Austin's Best Breakfast 2008

Global cuisine from shrimp tempura to German beef Rouladen.

Reviews:

• “great selection!”
• “Love the concept, disappointed by execution”
• “Go for the chicken fried steak”
• “Yuk!”
• “Great Breakfasts but good all the time”

Tips: Try and save room for their deep-fried custard—much like fried ice cream, the outside is crisp, the inside oozes with creamy pudding.

Bakehouse Restaurant & Bar
email Bakehouse Restaurant & Bar

LBJ’s favorite breakfast spot is still going strong.

Reviews:

• “MIGAS MIGAS…”
• “Best fajitas, great customer service, LOVE IT!! Fast and delicious…. either in a hurry, or nothing to do… Cisco’s is the place to go.”
• “Best breakfast – Migas”
• “Terrible Disappointment”
• “Best Fajitas”

Tips: Cisco’s is on Sixth and Onion, one block over from Comal Street and not too far a walk from Huston Tillotson College.

Cisco’s Restaurant Bakery & Bar

This laid-back restaurant draws an eclectic crowd for brunch and hip young locals for late-night eats.

Reviews:

• “One of my favorite restaurants!”
• “great food”
• “Pancakes so good, you’ll faint. Mag Mud equally as impressive.”
• “Austin, yes!”
• “There’s a reason it’s hard to get a table”

Tips: Vegetarians can enjoy spinach lasagna, which layers fresh spinach, mushrooms and tomato slices over wavy noodles and three cheeses. There are also Love Veggies, the Deep Eddy burrito, several salads and spinach enchiladas.

Magnolia Cafe

A cheerful, comfortable restaurant serving fresh, authentic Mexican food.

Reviews:

• “Sadly, the one star posts are true.”
• “Yummy Homemade Corn Tortillas!”
• “Charged for tap water”
• “Slow service, chips and salsa charge”
• “Las Manitas = awesome”

Tips: Don’t bother with iced tea, Texas’ year-round drink of choice. Throw caution to the wind and order a tangy, fresh-squeezed limonada.

Las Manitas Avenue Cafe

Caterer-turned-store offers an array of sandwich creations, and more.

Reviews:

• “Don’t Expect Good Service or Courtesy from the Staff”
• “Not worth it”
• “horrible customer service”
• “always a delight!”
• “Used to be good – But now bad food and bad service”

Tips: The store also serves breakfast: pastries, breakfast tacos, juice, coffee and espresso.

FoodHeads

A tiny, homey eatery featuring inexpensive Mexican food and tons of South Austin soul.

Reviews:

• “Would vote 4 stars for atmosphere, only 3 for food.. "
• “Terrible food. Below Average Maxican food”
• “Good food, fun atmosphere”
• “Best breakfast taco’s anywhere and the McMercy Family Band is amazing !!”
• “Terrible food!”

Tips: Happy hour runs from 3pm to 6pm, Tuesday to Friday.

Taco Xpress

A 24-hour eatery serving quirky versions of classic diner dishes alongside inventive vegetarian fare.

Reviews:

• “New Location, Horrible as ever”
• “The best anything you want, any time you want because, they’re open 24 hrs. a day 7 days a week!”
• “This place smells”
• “Mediocre service”
• “Doesn’t live up to the hype, but it was ok.”

Kerbey Lane Cafe

Eat at this local favorite for true Mexican flavor with a friendly handshake on the side.

Reviews:

• “Best Barbacoa”
• “Great service, great prices, tons of food served”
• “Simply Amazing”
• “Best Mexican Breakfast this side of the Rio Grande!”
• “Juan Really Shakes Your Hand!”

Tips: Owner Juan Meza is always there to greet each customer with his famous vise-like (but friendly) handshake.

Juan in a Million
email Juan in a Million

A Tex-Mex destination restaurant in the shadow of the University of Texas campus.

Reviews:

• “Best Guacamole, I’ve EVER had in a resturant”
• “Margarita deals on Mondays "
• “Worst Margaritas in Austin”
• “Best Margaritas!”
• “You must have the stuffed avocado!”

Tips: Shiner Bock drafts are $2.75 and Lone Star drafts and bottles go for $2 all the time. There are also daily specials like Monday’s all-day happy hour and Top Shelf Tuesdays.

Trudy’s Texas Star Restaurant & Bar

Laid-back spot where college kids and casual diners go for made-to-order egg specialties.

Reviews:

• “EGGCELLENT”
• “decent but cold”
• “Avoid the Omlettes”
• “Any adult supervision?”
• “Bad service good oatmeal”

Tips: If you’re watching calories or your cholesterol, try egg substitutes in your omelets for an additional 50 cents.

The Omelettry

A laid-back Lamar Boulevard joint that’s known for its coffee, but also boasts local art, large entrees and house made desserts.

Reviews:

• “Migas Review by The Melbourne Method”
• “Best Pancakes In Town”
• “Fabulous french toast!”
• “Turkey Burger to Die For”
• “Yum yum!!”

Tips: Check out the low-cost Express Lunch offerings daily from 11am to 2pm.

Austin Java Company

This bright and airy deluxe diner brings equal parts uptown style, neighborhood bustle and down-home comfort to Burnet Road.

Reviews:

• “They almost got it”
• “Great Neighborhood Spot!!!”
• “Deliciously re-invented comfort food”
• “Blue Star Cafeteria”
• “Best Of the Best”

Tips: The waitstaff can recite the kids’ menu for you, which includes spaghetti, cheese pizza, chicken, and macaroni and cheese.

Blue Star Cafeteria

Cool and comfortable, this is where to get a cheap, tasty breakfast.

Reviews:

• “LOVE IT”
• “Best place with best pancakes!”
• “Best Breakfast”
• “A Denver Omlette Amongst Friends”
• “Here are the facts. It’s all about the food.”

Tips: Each day, the bulletin board advertises two to three daily specials, like chicken fried steak or pot roast plus sides, for under $7.

Austin Diner

Spins the coffeeshop concept, adding in lunch and dinner entrees, happy hour drinks and a splash of vibrant attitude.

Reviews:

• “op ed”
• “Nice little hole in the wall cafe”
• “Support Local Austin Business!”
• “Great Mocha’s, In a Strip Mall, Trendy, Small”

360 Primo
email 360 Primo

Filler’ up on too tasty dessert treats and a fine selection of imported meats, cheeses and wine and beer.

Reviews:

• “Terrific all around!”
• “best gelato, best frappe, best coffee, best patries”

Tips: All beer and wine selections are $1 off. Mon-Sat 4pm-6pm.

Delicato Creamery & Cafe

Expansive, efficient downtown buffet brings in office workers for fast-paced lunches.

Reviews:

• “Skip it”
• “Worst place ever!!!”
• “Everything you’d expect from an Austin original”
• “This place is BAD and not in a good way”
• “Disappointed”

Tips: This is a great spot for families touring the Capitol Building or staying the downtown area.

Hickory Street Bar & Grill

Reviews:

• “I don’t cheat on CB with other restaurants!”
• “Great service and consistent quality”
• “great coffee, great prices!”
• “Incredible sandwiches and drinks – perfect for running in and grabbing lunch!”
• “Great Coffee, Great Prices with Customer Service!”

Compassionate Beans Espresso & Smoothie Bar
email Compassionate Beans Espresso & Smoothie Bar

A destination grocery store and cafe that’s popular with tourists and locals, young and old.

Reviews:

• “Not as good at is used to be.”
• “A Great Place I Ill Never Get Tired Of”
• “good place for all”
• “Too much hype”
• “Wedding Flowers”

Tips: The cafe presents free, live music Friday and Sunday nights. Arrive early during fall and winter for limited, enclosed-patio seating.

Central Market

Westbank neighbors and lake-bound visitors stop off for coffees, juices and eats at this inviting coffee stand and outdoor patio.

Tips: Bring your own coffee cup, or simply bike or walk to the shop and get 25 cents off your coffee.

VacaJava

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