Cafe Java

 

0

20

Amy B.

Cedar Park, TX

I love this place. It's the closest thing Austin has to a diner.

The place is always busy on the weekend. They have the. best. iced. coffee. ever! I always get their migas or pancakes. Yum!

I like the family owned aspect as well. I definitely recommend it.

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4

13

xoxoxtc c.

Austin, TX

Went for Sunday brunch.  Seating in less than 15 minutes, friendly service.  Slightly above average food.  An easy casual good food time.  I recommend.

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Elite '08

296

416

Michelle C.

Austin, TX

Torn.  Three stars?  Four stars?  Three stars?  Four stars?  Really 3-1/2 stars, but Yelp is limiting my options.  Damn you, Yelp!  Guess I'll round up because this place has some personality, and we can all use a little more of that in our dining establishments.

I ventured out here for the first time today with some friends who live in this 'hood.  Despite its location in a very unpromising-looking strip mall, the interior of Cafe Java is surprisingly appealing - kind of "classic diner meets kokopelli meets off-the-beaten-path modern artist."  I smiled nostalgically when I saw the coffee mug stains on the menu, then laughed when I realized that they were FAKE.  Yes, really - they are actually printed on the menus.  OK, so maybe Cafe Java isn't entirely authentic, but it is at least reminiscent of this place I favored for "mornings after" during my college days in Ann Arbor, a cozy diner dive that my friends and I affectionately called, simply, "Food."  

The huge breakfast plates gracing the tables in front of so many people also brought back memories of my college hangout.  All the big, almost platter-sized dishes covered in eggs, hash browns, bacon, and pancakes had my mouth watering.  Unfortunately, I didn't spot these before I ordered, so I ended up with a swiss mushroom burger + a side of avocado, instead.  It ended up being pretty decent; flavorful and juicy, although the patty was a bit thin.  It came with my choice of sides (Sun chips, Ruffles, cottage cheese w/mandarin oranges, steamed veggies [M-F only, which I thought was a little weird], and I think there were a couple of others that I can't remember right now).

Due to a severe lack of sleep from the night before, I also indulged in a big mug of chai.  Tasted all right, but sadly lacking in the richness I seek in a mug of chai.  Why's it so hard to find a good mug of chai in this town?

Other notes:  we had a group of seven at 1 pm on a Saturday, and we didn't have to wait at all for a table (there did appear to be a short wait later, but nothing like you might find at one of the more central breakfast locations like Kerbey Lane or Magnolia).  Prices seem slightly high given the quality of the food - my burger + Sun chips + side of avocado was around $8, I think; the special of the day (2 eggs, 2 strips of bacon, 2 banana pancakes) was $7.  I could get the same burger for less at Phil's Ice House - and those come with their signature mix of sweet potato & reguiar fries.

There weren't any prices marked on the tab we received, but the woman running the register separated out each group's total and ran three different credit card transactions without batting an eyelash or complaining.  Always nice.

Bottom line:  I wouldn't make a special trip to go here, but if I were in the neighborhood, I wouldn't hesitate to give Cafe Java another try.  Next time, I'll probably steer myself in the direction of Memory Lane with one of the breakfast plates.

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Elite '08

56

121

Christine A.

Austin, TX

No one has mentioned the fantastic eggs benedict!  My favorite in Austin.  I think they only serve them on Sunday and, trust me, they run out quickly.  You might have to get up early to enjoy this delicious menu item.  Everything is great but the coffee makes it worthwhile.  The mugs have a 1950's diner feel and  the coffee of the day is always good.  This restaurant has become one of our favorite lazy weekend breakfast places.  

The staff is very friendly and accommodating.   For example, I prefer my breakfast tacos, egg, bacon and cheese, with chopped bacon.  Theirs does not come that way but the cook will gladly chop the bacon for you and mix it in. Another bonus: they serve breakfast all day long!  

I agree with an earlier review, the name is forgettable and I have to look it up on the coffee card in my wallet whenever I recommend it to someone.

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7

21

dolly s.

Austin, TX

The food was delicious for a non breakfast eater like me.   My ordered had eggs on corn tortilla topped with salsa (can't remember the name), and it came along with flour tortillas, hashbrowns, bacon, and re-fried beans.  If this restaurant was a bit closer to me, I would definitely be a regular.

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12

19

Kim X.

Austin, TX

This is my favorite weekend breakfast/brunch/lunchtime first meal spot. While the food is not notably different from the more popular Austin favorites (Trudy's, Magnolia, Kerbey, etc), the wait is much improved!

Everything is pretty much standard brunch spot fair but with more lunch like food too-- sandwiches, etc. Reasonably priced, and with a variety of good coffee!

Honestly, my biggest complaint is the name, which is boring and nondescript to the point of being easily forgettable :P Place is a little hard to find-- tucked into a corner in strip center behind trees.

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Elite '08

1048

173

Don P.

Austin, TX

Mary V made me join her at Cafe Java... so here we are.  And since my mouth was here and my tummy was empty, I decided to eat.

I ordered a breakfast taco but was quickly reprimanded by Mary and told that they were no good.  Nada.  Not gonna do it.  Clearly I forgot to read her review.

So I had migas.  They were good... came with hash browns, bacon, and some red mild sauce.  Nothing bad... nothing to write home about.  3 stars.

I'm giving a little extra some'n-some'n for the cool art on the walls and the nice staff.  Maybe 3/4 of a star.  Round up to 4.

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Elite '08

7

33

Toby M.

Round Rock, TX

This review is actually for their Round Rock location ( same owners, different place ) 2051 Gattis School Rd # 120, Round Rock - (512) 238-0700.

Always friendly service, may not be the fastest, but some of the nicest.  Their coffee definitely is a cut above typical diner fare and their home made desserts are really good.  I'm a fan of their breakfast fare, personally.  Their omelets are filling and delicious.  I try and make it a habit on the weekends and get my fill of some good diner/home style cooking.

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5

11

Barrett P.

Pflugerville, TX

I have a few locations I insist visiting out-of-towners should visit and Cafe Java is one of them.

Delicious food, fast and friendly service and more atmosphere than you can breathe in.  Discuss the art surrounding the place "Is that suppose to be something blue enveloping something green or a stomach and a spleen?".  Everything is very tasty but I highly recommend the egg sandwich on the breakfast side of the menu.  Your tongue will thank you.

My only complaint is all the fertility symbols ALL over the place.  My wife and I are not ready!  Stop pushing!  :)

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Elite '08

29

59

David A.

Austin, TX

The BEST thing about Cafe Java is the coffee mugs (no fooling).  They are the big, heavy, old fashioned coffee mugs that scream coffee heaven.  Not too deep so that the coffee gets cold by the time that you get to the bottom and not too shallow that you are having to constantly flag down the wait staff like a flagman on an aircraft carrier.

The coffee is GOOD, the breakfast is old style fill 'em and clog 'em starchy.  Jes' the way I likes it.  

Big trick here - sit at the counter and shoot the breeze with the frenetic  but smiling people behind the counter.  

This is a definite go-to bfast place if you are in the Braker/Metric area.

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Elite '08

15

73

Mary V.

Austin, TX

Great place!
Great service!
Large portions of grub!
Strong coffee!
Got that "Austin" feel & cool abstract art!

Do: Visit
Don't: Order Breakfast Tacos

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Elite '08

19

86

Stephen V.

Austin, TX

Just went there tonight, and I've gotta say I loved the place.  First off, this is a coffee place that actually makes great coffee.  The special today was a Guatamalan, and it was delicious.  Two cups later, here I am writing Yelp reviews.

The menu is mostly breakfast and sandwiches - I opted for breakfast at night.  Who can really beat migas for dinner?  I can't, and they were really good.  Our table also shared a plate of "stacked" nachos, which were also just right - chips were still crispy and covered with plenty of goodies, including avacado.

The real bonus here was the service.  It was pretty empty in the evening, but you still don't expect to be waited on with this level of attentiveness.  We basically got the red-carpet treatment, and with a sort of hyper-friendliness that was almost hard to believe.

Pure aces, I'll be back.

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8

15

Nick H.

Austin, TX

When you work in the wasteland of Braker Ln. like so many Austinites do, your choices for lunch spots is pretty slim unless you want to drive at least 10 or more minutes up to Parmer or over to Lamar and south.  Fortunately, Cafe Java is right around the corner and has consistently great food with super fast and friendly service.

The avocado grilled cheese is my mainstay though I have yet to try any sandwich there that wasn't great.  Admittedly, their breakfast tacos are not my favorite but I don't really find myself going here for breakfast very often, anyway and from what I've seen their more traditional American breakfast items are all well prepared.

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4

121

randall h.

Austin, TX

The service is always friendly, the coffee is always great, and the food is always tasty and satisfying.   FYI, it does get packed during lunch and the specials will usually run out by noon during the weekends and they don't keep long hours.  I want a Cajun Chicken Sandwich now.

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12

9

Jennifer P.

Pflugerville, TX

Ignore the creepy art deco on the wall.  Or buy them!  Giant wooden art thingies and somebody's half naked fiance hang from the walls of this cozy little cafe.  It's a coffee shop.  It's a art house.  It's both!  Well, at least we have an excuse to sit and talk for hours discussing the brain of an artist over a cup of delicious coffee.

Food?  I tell you, normally I go to a restaurant, pick one thing I like and never try another menu item.  But this place, I have tried about half the menu at this point and nothing has been bad.  The pancakes are so creamy, who needs syrup?  Over medium eggs means over medium here! (You'd be amazed how many other places have cooks that don't understand the concept!)  You like crispy hash/bacon/* ?  Ask and ye shall receive.

We go at least once a week, sometimes up to three times, and have started recognizing other regulars.  The staff is so friendly, we know that so-and-so's cousin is in town and they know which booth we prefer to sit at.

All in all, this is a point of interest, a place to see, if you're new to town or just passing through.

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14

14

jen h.

Austin, TX

omg, the meatloaf on mondays. sooooo goooooood. so good. if you're a ketchup fan (oh yes that would be me), nix the gravy (or get it on the side in which to dip the bread) and smother it in ketchup. mix with the mashed potatoes. delicious.

in other news: the salads are great. the tuna salad has this phenomenal texture that i've yet been able to replicate at home. yasou feta dressing rules. i usually get the cobb salad sans bleu cheese.

i'm not a bread eater, but i have a friend that swears by the avocado grilled cheese.

i also don't eat eggs, but i hear the breakfast is great.

even though it can get pricey, i think it's a great place for acc northridge folks to hang out between classes. or at least get coffee so you don't fall asleep in class.

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25

42

Michael O.

Austin, TX

This is my favorite breakfast place in Austin by far.  Yeah yeah there's Kirby lane and Magnolia's and a few other joints but I just like the family feel of this place.  The same folks are there every weekend after my regular workout (when I end up going) and the breakfast counter is always open, at least one seat, even when they're packed.

I generally get an omelet and love it.  I've had some of the specials and enjoyed them as well, but basically don't think you can go wrong.  I love this place.

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20

77

Kelly L.

Santa Clara, CA

Until moving to Silicon Valley, I lived down the street from Cafe Java, and  I went there often as possible. The breakfast special is unreal. 2 eggs, 2 bacon or sausage, Hash browns, 2 full slices of toast, and a cup of fabulous coffee for under $6. The coffee is soo good. Be sure to get the coffee of the day. It is the same price but a special brew.  Austin doesn't know how good it's got breakfast.
No one has really mentioned it, but they have great nightly specials. Real home cooking stuff. Monday is meatloaf night, and they sell out FAST!

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Elite '08

195

455

Susie G.

Austin, TX

When I was in high school in north Austin, just down the road, we used to skip school and come to Cafe Java to talk for hours, drink loads of coffee and pretend to be adults. Cafe Java just has that vibe about it. Ive only come here for breakfast so I really don't have clue what its like the rest of the day. It is a small, cozy place, a lot of regulars, and at the end of a small shopping strip on Metric boulevard. Ive eaten lotsa different hings at this location over the years, and have never been amazed or disappointed, but the atmosphere keeps me coming back. If your in north Austin and need to waste some time,grab some coffee at this joint.

Verdict: cozy +coffee= good time for all.

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3

1

Irma K.

TX

We usually go in at lunch for the great food. The place is always full and can get a bit loud. But I love that I can get a fantastic omelet for lunch. The wait-staff has even remembered us and our regular orders.
I love the art on the walls and the friendly small town diner feel.

And don't miss the specials. They're on the over-sized blackboard on the back wall. There are some great deals and good food to be had!

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