Second Helping: American Cafes
Fri., Aug. 30, 2002
"Second Helpings" offers tasty, bite-sized restaurant listings compiled from new and previous reviews, guides, and poll results. This week's entries were updated by Erin Mosow. For quick, reliable information about Austin eateries, check here.
Magnolia Cafe
1920 S. Congress, 445-00002304 Lake Austin Blvd., 478-8645
24 hours a day, seven days a week
www.cafemagnolia.com
Both Magnolia locations pack 'em in at all hours 'round the clock, and weekend brunch hours can easily result in a 45-minutes-to-an-hour wait. Why don't folks throw up their hands and head to Denny's? 'Cause speed can't compete with quality and ambience of a distinctly Austin nature. With monster omelets and entrées from Tex-Mex to pastas, the menu is wide enough to satisfy all hankerings within a given group of people. Musicians, families, slackers, business types: They're all there. Check out their cozy patio dining under the oaks at the South Congress location.
Kerbey Lane Cafe
3704 Kerbey Lane, 451-14362700 S. Lamar, 445-4451
12602 Research, 258-7757
2602 Guadalupe, 477-5717
24 hours a day, seven days a week
You gotta love this homegrown and well-loved institution. What's not to like in a restaurant that wears its groovy legacy on its sleeve (the source of the great big salads is its own 30-acre farm) without resorting to superior condensation (big juicy burgers are tops, too). Yummy coffee, Frisbee-sized pancakes, pastas, black beans, etc., etc., etc. All of it served 'round the clock and enjoyed at same. The original location is housed in two quaint West Austin cottages and has old-Austin charm.
34th Street Cafe
1005 W. 34th, 371-3400Lunch: Monday-Saturday, 11am-4pm; Dinner: Monday-Saturday, 6-9:30pm
34th Street Cafe is the perfect setting for a quick, informal lunch in an atmosphere more sophisticated and relaxed than your average deli. The menu features a dozen classic deli sandwiches made with Boar's Head meats and cheeses, salads, Tuscan pizzas with crusts as thin as water biscuits, homemade soups, and daily blue-plate specials. The cafe kitchen offers full-service catering and also prepares sandwich and dessert trays to order.
Chez Zee
5406 Balcones Dr., 454-2666Monday-Thursday, 11am-10:30pm; Friday, 11am-midnight; Saturday, 9am-midnight; Sunday, 9am-10pm
Just when we think it's all about the brunch, we reconsider and think it's all about the late-night dining. And all hours in between. Voluptuous, decadent brunch items are served with the signature croissants with strawberry butter. Dinner options span a wide range of options from pastas, chicken dishes, and a variety of salads. Chez Zee has also added a beautiful courtyard and private dining room for up to 125 guests for special occasions. Diners take note: One stroll past the groaning dessert case will challenge all resolve to resist temptation.