OnAustin.com

My parents recently drove down from the Houston area for a weekend visit. They had settled in before I made it home from work. I didn’t feel like cooking so I treated them to a dinner at Green Mesquite Barbecue & More in Oak Hill.

The original, free-standing Green Mesquite on Barton Springs Road has character. This one, not so much. Located in a strip mall a few doors down from an Ace Hardware could easily move out one day and be a tanning salon the next. Neon beer signs adorn the walls just below the ceiling but provided false advertising. After seating ourselves in a booth, my dad asked the waitress for a Bud Light. He was informed that they “forgot to renew their beer & wine license”. What? Barbeque with no beer?

The waitress returned with three iced teas and took our orders. Mom and dad both ordered the brisket plate ($5.99 ea.). I ordered a cheeseburger with jalapenos and fries ($4.29 + .25 for jalapenos).

Our meals were served promptly. My hamburger was good but not worthy of a “next time I’m hankerin’ for a good burger, I’m going to Green Mesquite”. It was one of those wet burgers that dripped for the duration of its consumption, leaving me with a pile of soggy fries.

The ‘rents seemed to enjoy their brisket plates. My mom can never finish an entire meal so she slapped a couple slices of brisket onto my plate after I cleared out some soggy fries. The brisket was sliced thick, very tender, tasty, juicy and lean. In my opinion, what makes for great barbecue brisket is the sauce. Green Mesquite’s barbecue sauce is a little too sweet for me.

Dad made a positive note on his pinto beans. I didn’t try them but trust dad’s taste buds on flavor.

Brisket & beans = good
Jalapeno cheeseburger & fries = okay
Beer & wine license renewal neglect = bad
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This was our second visit to the Satellite Cafe. Dining at the Flipnotics ’satellite’ location for the first time was by chance. Flip’s is located in the far corner of a strip mall just off the ‘Y’ in Oak Hill, tucked in quietly between GattiTown and Blockbuster. We were returning a movie one morning and I happened to question the fa’ade of this restaurant. Flip’s isn’t located in the easiest-to-be-seen location. I’d have to drive by again, but I’m not sure if there is a sign near the highway advertising the restaurant.

Anyway, location and advertising issues aside. My first meal at Flip’s was a Sunday brunch on a gorgeous Spring morning. I started my meal with a 16 oz. Real Fruit Smoothy ($3.79) made with bananas and an array of wild berries. A great concoction to curb any hangover and mighty tasty no matter how hairy the tongue.

For breakfast I had the Mississippi Sun ($6.95) ‘ two veggie cakes topped with roasted potatoes, two poached eggs, chipotle citrus hollandaise garnished with black bean pico and a Serrano herb sauce. Quite a tease to the palate. The veggie cakes, potatoes and eggs are the grilled fillers while the chipotle citrus hollandaise added a refreshing zing.

The only downside to visit to Flip’s #1 was the wait. We waited 45 minutes from the time the waitress took our order until our food was served. Albeit every table in the restaurant was occupied, but that smoothy didn’t completely rid me of that hangover! I was hungry.

Our second visit to Flip’s Satellite Caf’ was for dinner. Upon entering, we were quickly and politely greeted by the hostess and escorted to the table of our choosing. A gentleman was sitting the corner playing relaxing holiday tunes on an electric classical guitar. Our waitress quickly greeted us, informed us of the night’s specials and took our drink orders. My wife and I had a late lunch so we both opted for a light dinner. She had the Thai Shrimp Salad ($8.95) ‘ mixed greens, red bell peppers, carrots, mushrooms and mixed cabbage tossed in a Thai peanut dressing topped with large grilled shrimp, wontons, sprouts and peanuts. This salad was huge. A salad that even the gruffiest of men oughtn’t be ashamed to order. In my opinion, the only thing you can judge a salad on is the dressing (unless, of course, you’re served rancid greens). The Thai peanut dressing was very flavorful with just the right amount of acidity.

I ordered the Spicy Shrimp Wrap ($7.95) ‘ grilled shrimp, mixed greens, red cabbage, tomatoes, red onions and horseradish cream wrapped in a jalapeno cheddar tortilla. On the side I ordered the ginger soy dipping sauce and garlic whipped potatoes. Garlic whipped potatoes with a Thai wrap? Yeah, that’s what I thought too. You have a choice of fresh fruit, herb roasted potatoes, tortilla chips or black beans. I asked for the herb roasted potatoes. I was told that the kitchen had just ran out of that side and asked if I’d like to try the whipped potatoes.

The horseradish cream, red onions, ginger soy sauce and jalapeno cheddar tortilla all made for busy taste buds. Both of our meals were excellent except for the shrimp. My wife’s salad and my wrap tasted fishy ‘ tolerably fishy, but still fishy. Not complaint-worthy fishy, but noteworthy fishy.

If you’re familiar with Flipnotics, then you’ll appreciate the uniqueness and quality of Flip’s Satellite Caf’ in Oak Hill. A little gem hidden in southwest Austin. I think Flip’s is innovative with fair prices and look forward to eating there again soon.
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