The Spanish were responsible for the first settlements in Texas. They established missions such as the famed Alamo. They were also responsible for bringing livestock to the shores of Texas. Goats, horses, and cattle were not native to the area, they arrived on Spanish boats.
As Spanish families built settlements, they built fences for keeping their livestock, but the fences didn’t always keep them in. Before you know it, Spanish cattle had escaped and were multiplying all over Texas.
Centuries later, these Spanish cattle breeds had morphed into what we now know as the Texas Longhorn. The longhorn is a tough creature, resistant to disease, insects, and drought. They can live off of little food and little water.
No one wanted to eat them. Because the longhorn had adapted to survival in the great expanses of Texas, it had become a very lean animal, with almost no fat. Doesn’t make for very good barbecue! It wasn’t until the Civil War, with generals struggling to feed starving armies, that the longhorn was finally sought after as a food source. They were driven northward along the Chisholm Trail to feed the armies.
Nowadays the longhorn is a symbol of national pride and the mascot of the University of Texas. They still roam the prairies of Texas. And although you can order a longhorn steak from a Texas steakhouse menu, any good Texan knows better!
Wine tasting
Only an hour away from Austin lies the Texas Wine Country. Deep in the heart of the Hill Country are dozens of beautiful vineyards, the perfect escape for a day of relaxation and libations.
Breakfast tacos
In Austin, tacos are our livelihood. They can, and should, be consumed 3 meals a day. There are over 200 taco trucks in Austin. Most people have had your typical beef taco or maybe even the chicken fajita. But you cannot visit Austin without having a breakfast taco. We humbly call ourselves the Breakfast Taco Capital of the World.
Why do we love our breakfast tacos so much? I suppose it begins with the laid back attitude of the taco. You can order them almost anywhere, from coffee shops to food trucks. They come out quickly, after all, the cost of living in Austin is rising rapidly and we’ve all got to make that paper! You can eat them on the go, in your car, at the bar…no one minds if you bring them to work as long as you bring enough for all.
And then there are the ingredients. The basic breakfast taco consists of eggs (huevos), cheese, and either potato, sausage, bacon, or chorizo. But we are a town full of foodies, and we never stop at the basics. You can order a taco with avocado, cactus, black beans, beef tongue, spinach…and the list goes on.
Where can you indulge in one of these delightful delicacies? Almost anywhere. The surest way to start a fight between normally peaceful Austinites is to ask them where you can find the best breakfast tacos. Everyone has a favorite. Some opt for long-standing institutions like Cisco’s, Joe’s Bakery, or Tamale House. Others go for the fun factor, indulging in Juan in a Million’s giant breakfast taco or dining under the giant statue at Maria’s Taco Xpress. Some swear by Torchy’s or Tacodeli with their easy availability in multiple locations.
The verdict is, you will just have to try them all and decide for yourself. Happy tacoing!