*The views expressed in Foodie Friday are those of the author and do not represent Austinist (and quite often our readership) as a whole. Ahh, the subjective nature of tastebuds.* -The Editors (Playing the part of Foodie Column-IST this week is one of our newest food writers, Veronica Meewes, freshly returned from the greater Tri-state Metropolitan whatsit.) When I return to the Tri-state Area I called home for so many years, there are several... more ›

In case you've missed it, there's a comedy revolution brewing in New York right now. Comics like Todd Barry, Demitri Martin, and Aziz Ansari have been drawing huge audiences of hipsters and regular folk alike with satire that owes far more to the silliness and irony of Steve Martin and Eddie Izzard than to the lowbrow Comedy Central/Def Comedy Jam nonsense that's infested comedy clubs for a decade. Among the brightest lights of the... more ›

Sure, Starbucks is tasty and easy and, heck, some of them have drive-thru's! Damn Starbucks. But our frappuccinos and our soft tacos from Chipotle and our special Make Your Own Pasta dish from Macaroni Grill should only supplement our visits and purchases from local businesses. Not only is it the right thing to do, not only does it help benefit and support our local economy, but Austin has a heaping number of fantastic businesses that are worth your time and dollar. Yeah, Starbucks has the java chip frappaccino, but Pacha (4618 Burnet Rd.) has the super duper yummy Pacha shake made by one of our favorite baristas (the guy in the pony tail or the guy in the glasses). Plus it is a cozier place to work on one's dissertation or novel or meet up with a friend over some sweet potato frittata. Not to mention the fact that they toast your muffin for you! more ›