Kerbey Lane Cafe

10/25/2008 Posted by kreativeone

Whenever I visit Austin, I make sure to stop by Kerby Lane to eat. I enjoy the food. The proportions are great considering the low cost and I really enjoy the menu selections. My favorite right now is the Paris Texas Platter. As for the atmosphere, it is kick-back, mom and pop style with hippies or rock star-influenced looking servers. To me it is the essence of Austin. Yeah, sometimes the service is not speedy fast, but that is part of the kick-back atmosphere. If anybody is expecting to go eat there and get a "yes, sir or yes, ma'am!" at the drop of a pin, then you have come to the wrong place! They are not sucked in by the cooperate mumbo jumbo! They strive to make it their own and for that I give them props! Keep Austin Weird!

Pros: good food, unique flair

Cons: parking

08/11/2008 Posted by veggielaura

we used to love this place, but it is consistently going down hill. i really want to keep liking it - but i doubt that i'll go back. last time i was there i ordered the portobello sandwich - i wish i could draw the picture of mushroom to bread ratio! only half of my sandwich had less than half of a mushroom (not exaggerating!) and about that much pesto. it was missing the cheese and tomato. when i asked the waitress if i could get the cheese and tomato and more mushroom (nicely) she said i would have to pay extra for the mushroom and rolled her eyes. of course i paid extra for the mushroom i didn't want to eat just bread! my mom ordered the pecan-crusted trout which should have been tasty, but it was disgusting. it tasted like it was microwaved for a really long time. very tough and dry, with little flavor. this is not the first time the food and service were below par. we were used to the service being bad, but now the food is following. this is the south austin location that i'm talking about, maybe the other locations aren't as bad - but i doubt that i'll risk it. too bad, i use to enjoy this place and would always take out of town guests here. now we go straight to magnolia.

05/16/2008 Posted by littlemoresunshine

I love Kerbey Lane, don't get me wrong... I just prefer the location of Research Blvd, which is weird because I totally dig South Austin. Everytime I've gone to the Kerbey Lane South - the service has been a little lacking. The food is always delicious and a great variety of food to choose from. They are famous for their delicious Gingerbread pancakes (which are awesome)! It is a small restaurant with not a lot seating but it is an Austin Essential - so if you can't get to any of the other locations - then check it out!

Pros: Austin Essential, great local restaurant, GREAT variety of food with great prices

Cons: parking, and sometimes service

03/01/2008 Posted by j0831096

I recently dined at Kerbey lane the food was good and the waitress was nice and attentive but on the way out I saw an old friend while I stopped to say hi for about 2 minutes the hostess shoved me with her elbows as she passed through and screamed out "jesus christ!" because we seemed to be in her way. I understand that we were in her way but she is representing Kerbey lane as a hostess she should have a better attitude, some damn manners to just say "excuse me" and ask nicely to move to another area. As she walked backed she mumbled and shoved at us some more, I immediately called the manager as soon as I got home told her my story and all she told me was "ok i'll talk to her" she didn't asked what she looked like or if i knew her name nor did she apologize for on behalf of her rude hostess. I dine at kerbey lane often and this is the worst experience I have ever had with them or at any restaurant. I hope someone or something can get this place to clean up their attitude and customer service.

Pros: potato flautas

Cons: rude horrible waitstaff and manager

01/13/2008 Posted by chuckberry71

I don't quite understand all the scathing reviews of this place because of service. The quality of service I received was fine. Not legendary, but not terrible as other reviews seem to have experienced. I had tofu fries appetizer (fried bean curd in the shape of french fries). Probably good with a peanut sauce, but nothing more than a novel way to eat some tofu. The entree was Feta Chicken, a beautifully plated grilled chicken breast (though overcooked) with feta, a pita and tabooleh and hummus. All of it was good. I also was obliged to at least try a pumpkin pancake on the order of two friends. I was surprised at how good a pancake could taste, dynamite stuff.

Pros: Good value for well presented food

Cons: A little more attention could be paid to overall food quality

07/28/2007 Posted by shaft28

My wife has lived in Austin before for 3 years, were back after a 5 year hiatus and looked forward to some of the great placed to eat. Kirby Lane is not one of them. We have eaten here and the other location about 6 times in the past 4 months and have to say the food it good but that is about it. Waitstaff is 90% college punk rockers - who by the way are known for the attentive good natured attitudes perfect for wiatstaff...oh wait no that is just the opposite. Hope you get one of the hippie chicks, they are sweet but only 1-2 of them. Waiting outside is awesome especially since you watch the thousands of anys infesting the tent and the hundred of flies swarming the unattended trash and orange rinds on the outside seating. Someone call the heath code folks cause it doesn't look any cleaner inside. Breakfast is good but skip lunch and dinner. Some places are a legend but someone someday is going to open a clean & good diner and it will close this place down. I think we're done with here. Too bad.

Pros: good pancakes

Cons: dirty, parking, horrible staff, filthy, unclean

07/20/2007 Posted by popejoan

I have taken many out of town guests to this Kerbey Lane and they love it. I especially like their Berkeley Salad and the soy ginger dressing. Their hibiscus mint iced tea is brewed perfectly. The staff is prompt and kind.

Pros: Great location, friendly staff, flavorful food

04/16/2007 Posted by macscruff

The only Kirby Lane I would recommend would be the 38th / Kirby Lane location. Other locations you will have to deal with unattentive kids for waitstaff. Sure, Ive had a couple nice meals here, I have also walked out twice because I could not get seated or waited on. Its a hit/miss, I choose not to take the chance.

Pros: some good items on menu, extensive menu

Cons: silly kids for employees

02/16/2007 Posted by laceyhend

I really liked the food here and it was a really good value. The portions were pretty big also. Our wait staff was so-so. Not very attentive at all. I think he was stoned or something. But, the food was really delicious. Parking CAN be a problem, so go early.

Pros: food, breakfast

Cons: Slow service, parking, crowds

01/12/2007 Posted by coog78

I do enjoy Kerbey Lane's omelettes and pancakes. In a city that typically is horrible for food, Kerbey Lane comes through. It gets crowded on weekends, so I recommend coming early. Service can be staffed by a stoned-out-of-their-mind waitstaff so don't be in a hurry. If you can stomach a city filled with people emphasizing trying to be cool before anything else, you'll enjoy this place and Austin. If you want good food and service, go to Houston or Dallas.

Pros: food

Cons: service, location