Tastemakers :: Fresa’s, Austin

I’ve been bursting with excitement to unveil the series we’ve been working on with our newest contributor, Elizabeth Winslow. I first got to know Elizabeth when we collaborated on this feature of her gorgeous home, and I could immediately tell from her warmth, creativity and unbelievably vast cookbook selection that she was a foodie soulmate…and definitely a person I needed to do more projects with. When she recently launched her newest venture, Haymakers, to provide resources and inspiration to food entrepreneurs, it seemed the perfect time. Elizabeth (and her husband Thomas, behind the lens!) will be stopping by the blog bi-weekly to share the stories behind the most inspiring food artisans, distillers, retailers, farmers, restauranteurs, bakers, chefs, tastemakers, and innovators. She’s kicking it off with one of my absolute favorite spots in Austin: Fresa’s. I won’t give too much away (click through Thomas’s incredible photos for all the details) but suffice it to say that I’ve been known to eat Fresa’s chargrilled chicken and salty cajeta ice cream 3 times in one week. (Let’s keep that our little secret).

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Tastemaker Margaret Vera of Fresa's Chicken | Elizabeth Winslow for Camille Styles

Elizabeth: When my babies were tiny, the last thing that was happening to me was epiphany.  But for Margaret Vera, those too-busy days and sleepless nights of new motherhood brought necessity and invention. “I was way too busy to cook, so I sent my husband out for chicken al carbon,” a Tex Mex standby of charcoal-grilled chicken with charred onions and peppers. “He set the bag on the table in front of me and I looked at it and said, ‘I know what I’m going to do next!’” and Fresa’s, the chicken al carbon drive-through she opened with partners Larry McGuire, Tom Moorman and Tracy Overath was born.

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  • Tastemaker Margaret Vera of Fresa's Chicken | Elizabeth Winslow for Camille Styles
  • Tastemaker Margaret Vera of Fresa's Chicken | Elizabeth Winslow for Camille Styles
  • Tastemaker Margaret Vera of Fresa's Chicken | Elizabeth Winslow for Camille Styles
  • Tastemaker Margaret Vera of Fresa's Chicken | Elizabeth Winslow for Camille Styles
  • Tastemaker Margaret Vera of Fresa's Chicken | Elizabeth Winslow for Camille Styles
  • Tastemaker Margaret Vera of Fresa's Chicken | Elizabeth Winslow for Camille Styles
  • Tastemaker Margaret Vera of Fresa's Chicken | Elizabeth Winslow for Camille Styles
  • Tastemaker Margaret Vera of Fresa's Chicken | Elizabeth Winslow for Camille Styles
  • Tastemaker Margaret Vera of Fresa's Chicken | Elizabeth Winslow for Camille Styles
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16 Responses to “Tastemakers :: Fresa’s, Austin”

  1. Elise {Buttercream & Roses}

    Love this post. It’s making me so hungry. Haven’t eaten breakfast yet and now I want chicken for dinner. I’m want to plan a trip to Texas this would be a place I would love to visit.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Winslow

      Elise, come visit us! Fresa’s is the perfect place to experience the Austin vibe.

      Reply
  2. Rachel See Smith, MA, MT-BC

    This series is right up my alley!!!! I have a list of places I want to eat here in Austin, and this one was definitely on it!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Winslow

      Awesome! Would love to hear the highlights of your list.

      Reply
  3. Ashley @ Yeah. We Bake.

    What a great new feature! It’s 10:00am on the West Coast and I’m sooo hungry after reading that. Suppose that’s the point ;)

    xo,
    Ashley

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Winslow

      I love making people hungry! At least you’re closer to Gjelina than we are . . .

      Reply
      • Ashley @ Yeah. We Bake.

        Haha! I’m moving to Austin in the summer and Gjelina is on my bucket list to visit before we leave LA!

        -Ashley

        Reply
  4. Chris

    Elizabeth, we Austinites realize how lucky we are to have Fresa’s! Stopped by just a few days ago for
    our favorite takeout meal in town — fresh, spicy and delicious. and i haven’t even tried the ice cream yet :)

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Winslow

      Hi Chris–glad to know you love it as much as we do. I can’t wait for you to try the ice cream–seriously delicious (I can highly recommend the salty cajeta. That’s right, I said “salty cajeta.” ‘Nough said!)

      Reply
    • Elizabeth Winslow

      Hi Macy–that’s great! Glad to pass on the Fresa’s love–let us know what you think.

      Reply
  6. Heidi

    We’re visiting Austin this May (for my 30th!) and Fresa is definitely on my list! Any other gems I must see? We’re only there for 3 days and I know I’ll not want to leave! x

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Winslow

      You can always come back, we’ll be here! My favorites are La Condesa, East Side Kings, The Peached Tortilla, Ramen Tatsu-Ya, Elizabeth St. Cafe, Clark’s, Sway, The Backspace, Contigo, Uchi & Uchiko, what am I forgetting?

      Reply

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