Texas Independence Day in Austin
 

Are any Austin / San Antonio FT'ers up for lunch in Austin on Texas Independence Day, March 2, 2002? It will be on a Saturday this year and the weather will be beautiful http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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Middle_Seat

Middle_Seat: great idea! Keep me posted. I am open minded. Should we have an even response (unlikely) between AUS and SAT how about meeting half way between?

Hope we can generate some more interest in this!

Happy 2002!

Sounds enticing. Keep me posted. BTW -- I like that weather optimism!

Sounds like a great idea - count me in. Is this a family affair?

jk

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"Hang up my haishirt, put my scourge in place, and pray, Laurent, for Heaven's perpetual grace."

Moliere, "Tartuffe"

Sure, families are invited.

What about a location? Suggestions?

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Middle_Seat

how about Philadelphia? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I'm looking less and less like I'll be going to PHL.

I do, however, have a nice spa gift certificate to use at Barton Creek, so count me as a maybe for this event....

I would be game as well. I might even coax Mrs. Starwood Lurker to join us.

How about the Salt Lick?

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Specialist, E-Communications Department
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

[This message has been edited by Starwood Lurker (edited 01-02-2002).]

There's a good possibility I'd be able to make it. Put me down as a "Maybe."

The Salt Lick (18300 FM 1826, Driftwood TX, tel. 512-894-3117) would indeed be a good choice...it has some of the best BBQ in these parts. (I assume you were not referring to the Salt Lick outlet at the airport http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif)

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Middle_Seat

The cheesesteaks aren't so hot here (Delaware Subs can't hold a candle to Pats King of Steaks) but try to get decent chips and queso in PHL - impossible!

SteveH


[This message has been edited by 330CiC (edited 01-02-2002).]

Well, guess we are going to do AUS for sure. There are a lot more FT'rs from AUS than SAT. Salt Lick sounds like a great idea. I have never been there, but the name comes up frequently in my Texas Travel Magazines and I have always wanted to eat there.

I have a small list of SAT FT'rs whom I'll email if it looks like this event will take place. I am happy to help in some way.

Put me down as a very likely maybe. It might be heresy (no miles!) but driving from CRP is easier than flying to AUS. I'm also willing to assist in any way possible with planning.

What about Hippy Hollow....

{That would make for some great pics on the board.....}

From what I've heard, some of the original hippies still go there. Decades of gravity and sunlight have taken their toll, so the view may not be quite so inspiring as it was back in the 60's and 70's.

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Middle_Seat

Salt Lick is a great idea, but remember 2 things:

1) they only take cash, no credit cards
2) it's BYOB

Strange, I know, but the food makes it all worthwhile.

jk

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"Hang up my haishirt, put my scourge in place, and pray, Laurent, for Heaven's perpetual grace."

Moliere, "Tartuffe"

Count me in as a maybe. Used to live in Austin in the early/mid 80's. (went to grad school at UT). Hook Em Horns! Overdue for a visit!

I've only been to the one at Bergstrom, but I've heard about the original one.

The chicken and that sauce is the bomb! Count me as "Maybe" for now. I'll try to get the schedule clear and confirmed.

Studley

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Friends don't let friends play Naked Twister without tequila.

[This message has been edited by studley (edited 01-03-2002).]

Definitely was referring to the restaurant in Driftwood...heck, the lines are long enough there. Imagine having to go through security at the airport. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif Before 9/11 I was seriously thinking of trying the venue at the airport since it's only a few miles from my house. Now the wait would be the same, there's no more attraction.

William

Count me in. If we go to Salt Lick, the only miles we will get for it is on our respective vehicles.

Six days into the year and I haven't earned one mile yet. How pathetic!

Comet

Great BBQ at Salt Lick, eh? Please send doggie bags to us about-to-become-snowbound FTers in New Jersey. Hook 'em, Horns (from an FTer in Chris Simms' regional high school district)!

You'd better be 1500 miles away from Austin (and snowbound, so nobody can find you) to admit to that these days! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Sounds like a great idea; I won't be in town that weekend, unfortunately. BTW, you can still get miles if you use your airline credit card to buy beer at the last-chance-for-beer-before-The Salt Lick convenience store just up the road. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by SuperSlug (edited 01-07-2002).]

Hello Everyone!

Today I made a reservation for FlyerTalkers at the world-famous Salt Lick Barbecue Restaurant for 12 noon on Saturday, March 2, 2002. As Jae noted, it is cash only and BYOB. They estimate the cost for all-you-can-eat BBQ lunch, iced tea/soft drink and gratuity at $13.50 each...more if you want dessert, less if you select a regular BBQ plate. The Salt Lick's policy is no separate checks, so please bring some change.

Note that we will be eating at the real, original Salt Lick near Driftwood, Texas, not the mini-Salt-Lick at Austin Bergstrom airport. The original Salt Lick is a large, informal place out in the country, with wooden tables and occasional live music.

To get there, take Loop 1 (better known locally as "MoPac") from Austin southwest until it dead ends into FM 1826. (The last-chance-to-buy-beer convenience store mentioned by SuperSlug is named Bubba's and is a few hundred yards to the right at this intersection.) Turn left onto FM 1826 and go 7-1/2 miles. The Salt Lick will be on your right, with parking in the rear. If you go a few yards too far you will cross Onion Creek and the Salt Lick Pavillion will be on your right...do a U-turn to get back to the original Salt Lick. If you go a couple of miles too far you will dead-end into FM 150.

The official address for the Salt Lick is 18001 FM 1826, Driftwood, TX. Their phone is 888-SALTLICK. You can find them on the web at http://www.saltlickbbq.com/

This will be a fun way for us to get to know each other while enjoying some excellent BBQ!

Note: There are no metal detectors at the Salt Lick. You do not need a photo ID to enter the restaurant. Fingernail clippers and pocket knives are permitted, and the meal will be served with genuine metal utensils http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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Middle_Seat

Sounds great, Middle_Seat. I will be there for sure, but Mrs. Lurker is on standby for the moment.

One other thing is that they don't seat you until everyone in your group is there, so arriving on time is very important. You wouldn't want everyone sitting around outside smelling that BBQ and grumbling about so and so not being there yet. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

0524, Chris Simms is forgiven in my book, and I'm a true orangeblood. (Jae on the other hand is an Aggie alumni http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif) He has eight months to do some personal reflection, speak to his dad about what went wrong in the Big 12 title game, and pull himself together for another run at the national title. The stakes are huge for him, so I hope he recovers well. I know the rest of the team is talented enough to pull it off, but Chris could really put a kink in those plans with a sub-par performance. When he arrives next August, he needs to have his A game in place every weekend.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Specialist, E-Communications Department
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

Thanks, Middle_Seat, for firming things up. I want to hear what's behind that name. You love the middle seat? You are always so late with your reservation that middle is all that's left?

I will look forward to meeting all of you! Hopefully, we can attract even more FTr's in the 6 or so weeks we have left.

Starwood Lurker astutely notes: As a Certified BBQ Fanatic who travels the world looking for the best BBQ, I can attest that this is one thing that would drive me crazy to the point of saying, "Screw my Mother! She's late. That's her problem. Let's eat!"

We all have our priorities, after all. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I live in Austin and have been to the salt lick before with friends. As a vegetarian, I find the mashed potatoes, cole slaw, and pickles somewhat unsatisfying. As a result, I think I'll be in attendance, but will be sneaking in some more veggie-friendly foods.
Any other vegetarians interested in going or already going to be there?
I'll have some shiner beer for whoever shows up.
-- Brian

Put me down as confirmed. Just bought tickets ONT-SAT on UA for $165. (priced out quite well in/out of SAT).I saved a large amount of $$ by flying into SAT! Done that quite of few times over the years! Looking forward to some great BBQ & meeting other FTers! Will get to see some friends in Austin! Hook em Horns!

William is correct, I do bleed maroon & white, so I don't mind seeing Chris Sims struggle, but I wish people would lay off the kid (his critics in Austin are pretty brutal). If only Mack Brown had the same struggles recruiting...

See you on March 2!

jk

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"Hang up my haishirt, put my scourge in place, and pray, Laurent, for Heaven's perpetual grace."

Moliere, "Tartuffe"

Not pathetic..downright embarrasing! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Count 330CiC in as well...

SteveH

Just stop by Bubba's on the way to the Salt Lick and buy a 6-pack. That ought to get you a couple of miles on your credit card http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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Middle_Seat

Just a little bit too early .. I'll be there on February 17. I guess I'll just have to go to Salt Lick by myself. But thanks for the tip! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Paradocs, thanks for giving me the heads up on this. As a longhorn, I'm overdue for a visit. I'll see what can be arranged. I sure do miss that tasty Salt Lick BBQ sauce! So count me in as a maybe and I'll check travel details.

Oh by the way, anyone wanna buy my house? Its a nicely located 3/2 plus 1/1 duplex in Clarksville near 6th & Lamar. Been trying to sell it for some time but I guess the market is down more there even than in SFO - at least that's what Remax tells me! (Shameless ad, sorry!)

Be well, TX folk http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

TheSilb, glad you brought this back to the top and hope you will work things out to join us. I want to meet someone as lifelong obsessed as you are about flying.

May be able to come down for Saturday. Have only been to the Salt Lick at bergstrom. How far out is the Driftwood Salt Lick from AUS or SAT.

dallasflyer

The Salt Lick, 18001 FM 1826, Driftwood, TX 78619, is in the far southwest suburbs of Austin. Looking at the http://Mapquest.com map, it looks to be about 20 miles (air miles http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif) from the Capitol building in Austin.

Austin is 80 miles north of San Antonio.

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Middle_Seat

How far is it from Bergstrom?

I just put a res on hold for it. Looks like I'll be getting in at 10:13 A.M. on 3/2, out at 5:22 P.M.

Who else is coming in around that time? Maybe we can share a ride to Driftwood. If not, are any locals headed that way around that time? (Edited to clarify this question and to correct date of travel.)

Studley

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Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.



[This message has been edited by studley (edited 01-16-2002).]

I would guess about 40 minutes from Bergstrom to Driftwood, via Highway 290 West (aka Ben White Blvd.)

I let the res hold expire. Still undecided about a few things concerning ground travel.

Studley



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The perfect ladies' man is a perfect gentleman.

studley, I spoke to Mrs. Starwood Lurker last night about giving you a ride from the airport. She agreed as long as I could vouch for you. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Let me know if you're still coming and we'll try to arrange something, as long as you don't mind riding in "La Bamba" like cigarman did when he came to Austin. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Specialist, E-Communications Department
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

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