I wrote this post as part of the Austin Food Blogger Alliance City Guide, but really, that was just an excuse to take a culinary romp through a restaurant menu where no choice is a bad one.
Pulled Pork Frito Pie and the Tiny Salad.
I ham in love with Texas Honey Ham Company. This hidden gem in Westlake offers more than just ham, although they do ham very, very well. My first experience with the restaurant was on a day when we had a meeting at my office, and I was asked to order sandwiches for those involved. Falling back on the “I buy, you fly” rule, my boss greenlighted lunch for me on the company dime. I chose the Little Salad, as their menu stated it is a smaller version of their Big Salad. The Big Salad’s menu description is “a large bowl of mixed greens, tomato, red onions, cheese, carrots, a boiled egg and homemade croutons” along with your choice of homemade dressings (Ranch, Honey Mustard or Balsamic Vinagrette). You can add ham, bacon, turkey or pulled pork for a few bucks more.
What the menu does not convey is that the Big Salad is a huge salad. When I unpacked our order, I found a Little Salad roughly the size of Rhode Island. It was easily three times as much salad as I’d expected, especially for the price. The Big Salad is sized large enough to feed four people. The Tiny Salad, a smaller version of the Little, is pictured above. Look carefully at the photo and you’ll see that the Tiny is big enough to feature an entire boiled egg.
Lunch crowds picking up To Go orders at Texas Honey Ham Co.
The generous portion sizes show in the sandwiches, too. There is a valid reason to offer 1/2 sandwiches at Texas Honey Ham Co. Their sandwiches are hefty! Order one of these sandwiches for lunch, and I guarantee you will not be attached by the 3pm munchies. You’ll find ham sandwiches, and ham salad sandwiches on the menu along with turkey, a satisfyingly cheesy grilled cheese, turkey and a BLT that’s kicked up a notch with the addition of red onion and mustard.
One of the many breakfast taco specials, the El Apache has sausage, bacon, egg, cheese, Frito and ranchero sauce.
Do not be fooled into thinking the soups and sides will be ordinary. The ham bone soup alone is worth the drive if you’re not normally in West Austin. And for convenience, their soups and sides such as baked potato casserole, apple slaw and pulled pork are available in four different sizes. Feeding the family just got easier.
The breakfast tacos are legendary here, and I’m quite surprised that more of Austin doesn’t head West to try them. Take a hint from a dude in town that cooks a bit, and check them out for yourself. Not only should you try the tacos, but also the Pig in a Pancake Blanket (grilled honey ham with a pancake wrapped lovingly around it), or order a Breakfast Roll, which is a grilled roll, fried egg, cheese and your choice of meat. This is serious food. Seriously good, seriously yummy. Their website says “We love to make people happy, and we have noticed that this is easy to do with a warm smile and really, really good food.” Mission, accomplished.
On my last visit, I indulged in a Pulled Pork Frito Pie. This ain’t your Friday night football stadium Frito pie. Fritos are heaped in a mound of pulled pork doused with ham bone soup, house made tangy barbecue sauce, and cheese. Next time I’ll ask for some chopped onions, but honestly I didn’t even miss them at the time. I wisely ordered the little Frito pie, which was as big as my face. I also ordered the Tiny Salad, and couldn’t do it justice after munching my way through the Frito Pie.
What to order for breakfast: Frigas! Eggs scrambled with Fritos, ranchero sauce and cheese, with a side of baked potato hash and frijoles. You get two tortillas as well, to either make tacos or use in another fashion to scoop up the deliciousness. My grandmother made a very similar dish, and this one tugs at my heartstrings as well as fills my tummy. Panza llena, corazon contento.
What to order for lunch: The Choice Slice Sandwich, a whopping 1/3lb of honey ham, lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese, red onion, “dirty mustard” and mayo on a toasted bun. Trust me.
Where you can find these ham-centric delights: Texas Honey Ham Company is located at 3736 Bee Cave Road, Suite 6, in the Forum Shopping Center. Parking can be difficult at lunch time, but there is additional parking behind the center.
Call in orders to go, or for catering requests: (512) 330-9888
Get it while it’s hot: They’re open Monday – Saturday from 7am until 6pm, and on Sundays from 8am until 2pm.
WiFi: Not offered at this time.
Website: www.texashoneyham.com
Social Media: Follow them on Twitter, and like them on Facebook, to stay up to date on specials. Texas Honey Ham is locally owned, by friendly folks, so reach out and say howdy.
Y’all know I love Skinny Limits‘s juices, and have read my tweets supporting this locally grown venture. I’m excited that they are featured tonight in an episode of “Buy This Restaurant” on the Food Network. I’m a fan of anytime a national spotlight is shining down on a local restaurant, food truck or chef, but since Skinny Limits has been a huge part of my personal quest to become healthier, I’m even more excited. Seriously tasty, this is so far the only line of juices that have allowed me to successfully accomplished a juice cleanse. Their juice cafe offers more than just juice, with delicious grab & go snacks and meals, including a vegan cashew-based queso served with veggie chips.
