What to buy in Austin
Jan 6th, 2006, 12:18 AM
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What to buy in Austin
My hubby just booked a flight to Austin for later this month. It's been over 20 years since he's been back there when he was in the Air Force. Part business and part leisure, he'll have a few days to check out the city.
Is there something unique or special that he can buy in Austin to bring back home for me or the kids (12 & 13)? Any special shops that specializes in Austin made goodies? Any good BBQ places that bottles their sauces?
Is there something unique or special that he can buy in Austin to bring back home for me or the kids (12 & 13)? Any special shops that specializes in Austin made goodies? Any good BBQ places that bottles their sauces?
Jan 6th, 2006, 04:10 AM
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Don't know where you live so don't know whether they wlll thrive, but I'd suggest bluebonnet seeds. Salt Lick (BBQ) sells all sorts of things in their little shop in the restuarant, but, in typical Texas fashion, it's a good distance outside the city.
He may want to check out the Capitol building to see what's available.
Also, he's GOT to get details on the gazillion bats that live under the bridge on South Congress each summer and fly out at dusk to feed. There are bound to be brochures, postcards, maybe even tee shirts, perhaps in the shops on South Congress, a few blocks from the bridge.
Austin is a music town. He may be able to get mementoes of Austin City Limits.
I personally like the tee shirts and bumper stickers that say "Keep 78740 wierd" that indicate a desire to point out the uniqueness of that particulat zip code area of the city. (I think I have the zip code right...)
UT is there...
Check out www.americanstatesman.com for activities in the city that might produce ideas.
He may want to check out the Capitol building to see what's available.
Also, he's GOT to get details on the gazillion bats that live under the bridge on South Congress each summer and fly out at dusk to feed. There are bound to be brochures, postcards, maybe even tee shirts, perhaps in the shops on South Congress, a few blocks from the bridge.
Austin is a music town. He may be able to get mementoes of Austin City Limits.
I personally like the tee shirts and bumper stickers that say "Keep 78740 wierd" that indicate a desire to point out the uniqueness of that particulat zip code area of the city. (I think I have the zip code right...)
UT is there...
Check out www.americanstatesman.com for activities in the city that might produce ideas.
Jan 6th, 2006, 04:38 AM
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as mentioned, i would wander about south congress to look for some trinkets with a texan theme. nearby you will find the legendary continental club which has a small gift counter (cool t-shirts, etc). for the bumpersticker idea of the other poster, i think that the "don't mess with texas" sticker would have more univeral appeal...although not as specific to austin, of course.
as for bbq sauce, stubbs is probably the most recognised sauce...and the easiest to get to....however, we can buy it here in england so it is hardly a special gift from austin!!! central market is a good place for local things of the food variety.
UT's shop has a lot of burnt orange gear that would be sure to please the young ones.
the waterloo records t-shirt (with the london underground motif) was the one to have when i was there...but that was several years ago...things may have changed.
as for bbq sauce, stubbs is probably the most recognised sauce...and the easiest to get to....however, we can buy it here in england so it is hardly a special gift from austin!!! central market is a good place for local things of the food variety.
UT's shop has a lot of burnt orange gear that would be sure to please the young ones.
the waterloo records t-shirt (with the london underground motif) was the one to have when i was there...but that was several years ago...things may have changed.
Jan 6th, 2006, 04:45 AM
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How about UT National Championship gear. They only sell these every 35 years or so.
You can buy Salt Lick stuff at the airport , by the gates - they have a place there. I prefer Rudy's myself - there are a couple of them around town.
Keep Austin Weird shirts are found all over.
The TX history museum shop has some TX stuff - how about a stuffed armadillo?
You can buy Salt Lick stuff at the airport , by the gates - they have a place there. I prefer Rudy's myself - there are a couple of them around town.
Keep Austin Weird shirts are found all over.
The TX history museum shop has some TX stuff - how about a stuffed armadillo?
Jan 6th, 2006, 04:47 AM
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The BBQ sauce from The Salt Lick (www.saltlickbbq.com) is a must, but if he can't make the 20-30 min drive to Driftwood, he can buy it at the airport.The drive is worth it though.
Lots of "Keep Austin Weird" stuff can be found in most of the stores, including Allen's Boots on South Congress, where you can also buy cowboy hats and boots.
Unfortunately for us, the bats had flown south for the winter, so we didn't get to see them.
Lots of "Keep Austin Weird" stuff can be found in most of the stores, including Allen's Boots on South Congress, where you can also buy cowboy hats and boots.
Unfortunately for us, the bats had flown south for the winter, so we didn't get to see them.
Jan 7th, 2006, 02:58 AM
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Jan 7th, 2006, 06:44 AM
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I second the Salt Lick for BBQ purchases. I esp. like their Steak (salt?) Rub.
Why not try to get them UT Rosebowl T shirts somewhere on the Drag (Guadeloupe)? They are hot items and they can say they got them in Austin.
Why not try to get them UT Rosebowl T shirts somewhere on the Drag (Guadeloupe)? They are hot items and they can say they got them in Austin.
Jan 9th, 2006, 03:07 PM
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I got a kick out of J62's article about Leslie. 
Speaking as a long-time Austinite, my best guess about the Keep Austin Weird slogan is this: Austin is unique and so different from the rest of TX. Nothing against the rest of TX, but Austin just has a different way of looking at things. And I like that way.
HOOK 'EM HORNS, and KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD!!
Speaking as a long-time Austinite, my best guess about the Keep Austin Weird slogan is this: Austin is unique and so different from the rest of TX. Nothing against the rest of TX, but Austin just has a different way of looking at things. And I like that way.HOOK 'EM HORNS, and KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD!!
Jan 15th, 2006, 02:35 AM
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My husband was able to contact an old friend in Austin and made plans to have dinner at Salt Lick. On the food channel tonight, I saw that the President likes the Iron Works for their beef ribs. How does that place compare with Salt Lick?
Any ideas on what he can pick up for our kids (girl-13 & boy-12)?
Any ideas on what he can pick up for our kids (girl-13 & boy-12)?
Jan 17th, 2006, 06:35 PM
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He could definitley browse South Congress for the funky shops with an Austin flavor. Another suggestion would be to stop in at El Patio on Guadeloupe for lunch or dinner and pick up some pralines to bring home. I definitely have a love/hate relationship with this place. People either love it or hate it. They serve saltines instead of chips and have a sort of velveeta type quesa. As someone said "gooey cheese". Still, it is an Austin institution. They are known for their pralines and they are reasonable $$$. Here is a link to a pretty accurate review:
http://www.diningoutwithrobbalon.com/review/elpatio/
http://www.diningoutwithrobbalon.com/review/elpatio/
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