I’m a big fan of Jack Allen’s Kitchen. If you’ve ever tried their buffet brunch and stuffed your belly with some of the best southern, homestyle dishes in Austin, you don’t need me to remind you how delicious it is! So when I found out that owner and chef Jack Gilmore would be taking on a seafood concept with Salt Traders Coastal Cooking, I couldn’t wait to make the 20-mile drive north to Round Rock to try it out!
Chef Gilmore opened this new seafood restaurant close by to his Round Rock location of Jack Allen’s Kitchen….so close that you could walk from one to the other, in case you’re still hungry after your seafood grub! (You won’t be, by the way…). Salt Traders is open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week (wait, what? do they ever get a break??) with an awesome happy hour from 3:30-6:30 Mon-Fri with some preeeeetty nice drink specials.
| Pepe’s Hibiscus Paloma: Pepe Z Blanco, hibiscus liqueur, grapefruit, lime, grapefruit soda, citrus salt |
There are so many great things for starters, but here’s a #protip: get the Chowda Fries! Think kind of like a Canadian poutine, except the gravy is similar to a creamy clam, leek, and bacon chowder! Be still my soul…
We were also brought a little taste of the smoked fish dip upon arriving. I could have easily eaten more than this one tasty morsel!!
| Smoked Fish Dip: smoked fish, cream cheese, chives, kettle chips |
The Shrimp and Lobster roll is a perfectly chilled, creamy seafood medley tucked into a warm, crusty, buttery roll. Crunchy potato chips fried in-house make the perfect side.
Another beautiful and classic dish: fish tacos. In true Gilmore chef fashion, everything at Salt Traders was deliciously prepared and pleasing to the eye as well as packed with flavor.
| Flat Top Fish Tacos: candied jalapeños, fennel slaw, cilantro, avocado mousse, street corn salad |
There are so many nice little touches at this restaurant. The servers are knowledgable and quick to answer questions, the decor is stunning (all nautical themed, but not in that obnoxious “we’re-pretending-to-be-at-the-beach-but-we’re-really-in-the-middle-of-texas sort of way….do you know what I’m talking about?) with all the bright whites and blues and breezy wall decor.
I didn’t get a chance to try the raw bar. But I’m looking forward to coming back in the near future!
pssst: Jack, if you ever open another location of Salt Traders, bring it to Austin!!
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Happy Friday, friends! I’m hopping on a plane for a little weekend getaway to one of my favorite cities: Denver! I’m looking forward to lots of rest, some craft beer, a little bit of coffee shop time (y’all know how much I love my coffee shops!), and a some pretty mountain views!
Stay in touch on on instagram over the weekend!
Love,
Kelsey
