Last week it felt like I went on a mini tour of Texas – a few hours of shopping and friends in Dallas, home to see my family in Stephenville…
to a lovely friend’s ranch wedding outside Killeen…

I can’t take too much credit for making Meredith look beautiful – it’s not hard to do pretty hair and makeup on a former Miss Montana USA! (and Miss Congeniality winner I might add!)
…and since Killeen is so close to Austin… I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see a longtime friend and check out a tiny piece of their renowned food scene!
South Congress Cafe had come highly recommended and after viewing several different restaurant menus, it seemed like an easy choice! It’s a known fact that South Congress Cafe has one of the most coveted brunches in Austin, so it’s also a known fact that you’re gonna have to wait a while to get it. My friends and I were lucky enough to find seats at the bar where I downed several iced americanos and they enjoyed mimosas, so the wait didn’t seem bad at all.
We decided to share 3 different items so we could get a good sampling and I’m not sure what my favorite was because it was all ridiculous.
Um… carrot cake french toast… what?!?

Just in case I needed to sell this to you more, it is comprised of: carrot cake and cinnamon vanilla egg batter served with cream cheese-pecan syrup.
Short-Rib Hash:
….aaaand an Austin staple, Migas, which I clearly couldn’t keep my fork out of for long enough to take a photo of it in one piece…

I think it’s safe to say I’m PASSIONATE about Mexican brunch items and this dish is everything I want at any brunch: eggs, house made corn tortillas, tomatoes, onions, jalapeƱos, three cheese blend, refried black beans, smoked gouda potato pancake, and choice of salsa
It was also so great catching up with Callie, who might literally be my longest friendship… I don’t remember ever not knowing her.
All in all, I had so much fun on this trip and would love to spend more time in Austin exploring their food and music scene! Where are your favorite places in Austin?