Southside Market & BBQ

On our trip back from Austin we stopped near Bastrop at Southside Market & BBQ. We had been to the one in Elgin which is on a different route home so this location in Bastrop works out much better for us.

When you walk in the layout is nice you go to the counter to place your order then you walk past the meat counter where you can purchase packaged items to cook at home.

The dining area is great. I loved the long family table style feel and then there’s extra tables and booths if you prefer to sit alone.

We ordered the 2 meat plate getting sausage and chicken $11.99 which also comes with 2 sides as well as the 3 meat plate for $14.99. Their meat is really good the sides on the other hand are bland and just ehh.

We are a fan of their meat so we’ll be back for sure.

Chi’lantro

Chi’lantro has been on my watch list for a while and I’ve been wanting to get my hands on their Kimchi fries ever since I saw them! We lucked out on finding their food truck and the day had finally come.

We ordered The original kimchi fries $6.99 with pork, 2 Chicken Tacos $6.99 and Beef Burger $6.99. After I was so excited to have the kimchi fries these where kind of a let down. The tacos where ok, the burger was the best thing, but it’s super messy with the fried egg so get extra napkins.

Sorry to say, but there’s tons of food trucks better than this one out there.

Newk’s Eatery

They recently opened up a Newk’s out our way and I was interested in trying it. When you walk in you place your order and they give you a number to place on your table to which they bring your meal. I‘m a little 50/50 when it comes to changing their soups each day, because if you really like one you can’t come back tomorrow and get it you have to wait until they make it that day next week.

I ordered half Caesar $3.95 half corn crab chowder (spicy cream chowder is made with sweet corn, crab meat, onions, celery and green bell peppers) $3.75 The soup was amazing! Thick creamy and full of flavor I would love a huge bowl of this when I’m sick! The Caesar was good, I liked that they had a condiment area set up with extra croutons and parmesan cheese as well as peppers and bread sticks so you could add additional items to the dish.

D ordered a half of the Newk’s “Q” (Our signature white BBQ sauce, freshly grilled chicken, Applewood smoked bacon and imported Swiss cheese) and a cup chicken tortilla $8.25. The sandwich was a huge letdown it had the thinnest piece of chicken in it and more bread than anything. You just couldn’t taste anything. The soup was ok, but didn’t wow us at all.

Overall it’s a little over priced and I would probably rather go to Panera Bread or else where instead. I will give it another try or two just to be sure, but as of now I’m not a huge fan.

China Cottage

Today I got to sneak my hubby out for lunch and steal him away from the office. Usually we do Mexican food because it’s quick, but I was craving Asian so we headed over to China Cottage. The place is really clean and nice inside with 2 fish tanks which my son loved. We had a great waitress too that loved talking to my son unlike the usual “omg not a kid” look we get when we go out to eat.

We started out with the Pot stickers $ 4.50

The lunch specials are served with the following:

Soup (Choice of Egg Drop Soup, Hot and Sour
        Soup, or Chicken Creamy Soup)
Crab Rangoon
Rice (Steamed or Fried)

We each got the Hot and Sour Soup which I have to say is one of the best I’ve had. It’s nice and thick and full of ingredients unlike a lot of watered down ones I’ve had elsewhere.

I ordered the Kung Pao Chicken $6.50 and D got the General Tao's Chicken $6.50. My Kung Pao was good, but D’s General Tao’s was omg out of this world good. The sauce had a slight sweetness, but it’s one of the best versions we have ever had.

I can’t wait to go back and get the General Tao’s next time!