Uchi vs. El Pollo Regio

We just went to dinner at Uchi in Austin a couple of nights ago. It was wonderful. We were able to go courtesy of Cheech's dad. Uchi reminds me of some of the places I used to go to in Los Angeles. The clientele is clad mostly in black. They are almost entirely not native to Austin. We were even snubbed by the valets. Architecturally, it has the nouveau Asian fusion decor that the name connotes - tasteful within the confines of a rehabbed South Austin structure.
The menu includes sushi, sashimi, some other Asian inspired dishes, and also things that seem to have no Oriental influence. We had some sake, tempura brie with apple, stuffed mussels, a hot river rock (on which one sears thin slices of beef), and a couple of items of sushi. A delightful evening that cost about $140 (minus the gift certificate from Cheech's dad). Good thing we weren't hungry - I don't think all that we ate would satisfy even a waif supermodel. Artisan food.

Yesterday our friends from Panama visited us with their two young sons. We decided to run out to El Pollo Regio to get some dinner to take home for all eight of us. Three orders of food (normally we only get one for the four of us). Carne Asada and chicken with tortillas, with beans, rice, pico de gallo, big grilled cebollas, etc. Very tasty ....$23. .... We didn't finish it all last night. I reheated it today for lunch - still not finished.
So as a juxtaposition:

Uchi -
snobby valets
wonderful gay waiter
beautiful decor
excellent wine, sake, drink menu
artistic food that weighs just slightly under 3 ounces
a divine dining experience
stratospheric prices
you feel like an elite - a "somebody"

El Pollo Regio -
parking - if you can wedge yourself between the beat up Pickup and the Chevy Lumina.
no waiter - just a window to order from (it helps to speak Spanish)
decor? well, they are re-stuccoing the exterior.
if you want a beverage, you can go next door to the Quickie-Mart
lots of grilled skirt steak and chicken served lovingly in Styrofoam containers
just get yer grub and leave
so cheap - you feel like it's subsidized by Oxfam
you feel a certain camaraderie with the day laborer next to you