I swear that's the first thing I asked myself when I read that article. "Huh? Did I read that right?"
Pier 21, in Galveston, which is now a Landry's, was an institution, as far as I'm concerned. Now it's simply another Landry's. I have no idea how old it was when it was sold to the rich guy who's bought half of Galveston, and almost all of Kemah, but it meant a great deal to me, for personal reasons. They had killer shrimp poorboys, as well. If you want to fixate on the word "institution," Fatty, go ahead. I don't care. When I'm in an eatery that fits the description, I know it. To each his/her own. I will miss Las Manitas very much.
I lived in Austin for five years, read or heard about most every business in the city, and I have no memory of Las Manitas. It can't have been that big a deal, can it?
Isabel, maybe it helps if you are involved, directly or indirectly, with something downtown, in my case, the state capitol. Las Manitas, besides being a popular hangout of musicians, writers, people in the media, is also a big hangout of those associated, one way or another, with the state government. I've eaten 5 feet from Ann Richards, on a few occasions, Bob Bullock (when he was alive, not as a zombie), and even Rick Perry. Members of the Legislature eat there. Lobbyists eat there. State employees eat there. Yes, you see people like Larry McMurtry, or his son, a musician you may have heard of, folks like Joe Ely, and many more. Someone could go there and see no one of note, but if you are a regular, you can see a whole bunch of people you read about in the media. And the food is great. It's more Central American than Mexican, in some ways. Good stuff!
Keep fighting the good fight, Deckard. There's nothing I love more than people who've never even set foot in a place arguing about its history. Also, the building has been there much longer than the restaurant correct? Major and I would eat there probably three times a week when we had our first Swirve offices across 2nd street. The pastor plate with their green sauce has my hungover mouth watering right now.
Las Manitas rocks and it will be very sad if Austin loses it. But I'm sure the city can always use another Starbucks. I mean you can never have enough Starbucks.
It isn't like this place is going to completely go away, its just moving to another location. Why is that such a big deal? It isn't like it is a free standing building that they built with their own hands 100 years ago. It is a strip next to a daycare. I don't think that Austin is going to stop being weird because they move a 25 year old mexican joint a couple blocks down the road.
More Starbucks and empty hotels. Sounds like where I live now. I've seen McMurtry, Ann Richards, and sat next to Owen Wilson while he slurped coffee and read the paper. The layout of the place is what makes it unique. It will lose it's personality if they move it.
that sucks...In honor of this event, I'm gonna eat some chirizo con huevos for my next breakfast... (no, I never been there, but I know places can hold a reverence in the community)
Thank god, there are some people who have actually been there! Yes, the remaining buildings are old. I'm not naive enough to believe there won't be some development on the block, but it would be nice if the old could be preserved alongside the new. See above! Yes, the layout is a bit of a trip, as is the eclectic art on the walls. Good show, gif! Can't have enough Starbucks, can we?
Actually, according to merriam webster online, "fajitas" is a description of how a food is prepared, not the actual meat. Main Entry: fa·ji·ta Pronunciation: f&-'hE-t&, fä- Function: noun Etymology: American Spanish, diminutive of Spanish faja sash, belt, probably from Catalan faixa, from Latin fascia band -- more at FASCIA : a marinated strip usually of beef or chicken grilled or broiled and served usually with a flour tortilla and various savory fillings -- usually used in plural This whole vegetarian chorizo thing is still bugging me, though...Deckard, RM95, have you tried this item? Is it any good?
Ditto. I need to call my wife and tell her and her best friend to eat breakfast this morning at Las Manitas instead of Juan's.
I dunno. Have y'all ever been to Felix's? It's next door to me, and although it claims to be a "Marvin Zindler" mainstay, it was the most gawd-awful food I've ever tasted. To each their own, I suppose. I make a mean vegetarian brisket, for those who are interested.
and you dont think they can replicate that layout? c'mon.... like others have said, this place has only been there for 25 years, and it's not like it's located in a historic building.... it's just a popular restaraunt. and it will get rebuilt, probably very close to the original location... and more than likely, the same lively characters that go there now will go there later. and i keep hearing the "empty hotels" thing being thrown around, but guess what? austin needs more hotels downtown, especially when they play host to annual events like SXSW and ACL. like i said, austin is growing.... fast. you cant impede the progress of a growing community to save every popular restaraunt, establishment, etc.
