Austinโs Valentinaโs Tex Mex BBQ has San Antonio roots
AUSTIN โ If youโre looking to take a drive for award-winning barbecue, Valentinaโs Tex Mex BBQ in Austin will give you taste of home with their โtejano cooking.โโI have the best memories in my uncleโs backyard and my fatherโs backyard,โowner of Valentinaโs Tex Mex BBQ Miguel Vidal said. โThere was always either grilling or smoking or barbecuing going on.โIt was those flavors of backyard grilling that sparked Vidalโs idea to bring that concept to Austin, including homemade tortillas, brisket, ribs, pork carnitas, barbacoa, lengua and those breakfast taco favorites too. The signature must-try items:The Real Deal Holyfield : huevos rancheros topped with a slice of smoked brisket, all nestled, nicely in a made-from-scratch tortillaFideo Friday Taco: made-from scratch fideo with sliced avocado in a warm homemade tortillaPork Carnitas Taco: Pitmaster, Eiliana Gutierrezโs favorite choiceFor the full menu, click here. Fun facts about Valentinaโs Tex Mex BBQ:-Owner Miguel grew up near Ray Ellison and Military Drive on the south side of San Antonio-Miguel graduated from Lee High School-His aunt made tortillas at a west side restaurant in San Antonio-Theyโve been featured on Food Networkโs Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
Meet the youngest female pitmaster in Texas
AUSTIN โ Patience is key if youโre practicing the art of grilling and smoking Texas barbecue. For Eiliana Gutierrez, 20, of Valentinaโs Tex Mex BBQ, itโs all about working with the fire and โslowing down.โโBeing able to control that flavor, the smoke,โ Gutierrez said. โAll of that comes together and then you get the perfect slice of brisket on the Holyfield taco.โGutierrez is learning from her mentor, Miguel Vidal, owner of Valentinaโs. โShe came in full of spunk and energy, ready to go at it and work.โAfter seeing her work ethic, Vidal assured Gutierrez that he could make her the youngest female pitmaster in Texas and even the country. Spending her days living up to Miguel, Gutierrez is passionate about smoking meats and perfecting the relationship with the fire.