Farm To Fork
Austin, Texas, USA
Cuisine Style: Southwestern
Average Price: $$
Overall Rating: 5/5
Dined in March 2015
By Sean Overpeck (CFE)
**A full article and index glossary of restaurants, wines, recipes and travel for
Wine Dine and Play are in the pages section above, or by following these links:
Executive Chef:
Jack Gilmore
Rogelio Lujano
Jack Allen’s Kitchen is located in the heartland of America, Texas; home to Cowboys, Indians, Bandits, and former Republican and Democrat Presidents. The Capital City of Austin, named after the patriot of the Texas Revolution, is not only home to one of the most fantastic Capital buildings I have ever seen, but also to a food scene that I did not anticipate, but was greatly pleased to take part and enjoy. Two of the top listed restaurants in the United States are in Austin, and if you ever saw the film Chef, the story has them driving their food truck into Austin and enjoying some favorites before moving on to California. With that wonderful cuisine, Jack Allen’s Kitchen was no exception to that rule, with four locations, I’m very glad that while visiting my girlfriend (at the time) and now my wife introduced me to them.
Menu:
- Starters
- Git Yer Green’s
- Ice Cold Mason Jars
- Grillin’s
- Chicken Fried Anything
- South Texas Tacos
- In The Bun
- Desserts
Happy hour, or an extended one at that, is something that I had never really taken advantage of in most places that I traveled or lived. I am very traditional having the three squares a day, but at the same time am open to just about anything, especially when it comes to food. My wife had lived in Austin for nearly a decade and used to work with the restaurants as a wine representative, so she got to know all the in’s and outs, knowing which places to go, and which to avoid. Like her, I enjoy the restaurants that are privately owned with local featured cuisine and talent versus the big name corporate restaurants that are everywhere.
We arrived around 4pm, the restaurant location in an area known as Oak Hill. It had a very large open dining room and kitchen with bar to the right as you entered. Being that it was a very nice spring day, we sat on their patio, an enclosed ceiling area with its own bar, over twenty tables, and a brick fireplace at one end facing the parking lot, with Williamson Creek and a small grouping of trees to the opposite side for scenic views. Above the fireplace was a sign for Highway 71, the main thoroughfare outside the restaurant.
My wife enjoys Rosé wine, so from their list she had a Washington State selection called Charles & Charles Winery Part of the Trinchero Family Estate of wines. The Rosé was a blend of Syrah (72%), Mourvedre (8%), Cabernet Sauvignon (8%), Grenache (6%), Cinsault (3%), and Counoise (3%). According to the winemaker, the color is vibrant pink, salmon, and fuchsia edges. More than ever, the wild red fruit of strawberry, raspberry and Bing cherry are interwoven with Herbs de Provence and grass, a touch of citrus and an even greater presence of minerality. Being happy hour, this was the perfect time to enjoy several appetizers from the menu, though of course, they had a normal selection of salads and entree’s to offer as well. Our first appetizer was a southern classic that I had gained an appreciation for after moving to Georgia in the late 1990s, a pimento cheese dip with flatbread crackers. Very flavorful, with the right consistency of cream cheese to cheddar, and spice making it very enjoyable.
 |
| Pimento cheese |
The second dish which I believe was my favorite of the night was a smoked beef rib quesadillas, with pepper jack cheese, sautéed onions, and bell peppers, topped with a nice semi-spicy slaw called ‘JAK’s Slaw’. Every bite I took into those quesadillas was truly heaven, and I would not be ashamed to say that in the future I would attempt to copy this dish and use it for parties and social gatherings.
 |
| Beef rib quesadillas |
The third dish of enjoyment to match the next round of drinks was a spinach and gorgonzola cheese dip, with enough garlic to send my heart racing for more after each bite. It had the power to kill the strongest of vampires, but not overpowering to not be enjoyable. It reminded of the wonderful incorporation of the herb that the chef used in his dishes from the restaurant Garlic in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. The dish was served with four pieces of grilled ciabatta bread.
 |
| Spinach and gorgonzola cheese dip |
The final dish of the happy hour adventure was a bacon wrapped Texas quail dish with six small quail legs, a jalapeño jam, and a peach jam, over a micro green fig salad. Absolutely delightful, that was a close tie with the quesadillas as my favorite dish. By the time that course was complete we had no room for dessert, and our little happy hour excursion turned up as being a complete filling meal, and we were able to skip out on a regular dinner meal that evening.
 |
| Texas quail |
Please see these guidelines for Tipping in Restaurants and on following proper etiquette, customs, cultures, and avoiding assumptions when you dine out.
Wine regulatory’s for the tastings in this article:
United States:
California:
Other Noteworthy Farm-to-Fork or Farm to Table Articles & Restaurants:
Bistro at Biltmore Classy farm to table eatery in Asheville, North Carolina
FarmTable Kitchen Casual Cal-Italian cuisine and chef tables in St. Petersburg, Florida
Food 101 Farm-to-table eatery offering Southern classics in Sandy Springs, Georgia
Harvest Moon Café Farm-to-Fork Daily changing New American fare menu in Sonoma, California
McCrady’s Tavern Acclaimed high-concept inspired Farm to Table tavern in Charleston, South Carolina
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
Other Austin restaurants and articles on Wine Dine and Play:
|
Local eatery for Tex-Mex, chili, & American cuisine
Austin, Texas, USA
|
Eclectic global plates and sushi
Austin, Texas, USA
|
Landmark Mexican Restaurant
Austin, Texas, USA
|
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary by country”
Final notes, review basics, observations and more pictures:
Most reviews are subjective, depending on the writer; but they should also be responsible, and respectfully written, upholding the truth, and accurately conveying the experience to the best of the writer's knowledge, even if it includes metaphors the restaurant may not like to read about. My ratings are by the stars I award (from 0 to 5). The rating is calculated on a point accumulation of six separate factors based on individual experience. They include wine and other beverage selections, plate presentation, customer service, restaurant or café ambiance, food quality, and wow factor. To see more details of this rating list, read this article:
Scores are detailed in the factor chart below:
Formula Factor Conclusions and Overall Ratings
|
Max Points Possible:
|
Total Points Awarded:
|
Total Points deducted:
|
Ambiance
|
10
|
10
|
0
|
Food quality
|
10
|
9.5
|
0.5
|
Plate presentation
|
8
|
8
|
0
|
Customer service
|
7
|
6
|
1
|
Alcohol and other beverages
|
10
|
9
|
1
|
Total regular points awarded
|
45
|
42.5
|
2.5
|
Total percentage Before Bonus
|
0.955555555555556
|
||
“Wow” factor BONUS
|
5
|
1
|
0
|
Total bonus percentage
|
0.0222222222222222
|
||
Total percentage with a bonus for the final star rating
|
0.977777777777778
|
||
Stars Awarded (see chart below)
|
0 - 5
|
5
|
**A full break down and explanation of the observations and point disbursement is available in the linked article above. To receive a detailed copy of your score, feel free to contact me at any time and I will provide it to you.**
***
Overall Star Rating:
|
5 of 5 Stars:
97% Rating with a 1 point “wow” bonus
An Extraordinary Dining Experience
|
Wine List:
|
|
Wine rating:
|
6.5 of 10
Old World selections:
France, Italy, Portugal
New World selections:
Argentina, New Zealand, California, Oregon, Washington State, Texas
|
Corkage fee’s:
|
This Restaurant does not list any corkage fee’s however, most American restaurants charge
$25.00 per bottle
|
Restaurant style:
|
Casual dining
|
Cuisine Style:
|
American, Southwestern
Allergen or dietary accommodations:
Farm to Fork, Gluten Free, Grass Fed, Local, Low Carb, Organic, Pescatarian, Sustainable, Vegan Options, Vegetarian
|
Reservations:
|
Not Required
Walk-Ins:
Accepted, but not guaranteed
|
Dress code:
|
Casual attire
|
Child policy:
|
The Restaurants reviewed on this site may have a kids menu or cater to them; however, for full enjoyment of food and wine, it is recommended that kids not to be in attendance, unless they have been trained in proper etiquette.
If not then:
Hire a Babysitter!
|
Experiences:
|
Place for foodies, Contemporary, Trendy, Hotspot, Great bar, Great outdoor dining, Good for special occasions, Great brunch, and a Neighborhood Gem.
|
Payments:
|
Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
|
Parking:
|
Valet and Private lot
|
Wifi
|
The restaurants reviewed on this site may have Wi-Fi, but do not require you to go online, because the excitement of the food and wine alone will keep you too entertained instead of checking your social media and emails.
|
Noise level:
|
Medium
|
Smoking:
|
Nonsmoking restaurant, and nonsmoking patio
|
Patio or terrace:
|
Yes
|
Food Prices
(excludes, alcohol, taxes & 20% gratuity’s)
$£€¥ - Under 50.00 (inexpensive)
$£€¥ x 2 - 51.00- 99.00 (moderate)
$£€¥ x 3 - Over 100.00 (pricey)
$£€¥ x 4 - Over 200.00 (expensive)
$£€¥ x 5 - Over 400.00 (very expensive)
**Currencies reflect the world’s major travelers, restaurant, or wine connoisseur’s**
Currency:
|
Price
|
United States Dollar (USD)
|
$$
|
Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
|
££
|
Canadian Dollar (CAN)
|
$$$
|
Chinese Yuan (CNY)
|
¥¥¥¥¥
|
European Union (EUR)
|
€€
|
Jack Allen’s Kitchen:
Oak Hill
7720 Highway 71 West
Austin, TX 78735
Contact Information:
Restaurant website:
|
|
Maître d or host:
|
+1 512 852 8558
|
Online reservations
|
|
Email Contact:
|
|
Serving hours:
Central Standard Time
(GMT, Zulu, or UTC - 6:00)
|
Brunch: Sun
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Mon-Sun
11:00 am - 110:00 pm
Happy Hour: Mon-Fri
3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
|
Social Media
&
Accolades:
|
|
****
The worlds best restaurants is a subjective list of who is writing it and changes on a regular basis. The Wine Dine and Play best experiences are based on my highest rated stared restaurants, meaning that the visit was an outstanding or extraordinary experience. From cafés, chains, mom + pops, hole in the walls, to fine dining including a few Michelin spots. Visit the Top 100 page to see the entire list.
A few to tease you with…
|
Farm-to-Table Southern bites spot Sandy Springs, Georgia, USA
|
Fine-dining waterfront spot for grilled fish and steaks
Indian Shores, Florida, USA
|
Native American Cuisine w/Barbacoa Grilling
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
Other Pictures:
 |
| Patio |
“Culinary perfection consists not in doing extraordinary things,
But in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
-Angelique Arnauld (1591-1661)
Who is John Galt?
TTFN
