Picking a sports team is difficult. You want a team you love that represents your identity, but one that withstands the future. While English Premier League intimidates outsiders, it shouldn’t. You only need a few snippets of knowledge to pick the right soccer team and become a full-time fan.
A blue neon “open” sign in the shape of Louisiana hangs in the window of Evangeline Café, representing what customers can find at the South Austin restaurant. Although the address says Brodie Lane, the Louisiana pride inside makes you wonder if you were secretly dropped off in the French Quarter.
At the end of a strip mall in North Austin a line of people curve around the corner patiently waiting to enter Ramen Tatsu-Ya. I take my spot at the end of the line. After nearly 30 minutes of listening to unknown fragments of an Asian language, intermixed with the recollections of ACL festival attendees, I enter the ramen shop.
Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire” echoes in the background as customers wait for their charcoal-grilled hamburgers. They watch cooks lay patties down on the grill on the other side of the counter. Soon, they hear the crackle of the intercom announcing their order number. They pick up their plastic, red tray. Dinner is ready.
