Spider House Patio Bar & Cafe

09/23/2008 Posted by Leelee84

Great place to have a nice evening drinking coffee or tea! My boyfriend and I love this place--but Thursday nights are a nightmare. I have never had a problem with customer service or a rude waitstaff.

Pros: Chai tea

Cons: parking

08/30/2008 Posted by sydneyt

I used to frequent Spiderhouse all the time, but not anymore because the service has really gone downhill. One time my boyfriend and I went there to get coffee. We waited around for about 15 minutes before he decided to just go in and get coffee from the bar. While he was gone, this really creepy waiter guy came up to me, got down on one knee and said "Can I get you anything, angel?" I didn't know how to react. I still love their food and drinks, just order at the bar and save yourself the hassle of trying out their waitstaff.

Pros: close to campus, good food and drink

Cons: hipster staff

08/15/2008 Posted by laliroo

I just got back into town from living overseas and wanted to experience a table service cafe again. Its something that's a bit of a rarity Austin even though you tip a barista more per price of a simple coffee then a waiter or waitress working at a local bar and grill dive. This place is cool and trendy and has an interesting vibe, just as I remembered it, but the service is nonexistent. our waitress was so strung out on some austin weirdness that she forgot my order and my friend's twice, and it took over 15 minutes just to get a glass of water and a house coffee. My friend even went to the bar for a beer to bring back to the table and was also ignored. its a shame with austins love for coffee culture, that there are really few places with good service that make the experience worthwhile.

07/17/2008 Posted by hlwolly

I used to have to meet here with a school group I was in. It's dark and loud, and the coffee does not taste that great. My friend ordered a drink and the soy milk had gone bad - it was lumpy. I admire the "austinness" of this place but it is a little pretensious. Also the chairs are uncomfortable.

Pros: good place to meet people, fun hangout

Cons: service and food are not that great

05/13/2008 Posted by amk10003

I dropped in to the Spider House for a quick cuppa before meeting friends for dinner. I sat at the bar, but the bartender ignored me until I got up and moved to across from where he was standing. The coffee--not as good as DoJoe or even SBUX. My friends arrived and we took a table on the patio. We waited ten minutes before our server approached the table. Our table was dirty but he did not offer to clean it up for us. We said that we were going to eat something; he brought menus but no silverware or napkins. We waited fifteen minutes before he returned to take our order (and only then after we flagged him down). We had six in our party, but our waiter did not write down any of our orders. Of course, he forgot a drink and messed up an order. It took him waaay to long to bring a round of waters. He slammed each glass down on the table. Four of our entrees arrived at the same time; the four of us sat looking at our food for a solid five minutes before the other two entrees arrived. We had to request condiments, napkins, and silverware. The waiter brought condiments, napkins, and three knives. The waiter did not check back with us until well into the meal. And before we finished, he stopped by, announced that he was going home, and dropped the check. 1 star for food, atmosphere, and an accidental free lemonade.

Pros: Decent food at a low price

Cons: Horrible, horrible service

04/28/2008 Posted by dansdoll2

The atmosphere is good but the service needs a little help. I love their coffee and desserts, but the staff needs a little customer service training. You should give them a try because they are an Austin favorite.

04/21/2008 Posted by nichole102684

Absolutely LOVE this place. Great drinks, good food, and a great place to hang with friends or even by yourself. Feels like sitting on the back porch of a friends house. Great service! I never want to leave there, wish I lived next door. i drive in all the way from Buda just to come to this place and its very worth it. So go enjoy a very Austin experience at Spider House! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

Pros: Great atmosphere

Cons: nothing

03/15/2008 Posted by mckngbrd

This is a great little Austin-y place. If you live here you have to try it at least once. When I went I had a great time because of the atmosphere and the atmosphere alone. However, the food was mediocre and the service left a lot to be desired. I was even served the wrong food but since it was technically "my fault" due to a misunderstanding, the server was not willing to accomodate me in any way. Then my friends and I waited for a long time to be served. When we finally received our check the waitress made sarcastic remarks about the tips. If you can deal with unprofessional and rude service then I recommend this place, as it is otherwise a fun and worthwhile experience. Maybe just go with friends and get a sundae or something at the bar.

Pros: Atmosphere

Cons: Service

11/10/2007 Posted by travelbugg1980

Very COOL looking place. Great Iced Chai--not too much spice. Lots of interesting folks if you're into People-Watching. Hard to find a seat though--I usually just grab my drink and go!

Pros: Interesting decorations, interesting people

Cons: a little clique among the regulars

08/17/2007 Posted by sarahfalarah

cute. but person who served us was particularly rude. treated us as if they were better than us somehow. sangria's great.

Pros: outdoor area

Cons: whoever served us