Big V - Tryin’ To Make My Way in This World
The Pour House Pub, Red Lobster, El Chilito, McDonald Observatory, The Capri
Yelp Reviews from Big V
A 5-Year Personal Diary & South Texas Business Review
Written by Verna ‘Big V’ S— from New Braunfels, TX,
Who signed her work “Trying to Make My Way in this World”Pour House Pub - CLOSED
$ Pubs, Burgers, Sandwiches
6701 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757
7/20/2017
This place is DA BOMB! It's got tons of local beers on draft and a nice bright atmosphere. LOL!
A few weeks ago a friend of mine from about 15 years ago contacted me out of the blue wanting to meet up. I have been a bit down in the dumps as of late so I tried putting him off but finally decided it was better to just get it over with. LOL!
I suggested we meet for a couple of beers but wanted to make sure to go to a place with a full bar as well. If my memory served me right this guy has a tendency to like to mansplain (booze helps numb the mansplain pain). LOL!
I was delighted to see so many beers on draft & a nice selection of snacks on the menu. The location is easy to find with plenty of parking in the garage. Now my friend had some issues getting there but he's a bit on the older side & doesn't have the easiest time getting around.He claimed his google maps gave him wrong directions but I noticed his flip phone— so question if he was actually using google maps. LOL!
My old pal ordered some quesadillas, gobbled them down quickly & started in lecturing me on the importance of understanding the Trump voters. Once he felt he had sufficiently schooled me on the need to understand Trump's base & the hardships they've face, he then explained how the blame for Trump being President lies solely on Hillary and Obama. LOL!
I downed my beer as quickly as possible, grabbed the drink menu hoping to order something that would help drown out his voice telling me how Bernie could have won.
I went with a double jalapeno margarita light on the jalapeño heavy on the tequila & an extra shot of patron. The waitress was very understanding and quick to get the new drinks to me. LOL!
As the numbing effects of the tequila set in, I was able to successfully steer the conversation away from him explaining the 2016 election to me. We had 15 years to catch up on so he started detailing the health and relationship struggles he has dealt with. Poor guy sounded like he's been through the wringer. His face beamed with pride as he told me that after 15 years, he has finally landed on his feet & recently moved into a nice assisted living facility in South Austin. He seems to really be enjoying his new lifestyle. LOL!
He assured me these places are not like retirement homes of the past. Wednesday nights are movie nights, Friday nights Salsa, and Sundays Game of Thrones in the theater room. It sounded like he has a very active social life there in his new community. He bragged a bit about how many friends he has in Austin. It made me happy for him. I considered warning him of an article I recently read about the rise of STD's among seniors but decided I didn't want to spoil his fun. LOL!
Look if I'm honest with myself which I don't like to be, but I guess a part of me felt a bit envious of the way he has fought through the many many many hardships in his life and come out on the other side. The past 15 years haven't exactly been a cake walk for me either. LOL!
I've struggled with my career, my alcoholism, my cigarette smoking not to mention failed relationship after failed relationship. The past year really threw me for a loop with LYFT/UBER leaving the Austin market. The truth is it just about pushed me over the ledge. I went from feeling happy and secure in my decision to go full time as a ride share driver. I had finally found a career that clicked with me then the GD politics of this stupid town ripped away my happiness. I sunk into a depression. Sure I tried other odd jobs (working for Instacart, Favor, Task Rabbit, etc) but nothing felt as good/rewarding as setting my own schedule, picking up a stranger and taking them to their destination. LOL!!
After meeting up with my friend at the Pour House and seeing how he's gotten to the other side of that 15 year mountain climb, I felt pretty inspired. There might just be a chance for me to get to the other side too. After all Lyft/Uber returned to the Austin market at the end of May. Thanks, Greg Abbott! LOL!!
The only complaint I have with this place is that dogs are not allowed on the patio, I don't get that at all. LOL!
From Susie:
One day I was reading a restaurant Yelp review in South Texas when I came across a posting that blew me away.
It was a woman, “Big V,” who started out writing about a sandwich or a bar, but then her review turned into a bracing personal confession.
Her style and story was so compelling, I clicked on her name and found out she had posted a five year diary of her life in the form of Yelp reviews, and man, a LOT happened.
She has fans, which soon included me. Some people called her the “LOL Lady,” which was her favorite end-of-paragraph touch.
I wrote a fan letter. She acknowledged! And then . . . She disappeared.
I started collecting her stories in order, saving them, and one by one, a secondary story developed — not only did Big V disappear, but nearly all the places she visited closed their doors, gone forever.
I don’t want to say any spoilers — these reviews/stories will wrap you around their finger.
I’ll be presenting Big V’s diary over the next few Fridays. Of course I’d love to hear your memories or reactions too.
Red Lobster
$$ Seafood, American (Traditional)
109 W Anderson Ln, Austin, TX 78752
7/26/2016
The worst part of every weekend for me is knowing that Red Lobster's 4-course feast with unlimited Cheddar Bay biscuits won't be available again until Monday! Hands down this is the best deal in town especially for an underemployed ride-share driver like myself. LOL!!
Sadly, I hadn't been to Red Lobster in quite some time, mostly I blame the ex. Let me tell you though walking in I was beyond impressed with all the updates. There was fresh lobster tank in the waiting area, which as luck would have it on the Saturday night we went, had NO WAIT (also no 4-course feast option). The hostess took us right to our table. The ambiance here was fine dining with a splash of coziness. LOL.
Our server was friendly and seemed to genuinely care about our experience. He suggested the Blue Rogue Wave which was a blue margarita with a souvenir glass! I'd have jumped at the chance to get that souvenir glass if not for my dire current financial situation. LOL.
Since Uber and Lyft left Austin, I've been struggling to make ends meet by driving for a sort of Underground Rideshare Movement. But the competition for these rides is like nothing I've ever seen. Plus now the APD has been setting up stings all over town. I'm fighting hard to not get my car impounded and also make $100 a day. A $10 drink even with the souvenir mug is a NO-CAN-DO. LOL!
I took a fellow ride share driver friend here after he did me a solid (as in floated me a loan). He drives a 7-seater Suburban with leather interior so he's had better luck at keeping business flowing than me in my Nissan sedan. He also works 12-15 hour days which I'm just not built for! LOL.
After he gave me the loan, I insisted on taking him out to the restaurant of his choice and sure enough he chose Red Lobster. Truth be told I was sweating bullets when I saw some of the weekend prices on the menu, seeing as how I'm already a couple hundred bucks in hole with this pal of mine. He's a pretty smart guy though so I think he knew if he ordered the surf and turf that would just add that much more on to the time before I pay him back. LOL!
I felt a real sense of relief when he ordered the fish tacos and a Diet Coke because I knew with my side salad and free cheddar bay biscuits, the both of us could get out of there for less than $25!
My pal has been going through some hard times himself. The fact is, I knew he'd have gotten the bill himself just to stave off the crushing loneliness of his own life.
So when he started to offer to pay the entire bill, a really big part of me didn't want to cut him off but in my heart I knew it was the right thing to do. Even if he does have significantly more earning potential over me with his SUV, I wanted to do something nice for him especially knowing how depressed he's been. LOL!
Poor guy recently left the Church of Scientology and has also separated from his wife. His story actually makes me feel not so bad about myself. I guess he spent a lot of his childhood working on this boat called SeaOrg for the church. From the stories he tells, it sounds like they did a number on him. He's definitely got some tough shit he's working through. The thing I find most inspiring about his story is how he still has a love for sea food. It was nice to see him smile as Red Lobster hit the spot for him, even nicer knowing it was my treat. LOL.
El Chilito - CLOSED
$ Tacos
6425 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757
7/26/2016
El Chilito— What a welcome addition to Burnet Road and to my life. The past 3 months the tacos and cold brew coffee at this joint have helped get me through some pretty dark days. I've been struggling a lot since Uber/LYFT left Austin May 10, 2016. Thanks Ann Kitchens. LOL!
These tacos are not only tasty they are also quite affordable. Plus the staff here always treats me with kindness and respect which I appreciate.
I once read the top 5 stressors in life are death of a loved one, divorce, marital separation, imprisonment, and dismissal from work. The past few years I'm batting close to a 1000— so needless to say my state of mind is not always the best but the food and the folks at El Chilito always improve my outlook.
I wish I could say the same about Taco Deli. LOL!
I appreciate the laid back atmosphere at El Chilito, not to mention the fact that they are open all day and serve breakfast tacos all day long to boot. LOL!
The only thing that could make this anymore of my Happy Place was if it was a Pokemon stop but the Poodle Dog mural next door is so I always make sure and stop by to load up on balls. LOL!
McDonald Observatory
Observatories
3640 Dark Sky Dr, Fort Davis, TX 79734
3/23/2016
Like MLK said, "Only in darkness can you see the stars.“
I absolutely loved this place! My life has been full of failure, heartache, confusion, and hardship after hardship since about 2009— but last week at the observatory, looking up and seeing the stars made me appreciate all the pain I've endured. LOL.
I feel confident things are on the up and up for me. Heck if you'd told me last year I would have a successful career as a rideshare driver for both Uber and LYFT, I wouldn't have believed it! Being out here seeing all the constellations I just knew things are only going to keep getting better and better for me. LOL.
Go to the Star Party, and book in advance! I loved all the Greek mythology part of it too. There's so much to be learned. During my visit here, it hit me that my dark times (from 2009-2015) served a purpose, they got me to where I am now. LOL.
There's a great gift shop here too. I got some of those cool glow in the dark stars to put above my bed to remind me to keep reaching for the stars! LOL.
Capri - CLOSED
$$ American (New), Lounges
603 W San Antonio St, Marfa, TX 79843
3/23/2016
For Spring Break last week my best gay guy friend (Jimmy) flew into El Paso from San Francisco. We decided to spend a week touring West Texas. Marfa was our last stop.
Boy howdy did it impress! Jimmy had been a bit disappointed with the gay scene in West Texas. I'd warned before he came that it wouldn't compare to San Francisco but he never believes any of my advice. LOL.
I was relieved once we got to Marfa because there were so many hot men walking all over town and in all the establishments. I could see Jimmy brighten up once we got settled into town. And when we walked into Capri there were all sorts of hot men in there— bikers, nerds, artists, cowboys, middle-aged dads, 20-something hipsters, business looking men, music types, etc. LOL.
The Capri had a very nice garden/outdoor seating area with a nice water feature. We didn't have a chance to try the kitchen as it was closed for a wedding that evening. But let me tell you Jimmy and I really enjoyed our afternoon at Capri. They had a drink menu with many options plus some great beers on tap. LOL.
Sipping on a delicious hibiscus margarita while enjoying some smokes was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. We both could finally leave all the problems we have at home and trust me we both have our fair share of issues (relationship, career, substance abuse, financial instability). LOL.
Anyways I can't wait for my next trip to Marfa and definitely plan to come back to Capri.
