AUSTIN COFFEE SPOTS
100 coffee shops, 83 percent independent
The caffeine makes it feel like more.
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFFTuesday, February 12, 2008
These stories were originally published Jan. 25 and Feb. 1, 2007.
One hundred coffee shops.
Only six represent national chains. Four were selected from local conglomerates. The rest — true blue independents.
Independent coffee shops are oases of personal expression in great deserts of chain-ification. They cluster in the city, but serve even more vital community and entertainment functions away from downtown.
During our 100-shop tour, we found that, in the urban core, baristas tend to be twentysomethings. In the suburbs, they are teens. In the exurbs, they are just as likely to be retired free spirits.
We can confirm that, despite the silence of the laptoppers, coffee shops are not libraries with espresso machines. It's safe to talk. (If you don't, nobody will, in some places.)
And it's not a true coffee shop if anyone raises a penciled eyebrow of disdain because you've commandeered a table for three hours.
This week, we describe the first 50 shops, Austin Java through Jollyville Java, alphabetically speaking. Next week, Jo's Hot Coffee through Zoombaz.
If we missed your favorite Central Texas spot for coffee, tell us at austin360.com/talkofaustin, then vote in our online coffee poll. You'll also find a coffee-shop map at Austin360.com.
1. AUSTIN JAVA
Multiple locations
At one point, AJ was revolutionary: a coffee shop that served top-notch soups, sandwiches and heartier fare, not just as an afterthought. As the small chain has grown — just added: a location inside Austin City Hall — each incarnation has nurtured its own identity. It's taken a few critical hits lately, but Austin Java still looks like a local hero to us.
2. AZUL
1808 E. Cesar Chavez St. 457-9074
Proof positive that the East Cesar Chavez area has changed radically in the past decade, Azul instantly set its own standards for cross-cultural coolness. Additional patio seats and a varied menu have kept Azul a neighborhood magnet, plus a place with an actual parking lot for near-downtowners to meet for a midday repast.
3. BAKERMAN'S BAKERY
120 E. Seventh St. 476-0060
Egg, cheese and sausage croissant — done the right way, filling but not greasy. That?s the kind of substantial eats that sets this downtown bakery apart, along with row after row of made-in-house pastries and sandwiches. The brewed decaf is OK, but one may choose from chalkboards full of other options for drinks in this place, set up for a busy business crowd.
4. BARNES & NOBLE
Multiple locations
Independent bookstore purists, cease and desist. This ubiquitous big-box store raised the general quality of such shops dramatically, which expanded the number of titles published each year. Meanwhile, its mostly Starbucks-based cafes are islands of calm in frenetically busy shopping centers. Live with it.
5. BOOKPEOPLE
603 N. Lamar Blvd. 472-5050
It might be better known as a bookstore than a coffeehouse, but the espresso is very good. Instead of ?To go?? the barista asks ?Do you want to walk around with it?? Patrons can peruse stacks of possible purchases at cafe tables or examine local artwork displayed on the wall. On a weekend afternoon, seats might be scarce, while on a weekend night, this bright, quiet corner of the store could be a great place to study.
6. BOSSA NOVA
COFFEEHOUSE & BAKERY
2121 E. Sixth St. 478-8700
Open just a week, Bossa Nova carries the new gleam of a shelter-magazine photo spread. In keeping with trendy nearby loft developments, the decor is modern. Still, there?s already a neighborhood feel, right down to the local beat cop, who has stopped in to shoot the breeze with the gregarious staff. The espresso is worthy.
7. BOULDIN CREEK
COFFEEHOUSE & CAFE
1501 S. First St. 416-1601
Neo-hippie down to its jagged nails, this Bouldin area hangout is so laid-back, it almost slips into the creek behind it. Service can be even more casual. Its partisans are intensely loyal, and the numerous nooks and outdoor tables are usually packed with variations on resale shop denizens and variations on creative hair.
8. BUENOS AIRES CAFE
2414 S. First St. 441-9000
The atmosphere is more South Austin than South America, despite the posters on the wall and memorabilia such as articles from Argentina?s La Nacion newspaper under the glass on tabletops. The cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and might be busy at mealtimes, but you can also simply sit and sip a decent espresso while enjoying a pastry or empanada. For fine weather, there?s a diminutive patio out front.
9. CAFÉ CAFFEINE
909 W. Mary St. 447-9473
Bouldin-area residents were afraid this modern coffeehouse would clot the area with commercialism, but they have since embraced its brisk colors, modest but chic patio, sweeping counter, better-than-average coffees, tasty treats and pleasantly uncommercial atmosphere. Other neat shops have since opened at Mary and South Second streets.
10. CAFE DO BRASIL
200 San Jacinto Blvd. 320-8378
The Hampton Inn?s Fresh Cup coffee shop has been renamed and cheerily redecorated by an ebullient Brazilian with a fondness for parrot posters. Complimented on the uncommonly intense, complex flavor of his espresso, the proprietor exclaims ?It?s Brazilian!? He lifts the cover from a cake plate to offer a tantalizing sniff, and knocks a hole in a coconut to pour a fresh glass of juice. The rest of the coconut, he explains, will be used to concoct a dessert.
11. CAFE ESPRESSO
Multiple locations
If the in-store cafe is often an afterthought over at Barnes & Noble, it's a distinct enterprise at Borders. In some locations, Cafe Espresso has a separate entrance and marketing. For chain bookstore coffeehouses, these tend to be commodious and well-tended, and, for some shoppers, an experience unto itself.
12. CAFE JAVA
11900 Metric Blvd. 339-7677
It?s a diner. A good diner. An old-fashioned diner, with no-nonsense, professional service, slipped into a strip center near Austin Community College?s Northridge campus. Though you would never know from the exterior, this kind of place would light up any small Texas town with burgers and patty melts, salads and darn fine coffee. This comes with our highest casual-eatery recommendation. Another location has opened on Gattis School Road in Round Rock
13. CAFFE MEDICI
1101 West Lynn St. 524-5049
A labor of amore, this family-run coffeehouse in the Clarksville neighborhood nicely complements its neighbors — Galaxy Cafe, Jeffrey's, Cosmic Cafe, Nau's Enfield Drugstore and Cipollina. Darkly saturated colors and discreetly distributed tables offer the average laptopper or hushed gossiper above-average privacy. The coffee — even the decaf — soaks the senses, and a healthy supply of pastries blinks from the display cases.
14. CAFE MUNDI
1704 E. Fifth St. 236-8634
You have to be in the know to find this poorly signed niche-and-arbor by the old, overgrown East Austin railroad tracks. Amid all the super-modern development, this undisturbed bit of old-feel Austin recently expanded. The coffee is fine, the service is cheery and, in clement weather, a cluster of oaks hosts acoustic musical acts.
15. CASA BRASIL
5213 Evans Ave. 407-9887
Lemon-butter yellow, periwinkle and other bright hues lift a wintry mood on a rainy afternoon, even before a huge, fragrant latte appears. Hardwood floors and butterfly-patterned lampshades add to the warmth of this Hyde Park cottage. Brazilian music makes this a relaxing place to while away the hours, perhaps browsing the CDs for sale or videos for rent, or snacking on tasty heart of palm empanadas or a mushroom pie.
16. CEDAR PERK
200 Buttercup Creek Blvd.,
Cedar Park. 257-7088
The name says it all. This place echoes its host town — now a booming suburb — and its surviving country feel, despite the modern strip mall outside. In the back, there?s a postal nook and gifts for sale. In the front, widely spaced tables and an out-of-place hearth. In between, chipper service and more than serviceable food and drink.
17. CIANFRANI COFFEE
ROASTING COMPANY
715 S. Main St., Georgetown. (512) 869-7030
So resolute about quality coffee beans, Cianfrani offers a whole shelf of high-quality decaf varieties. You don?t find that kind of attention to detail everywhere. Part of the Georgetown courthouse square renaissance, Cianfrani is as dedicated as any coffeehouse in Central Texas. It ranks up there with Mozart?s for sober celebration of everything coffee-related.
18. CLEMENTINE
2200 Manor Road. 472-9900
Oh, my darlin?! No, really, only a few Austin coffeehouses are this well-designed, crisp, comfortable and vibey. High standards have been applied to the coffee as well, and the pastries are fresh and fully flavored. As part of the still-growing Restaurant Road on Manor, it comes with that slightly-on-the-edge cachet. At times, a pall of Wi-Fi silence falls on the two light-blessed seating areas. Lawn chairs wait outside.
19. COFFEE DOG
1412 W. Texas 71, Bastrop. (512) 303-2244
Blink and you?ll miss this pert spot on Texas 71 west of Bastrop, near the turnoff to San Marcos. But it?s worth the screeching brakes. A tall stack of tender pastries dominates the supermodel-thin shop. Coffee is served promptly and one may either linger at one of the cafe seats or saunter out to the tables overlooking the traffic on 71.
20. COFFEE NUT
203 Railroad St., Buda. (512) 295-3252
You won?t have trouble finding this address, right next to the railroad tracks in downtown Buda. Once inside, you?ll browse through the eclectic selection of (very) used books and enjoy the hospitality of the family that also runs the pizza parlor a couple of blocks away. The coffee and conversation are warm enough to invite lingering, even on a busy day.
21. THE COFFEE POT
129 E. Hopkins St. San Marcos,
(512) 396-1689
San Marcos is home to some ambitious restaurants. This is its ambitious coffee spot, with towers of coffee bean bins, cafe fare and enough room for a small squadron to spread out. Located on the San Marcos courthouse square, it?s rarely empty of students or legal types. Only Javamotion in Lockhart outsizes this place among small-town coffee shops.
22. COMMON GROUNDS COFFEE
3720 Gattis School Road, Round Rock.
(512) 238-1833
So far from Central Austin it might as well be in Arkansas. But, oh, you could be in Europe, so careful are the owners about the food, drink, service and decor. Common Grounds turned out to be one of the great finds of the XL coffee-shop project, but seriously, unless you already live in eastern Round Rock . . .
23. THE DAILY GRIND
16238 RM 620 N. 388-0607
Suddenly, high-design elegance pops up right in the middle of North Austin?s maze of toll roads and aging rural highways. The sleek lines and high ceilings are softened by comfortable furniture, which leads to a counter packed with goodies and manned by an amiable staff. We really shouldn't be surprised, but we were.
24. DANDELION CAFE
1115 E. 11th St. 542-9542
Cute. Sweet. Gentle. These words come to mind at Dandelion, which is not the least neo-hippie, but rather, like Azul, Clementine and Progress, a cross between old East Austin and tasteful modernity. Sandwiches and soups are among the healthy comfort food, and the coffee brightens even a dismal winter day.
25. DAZZLE COFFEE
100 N. Second St., Pflugerville.
(512) 670-1100
Blueprint for fast-food coffee: a finely scrubbed hut with a drive-around window, teen staff and efficient delivery of product. Now, those youngsters prepare the coffee drinks with moderate care. And there?s something neat about securing your drink and snacks on the run, even if you?d really rather savor your meal.
26. DHABA JOY
2900-B Guadalupe St. 320-0705
This small, healthy cafe adjacent to Toy Joy features organic coffee drinks made from fair-trade, shade-grown beans, including a full-bodied espresso. Other offerings include vegan desserts and a soft-serve made from oats. The decor is as giddily playful as Toy Joy itself. A table by the window offers a view of the top of the University of Texas Tower. A track from Tortoise completes the chill, quirky vibe.
27. DOLCE VITA
GELATO & COFFEE
4222 Duval St. 323 2686
One definition of the sweet life: the leisure to linger deep into the tender night over divine gelato and expertly prepared espresso drinks. (Or something a little stronger.) We wonder how any of the surrounding restaurants — Hyde Park, Julio's, Asti, Mother's, etc. — manages to sell desserts when this representative of Italian street life beckons nearby.
28. DOMINICAN JOE
515 S. Congress Ave. 448-3919
Not to be confused with Jo?s, the veteran coffee hut down the road, this freshly brewed shop was conceived as a way to support sustainable agriculture, buying its beans through a nonprofit firm from farmers in the Dominican Republic. Bookending a shopping center with a popular Freebird?s, Dominican Joe sweeps down from a high platform of dark wood to a broad serving area and a bamboo-sheltered patio.
29. E-BAR
2901 Capital of Texas S. 691-3500
It might not be the place you?d go to write a novel, but the coffee bar at the entrance to Nordstrom in Barton Creek Square is a pleasant spot to take a break or rendezvous with a shopping buddy. The bright cafe tables and modish blond chairs are out in the mall itself for prime people-watching. Music from the chill end of the electronica spectrum spills over from the coffee bar, where a cheerful barista with two shades of hair, one not found in nature, makes a good espresso.
30. EINSTEIN BROS. BAGELS
Multiple locations
The atmosphere is pretty much pure fast-food stop, although the affable staff helps make up for the harried mood at lunchtime, and service is, well, fast. The espresso tastes more like American coffee made too strong. Bagel purists will be horrified at some of the flavor permutations residing in the big display case (cranberry?). But if you just need a quick coffee fix while chomping on a bagel dog, this is the place.
31. ENOTECA
1610 S. Congress Ave. 441-7672
On a cold night, exceptionally well-executed espresso goes down even better in the welcoming elegance of Vespaio?s more casual cafe spinoff. Mellow gold lighting and dark, polished wood lend warmth to the trendy curves of the decor, and a seat at the bar offers a chance to chat with fellow patrons sipping wine while waiting for takeout or enjoying appetizers. One customer at the bar is immersed in a book, while a constant buzz from diners at cafe tables makes Enoteca seem extra cozy.
32. EPOCH
221 W. North Loop. 454-EPOC
Easy to miss on curving North Loop, this shop attracts scruffy students and neighbors to its oddly shaped spaces. Funky is the feel, and while the coffee tastes satisfying, skip the pre-packaged sandwiches. Plenty of Wi-Fi action — or inaction — dotting the interior and exterior stations. The help is helpful, but could have warned us about the sandwiches.
33. FLIGHTPATH COFFEEHOUSE
5011 Duval St. 458-4472
The back room is eerie every time we visit — a field of laptoppers working in tomb-like silence. Not that we mind. There's plenty of room up front, or out on the deck, to chit-chat with anyone from the area north of campus. And we've never had a bad cup of coffee here, or anything other than the freshest pastries.
34. FLIPNOTICS
1601 Barton Springs Road. 480-8646
You just hope it hangs on — both to the steep hill and its Barton Springs location, as the area inevitably gentrifies. Kind of like the Bouldin Creek Coffeehouse & Cafe, this place gives off a neo-hippie vibe, and it's home to one of the most intimate and well-booked music stages in town. The pleasant staff makes up for average coffee.
35. GARDEN DISTRICT COFFEE
2810 S. Congress Ave. 462-2473
Attached to the Great Outdoors nursery, Garden District is naturally, well, natural. You can't beat the landscaping, or the respite from the South Congress Avenue traffic outside. A big part of the improvements along LoCo, it's laid-back without inducing somnambulation and knows how to dish out the goodies.
36. GENUINE JOE COFFEEHOUSE
2001 W. Anderson Lane. 220-1576
When this popular shop opened, we knew that, 1) Crestview had officially joined the urban core, and 2) if the Anderson Lane strip can be considered urban, any district can. It's unreal how much this quiet, but jammed place is appreciated by its followers. And we count ourselves in that group.
37. GREEN CHAI CAFE
601 Chestnut St. Suite F,
Bastrop. (512) 308-0177
At first, it seemed this weathered building perched precariously above the Colorado River had too much character. But then we tasted the succulent quiche and sipped the meticulously brewed coffee. Prepared right in front of the customer, this mini-banquet convinced us to return any time we can pretend to have business in Bastrop.
38. GREEN MUSE CAFE
519 W. Oltorf St. 912-7789
This contemplative retreat fades into its strip-center surroundings. Yet inside, you feel instantly at ease with the soft, earthy tones and the comfortably spaced tables. The counter service is spotty, but nobody is in a hurry to return to their laptops in two interior spaces and a big patio that sometimes hosts live acts. Sandwiches and pastries complement respectable espresso-based drinks.
39. HALCYON
218 W. Fourth St. 472-9637
Even coffee shops grow up. Once the funky digs of Ruta Maya, Halcyon has added air conditioning, a full bar and a fresh menu to a West Fourth Street mostly crowded with bars. The help can be extremely helpful, or not. Pastries are usually fresh and paninis filling, and the seating areas retain the former establishment?s comfy Austin feel. The coffee is not as invested, but it?s still very good.
40. THE HIDEOUT
617 Congress Ave. 443-3688
A comedy club? A beer joint? A coffeehouse? A community center? This downtown magnet has never decided what it wants to be, but all the above suit it well. It complements Little City among hardy Congress Avenue veterans, and it can be enjoyed mid-afternoon as well as late-night.
41. HILL COUNTRY
COFFEE COMPANY
12115 Manchaca Road. 280-4665
A touch of country does not alter the up-to-date feel of this Manchaca establishment, which offers coffees and pastries along with healthier selections. It never ceases to amaze this observer that every Central Texas burg appears to need a place like this, reflective of the local culture, and yet very much in touch with the zeitgeist.
42. IRIE BEAN COFFEE BAR
2310 S. Lamar Blvd. 326-4636
The multifaceted Jamaican adjective ?irie? always connotes positive vibrations, and this coffeehouse fosters irie atmosphere inside and out. The charming back garden features a splashing fountain made out of a galvanized steel trough, and the interior is both airy and cozy. Grab a magazine from the well-stocked rack, plunk down in one of the comfortably boxy leather chairs, put your feet up and relax to a soundtrack that might include New Orleans classics as well as reggae.
43. IT'S A GRIND
Multiple locations
We finally ordered drive-through coffee! And it proved fully flavored, lips-ready, not fast-food atomic at this chain shop. Unlike Starbucks or Seattle?s Best, this family of coffeehouses feels flexible in design and execution. The one on endless Parmer Lane is a civilized blessing, a break from the commerce, tucked as it is in front of Cool River Cafe.
44. JAVA DIVE ORGANIC CAFE
2101 RM 620 N. 266-5885
I drove past this casual-looking Lakeway spot several times, but, man, am I glad I persisted. Hands down, the best americano in Central Texas, along with warm, rich cookies and espresso fudge. The owner is extraordinarily engaged with his customers — rare for a coffee shop — and the cafe fare is organic as they come.
45. JAVA JIVE
500 E. Fourth St. 493-4902
Despite the location — a corner of the Hilton lobby — and the motto — ?We proudly brew Starbucks coffee? — this is not a generic location. Flying wooden dragons, folk statues and comfortable cane-backed chairs lend a little earthiness to the soaring space with its walls of windows. The baristas are friendly, and while the coffee isn?t local, the luscious-looking chocolate eclairs and other temptations in the glass case are made in the hotel?s own restaurant.
46. JAVA JUNCTION
519 N. Main St., Taylor. (512) 352-3229
I arrived at 3 p.m. to find a closed shop. ?If we stayed open til 8 p.m., nobody would come,? said the young barista, who opened the doors just for your reporter. The leftover decaf was still hot and tasty. An extra room is available for meetings and wedding showers, and there?s a concrete patio out front for days when it?s not too hot — or cold.
47. JAVAMOTION
119 E. San Antonio St.,
Lockhart,.
This place is gi-normous. I mean, full, counter-service cafe up front, big stage to the side and separate bar in the back, along with enough couches to seat half of Lockhart. Located in the courthouse square in a former clothing store, Javamotion enjoys those super-high 19th-century pressed-metal ceilings, but the coffee is pure 21st century.
48. JAVA ROCKS
409 W. Front St., Hutto. (512) 846-1880
Front Street is on the wrong side of the railroad tracks to catch the heavy traffic zipping through Hutto. But it?s well worth the stop — and the scary turn off U.S. 79. A miniature stage for acoustic acts waits over on the side of the room (hence the shop?s name?). The espresso-based drinks and assorted goodies suggest a staff steeped in the culture of coffeehouses.
49. JITTERS ESPRESSO STOP
14201 RM 12, Wimberley. (512) 847-6101
Aw, come on in. Join the family of chipper baristas at this locally owned — and prominent — establishment. They know their espresso beans and offer tempting edibles as well. A small second room is decorated with paintings, while the main area is radiant and cheery. While every Wimberley tourist shop in town seems to serve coffee, here it's the main event.
50. JOLLYVILLE JAVA
8650 Spicewood Springs Road. 336-5282
Boy, they are friendly at this spot in a seen-better-days shopping center off U.S. 183. In addition to the Texas Coffee Trader goods, they sell medicinal teas, nutritional supplements and several kinds of scratch quiche. The walls are plastered with warm-hearted art, and the staff will adopt you for life the second you walk in the door.
PART TWO
One thousand miles.
That's how far we drove, collectively, to bring you this two-part report on Central Texas coffee houses, from Lockhart to Marble Falls, Taylor to Wimberley.
Did you sample all 50 shops we described in last week's XL cover story? No? Not yet?
Well, here are 50 more.
We must clarify something from last week's issue. Of the 100 shops we visited, nine total belong to national chains, eight to local series.
Still, 83 percent independent outlets ain't bad.
And so we rest.
If we missed your favorite Central Texas coffee spot, tell us at Austin360.com/talkofaustin, then vote in our online coffee poll. You'll also find a coffee-shop map at Austin360.com.
51. The JAVA BEAN
1008 U.S. 281 N., Marble Falls. (830) 693-7199
Superb roasted pepper tomato soup — in a cardboard cup. That's what sticks to the memory about this sophisticated stop on U.S. 281. The staff members are young, but they handle the coffee with maturity and the big shop includes areas for socializing, concentrating on work, or just staring at the sable sky above the (not attractive) parking lot.
52. JEGIMAJO
2400 E. Oltorf St. 443-2062
We noted plenty of Brazilian, African, Caribbean and Indonesian influences during our coffee tour. This was the only Philippine coffee stop, attached as it is to an Asian food market along the increasingly international East Oltorf Street. The imported snacks we tried came with American-sounding names, such as Jack ?n' Jill, Ding Dong and Boy Bwang. The espresso drink was no-nonsense and presented with genuine grace.
53. JO ON THE GO
312 University Drive, San Marcos.
(512) 353-4880
Students and teachers must cherish this place, right across the street from Texas State University-San Marcos. Right in. Right up to the counter. Right out. A few tables are scattered out front if you really want to linger in the L-shaped strip next to a textbook store. And why not? The coffee is more than decent, the food selections are numerous and the intellectual company can be bracing.
54. JO'S HOT COFFEE
1300 S. Congress Ave. 444-3800
What's left to say? The Lamberts turned a boxy green hut into a cultural landmark, graced daily by celebrities and locals alike. One key: It's shoved up to the sidewalk, encouraging pedestrian access. The all-outdoor seating areas offer covered and open-under-the-sky options. The coffee's always been very good and the food has improved enormously. And, oh, the staff is supersweet.
55. JO'S ON SECOND STREET
242 W. Second St. 469-9003
This is the only demi-chain that we listed twice, because the downtown location is so much more about food — splendid salads and sandwiches, among the tastiest hamburgers in town — than the one on South Congress Avenue. This busy place keeps the Second Street District real, and its outdoor seating is a model for the rest of the city.
56. JP'S JAVA
2803 San Jacinto Blvd. 494-0015
Our favorite barista works here. In fact, we've always liked the laid-back but attentive staff, the graduate student crowd, the heady atmosphere of an authentic Austin coffee house. (It's the analog to Posse East across the street.) The coffee leaves a little to be desired, but it's the company that you'll remember.
57. KENNY'S COFFEE CO.
14735 Bratton Lane. 252-0999
There?s nothing remarkable about this homey coffeehouse except its location way up by the north-country toll roads. Otherwise, it?s an inviting place to relax over a decaf, nibble some fresh fruit or play the board games. Business types, daters and young families flock to what has become something of a community center in a neighborhood that obviously needs one.
58. LA TAZZA FRESCA
519 W. 37th St.
Amy's and Mangia helped lead the way. But this high-class, high-ceilinged coffee shop — attached to a lube shop! — really signaled the transformation of the Upper Drag. A small stage has afforded relaxed evenings of entertainment, while the coffee drinks and food keep one from expiring for a race across Guadalupe for — Amy's and Mangia (which recently slid closer to the Lower Drag).
59. LAVA JAVA
2901 Medical Arts Blvd. 495-9299
For a place located smack dab between the University of Texas and St. David?s complex, and therefore a natural for students and hospital workers, this coffeehouse — attached to a lunch cafe — gives off a mom-and-pop feel: low ceilings, dark paint, quiet and committed counter service, carefully drafted drinks. Laptoppers hang out, of course, but a comfy chair or sofa waits for the casual drop-by as well.
60. LITTLE CITY
916 Congress Ave. 476-2489
In a word: revolutionary. More than a decade ago, Little City proved that downtown could support a San Francisco-style coffee shop. Downtowners rewarded the place with some of the most fervent loyalists in the city. (I estimate I've chatted over decaf with some 1,000 sources and subjects there.) Classy in a funky way, it attracts different crowds — Capitol, slacker, gay — depending on the time of day. In some ways, it's the perfect urban coffee shop.
61. LONE STAR COFFEE
309 Main St., Marble Falls. (830) 798-2850
Nestled in a cute quadrangle of boutiques — my favorite: It's All about Me! — and restaurants one finds this Western-themed shop with excellent coffee and moist lemon cake. One section of the shop is set up like a living room, TV and all. Why not? Looking out at the surroundings, one is reminded that Marble Falls is the new Fredericksburg, which was the new Marfa, or the new Santa Fe, N.M.
62. LONE STAR COFFEE BAR
803 U.S. 281 S., Johnson City. (830) 868-4400
Not open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays? What, are you kidding me? I guess in tourist-dependent Johnson City, you just go with the traffic flow. The trustworthy-looking neighbors at the town's tourist center next door spoke highly of the coffee, pastries and sandwiches, and we can attest to the friendly look of this spot on U.S. 281.
63. LONE STAR ESPRESSO
200 E. Pecan St., Pflugerville. (512) 251-4090
The warm cinnamon roll dissolved in my mouth, but not before it was slathered with rich, yellow whipped cream cheese. This shop is as tiny and personal as they come. Located on the main drag in Pflugerville, it?s a bit of old town with some new town tastes, and tended as if it were vital to the town's soul.
64. THE LOST SOCK
3101 Speedway. 524-0059
Talk about a sliver of a shop. In the front few feet of this Speedway laundromat one discovers a surprisingly sophisticated coffee shop, with maybe a half dozen tables and a completely respectful attitude about the drinks they serve. No kidding. In a laundromat. Where are we? Seattle?
65. THE LUCKY CUP
130-A Kirkham Circle, Kyle. 535-5339
Tucked in a cute little office park in the Plum Creek neighborhood, the Cup has served as a java joint and a community gathering spot for the past year and a half. Teachers from nearby schools pop in before classes start, and commuters grab a cup before heading into Austin. But it's more than grab and go: Lucky Cup owner Aaron Saucedo features live music on some weekend nights. The shop brews Seattle's Best Coffee and offers a full slate of hot and iced beverages.e not the best in town, but competing with top dogs. We love the little deck looking up on South First Street and appreciate the convenience of the efficient counter space.
88. SWEETISH HILL
1120 W. Sixth St. 472-1347
The Austin standard has seen many transformations along West Sixth Street. It's a top-line bakery with a steady coffee-and-newspaper business as well. So popular, it operates two cash registers, which is much appreciated in an industry that often as not encourages its employees to chat up the customers endlessly.
89. TANTRA COFFEEHOUSE
217 W. Hopkins St., San Marcos.
(512) 558-2233
Psychedelia meets Eastern mysticism in the dark red house near downtown San Marcos. A definite post-hippie aura surrounds the domestic setting — actually furnished like a home in some rooms. You could meditate here, while nipping at your drink, or socialize on the broad, old-fashioned porch. Most of the clientele, as you might guess, looks student-age or close to it.
90. TÈO
1206 W. 38th St. 451-9555
This gelateria takes its coffee just as seriously as its Italian ices. A poster proclaims allegiance to the traditional Florentine method of espresso making, and the delicate crema and full-bodied flavor are certainly a good ad for the imported La Marzocco espresso machine. A few boisterous children can seem quite loud in this small 26 Doors strip-mall location. However, the warm shades of orange and chic furniture in beech and brushed metal make for an energizing atmosphere.
91. TEXAS FRENCH BREAD
Multiple locations
Once the city leader, this small chain of bakeries with the binational identity slid to second-rung status during the 1990s. Now it has bounced back, quality-wise, although the crowds have not followed at all locations at all times. How can you go wrong, however, with the signature Hyde Park Fudge Cake and the namesake baguettes? The South Congress Avenue and Rio Grande Street locations serve as de facto neighborhood community centers.
92. TEXPRESSO
2700 W. Anderson Lane. 467-9898
Under the harsh fluorescent lighting, you?ll find more police officers caffeinating and teenagers congregating than poets musing. The baristas are as disinterested as fast-food workers, and the decor, like the espresso, is strictly utilitarian: acoustic-tile ceilings and stark white walls marked by the metal cafeteria chairs. Connoisseurs of kitsch may be amused by the huge Farrah Fawcett poster, or the autographed pictures of TV celebrities such as Pat Sajak and Jaclyn Smith.
93. 360 PRIMO
98298 Great Hills Trail. 795-9292
'I live in this place!' said a former Austin American-Statesman writer when we ran into her her at this Italian-themed food/coffee spot near the Arboretum. One can see why: pizzas and panini, espresso and cappuccino, pastries and imported desserts. The owners have done as much as possible to disguise the shop?s strip-center origins with touches of European class.
94. 360 UNO ESPRESSO VINO
3801 N. Capital of Texas Highway. 989-0114This Italian deli, bar and bakery — connected to an inventive pizza parlor — also serves as the caffeine hook-up for upper-crust Davenport Village. They do the coffee right, too. After making your selection at the long, tempting counter, you can huddle at the small cafe tables or kick back in one of the comfy chairs near the shop?s entrance.
95. THUNDERBIRD COFFEE
1401 W. Koenig Lane. 420-8660
It might have been airlifted straight from Dwell magazine, with its concrete floor, vast expanses of window, lofty ceiling and sleek furniture. Still, a few cozy old armchairs and thrift-store lamps show the place isn?t taking its decor too seriously, and local art adds color. Thunderbird only recently alighted, but already seems to have its regulars. Maybe it?s the rich, smooth espresso, or the chance to lounge like an urbanite with no risk of urban attitude from the friendly baristas.
96. TRIANON THE COFFEE PLACE
Multiple locations
Although one of these long-standing local favorites is now a Scooter?s franchisee, so far that store remains fairly independent. The wine red-accented decor is nothing special, especially under fluorescent lighting, but fans of independence will prefer the low-key, utilitarian comfort to the aggressive branding of the Scooter?s interiors. The espresso is on the thin side, but doesn?t have the same ersatz Starbucks tang as at the full-blown Scooter?s and service is more personal and personable.
97. TRIUMPH CAFE
3808 Spicewood Springs Road. 343-1875
You might not know it by passing its somber facade, but this coffee specialty shop is also a lively Vietnamese restaurant, with pho, vermicelli, fried rice and other basic dishes. The coffee is not an afterthought, whether sipped inside the packed cafe or outside on a lovely patio overlooking a steep arroyo. A fully stocked nook of beans and accessories complements the coffee theme.
98. UPPER CRUST BAKERY
4508 Burnet Road. 467-0102
Sunlight washes the blonde accents in this bakery with the long, long case of tempting pastries and breads. The coffee niche to the back gets a little crowded, but there?s plenty of space to spread out in the bright, two-part seating area. The coffee is decent and the bakers don?t stint on ingredients, which are two reasons this Burnet Road veteran attracts such a steady stream of customers.
99. VENTANA DEL SOUL
1834 E Oltorf St. 707-7447
One of the only nonprofit coffee houses in town, Ventana strives to be many things — community center, lunch spot, meeting magnet. The domesticated interior contrasts starkly with the insurance-building exterior on super-busy East Oltorf Street. We've never had a bad drink or snack, or sat through a boring meeting here, which may or may not reflect on the venue.
100. ZOOMBAZ
8100-C Burnet Road. 459-9896
The goofy name and attention-grabbing architecture — PeeWee Herman where are you? — make this drive-through seem like the product of corporate branding, but ask the barista if this is a chain, and he replies drily: 'Ha! Chain of fools . . .' No, it's local. The kiosk looks a little lonely in the parking lot of a discount clothing store, but the espresso has a fine flavor and packs a serious punch. A bunch of bananas sits on a counter waiting for customers who prefer to try the smoothies.
