Food-o-File

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Austin's New Pizza Guys

There are some brand new players in the local pizza delivery game. Young entrepreneurs Fred Tan, Clay McLaughlin, and Lauren Caputo have opened Austin's Pizza (800 W. 12th, 474-8822) across the street from the ACC Rio Grande campus. The new pizza guys offer a simple proposition and a pretty good pie: only one size of pizza (large) on one kind of crust (thin) with 16 topping choices and a two-liter soda. A large pie with four toppings is $8.99 and the same pie with unlimited toppings is only $10.99. They have no heat lamps so pies are delivered hot from the oven. Delivery is available in an area bounded by Town Lake, I-35, and 38th. The first store is doing so well that the owners are negotiating on a second location at Hwy. 620 and RR 2222.

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It's Not All Out of Print

For those readers who grumbled because so many books in my "Desert Island" lists were out of print, I'd suggest you check the "out of print" areas at amazon.com as well as bn.com if you're interested in tracking down some of those titles. One of my favorite cookbooks that is definitely not out of print is Cooking Texas Style (UT Press, 254 pp., $19.95) by San Antonio sisters Candy Wagner and Sandra Marquez. The authors are also fifth-generation Texans and their wonderful book contains a treasure-trove of authentic Texas homestyle cooking which reflects the Southern, German, and Hispanic influences in Lone Star cuisine. The new 10th anniversary hardback edition offers more than 60 new recipes and is a must-have addition to any serious Texas cookbook collection.

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Ice Cream Novelties

Bob, the friendly Häagen Dazs delivery guy, dropped off some delicious samples the other day. Both Ben & Jerry's and Häagen Dazs have added new flavors of ice cream bars to their stellar product lines. Cherry Garcia, Phish Food, and Coffee Heath Bar Crunch are just a few of the beloved B&J flavors now available enrobed in rich chocolate coating as ice cream bars. The Häagen Dazs folks offer vanilla, chocolate, and coffee ice cream covered with dark chocolate and almonds. Their newest treat is the wildly popular Dulce de Leche ice cream bar in a caramel coating. My fondness for Dulce de Leche is no secret and the caramel-coated bar is really good but if they ever dip Dulce de Leche in chocolate with toffee crunch, I'm in serious trouble.

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Bocaditos

The young owners of Wings of Texas (2828 Rio Grande) found out the hard way that it's not a good idea to open a restaurant in the campus area when the student population is out of town. The fledgling business has already had to close... Desmond McDermott hasn't been hawking dogs at Sixth and Congress for some months now; he wants his clientele to visit him at Lucky Dogs Chicago-Style Sandwich Factory & Grille (4211 Spicewood Springs, 343-8619). McDermott and the Lucky Dogs owners are now looking for a location to make "authentic Chicago-style pizza."... Javier and Amelia Corona and Maricarmen Dale, owners of Las Palomas (3201 Bee Caves Road, #122, 327-9889), celebrate the restaurant's 17th anniversary Monday evening, February 14. Los Romanceros will provide live music and special dishes will be available in addition to their popular Interior Mexican menu. Vámonos!