Hadn't really been there since....................................until last week.
Ya know what struck me most on this trip? How much Austin has been "California-ized" (note: I've also lived nearly a dozen years in California, although I'm now in N. Carolina; I'm entitled to say what I wish about the Golden State). Formerly rowdy, really cool haunts are now....................um.............."proper". NO smoking anywhere. Spots that used to be alive are now sterile, boring, bland, and............dead. The Oasis used to be a jumping, loud hangout for partyers out on the decks overlooking Lake Travis. Hoppin'. Lots of smoke (but hell, it was outside, so who cared???), lots of booze and beer, loud tables-full of revelers. Now? Again, "proper". Fancy, expensive menu. Quiet. Don't smoke except over "here". BOOOOOOOOORING, if still a beautiful view. Chuy's? Sit in a crowded, smoke-free bar while waiting to sit in questionable environs to eat sub-standard Tex-Mex fare.
......and on and on and on. Austin lost its heart. It's gone totally P.C. Used to be a let-your-hair-down, devil-may-care town of blues, rock-'n'-roll, and booze. Now? It's the sushi and bottled water crowd.
Depressing. DAMN those who screwed up my favorite town that I've ever lived in...........and I've lived all OVER this country over the last 46+ years.
Native Texans are a minority in the city. I wouldn't be surprised in the least if there were more native Californians' now.
I lived in the city for 8yrs then moved out to Lakeway which is great. But wanted to build my own house so I moved across the lake to Lago Vista. Keep an apartment in the city for those nights I don't feel like making the 40 mile trip back home.
And with out a doubt, Austin is the capital of PC. It's sickening.
I lived in Austin twice, the first time I was too young to remember and the second time in 1992 to 1996 and I saw the California invasion. It seems to have gotten worse since I left. I took my wife there in 2000 and it was completely different. Antones was downtown, Steamboat 1874 was closed, it wasn't the same. Whenever we went, it was after the whole election fiasco, and there was a big sign "Congratulations President Bush and Vice President Cheney, from the Reagans." along Congress Ave.
I agree with you also about Chuy's being sub-standard Mexican "food". Chuys is to Austin was Chevy's is to Californians, what I call "Yuppified Mexican Food". Casita Jorges is THE place to go for great Mexican food (oh yeah, and I loved Sam's B-B-Q on E. 12th St. also).
Yup. Totally California-ized... and such a shame. Thank God for the small towns and Luckenbach! I still love to traipse around the back roads... take in the bluebonnet trails and do a lazy afternoon on the Guadalupe River. Sighhhhhh. I need to plan that weekend NOW! *chuckle*