Amigo’s B.B.Q. Grill - Pflugerville

Amigo’s B.B.Q. Grill - Pflugerville

Written by Ann Calvert Wednesday, 07 November 2007

Friendly service accents taste of neighborhood diner

Those of us who grew up in a gentler era remember the neighborhood hardware store, the filling station on the corner and perhaps a small grocery market where the butcher called our parents by name. Neighbors and neighborhoods played an important role in our lives.

Paul and Iris Liu, owners of Amigo’s B.B.Q. Grill, believe strongly in the neighbor philosophy. Hidden in an out-of-the-way strip center on Pflugerville’s west side, their restaurant is an unassuming little spot, which Liu says makes no pretense at being a four-star establishment.

The walls are covered with art from neighboring Windermere Elementary School and a take-out bag might be decorated by one of the school’s art classes.

For four years, the goal of this little place has been simply to be good neighbors and serve great food to neighborhood diners.

For instance, it is easy and fast to drive up, run in, and grab one of the 18 different varieties of breakfast tacos served each morning with Iris’ famously delicious hot sauce.($1.69 -$2.29)

The Lius get you in and out quickly because they know most patrons are on the way to work.

Liu says they have many who come by every day for an early breakfast. If you have time to sit down, the Migas ($4.99) filled with fresh peppers and homemade tortilla bits are excellent and served with potatoes and beans.

At lunch, the menu changes to accommodate what Paul and Iris think the neighborhood working people want to eat.

I chose the Daily Plate Lunch Special, which is different each day ($5.99). The chalupas were on homemade tortillas fried in house and heaped with all the appropriate fresh fixings. Rice, beans and drink were included.

The lunch menu also includes Sandwich Combos ($4.79-$6.29) and a Botana Platter ($8.99 for one) which is beef or chicken fajitas with homemade hand-rolled tortillas. Portions are generous and easy to share.

Dinner is the time when most diners eat barbecue. It is convenient to grab dinner on the way home as you pass Amigo’s, but many choose to relax in the friendly atmosphere created by the owners.

Meat by the pound and sides are sold as are barbecue plates ($7.49-$10.49) The variety is nice with something for everyone.

As diners leave Amigo’s, Paul Liu often reminds them to fill up their drink cup before leaving. It is no wonder he has a loyal clientele. Amigo’s — good food and good neighbors.

Love and Food

Paul Liu tells how he met his wife Iris in McAllen, Texas where she worked in her dad’s Mexican restaurant and meat market while Paul worked in a Chinese Restaurant. Most of the recipes at Amigo’s, including the popular hot sauce, are old traditional family recipes that Iris taught Paul to cook. He laughs that after cooking in a Chinese restaurant it took a few early marriage years for her to teach him to cook Mexican food.

Mon. – Fri. 6 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Saturday 6 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Amigo’s B.B.Q. Grill

1446 Grand Avenue Parkway, Pflugerville, TX 78660

512-989-0123