It’s that time of year again…for my out of town friends who are coming down to Texas for SXSW, here is a quick list of hot places in or near most of the events taking place.  There are also some great “Street Carts” food  vendors around the downtown area. Check ‘em out

Lamberts Downtown Barbecue
401 West 2nd Street. Austin, Texas 78701

Whole Foods
525 N Lamar Blvd. Austin, TX 78703
At least three sit-down places to eat within the store itself, including BBQ. Whole Foods has some of the BEST people watching in the area. Gorgeous women, healthy food, and a great fresh food environment!

Iron Works BBQ
100 Red River Street. Austin, TX 78701-4127
Close to the Convention Center, not the music venues such as Stubbs on Red River

Brick Oven
1209 Red River Street, Austin, TX‎
Head north from the Red River music venues

Gueros
1412 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX‎
Just across from the Continental Club in SoCo

Magnolia Café South
1920 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX
South from Gueros, serving 24 hours

Katz’s Deli and Bar
618 West 6th Street, Austin, TX
Cousin of the 2nd Street folks, serving 24 hours, downstairs from Momos

Huts Hamburgers
807 West 6th Street, Austin, TX‎
East of Whole Foods, voted best burgers many times in the Chronicle

Fran’s Hamburgers
1822 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX‎
South from Gueros, close to Magnolia Café. Get the onion rings!

Opal Divines
700 West 6th Street, Austin, TX
Across from Katz’s

Cuba Libre
409 Colorado Street, Austin, TX
Austin’s best mojito, worth every penny. In the Warehouse District just east of Antones.

Here is a list of the most popular Sushi Rolls in Japanese restaurants

As I have been talking to many of my Chef colleagues over the past year, informally we came up with a list of the top ingredients that we add to this comfort food staple either at home or in our restaurant kitchens.

1. Chicken – either diced, shredded, or grilled breasts, thigh, or leg meat
2. Garlic! – ’nuff said
3. Tomato –  either slices, puree, diced or roasted
4. Crunchy Topping – either cheese, bread crumbs, dried onions, or other veggies
5. Broccoli – parents, listen up…this is one way to get the kiddos to eat their veggies!
6. Onion – diced, sliced, pureed, roasted, or as a mixed crumb topping
7. Ham – Bacon, Sausage, or some other form of this comfort wonder meat
8. Cheese Topping – Parmesan, Romano, or any other cheese topping