Flipnotics

4600 Guadalupe, 380-0097 
Monday-Friday, 7am-12mid; Saturday,
7am-1am; Sunday, 8am-11pm
www.flipnotics.com

I admit I prefer hanging out at a wine bar rather than at a coffeehouse, but I understand the European allure of an afternoon espresso while leisurely surfing the Web. However, if I were to spend a good amount of money and time at a coffeehouse, I’d expect it to be inviting and cozy. Some things from Flipnotics’ Barton Springs Road original have definitely been lost in translation to the modern urban setting of the Triangle. For me, this outpost lacks the funky atmosphere, low-rent charm, friendliness, and all-around comfortable feeling from the original Flipnotics. That said, it does serve the same menu of coffee drinks, sandwiches, empanadas, and desserts and has free Wi-Fi for the laptop set. The seating space here is small and cramped, and there are only a couple of tables outside, right on the walkway rather than an enclosed patio. It is surely a convenient location for Triangle denizens to grab a bagel and a cup on the way to work, but I can’t convincingly call it a destination.

This article appears in October 24 • 2008.

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Mexico City native Claudia Alarcón has made Austin home since 1984. She worked her way through college in the local restaurant industry, graduating from the University of Texas in 1999. She has been a Chronicle contributor for 15 years and presents lectures and workshops on topics related to the foodways of Mexico, both locally and internationally.