‘Chronicle’ 2011 Lake Food: Trailers

Trailer action out by the lake is centered along Ranch Road 620, and compared to the trailer frenzy in Austin proper, the scene could be described as sparse at best. The problem is that there don’t seem to be a lot of ideal locations for drivers to easily pull off and back on the busy road, and there are already businesses where those places exist. Many of the open spots are in blazing sun with zero shade. Much of the roadside property seems to be in real estate limbo, waiting for investors to get that magic megaprice for the next luxury condo development or très exclusive mini-neighborhood. Those folks just don’t want food trailers as neighbors.

Sandy’s Hamburger Hut

Sandy’s is the grande dame of Lakeway roadside eateries, having been there for many years. It’s not technically a trailer, but rather a kind of double-wide prefablike building with a tiny, narrow dining room and a sea of shaded picnic tables outside. Think old-school mom-and-pop hamburger stand serving up great, juicy, flat-top burgers; hand-cut fries; and hand-dipped onion rings. Breakfast and breakfast tacos draw a big crowd early, and the specials are well worth trying.

Chi-Town

Again, this is technically not a trailer, but rather a trailerlike space with picnic tables scattered around and a small dining room on the north end. This place is devoted to Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef hoagies, hot dogs with numerous regional toppings, fried sides, and Italian ices. The dogs are all Vienna brand, and the hoagie rolls are from the Gonnella Baking Company, both of Chicago. The Italian beef ($6.59) melts in your mouth, and be sure you order it wet (au jus), sweet (roasted peppers), and hot (IL Primo giardiniera). Your classic dog ($3.59) will come with mustard, electric-green relish, a dill spear, tomato slices, onions, sport peppers, and celery salt; and don’t pass up the footlong bacon-wrapped fried dog ($5.99) either!

Komana-I-Wana Hawaiian Shave Ice

Gary and Mary Johnson’s temple of shaved ice has a reputation for being as friendly as they come. Tucked down a sloping drive, you can drive through or order at the window and sit in the shade at the tables. They shave the ice superthin and pour the syrup strong – perfect on a 105-degree afternoon.

Mexicanos Taquerias Rosita

Rosita’s offers $1 breakfast tacos, $1.50 tacos, $2.50 quesadillas and burritos, and $3.50 tortas with all the usual meats, but its specialty is the pambazo ($3.50) – a bolillo bun dipped in chile sauce and stuffed with meat. Posole and menudo are available on Saturday for $5.

Frozy’s Shaved Ice

Thirty-one flavors of pure cane-sugar-based flavored syrups soak through the shaved ice; it’s a perfect foil for the blistering heat out by the lake for $2.50, $3, or $4. Frozy’s even has a Tiger’s Blood syrup, so let Charlie Sheen know ASAP!

Taqueria Los Botellos

Located just east of Mansfield Dam Recreation Park in the parking lot of the Marshall Ford Food Mart, Taqueria los Botellos serves excellent tacos ($1.50), tostadas ($2.50), burritos ($3), and tortas ($3.50), plus the usual breakfast items and pastor, fajita, barbacoa, and tongue. You’ll also find live minnows, cigars, and cheap gas next door.

Hey Cupcake!

Shiny Airstream trailers with huge cupcakes on their roofs dish out $3 minicakes of sugar and richness. Two of its five locations are on Ranch Road 620, which begs consideration of the mysterious connection between Lake Travis and cupcakes.

This article appears in July 1 • 2011.