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Awesome Austin DiningMoonshine Patio Bar and GrillBy Greg ZiglarTucked away just off the world famous Sixth Street in Austin, Moonshine Patio Bar and Grill carves a little corner of its own in Texas’ downtown capital. Don’t let all the booming construction of the surrounding area stop you from a visit; just hand your car over to the complimentary valet parking attendant! Nothing to it! I’ll be honest; this is my first restaurant review. So, like a newborn, I’m going to get right to my number one concern: food. First up, Cajun Popcorn at a patio table on a magnificent Texas spring evening! Really, could it get any better? It does! We continued with the Homemade Potato Chips. (I have now graduated from a newborn to preteen) They came fresh, hot, and crunchy, with a sour cream and brie dip. The onion dip off the grocer’s shelf will never again work for me. We also ordered the Spinach and Artichoke Fondue, which was equally tasty. My dining partner, Madelyn, who no doubt has the more “educated palette”, loved the fondue, but at this point I’m still dining at a prepubescent level, so I say order the chips.
On the side…oh……….where do I even start? I’m going to back up a minute to my kindergarten years and praise the Macaroni and Cheese. Let’s just say it could have substituted for desert.
The rest of the menu is varied. From asparagus to corn dogs, you will find something to your taste. In addition, there are private rooms for business and personal meetings. A good portion of the structure is over 150 years old. The original building housed a General Store, and a Saloon was added in 1866. The bar area is seductive with history and friendliness, can stand on its own as a downtown meeting place. Great food, great service, great atmosphere, and a great location. Oh, and lest we forget, the best popcorn this side of the Mississippi. Moonshine Patio Bar and Grill, 303 Red River, Austin, Texas, 78701. 512-236-9599. |
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Moving
ahead a few years into adulthood, the entrees arrived. My Grilled Pork
Tenderloin was perfect, served with a killer chipotle orange BBQ affair. My
partner enjoyed a magnificent Smoke-Grilled Ribeye with grain mustard sauce.
Both entrees were equally great, but I would recommend the Ribeye. Hey,
it’s Texas!
But
as I said, the Mac and Cheese could have substituted for desert, but not
quite. Moving forward in years into the greed and gluttony of adulthood, we
couldn’t stop with just one desert, or even two. Our terrific waiter,
Steve, suggested their world famous Skillet Apple Pie. We also ordered an
off-the- menu special, the Lemon Box Pie. In addition, lacking chocolate
thus far, we ordered the Fudge Stout Brownie. (A meal without
chocolate…what’s that about?) The Lemon Box Pie was light, clean and
fresh. The Fudge Stout Brownie was sinfully rich. Perhaps on its own, it
would have seemed better. I have only two words to say about the Skillet
Apple Pie: “Absolutely Fabulous”. It is certainly worth its reputation,
and there is plenty for two.