03/01/09

Worst Service in Austin

by Longhorn7777

My girlfriend and I have eaten at the Kerby Lane on South Lamar (both picked up and dined in) around 5 times now. I personally don't even like the food there, but my girlfriend does, so I'm forced to go along. Both times we have eaten at the restaurant the wait has been over an hour and a half long and on both occasions we were passed over by others that had shown up after us. On the first occasion the waitress got my order wrong and on the second occasion my girlfriend's order was wrong. Since then we decided to only get to-go orders from the restaurant. We've actually only made it out of there once with our food. The last 2 times we've gone to pick up our orders the food was not ready in the amount of time we were told with the latest occasion being today. The host told me the food would be ready in 15 minutes. I arrived at the restaurant after about 20 minutes and the food wasn't ready. I ended up waiting inside the crowded restaurant for 45 minutes!! At this time I was fed up and told the host to forget it and walked out.

Also, while waiting, a blind woman asked one of the hosts (tall, skinny guy with long hair) if he would help walk her to the restroom. He obliged and did so. Upon returning, he and the other host (red haired gay guy) proceeded to make fun of her with the red haired man saying, "Great, she's probably going to end up pi$$ing all over the floor." They said this loud enough where I'm positive 4 or 5 other parties waiting for a table heard them. After all this, my girlfriend and I have decided to never eat there again. The staff, in my opinion, is the worst in Austin.

• Pros: None
• Cons: staff, food, wait times, parking, cleanliness

12/28/08

Awesome Place...

by albertvasquez

The Raspberry Pancakes (only available on some days) are the best pancakes in the entire world. This is a verified true fact. The only thing better than these pancakes is the joyful laughter of small children and world peace.

• Pros: Great Place
• Cons: Too popular

10/25/08

The essence of Austin

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

08/11/08

consistently getting worse

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.

05/16/08

so-so service but good food

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

03/01/08

WORST WAITSTAFF AND MANAGER!

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

01/13/08

Excellent food, good service

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

07/28/07

Kirby Lane an institution that does not live up to expectations

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

07/20/07

Amazing food, low price and nice staff

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

04/16/07

Good selection, awful place

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