Quick & Efficient at Cafe Express Austin

Trying to figure out where to take 2-11 year old girls to breakfast is always a lot of fun. Usually Mimosas and Frittatas aren't their thing. Let's face it. You think you're picky? No. They are. Throw in their sleep deprivation from 3 consecutive slumber parties and the anticipation of our day climb to Enchanted Rock. I'm thinking fast. Grab some cereal at the house and let's go! They're thinking let's do Breakfast In Austin! I know, scouring breakfast joints in this fabulous city is so cool that even 11 year olds want to be part of the experience.

I'd been wanting to stop by Cafe Express at 3418 N. Lamar, after it's grand opening in Austin over a month ago. A few friends on Facebook had indicated this place was a gem and that it'd be opening soon. With established locations in Houston & Dallas, a 20 year history and a fast-casual concept, I thought, sure...I'll add it to my ever growing list.

My daughter Sloan, her friend Sami and I pulled into the vacant Cafe Express parking lot last Monday at around 9:00 a.m. Breakfast is served from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m., so we arrived halfway through, presumably after the morning rush. Upon entry, I was clueless. There were nearly 100 empty tables, 4 were occupied and I didn't know whether to seat myself or wait for a hostess. No hostess. I approached the bar and met a friendly staff who instructed me and the girls to study the Cafe Express menu in written form or from their billboard above the ordering counter. Once we decided on our breakfast pleasures, we were asked to place our orders with the cashier, pay, seat ourselves and then wait for our hand held buzzer to ignite. Casual and efficient. Great for 11 year old girls.

Order up!

Sami quickly decided on a breakfast taco. Specifically? She requested their version of a morning taco with bacon, scrambled eggs and cheddar cheese in a flour tortilla, served with a chipotle salsa. Sami also opted for a side of skillet potatoes cooked with bacon and topped with cheddar cheese. Overall, this 11 year old wasn't too impressed with the taco. When Breakfast In Austin asked Sami to describe her eating experience, she offered that the breakfast taco lacked flavor and it wasn't anything special. Bummer! Luckily the skillet potato side was full of punch and semi-saved the meal. Priced affordably at $4.59.

Sloan, with the perpetual sweet tooth, opted for something a bit more carb-loaded and sugary. The Cafe Express French Quarter French Toast drenched in a rich cream, topped with sweet powdered sugar, fresh berries & glazed pecans caught her eye and eventual taste buds. It's presentation was absolutely amazing and along with the side of pecan praline syrup, undoubtedly the hit, right? Nope. Not for Sloan. The French Toast, unfortunately, was undercooked inside and literally mushy. Had it been cooked correctly, I'd recommend it 100 times over. The pecan praline syrup saved the plate, in Breakfast In Austin's humble opinion. Sami & I continued to sample Sloan's uneaten portions, dunking each bite into this crack-infused syrup. Mushy french toast? Sami & I didn't care. The chef who prepared that pecan praline drizzle deserves an award! Another well priced item at $5.49.

Breakfast In Austin was actually really satisfied with her choice, which was the Cafe Express Breakfast Sandwich with turkey ham, scrambled eggs on cheddar cheese with buttered ciabatta bread. Additionally, this very tasty yet simple Breakfast Sandwich was served with a side of skillet potatoes prepared with bacon and cheddar cheese. The ingredients were fresh, well paired and the bread was impressively soft. The side of potatoes were amazingly zesty and left me with a similar impression to that of the pecan praline syrup. Another gem created by a pretty great chef. Priced under $6, this dish was an overall hit.

With a casual, yet efficient approach there are sure to be hits & misses at Cafe Express. Their items incorporating all meals are too many to count, so I imagine most diners will find something of value here. Breakfast In Austin was satisfied with her morning experience and welcomes Cafe Express to the community. The picky 11 year olds? I think they were just happy to be fed.

It's all about the feast, not the famine!

To learn more about Cafe Express, visit http://www.cafe-express.com/

To view the Cafe Express Breakfast menu, go to: http://www.cafe-express.com/breakfast.html

Pros: Modern atmosphere, quick service, great location, outdoor seating, the skillet potatoes with bacon & cheddar cheese side and the pecan praline syrup served with the french toast were both out of this world, interesting menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner

Cons: Sterile, confusing for a 1st timer - do I seat myself or wait for a hostess? French toast was mushy on the inside, breakfast taco wasn't great - lacked kick and flavor according to an 11 year old

Suggestions: Double check food before it's served, add more details about your Austin location to the website! There's just a quick disclaimer of a new location. We need more information!

Cafe Express ~ 3418 N. Lamar, Austin, TX 78705 ~ 512.452.9888

Heavenly Sunday Brunch at Satellite Bistro & Bar

My old co-worker and friend, Elsa Decker & I took to the Sunday Brunch scene last Sunday, November 14th and met at locally owned and operated Satellite Bistro & Bar. Located west of South Mopac at the corner of Slaughter & Escarpment, this family owned concept of eating great food in a relaxed atmosphere, was created by brothers, Mark and Marty Kamburis. The brothers have continued a family tradition, inspired by their Grandfather's arrival from Greece in 1912 and ensuing experiences in the food business.

Scouring their online Brunch Menu prior to the morning of 11/14, NEVER-ENDING MIMOSAS'S were listed at $6.75 per person. Elsa & I talked about this for days! Clearly, part of our catch-up/gab session was dependent on bottomless flutes of champagne and orange juice. After arriving at 10:30 a.m. and meeting our fine server, Casey, we exuberantly ordered our never-ending mimosas and complimented this glorious menu item. Sadly, Casey broke our hearts a little and said that due to TABC Regulations, Satellite had to discontinue their "never-ending" mimosa's and instead offer a controlled carafe option with fixed price. I said..."update your online MENU, Casey!" By the looks of it, their webmaster DID later that night at 6:23 p.m. Never-ending aside, the liter sized carafe was near perfection and set the stage for our 2.5 hour brunch...

After eyeballing the Satellite Bistro & Bar Brunch Menu and salivating over their options, both Breakfast In Austin and Elsa were feeling the pull toward one of five styled Eggs Benedict. Always a sucker for the traditional benedict, Breakfast In Austin opted for a slight spin called the "Poached Club". Think seared country ham, smoked turkey and bacon placed over two toasted english muffins and topped with 2 perfectly poached eggs & a subtle hollandaise sauce. Seriously delicious and pushing toward the #1 bennie in town. As if the meat concoction and hollandaise sauce wasn't enough, Satellite adds a lusciously rich & flavorful Scalloped Potato as the main side along with a bowl of fresh fruit. Priced well at $10.99.

Elsa's Eggs Benedict choice was labeled the "Flying Saucer". Clever name Satellite Bistro! Obviously the same concept as the "Poached Club" with english muffins, poached eggs & hollandaise. But the toppings? Imagine roasted portabella mushrooms, roasted red peppers, feta cheese and avocado. Elsa loved the plated food, especially the Scalloped Potatoes, though described her hollandaise experience as nondescript.

Dessert? Chocolate? Elsa insisted we indulge on one of Satellite's specials of the day - the Chocolate Cake Pancake. Good move for Breakfast In Austin. Thanks a lot, Elsa. Not a lot more needs to be said other than this delicious cake housing chunks of chocolate was oversized and worthy. Worthy of Satellite Bistro & Bar offering it as a post brunch dessert for all at the table to share.

As I write and wrap up this posting, Breakfast In Austin can only guess as to where the "Satellite" name came from, so I offer this little spin. One of the many definitions of Satellite is, "any celestial body orbiting around a star or planet." Elsa was the star and Breakfast in Austin, the planet. The celestial bodies? A few! Our phenomenal server, Casey, who offered the perfect blend of attentiveness and information. The liter sized Carafe (or Holy Grail) of Mimosas offering approximately 8 flutes for $11.99. The food being flavorful and impressively gorgeous. Satellite's atmosphere which was light, vibrant and relaxing. Perhaps even the deceased Grandfather Kamburis keeping an eye on things...in any case, several celestial bodies orbiting at Satellite Bistro & Bar. As it should be for all us stars and planets...

It's all about the feast, not the famine!

To learn more about Satellite Bistro & Bar, visit their website at http://www.satellitebistro.com/

To view Satellite's Sunday Brunch Menu, go to http://www.satellitebistro.com/Brunch_Menu.pdf

Pros: Stand-out service, relaxing & hip atmosphere, liter sized mimosa carafe, varied & exciting Brunch menu, Eggs Benedict, Scalloped Potatoes

Cons: Having a hard time coming up with any...

Suggestions: Make your "Chocolate Cake Pancake" a menu item and encourage ALL to buy one and share as dessert after brunch

Satellite Bistro & Bar ~ 5900 Slaughter Ln., #400, Austin, TX 78749 ~ 512.288.9994

Aaron Mayers & The Red Carpet at Manny's Uptown Kitchen...

Work and play go well together, right? Right! On this particular Thursday morning, Breakfast In Austin decided to visit locally owned Manny's Uptown Kitchen on Research Boulevard & 360, near Crate & Barrel and Whole Foods in the Gateway Shopping Center. There was definitely something different about this breakfast extravaganza. This was the first time I'd invited a client to partake in my feasting for the purpose of Breakfast In Austin. I'd also been encouraged through Manny's on Twitter to say "hello" to the Owner. I went back & forth on making contact, but what a mixed blessing that turned out to be. My typical style is to dine unannounced, soliciting nothing from ownership or management. The only thing that gives Breakfast In Austin away is the flash of a Nikon and even then I might be tagged only as an odd tourist or a nameless critic.

Reviewing should be authentic, right? If Breakfast In Austin accepts all the generosity an Owner provides, like endless plates and a free tab, then how do I supply unbiased comments? I want a Server who isn't on his best behavior. Was Owner, Aaron Mayers showcasing his best dishes? YES! Was Owner, Aaron Mayers a gracious and friendly host? Of course! Was Owner, Aaron Mayers hoping to position me for a glowing review? Hmmm. Possibly. I will say that in accepting the tour of Manny's dishes, I let the Owner know that I always search out a restaurant's "pros," supply honest commentary and would pick up my own tab. In the end, Aaron Mayers insisted on comping our meal. Breakfast In Austin feeling humble and full, accepted, vowing to remain unbiased.

The breakfast items? After showing slight hesitation when being asked what we'd like to eat, Aaron recommended and presented a string of dishes created to showcase Manny's unique East Coast style. My client, not expecting the Breakfast In Austin angle, rolled with the punches and dove into each dish with me! Thanks, Paul for being such a sport.

The first? A dessert! The impressive Izzy's Blintzes were prepared with a traditional soft farm fresh cheese and topped with fresh strawberries, a berry glaze and powdered sugar. Appealing to the senses with a delicate blend of subtle and sweet, this was an ideal roll-out choice and hit.

Our next delivered item was Manny's Bagel & Lox. The Alaskan in me adores a cured salmon filet, so it's not often that this stand-out doesn't satisfy. In Manny's presentation, I experienced a mixture of flavors including a plain and rather lackluster New York bagel, topped with a thin layer of cream cheese, thinly sliced lox, tomato, lettuce, red onion and capers. Overall, a satisfying attempt, but I've had better lox and prefer a softer more flavorful bagel. My client, Paul, recommended an everything or seasoned bagel would add more zest.

The third dish of Uptown Hash was perhaps our most interesting because of the plated variety. Already feeling full and giggling like kids, Paul and I wondered how in the hell we were going to stomach this barrage of food. Gorgeous in presentation and ultimately my clients favorite, we enjoyed two perfectly fried eggs atop an inventive hash of onion, bell peppers, corned beef & pastrami. As if this wasn't enough our sides included two potato pancakes and toast with whipped butter. The potato pancakes were a new experience for Breakfast In Austin. I loved the taste but the cakes were so filling I could only eat a few bites.

Next up? Manny's Pan-Roasted Spinach, Mushroom and Swiss Omelet. This was by far my favorite first bite of the morning and mind you, Paul and I were completely and utterly full. If you're a fan of these ingredients, I highly recommend this savory and memorable creation...

...and finally, the last item! Stomachs stunned and taste buds nearly shot, Aaron Mayers presented Grandma's Streudel in all her apple, raisin, cinnamon and sugary splendor. I'm convinced Grandma was dutifully baking in Manny's kitchen equipped with her hairnet and apron. An amazing dessert made to order and in less than 15 minutes - a suitable way to end our experience at Manny's Uptown Kitchen.

A big thank you to Aaron Mayers and his staff at Manny's Uptown Kitchen for an enjoyable two hour experience. There is a dish for everyone at Manny's, so if you haven't been and are looking for a new breakfast joint - this might be a new find for you...

...and Aaron, I hope you do make good on adding a worthy Eggs Benedict that will knock my socks off. Breakfast In Austin will be back.

It's all about the feast, not the famine!

To find out more about Manny's Uptown Kitchen, check them out at: http://www.mannysuptownkitchen.com/

Even BETTER? Breakfast All Day!

http://www.mannysuptownkitchen.com/?page_id=143

Pros: Breakfast all day, desserts (blintzes & streudel) are amazing, inventive dishes, quick turn in kitchen, service, good location in NW Austin, all breakfast items under $10

Cons: Not a fan of your NY bagel and it's something you hang your hat on! Not a fan of the hash either...

Suggestions: Work on improving your lox & bagel dish (it has all the right components but better lox? better bagel?)

Manny's Uptown Kitchen ~ 9503 Research Blvd., Suite 650, Austin, TX 78759 ~ 512.794.0088

Death by Fork at Jack Allen's Kitchen!

In the mood for Southern home-cooked food? Jack Allen's Kitchen kindly obliges with their 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sunday Brunch. Locally owned, Chef Jack Gilmore and the Jack Allen's crew reinvents old standards and supplies a powerfully satisfying experience, although it borders on a heart attack in the making. Show up, eat to your hearts content and depart feeling completely and utterly stuffed. The kind of stuffed where you can't even burp. Baked Macaroni and Cheese? Chicken Fried Chicken with Green Chile Gravy? Chicken Fried Pork? Sausages? Twice Baked Potatoes? This is definitely how Grandma killed Grandpa...

To those of you who have heard of Jack Allen's Kitchen but haven't been, it's discreetly tucked away from downtown, just northwest of Highway 290 on 71. You might recall the previous Y Bar & Grill? That's the place. Jack Allen's prides itself on good ol' Texas hospitality, is known for using locally sourced, fresh ingredients and creating unique dishes.

How did Breakfast In Austin arrive at Jack Allen's Kitchen? You can imagine my list of breakfast joints, brunch stops & trailers is LONG. Sometimes it's near impossible to choose a place to eat, let alone review. I love recommendations! After a full weekend of celebration and spirits, including a friends wedding, football games & Halloween mischief, recent nods were worth listening to and Jack Allen's quickly rose atop my list. A southern influenced, artery clogging, $12.99 Sunday Brunch would certainly cure any hangover, right? Right!

G-Man and I arrived five minutes early at 9:55 a.m. To my surprise there were several cars parked in the Jack Allen's lot with diners waiting on the sidewalk and hovering near the main entrance. A very good sign. Promptly at 10:00 a.m. the doors magically opened. The hostess staff was welcoming and on point, immediately seating us near the buffet area. Our server? A nice guy, who was ultimately - casual. Didn't quite catch his name and although attentive he had to return a second time to explain Jack Allen's made to order items separate from the buffet line.

The way JAK does it! (Sund'y Brunch, that is)

Once seated, ask your Server for a drink and anything made to order. Specifically, farm fresh eggs your way, biscuits & gravy or pancakes. I asked to indulge in their $3.50 Brunch Bloody Mary and sample their Biscuits & Gravy. The Bloody Mary? Not strong or very spicy. The Biscuit & Gravy? Terrific because of Jack Allen's signature Green Chile Gravy. Completely memorable!

I must admit that Jack Allen's presentation of their Sunday Buffet was a hit with me! As you walk the line, all items are gorgeous, stocked and ready to go at 10:00 a.m. There were some clear successes! A few of the items you'll find with comments & photographs:

Chicken Fried Chicken covered with Green Chile Gravy (This signature Gravy makes everything taste better - back right in photo below)

Smoked Salmon Spread (amazing)

Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes (heavy but tasty)

Baked Macaroni & Cheese (put me in a damn near coma it was so good!)

Mama's Sunday Chicken (not my personal favorite - not a huge fan of dark meat)

Farm fresh veggies (healthiest thing I ate)

Migas (Tasty but not enough tortilla cooked into the blend)

Deviled Eggs (Flavorful)

Farm fresh salads (Pasta salad was a hit)

Layered Enchilada Casserole (lackluster in taste, just fair)

Desserts (dry)

"It's all about the feast, not the famine," (Breakfast In Austin's catchphrase) is an ideal way to explain my experience at Jack Allen's Kitchen. Their southern styled dishes are comforting and delicious but holy heart attack, I could hardly move, let alone breathe for a couple of hours after. Eat at your own risk and don't say I didn't warn you!

Thank you Jack Allen's Kitchen for a fine Sunday Brunch and yes, the cure to my self inflicted hangover. Breakfast In Austin will spread the word and return. But next time for lunch, dinner or happy hour...

JAK is happy to take your reservation by email, phone or just show up! Remember Sunday Brunch is only $12.99 per person and the 12 & under crew is $5.99 per.

To learn more about Jack Allen's Kitchen, go to http://www.jackallenskitchen.com/ and for details on Jack's Amazing Sund'y Brunch, go to http://www.jackallenskitchen.com/SundayBrunchMenu.pdf

Pros: Lowest cost brunch I've seen in awhile, great quality & creative dishes, nice atmosphere, outdoor patio for seating, Texas hospitality, ample staff, tons of signage

Cons: Our Server was a bit too casual - nice guy but missed a few steps in explaining the set-up and taking our order

Suggestions: Don't hide the yogurt & granola on the table by the window - I could've used some of that

Jack Allen's Kitchen ~ 7720 Highway 71 West, Austin, TX 78735 ~ Email: info@jackallenskitchen.com ~ 512.852.8558

Brunch with a Boom at TnT Tacos and Tequila!

Dare I say that Breakfast In Austin has discovered the biggest boom for it's buck at TnT's Sunday Brunch? Absolutely! I wouldn't have believed the $17.95 full buffet with Champagne and Mimosa's sticker price unless I had tried it myself. There are always hidden costs with Brunch, right? You want coffee & cream, that'd be an extra $2.50. A premium vodka in your Bloody Mary? We'd be happy to provide that for $8.00. Champagne in a flute? Oh...that's not part of the Sunday Brunch cost, but I'll be sure to add $10.00 to your final bill. After two months of exploring a variety of spins on breakfast in our fair city of Austin, Tacos and Tequila on the corner of Pressler & W. 5th Street, offers the most legitimate Brunch for the best price!

Like most patrons, I'd experienced TnT as the new place on W. 5th Street for Happy Hour. A distinct tequila menu intact, TnT's post work experience boasted inexpensive Mojitos & Margaritas with delicious handmade chips served in a brown paper bag with a variety of salsa's. Pretty much heaven! Unfortunately TnT doesn't seem to have a distinct marketing strategy for their Brunch aside from word of mouth. (It's not on their website with only a minor mention on Facebook) I'd heard of TnT's Sunday Brunch by way of an insert attached to my final bill at Happy Hour. Brunch? Oh boy! I was intrigued with their $17.95 price and knew I'd have to add it to my list of places to go. Additionally, my friend Kindra (aka KZ, who did not pay me for this endorsement) enjoyed TnT's Brunch soon after and highly recommended the stop to Breakfast In Austin. An immediate move up the list...

My companion for Sunday? Ever the good sport, G-Man, who teases me mercilessly when I pull out the Nikon for photo opp's. We arrived at 10:15 a.m., after scoring a parking spot on Pressler St. just outside the restaurant. There's always something a little odd about arriving first. Like you're the overanxious patron who beats everyone else to the venue and catches the staff doing something naughty. Like licking a spoon or picking their nose. In this case, the staff wasn't quite finished with their set-up, so it gave Breakfast In Austin a chance to walk the venue and photograph some of their offerings.

Our server, Amy, with the purple highlights and friendly smile, greeted and guided us through TnT offering great tidbits and made us feel right at home. G-Man and I opted to sit outside amongst 10 sidewalk tabletops. The interior of TnT is open & festive but on a sunny, temperate morning, there's nothing like fresh air while you eat. I loved having the option!

Amy recommended we try the handmade mango agua fresca added to our champagne. Absolute perfection! I must admit this was the #1 hit for me at TnT's Sunday Brunch and it didn't hurt that Amy was ON the refills!

Always a sucker for Eggs Benedict, I requested two-made to order and enjoyed every bite. Other delicious items were the Shrimp Ceviche, Cheese Enchiladas, Red Potatoes, Migas, Flan & Cinnamon Brewed Coffee.

Here is a listing of some of TnT's brunch items including impressions & snapshots (note the * signifies extra worthy):

*Eggs Benedict (delicious flavor, muffin & egg were perfect, hollandaise was GOOD and would've been my new #1 with a touch less butter)

*Shrimp Ceviche (fresh, fresh & fresh, delicious)

*Cheese Enchiladas with Blue Corn Tortillas (right side of plate - perfectly made with great taste)

*Cornbread Grit (sweet and surprising)

*Red Potatoes with Peppers & Onion (near perfect with flavor & spice gusto)

*Migas (delicious)

*Corn Tortillas & Chicken Stew (flavorful thick sauce)

*Homemade Tortilla Chips & Salsa (love them!)

*Fresh Guacamole & Queso (both excellent & fresh)

*Coffee (a blend made especially for TnT - smooth, rich with a hint of cinnamon)

*Flan (creamy, yum)

*Baked goods (Tasted several - loved the cinnamon twist)

*Fresh fruit (Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries)

Pasta Salad

Huevos Rancheros

Chicken Enchiladas (the ONLY thing I ate that wasn't good)

Rice & Beans (standard)

Sausage Links

Mimosas

Belgian Waffles (with amazing fixings)

Omelets

Tacos and Tequila pulls off a genuine blend of breakfast & lunch with an appealing Mexican infusion. I literally enjoyed every item with only one exception, and that my friends, is impressive! Just take the chicken enchiladas off your menu, TnT, and I'll pretend they never existed! Full buffet is $17.95, children 6-10 are $6.95 and children 5 and under are free.

I've heard some say that TnT is hard to find. It's not! If you're driving into downtown from Mopac, Pressler is a cross street on W. 5th. Past ART on 5th & Covert Buick Body Shop, look for the new Gables on your left and TnT is on the 1st floor. Parking is free in the garage at the Gables or you can try your luck on or around Pressler Street.

It's all about the feast not the famine!

To find out more aboutTnT Tacos and Tequila, you can find them at: http://www.tntgrill.com/ or on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/TNTgrill?ref=ts

Pros: Great selection of food, friendly & attentive staff (Amy our server was awesome), the mango agua fresca was insanely delicious, DJ Manolo playing some groovy tunes, affordable all in one price, terrific open & light atmosphere, outdoor seating, great parking

Cons: Still setting up when we arrived, the chicken enchilada

Suggestions: Advertise your Sunday Brunch! You can't rely on word of mouth only when you have huge competition all around you. You're a business, so make some money!

TnT Tacos and Tequila ~ on the corner of W. 5th & Pressler ~ 507 Pressler Street, Austin, Texas 78703 ~ 512.436.8226

Mass Production at Kerbey Lane Cafe

Ohhhh, Kerbey Lane Cafe, how you've disappointed Breakfast In Austin! Pumpkin pancakes! 30 years in business! Spectacular presentation! I only wish this was my 1st time visiting with no knowledge or regard for you...but because it wasn't, I returned a patron with high hopes based on your prior consistency. My expectation didn't do you any favors, Kerbey Lane Cafe, though I can probably forgive you and will most likely return.

My expectations? I expect a 30-45 minute wait, I understand your enterprising move farther up 183 to accomodate more people, I get how busy and popular you are in all of your locations and I can even sympathize with the challenge in mass producing food and living up to the Kerbey Lane Cafe name. But it's your name! Your Patrons! Their experience! Really, I'm not complaining. Read all my other reviews...

After listening to the cool blues guitarist outside and watching kids dancing & adults fidgeting, our pager vibrated and we were ushered by the hostess to our extra large and comfy booth. In moments we were greeted by a friendly server and placed our drink orders. I happily accepted and enjoyed my cappuccino with froth. It was hot and substantially caffeinated. Side note! On a Sunday you're prohibited from ordering a bloody mary or any other alcohol for that matter until noon. BUT if you order food FIRST (before noon on Sunday), THEN you're within legal means to order the cheer. Patrons can thank the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for this little law.

After taking a few minutes to scour the breakfast items, we ordered and then waited an additional 30 minutes for our plated food. Stomachs growling, our plates were finally presented! Unfortunately the items were not hot and had that semi-lackluster, muted appearance, where you just kinda know your food sat in a pick up station for several minutes. Ugh. All joking aside, we've all had that moment where you suspect complaining probably won't do any good. Especially after waiting 60 minutes. In the interest of hunger (we were nearly cannibalistic) we sucked up our disappointment and ate. THANKFULLY, there was still that glorious flavor in my Eggs Francisco, but I just couldn't get that past satisfaction back by eating a lukewarm meal...

The items...

I ordered the Eggs Francisco consisting of an English Muffin piled with scrambled eggs, bacon, tomato, avocado and a generous heap of creamy queso with sides of seasonal fruit and shriveled home fries - all for $7.95. I would highly recommend this offering to anyone because of it's flavor.

The 14 year old boy ordered a Breakfast Platter with 2 scrambled eggs, 2 pancakes (blackberry to be specific) and mandatory bacon for $5.55. Bacon was the only hit for him. He was disgruntled with the cold pancakes and flat eggs, leaving most of the food on his plate.

G-Man ordered the Biscuits, Scrambled Eggs & Gravy plate with 2 sausage patties for $5.95. His comments? Flavorful gravy but lackluster and hardly warm. He cleaned his plate though - obviously hungry.

So, should you go? Yes. Based on my past experiences at Kerbey Lane Cafe, I'd recommend a trip and the Eggs Francisco or any variety of pancake. They've always done a fine job! Unfortunately we caught KLC on a bad day. In the future, I'll personally avoid the weekend and hope for fresher food at a different location Monday through Friday.

It's all about the feast, not the famine!

To learn more about Kerbey Lane Cafe, go to:

http://www.kerbeylanecafe.com/

To scour Kerbey Lane Cafe's breakfast items:

http://www.kerbeylanecafe.com/menu/our-24-hour-menu

Pros: Bustling, people watching, great menu selection, service, guitar guy outside, established repuation

Cons: Cold food, waited 30 minutes for a table for 3, waited 30 minutes for our food, understaffed during their busiest time

Suggestions: More staff on the weekends? Back up runners from pick up counter to table?When you have this many Patrons & mass production there is so much room for error and less than stellar experiences

Kerbey Lane Cafe has four (4) locations to serve you:

Northwest ~ 13435 Hwy 183 N., Ste. 415, Austin, TX 78750 ~ 512.258.7757

South ~ 2700 S. Lamar, Austin, TX 78704 ~ 512.445.4451

UT ~ 2606 Guadalupe St., Austin, TX 78705 ~ 512. 477.5717

Central ~ 3704 Kerbey Ln., Austin, TX 78732 ~ 512.451.1436

Southwest ~ 4301 William Cannon, Austin, TX 78749 ~ 512.899.1500