Austin, TX ramblings

[Maroon13]

We went to Franklins. Got there at 10:20ish. Served food about 1230. The food was great. The experience was good. I would have to try other Brisket places there to decided if Franklin's brisket would be worth the wait, again. However, I met a few people and had nice conversations waiting in line.

Austin is a bigger city than what I was expecting. Once again, a thriving city ....... reminding me what Memphis is not. Austin seems comparable to Nashville.....maybe larger than Nashville????

After Franklins, We went to S Congress to shop. Your daughters and wives would like it. I had to have a drink looking at prices. Also, seemed like that is the area of town where the sorority types live upon graduation....no idea. But there was lots of young people, shopping, eating.....wearing their Lulu..

We made it to the west end of 6th Street later that night. Some pretty cool bars that were crowded by 10pm. Again, ran into numerous young State fans. If we were worth a damn at football, we would have had a much larger following that weekend. Anyways, I was told we did good visiting the west end of 6th Street because as you go more east, near the interstate, it gets rowdier late a night.

Their campus.....is in the middle of the city. I guess I am used to State kinda being its own place.......but being in the middle of the city means having a Target, literally next to campus as well as numerous other retailers and bars/restaurants. Their campus is ok. It is big, area wise, with many mature trees. The buildings were yellow brick shingled in Spanish tiles. Their campus seemed like a more urban, slightly larger, hilly LSU campus. For a school that rich......their signature large building on campus looks neglected. It needs a refurb. The football stadium and basketball arena is where the money is....very nice buildings.

GameDay.....maybe I didn't see the right areas.......however tailgating was mostly corporate and Longhorn club. HOWEVER, they do have a Bevo Blvd that was like a carnival atmosphere with midway type games, photo ops and vendors giving away swag.....they had ESPN up on some projection type screens. Also, on the other side of the stadium, they had a stage with a band. However a larger stage for the band than at State and this three story, covered rig/structure to watch the band, grab a drink and snacks and watch ball games. THey had Ok St and KState playing on the TVs. We had to get that fixed quick. A Texas fan did ask who we were rooting for in the OM/KY game......seriously????? He didn't realize the Egg Bowl rivalry. Overall, the Texas fans were extremely hospitable to us. Back to the live music set up......it was cool. State really needs to move their live music for GameDay to the Ampitheater and move the black tents to the Junction.

Only other thing.....the in stadium experience was much like anywhere else. Hype videos, Bevo intro.....very little band, mostly rap music, salute to service...."welcome back to campus...." WHich they played the music almost every down until our center bent over to place his hand on the ball...........I don't want to hear anything about our cowbells.. OH........That damn canon. That is annoying and I imagine a shock for any visitor the first time it explodes. On the TD at the end of the first half.....our DB should file suit for damaged hearing as they set that thing off with he and the Tx WR very close to it.

Anyways....cool city, nice people, decent stadium experience. Would do again, if we field a competitive team.

 

[aTotal360]

What a dump.

 

[WilCoDawg]

Given that I haven’t been to a game in a few years, and I don’t recall during that post-Covid game, but do we still do the canon after a TD? I do realize that if we do, we haven’t really had much chance to use it the past few seasons…

 

[57stratdawg]

Austin is great. I haven’t been to Franklin’s in a few years, but the wait is usually a tailgate scene. They sever beer while you wait and the workers will come out and chit-chat.

 

[SchrodingersDawg]

Austin is a great town. A little too lefty these days. I lived there for 18 years until I got too old and it got too expensive. I still go up there every now and then for dinner or South Congress people watching or to see Bob Schneider at The Saxon Pub.

I've never been to Franklin's. Too much good bbq in these parts to ever wait in line for it.

 

[BulldogBlitz]

A Texas fan did ask who we were rooting for in the OM/KY game......seriously????? He didn't realize the Egg Bowl rivalry.

I always had to explain to the Tsips that our rivalry was similar to them an zeroU, except I definitely would swerve to run an OM idiot off the road. We have actually fought on the field we'll before the game, and no, there are no circumstances where I will be rooting for OM.

As for Franklin's, it fits Austin. If you can get "seen" standing in line for 2+ hours to get into a restaurant, you are part of the scene.

 

[Dawgbite]

Given that I haven’t been to a game in a few years, and I don’t recall during that post-Covid game, but do we still do the canon after a TD? I do realize that if we do, we haven’t really had much chance to use it the past few seasons…

They moved that cannon from the corner of the end zone up on the deck beside the Scoreboard Club. They still fire it, or at least they did, but it’s up high above everyone.

 

[greenbean.sixpack]

I've been to Austin recently. It's a great city with tons of stuff for young folks to do. 6th Street is miniature Bourbon Street without folks puking in the street and boobies being flashed. The BBQ tastes like our BBQ. Catch a show at Rogan's comedy club if you get a chance. LE is everywhere. I was expecting a big homeless population downtown (like ATL), but saw very few.

It's no wonder young folks leave the 'Sip for greener pastures.

 

[Yeti]

Have a daughter at UT. They don’t seem to grasp the concept of a tail gate. Also agree they are still in the big 12. That cheer were they yell OU sux needs a rest you have other good teams now. Game day needs help. I hate the crowded street with a carnival. I’ll add the campus is big but crowded with buildings no real space to tailgate

finally they should play at night it’s still as hot as hell there I left yesterday and it was 95.

 

[Maroon13]

They moved that cannon from the corner of the end zone up on the deck beside the Scoreboard Club. They still fire it, or at least they did, but it’s up high above everyone.

....and I guess because of the open areas of our stadium, I haven't noticed our canon recently. Regardless, I don't call ours being near that loud.

Texas is using 2lbs of tannerite.*

 

[OG Goat Holder]

Have a daughter at UT. They don’t seem to grasp the concept of a tail gate. Also agree they are still in the big 12. That cheer were they yell OU sux needs a rest you have other good teams now. Game day needs help. I hate the crowded street with a carnival. I’ll add the campus is big but crowded with buildings no real space to tailgate

finally they should play at night it’s still as hot as hell there I left yesterday and it was 95.

Last time I was in Athens I noticed there wasn't much tailgating. I think, when you have a decent urban area right by campus, with all the amenities, maybe tailgating just isn't needed? I mean, we all think it's fun, but is it an activity born out of necessity?

I do think Mississippi kind of takes it to another level.

 

[Maroon13]

I mean, we all think it's fun, but is it an activity born out of necessity?

I do think Mississippi kind of takes it to another level.

Yep. Told my buddy if State set up a big white tent with tables, bar service, snacks and a tv... that is free to attend... only cost is your drinks... I would be there every game and not bother with freelancing it.

 

[greenbean.sixpack]

Yep. Told my buddy if State set up a big white tent with bar service, TVs , snacks and a tv... that is free to attend... only cost is your drinks... I would be there every game and not bother with freelancing it.

We badly need this. Tailgating is great, but is a PITA to set up when coming form out of town. There's folks who drive 2-3 hours who may not have time to set up/breakdown a tailgate, but would have a great time at such a venue.

 

[Dawg1969]

Good description of your experience. I too thought the cannon was over kill. The receiver and defender did get quite a blast in the end zone. I went out to the Oasis on Lake Travis. The sunset was good. Overall my experience was good, but the construction was everywhere. Campus is 40 acres right in the middle of town. Can't see how they can grow much.

 

[The Peeper]

Yep. Told my buddy if State set up a big white tent with tables, bar service, snacks and a tv... that is free to attend... only cost is your drinks... I would be there every game and not bother with freelancing it.

Don't know what they do now but the year we played at Oregon that's the way they did it. We went inside and they had food vendors, drinks and tv's set up everywhere. We saw absolutely no tailgating there

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

Good description of your experience. I too thought the cannon was over kill. The receiver and defender did get quite a blast in the end zone. I went out to the Oasis on Lake Travis. The sunset was good. Overall my experience was good, but the construction was everywhere. Campus is 40 acres right in the middle of town. Can't see how they can grow much.

That was a good recap of your Austin experience. I wish you guys could've been here 20 years ago. It was a much nicer place when we first arrived. Of course, you could go down E. 6th St. in the daylight without a problem.

Austin mostly has good problems related to its growing so fast. I honestly don't think if they had started building roads correctly when we first got here, we'd have less traffic in this town.

It has become a very big town. We used to live close to the Oasis, which was the nice thing about Austin. It was like living in a small town next to a large city... not so much anymore.

 

[BrunswickDawg]

Last time I was in Athens I noticed there wasn't much tailgating. I think, when you have a decent urban area right by campus, with all the amenities, maybe tailgating just isn't needed? I mean, we all think it's fun, but is it an activity born out of necessity?

I do think Mississippi kind of takes it to another level.

Athens has tailgating, but it is not centralized other than a couple of spots, and most of it is not as close to the stadium as the Junction.

 

[greenbean.sixpack]

Another observation, folks aren't near as fat in Austin.

 

[Dawgg]

One thing I would suggest is dinner at the Oasis near sunset. You’d swear you were really at some tropical destination. Just an amazing view for dinner and the food is pretty good.

 

[RockyDog]

Rainey Street is a cool area. Old homes converted into bars and restaurants.

 

[Studentdawg06]

Another observation, folks aren't near as fat in Austin.

That’s true of most any larger city.

 

[BulldogBlitz]

Another observation, folks aren't near as fat in Austin.

Probably needed to visit Buda or Pflugerville for the fatties.

 

[greenbean.sixpack]

Probably needed to visit Buda or Pflugerville for the fatties.

I do like big bootie Latinas.

 

[Dawg1969]

Don't know what they do now but the year we played at Oregon that's the way they did it. We went inside and they had food vendors, drinks and tv's set up everywhere. We saw absolutely no tailgating there

If i remember they used the in door practice building like you described and it was pretty cool. Everything in one spot.

 

[Podgy]

Good summary

"A little too lefty these days. I lived there for 18 years until I got too old and it got too expensive"

A little lefty is cool and awesome in a way that's more appealing than a lot righty. Just don't get too lefty (defunding the police was dumb). Austin is an awesome city. Asheville has that charm too, southern and bohemian vibes, so I hope it recovers quickly. BTW, the expensive part is what makes it kinda cool. Rich lefties won't admit it but they don't want too much diversity if it involves having poor people around.

"Another observation, folks aren't near as fat in Austin." Another sign of leftism, having a college degree, a commitment to health, eating right and succumbing to social pressure to stay thin and not look MAGA. Obesity is really a serious issue for Americans and the government should probably subsidize Ozempic and related drugs that reduce obesity and improve a host of health issues related to obesity.

Nola has a lot of thin, young educated people, btw. It's a status marker for some.

Austin is a really cool city and that part of Texas has fun things to do. I remember a couple of decades ago when the "you don't need to drink no wine and beer cause that's of the debil," folks tried to prevent craft breweries and vineyards from opening. I do understand that some people are unable to drink in moderation which is detrimental to themselves and their families.

Still Austin bourbon, btw, makes a nice Old Fashioned and it's not too expensive.

 

[rem101]

We badly need this. Tailgating is great, but is a PITA to set up when coming form out of town. There's folks who drive 2-3 hours who may not have time to set up/breakdown a tailgate, but would have a great time at such a venue.

This is why we moved to Southern Tailgate several years back. Show up with your drink and either bring food or everyone throws in to have food delivered.
During Florida game, there was hardly anyone in the actual junction. Not sure if people just don't go as much there for reasons you listed or if that was caused by two bad teams playing at 11am.

 

[Maroon13]

During Florida game, there was hardly anyone in the actual junction. Not sure if people just don't go as much there for reasons you listed or if that was caused by two bad teams playing at 11am.

The junction has not been full in a few years. It probably has more to do with proximity to parking more than anything because you have to carry everything needed there by hand. Or be there 3 before and after the game to get a vehicle close.

Which is why I say move southern tailgate to the junction to fill it up. They put up all the heavy stuff for you.

Move the live music acts to the amphitheater so you can listen to the music at distance that isn't 15-30 ft in front of a speaker. Also gives the school band back their space to warm up and entertain. Just my .02

But I'm sure there are some university reasons they do what they do

 

[thatsbaseball]

Good write up. Thanks.

 

[msualohadog]

This is why we moved to Southern Tailgate several years back. Show up with your drink and either bring food or everyone throws in to have food delivered.
During Florida game, there was hardly anyone in the actual junction. Not sure if people just don't go as much there for reasons you listed or if that was caused by two bad teams playing at 11am.

Went to visit my son for the UF game. He said they told the fraternities they we cracking down because of last year's fight. His fraternity tailgates at the house now. Kinda sad.

 

[greenbean.sixpack]

The junction has not been full in a few years. It probably has more to do with proximity to parking more than anything because you have to carry everything needed there by hand. Or be there 3 before and after the game to get a vehicle close.

Which is why I say move southern tailgate to the junction to fill it up. They put up all the heavy stuff for you.

Move the live music acts to the amphitheater so you can listen to the music at distance that isn't 15-30 ft in front of a speaker. Also gives the school band back their space to warm up and entertain. Just my .02

But I'm sure there are some university reasons they do what they do

SloMo, winged our tailgating scene, which was great, Covid crippled it and Mike Leach's doctor finished it off.

 

[SwampDawg]

We went to Franklins. Got there at 10:20ish. Served food about 1230. The food was great. The experience was good. I would have to try other Brisket places there to decided if Franklin's brisket would be worth the wait, again. However, I met a few people and had nice conversations waiting in line.

Austin is a bigger city than what I was expecting. Once again, a thriving city ....... reminding me what Memphis is not. Austin seems comparable to Nashville.....maybe larger than Nashville????

After Franklins, We went to S Congress to shop. Your daughters and wives would like it. I had to have a drink looking at prices. Also, seemed like that is the area of town where the sorority types live upon graduation....no idea. But there was lots of young people, shopping, eating.....wearing their Lulu..

We made it to the west end of 6th Street later that night. Some pretty cool bars that were crowded by 10pm. Again, ran into numerous young State fans. If we were worth a damn at football, we would have had a much larger following that weekend. Anyways, I was told we did good visiting the west end of 6th Street because as you go more east, near the interstate, it gets rowdier late a night.

Their campus.....is in the middle of the city. I guess I am used to State kinda being its own place.......but being in the middle of the city means having a Target, literally next to campus as well as numerous other retailers and bars/restaurants. Their campus is ok. It is big, area wise, with many mature trees. The buildings were yellow brick shingled in Spanish tiles. Their campus seemed like a more urban, slightly larger, hilly LSU campus. For a school that rich......their signature large building on campus looks neglected. It needs a refurb. The football stadium and basketball arena is where the money is....very nice buildings.

GameDay.....maybe I didn't see the right areas.......however tailgating was mostly corporate and Longhorn club. HOWEVER, they do have a Bevo Blvd that was like a carnival atmosphere with midway type games, photo ops and vendors giving away swag.....they had ESPN up on some projection type screens. Also, on the other side of the stadium, they had a stage with a band. However a larger stage for the band than at State and this three story, covered rig/structure to watch the band, grab a drink and snacks and watch ball games. THey had Ok St and KState playing on the TVs. We had to get that fixed quick. A Texas fan did ask who we were rooting for in the OM/KY game......seriously????? He didn't realize the Egg Bowl rivalry. Overall, the Texas fans were extremely hospitable to us. Back to the live music set up......it was cool. State really needs to move their live music for GameDay to the Ampitheater and move the black tents to the Junction.

Only other thing.....the in stadium experience was much like anywhere else. Hype videos, Bevo intro.....very little band, mostly rap music, salute to service...."welcome back to campus...." WHich they played the music almost every down until our center bent over to place his hand on the ball...........I don't want to hear anything about our cowbells.. OH........That damn canon. That is annoying and I imagine a shock for any visitor the first time it explodes. On the TD at the end of the first half.....our DB should file suit for damaged hearing as they set that thing off with he and the Tx WR very close to it.

Anyways....cool city, nice people, decent stadium experience. Would do again, if we field a competitive team.

Did you see my brother and his extended family there? They are the ones that were leaning so far to the left they had trouble walking.