Re: Back To School issue

I'd really like it to be as comprehensive as possible--and include the most iconic places--so let's do these 15. (Remember that since this is a Back To School issue, affordability and proximity to campus are also factors--hence no Salt Lick.) And I originally conceived this list as a way to mention oft-ignored (in food reviews) places like Thundercloud, so I'd like to see it on there.

Kerbey Lane
Matt's El Rancho
Trudy's
Conan's Pizza
Hula Hut
Threadgill's
Thundercloud Subs
Chango's
Polvo's
Magnolia
Chuy's
Opal Divine's
Hut's Hamburgers
Stubb's BBQ
Amy's Ice Cream

-----------------
Sean O'Neal
City Editor, The Onion
815-A Brazos Street #350
Austin, Texas 78701
p: (512) 708-1400 x29 Æ c: (512) 413-8002
www.avclub.com

On Jul 23, 2007, at 4:25 PM, Barrett Brown wrote:

How about Opal Divine's, Hut's Hamburgers, Stubbs, and Amy's Ice Cream?

On 7/23/07, Sean O'Neal < soneal@theonion.com> wrote:
Hey Barrett-

That list is mostly good, but these are supposed to be ubiquitous (and middle-of-the-road in terms of price and atmosphere) favorites that Austinites go to time and again. I'm not sure some of these qualify. I would subtract these:

Hudson's On The Bend
Ray's
El Chilito
Alligator Grill

and I would add some or all of these:

Threadgill's
Thundercloud Subs
Baby Acapulco's
Austin Java
Curra's
Polvo's
Magnolia
Chuy's
El Mercado
Shady Grove
Maudie's
Opal Divine's
Romeo's
Hut's Hamburgers
Fran's Hamburgers
Ruby's BBQ
Stubb's BBQ
The Salt Lick
Amy's Ice Cream
Waterloo Ice House

Obviously we're going to go over 400 words on these, but hopefully that should give you a better idea of what it is we're looking for...Not an egalitarian cross-section of what Austin has to offer, but a round-up of places just about everyone has been to, usually more than once. Most of the places I've given you have multiple locations, which should be another factor.

-----------------
Sean O'Neal
City Editor, The Onion
815-A Brazos Street #350
Austin, Texas 78701
p: (512) 708-1400 x29 Æ c: (512) 413-8002
www.avclub.com

On Jul 23, 2007, at 3:47 PM, Barrett Brown wrote:

Here's a list that kind of runs the gamut; let me know what you think.

Kerby Lane
Matt's El Rancho
Trudy's Texas Star
El Chilito
Sandy's
Hudson's on the Bend
Conan's Pizza
Ray's Steakhouse
Alligator Grill
Guero's
Katz's
Hula Hut

On 7/23/07, Sean O'Neal < soneal@theonion.com> wrote:
I'm thinking 10-12 at most, and maybe 400-500 words altogether. And remember, these can and should include things that range from fancy to extremely casual (hence the inclusion of places like Thundercloud).

-----------------
Sean O'Neal
City Editor, The Onion
815-A Brazos Street #350
Austin, Texas 78701
p: (512) 708-1400 x29 Æ c: (512) 413-8002
www.avclub.com

On Jul 23, 2007, at 3:19 PM, Barrett Brown wrote:

Great. About how many restaurants should be covered for the mainstays piece, and about how many words should it be altogether? Let me know and I'll send you a list later today.

Also, count me in to contribute to the Sixth Street deal as well, por favor.

On 7/23/07, Sean O'Neal < soneal@theonion.com > wrote:
Hi Barrett-

You can do the mainstays piece if you like. Please get me a list of the restaurants you think you'd like to include before proceeding.

And as for the Sixth Street guide, I'm not looking for one person to do the whole thing, but for several people to pitch in blurbs. If you'd like to do that, I'll put you on the list of contributors and send you a list for you to choose assignments from once everyone has responded.

thanks,
sean.
-----------------
Sean O'Neal
City Editor, The Onion
815-A Brazos Street #350
Austin, Texas 78701
p: (512) 708-1400 x29 Æ c: (512) 413-8002
www.avclub.com

On Jul 23, 2007, at 3:06 PM, Barrett Brown wrote:

I can do either the Austin mainstays food piece or the Sixth Street guide, or both if needed. Let me know.

On 7/23/07, Sean O'Neal < soneal@theonion.com > wrote:
Hi there-

I'm addressing this to my "elite" group of freelancers--those writers whose work I feel most often approximates the delicate balance of snark and enthusiasm that is the hallmark of The A.V. Club--in hopes that some of you will want to help out with our upcoming Back To School issue. This is the biggest issue of the year in terms of local content, and we'll be putting it out in its own special edition on Saturday, August 25. It's targeted at incoming freshmen and other Austin neophytes, offering them a guide to Austin with our usual smart-assed slant. Payment for these will go by word count (approximately 10 cents a word).

Here are some of the topics I'm looking to get covered. (I have several more that I am either doing myself, have already completed, or have assigned to someone else.)

- The A.V. Club Guide To Sixth Street
I'm thinking of this as a tongue-in-cheek, place-by-place rundown of the various merits--and demerits--of Sixth Street's bars, music clubs, restaurants, and shops. We're also considering making this a map with descriptions at the bottom, so entries should be short and sweet (and funny)! I'll hash out a format with whomever volunteers for this and then make assignments. All of you may participate, though I'd prefer it if volunteers could tackle two or more entries, rather than just giving me, say, one little blurb on how much Maggie Mae's sucks.

- Beyond The Mall shopping guide
Basically, a round-up of boutiques and other specialty stores that are worth talking about. Whoever takes this, I'll work with you to compile a list before you start in on the article.

Food features:
- Austin mainstays
The places that every Austinite should be familiar with: Kerbey Lane, Magnolia, The Salt Lick, Thundercloud Subs, etc. Let's try to keep this around 350-400 words, and I'd prefer something that flows naturally from place to place like a narrative.

- Places to take your parents
Pretty self-explanatory. In short, places with a nice atmosphere (i.e., no loud music and surly waiters), uncontroversial menu, etc.

Please hit me back if you're interested in contributing!

thanks,
sean.
-----------------
Sean O'Neal
City Editor, The Onion
815-A Brazos Street #350
Austin, Texas 78701
p: (512) 708-1400 x29 Æ c: (512) 413-8002
www.avclub.com