Above you will find a picture of the Texas Hill Country - an area in and around the Austin area where I grew up.


And this image is the logo of my new favorite restaurant, Hill Country. Deep in the heart of New York City ("New York City?!") is a home away from home for Texans like me. I walked in to the sweet smell of slow cooked brisket, sausage and chicken...I look over at the bar and there's Lone Star beer longnecks...and right in front of me if the biggest rusted steel star of Texas welcoming me home....and playing on the overhead speakers, none other than Bob Schneider.

I had brisket, bourbon sweet potato mash, green bean casserole with the crunchy things on top and a Blue Moon beer. Oh! And our group shared a dessert of pecan (pronounced "puh-con" not "pee-can") pie topped with a Texan favorite, Blue Bell ice cream.

I admit I was skeptical of a place like this, but I declare that this place is GOOD! Here's a list of ways they can improve...just a tad.

1) the white bread accompanying the brisket was a must, thanks for including it, but truthfully it was a little thick. I'd like a thin slice of Mrs. Baird's bread, so soft you feel like balling it up before eating it.

2) Shiner Bock - I know you cant have it delivered above the Mason Dixon line, but seriously, find a way.

Other than that, it was a great evening. And to top it off, as we were finishing our meal, "Whiskey River" by Willie Nelson was playing on the sound system. Sigh.