East Austin Brunch Bash

When Breakfast Meets Lunch

Words by Jessica Devenyns Photos by Ashley Haguewood & Thamica Mc Cook

With spring in full swing, our minds are beginning once again to turn to thoughts of weekends spent relaxing on an al fresco patio in the mid-morning sun.

From elegant interpretations of Mexican classics all the way to Austin’s beloved breakfast tacos and artistic vegetable driven fare to downhome Southern comfort, if you want it, the Eastside’s got it. The trick is to get up and at ‘em because every weekend, there is a limited window in which you can enjoy a storied meal which is both breakfast and lunch but always comes with a cocktail.

The Hightower

“Brunch is its own beast. We screwed it up a lot at first,” admits Chad Dolezal, co-owner and chef of The Hightower. The dishes that drift out of the kitchen, however, belie this claim. Leaning against the jigsaw of reclaimed wood planks that compose the banquette which divides the bar from the dining room, patrons can see directly into the kitchen where chefs meticulously prepare meals to the accompaniment of their grumbling stomach. {Read more…}

Eden East

Despite being known for their pre fixe menus, every Saturday, Eden East serves up an à la carte brunch under a canopy of rustling leaves. Naturally, tacos filled with farm fresh ingredients and artful interpretations of typical egg dishes make regular appearances, but every week expect some dishes to be made on the fly based on whatever was plucked from the garden that morning.
edeneastaustin.com, 755 Springdale Rd.

Cafe Nena’i

Coffee and pastries go hand in hand like Austin and brunch, and although a bold statement, Cafe Nena’i has this combination mastered. At this South American coffee shop, you won’t find cappuccinos on the menu. Instead, order a cortadito or a cortada to accompany an alfajor, a cookie sandwich filled with dulce de leche and rolled in coconut flakes. Or try something you probably haven’t seen north of the border, a factura de guayaba y queso, which translates to an Argentinian croissant with guayaba jam and cheese. Each bite will transport you to a South American brunch state of mind.
cafenenai.com, 1700 Montopolis Dr.

Launderette

At Launderette, sunshine works its way into every facet of the restaurant. With a streamlined façade of windows, indoors and outdoors meld together. Similarly, brunch casts natural ingredients in starring roles, but each bite over-delivers on your expectations. Launderette’s pastry chef Laura Sawicki confirms this is no mistake. It is her intention to “present the food in the simplest fashion so that the food really explodes upon eating it.”
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Cherrywood Coffeehouse

When you need brunch all day, Cherrywood Coffeehouse is where you should stay. Serving up Southern breakfast classics like biscuits and gravy alongside Austin favorites like sweet potato hash and huevos rancheros, the weekend brunch menu might make you forget about your habit of exclusively eating their legendary tacos. Of course, you are still welcome to order those too.
cherrywoodcoffeehouse.com, 1400 E 38th 1/2 St.

Cisco’s

Since 1943, Cisco’s has been serving up “late breakfasts” – their loyalty to the old Austin vibe definitely rejects the title brunch – to political big wigs and morning after revelers. In fact, back in the day, Cisco’s was a favorite of LBJ, and he could often be found shaking hands and discussing policy over a plate of their legendary migas. Even today, Cisco’s interior remains a time capsule. Picture-lined, wood-paneled walls surround Formica table tops onto which steaming-hot diner coffee is served to kick start your brain and help you decide between migas, huevos rancheros, or biscuits. Whatever you choose, each bite will reaffirm your commitment to Tex-Mex.
ciscosaustin.com, 1511 E 6th St.

Yellow Jacket Social Club

Every Saturday and Sunday, weekend warriors in search of brunch pay homage to the al fresco patio of Yellow Jacket Social Club (YJSC). Shaded in bamboo and littered with mismatched picnic tables, the weekend is a comfortable time where for 4 hours each day, the Bloody Marys flow, and the food is always familiar. Although YJSC is known for its perpetual rotation of daily specials, brunch is a static event. In the words of Kitchen Manager Matt Lucas, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
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Grizzelda’s

1950s flamingo pink motifs and rubber-stamped palm fronds accent the walls of Austin’s chic coastal and central Mexican eatery where every weekend you can come indulge in a buffet-style brunch. While staples like black beans, rice, ceviche, and tortillas abound, you wouldn’t want to play it safe when you could try seasonal chiquaciles or made-to-order dulce de leche pancakes. Don’t forget to order a Grizz Mizz margarita where the tequila is soaked in dragon fruit to round out the flavor profile.
grizzeldas.com, 105 Tillery St.

Old Thousand

Bagel Bao for brunch? Why not. Begun with the express intention of serving up the Chinese-American fare that we all hold a soft spot for, Old Thousand has reinvented brunch with traditional Chinese bites appearing simultaneously with reinterpreted versions of chicken and waffles, Chinese Lolache and other American breakfast staples.
oldthousandatx.com, 1000 E 11th St.

Counter Café

Using all local meat from Niman Ranch, Counter Café’s menu is delightfully different. Quail and eggs replace the expected bacon and eggs. Crab Cakes benedict surpasses even the most meticulously prepared eggs benedict. All the Southern-style favorites that accent the menu (pimento cheese, grits, and hash) have recognizable features that have been reimagined. Even the orange juice refuses to be average and is squeezed to order from a crate of fresh California navels.
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