Parker Brothers Traildust Steakhouse

Delicious steaks just a quick drive from Denton

Parker Brothers Traildust Steakhouse is easy to describe: the big red barn. It has all the physical traits of a great steakhouse. Sitting right off highway 380 near the intersection for FM 720 the building, or barn, gives it an old-timey look and other businesses seem far enough away to give it that country feel.

The place is huge. It seemed odd for a place its size to be so quiet on the night we went in. We went on a Tuesday night and I was hoping this wasn’t a bad sign. The restaurant was dimly lit and had a dancehall right in the middle near the jukebox. The interior design didn’t disappoint from my outside expectations. The waitress seated us at a booth right below a cow rug. Willie Nelson played over the speakers as she handed us the menus.

The selection of steaks was great like I had expected. The waitress recommended her favorites as I looked on. The menu included a few sandwich options for those not wanting steaks. The scout burger and chicken fried chicken sandwich sounded fantastic and were at reasonable prices of $8 each. Seafood was also offered. Fish tacos and salmon fillets were on the menu along with grilled catfish.

The steaks were hard to choose from. My friend and I decided to order the maverick, a 6 oz. tenderloin for $15, and the hoss, a 12 oz. center cut sirloin for the same price. To vary the tenderness and taste, we had the hoss medium-rare and the maverick medium. The menu gave us the liberty to pick two sides each. I was surprised when I didn’t see potato salad on the menu. We went with the country style beans, baked potato, mashed potatoes and the steak fries instead.

After we ordered is when I saw it. I didn’t believe what I was seeing. It’s a dimly lit restaurant after all. Near the front of the restaurant was a metal slide angled toward the dance floor. A slide in a restaurant is just too rare to pass up no matter your age. My friend and I gave it a whirl while waiting for our food. After working up more of an appetite, the waitress dropped off some Texas toast as we returned to our booth. Buttered to perfection, it was a great teaser before the steaks.

Both steaks came out great. The hoss had a great, deep red color inside and left you with a smoky flavor. The maverick was deliciously juicy. It had a fuller flavor that wasn’t so peppery, giving credit to the tenderness and flavor of the meat alone. All four sides complemented the steaks well. The steak fries were crispy and golden, unlike the soggy, boring steak fries I’ve tried elsewhere. With the bread and two sides per steak, it is a lot to handle, but who goes to steakhouses to eat light?

Parker Brothers Traildust Steakhouse proved me wrong by thinking a slow night could be an omen. I left fully satisfied. I definitely will return, maybe this time coming earlier for happy hour.

Parker Brothers Traildust Steakhouse

26501 US Highway 380 E

Aubrey, TX 76227

www.trailduststeaks.net

An afternoon with Bananarchy

I first saw Bananarchy around a year ago while it was still near Barton Springs Road. Not sure why I didn't stop by the first time, but the name stuck with me. I′m using this is as my example of how a simple, clever name can make me search all of South Austin for the new location among a sea of other trailer park eateries in the neighborhood. 

I guess it was just a special day. It was hotter than silk boxers in an Austin summer and nothing sounded better than a frozen banana. 

It was unusually quiet as I walked up to the front of the banana stand. I was expecting to see a closed sign, but was soon greeted by a girl wearing a spoon on her head. Do not reread that last sentence. You read it correctly.

I decided to toss aside the menu and take advantage of making my own custom frozen banana. The place is like a Marble Slab without the ice cream. All your favorite ingredients on standby, waiting to be rolled onto a chocolate dipped, frozen banana. Of course I got the sprinkles. 

I never realized how hard I am to please with toppings until now. While I was waiting for what I put off for nearly a year, I could only think of how lousy of a job she would do with the toppings. I had to swallow my pride and quickly take that back. It was glorious. I thought I was about to eat a Christmas ornament. Every bite was delicious. The banana seemed to be perfectly frozen, and didn't fall apart like I thought it would. If there is a frozen banana standard, this is it. 

This is the only banana stand I know of in Austin. Well, the only banana stand I know of anywhere. 

Face it. I don′t see a cold front coming in anytime soon. If you′re in the neighborhood, stop by and try out a frozen banana as a delicious snack alternative. 


Location: 603 West Live Oak Street
Austin, TX 78734