Somethin's Fishy Here!

I have discovered yet another blog-worthy chow house in Austin…Wahoo’s Fish Taco on South Congress.  Yeah, yeah, I know, I’m probably the last person in town to finally experience Wahoo’s, but “fish tacos” just didn’t seem to cause my gluttonous glands to salivate.  Boy, am I glad for the return of my adventurous, open-minded taste buds!

 

 

Wahoo’s serves much more than fish tacos. They have enchiladas, quesadillas, salads, sandwiches, rice bowls and more.  In fact, they serve more than just fish or shrimp as a filling – beef, chicken and pork, oh my!  

 

Wanting to try the dish that made this California-based chain famous, I ordered up a #2 Combo with grilled fish – one taco and one enchilada with red sauce along with a side of black beans and white rice.  Gene ordered the #8 Wahoo Bowl (rice bowl) with blackened fish.   We also got Chips with Guacamole and Salsa.

 

 

The atmosphere at Wahoo’s is very casual.  Although the music was playing a bit loud, we found a booth in the very back that was more secluded where we could hear each other talk.  The stickers on the wall provided nearly as much entertainment as Gene.   



 

 

Almost before we could say “lickety-split”, our chips with guacamole and salsa were served.  Now, hold onto your seats…the chips were warm!  Can I get an “Ooh!....Ahh!”?!  And, I do believe this is the best salsa I’ve had in Austin so far….I kid you not. These folks aren’t afraid to use cilantro, which I love!  And, the guacamole was exactly the way I like it – fresh and flavorful, made with real avocados.  I could’ve made an entire meal on this appetizer alone.  But, alas, I had to share some with Mr. Love Potion No. 9 (pictured above).



 

 

My dinner was outstanding!  I wish I could show you a better picture, but I began to scarf it down as soon the plate hit the table.  Only halfway through eating, which was about 1.5 minutes later, did I realize I had not yet captured a picture of this delectable dish.  So, please take my word for it that the presentation of my meal looked quite lovely and appetizing when it first arrived.

 

 

The taco was served with two soft corn tortillas filled with delicious grilled fish, shredded cabbage and seasoned tomatoes.  I doused my taco and rice with the scrumptious creamy cilantro lime sauce, served on the side.  The rice and black beans were cooked perfectly and could also have been eaten as an entire meal.  The enchilada was a delectable meld of tortilla, cheese, grilled fish and red sauce.  Everything tasted so fresh and yummy!

 

Gene was not quite as keen on the blackened fish in his Wahoo’s Bowl, commenting it was too spicy, but after tasting my enchilada, he’s game to try Wahoo’s again sometime soon.  With a menu like Wahoo’s, there’s something for everyone.

 

 

Whether you’re hungry for fish or Mexican food, or just want to keep Austin weird, stop in at Wahoo’s Fish Taco on South Congress for a culinary treat your tummy will definitely appreciate!  Oh, and so will your pocketbook!

 

 

Take all your Yahoos to Wahoo’s, Y’all!



 



Feasting in SoCo

One of the most eclectic, hip neighborhoods in Austin is SoCo, which is short for “South Congress Avenue”. The area of the SoCo neighborhood stretches from Lady Bird Lake (once known as Towne Lake) near downtown Austin along South Congress Avenue down to Oltorf Street at St. Edward’s University.


The neighborhood even hosts a monthly event called First Thursday. The SoCo shops stay open later, merchants set up tents to showcase their wares and music abounds.


Gene and I discovered a wonderful restaurant in SoCo, called South Congress Café at 1600 South Congress Avenue.


Last night, not wanting to cook dinner, we set out for this hip, happenin’ haven for the Hungry. I was shocked that the place was packed on a Monday evening!


Rather than wait 15 - 20 minutes for a table, we decided to eat at the bar, where the service and food were just as good as the dining room, but the ticket was 20% off!


For an appetizer, Gene ordered the Duck Oyster Gumbo, which I had eaten on a previous visit. As before, this scrumptious, dark rue gumbo was full of succulent duck and oysters.


The Very Bleu Salad, with field greens, rosemary candied pecans and hard-boiled quail eggs, was drizzled in a gorgonzola cream dressing. Rather than an over-powering bleu cheese taste, the salad was refreshing and the dressing was surprisingly mild.


For his main course, Gene chose the Barramundi Almondine ($24), a delicious, pan roasted, white, flaky fish, drizzled in chipotle brown butter, sprinkled with candied, slivered almonds, topped with perfect fresh green beans, all on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes. The Barramundi, also known as Asian Seabass, is farmed raised in Vietnam, Indonesia and Massachusetts.


My main entrée won the prize for the evening, though. I chose the Beef Milanesa ($14), which was cracker-crusted, seared beef tenderloin medallions smothered in crawfish cream gravy, served with garlic mashed potatoes, miniature carrots and broccoli. Oh, how luscious, how perfect was this culinary combination!


The vegetables were indescribably delicious. I have no idea how the broccoli was prepared, but it must have been drizzled in some type of yummy, hot chile oil. The carrots were faintly sweet, but not candied.

The leftovers made for a full lunch the next day. Oh happy day! And, even the little details were attended to, such as writing the name of the restaurant and the date on the lid.

The first time we visited South Congress Café, our waiter was spectacular, and this visit confirmed that South Congress Café hires outstanding wait staff and trains them well on specific food details. Our bartender/waiter knew all about the Barramundi fish, which we’d never heard of.

Everything we’ve had here, salads, soups, meatloaf, fish, beef, vegetables, gravies has all been so delicious and delectable. The flavors blend perfectly and the selections are unusual and enticing. I encourage you to try my new favorite restaurant!

If you want to tempt yourself, see the photos of various dishes on the South Congress Café website.

“If life were predictable it would cease to be life and without flavor.” –Eleanor Roosevelt

“All our words are but crumbs that fall down from the feast of the mind.” –Kahlil Gibran

Celebrate Life & Enjoy the Flavor, Y’all!!