08/02/09

25 year record

by utex1983

I have been eating here since college in the early 80's. I visit Austin two or three times a year with my students and have never been disappointed with either the staff or the food. Since the cost is so reasonable, cash only should not present a problem. The gingerbread pancakes are so much better than Kerbey Lane and need only a little syrup because they are so sweet. Okay, so it is a hippie dive, but this conservative loves it and if you want the true Austin experience, this is your spot. Give it a try.

• Pros: Large servings/Great Prices
• Cons: Cleanliness

02/03/09

Hands down best pancakes I've ever eaten

by shaft28

Ok, so the place looks like a dump and just does not look like it could be clean but man oh man are the pancakes delicious. I don't know what magic they use but they have nailed the perfect breakfast pancake.

Alt Rock staff is always surprisingly friendly although overworked, they do a brisk business so expect a wait.

Just watch your kids as the wait area flows into the busy parking lot.

Excellent breakfast everytime we go.

01/23/09

Huge Disappointment

by thelonestarcritic

Do you look forward to a hot homemade breakfast? Do you appreciate a clean restaurant? Do you LIKE to pay a fee to use your credit card?

Atmosphere is one thing, dirt is another. For instance, take a minute to look up--are there clumps of dirt clinging to the fan blades? And take a peek into the kitchen as you pass by...This was the first 'flag' on my recent visit here. I ordered the Huevos Rancheros, and they were hugely disappointing. The scrambled eggs were laying in a puddle of watery liquid, the black beans tasted as if they were poured directly from a can on to the plate, as were the tasteless canned diced tomatoes with jalapenos (likely source of the puddle) that were heated and then poured over the eggs...no seasoning whatsoever, nothing 'fresh' on the plate. The 'side' of potatoes looked as if the dirt on the skins had not been scrubbed off before cooking and were mostly under baked.

The final frustration was at the check out, they do not take any form of payment other than cash. If you didn't realize this, you now have one option--their 'ATM' gadget which is duct taped to a stand next to the register. There is a $1.50 fee to use the machine (which appears to be owned by the restaurant, so the fee is theirs!) Seems to be a scam here...why not accept debit cards then??

It all adds up to a very bad taste.