My Family's Hobby...er maybe

Diners, Drive Ins and Dives! That just about says it all.

While my family and I were in Austin earlier this summer I decided to print out a list of the restaurants that were featured on the show and see what Austin had to offer. I officially announced to my family that this was my new hobby and I would like for us to eat at some of these establishments during our trip. After I convinced Kerry that we had to eat anyway, I quieted the groans from the kiddos and we sat out to locate our first restaurant on the list. (Thank you GPS!) We waded through the Austin traffic to find The Magnolia Cafe.

This one definitely fits under the dive category. We walked inside and put our name on the list...Norma Jean...and waited to be seated. In no time at all we hear a hostess singing "Goodbye Norma Jean" over the intercom. This gave us all a good laugh, as we were being shown to our table. The atmosphere of course is almost as important as the food. And the atmosphere here I would describe as quirky and artistic. We ordered our food and then looked around us to take in the "murals" that were painted all over the walls. They were as interesting as our waiter and some of the customers. Definite Austin vibes all around! Kerry and 2 of the girls ordered a hamburger, the other ordered breakfast and I cannot remember for the life of me what I ordered! But I do remember the potatoes they served. They were prepared in a home style fashion, and were definitely not your typical french fries. More like skillet fries made from red potatoes. I loved them. Kerry and the girls....not so much. If its not deep fried for them, then apparently it's just not right. I can't say that any of us were very impressed with our meals, aside from me and those potatoes. Kerry and Kerra really didn't like theirs at all.

In all fairness I must add here that the gingerbread pancakes was the feature of The Magnolia Cafe on the Diners Drive Ins and Dives show. Suffice it to say my new hobby was not off to a popular start! I was beginning to wonder how long my family would let me endure my new venture or if it would even survive under their scrutiny and their ever increasing hunger pains!

However, supper time arrived and it was time to eat, so once again I pulled out my list and this time let my family pick the place. Which by the way helped a bit with their attitude about Mom's new hobby. The girls wanted bar-b-que, so we were off the find The Green Mesquite.

As we got out of our truck we heard the sound of blue's music coming from the backside of the restaurant and I turned just in time to a smile spread across Kerry's face. Definite potential. We of course decided we would sit out back and listen to the music of Jimmi Lee while we dined. This was an excellent choice. The music was great and so was the food. We ordered a variety of entrees; chopped BBQ sandwich, Chicken Fried Steak, Chicken Strips and for dessert pecan cobbler. We were all very happy with our food and with the music. Toward the end of our meal Jimmi Lee started talking about a movie that he wrote a song for, a movie called A Pocket Full of Soul. We looked it up and sure enough there was Jimmi Lee's name. Although he called it a movie it is really a documentary about harmonica players. Too bad. I was hoping for the big screen. But this disappointment I could deal with. I was just glad the food was good! And so were Kerry and the girls. This is a place I know we will visit again when we are in the Austin area.

Well our third and final stop in Austin was Maria's Taco Express. The line out the door let us know ahead of time that we were in for something good. As we waited to place our order we took a look at all that surrounded us. Though it was not as eclectic as The Magnolia, it was very interesting. Lots of "stuff" to look at on the walls and ceiling.and we were once again delighted as we heard the strains of music pouring out to us in line. Come to find out Maria's Taco Express has "Hippie Church" on Sunday afternoon for all of the diners. Who knew? "What is Hippie Church?", you may ask. Well on this particular Sunday it was the soulful sound of gospel music being sung by a family as they gave their testimonies in between songs. We LOVED it! Way to go Maria! I told Kerry I felt like I was at an old fashioned revival. So while we waited for our food we drank in those soulful sounds. What wonderful music it was, just like our tacos! Kerry, Kerra and I all ordered chicken fajita tacos, but Kerra opted out on the breakfast tacos that Kerry and I also ordered. Connor and Channing had beef tacos, "meat and cheese only please." Kerry loved the breakfast tacos, I loved the Chicken Fajita tacos and Kerra loved hers better without all the peppers and onions! Connor and Channing enjoyed their as well. This was another hit with the family and I was glad of that.

I think my hobby just may survive! I also think we've learned that there is way more to a restaurant in Austin than just the food!