.


Alamo cafe pics by John Newman is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

The Tiger’s Tummy review of Alamo Café: The tortilla factory

Taken By John Newman

Alamo café occupies a dear place in my heart, having been born in San Antonio some of my earliest memories were getting out of preschool Friday night driving with my parents to Alamo café and immediately demanding that we go to McDonalds or Luby’s. Over time my six year old pallet developed an appreciation of Tex-Mex fare, and as I returned to San Antonio for college I decided to see if my parents were right all along.

This being my first review its necessary to outline exactly how I plan on evaluating the venues I visit. I grade each place on a scale of one to ten tiger paws.  One being a blight to all mankind’s collective palettes, and ten being a miracle. I assign three points for the quality of the food, two for the service, two for the overall ambiance of the establishment,  two for the value (it is college after all), and one point for the distance from trinity university.

Alamo café located of the bitters road off 281N just past the airport, at first glance seems unassuming. An odd modern recreation of the adobe exterior of the Alamo San Antonio mission of the “remember the Alamo” fame. However, any fears one might have as you walk in the door are immediately aleved as you're greeted with friendly service and the warm enticing aroma of freshly made tortillas.

Photo by John Newman

Alamo café is undeniably beautiful. The entrance way ceiling is painted to resemble a blue sky, while a babbling brook runs the length of the restaurants main floor. Sitting in Alamo café feels like you’re eating in a well air conditioned courtyard.  No matter rain or shine it is always sunny in doors. I give Alamo café two out of two tiger paws for ambiance. Admittedly, though the restaurant could have been housed in a shack, and I still would have given it full marks for ambiance as long as they maintain that fresh tortilla smell.

As the meal went on, I was impressed with the speed and cheeriness of the waiters and waitresses. It seemed to be a highly motivated happy workforce, so full marks on service.  

Taken by John

While I award Alamo Café full marks for food, I would like to point out that there is no defining factor to the café's fare, all the food is similar to all the other restaurants dit dotting San Antonio. You have fajitas, tortillas, queso, panchos, and Chille reanos served with rice and refried beans. I gave the restaurant two and a half out of three Tigerpaws for food because while the food isn’t original it’s damn good. San Antonio is covered in these places for a good reason. What sets Alamo C apart from the pack is the price at which you get that classic tex-mex.  

The river walk has excellent ambience but it’s nearly impossible to visit without making a significant dent in ones bank account. Alamo Café is the clear cure to this problem, amazing tex-mex, a great restaurant, great service, an overall wonderful experience.

In conclusion my only gripe is the distance; it is far beyond walking distance to visit Alamo Cafe you must have a car therefore I cannot award the distance point.

Overall I give Alamo café 8.5 tigerpaws out of 10.

Alamo cafe pics by John Newman is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.