Destinations Archives – Tastebud Travels

The Best Restaurants in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Tiffani — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 16:16:58 +0000

When we first decided to visit Gulf Shores back in 2017, we were honestly just looking for a beach town with white sand that was drivable. Not that Destin isn’t just as easily accessible, but I had been there the summer before and we wanted to explore a new area. So Gulf Shores, Alabama it was! AND THEN we got engaged the month before our trip and just a few days before we headed out for our beach vacay, we decided we wanted to do a US based destination wedding… Queue all the heart eyes when we arrived to pristine white sands and perfect water in Gulf Shores. As always, one of the first things we did when we started doing research on the area was look up the best restaurants in Gulf Shores.

Now, don’t get me wrong, while Gulf Shores is probably the exception, most beach towns we’ve been to, haven’t had the best food. But, the places to eat in Gulf Shores were far from average and the same goes for the places to eat in Orange Beach! (If you’re confused on the difference between Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, don’t be – they’re two separate towns, right next to each other, split by the Gulf State Park)

The Best Restaurants in Gulf Shores

The Hangout

This is hands down one of the coolest spots in all of Gulf Shores. It’s both a restaurant and a bar AND has tons of outdoor activities. With everything from live music, to Foosball, to giant foam parties, this place has it all. On the weekends, they’re open pretty late and there’s always something going on.

What we recommend: Listen, we’re not saying their food is the greatest of all time, but we highly recommend grabbing an order of their fried pickles and a shark attack to sip on and you’re in for a good time!

101 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Lulu’s

Second to only The Hangout, Lulu’s in Gulf Shores is a unique treat. This was one of the spots we took everyone during the week of our wedding. They not only have good food, but they also have a giant ropes course, areas to play in the sand and a giant gift shop.

What we recommend: We love the crab melt and the fried green tomatoes.

Pro tip: you can get on the wait list at Lulu’s to avoid having to wait as long – this is a game changer, especially during the summer months!

200 E 25th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Picnic Beach

From the creators of The Hangout, Picnic Beach offers a change-up to the typical beach food. Their mottos is “Good Clean BBQ” and it is that and SO much more. We grabbed lunch from here the week of our wedding and it was hands down a crowd favorite. Picnic Beach should definitely be on your list of Gulf Shores restaurants to hit up!

What we recommend: The Picnic Brisket Salad was my favorite and the white BBQ sauce was everyone’s favorite! Their parmesan bacon truffle fries are absolutely delicious and their Caribbean bowl never disappoints.

128 E 1st Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Sunset Cork Room – Now called Savanna Kitchen

I don’t even know where to begin with this amazing place. Don’t get me wrong, we love eating right on the beach when we’re in Gulf Shores, but Savanna is more than worth the short drive away from the beach. We hosted our rehearsal dinner at their previous spot (Sunset Corkroom) and it was out of this world. You can read more about how awesome Sunset Cork Room was to work with in our Destination Wedding Vendors post! As the owner of Sunset Corkroom was ready to retire, Savanna Kitchen was born. We’ve been here multiple times since they open and every visit we’re reminded at the quality and craftsmanship that goes into every dish they create.

225 E 16th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Crico’s Pizza

This place has the best pizza Gulf Shores has to offer. Their lunch buffet was our absolute favorite and so incredibly cheap. We ended up deciding to order 10 pizzas from here for our first night in Gulf Shores for our wedding. We accidentally found ourselves here for lunch on our first trip to Gulf Shores and we’ve gone back every single time we’re there because the pizza is just that good.

MAY 2023 UPDATE: They are still not running their lunch buffet. Nonetheless, it’s still worth a stop to try their delicious pizza!

What we recommend: There isn’t a bad pizza here, but if you can, skip the delivery and pop in here for lunch, you can thank us later! You also can’t pass up their cricostix, they’re absolutely to die for!

309 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL

Bahama Bob’s

One of our tried & true spots. They probably have the best popcorn shrimp in Gulf Shores. While it’s right on the beach, you can’t see the water from the restaurant, but that has never been an issue for us because the food is delicious. **Bahama Bob’s had a fire in 2023 – they have reopened as of May 2024**

What we recommend: Popcorn shrimp! And of course, a bushwhacker!

601 W Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Sea N Suds

Similar to Bahama Bob’s, this right-on-the-beach spot is filled with all of the quintessential beach food. We’ve been to Sea n Suds multiple times and always loved everything we’ve eaten. We usually try to snag a spot at the bar and watch the guys shuck fresh oysters. Unlike Bahama Bob’s, Sea N Suds is right on the water, so you’ll have perfect sunset views! And if there’s a wait, you can always grab a drink at the bar closest to the beach and hang out while you wait.

What we recommend: Snag some of the freshly shucked oysters and a delicious cocktail.

405 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Papa Rocco’s

This came at the recommendation of a local – which usually means it’s going to be tried and true, and that it was. Papa Rocco’s makes out list of the best places to eat in Gulf Shores not entirely because of the pizza. The real show stopper here is the baked oysters. Food is served until midnight, so no need to rush off the beach either.

What we recommend: The Italian salad is absolutely delicious, the all meat pizza is amazing and the baked oysters can not be missed.

101 W 6th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Lambert’s

Technically, this spot is located just north of Gulf Shores, in Foley, but close enough to be considered. Home of the “throwed rolls,” Lamberts is a delicious little southern restaurant. The sides are served family style (aka – all you can eat) after you choose your entree.

What we recommend: Definitely try the chicken fried steak and chicken tenders. Eat as many rolls as you can catch and fill up on all the delicious sides!

Pro tip: Bring cash! That’s all they accept – They do have an ATM, but who wants to have to pay ATM fees?

2981 S McKenzie St, Foley, AL 36535

Orange Beach Restaurants

If you’re still confused on the whole Orange Beach/ Gulf Shores split, don’t be. It’s practically one big town, split down the middle by a giant park. Orange Beach is on the side closer to Florida.

The Ruby Slipper

Best brunch in Gulf Shores or I suppose it’d be the best brunch in Orange Beach, but you know what I mean. They have a HUGE menu and do happen to be a chain, but it’s a small, semi-local chain so definitely worth visiting.

What we recommend: If you enjoy a bloody Mary, GET THEIRS! They are absolutely delicious. And if you enjoy spicy, be sure to try the jalepeno infused vodka in your Bloody Mary…It’s delicious. The eggs Benedict is also fabulous. They get super busy – try to get there early during the busy season & holidays.

24151 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561

Brick & Spoon

Another great brunch spot in Orange Beach. This place is known for it’s huge build your own bloody Mary option and a delicious brunch menu. This place also get’s super busy so get there early and get to building your bloody Mary with your checklist!

What we recommend: Build a bloody Mary on the checklist card! You can pick whatever you want on it! DO NOT skip the stuffed french toast – it’s brunch perfection.

24705 Canal Rd, Orange Beach, AL 36561

Buzzcatz

If you have a followed us for a while then you know that we love pastries, breads and sweets. Buzzcatz is all of those and much more. This small little coffee shop packs a big punch in the form of pastries and delicious treats. We tried Buzzcatz the first time we went to Gulf Shores and have been back every time since. We love it so much that we made an order for our goodbye breakfast for our wedding guests the day after our wedding. It is definitely one of the best breakfasts spots in Orange Beach and easily our favorite.

What we recommend: Homemade Pop Tarts, blueberry biscuit sandwiches (one of the most delicious things we have ever had), breakfast sandwiches and the cinnamon rolls…. AKA pretty much anything and everything there! And we’d be silly not to mention their breakfast quesadilla – we’d stand it up next to some of the best breakfasts we’ve ever had! It’s a “daily special” but if you ask nicely, your server may let you have one!

25689 Canal Rd, Orange Beach, AL 36561

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Cobalt, The Restaurant

Every good foodie town needs at least one really good, fine dining restaurant, regardless of how big or small the town is. When it comes to places to eat in Orange Beach, the fine dining options are somewhat limited. Thankfully, there’s Cobalt, The Restaurant, located on Perdido Bay, right next to the Caribe Resort. Spectacular views, awesome drinks and insanely good food is just a small part of what Cobalt offers. Whether it be for a romantic waterfront dinner or a nice dinner out with the family, Cobalt is the best fine dining in this awesome little beach town.

What we recommend: Crab bisque, pecan fried catfish (Heart eyes), the filet and the bloody Mary(catching on yet).

28099 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561

Coastal Orange Beach

This is a newer spot in Orange beach… Well, newer as in 2023! If you’re looking for something a little elevated, while still being right on the beach, Coastal is just that. This spot has two sides to it, the nicer, restaurant side and a beach bar side! They also have a massive gift shop!

What we recommend: The tuna poke nachos are always a winner here! There also wasn’t a single cocktail we had that wasn’t delicious.

25722 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561

Ginny Lane

There’s no shortage of restaurants at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama but one that has always stuck out to us was Ginny Lane (and the sister properties)!

4851 Wharf Pkwy E, Orange Beach, AL 36561

After what feels like a million trips to the area over the last couple of years, we think we have a pretty good grasp of the best restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange beach. Did we leave out one of your favorites? Or have a new recommendation that we should try? Let us know in the comments!

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Best Restaurants in Austin

Tiffani — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 10:09:00 +0000

Whether you’re trying to find the best murals in Austin or just in town for a weekend getaway to Austin, there’s one thing you absolutely can’t go without doing and that’s eating! With everything from high end seafood to the best bbq in the world to $1 tacos from a food truck, Austin really does have a little bit of something for everyone. We’ve compiled a list of all the best restaurants in Austin – keep reading to check them out!

Best Breakfast in Austin

24 Diner

There’s no secrets when it comes to 24 Diner, what you see is what you get, and what you get is freaking amazing. 24 Diner’s location makes it the prime spot for breakfast if you’re staying downtown or within the loop. While wait times can be long, there’s no question, it’s worth the wait.

What we recommend: For brunch, the chicken and waffles is easily one of the best we’ve ever had. For lunch and dinner, the tuna melt can’t be beat! We can’t go without mentioning, the 24 Diner Milkshakes are out of this world and a must try, at least once.

Location: 600 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703

Cafe Java

Sometimes you need breakfast that doesn’t just consist of booze. But hey, we don’t judge if that’s all you need for breakfast. The perfect spot to grab an awesome breakfast in Austin is Cafe Java. The menu is HUGE so there’s something for everyone. We usually go with their special omelette of the day (The Cajun omelette has been our favorite so far) and corn beef hash platter. Let’s just say we are always so full and rarely ever finish either of our meals. They have tons of delicious coffee options as well. This is just a homey spot with really good food and coffee.

Location: 11900 Metric Blvd Suite K Austin, TX 78758

Caroline & Upstairs at Caroline

If you’re looking for a trendy spot to grab a bite to eat or a delicious cocktail, this is where you should be! The main area of Caroline’s serves some delicious items. One of our favorites is their cinnamon roll – it’s absolutely heavenly. Upstairs at Caroline’s is the perfect spot to people watch (it’s a rooftop-ish bar) and hang out. They have tons of big picnic tables and a super comfy bar area. Definitely a great spot for bachelorette parties in Austin or just as a spot to kick your night off.

Location: 621 Congress Ave Suite 101, Austin, TX 78701

Walton’s Fancy & Staple

Let there be brunch. You didn’t think we’d make a list of the best restaurants in Austin and forget to include a brunch spot, did you? Walton’s Fancy Staple is a West 6th star that has one of the best brunches in Austin. It just so happens to be co-owned by Sandra Bullock and doubles as a flower shop to go along with the deli and bakery. Start with beignets and berries that tasted as if you’ve been transported to NOLA, sip on the most incredible Bloody Mary, topped with broccoli and cauliflower and for the main meal try the biscuit sandwich or the ham sandwich on a pretzel roll. Walton’s is chic, hip and all around damn good.

Location: 609 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701

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Best Dinner Restaurants in Austin

Clark’s Oyster Bar

Easily one of the best restaurants in of all Austin. Before we ever moved to Austin, we’d try our hardest to get in at Clark’s every time we were in town. But it was ALWAYS booked – until the weekend of Texas/ LSU when we FINALLY got a late reservation. This delicious Austin seafood spot on West 6th Street is absolutely incredible. A true Austin staple from the McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality Group.

We started with the mule of the day which was a Pisco mule, then on to a couple oysters that had so much flavor it felt like we were eating at seafood restaurant right on the coast. For dinner, we shared what might be the best lobster roll and fries we’ve ever dined on. Tons of lobster covered in butter laid on top of the perfect bun, accompanied by a mountain of the skinniest but tastiest fries. This lobster roll is worth every penny of the hefty $34 price tag. Clark’s is definitely going to require a reservation and for you to drop some bucks but you’ll leave quite happy knowing you just dined at one of the best restaurants in Austin!

Location: 1200 W 6th St Austin, TX 78703

El Arroyo

You know that famous sign in Austin? The one with the hilarious sayings? Yeah, it’s actually a restaurant. We aren’t saying this is THE BEST restaurant in Austin, but there are a few dishes that deserve a little hype. We absolutely love the bbq enchiladas which are like nothing we’ve ever had. Brown sugar smoked chicken with their bbq sauce made into enchiladas. Different and so good. We also highly recommend the cajun avocado – super unique and super tasty. Y’all, the reviews may be bad but it doesn’t mean they’re always right. We highly recommend El Arroyo for the sign AND the food.

Location: 1624 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78703

Fareground

Every foodie city should have a good food hall to bolster its dining scene. Austin is no exception and really delivers with Fareground. The location is perfect, right across the street from the South Congress bridge but underground. The cocktails from the Fareground bar are always awesome but the best thing we had was the Shio Ramen from Ni-Kome, which combined chicken and goji berries among other things and it was delicious. They’ve also added a street level bar named Ellis that we can’t wait to try.

Location: 111 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701

Aba

I know what you’re thinking… This is a chain… Yes, that is true, but Aba made a splash when they hit the scene in Austin and it’s 100% worth the hype. Aba is absolutely delicious and it doesn’t hurt that the restaurant is absolutely adorable.

What we recommend: Everything?

Location: 1011 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

Home Slice

If we had to choose one place on our list that just screams Austin and what it is all about, it would be Home Slice on South Congress. Thin crust pizza is served piping hot at this hip joint till late night hours on one of the busiest street in the city. Home Slice also recently opened up a new location in the North Loop that is yet to see a slow night. You can’t say you’ve been to Austin until you have had a slice from Home Slice.

Home Slice Location: 1415 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 and 501 E 53rd St, Austin, TX 78751

Kesos

Part of the reason we love Austin so much is we are die hard University of Texas Longhorn fans. With UT being right smack dab in the middle of the city it means there are endless food options right on campus. One of the best spots on campus is Kesos Tacos on MLK Jr. The Classico with al pastor & pineapple and the Fire Chick with fried chicken fried in fire red salsa and topped with lettuce, pico and cilantro ranch & queso are so good. This place does tacos the right way. Stop by and grab a few tacos but don’t forget to take a pic outside with their awesome mural.

Location: 600 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78705

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Loro

Two of our favorite chefs and owners are Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue and Tyson Cole of Uchi. Loro is an asian bbq fusion restaurant by these two. It is the BOMB. We went with the Loro cheeseburger which was one of the best burgers we’ve ever had, the wonton chips and dip with a thai green salsa and a peanut sambai sauce, and the crunchy sweet corn fritters with a sriracha aioli. The combination of the spicy thai flavors with the smoky bbq flavor is out of this world good. Loro is a must try and is most definitely one of the best restaurants in Austin.

Location: 2115 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

Lucy’s Fried Chicken

Who knew fried chicken could be so good? Okay trick question, because just about everyone should know that. Lucy’s Fried Chicken isn’t your normal fried chicken spot. Don’t get us wrong, they do have a basket of fried chicken but it’s their fried chicken spaghetti, grilled oysters with tequila, fried deviled eggs and fried chicken boudin balls that make this place SO DAMN TASTY. Oh and their sweet tea pie. You heard us right! Sweet tea pie!

Location: South Congress location @ 2218 College Ave Austin TX 78704

Magnolia Cafe

One of two places on our list that is on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Austin episode. Magnolia Cafe is the quintessential little cafe in every town, except nothing this good stays this small for long. Magnolia Cafe in Austin has been open since 1920. Whether you’re hungover and needing some comfort food (get the chicken noodle soup and thank me later) or just want to check out this classic Austin restaurant, Magnolia Cafe has something for everyone!

Location: 1920 S Congress Ave Austin, TX 78704

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Maria’s Taco Xpress

The second spot on our list that’s been featured on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives Austin edition – Maria’s Taco Xpress. This a South Austin icon, located on South Lamar, is hard to miss. It’s the giant red building. Maria’s is what Keep Austin Weird is all about with its unique flavor and super chill atmosphere. We love their veggie verde stacked with 7 veggies including eggplant and green beans and their barbacoa taco that packs a huge flavor punch. This is what tacos should taste like. Maria’s is definitely one of the best taco spots in Austin.

Location: 2529 S Lamar Blvd Austin, TX 78704

Things to know – open till 3 pm during week and 4 pm on weekends

P Terry’s

Whataburger vs In N Out is a cool argument but we will take P Terry’s over both. P Terry’s is Austin’s very own fast food burger chain and they serve up some of the best burgers in Austin. Their Angus cheeseburgers with the special sauce and perfectly made fries are the perfect option for a quick, but classic bite when spending a weekend in Austin. They also have caramel root beer shakes. Seriously. Caramel and root beer come together to make heaven in a cup. You can’t miss their adorable buildings and quintessential burger stands.

Locations: 15 locations in & around Austin and now in San Marcos!

Paco’s Tacos

There’s no shortage of good tacos in Austin. Whether it be a food truck, a gas station, or in a restaurant, there are tacos in every corner. Paco’s Tacos definitely gets our vote for one of the good ones. We highly recommend the Gringo which combines shrimp, with chipotle mayo, avocado and mango pico de Gallo. Bomb. The Hook ‘Em is also top notch; brisket, chipotle bbq sauce & cilantro. Paco’s is great spot for tacos in East Austin.

Location: 1304 E 51st St, Austin, TX 78723

Perla’s

If oyster shooters and bloody marys are your thing, Perla’s is the place for you. Sister restaurant to our beloved Clark’s Oyster Bar, Perla’s, located on South Congress is a super cute, seafood spot with a patio built to wow just about anyone!

Location: 1400 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

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Roaring Fork

We had to make sure to add a nice dinner spot downtown for the nights you just can’t do anymore tacos or bbq. There’s not many nights like that for us but a few summers ago we did stumble upon Roaring Fork Downtown. We wanted a nice dinner in Austin and we found it on Yelp with good reviews so we made a reservation. It definitely exceeded all of our expectations, earning it’s spot on our list of the best restaurants in Austin. We shared the bacon wrapped pork tenderloin with cheesy grits and Mexican Street corn. Yeah.. how could it not exceed our expectations with that kind of meal. Roaring Fork definitely has a unique menu but don’t let that turn you off from this place, it’s legit.

Location: 701 Congress Ave. Austin, TX

Tamale House East

There’s tamales and then there is Tamale House East. This East Austin establishment is an OG in the Austin dining scene. The family who owns it has been slinging tamales for many years in this great city. Biggest tamales you’ve ever seen. Best tamales in Austin. Guaranteed. And they also happen to have the best migas in town. Scratch that. Best migas anywhere. Definitely at the top of our best breakfast in Austin list.

Location: 1707 E 6th St Austin, Texas 78702

Uncle Nicky’s Italian Specialities

Uncle Nicky’s pastries are the things most people wish they were eating first thing in the morning. This adorable Austin restaurant is located in Hyde Park and is totally reminiscent of an Italian cafe with a mix of Austin vibe. We LOVE the crueller, the taylor farm ham, egg and cheese sandwich with ketchup on an english muffin (move over McDonald’s you ain’t got nothing on this breakfast sandwich) and the vanilla cannoncino (basically a mini cannoli). The crueller was one of the two best we have ever had with the other being from a spot on our New York City desserts list. We can wait to go back for lunch to try the other dishes and sandwiches.

Location: 4222 Duval St, Austin, TX 78751

Veracruz All Natural

Breakfast tacos are a form of a payment in Austin. Kidding, but it’s really that serious. Veracruz All Natural might just have the best breakfast tacos in Austin. Like many other spots on our list of the best restaurants in Austin, Veracruz started as a food truck and has grown into a local chain slinging tacos and their delicious agua frescas. We LOVE the migas originales, migas poblanas and the el traditional. Homemade tortillas, roasted tomato salsa with avocado and the agua frescas are what set this delicious tacos spot in Austin apart from other places. Whether it’s one of their foods trucks or one of their brick & mortar shops, Veracruz continues to kill the taco game.

Location: 2505 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX, 78702 (Veracruz Food Truck Park) Multiple locations

Via 313

One of the best pizza spots in Austin. Via 313 is a Detroit-style pizza spot with multiple locations throughout the Austin area. Detroit-style is baked in a square pan, and has the sauce on top. It’s started with Sicilian dough, lined with a layer of pepperoni right on top of the crust, a huge mound of cheese next, all the other toppings and then finished off with red sauce that trickles through the cheese and toppings. We’ve tried quite a few pizzas at Via 313 and we have yet to be let down! It’s cheesy, crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside and it’s delicious.

Location: Oak Hill 6705 E Hwy 290 No. 503, Austin, TX 78735/ East 6th 1802 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702/ Trailer @ Craft Pride on Rainey 61 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701

Wally’s Burger Express

There is just something about steak fingers, tacos, burgers & dipped cones. Wally’s has been Austin’s own little Dairy Queen since 1980. It even took over the old building of a Dairy Queen. They are the perfect late night snack or dinner when you just want to munch on a steak or chicken finger basket. Pair that with a cold root beer and finish with a shake or a cherry dipped cone and you’ll quickly see why this is on our list of the best restaurants in Austin. It’s hidden gems like this that really make Austin a foodie’s paradise.

Location: 8107 Mesa Dr, Austin, TX 78759

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Best Barbecue in Austin

Franklin Barbecue

If you’re into barbecue, you’ve probably heard of Franklin Barbecue in Austin. It’s been the talk of Austin and throughout the country for over 10 years now. In 2009 Aaron Franklin started this one of a kind Austin BBQ spot in a trailer, then, that little trailer morphed in to the restaurant it is today after quickly gaining popularity and today it lands on all the best restaurants in Austin lists!

How the line works at Franklin Barbecue

Franklin opens Tuesday-Sunday at 11 am but you need to be in line by 8:30-9am (at the latest) in order to actually get food. Yep, crazy. The line begins to form around 7am everyday and even earlier on weekends. Bring a lawn chair, beer or cocktails and pick up some breakfast tacos from their food truck or grab some from Veracruz before you arrive. Closer to opening time, someone will come out, write down what you want and what he has left. Franklin’s has mastered the science of what time you should be eating and how much will be left based on previous orders.

What to get on your first visit to Franklin Barbecue

GET THE BRISKET. It’s what made Franklins famous and for good reason. It’s the best brisket we’ve ever had. The brisket has sold out EVERY SINGLE DAY since Franklin opened, so don’t think we’re joking about getting there early. We also highly recommend the turkey, pulled pork and sausage. On Saturdays, the special is the famous Franklin Barbecue beef rib. It’s huge, it’s juicy and it’s only sold on Saturdays. It sells out quick so get there before 8 am on Saturday and you’ll have a chance. Try all the sides and try the pie. Visiting Franklin Barbecue is a once in a lifetime foodie experience that everyone should try at least once.

Location: 900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702

Stiles Switch

BBQ and tacos just might be the two things people in this town take the most serious. For us we have two rules of good bbq and they are 1) You can smell it from down the street. If you can’t smell it even when you get inside then it ain’t good. 2) Good bbq doesn’t NEED sauce. Now good sauce can be put on bbq but it should NOT need to be doused in bbq sauce. Stiles Switch definitely fits the bill with both rules. It may not be as well known as the big guys – Franklin, Stubbs and Salt Lick, but it has just as much flavor as all three of those. Tender brisket and sausage, out of this world mac & cheese and corn casserole and the perfect sweet tea to complete a great bbq meal. There are endless options of good bbq in Austin but we think Stiles Switch should be on everyone’s list especially for the mac & cheese and corn!

Location: 6610 N Lamar Blvd Austin, TX 78752

Best Dessert in Austin

Lick Honest Ice Creams

Another spot we’d been dying to try in Austin was Lick Honest Ice Creams. We hit up the one on South Lamar after dinner at El Arroyo and my oh my it was AMAZING. Lick has two sets of flavors; Everyday flavors and Seasonal flavors. We went with the Texas Sheet Cake (everyday), Tres Leches (seasonal) and Strawberry Cream Pie (Seasonal) and the Ladybird Lavender Crisp (seasonal). Our favorites were the Ladybird Lavender Crisp (Tiffani) and the Tres Leches (Thomas). The lavender was top 5 best ice cream flavors we’ve ever had. Look at you Austin making that top 5 list twice. That’s why we love ATX so much!

Location: 75 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701

Little Lucy’s Mini Donuts

Not to be confused with another spot on our list, Little Lucy’s food truck on Rainey Street serves hot mini donuts till 2 am, every single day of the week. It’s the PERFECT stop when you are out on the town on Rainey (which happens to be our favorite place to have a fun night out in Austin). Enjoy some mini donuts dipped and top with whatever you want.

Location: 75 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701

Gordough’s

What do burgers, donuts and desserts all have in common? They can all be found at Gordough’s. This crazy donut establishment serves items like donut burgers, donut sandwiches and massive donuts for dessert. Gordough’s is the perfect spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or after the bar closes on the weekends. I mean, who wouldn’t want a donut topped with grilled bananas and cream cheese icing with brown sugar after they have been drinking all night. We sure would! At the end of 2022 their brick and mortar restaurant closed but they still have their food truck!

Location: 1503 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704

Amy’s Ice Cream

Don’t come at us with some BS that Amy’s really isn’t a restaurant. Because, y’all, the next two words are the only two words that matter… Mexican Vanilla. That’s the go to flavor at our favorite ice cream spot in Austin and maybe the best ice cream in the state. Top 5 ice cream flavor we’ve had. Amy’s has been our favorite spot for the cool treat for a long time. We stop every time we are in town to grab a scoop of Mexican vanilla with sprinkles! Their always-rotating selection of ice cream will always keep you on your toes!

Location: 1012 W 6th St B, Austin, TX 78703 (multiple locations, but our favorite shop)

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Tiny Pies

Don’t underestimate things just because they’re tiny. Especially not Tiffani or Tiny Pies in Austin. These tiny pillows of deliciousness really don’t taste tiny. Everybody loves a good slice of pie but it’s so difficult to eat a slice of pie without a plate, a fork and a napkin. That’s where Tiny Pies comes in with their hand held pies that are the size of a muffin. They may be tiny but they have just as much flavor as a normal size pie. They even made it on to Oprah’s O List.

Location: 2032 S Lamar Blvd Austin, TX 78704

Did our list of the best restaurants in Austin cover all of your faves? If not, be sure to let us know which of your favorites we left off our list!

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Breckenridge Food Guide

Tiffani — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 13:30:00 +0000

After half a dozen trips since our first visit in 2015, it’s safe to say Breckenridge, CO is one of our most cherished home away from homes. While we love being able to do Breckenridge on a budget, It’s no secret that one of our favorite things to do when visiting anywhere is eat… While the main attraction is skiing, the restaurants in Breckenridge, Colorado are not something to miss! There isn’t a spot in this town that isn’t delicious – Breckenridge food is the real deal y’all!

The best part about Breckenridge restaurants is, most of them are either right on Main Street or just off of Main Street! This makes all of the spots on our list of the best Breckenridge restaurants super easy to get to!

Breakfast in Breckenridge

Crepes A La Cart

Crepes a La Cart might have been one of our favorite stops while in Breckenridge. Their main shop is a little cart on Main St, but they now have another location one street over. Everything is made fresh and all of the items are absolutely delicious. No trip to Breckenridge is complete without a stop at Crepes a La Cart!

Clint’s Bakery & Coffee House

We may or may not have gone back to clients 37 times. That may be an exaggeration, but Clint’s has the MOST delicious blueberry-lemon-poppy seed muffins that Thomas and I can’t resist, which alone helps this spot land on our best Breckenridge restaurants list! We were also in love with their bagel breakfast sandwiches. Seriously, the most perfect carb-loaded breakfast and bakery option to prepare you for a day on the slopes.

Blue Moose Restaurant

Causal breakfast and brunch in Breckenridge spot with a huge menu and cocktails! We highly recommend the Bloody Mary. There can be a wait, especially if you have a larger party, but it’s worth it. Grab a cocktail while waiting to get table!

BreckFast Co

Lunch and Dinner in Breckenridge

Giampietros Pasta & Pizzeria

Whenever we go skiing, no matter what town we’re in, we always have to find a pizza spot. We’ve done it in other ski towns like Crested Butte and Park City, so finding delicious pizza in Breckenridge was high on our list. Giampietros Pasta & Pizzeria in Breckenridge was everything we could have asked for. The giant pizza and delicious bread is always the perfect meal to eat after a long day on the slopes.

Empire Burger

Empire Burger is truly one of the best places to eat in Breckenridge. It’s our tradition to always go here on our first night anytime we’re in Breckenridge. And it NEVER disappoints. Burger, fries, and an adult root beer float are what we always share, and it only gets better every time we have it.

Downstairs at Eric’s

We had a BLAST at Downstair’s at Eric’s. Granted, we didn’t eat anything, we just played old arcade games, the food looked delicious. It totally had the coolest vibe, and who doesn’t love playing arcade games while eating delicious food?

Soupz On

We stopped in at Soupz On after our snowmobiling adventure! You know, you really work up an appetite when the temps are -30 degrees! This was a spot the local guys (our tour guides) recommended we try, and we know why! Easily one of the best and cheapest meals we ate all week! Pop in, grab some soup and some of their delicious bread and sit a while!

Kenosha Grill

We usually want at least one nice dinner while in Breck and Kenosha always delivers. What originally came as a recommendation from locals for a nicer, affordable dinner in Breckenridge, Kenosha easily lands a place on our list of the best restaurants in Breckenridge! Kenosha was a little more casual than the steakhouses we are used to, but the food was just as good. We had the beer pretzels, steaks, and some delicious desserts! Definitely a must stuff if you’re in town for a special holiday, or just want a dang good meal!

Dessert in Breckenridge

Mountain Top Cookie Shop

We may stop in at Mountain Top Cookie Shop (formerly Mary’s Mountain Cookies) almost every single day we’ve been in Breckenridge. Okay, that’s a stretch, but the cookies and sweets are just too hard to resist. They have fresh, unique cookies that are undeniably delicious.

Higgles Ice Cream

Higgles is the perfect spot if you’re a little crazy like us and want ice cream even when you’re in icy temps! There aren’t a ton of places for dessert in Breckenridge, but out of all of the ice cream spots, Higgles is our favorite!

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10 Non-Beach Things To Do in Gulf Shores

Tiffani — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 09:49:00 +0000

With so many things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, it’s no secret most things that instantly come to mind involve the white sand beaches of Alabama’s Coast. But sometimes, having your toes in the water and ass in the sand (I really hope y’all get that reference, if not, Google it) just isn’t what you want to do all. day. long. Don’t get us wrong, no Gulf Shores vacation is complete without tons of beach time, but sometimes, you just need something MORE!

This little town has so much more to offer than just beautiful sand and serene waves crashing. We’re sharing some of our favorite non-beach things to do in Gulf Shores that don’t involve having any sand in your butt!

Things To Do in Gulf Shores

Dolphin Kayaking Tour

Our Dolphin Kayak Tour with Coastal Kayak Excursions will probably go down as one of our favorite “excursions” we’ve ever done while on a beach vacation. On our first trip to Gulf Shores, we booked a dolphin kayaking cruise for sunset and the rest is history. Okay, not quite. We knew (before even leaving for the trip) it’d be good to do a few things that did not involve the beach. With a little research, we found Coastal Kayak Tours.

Being able to kayak with dolphins in Gulf Shores was such a unique experience and one we certainly won’t forget anytime soon! Be sure to check out Coastal Kayak Excursions’ Instagram to see some incredible videos of how up-close and personal you get with the dolphins, in their natural habitat!

Eat all the food

There are so many great restaurants in Gulf Shores. There’s a reason it’s been voted one of the best beach towns in the US for food. It’s also one of the reasons we choose to get married there (duh).

If you’re looking for some of the best food in Gulf Shores, be sure to check out our post on the Best Restaurants in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, it’ll have your mouth watering.

Visit The Wharf Orange Beach

When it comes to things to do in Orange Beach, there’s no shortage! The Wharf alone has SO. MUCH. TO. DO. Easily the best shopping in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!

Zip-lining

It’s what all the cool kids are doing…. right? The massive zip-lining course at The Wharf is one of the biggest we have seen (that isn’t in the middle of a rainforest). It’s definitely not for the faint of heart, but is one of the most adrenaline packed things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, right behind parasailing, but this post is 100% sand free, so pretend we didn’t say that!

Dining

Because, food. There are no more reasons than this. The food at The Wharf in Orange Beach is delicious. We loved grabbing a cheese plate at Ginny Lane before heading over to Fusion Spa Salon to prep for my bridal portraits.

Shopping

This is probably the most dense shopping area that isn’t 100% souvenir shops in the area. This area is slightly reminiscent of the shopping area in Seaside, FL (yep, I said it), but has tons of great, local shops, with super sweet owners! We always recommend visiting here in the middle of the day, after lunch time, when the area isn’t as busy.

Play Bazooka Ball

Not even sure how this crazy sport (and it’s definitely a sport) came to be. But we sure are glad it did.

On the morning/ day of our wedding, we needed an activity for all of the guys to do that didn’t involve more eating and definitely did not involve more drinking. Somehow Bazooka Ball was discovered – located at The Wharf, inside Arena The Next Level this game is played with “guns” loaded with CO2 and soft foam balls. Imagine paintball or air-soft, without the pain or mess and scored similarly to laser tag. If you’re looking for a fun indoor activity in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, this is definitely it.

We’ve gone back multiple times to play and it only gets better!

Visit Waterville

If you’re sick of salt water and sand up your butt or you happen to be in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach on a day swimming isn’t allowed on the beaches, but still want all fun in the sun, there’s only one Gulf Shores waterpark for you – Waterville USA! And it should probably be on your list of things to do next. Waterville is less than 10 minutes from the beach and will provide you all the fun in the sun you’re looking for.

Check out OWA

This amusement park near Gulf Shores is absolutely awesome. Not only is it packed with roller coasters, but there is also tons of great spots to eat as well as a waterpark! It’s a short drive away from the beach, but definitely worth the drive over!

Shop at Souvenir City

From our very first visit, this souvenir shop was our favorite. I can not confirm it is because they have a giant shark coming out of the building that you have to enter through, but yes, that’s probably 99% of the reason why. Not only do they have super reasonable prices on all things Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, but they also have a pretty cool montage of photos documenting the damage from Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

Whether you’re all good to spend all day on the white sand during your next Gulf Shores vacation or you’re dying to explore more of the area, we hope this list sparks something inside to get out and enjoy everything this beautiful area has to offer!

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Honeymoon Packing List & Tips

Tiffani — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 12:19:00 +0000

Honeymoon packing can be a little daunting. Whether you’re going to a tropical destination or backpacking around Europe, chances are, packing can be a little overwhelming. What should I bring? What shouldn’t I bring? Am I packing too much? Am I packing enough? Sound like you? It doesn’t have to be!

If we thought planning a destination wedding was tough, we never imaged how hard it’d be to pack for a destination wedding AND pack for our honeymoon. Because we got married in Alabama and flew out of New Orleans for our honeymoon in Antigua at Cocobay Resort, we had had to pack for both before we left home.

Thankfully, we’re both pretty good packers and have been on so many trips together we know how to make it all work.

Tips for packing for your honeymoon

1. Don’t overpack

If you’re going on a tropical honeymoon, you don’t need a million outfits and 600 pairs of shoes. Keep your packing light. Only bring the essentials and things that have multi-purposes!

2. Follow your resort/hotel on Instagram

Think I’m crazy for saying that? I probably am, but if you follow the resort, or search their location on IG you can see what other people are wearing and get a feel for how others are/aren’t dressing.

3. Try to fit everything in a carryon

We’ve been really fortunate and only ever had one of our bags get lost and it was when we were coming home, but the thought of losing a bag while we’re on the way to a destination is terrifying. Because we packed things that could be worn more than once and packed tons of lightweight items (tropical = warm temps = no heavy clothing) we had more than enough room in our carryons for everything we needed.

4. Wear a “honeymoon shirt” on the plane

Technically this isn’t a honeymoon packing tip, but close enough. Ladies, listen closely. Wear that honeymoon shirt. I don’t care what your new husband is wearing, but you wear that damn shirt. People will congratulate you everywhere you go, the flight attendants might give you a little something extra (champagne or a double shot of vodka for your drink – yes, both really happened to us) and it just makes it a little more fun watching people read your shirt.

5. Think of what you’ll be doing on your honeymoon

This is one of the first things we do when we start packing for any trip. If you know you’re going to be lounging 24/7 on your honeymoon, your packing list should reflect that. Write out each day you’ll be traveling and do a rough outline of your activities for each day and pack based off of that.

Honeymoon packing list for her

Swimsuits:

If you’re going on a tropical honeymoon where water will be involved like we did, you’ll probably live in swimsuits. I wanted to make sure I had enough swimsuits so I never had to wear the same one twice – doing it for the ‘gram, y’all! The ones below are the ones I took with us, but I highly recommend checking out my list of black one piece swimsuits and my full list of the best swimsuits!

Dresses & rompers:

Remember how I said you’ll live in swimsuits? Well, the same goes for dresses for your honeymoon as well as rompers for when it’s time to take the swimsuit off. Don’t ignore this y’all – dresses are king (or queen) for a tropical honeymoon.

Tops:

When you’re sick of dresses, it’s always nice to have a cute and comfy top to throw on. This is especially true if you get a little too much sun or just want to be a little more covered up. As I mentioned before, you definitely need to grab a “honeymoon shirt,” wear it on the plane, wear it at your resort/hotel, wear it all the time.

Cover ups:

I know some people could care less, but having a cute coverup to throw over my swimsuit is always the cherry on top. I only brought a couple cover ups because I knew they could be worn over and over again. Bonus points if your cover up doubles as a cute top or something to wear over a dress – less stuff you have to pack means a less stuffed suitcase!

Shoes:

Ah shoes. I could be barefoot 24/7 and I’d be perfectly fine, but for some reason, that’s not acceptable to the rest of the world. I recommend bringing one nice pair of sandals, one pair of wedges and one casual sandal. We didn’t do any super active activities so we had no need for tennis shoes, but definitely bring those if you’re going to go zip-lining or something of that sort.

Intimates:

If you’re squeamish, skip over this section. If not – don’t skip (or skimp) on the intimates. This is your honeymoon. Snag some cute sleepwear and some sultry intimates. I don’t care if you normally wear a t-shirt and shorts to bed, your honeymoon is not the time for normal. Take a step outside your comfort zone and grab something special for this special time! Be sure to check out my list for some of the BEST cheap lingerie.

Accessories:

I’ve said it once, i’ll say it a million times. I don’t wear a ton of jewelry as it is and I rarely bring any of my nicer jewelry when we travel. BUT I did bring a few cute accessories on our honeymoon.

Honeymoon packing list for him

Tops:

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it a million times. Guys have it so much easier than girls when it comes to packing. Throw a few shirts in a bag and call it done. Thomas packed a nice polo, a couple button downs and of course, one of his crazy button downs. Easy peasy.

Bottoms:

Is it just me or do guys have it so much easier than girls when it comes to clothes? When it comes to pants, some resorts require long pants for dinner, but most resorts and hotels don’t hold people to this. Thomas loves a good pair of linen pants and made sure to wear his favorite linen pants multiple times on our honeymoon. Between those and a pair or two of nice shorts, he was set.

Swim:

Thomas enjoys loud swim trunks and that is exactly what he brought on our honeymoon. Guys swim trunks dry a lot faster than women’s swimsuits so usually three is a good number to bring.

Shoes:

Thomas’ shoe choices were very similar to mine. One nicer sandal, one casual sandal and a closed toed shoe.

If you’re looking for more, you can check out our entire list of honeymoon packing essentials that can be bought on amazon, because who doesn’t love free 2-day shipping and free returns?

Hopefully these tips and packing list will help you pack for your honeymoon like a champ!

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22 Dallas Murals + Where to Find Them

Thomas Anderson — Wed, 25 May 2022 05:43:00 +0000

One of the coolest things any city has to offer is street art and murals and Dallas is no different. We’ve always been into hunting down murals in the cities we travel to and over time we’ve managed to scope out our some pretty awesome Dallas murals.

The hardest thing we encounter when mural hunting is actually locating where the murals are. We talked about this a little in our Austin Murals Guide… Finding the dang murals might be more work than anything! We’ve spent so much time zooming in and out of maps and twisting and turning down streets only to be frustrated because, regardless of the location listed for a specific mural, we just can’t find it. Good descriptions and specific locations to murals is key to finding and enjoying the murals. We have compiled a list of our 22 favorite Dallas Murals, along with pictures, descriptions and their specific locations. Let’s go mural hunting!

Deep Ellum TX Mural

2904 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226

America Wall

St Pete’s Dancing Marlin, 2730 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226

Deep Ellum

Corner of Main St and Good Latimer Expy, 2713 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226

Nolan Ryan vs Rovin Ventura Mural

Wit’s End, 2724 Elm St. Dallas, TX 75226

Viva Deep Ellum

July Aly behind Reno’s Chop Shop Saloon, 210 N Crowdus St, Dallas, TX 75226

I Love You mural

Bucky Moonshine’s, 2912 Elm St, Dallas, Tx 75226

Mario Brothers

James Neel Music House, 2925 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226

Back to the Future mural

3013 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226

Robots

Back side of 429 S 2nd Ave, Dallas, TX 75226

Deep Ellum TX Y’all

Wall surrounding building @ 3435 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226

Darling mural

Brake & Clutch Warehouse, 3601 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226

One of our very talented friends, India who owns Whiski Designs, painted this fabulous mural as part of the 42 Murals project. Go check out her page and look for her at the Dallas Farmer’s Market!

Cherries mural

Beauty Bar, 1924 N Henderson Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

Howdy mural

Chubbies, 2026 N Henderson Ave, Dallas, TX 75206 Howdy from Texas! Playing off of the “greetings from …” murals, this fun piece of artwork is located right outside of Chubbies, near the Knox/Henderson area.

Be Bold mural

West Village, Located on the wall on the garage right behind back door of Loft.

Stars & Stripes mural

On the Trinity Strand Trail behind 1350 Manufacturing St, Dallas, TX 75207

Love Conquers All mural

On the Trinity Strand Trail behind 1350 Manufacturing St, Dallas, TX 75207

City

On the Trinity Strand Trail behind 1350 Manufacturing St, Dallas, TX 75207

Good Morning Dallas mural

Dallas Contemporary, 161 Glass St, Dallas, TX 75207

Dallas mural

Bar Belmont’s retaining wall, 901 Ft Worth Ave, Dallas, TX 75208

Love Equation mural

Froyo Bishop Arts, 504 N Madison Ave, Dallas, TX 75208
+ = Love! How cool is this mural? Go with your significant other and a friend and get a picture here! Make sure to have someone with you to take the picture because a selfie stick won’t work for this one!

Selena mural

921 W Jefferson Blvd, Dallas, TX 75208

Greetings From Dallas

Ten50 BBQ 1050 N Central Expy, Richardson, TX 75080

Dallas is home to so many amazing murals that represent so many different things. Bright colors, important meanings, and truly iconic people can really make a mural stand out. Use the map above to locate all of our favorite murals and good luck on your mural hunt!

Where is your favorite mural located? Check out our Austin Murals post as well for our favorite murals in ATX!

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Foodie Guide to San Diego

Tiffani — Wed, 18 May 2022 14:14:00 +0000

You want to know the FIRST thing we do when picking a place to travel? Okay, maybe not the first, but easily one of the first couple of things we do… Find all the food! Thomas is truly the best at this, I don’t know where or how he gets all the hottest local spots (and all the big ones too), but he always finds them! This was no exception when it came to finding the best restaurants in San Diego!

If you missed it, we shared our favorite areas to hang out in when checking out San Diego, and now we’re back with all the hottest places to grab a bite to eat!

Where to eat in San Diego

Donut Bar

This famous little hot spot is the perfect stop if you have a busy day ahead. There are SO. MANY. DONUTS. And they are GIANT. We snagged two Monte Cristo donuts, a maple bacon, a pop tart donut (donut with a pop tart in the middle), a lemon blueberry and a Homer- which is exactly what you might think! All of them were delicious, and I am SO glad we had four people to help even out the tasting!

Juice Wave

If theres one thing San Diego has no shortage of, it’s acai bowls! We saw so many spots around San Diego, but Juice Wave was easily the best acai bowl in San Diego, and possibly the best acai bowl I’ve ever had!

Miss B’s Coconut Cafe

Stopped in here while on a recent girls trip to San Diego and it did not disappoint! I was with a big group and they got us in super quick! There wasn’t a single thing we had that wasn’t delicious. I ordered their plantain coconut shrimp and it was delicious! We also shared the coconut seafood ceviche that i’m still dreaming about.

Madison on Park

Madison on Park is one of the most beautiful restaurants I’ve ever been to! They have a semi-open air concept that looks almost like a giant wine cask. It was absolutely stunning! But the amazement doesn’t stop there. The food was absolutely delectable. I went here on that same girls trip and was able to taste a few different dishes. We started with the brie and mussels with toast – both were absolutely stellar. For my entree, I ordered the Ravoli Rossini which was filled with spinach and ricotta and came topped with lobster meat… Talk about pasta heaven. I was also insanely impressed with their gnocchi! Possibly the best gnocchi I’ve ever had, making this spot a shoe-in for our list of the best restaurants in San Diego.

The Crack Shack

Crack Shack is one of those spots that easily flies under the radar, but there’s no question that it should be on our list of the best restaurants in San Diego! This open-air chicken spot is perfect anytime of day. Every single thing we’ve ever had here has been totally mouth watering.

Island Prime

If you’re looking for a steakhouse in San Diego, Island Prime should be at the top of your list! We went here for Thomas’ birthday and it absolutely blew us out of the water. A portion of the restaurant jets out over the water, providing the ultimate views of the bay! We ordered all of our steakhouse favorites – ahi tuna, tons of sides and a decadent filet. All lived up to our high steakhouse standards.

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Liberty Public Market

Liberty Public Market is actually a food hall – but it definitely deserves a spot on this list. There are so many delicious spots. We’ve eaten at Chris’ Ono Grinds, Latin Chef, Mama Made Thai, Parana Empanadas and the ice cream spot! All of which are fantastic.

Barley Mash

Brunch Brunch Brunch. If you’ve been following along for any amount of time, you know I have a serious love affair with brunch. We had actually received a rec to go here for dinner and enjoy the nightlife from a friend, but never made it. So we popped in for brunch and fell in love. If you enjoy all of the typical brunch items, but amplified this spot is for you! A few of our favorites included the super sticky cinnamon roll appropriately called the Sin-A-Bun, a veggie sweet potato hash, the breakfast burger, and lots and lots of bloody Mary’s from their extensive bloody Mary bar! Barley mash is easily one of the best restaurants in San Diego.

Pacific Beach Fish Shop

This is one of those super local spots that Thomas dug up. Tucked away outside of the city is this little fish market and shop. The main attraction (for us) was the halibut fish tacos. Sort background- Thomas’ family is from Alaska, and his mom really knows her fish, especially halibut, so we were on the hunt for halibut fish tacos. Unfortunately they were out of halibut, so we opted for the Ono fish tacos and they were amazing! Actually, all of the tacos we got were amazing. I loved how you chose your fish, then your seasonings and then if you wanted them fried or grilled! Options make me happy!

Casa de Reyes

This delicious spot in the heart of Old Town San Diego is fabulous for some Al Fresco dining! We love sitting in the open patio area munching on chips and salsa, and margaritas. Lots of margaritas. We all shared their tortillas soup and enchiladas. They were good and definitely reminded me of some of our favorite restaurants at home!

Buon Appetito

This spot in Little Italy is perfect for a nicer dinner out. We came in for our one nice dinner of the trip, by nice I mean we got dressed up, wore something other than comfy shoes, and drank lots of wine. Thomas’ mom and I shared their risotto and it was one of the best risottos I have ever had. She and I also shared the insulate tricolor, and holy YUM. The boys shared some kind of meat & pasta dish and it was fabulous. Definitely a great stop if you’re in the mood for something a little more formal- don’t forget to make a reservation!

Rust General Store

I mentioned this spot in our Places to explore in San Diego post, but this general store is just too fabulous to miss. Both Thomas’ mom, Janet and I love finding unique things, aka walls filled with tons of different spices and chocolates. So as you can imagine, we were both in heaven. The ladies in the general store were so friendly and incredibly helpful. We ended up taking home lots of their chocolates, unique salts and other goodies!

Extraordinary Desserts

If you are willing to look for it, you will find it. This immaculate spot is hidden away in somewhat of an industrial area. They have cases and cases of gorgeously decorated desserts and fun sweets to see!

The Cravory

After we filled up on Fish Tacos we needed a little something sweet. So to The Cravory we went! The Cravory had tons of artisan cookies that I could have never dreamed up, and of course, some of the traditional ones! Stop in, grab a dozen and enjoy them for a few days at home, that’s what we did!

It’s easy to see the list of the best restaurants in San Diego could go on forever! Did we miss any of your favorites?SaveSaveSaveSave

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5 River Trip Essentials

Tiffani — Thu, 12 May 2022 13:43:00 +0000

Float in New Braunfels

Comal River, New Braunfels, TX

The Comal River is located in New Braunfels, TX, about an hour south of Austin! The Comal is famous for its tube chutes! One of the biggest things to remember is on the Comal, there is a can ban, meaning you can not have canned beverages on the water! There are police on the river and if they see the cans, they’ll confiscate all of them. When it comes to renting tubes on the Comal, we always recommend renting from Texas Tubes! The Comal River definitely offers the most exciting river tubing in Texas!

The Guadalupe River, New Braunfels, TX

The Guadalupe River, also in New Braunfels, TX is the other of the two New Braunfels tubing spots. Unlike the Comal river, there is no can ban here – bring all the canned beverages your heart desires! When it comes to renting tubes on the Guadalupe River, we always recommend renting from Tube Haus, you can drop in to the river right from their location!

What to take to the river

Now, I don’t know about the rest of the country, but in Texas, as soon as temps start to rise, Texans get this overwhelming urge to head South and float the river. Now, it sounds a little goofy when you think about it, but don’t knock it till you try it! River tubing in Texas is so much more than sitting in a tube and drifting around. You add in a few friends, some alcohol and the gorgeous Texas scenery and you have the makings of a fabulous river floating day. But aside from all of the obvious, there are some things you just can not forget when hitting the river.

Coolers for the river

Now, one may think this is obvious. It’s not. You’re about to spend 4+ hours in the Texas sun, DON’T FORGET YOUR COOLER! What kind of cooler and what you put in your cooler is totally up to you, just don’t forget it!

Waterproof speaker

Invest in a cool waterproof speaker or a cooler with speakers. It’s not only a great way to add a little sound to your float, but you’re sure to attract other floaters with your music. We invested in this awesome waterproof speaker and it has definitely become not only one of our river trip essentials but also a great addition for any outdoor activity.

Snacks

Now, I know your cooler may be filled to the brim with beer and other fabulous alcoholic beverages while you’re floating the river, but stick some food in there! For longer floats on the Guadalupe River we usually pack picnic style with meats and cheese and if we’re doing a shorter float on the Comal River, we like things like beef jerky, candy and trail mix. Consuming tons of alcohol in the heat, with nothing in your stomach is never a good idea!

You need something to save your sunglasses! Losing your sunglasses in 12 feet of water is not something you want to happen while floating. Most of the tube rental places and even Walgreens locations close to the river sell floating croakies. They may not be the cutest, but they work damn well! If being fashionable while floating is more your game, check out some of the ones above! Get them, you won’t regret it!

Croakies/Sunglasses

Ways to keep your valuables dry & safe

I don’t even think this one needs an explanation… Keeping your phone safe when you’re near water is a no brainer. We used these awesome waterproof phone pouches anytime we are around water and they are perfect for keeping your phone dry… AND they float! Another great tool in our arsenal is a dry bag! We love this backpack dry bag – it keeps our phone, keys, clothes and anything else, dry!

Sunscreen

This is the biggest and most important one. The only moving you’re going to be doing is re-adjusting yourself in your tube, lack of movement + lots of sun= extreme sun exposure. I’m all for getting a good tan, but when floating the river, you really need the strongest sunscreen you can have! Bring it with you to put more on every few hours, you can thank me later!

Floating the river has always been something we really enjoy doing in late spring and summer. Whether we have 10 friends with us, or it’s just us two, we always have a great time floating the river as long as we bring along all of these river essentials.

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6 Non Ski Activities in Park City

Tiffani — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 15:57:00 +0000

If you caught last weeks foodie’s guide to Park City you know I promised I’d be back with all the fun things to do in Park City! So many people think ski towns are just for skiers, and that is totally not true! I shared some of my favorite things to do in Breckenridge that didn’t involve skiing and there were so many people who had no idea there were so many other things to do in a ski town!

Snow Tubing in Park City

This is probably one of my most favorite things to do when in the snow and definitely one of the best things to do in Park City! The snow tubing at Gorgoza Park was the best tubing runs we have been on! You grab your tube, hop on the conveyor belt and up you go! No work necessary- haha kidding. But unlike a lot of snow tubing places we have been to, this one had the easiest route to the top. Definitely a great activity for the whole family!

Sleigh Ride in Park City

This is no Santa’s sleigh y’all. Snowed Inn Sleigh Ride and dinner was amazing! This sleigh ride is pulled up the mountain by two gorgeous horses, led by a cowboy who is happy to share tons of stories about the horses, the mountains, and anything else you can think of! Once you ride the sleigh in to the mountains, you hop off at the Snowed Inn lodge where the ride gets even better. You’re able to pick from a few different options for your meal, while sipping the BEST apple cider in the whole world (I’m not exaggerating), all while listening to the sounds of the mountain. Cider, chili, fish, steak, salad, and dessert- these guys have it all! Be sure to make a reservation!

Snowmobiling in Park City

Just outside of Park City is Summit Meadow Adventures! It was only about a 15 minute drive from the city, in a secluded mountain area. We’ve been snowmobiling a couple times before and this course was definitely more challenging than the others we had been on! There was tons and tons of fresh snow, which was awesome but made for a more challenging ride! If you are up for a serious adventure Snowmobiling with Summit Meadow Adventures is for you!

Visit a Spa in Park City

Aura Spa is the BEST. Nestled right on Main Street in Park City, this little spa is the perfect retreat after a few days of intense skiing. Thomas surprised me with couples massages on the morning of my birthday and I couldn’t have been more excited. The night before we got tons of snow, so they had to shut down some of the main roads in to town, which meant difficulties for some of the spa workers. Aura called us, let us know what was going on, apologized profusely and even gave us a little discount for the troubles. The massages were amazing and exactly what we needed after a full week of adventure, definitely one of the best things to do in Park City.

Distillery Tour

I mentioned High West Distillery in my Park City food guide because they have some awesome dishes, but they also have an incredible distillery on site. They offer tours and tastings all day long. I’m not the biggest whiskey person there is, but the moment I tried their double rye, I was hooked! Did I mention it’s the worlds only ski-in/ski-out distillery in the world? Pretty cool! Hop off the slopes and ski right in to some delicious whiskey!

Visit Homestead Crater

Dreaming of something a little warmer in this snowy city? Homestead Crater is for you. The mineral water here is a steady 90-96 degrees all year round, making it the worlds only warm water scuba diving spot! Just a short drive outside of Park City (In Midway, Utah) and the perfect escape from the busy ski-town hustle. Check out the Homestead Crater Groupon before you go- they always have discounts! We really wanted to check out the Ice Castles while we were there, but they were closed due to warm weather.

Hang on Main Street

I’ve been to a lot of “Main Streets” and not one of them is the same. In Park City, there were tons of adorable shops, delicious spots to grab a quick bite and everything else you can think of! Easily one of the best and free things to do in Park City!

Thinking of heading to Park City sometime soon? Which of these activities would you totally be down for?

*While I was compensated by Visit Park City for this post, all opinions are my own, and as always, we thank you for supporting the brands that support Tastebud Travels.*

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Park City Restaurants Guide

Tiffani — Wed, 19 Jan 2022 04:39:00 +0000

You know that feeling you get when you know something awesome is about to happen? That’s me every year when Thomas starts asking what we are going to do for my birthday! I never know exactly what he has in mind, but I know it is always going to be an awesome adventure filled with lots and lots of good food! This year, for my birthday, we decided to hit up Park City, Utah and enjoy everything the town had to offer and lots of great Park City restaurants!

Park City is a ski town, located 7,000 glorious feet above ski sea level. Roughly 30 minutes from Salt Lake City, Park City is a town that was built during the silver mining era and is now known as The Best Snow on Earth. I teamed up with the guys at Visit Park city to give all of you a look in to some of the delicious spots to grab a bite to eat in and around Park City.

Breakfast in Park City:
Little Donuts
I can not explain how stinking cute these little guys are! They fit in the palm of your hand, meaning 1- you can eat double the amount and 2- you can try DOUBLE the amount of awesome flavors. And believe me, you’ll want to eat ALL of these donuts. We chatted with the owner, who came from LA to start Little Donuts in Park City. The whole atmosphere of this little shop is fantastic, and definitely a must stop! Bonus- if you’re there when the donuts are being made, and you’re able to snag a hot cinnamon donut!

The Bridge
When you arrive at The Bridge, you will quickly understand why it is called The Bridge. Nestled at the base of Town Lift, The Bridge has a small cafe feel, with big cafe flavor. There is a Brazilian flare to many of the dishes, and the coffee is to die for! I highly recommend the eggs Benedict and don’t skimp on the salsa, it’s so worth it – definitely one of the best restaurants in Park City

Lunch in Park City
High West Distillery
Stop what you are doing and bookmark this. Write it down. Hit save. And then write it down again. High West Distillery is the worlds ONLY ski in/ ski out distillery! How freaking cool is that? High West is home to some amazing whiskey, delicious cocktails, exquisite food, and incredible distillery! Housed in an old stable, High West started out as a small distillery turned restaurant.

With everything from craft cocktails to beer, High West has you covered. I ordered the High West lemonade and was pleasantly surprised at how delicious it was. I’m not the biggest whiskey drinker, but this lemonade was so easy to drink, I probably had more than I should have!

If you like spicing things up, or are incredibly cold after a morning on the slopes, I would highly recommend the shishito peppers appetizer. Half of them are fried, and half are steamed, and they are all delicious. But be careful, they pack a punch, especially when paired with the spicy mayo.

For lunch, I snagged the chicken schnitzel (*insert heart eye emoji*) Thomas devoured the burger and we shared some of the jalapeno mac and cheese. I can honestly tell you, not one thing was left untouched. And every single thing was delicious.

We ended up going back for dessert the next night because we didn’t have time for dessert the day before. But really, if you don’t judge a place by the kind of desserts they have, how are you even judging them. This is a Grilled Cinnamon Dusted Krispy Kreme Donut, Vanilla Ice Cream and Whiskey Caramel sauce, AKA heaven in my mouth. There’s no doubt that High West Distillery is one of the best restaurants in Park City!

Legends
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not crazy about bar food, and I don’t normally find bar food to be something I just love, but Legends bar is a game changer! This spot is located at the base of the Pay Day lift (aka right outside of our resort) so we hit it up to check it out. Thomas had (of course) done the research on this place before I did and he knew we had to check out the ahi tuna nachos, and y’all, they do not disappoint!

Working the slopes all morning can really work up an appetite, or a need for drinks, you know, whatever works. We grabbed a couple Moscow Mules with High West Vodka and a few (too many) of the butterscotch hot chocolates and they were to die for! The perfect thing to warm us up before we headed back out to the slopes!

Dinner in Park City
Tupelo
Tupelo was easily one of my favorite restaurants in Park City. We started the night with some of the delicious mini biscuits with honey butter. I am from the south, and I can proudly say these are some of the best dang biscuits I have ever had. Add a little butter, and you’re in heaven. Such a simple appetizer, but so so so good!

If you’ve been following along for any amount of time, you know I really, really, REALLY hate eggs. I don’t like them here or there, I don’t like them anywhere (Dr. Seuss anyone?). I just don’t like them. But somehow Thomas convinced me to order these deviled eggs, really he knew I couldn’t turn down prosciutto in any form, so we got them. And I devoured them. I almost ate three of them, but Thomas snatched his second one before I could. They were to die for. Seriously. Amazing. Have I been wrong about eggs this whole time? Probably not. But I sure am glad I tried these eggs!

For dinner, Thomas grabbed the Elk bolognese, and it practically melted in my mouth. But while his was good, mine was spectacular. I had the bass with the most incredible flavor. Both of our entrees blew us away!

As any good birthday trip should, this meal ended with dessert. While, all of their desserts sounded so tempting, we wanted something we hadn’t had before. So we agreed on the poached pear. A pear, poached in wine, served with earl grey ice cream, shortbread cookies AND berries. Do I need to say more? No? Didn’t think so.

Snowed Inn
This restaurant is an experience y’all. Not only did we get to ride a horse drawn sleigh up the mountain, we got to have the most amazing meal to accompany that sleigh ride.
First course: Chili! I love chili, I really really love chili, but I don’t love other peoples’ chili. I’m skeptical, and very partial to my recipe. But you guys, this chili made my chili look silly. There’s something about chili, being served with a ladle, out of a cast iron pot. It was delicious, and the jalepenos gave it the perfect kick!

Have I mentioned their apple cider? Im not a huge apple cider fan, apples make my stomach hurt, their apple cider made me want to swim in it with a straw. It’s a recipe that is made every single day from scratch. There is something about the words “from scratch” that just make my mouth water.
For dinner, we were able to choose what we wanted, there was fresh trout, steak, pot roast, and another option, but as always, I went with the trout…. The trout that was caught that morning, the trout that was cooked to perfection and melted in my mouth. Don’t let the picture fool you, this was one of the most immaculate pieces of fish I have ever tasted in my entire life. It was divine.

For dessert, they whipped up chocolate brownies with ice cream on top! They even added a candle and sang happy birthday to me! Perfection. Literal perfection! Snowed in was such a great experience and definitely earned its spot on our list of the best Park City restaurants.

Every meal we had in Park City was to die for, regardless of breakfast lunch or dinner.

Ever been to Park City? What restaurant were you just in love with?

*While I was compensated by Visit Park City for this post, all opinions are my own, and as always, we thank you for supporting the brands that support Tastebud Travels*

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