XL cover story
10 coffeehouses where we love to linger
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
CAFE CAFFEINE
909 W. Mary St., 447-9473
www.cafecaffeine.com; free Wi-Fi
Tyrannical governments once considered coffeehouses dangerous places. Caffeine revved up thought and conversation — bad news for the monarchies in France and England. In the mid-1900s, members of the American youth counterculture met in campus coffeehouses to rebel with Beat poetry and war discussions. If a revolution were to begin today in Austin, it might happen at Café Caffeine, amid retro radios and a revolving pie display. Anti-war and anti-Bush stickers and T-shirts line one wall: 'When in doubt, start a war.' 'Wish I lived in a blue state!' The American Civil Liberties Union meets here, as does a group of knitters. I have only one question: Will a vegan chocolate-chip cookie provide the sustenance required for a revolution?
Brian K. Diggs
AMERICAN-STATESMAN
At Joe's Bakery some of the patrons have been socializing there since the '60s.
Brian K. Diggs
AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Ruta Maya International Headquarters features a play area where Kate Hoermann studies for an anthropology class while her daughter Maggie, 6, plays on the computer.
Brian K. Diggs
AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Comfy chairs are part of the amenities at Summermoon.
COMMON GROUNDS COFFEE SHOP AND WINE BAR
3720 Gattis School Road, Round Rock; 238-1833
www.commongroundscoffeeshop.com; free Wi-Fi
Head up Interstate 35 into Round Rock, pass Home Depot and hang a right after Joe's Crab Shack. Even in suburbia, you don't have to rely on Starbucks. I wondered what a Round Rock wine bar is like on a Saturday night. Full of life. Kids play with a train, puzzles and dominoes as if they know each other. Turns out, they do. The band on the night I went was from LifePointe Fellowship in Hutto, and the Rev. Ben Terry had sent a churchwide e-mail invitation. 'We're not a front-porch culture anymore,' Terry said. 'We're a backyard culture — with privacy fences.' Music goes along with the nonthreatening church environment Terry wants to provide for those wary of organized religion but in need of community: 'You can really establish a relationship in these types of places.'
GARDEN DISTRICT COFFEE HOUSE
2810 S. Congress Ave., 462-2473
Free Wi-Fi
Sometimes only a cup of coffee at home will do. Luckily there is a coffeehouse for every mood. Garden District Coffee House is like drinking a cup of coffee with Grandma. The recliners and couch make up the living room, the 'kitchen' is a hodgepodge of '70s-style tables and chairs with a kids' table and games. The patio overlooks the plant nursery on the same grounds. A woman comes in dehydrated from the heat. She collapses onto a chair and begins a conversation about her son's choice in women. 'If a girl said, "Let's go to church," ' she remembers, 'that was the cue (to marry).' Late mornings draw the most crowds, usually from the nursery, for Cuban food, but sometimes a student or two wanders in to work in solitude before the 10 p.m. closing time.
JOE'S BAKERY & COFFEE SHOP
2305 E. Seventh St., 472-0017
www.joesbakery.com
At Joe's, Tejano music drowns out the sounds of clinking dishes and Tex-Mex Spanish. Every morning, some of the same customers from when the coffeehouse and restaurant opened in the 1960s as a panaderia wait for their favorite spot at the counter. The changing neighborhood has brought more diversity to Joe's clientele, says Regina Maciel, the granddaughter of the original founder. 'The neighborhood back then was black and brown.' Customers came for their daily pan dulce and coffee — 'just a regular black cup of coffee.' No lattes or laptops here. Now the panaderia is more of a restaurant, but early mornings in the far left corner, Mexican American politicians from the area still meet for coffee, newspapers and conversation.
PROGRESS COFFEE
500 San Marcos St., 493-0963
www.progresscoffee.com; free Wi-Fi
Progress Coffee reflects the changing atmosphere of East Austin. The setting is minimalist, with exposed rafters and magazines about art, design and culture for sale. The menu includes a Brie sandwich, tiramisu and a charcuterie plate. Its proximity to downtown is perfect for business meetings, a before-show glass of wine or some computer work. Dean Kakridas prefers Progress to coffeehouses west of Interstate 35 because there's reliable Wi-Fi and fewer students. For him, Progress works as a substitute for a bar: 'It's a way to delve into the balance between being productive and slacking off.'
RUTA MAYA INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
3601 S. Congress Ave., 707-9637
www.rutamaya.net; free Wi-Fi
No coffeehouse in town does community like Ruta Maya. Patrons attend French lessons, yoga classes, poetry nights, music nights, kids' shows, presentations of Capeoira Angola — which is a mix of fighting and dancing to Afro-Brazilian music — and more. In the corner, Happy Jack embroiders clothes on an old Singer. His gray beard is braided, and he lives by exchanges, not money. He's at Ruta Maya for about eight hours a day — when he's in town. To explain his free-roaming lifestyle, he shows me a newspaper article from Colorado written about the Rainbow Family. 'I do have the most bohemian job in Austin,' he says. 'I know it's not possible for everyone to live that life, but it's the only one I can afford.' At Ruta Maya, anything goes.
SORRENTO'S COFFEE
2913 W. Anderson Lane, 419-9330
Morning coffee purchases must go smoothly. I want to know I can pay $1.60 with a credit card without a fight over minimum purchases. I want a punch card and pleasant service with little chitchat. Sorrento's Coffee is in a shack next to a Short Stop and a dry cleaner, not more than a block from a Starbucks. Drive-through coffee is a Seattle staple, but in Austin, we worry about a shack that sells coffee. 'Do you have lattes and espresso drinks?' and 'Did you know there's a Starbucks down the street?' are two questions Seattle transplant Kelly Lewis hears often. (Yes on both.) Opening a drive-through was her dream. Luckily, she fulfilled it in Austin.
SPIDER HOUSE
2908 Fruth St., 480-9562
www.spiderhousecafe.com; free Wi-Fi
Spider House's hanging holiday lights beckon University of Texas students to the patio with antique Coke machines, gargoyles and enough greenery to resemble a funky garden shop. Russell Pickavance is on stage to share his plan to save the world. 'I'm a cultural observer and a problem solver,' he tells me after his speech. He is instigating a worldwide vote on one question: Should everyone on Earth have enough to eat? If everyone answers 'yes' on a 3-inch-by-5-inch index card, then resources will come forth, no one will go hungry, there will be less resistance in the world and no global warming because it'd take a lot of plants to feed everyone. With the colored lights and caffeine buzz, I forget that I had lost my idealism, and I believe, too.
SUMMERMOON
3115 S. First St., Suite 1B; 804-1665
www.woodfiredcoffee.com; free Wi-Fi
London coffeehouses in the 1600s helped spawn newspapers, when patrons came hungry for information and journalistic souls spread news from one shop to another. Today we have the Internet for that, but should we desire to feel paper in our hands, Summermoon would be the place. Every chair is cushy, and there's always a free table. The music is low, and the few conversations taking place aren't loud. Recent law-school graduates Patty Chang and Julie Pandya rely on Summermoon to get them through hours of reading to prepare for the bar exam. 'Other places, my butt starts hurting,' Chang says. Plus, with the stone wall in the middle of the room and the lime-green plush table and chairs, it's almost like having coffee at the 'Brady Bunch' house.
360 PRIMO
9828 Great Hills Trail, Suite 120; 795-9292
www.360primo.com; free Wi-Fi
A group of men from northern Africa meet on the patio at 360 Primo to smoke, drink coffee or beer and decompress after work. They come here because in Morocco and Algeria, that is what one does: stop for a coffee on the way home. Lately, the conversation turns to soccer. Even though the World Cup is long over, now there are lawsuits to talk about and rehashing of plays to be done. Anything goes in this group: girls, sports, family, anything but politics — this is a time to de-stress. 360 Primo is that kind of place. In European coffee bars and here, the close, informal arrangement of tables encourages conversation. If you enter from the Italian-style alley, you almost forget T.J. Maxx is a neighbor.
Sound off
What are your favorite Austin coffeehouses? Post your comment.
Comments
By Bill Hood
August 28, 2006 10:55 AM | Link to this
Why limit the list to just a few of the many coffeehouses in Austin. Surely you realize that omission is just going to create a flood of comments.
What about Cafe Mundi, Flipnotics, Caffeine Coffeehouse, Genuine Joes, Triumph Cafe, Little City, Mozarts, Lava Java, Clementines, The Hideout, 360 Primo, Texpresso, Bouldin Creek and so many others?
Let’s get the list complete, folks!
By Sterling Price-McKinney
August 21, 2006 12:15 AM | Link to this
Just have iced venti no classic black tea waiting for me when I get to the counter and I will eventually fall into the clutches of your urban assembly line approach. I am committed to the Starbucks cult for at least the foreseeable future. Or until deprogrammers drag me back to Flipnotics or other competing temples of caffeine tea.
By Zenobia
August 16, 2006 04:32 PM | Link to this
Looking for a great coffeehouse to hold a book club meeting. Know of one?
By William
August 13, 2006 01:39 AM | Link to this
No the best place in Austin for coffe is Triumph Cafe. It is located in a generic looking strip mall in North Austin but the coffee and tea is wonderful. They serve not only great coffee and chai, but excellent Vietnamese food. One of the few places in town where one can order both great coffee and actual food, not just pastries and premade sandwiches.
By Jeff
August 12, 2006 08:34 PM | Link to this
I like Genuine Joes on Anderson Lane in North Austin.Nice old building.
By Fred
August 12, 2006 05:40 PM | Link to this
Are you kidding me? No mention of Flipnotics or Little City, the granddaddy’s of Austin’s coffeehouse scene. Flipnotics with its killer live music & patio? Little City on Congress? Flipnotics has the friendliest barista’s in town!
By Steven H
August 12, 2006 08:22 AM | Link to this
please stop mentioning cafe caffeine. it is by far my favorite coffeshop because it isn’t busy like crazy (spiderhouse). let’s just forget it exists. thankyou.
By Mike Simons
August 12, 2006 07:35 AM | Link to this
How did you miss Mozart’s.
Tables inside and out, perfect views of Lake Austin, very good coffee, Internet?
Mike Simons
By Matt
August 12, 2006 01:48 AM | Link to this
I’m a big fan of improv comedy, so the Hideout Coffehouse on congress is always fun. I grab a latte and a pastry and head upstairs for some funny when I need to decompress
By George
August 11, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this
My three favorites in order are: #1)Cafe Mundi, turn right on East Fifth Street off of Chicon.
2) Lava Java on Dean Keeton Blvd. at Medical Arts in the shopping center with Kinko’s and #3) Clementines on Manor Rd. next door to Hoover’s Home Cooking. Thank you.By Jim
August 11, 2006 01:52 PM | Link to this
360 Primo is a European style coffee shop wih outstanding coffee drinks and wonderful deserts including gelato imported from Italy. Its salads, pannini sandwiches and croissants are the best in any coffee shop.
By Margaret
August 11, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this
Try Little City (several locations, my favorite is on the west side of Guadalupe between West 26th and 27th Streets, next to a tattoo shop).
By Michael
August 11, 2006 12:19 AM | Link to this
I am very proud of my sister Kelle Lewis and her husband Chad for going out on a limb and opening a drive thru coffee stand. It took guts, lots of sweat and borrowing of money to do what they did.. Go get a drive thru espresso from them.. its local people who took a risk.. REWARD THEM!
Kelle Lewis’s brother,
Michael Morgan
ps.. they have 2 cute kids too!
By Spence
August 10, 2006 11:40 PM | Link to this
Yeah, sure … great article, as far as it goes; however, howsabout usins that live (work, play, etc.) outside Austin city limits, esp. those of us not fortunate enough to have lived hereabouts forever? Suburbia equal time/consideration? Spence
By jo mama
August 10, 2006 06:23 PM | Link to this
I’d bet on Starbucks being akin to McDonald’s “hamburgers”—sure it tastes good, but what the heck is IN it? McD’s tastes good only because of all the chemicals they add to grade F meat/TVP filler. How long before someone discovers that Starbucks tastes good because they add dioxin to the coffee, or some other outlandishly evil substance that kills people? Suck Farbucks thank you. JM ps,even if I was on a 2 day coffee craving headache,I’d shun Starbucks.
By mike
August 10, 2006 05:42 PM | Link to this
I’ll take good, clean Starbucks over Austin’s hippy-dippy, hole in the wall coffee haunts any day.
By Carlos
August 10, 2006 05:16 PM | Link to this
That girl in the photo looks awesome. I think she is the world’s first Eco-model….
What is an Eco-model?
Eco-models use their skills (photogenic and intellectual) to promote the Eco-lifestyle. Organic clothes, organic food/beverages and organic household and personal care products. Don’t forget about renewable energy, recycling, community participation, education and of course peace.
Did I leave something out?
By Monica Ferguson
August 10, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this
You guys are nuts if you think Joe’s Bakery is the place for coffee. You might as well mention McDonalds and Burger King. Politicians meet there too.
Forget those fly by night places. Texpresso is the place to be. They’ve been around for over a DECADE.
By victoria
August 10, 2006 04:17 PM | Link to this
Ruta Maya is the best! Well, I guess I’m quite biased since I’m the girl in the picture, but from a workers perspective, Ruta is a wonderful place to call home. We buy organic coffee beans directly from indigenous cooperatives in Chiapas, Mexico which makes us feel quite proud of what we are doing as a local business. Another unique thing about Ruta Maya is that we are a large music venue. Check out the Rolling Stones hoot night this Saturday for a taste of Ruta Maya flavor!
By Leticia
August 10, 2006 03:36 PM | Link to this
My vote : I like Austin Java. Hardwood floors, great food that isn’t expensive, good coffee that is cheaper than Starbucks (and I think just as good), and plugs all along the wall for your laptop! And of course the great deck. I’m talking about the one on South Lamar close to 10th street, but there are other locations!
By Giselle
August 10, 2006 02:19 PM | Link to this
Hey!…
The Soft Serve at dhaba joy is VEGAN!!!!
Where else can you get Vegan soft serve and stroll through the groovy toys at Toy Joy?!!!
By Renee
August 10, 2006 02:11 PM | Link to this
Flightpath would be my number one for studying purposes. The floorplan lets you keep an eye on your laptop while you order, and the lighting is bright enough to actaully read under. Also, there is a variety of seating (ie: couches, tables) to choose from and a deck outside if you have to talk. But don’t go ruining it for the rest of us by holding a group meeting or cell phone conversation inside- the intellectual silence is it’s best attribute.
By Spain
August 10, 2006 01:42 PM | Link to this
Hands down, my favorite coffee shop is Bouldin Creek. Their coffee is great, the staff is way friendly and their food is really tasty and cheap. The patio is dog-friendly and the inside is cozy. Can’t be beat!
By Chris
August 10, 2006 12:06 PM | Link to this
I agree with Gerardo that Cafe Mundi is the best coffee place in Austin. It has the best vibe and the best iced coffee in town.
Clementine is just awful and posery, which irks me to no end since I walk past it each day. It’s worse than no coffeeshop in my neighborhood at all.
By Jessica Cassidy
August 10, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this
I dig Progress. The lighting is ideal—bright and cheery; it’s easy to ride my bike there; and I’d rather contribute to the east side economy than the typical undergrad haunts.
By Carolyn
August 10, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this
My favorite coffeehouse is Clementine off of Manor. It’s new and it is awesome. Great tables, great interior, fun place to go play or work.
By Giselle
August 10, 2006 12:45 AM | Link to this
Dhaba Joy on 29th and Guadalupe now open!
Organic Espresso drinks, Blended beverages and Juices.
Also serving Organic Soft Serve!
The door is open to Toy Joy and the manager, Christian Bowman, was an actor on shows like LOST and 24!
By Gerardo Torres
August 10, 2006 12:25 AM | Link to this
How could you? Why didn’t you? It is amazing, but you’ve forgot one important coffe houe in Austin. That is Cafe Mundi on 5th Street, close to Plaza Saltillo. Here is where my friends and I talked and planned to build our web site, which by the way, it is dedicated to news and events happening here in the Capital. I’ve seen other kids, well, most of them students, that also gather there, remember, it is called Cafe Mundi, on 5th Street. Yep, they not only sell coffee, but also chocolate and tea.