South Congress Cafe
(512) 447-3905
1600 S Congress Ave
Austin,
TX
78704
30.2479
-97.7505
Neighborhoods: Greater South River City, South River City
Reviews & Ratings for South Congress Cafe
33 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 33 reviews
Great food, casual elegance
by DougLSmith
March 21, 2007
My wife and I went there tonight for our 36th wedding anniversary and thoroughly enjoyed it. We were just driving around and decided to go in. The staff greeting us were very friendly. We were seated immediately. The restaurant was not very crowded when we arrived (6:15 on a Wednesday), but was pretty full by the time we left.
The food was great and the portions were almost too large. I had a cup of gumbo as an appetizer that I would have been happy with if they had called it a bowl. The only other problem we had was that there were too many great choices on the menu and as specials. Our waitress was very friendly and helpful in helping us make our selections. Lastly, we loved the decor and the large window in front.
I would highly recommend dining here.
- Pros: Food, portions, wait staff.
- Cons: A little pricy, but there are some relatively inexpensive dishes.
A Unique Place
by vanillabean18
March 25, 2009
I had the crab enchiladas, and they were SO delicious. They were hot (which I like), and very light. My boyfriend had the trout, and it was very good as well. It was nice to have tasty, light, uniquely prepared dishes in a nice atmosphere. Curious to try brunch, but would be weary of the wait, because it is a small place. The only thing negative I'd say, is that the staff looked unprofessional. I mean, I know this is Austin, but if you're in customer service, look your best for the customer's sake.
- Pros: Food, Atmosphere
- Cons: Small, unprofessionally dressed staff
Love It! by Elizabeth P. at InsiderPages
Contributor
February 03, 2009
I have never had a bad meal. Brunch is good. Lunch is good. Dinner is good. Some huge dudes might have a problem with the portion sizes (but truth be told I've never been with one that complained)A little pricey but worth it on certain occasions.
AMAZING FOOD!!!
by veeh
July 27, 2008
Me and 3 girlfriends decided to try this place out. When we got there, there was a 30 minute wait at 2:45PM so I knew this place had to be hoppin'. When we finally got our food, everything was amazing! We ordered the salsa samplers which came with a variety of unique chips, including a taro chip. The salsa was a bit spicy for my taste, because I don't like to burn my palate before the actual entrees come. I ordered the pan seared tuna salad, and I'm not much a of a tuna girl but it was perfectly seasoned and matched the avocado vinaigrette dressing. My girlfriends ordered the crab cake eggs benedict, and the mushroom, artichoke omelet. The proscuitto was perfectly crispy and tasted delightful along with the crab cakes and quiche! The omelet was also perfectly cooked, and the gouda pancake..MM!!
Dishes are a bit on the pricey side for college students, but the atmosphere and food is definitely worth it!
- Pros: Great food, nice Austin-y location, service
- Cons: limited parking, gets crowded fast
This is my new favorite place!!!
by origami
July 04, 2008
I went here on a whim for lunch with friends from out of town and boy was I glad that I made that choice. The food is phenomonal and the drinks were amazing. My friends absolutely loved the place also. Great prices for lunch for the same dishes that you get for dinner. Great atmosphere and service. I went here again for dinner three weeks later to eat at the bar and was still not dissapointed. I would recommend this place to anyone. Excellent brunch menu!!
- Pros: excellent variety in menu, amazing brunch menu for price
- Cons: none
AWESOME!
by surfergirl23
November 27, 2007
S. Congress Cafe blew us away! All of our drinks were great! I had a pomegranate margarita. Then I had the daily soup. my friends all got different soups as well. They were all amazing and the presentation was really neat! All of our entrees were delicious. Anyone could go here becuase there is sucha big variety of food to pick from. My brother ordereda hamburger and fries and it was awesome, I ordered an Seafood Parfait with Ceviche and Shrinp anmd quacamole. Very good. One of my friends ordered quesadilla. And eveyone loved it! The prices are perfect. Food ranging from 8 to 15 bucks. Can beat it and best of all the service was the best ive ever had in austin!
- Pros: EVERYTHING
- Cons: parking
Trendy restaurant with eccentric and beautiful foods, but the hosts and servers aren't so appetizing.
by andrewcharmer
October 14, 2007
Call-ahead seating is a must if you would like to grab a seat in this quaint restaurant in the heart of SoCo. The wait time is the worst due to a small seating area. Taking a large party is not recommended; The restaurant is not set up for it. The menu options for dining are delectable, and the cafe is a microchosm of Gay Austin. I chose this restaurant as a dinner party destination for nine, and was anxious to be seated and experience what so many people had raved about. Unfortunately, the results weren't what was to be expected. Most that dine there are in their early to mid-twenties, and we were one year younger than eighteen. I felt like the host and waiter did not fully trust us, and didn't take us as serious customers. That feeling was confirmed when a friend at the party informed the waiter that is was my birthday, so that I was to receive a traditional birthday dessert after dinner. The waiter asked the friend if I could prove with proper identifcation that it was indeed my birthday. Since it was to be a surprise, the friend disagreed, and the waiter called upon his manager, the hosts, and the advice of other waiters, and soon we had the entire restaurant staff eyeing us as if we were theives. Eventually, desert was served, and was delectable. I thought that SoCo had redeemed themselves, but was disappointed again when the dessert was added to my bill! I immediately asked to speak to the manager who agreed to take it off my bill after I offered (but was not required) to provide ID, and the bill was quickly altered to reflect the change. Ultimately, I was disappointed with the service provided, but will concede that this trendy restaurant does have good food. The manager was respectable and seemed genuinely concerned about the issue that arose. My meal wasn't too appetizing, and was admittedly a bit cold, but it was garnished beautifully and the potatoes were amazing. Others enjoyed the food, and desert was great. I would go back, during non-peak hours only.
Friendliest staff in town
by lolakins
August 30, 2007
I went to South Congress Cafe with some friends after we had been shopping on Saturday. The friendly bartender informed us that the happy hour was even on Saturdays and we had $3 mojitos. I have to say they were the best mojitos I have ever had. The atmosphere of the bar was upbeat, warm, and the other patrons were wonderful. We decided to eat brunch at the cafe and it was incredible. I had the blackened tuna tacos and they were delicious. My three friends also enjoyed their entrees and we shared a flourless chocolate torte that was to die for.Our waitress was very attentive, helpful, and sweet. We will definitely be going back, and you should go too!
- Pros: Service, drinks, food
- Cons: a little noisy
Gourmet at Casual Price
by rachelwynn
August 01, 2007
My husband and I checked out the South Congress Cafe a few weeks ago when we had some friends in town. We started the dinner with mojitos- fantastic! Our server was very friendly and helped us select some fantastic dishes. The jalepeno meat loaf was well liked. I enjoyed the crab cakes, which were the perfect texture (not too wet or dry). Each of these dishes were only $12 each and presented wonderfully. The bottom line- I expect to pay more for such fantastic service, delicious food, and upscale-like atmosphere.
- Pros: Parking across the street, excellent prices
- Cons: There isn't much room in the bar area to wait
Great Atmosphere and Fun waitstaff
by psanders1979
June 22, 2007
We went with a group of girls and it was so fun! A bottle of Champagne and two luxurious desserts at only $9 a person, it was fantastic! They also have great happy hour deals with yummy apps, never had dinner there but I'm sure its great!
Spicy means HOT!
by davebuoy
June 21, 2007
The hostess and my waiter were pretentious, my waiter less so thank goodness. I ordered the pork which was listed as spicy. I love spicy. There is a big difference between spicy and painfull. This dish was painfull. Many many people would not be able to eat it. I was able to eat it but it was a brow sweat dish. The flavor of the dish was there, spot on, just too hot. I'll try again at some point to see if the chef has learned the difference between spicy and painfull. If he has, then this place could really move up the food chain rating. The spices and flavoring he used were really spot on great, he just used too much heat.
- Pros: Great flavors
- Cons: to damn hot
