Magnolia Cafe Austin – Detailed Review
Magnolia Cafe is a cozy, all-hours local eatery for breakfast, Tex-Mex & vegetarian cuisines. Owned by Kent Cole, The Cafe started in 1979 on Lake Austin Boulevard, expanded to South Congress in 1988, and has since been an Austin staple. This detailed review will give you everything you need before visiting Magnolia Cafe.
Image Courtesy of Kristina J. on YelpThe Ambiance of the Restaurant
An eccentric, but comfy dining room is furnished with plants and abstract art, along with a decorative pterodactyl skeleton that hangs from the ceiling. There are also bar stools located at the window facing the kitchen, for those looking to grab a quick bite. On the outdoor patio, there is a roofed garden with fans to keep you cool in the Austin summertime heat.
Image Courtesy of Amy G. on YelpMagnolia Cafe’s Menu
Magnolia Cafe offers a mix of breakfast and lunch items ranging from omelettes and pancakes to burgers and house specials such as Alfredo Pasta and Magnolia Stir Fry. Their breakfast and tacos are served all day, making it a favorable choice for early risers and night owls alike. Some of their popular dishes include Love Migas, Mag Queso, and Gingerbread Pancakes.
For those with a sweet tooth, Magnolia Cafe offers seven different desserts. Some customer favorites are Magnolia’s Famous Brownie and the Blueberry Pie, which is made from berries with Dutch crumb topping.
Don’t forget to take advantage of their hollandaise house specials during Saturday/Sunday brunch! The entree choices are between Eggs Benedict, Alaskan Benedict, and Ernesto Benedict.
Image Courtesy of Magnolia CafeMagnolia Cafe’s Breakfast
Known for serving breakfast all day, Magnolia Cafe offers a wide variety of options, such as omelettes, tacos, and pancakes. Their signature omelette is the Popeye, which consists of steamed spinach, red onion, bacon, cheddar/jack cheese, and topped with sour cream. Each plate comes with two sides. The choices are the following: Home Fries, Black Beans, Fruit, Sourdough toast, Rye toast, or an English Muffin.
Satisfy your Tex-Mex craving with Love Migas, made with eggs or tofu scrambled in spicy LOVE butter (fresh garlic and serrano) with tomato, onion, bell pepper, tortilla chips,- and jack cheese.
Ever want to eat a pancake as big as your head? Magnolia Cafe offers eight different options to choose from. A customer favorite is the Buttermilk Blueberry Pancakes. You have the option to add chocolate chips, bananas, or pecans.
Image Courtesy of Magnolia CafeMagnolia Cafe’s Dinner
From burgers and sandwiches to tacos and enchiladas, Magnolia Cafe has nearly everything you need. Their dinner menu has comfort foods and a variety of Tex-Mex staples. Some popular dishes are the Sloppy Burger and Hawaiian Burger which is topped with marinated grilled pineapple and pico de gallo. For those who are vegan or vegetarian, they also serve veggie burgers.
The Cafe offers Tex-Mex plates such as Chicken Quesadillas, Tropical Turkey Tacos, Beef Enchiladas, and a few other delicious options. If you’re looking for a meat-free entree, the Veggie Tacos are a customer favorite and are made from avocados, black beans, cheddar/jack cheese, tomato, sprouts, and sour cream.
Looking for a no-brainer food deal? Magnolia Cafe has Dinner Specials that are available daily after 5:30 pm. The options include the following: Peppercorn Steak, Lemon Kale Caesar Salad, Chicken Piccata, Fish and Grits, and Shepherd’s Pie.
Image Courtesy of Magnolia CafeLocation + Opening and Closing Hours
Magnolia Cafe is located at 1920 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704. They are open 8 am-1 pm, and 4 pm-10 pm on Tuesday, and 8 am-10 pm Wednesday through Monday.
Image Courtesy of Magnolia CafeMagnolia Cafe’s Reservation Process
The Cafe has posted QR codes in multiple locations on the Magnolia premises that allow you to sign yourself into the wait list. You simply point your phone camera at the QR code and a link pops up; touch the link and then enter your information. Maximum number of people in a party is 10 on the patio. Maximum number is 4 inside. If you want to seat a larger party inside, you’re required to sit at separate tables.
The digital wait list is a web app. You can view the current list to see your expected wait time, and then add yourself. To dine indoors or on the patio, add yourself to the waitlist. In the “notes” field, tell them your dining choice: first table available, inside, or outside patio. You will receive a text message informing you of your expected wait time for a table. The Cafe will send you a text message when your table is ready.
Image Courtesy of Magnolia CafeMagnolia Cafe’s Online Order Process
The Magnolia Cafe website has an Online Order portal that lets you select from a slightly smaller menu. They kept all the hits, and added a few surprises. Once you’re done selecting your dining options, you’re ready to place your order. They estimate it should take about 25-30 minutes to prepare. All takeout orders must be placed online during business hours, with just one exception. If you have an old-fashioned paper-style gift certificate, please call the store to place your order.
Image Courtesy of Magnolia CafeConclusion
Magnolia Cafe is a cozy, all-hours local eatery for breakfast, Tex-Mex & vegetarian cuisines, that started in 1979 on Lake Austin Boulevard, and expanded to South Congress in 1988. The Cafe is located at 1920 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704, and is open 8am-1pm, and 4pm-10pm on Tuesday, and 8am-10pm Wednesday through Monday.
Their dining options offer a mix of breakfast and lunch items ranging from omelettes and pancakes, to burgers and house specials such as Alfredo Pasta and Magnolia Stir Fry. Their breakfast and tacos are served all day, making it a favorable choice for early risers and night owls alike.
