We've been on a quest to find our favorite taco spot in Austin, and I think that search is now over. A stationary white bus has won. Parked in an enclosed space, the Veracruz All Natural "food truck" (a revamped school bus, really) serves up not only the town's favorite food (tacos) but also an assortment of fresh juices and housemade salsas. All of their attention to ingredient details make for the great bites they produce. If you're going to find your way to this stellar spot, make sure you also grab yourself a refreshing huge cup of their aguas frescas!


The restaurant itself has a brick-and-mortar up north but are visited mostly where they started - on East Cesar Chavez. What started off in 2008 as a small trailer slinging cold drinks and smoothies grew into a beloved operation that touted noteworthy tacos. Once the food came, so did the salsas and housemade tortilla chips. They've set up a welcoming space for themselves undoubtedly; we were drawn in by the ample seating and laid-back attitude of everyone around. We were all here to enjoy some good eats and relax.


Veracruz makes it easy after all. If you aren't going for any of the many natural drinks and smoothies they have, you could always supplement your taco order with a tall 32 oz cup of Aguas Frescas ($4.00 - mango, canteloupe, orange, pineapple, strawberry, strawberry banana, watermelon, or cucumber). Of the many variations they offer, we've had their mango, pineapple, and strawberry ones. The mango was a popular choice and ran out at least one of our visits there; it is thick and sweet like a whole mango would be. The pineapple is very refreshing and balances the line between tart and sweet. The strawberry is refreshing and so satisfying if you just want a bit of sugariness with each swallow. As a whole, these are just fantastic for being mainly the fruits themselves rather than a lot of additives.

Though only three tacos are pictured below, we've tasted quite a few items on the menu. One of their famous tacos is the Migas ($3.50 - eggs, tortilla chips, pico de gallo, Monterey Jack cheese), a savory breakfast taco that takes care of your need for something savory, crunchy, and cheesy. I'd guess this could be a hangover favorite. The Chicken Fajita taco ($3.00 - chicken, cilantro, onions, queso fresco, avocado) carried the characteristic fajita "char" throughout, making for a smoky, hefty taco. If you are into some sauciness, you might want to check out the Al Pastor ($3.00 - pork marinated in pineapple juice and chile guajillo, cilantro, onions, queso fresco, avocado) for its tender juiciness and flavorful marinate. Ah, and the housemade tortilla chips previously mentioned? Get them in the Chips and Guacamole ($5.00 - avocado, tomatoes, cilantro, onions, lime, salt) for a generous amount of chip and dip.


On our very first visit, we went for the Vegetarian ($3.50 - spinach, avocado, carrots, mushrooms, red bell pepper, queso fresco, pico de gallo), Chicken Mole ($3.25 - onions, queso fresco), and Fish ($3.75 - grilled tilapia, cabbage, mango pico, avocado, Monterey Jack cheese, chipotle mayo salsa) tacos. If you are not the carnivorous type, you'd likely be happy with the vegetarian option at Veracruz because they do not skimp on filling up the tortilla with plenty of grilled goodness. The mushrooms were plentiful and bell peppers just a tad caramelized. The only thing to be warned about with this one though is to keep your foil beneath your tortilla because the small pieces may fall out.

The chicken mole taco was rich and hefty. Two of those would probably be enough to keep you full for the day because of how savory the mole was and how much chicken was included. I liked the inclusion of onions too to add a little texture to each bite and also cut through the inherent smoky sweetness of the mole. This one is on Duc's top tacos list BUT the absolute favorite for both of us (and other Veracruz lovers we've talked to) is their fish taco. It tastes fresh and is piled high with healthful ingredients. The mango pico adds great bursts of brightness, the avocado helps meld every component together, and the chipotle mayo salsa adds a zippiness that I think seafood always needs a touch of. It is a given that I'll order this one every time.

If you need to taste the tacos that have won us over, find them over on 1704 E Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, TX 78702, visible streetside. There will likely be a line but it will be worth your time. Maybe just grab an aguas frescas for the wait!

Photography by Duc Duong. More photos available on Facebook here.

Austin loves its tacos, and we love how you can eat all the pieces of your meal, tortilla and all. What's a better way to clean up than to eat the very thing holding your food together? Alright, well, that is usually the case unless you're snagging a tasty bite from the Pueblo Viejo food truck. You can certainly still eat the tortilla but considering just how much of their perfectly cooked meat they give you per taco, you'll likely need a knife and fork to get you through everything. Of all the tacos we've had anywhere so far, Pueblo Viejo by far has impressed us the most with its expertise in handling all its proteins; throw in one of the best horchatas as well and you have a favorite taco spot in our books.


Like most great finds, this stationary food truck is hard to find and unassuming at first. You enter an expansive area on 6th street where there are several other food trucks parked around a multitude of brightly colored picnic tables. There in the far back right is Pueblo Viejo which has been opened since 2010 and focuses on traditional, fresh Mexican flavors. They serve more than just tacos and have some addictive housemade sauces you can douse your meals in. In addition, they're just good company; we had friendly service from order to pick-up, complete with suggestions and warmth.


Our eyes went wide when we got our loaded trays of overflowing tacos. Yes, utensils, please. The aroma was tantalizing and the colors brilliantly tempting. How do you make a taco beautiful while still making it look edible? We had picked up these three as part of "taco tour" day where we'd be trying out several establishments but with how generous each serving was, it was likely our last stop. When it came to our choices, because of the grilling we smelled and saw in the truck, we had gone with meat-heavy orders. The first, Taco Nes ($3.50 - steak, chorizo and lots of grilled onion served with fresh cilantro and lime), made good on the promise of meat. The vibrant, signature orange color of chorizo was enhanced by fresh chopped cilantro and brightened by citrus bursts of lime. The steak was utterly tender and complemented very well by grilled onions that had caramelized edges. A perfect start.

Then, we of course had to try out a namesake item so the Pueblo Viejo Style ($3.90 - steak, mushrooms, cheese, lettuce, tomato and avocado) taco was next. The balance of heavy savoriness from the steak and mushrooms with the freshness of many vegetables and fat slices of avocado made for hearty, healthy bites. It never felt overwhelming despite how much umami there was per chew because the crunchy lettuce and juicy tomato cut through it all.

My favorite of the three, though, was their Chicharron Salsa Verde ($3.00 - pork rinds with green sauce, onion and cilantro) taco which was a very pleasant surprise. Who knew that pork rinds would make for a good taco? These were tossed in a tangy salsa verde while maintaining their internal crisp so there was fun play between saucy zippiness and fatty crunchiness. In addition, there was the accent of finely diced onion and generous amounts of cilantro. I loved how light the whole taco felt in my mouth despite being very filling.

If you like your meats done well where they are well-seasoned, tender, and complemented very well with accompanying chopped herbs and vegetables, you'll want to seek out Pueblo Viejo at 1606 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702 and get ahold of their tasty tacos. We're adding them to our list of places to visit over and over again and are just excited to see what more they could impress us with. Enjoy!

Photography by Duc Duong.

Smoke surrounded us for hours on end as we waited in anticipation for the doors to open and let us in. All the times that we had heard about Franklin BBQ and its infamous wait, we would scoff and say we'd never wait for hours to eat. The commitment was at minimum three whole hours, and who wants to stick around that long to get some lunch? It was a tourist trap, right? The more I read about Franklin BBQ though, the more I saw some other values in sitting there - meeting other folks who are waiting, spending some offline time with friends, and eventually getting some great barbecue. We finally agreed when asked to join our friend in the wait, and with our lunch pack and foldout chairs in tow, we made our way over to the iconic barbecue joint one morning.


What a fluke! Perhaps it was the blessing of recent resolution-ers who may have sworn to be more health-conscious that found us second in line at Franklin. We had arrived just a little after 8AM (the restaurant opens at 11AM) to find that there was only one other sole person waiting, and he had been there since 6:45AM. Eventually the line did start to build but not before we had already claimed our spots as the second group to get in and feast on the cared-for meats. If you do decide to go yourself, I highly recommend bringing along others and treating it as time to catch up. If you don't have chairs of your own to haul over, don't worry; there are spare ones underneath one of the staircases outside the restaurant.


Because of Franklin BBQ's reputation, many get there early to reserve a spot in line with the hopes that they will be able to get ahold of some delicious barbecue. The restaurant only serves a set limit of pounds of meat per day (a tad more than one full ton's worth) and because they have several offerings, there are many times when the options start running out. We heard that food can even be gone two hours after opening if the crowd is thick enough. Choices are served by the pound and slammed onto metal lunch trays after being expertly sliced into weighed portions; while you are in line, a staff member comes out to get an idea of preliminary orders so they know when to start flagging potential end points in the line. To be honest, it was hard not to get a little greedy, even knowing that we wouldn't be able to finish everything...


We did manage to restrain ourselves though. After three hours of waiting, our little group pulled together 1.5 pounds of moist brisket ($20/lb), 3 bones of ribs ($17/lb), 1/4 pound of pulled pork ($17/lb), 3 links of sausage ($12/lb or $3/link), and a single portion of potato salad ($2.50). The experience comes with plenty of white bread to help sop up all the juices and oils, and a condiment station inside lets you snag miniature boats of pickles and thinly sliced white onions.

The brisket was glorious. Easily the best we've ever had. It was extremely moist and fatty in all the right ways, imbued with a long-lasting smokiness and the right balance of savory and salty on the edges. The meat was so tender and hot that it neatly fell away with each fork thrust. No wonder that people line up for this - it is not just the experience of waiting for Franklin BBQ but it is the brisket that makes up for the queue. As a whole, we also really enjoyed the mild meatiness of the sausage which lent itself to be a great companion to the bread. The pulled pork had a good crust on its edges where its succulent inside meat wasn't, and the ribs had a beautiful flavor but came out a little tough on the bite. The potato salad was a pleasant break from the juices of our pounds of flesh as well.

Find Franklin BBQ at 900 East 11th Street, Austin, TX 78702. If you must bear with others on the wait time, know that the moist brisket will be the ultimate focal point of your meal so definitely order up!

Photography by Duc Duong. More photos available on Facebook here.

Captivated. Utterly, unapologetically captivated by hearty noodle soups are we. You tempt me with a savory broth that speaks volumes about the tender love and care that has gone into its birth, and I will find myself a reason to fall into its depth with aplomb. It was that temptation that drew us into waiting for an hour in line at Mensho Tokyo's San Francisco spot, the first U.S. outpost of the acclaimed Japanese ramen-ya that focuses purely on a beautiful dining experience. Opened just this year, the restaurant features ramen, tsukement, and mazesoba but really, we were there for the first on that list, and we were absolutely not disappointed.

"Ramen is always bubbling with the love of all." - Owner Tomoharu Shono

Though the wait is long outside, it is for good reason. The restaurant only seats a handful of guests (under 30, it seemed), and its menu begs diners to stay a while and enjoy the dishes. There were just a few options to choose from, and it looked like many there opted for the same things. On occasion, there are specials that are done in unusual ways but we were on a mission: to try paitan. Once we had entered, it was comforting to see the walls decorated in such a way that explained the owner's philosophy and outlook on his food as well as the science behind making the perfect bowls. The arrangement inside encouraged community tables so if you aren't one who enjoys rubbing elbows occasionally with your neighbor, you might want to ask to sit on an end.


Though that evening there were three of us enjoying the restaurant, we all ordered the same thing because of all of the accolades - the Tori Paitan Ramen (Double Chashu) ($18 - 鶏白湯チャーシューめん - rich and creamy chicken soup, pork chashu, duck chashu, menma, kale, burdock, and Katsuobushi sauce). Compared to other ramen places we regularly visit, this was certainly at a higher price point but for good reason; it became apparent quickly that the cost was worth the broth alone. Despite the variations of ingredients that may have deviated from our notion of a traditional ramen dish, the bowl here was fantastic. It wasn't the wait that made it feel worth it; the ramen was just worth it. The rich and creamy broth was not a component to belittle as it touched on every sense in all the right ways. This was easily one of the best bowls of ramen I have ever had. The pork chashu melted in your mouth, and the duck chashu had a taste not too unlike duck prosciutto. I actually wish I had toured more of the menu in that moment but we were all getting so full from the ramen itself. If you have the time, certainly make your way to 676 Geary Street, San Francisco 94102 to experience Mensho Tokyo.

Photography by Duc Duong. More photos available on Facebook here.

The noodles, the broth, the ambiance - Hakata Ikkousha in Costa Mesa boils it down to a pure love of ramen. If you just about worship the dish, you might want to wander on down to this spot in the burgeoning plaza because it is superb for tonkotsu lovers. In fact, it has turned into our favorite ramen spot in Orange County, supplanting the beloved SSG and Santouka eateries that grace the top lists of many. When we first visited Hakata Ikkousha, we were struck by how the walls told the restaurant's story (derived from other locations in the world) but also how the monitors shared the journey.


There is usually a wait but the service is quick and the staff ready to serve the moment you finally get to sit down. Options are simply displayed in a menu that features a small number of broth types (a good sign - they are focused!) and accompanying dishes. While many have spoken highly of their God Fire Ramen choices, we are wimps and opt for something less burning each time. Also, though the portions are substantial enough for our appetites, we often order at least one appetizer because despite the few choices they offer here, each is delightful. We normally choose the Hakata Specialty Hitokuchi Gyoza ($3.50 for 5/$6.00 for 10 - Ikkousha-style pan-fried dumplings) which comes with a pleasantly tangy and spicy dipping sauce but on this occasion, we needed to capitalize on the solid crunch of their Special Fried Chicken ($3 for 1/$7 for 3 - marinated with Ikkousha sauce on deep-fried chicken). It is perfectly juicy and tender inside despite its loud, crisp exterior (so satisfying!), and the pieces themselves are adequately sized to share or feed a hungry person.


The stars at Hakata Ikkousha, however, show up as delectable, downright scrumptious bowls of ramen. You could start off with the Tonkotsu Standard ($7.90 - signature tonkotsu broth, thin straight noodles, housemade chashu, wood ear mushrooms, and green onions) to get a feel for the place but if you seek a heavier, heartier meal, you might want to snag my go-to, the Tonkotsu Black ($8.90 - garlic tonkotsu broth, thin straight noodles, housemade chashu, wood ear mushrooms, and green onions). Add on some bamboo shoots ($1) and egg ($1.50) for more oomph, and you've got yourself a stellar meal. The black garlic tonkotsu broth is presented steaming hot, practically hiding all of the other components underneath the thickness. It is rich and savory, wholesome and sultry in your mouth. With every sip, it is obvious that much time was dedicated to making it. You would say the same about their Tonkotsu Mentaiko ($8.90 - tonkotsu broth with mentaiko flavor, straight noodles, housemade chashu, wood ear mushrooms, and green onions) as well which has limited quantities daily. This one was certainly less heavy but the mentaiko flavor really brought out other elements of the broth not experienced in the other; the fish accent highlighted the broth's saltiness to an appreciative amount, and be assured that we slurped this up without hesitation.

If by now, you need to get your hands on a bowl, find Hakata Ikkousha at 3033 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 and get there early. We've been several times and the shortest waits are when we arrive just after opening. Trust me - you'll enjoy it.

Photography by Duc Duong. More photos available on Facebook here.

It has nearly been a decade since I first dined at what would become my favorite phở restaurant - Phở 79 in Garden Grove. Then I discovered it was Duc's favorite as well. The more people we asked who had lived in Orange County for some time and enjoyed the traditional Vietnamese noodle soup dish, the more we heard that this restaurant, established back in 1979, was their favorite spot as well for the iconic bowl. I've written a handful of times about this eatery in the nascence of Much Ado About Fooding but never followed up with photos that did the food more justice. We decided we needed to confess once again that even after all of these years of trying out other phở places, we still hold Phở 79 in the number one spot for phở in Orange County. The potholed parking lot and constant fullness inside are just a few testaments to its greatness.


We frequent Phở 79 fairly often but rarely on the weekends; when we did arrive to bring another group of friends to our favorite joint (this time on a Saturday afternoon), we saw the long, wrapping line that would easily attract others to the restaurant. I say "would" though because one of the unfortunate (and also somewhat fortunate) features of its location is that it is hidden from a view from the nearest major street. The cash-only bustling eatery is situated tucked behind a liquor store-focused strip of buildings, and the parking lot is in quite a state of disrepair. On a rare occasion will you find a parking spot immediately; most of the time, you may opt to go into nearby neighborhoods to park and just over.

Also, to note, this is what you would expect of an old school Vietnamese restaurant. You enter, they yell at you asking for how many seats you need, they wave you in the general direction of an empty area, and you receive menus unceremoniously. The wait staff will usually also give you about one minute to make a decision before whisking away the menus with a quick about-turn. This isn't about being rude; this is just how service commonly is in a family-run business like this and frankly, we like it. If the lack of service starts to rub you the wrong way, just assure yourself of getting phở here by glancing at the wall full of high Zagat ratings. You know you're in for a treat.


While we do point out that we love the phở here, we cannot dismiss how rock-solid the other dishes at Phở 79 also are. On this particular visit, we brought some friends who had never been and made sure to order more than just the phở. For starters, the table opted for Tàu Hũ Ky (bean curd with ground shrimp) and Chả Giò (Vietnamese egg rolls). These were perfectly executed with a generous amount of greens to wrap the fried pieces with. I especially loved how flavorful and stuffed the bean curd was, and everyone really enjoyed the filling and resounding crunch of each egg roll. The right balance of savory and salty was in each as well; we often find that other restaurants are overly salty but these were just right.

Also, to be a little different, Duc decided to get one of his favorite orders which is the Bún Riêu (ground shrimp and crab rice noodle soup), a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup dish that not every restaurant offers. It has always been more akin, to us, to eating a home because there are a few components of the soup that make it less appealing for restaurants to serve. The places we have found that have this on their menus seem to take shortcuts in building out this comfort food but Phở 79 takes care to do it right. Full of tomato tang and rich crab umami flavor, their version is wholesome and hearty, perfect for a rainy day or any craving for good ol' fashioned comfort.


The rest of the table went ahead and ordered varying types of phở based on what they liked. The beauty in this when it comes to choosing the meat components is that you actually have a choice. I personally like my phở with tripe and tendon but others may just enjoy the brisket and meatballs. What Phở 79 also carries on a limited first-come-first-serve basis is oxtail either as part of the phở process or on the side. This giant serving of braised, melt-in-your-mouth goodness requires another large bowl to come out in and can be enough for the whole table if ordered once. It is always tender and fatty with more flavor than just beef itself. If you ever are there when these are available, you must try it at least once. As for the phở overall, the broth is always steaming hot when served and tastes of dedication and skill. It is never too oily, and the noodles have always held the exact right amount of bite for us. Every person we've ever brought to the restaurant has deemed it now their favorite as well, and that is a hard claim to make when we live in the land of phở in Orange County.

Phở 79 can be found at 9941 Hazard Ave, Garden Grove, CA 92844 behind a liquor store most visible from Brookhurst St. Remember to bring cash for your meal and get ready to seep in the aroma of phở from the moment you walk in. Yep, you'll probably wear that smell on your clothes as well once you get home.

Photography by Duc Duong. More photos available on Facebook here.

If you are a tea seeker like I am whenever you travel, you cannot miss out on the unique Portland experience of the teahouse in Lan Su Chinese Garden's Tower of Cosmic Reflections. Operated by Tao of Tea, the teahouse within the gardens offers traditional Chinese tea service set in as tranquil a location as you might be able to find within the downtown city walls. The two-story building where this spot of respite rests is structured in line with the rest of the beautiful architecture in the gardens - gleaming shingled roof, dark wood accents, and features of teas and their assorted accessories. I made my way upstairs to situate next to an open window overlooking the gardens and happened to also be able to see parts of the cityscape beyond the peaceful walls. The teahouse offers tea in several types of services whether you are seeking casual, traditional, individual, or even group enjoyment.


You will have to consider that venturing to this tea spot involves an admission ticket to the gardens themselves. However, what is there to lose by entering such a place? It is built with peacefulness and tranquility in mind. We often miss out on quiet moments with the hustle and bustle of the real world that we seek these types of havens. Visit these gardens to get a taste of that calm. Not only is this a garden in Chinese fashion but it is actually nearly the mirror of another garden in China itself, built by the same planners and with the same intent of introspection. As I moved from section to section in the gardens before reaching the teahouse, I could see each of the essential five elements of Chinese garden planning laid out - rocks, water, plants, architecture, and poetry.

Inside the teahouse, I realized the menu was more than just a menu; it documented processes of growing, cultivating, and processing teas to form the various types we know and love. Extensive descriptions of tea types and flavor profiles followed with each listing, informing the ignorant but eager tea learner of what to expect and what to look for. There was also a separate menu for the tea drinker who was looking for accompanying bites both sweet and savory. I saw the likes of moon cakes and tea eggs alongside each other. Personally, my intent was to turn this experience into my lunch for the day too so I opted for food with my view.


I decided that my inability to make a concrete decision was due to my fascination with all of the types and serving styles there so to sate that interest, I chose to do a flight. Their flights focus on different categories (white teas, green teas, etc) and my pick referenced my setting. A Pu-erh Tea Flight ($16 for one person) it was in Gaiwan Ceremony Style. This traditional method gives one the ability to brew according to individual taste and uses a gaiwan (specific cup). There were several vessels presented once the setting was placed in front of me so I immediately looked lost and had to ask for direction. My server was kind enough to demonstrate and throughout the demonstration, emphasized the importance of keeping all of the vessels hot to "warm the soul."

The steps were hypnotic to watch. A black cast iron teapot with a raised patterned exterior set upon an open flame tea warmer housed just-below-boiling water. One wash is needed from the loose leaves which is dumped into a rinse bowl. The second pour over the leaves is agitated with the gaiwan lid several times so the liqueur leeching from the leaves can properly be infused. You pour the tea from the gaiwan to a spouted vessel, using the lid as your strainer. This miniature pitcher then pours into a petite teacup into which approximately four to five pours can be made. Each loose leaf tea bundle in the flight produced four gaiwans-worth which each produced four to five cups worth. To say I had a lot of tea is an understatement. I believe I had refilled my teapot thrice by then end of the service.

With each pour, the intricacy of each tea changed. I savored each cup as best I could, sipping gently and letting each initial mouthful wash over all of my inner cheeks and tongue to best understand every nuance. It was easy to slip into a contemplative mode when directly in my line of sight was the view of calming, beautiful rock and plant formations surrounding lotus-topped placid lakes. I haven't been versed in pu-erh teas before but there is an allure to these types because of their history.


Romantics aside, the tea here is fantastic and appeals to the dreamer, the relaxer, the creative. Cursory glances told me they were curated well with enough of variety to touch on any drinker's preferences. They also feature so many plates that can meet your needs. I enjoyed the cool Taoist Delight Noodles ($8 - Chinese rice noodles, longevity mushroom, garlic sauce, roasted sesame, ginger carrot, and soybean topping) with their pressed tofu triangles because of the generous amounts of vegetables included, sprinkled with black and white sesame seeds, and flavored subtly in sesame oil. Slivers of mushrooms added additional umami to each bite and the grated carrots lent satisfying crunchiness. I also eagerly asked for Pickled Bamboo Shoots ($4 -young shoots of tropical bamboo) and Chinese Steamed Dumplings ($6 - six vegetable dumplings seasoned with ginger and fermented black bean sauce). Finger foods really but soul satisfying.

How else should one enjoy tea? I eagerly anticipate my next return. I don't think I could ever make a future trip to Portland without coming back here. If you'd like to visit them yourself, they are located at 239 Northwest Everett Street, Portland, OR 97209.