Kick Butt Coffee

 

4

129

randall h.

Austin, TX

This is the only place in Austin where Chuck Norris grinds the coffee with his teeth and boils the water with his own rage.

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Elite '08

54

85

Robin S.

Austin, TX

Move over Paris Hilton. You've got some competition going in the world of bad publicity and its handsome payoffs.

I honestly never would have thought to *stop* at a coffee shop called "kick butt" (despite the million road signs in front, the huge banner, the Wii sign, the larger sign, etc.) had it not been for the M.G's rounds with the yelp community.

What turned me off, (other than the stark, diner-meets bloody anime, 50-degree  chill)  when I walked in was the constant and rather shameless self promotion that is what got the guy in trouble here to begin with: "A list Best Coffee"! "KickButt Coffee kicks starbucks butt!" Articles about the business everywhere.  For pete's sake, I'm already here. You don't have to sell me on it anymore!

Anyway, the coffee: I had a mocha. Actually, to be honest, it was quite decent. The cookies were good too.

My review isn't doing this place much justice. I love Jaime M and Don P's reviews. They have it down. Read those.

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Elite '08

77

564

Kristen F.

Austin, TX

Reading the other reviews to this place are so hilarious.  There are no jokes I can make after all those gems.  Good reviews, guys!  There was a little sign at the register that said you could buy a pair of Kick Butt nunchucks for $10.99 and I don't think they were joking.

Like other reviewers said, thank god we finally have a coffee shop in the neighborhood.  I was skeptical with the suspicious reviews that were up a few months ago before this place opened, and had stayed away before, but needed a place to get away for a few hours this morning and ended up here.  The baristas were sweet, didn't mind that I just got a grapefruit juice and not coffee, and I got an hour or so of free wireless internet in a highly comfortable chair.

There wasn't as much traffic or as many loud people as the more usual suspects, so it was nice and quiet without being too quiet.  I will go back, despite the cheesy Asian decor.  I love the red wall that suggests a hallway leading to the bathrooms.  There are beautiful brightly colored portraits of some punk lookin' kids edited with Photoshop.  That wall had some fabulous art and made the place "pop."  They should go in that direction. (Update: when I went back, the cool art was gone and replaced with something else.  Sad)

They are also apparently having Monday night improv comedy.  I probably won't check that out, but I thought I'd mention it since they advertised the heck out of it in the store.  I noticed beer and wine too, so this would definitely be an evening place.

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5

51

M B.

Austin, TX

Nice little place in a boring strip mall - lots of hokey martial arts themed stuff, but all in good fun.  They didn't have decaf coffee at 9pm on a Friday night, so they just diluted an espresso for me, and put it over ice with some skim, no extra charge.  Coffee was excellent - the brownie I had with it was below average (mushy and too sweet).  Owner was there - very friendly and chatty - offered to whip up an organic pizza on the spot, which sounded great but I had already had dinner.  They have a full bar too.  Maybe a chocolate martini next time.

The night me and my best friend went, it was also blues dance night (which we didn't realize) so instead of staying inside, paying a $5 cover, and observing retro-dressed couples dance to the tunes, we sat outside so we could chat and people-watch. (People seemed to be having a most excellent time.)  Very pleasant.

If you want to go to have a conversation with a friend, or you just want to have some quiet time with your laptop, check the online schedule first before heading out (www.kickbuttcoffee.com). They seem to host a lot of theme events.  

Nice little place - will stop by again if in the area.  Extra star for the free store logo stickers.  I am a sucker for free stickers from local independent Austin businesses.

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9

51

Toonces ..

Austin, TX

This place just opend up a few months ago and I've only been there once.  It was OK, but I'm still reserving my opinion.  The theme is a little bit cheesy to me, but this little section of town has needed a local coffee shop for a long time.  So, kudos to these guys for opening one up!

I ordered a mocha which was OK, but not that great.  It was a little watery tasting.  I was there in the middle of the afternoon so it was very pleasant and quiet.  It looks like they have a stage for live shows, so watch out for loud nights if you don't want to scream to your partner in a small enclosed space.

The service was nice and the baristas are dressed in kung-fu looking clothes.  It was kind of cute, but again, kind of cheesy.

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0

4

lifelongaustinite h.

Austin, TX

I've been to Kick Butt twice.

The first time was a few months ago... on a late evening. A decent crowd from the owner's karate business, including Mr. Gohring himself trickled in. I had a cappuccino which was  poor in quality...weak- with no kick. I was not impressed. Average at best would be a stretch and too generous.

My second visit came on Saturday June 7th. Again Gohring was present sitting in a booth and the most of the crowd seem to knew each other. I walked in looking to order a double espresso. The barista (male with dark hair) was making a couple of drinks and no one else was in line on front of me but he chose to strike up conversations with friends instead of acknowledging me. I was ignored. "Hey, how are you doing today? I'll be right with you" would have sufficed and would have bought him enough time to finish the drinks he was making and I would have sympathized and left a decent tip after the transaction. I'm very patient because I know what it is like to be  on the other side of the counter.

After a couple of minutes I turned around and left and took my business elsewhere. If they didn't notice me walk and stand at the counter for a couple of minutes, surely I hope they noticed me leaving.

I spent 7 1/2 years in the coffee industry where customer service and creating a welcoming atmosphere was always the priority towards building customer loyalty.

I suppose in another few months I'll make another visit (my third). Hopefully it won't be the third strike.

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Elite '08

1224

183

Don P.

Austin, TX

If an albino Jackie Chan took Starbucks out behind the Jr High, in 9 months (or whatever the gestation period of a "Starbuck" is) you'd have an infant Kick Butt Coffee.

I've only been once, but the inside is what you'd expect if a local Starbuck hired a narcissistic Ralph Macchio as interior designer.  Lots of ads for Master Gohring.  Too many.  And a weird little place where one could sit to watch kung-fu on a high-def tv.

If you were to ask Jennifer Aniston out for coffee, you'd wanna take her here.

My drip coffee was ok... honestly, it tasted exactly like Starbucks' overly-roasted coffee.  And the barista was nice.

I'd give my one experience 3.5 stars... nothing bad, but  nothing awesome.  But I'll round down for the in-your-face advertising of another business (even in the bathroom) and the way Napoleon Gohring refuses to play nice within the yelp community.

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Elite '08

80

217

Carrie C.

Austin, TX

I stopped by here after early voting today (at the mall - w00t!) to get some coffee because voting is thirsty business.  

This place smells new.  Almost too-new.  It is hands-down the cleanest coffee shop I have ever stepped foot in.  The decor is red and black modern, with what appeared to be a few comfy booths and a bunch of tables and chairs.  A flat screen TV played a kung fu video on one wall of the cafe.  It's not my style, and the decoration is a little sparce (I like an environment more like Epoch) but I think there's a coffee niche somewhere that loves martial arts and listens to techno and would really like the digs.

They have a pretty small coffee menu but the barrista said he'd make anything iced or to order if there was a drink we wanted that wasn't on the menu.  It was warm out so I got an iced coffee which was so yummy I gulped it down in about 3 minutes.  Very good iced coffee that definitely made up for the cleanliness and newness and niceness of the place for me.  

I'll be by here again because it is in my neighborhood and seriously - have you tried to get a decent coffee at Highland Mall?  There's nothing there in the way of caffeine.  Plus, it was $3.something for two iced coffees which is not a bad price in Austin.

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5

70

R.V. B.

Victoria, TX

The hidden gem of Austin: shhhhh don't tell anyone - or it will get over-run with people.

Today I went by Kick-Butt - on the recommendation of a friend.  Wow!  I am so glad I did.  The staff is so lovely and friendly.  The afternoon barrista suggested that I come tonight for the comedy get together.  So I stayed in Austin for six hours just to see if the night was up to snuff.

Believe me, this is an enjoyable experience and is like a free night at the comedy club.  Local comedians and wanna-be's come in to practice and 'play' for laughs.

If you just like to hang out and be improvisational yourself, you will love this place.  It is a unique place - not the stiff corporate and not the grunge-dirty-bathroom kinda place.

It is just right: in the middle.  Very clean.  The staff tonight was just lovely - very friendly and professional.   The comedy night made my week.  It was funny and improvisational.  The owner took time to talk with me and showed his interest in his customers.

That means a lot.

It has an old New York formal kind of feel - where clubs were something special crossed with a casual coffee kind of atmosphere.   There is nothing else like it - so it is worth taking a special date there - because it is sexy and quaint.

For a local hang-out - no matter what any local paper says - head to Kick-Butt.  You will love it!!!!!!! They treat you like you are something special.

Five stars plus!

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18

18

Teresa P.

Austin, TX

I will tell you the truth, I drove by Kick Butt Coffee may times wondering if it would ever open.  And I was SKEPTICAL...because of the name, and I am a coffee snob, a former barista, and it is in a weird little strip mall by Highland Mall.

I had a skim Chai Latte, because it was late and I was craving tea.  It was really good.  And I ordered skim and the barista did not flinch.  I can't say that would happen when I was a barista...I was kind of anti skim latte ordering.  Yeah yeah...I have come around and gotten a little heavier since then... what can you do.

Sorry I cannot comment on the coffee, but I will...I will..

I thought it was really cute inside.  Very Asian/Dojo inspired, clean but chic.  I loved it.  

My barista was super nice and welcoming and I was there 15 minutes before closing.  I totally felt comfortable and I wanted to stay and hang out.  But it was late and I had a few more place to go.

Also I wanted to hang a poster, so she got Dave the manager.  He too was very cool and nice.  He was relaxed and attentative and I did not feel rushed at all.

I left feeling like I had found a new spot to hang out in my neighborhood.

Um just so you know...they have booze too!

Take it from your resident Roller Girl...this place Kicks Butt!

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0

2

Chris D.

Austin, TX

Better than a Boot to the Head!  But, wakes you up just the same!
What a cool local joint.  I'm a big supporter of local biz.  And I gotta tell ya, this is a great place to support!  Weather you're up at 7 in the morning ready for great cup of JOE or out late looking for a hip place to grab a good beer, this is the place to be.  By the way, the even have liquor, that's right!  You want a shot of Tito's with that Latte, HELL YEAH I DO!  Try ordering some Austin made Vodka at 5bucks, sorry not on the menu pal...  Check it out, you'll be glad you did!
On the DL, I heard rumor that Chuck Norris was the silent partner (but, I'm not supposed to talk about that)  I'm just hoping to get a picture with him in there sometime next to the poster of "Chuck sayings".
See ya at the KB!

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5

6

Susan W.

McDade, TX

The Cappuccino is good.  So are the lattes.  The atmosphere is rather stark.  The staff is friendly and its on my flight path to work commute.

I don't usually frequent coffee shops but I might just have to with this one.  I had 2 cups last Friday night and was up until late.

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Elite '08

178

326

Jaime M.

Austin, TX

Ten facts about Master G
1. Master G doesn't sell coffee, he KICKS COFFEE'S BUTT.
2. Master G put nunchucks on the wall of his shop because he is so strong he doesn't need weapons to KICK YOUR BUTT.
3. Master G's coffee doesn't burn him because his hands are made of steel. It doesn't burn mere mortals' hands by spilling out the top of the cup (thanks to a cool lid that has a sliding-open thingy), it burns them by being in a cup that's too thin. It KICKS your hands, then KICKS YOUR BUTT.
4. Chuck Norris wishes he could own a coffee shop just like Master G. Master G put a poster of Chuck Norris up to make Chuck Norris feel better, but the only thing that will make Master G happy is to KICK Chuck Norris' BUTT.
5. When Master G sells coffee for $2.90, you only have to pay $2.11, but his secret coffee ninjas won't tell you until they've already rung you up. A confused customer is a customer open for a BUTT KICKING.
6. Master G's mind control is so powerful, he can convince unfriendly baristas to wear stupid kung fu uniforms while serving coffee. If they didn't wear them, he'd KICK THEIR BUTTS.
7. Master G drinks his coffee while sitting erect. He never reclines, and you won't either when you're in his shop that's the opposite of cozy. The atmosphere is designed to evoke ScandinaviAsia, a confusing theme that will boggle your mind, then KICK YOUR BUTT.
8. You will pay Master G, or Master G will make sure you never know the pleasure of caffeine again, with a BUTT KICK so severe you will no longer have a nervous system.
9. Master G only sells baked goods so you're an easier target for his BUTT-KICKING fury. An idle mouth is a vulnerability, and everyone's vulnerable to Master G's BUTT KICKERY.
10. Master G's Kick Butt Coffee will in no way enable you to KICK BUTT more, or harder, or at all.

Despite its ALARMING name, this place is pretty much the blandest coffee shop I've been to in Austin. Decent vanilla latte, decent prices, interesting (if thin) cups, seriously unfriendly staff. Very empty on opening day. I was pleasantly surprised by the discounted coffee, but confused about why they wouldn't advertise their specials (lattes are normally $2.90 for a small but were $1.95 today). It's in a shopping center I wouldn't otherwise frequent, so I doubt I'll be back. There's nothing creative or unique on the menu of about 15 items (espresso drinks, basic coffee, baked goods and some bottled juices, as well as wine).

And most disappointingly, Master G was not there to KICK MY BUTT. Where are you, King of Kung Fu, Teacher of Tai Chi, Celebrated Coffee Conveyor?

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