Second Helpings: Open All Night
Fri., Jan. 9, 2004
Denny's
Various locationsThough things haven't been the same since they discontinued the free birthday meal for adults (kids 10 and under are still eligible), Denny's still packs in the late-night crowds, faced with the agonizing decision ... breakfast or lunch? For $3, the Grand Slam Breakfast with two eggs, two pancakes, bacon, and sausage is almost a bargain of Las Vegas proportions. The Moons Over My Hammy ham-and-egg sandwich is worth ordering just for the pleasure of saying it. Denny's lunch/dinner menu includes burgers, sandwiches, steaks, and a decadent fried appetizer basket that includes onion rings, chicken strips, and cheese sticks with marinara dipping sauce.
International House of Pancakes
Various locationsIHOP and Waffle House (the latter of which Austin sorely lacks) are two of the only national sit-down chain restaurants that don't make you feel like you've stumbled into some focus-group-tested concept. IHOP's food is simple, but the pancakes are always good and the coffeepot is always bottomless. They make huge omelets, and who can resist ordering the Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity breakfast? If you're not in the mood for breakfast, IHOP also serves burgers, sandwiches, steaks, and pot roast.
Jim's Restaurant
9101 Research, 837-1119Highway 290 at Highway 71, Oak Hill, 288-2408
Spicewood Springs Road at Highway 183, 250-9881
The funny-looking cowboy mascot on the welcome mat is the first sign that you've wandered into a regional coffee-shop chain whose aesthetic is permanently mired somewhere in Reagan's first term. Jim's breakfast fare (served anytime) includes most of the standards along with decent breakfast tacos. For lunch or dinner, try the chili burger with fries or the chicken-fried steak plate. That and several cups of coffee will have you feeling whole again.
Katz's Deli & Bar
618 W. Sixth, 472-2037
Never Kloses
I gotta tell ya, though it's a bit pricier than your average all-night greasy spoon, Katz's New York-style deli menu can sate most any appetite. The classic Reuben comes with a half-pound of meat, as do the prime Angus burgers. The menu also features homemade soups, salads, all-beef kosher franks, meat loaf, and Yankee pot roast. Katz's breakfast lineup features the requisite bagels and lox, blintzes, and latkes.
Kerbey Lane Cafe
2606 Guadalupe, 477-57173704 Kerbey Lane, 451-1436
2700 S. Lamar, 445-4451
24 hours a day, seven days a week
If there is such a thing as Austin-style dining, Kerbey Lane has been instrumental in defining it. Their trademark gingerbread pancakes and migas pack in the Sunday brunch minions, while the after-club crowd chows down on enchiladas, burgers, sandwiches, and salads with locally grown produce. Kerbey Lane's black bean and roasted chicken tacos are a particularly hearty find for the budget minded.
Magnolia Cafe
1920 S. Congress, 447-76362304 Lake Austin Blvd., 478-8645
24 hours a day, seven days a week
This venerable Austin variation on the coffee shop serves great breakfast tacos, French toast, and omelets along with fresh-squeezed orange juice and strong joe. The economical among us will appreciate Magnolia's wide selection of inexpensive grilled potato dishes and breakfast tacos. The menu also features a number of vegetarian items, including Magnolia Mud, a must for every visit.