24 is the newest diner on this list. Since I am quite a creature of habit, I was reluctant to try this newcomer (since 2010), but it has already won dozens of awards and family and friends raved about it, and now I get it. 24 uses local everything - my burger was made from central Texas beef, Texas bacon, and cheese from north Austin. Check out what they have to say about their ingredients:
"Humanely Raised Eggs • Housemade Veggie Sausage & Veggie Burgers • All-Natural Pork & Beef • House-Ground Breakfast Sausage & Burgers • Genuine Smithfield Virginia Country Ham • Wright Brand TX Applewood Smoked Bacon • Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Petite Ham • All-Natural Texas Chicken • All-Natural Wild-Caught Tuna • Yeast-Risen Belgian Waffles • 100% Grade A Light Amber Vermont Maple Syrup • Texas Coffee Traders Coffee • Small Batch & Limited Production Beer"
Because of their care with local and ethical ingredients, prices are a couple of dollars higher than at the other two diners, but I think it's well worth it. Also, they have a gluten-free menu!
Kerbey Lane Cafe has 5 locations in and around Austin, but the original central location is my favorite. Located in an old, colorful house on, where else?, Kerbey Lane, this diner is known for their breakfast. Try the pumpkin or cinnamon spice pancakes - they're to die for! Unfortunately, they are only available seasonally, but Kerbey Lane has started selling pancake mix (note to self: bring some back to school). They also feature a gluten-free menu, as well as a vegan menu! Kerbey Lane's "Cowboy Queso" inspired my "Queso Pronto" creation, and as good as mine is, the pro's at Kerbey are better. The cozy atmosphere makes Kerbey Lane (central) a great date spot.
Magnolia Cafe (AKA "Mags") also has several locations around Austin, and I also like the central Austin location best (Lake Austin Blvd.). Magnolia has great food, but its best feature is its atmosphere. Any morning of the week, you can walk in and see tables of hippies, CEOs, college kids, high schoolers, young families... This must be because Magnolia has something for everyone. Its menu is full of Austin-staples, like avocados and Tex-Mex, but it also has salads, breakfast 24 hour, a nod to Mediterranean food, pasta entrees, and desserts. I don't recommend going too crazy, though - even though I love breakfast tacos and avocados separately, it's an odd combination. Try the French Toast. Or try the "Mag Mud" queso - it's about the same as Kerbey Lane's "Cowboy Queso", and delicious. Like Kerbey, go to Magnolia for the atmosphere, and expect a little more Austin funkiness.
That's all I've got for Austin! As I move about, I'm sure I'll find more diners to "write home" about. Watch for another post in a month or two!
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