Kerbey Lane Cafe--Info & Reviews
This restaurant has moved
Presumably the food is still the same, so this page is kept as is. We will try to get new photos up if possible.
- Service: Waiters
- Cuisine: American, Sandwiches, Hamburgers, Salads, Breakfast
- Local Chain
- Breakfast served all day
Overall Rating:
About Kerbey Lane Cafe
Home-grown Austin pancake-heavy joint
Staff Reviews (Your Reviews Below)
Dry Migas
Reviewer: Chris
Original Review Date: 06/22/2007
Rating: 0/+3(Ho hum)
Migas: dry. Black Beans: bland. Rice: crunchy. Salt Grinders: ineffective at extracting salt to help make the crummy black beans more palatable.
I do like the atmosphere of the place though. It has that "authentic breakfast joint" feel, with the layout, low ceilings, homey furniture, nice patio, etc. The building used to be a "Captain Boomer’s Seafood Restaurant" according to their website. [see update below...]
The menu suffers from the "Too Austiny" syndrome in my mind. Eg., the word "grits" does not appear on the breakfast menu. Nor does "hash browns" (instead we get "homefries"). That's just not right.
The burger being consumed by the diner next to me did look pretty good. I'll give that a shot next time, and try to get some pictures as well.
Update 9/2/2008 Went to their new location today, at 183 and Anderson Mill. The homey digs noted previously at their old 183 address have been replaced with strip-center digs. It is lacking in much personality or charm, but it's a clean and bright space at least. I opted for the burger this time. Was not bad--chargrilled, a tad dry, but pretty decent. But the potato options are just a killer to me. The do not have french fries (wtf?). The closest you can get is "home fries", which are simply big chunks of new potatoes with pepper and spices (paprika?). Just ridiculous in my book. Burger + home fries is not a valid combination.
Update 11/17/2009 Had a burger today and french fries are now on the menu! I asked the waitress when that happened, and she said about five months ago, but that they were always available as an off-menu item, for those in the know (not me obviously). Burger still too dry, but not bad.
Your Reviews (add a review)
quality, traditional food when out of options
Reviewer: Brian K 70.124.65.29
Review Date: 08/20/2009 04:57PM
Rating: +1/+3(Not bad)
This might be the only 24/7 restaurant listed on this site, and I think the only 24/7 full-scale restaurant in the N/NW Austin area (excluding the other locations around the city). This is why it always maintains steady business late, late into the night.
Kerbey Lane is a respected Austin establishment. The ingredients are sourced from local producers and for the most part are fresh and organic.
The food is overpriced in my opinion. The portion sizes are moderate. This is NOT a pig-out joint b/c it's just too expensive for the portion sizes, and the selections are basic, traditional styles.
The menu is extensive. Kerbey Lane is known for their 24/7 breakfast menu. But unfortunately the pancakes are nothing special. They are dry and bland.
If you are craving home-cooked food after dark, Kerbey Lane offers a cozy environment to top off the night.
If you know which server to get, you're good
Reviewer: Bryan 99.156.91.217
http://bgoldstein.blogspot.com
Review Date: 06/19/2008 02:19PM
Rating: +2/+3(Goooood)
I generally go to Kerbey Lane every Monday night with my girlfriend. I would day that 9 times out of 10, it's a good time. The service is generally slow as most of the staff is probably completely high, but the food eventually comes out and all is good. In spite of the slow service, the food is always delicious and if you get the right server, you will be fine.
There is one waiter specifically to watch out for. I don't know his name, but he is horrible. You may end up sitting at a table for 30 minutes with your menu and water which was brought to you by a manager that you had to ask to "please, please, just bring us some water".
food o.k.,but place needs new carpet(disgusting!)
Reviewer: M M 71.145.172.153
Review Date: 06/18/2008 07:03PM
Rating: +1/+3(Not bad)
I actually go there about once every couple of weeks,and the food is healthy and pretty good. My only complaint is that this place doesn't look very clean,and the carpet is stained and filthy. The waiters and waitresses don't look so fresh either, I think they are hired for their "Austin Weirdness" perhaps. They are all very polite and efficient though, I must admit,and I haven't gotten sick(yet). They do offer organic burgers which are hard to find ,and organic chicken . If this is important to you as much as it is to me,give it a try,and don't stare at the waiters,regardless of how weird they look. I'm sure there is a nice person under all the tattoos and piercings. ; )
Well Let's talk!!!!
Reviewer: Bob Pietrasik 72.183.98.184
Review Date: 03/19/2008 09:23PM
Rating: 0/+3(Ho hum)
Went there several times years ago, and though it was ho-hum, I didn't like
the no white bun or bread option for burgers, though the place was to hippie
minded, staff was fine, food so so, so I tried it again in March 08, sorry guys
no change, so-so, no white bread, it is still a hippie or maybe heatlhly yuppie now,
but I won't go back for many more yers.
cool place
Reviewer: Escapeso Austin Real Estate 70.218.26.120
http://www.escapesomewhere.com
Review Date: 07/19/2007 02:05AM
Rating: +1/+3(Not bad)
I have been going down their for years. And I love the place. Everyone is pretty nice. And its one of the few places open at 2am. The only thing I wish is that their was somewhere I could go at 2am that was a little more healthy. For a town that is into healthy food the menus at 2am consist mostly of burgers, pancakes, and cheese. And when I am not in the mood for that you are kind of stuck.