Hickory St. Patio Cafe

It's a shame I have to give this place one and not zero stars. Where do I even begin with this review? The service was non-existent, the food sub-par, and the ambiance leaves much to be desired. Take your money elsewhere, unless you like bugs in your food! Pros: It's close to good restaurants. Cons: It's a bad restaurant. more

Use to work downtown several years back and this place was a weekly lunch spot. Decided to take my son there this past weekend, seated ourselves on the patio. We were surrounded by dirty tables. After 10 minutes a guy with a huge black eye asks for drink orders. After seeing him back and forth 2 times I asked about our drink orders he then asked for them again. After seeing him come outside yet again 2 more times I decided it was time to spend my money elsewhere. The guy saw us get up and walk away and he did not say one word. What a disappointment - after reading all these reviews I WILL NEVER RETURN. Cons: EVERYTHING more

This place has horrible service, terrible food, feels dirty, and basically misses the mark on quality. The only positive is the location. Avoid going here if you want to be impressed. more

RUDE RUDE RUDE!! The waiters and waitresses were so rude to us!! They passed in front us about 5 times and never bothered to ask if we would like to be seated. \r The service totally sucked so we just left!! \r \r I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE OUT THERE!\r \r \r Cons: rude waiters more

So i recently moved here from denver and work downtown. Looking for something ""austin"", my collegues told me about hickory street. This place is really cool, except right now, since apparently the a.c.'s are under repair and it's a bit hot inside the main dining area. The food was exceptional, the portions were big, and the heat made the margaritas go down really easy. Look, this place isn't fancy, a bit grungy, and it seems like you have to have a tatoo to work there, but that all just makes it part of the experience. As a first timer, to everyone else reading these reviews, just realize this place is what it is. The impressive selection of menu items will have me coming back for some time now, and i'll keep posting my experiences whether good, bad, or in between. For people who've written bad reviews, you're reading too much into what this restaurant is. For now, i think it's pretty awesome the way it is, flaws and all. Pros: Big portions, wide selection, cheap drinks, friendly service Cons: none for now..... more

Waited for over 30 minutes for food and then the order was WRONG. The waitress took the order then disappeared, came back about 10 minutes later with the drinks and disappeared again, came back about 10 minutes later promising to refill glasses and never came back until the food was served 35 minutes later from the time it was ordered. Now how hard is it to cook a Breakfast TACO???? When I explained my order was wrong, the waitress just walked away. Poor service and bad cooking what more can you ask for in real terrible restaurant. more

I've been a frequent customer at Hickory Street Bar & Grill for several years as I work within walking distance of the restaurant. The last year or so, they've undergone some changes which I didn't think were too bad (although I preferred it the way it always had been).\r \r Today, I went with a co-worker and the first thing I noticed was how hot it was in the restaurant. I asked if they could turn the A/C cooler. He checked with the manager and the reply was that whenever someone walks in, it lets all the warm air in. I could either try to move somewhere else or get closer to a vent.\r (Wasn't crazy about this answer)\r \r I proceeded to eat my salad, bowl of soup & then my fruit. As I was eating my fruit (end of the meal), my friend sitting across from me noticed the side of my bowl. There was ""stuck"" chocolate pudding on the side of the bowl. You could tell it was old and I only had fruit in this particular bowl.\r I asked to speak to the manager who came over about ten minutes later (not sure what took so long) and brought this to his attention. He replied with - Sorry, I guess the dishwasher didn't do a good job - Sorry about that. That's it ! He didn't offer to comp my meal, didn't give me any discount, anything. That's not the way to run business.\r This restaurant is in a prime location; however, its quickly going downhill. They defintely need new management and new ""dishwashers' and someone that cares.\r \r A disappointed customer who has no intention of returning. Pros: Location Cons: Lacking in cleanliness and customer service more

We went to Hickory Street Bar and Grill last night and were impressed by the outside seating but the inside left a bit to be desired. The place was not very busy (probably 25% full) yet the food bars were in desperate need of attention and the floors were in definite need of a broom. The food, on the other hand, was very good and there were large portions. The price is good for the amount of food you get. We will go back, but I hope a rep from HSB&G reads this and calls his cleaning crew:) Pros: Good and plenty food Cons: place needs to be cleaned more often more

I go here all the time and am never dissatisfied with the service or the food. Nice and cozy covered outdoor patio for all weather dining and indoor dinning area with a quaint bar. $2.00 and $3.00 pints all the time. Great value for dropping in for 1 beer or a night of boozing. I like the hamburgers and the hot wings. Excellent downtown location. Pros: High quality food, cold beer, reasonable prices, all served from friendly staff Cons: Could have more appetizers more

I ate here on a warm Sunday afternoon, and it was fantastic. I love outdoor dining, and the fans and misters made the experience so comfortable. The service was great, and the food made from local ingredients was tasty. The veggie burger was excellent, but I could have done without the fries (not crispy enough). The Bob Marley tacos were so flavorful, and the brunch buffet looked awesome. A woman was singing and playing her accousic guitar, which as a visitor from the less art-cultured Houston, made the lunch that much better! more

I work downtown and I don't eat out much for lunch but one day I stopped in here and was surprised to find such a cool place with such a huge salad bar. I got this fresh, beautiful salad and was able to sit down quickly and eat it so I could get back to work. I ate in, but there were several people who were getting their salads to go--something I'll keep in mind for those days I have to work through lunch. When I have more time I'll take advantage of their beautiful patio-perfect for people watching on Congress. They even have the misters to keep cool on these hot summer days. I grabbed one of their menus and realized they have a great happy hour and a full breakfast menu. Both good to know as a downtown business person! Pros: Convenient, lots of healthy options more

This is one of mine and my friends' favorite place in the city. Atmosphere, location, food and prices make this place worth coming back to over and over. The patio is where we always sit so that we can look at the great view of Congress and people, and so that we can hear the live music. (The band can sometimes be turned up a lil too loudly, but still good.) Everything we've ever tried on the menu has been good. There are few places that my boyfriend and I both can really enjoy because I'm a vegetarian and he's not. This place has the the best veggie burger I've yet to try in town. The avacado veggie burger. Yum. They also have fabulous hand-cut french fries. Again, my favorite in town. Beer prices are really good. All in all, a really relaxed, great place to go. I take all of my out of town guests here, too. It's good. Pros: Atmosphere, food, prices. Cons: Parking can be tricky at certain times. more

Located a stones throw from the capitol building on 8th and Congress, Hickory Street has been an Austin institution for years. For those who have not gone recently, we found a number of exciting changes on our last visit inside and out that are worth a trip back, from exterior changes that make the great outdoor courtyard even better, to a number of menu additions. For those who have not been, what are you waiting for? Give it a try, we think youll enjoy the atmosphere as we have and dont forget about Happy Hour! Pros: Great downtown brunch, lunch and dinner choice with full bar !!!! Cons: None ... we always have a good time there! more

I had the cheesesteak. Not the best if you have been to the Northeast and know what a real cheesesteak tastes like. The bread they used tasted like a dinner roll and not a sub bun like what I was expecting. But putting queso on top was an innovative and great idea. Overall, the cheap prices and atmosphere are what I'll be coming back for. more

This is the same old Hcikory Street but under new management or something. It was forever the same the all the sudden everything got better and I mean way better. Had a Mimosa Salmon or something like from the daily specials and wow. The price was unbelievable. Its my favorite place to dine and listen to music on the patio. There is no other downtown spot like it. Its a great place to meet freinds with it just far enought off of 6th to get a parking spot location. You can walk 2 blocks to 6th street. Pros: great, food, music and drinks more

this is our favorite place to meet before shows at the Paramount or State theaters, before or after going to the museum or before hitting 6th street. the always have cheep beer and high quality soups available, and you can't beat the CFS! It's great if you're in a hurry but it's also a relaxed place to read the paper. Pros: cheap, central, casual Cons: sometimes crowded, noisy more

We went there for a Sunday buffet and it was wonderful. Why go to the Four Seasons when you can get great food in a cosy setting for just $11 ! more

I have been going to Hickory Street for over 10 years. I go there everytime I visit Austin. It feels like Austin, that is what I really like about the place. The atmosphere is great and the beer prices are too. I am from Houston, we don't have a place here that compares to Hickory Street, or for that matter any place in Austin. Go check it out. more

The good part about this place is that you get a lot of food for a good price. Unfortunately, the salad bar was not to my liking. But they do have really good gingerbread!!! Pros: inexpensive Cons: salad bar more

This place is my home away from home. My boyfriend and I go there almost every Saturday or Sunday. You can't beat the price of beer, and the salad bar is the best in town. The service is great with a very hip wait staff. If you are a people watcher sit on the patio you will defiantly see all sorts. I would recommend this place to anyone without a doubt!! Love it, Love it!!! more