Magnolia Cafes, Austin, TX

Twitter, and the recent celebrity sightings at the Magnolia Cafe

noreply@blogger.com (KC) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:20:00 +0000

Recent days have blessed the Magnolia Cafe with visits from a few celebrities: Kate Walsh, Ellen Page, Bill Murray. Although we respect their privacy and hang back from autographs, the internal silent scream of fan-dom strikes. This is the result of very early training: Elvis, the Beatles. Even if they were just on TV - we screamed.

While some of us, paralyzed with adoration, simply grip our fork and spoon tighter, others send a Tweet to friends and the world wide web. If you don't already know this web-based celebrity, let us introduce Twitter. www.Twitter.com is micro-blogging. It's a wonderful way for people to have conversations - with quick little sentences exchanged and parried - on the web.

So we invite you: When you see a celebrity at the Magnolia, just send a Tweet on Twitter with the words "magnolia cafe" in them. We'll be pulling all "magnolia cafe" Twitter news into the sidebar of this blog to share with the world. It really is better than screaming.

It was a pleasure to hear from this customer...

noreply@blogger.com (dP) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:10:00 +0000

This is just a quick blog post to say thanks to 'Born Again Bird Watcher' for so eloquently describing his pleasure at discovering the Magnolia Cafe.

He writes:

One of the down-sides of travelling as much as I do is the inability to always eat in a way that is at the same time both healthful and emotionally satisfying. Most all cities and towns across America have at least one restaurant that can provide these twin requisites, (read the full post)

Thanks John! Please come back and say 'hi' when you travel through Austin again.

Veg Out! Austin - Ben's Top 5 Plates of Nachos

noreply@blogger.com (dP) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:06:00 +0000

I suggest that Austin vegetarians bookmark this neat web site:
"Veg Out! Austin... where herbivores eat out in Central Texas"

Besides mentioning Magnolia Mud, a recent article by Ben recommends 5 tops picks for vegetarian nachos. You can read all about his top 5 list here.

Just briefly, here are the recommended choices, in no particular order:

Alamo Drafthouse at the Ritz, Nacho Libre with grilled tofu

Freebird's World Burrito, Nachos with black beans and queso

Magnolia Cafe, Super Nachos

ZuZu's, Black Bean Nachos

Chuy's, Special Nachos

Good to know!

The sights, tastes and smells of Austin, TX

noreply@blogger.com (dP) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:56:00 +0000

The editors at Conde Nast Traveler answer questions and share travel secrets, tips, and dispatches from the road, and apparently Julia Bainbridge (one of their writers) has a soft spot for Austin.

I think that Julia has nicely captured some of our current mystique, and she reminds me of some things that I ought to go enjoy before the summer is through.

She mentioned our Magnolia Cafe in the category of "good coffee." I have to agree with her, after drinking a few cups of what they call American-style coffee in Europe this summer, it's nice to be home.

Here is her lovely article about Austin if you'd like to read it for yourself.

Spreading the Love: The Food Trailer Culture in Austin

noreply@blogger.com (dP) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:24:00 +0000

Rich from Plano recently visited Austin, and he has a couple of good tips for visitors. Who knew that you could stay at the Barton Creek Resort at an incredible price through Expedia? As for dining,

We hit Magnolia Cafe, Chuy's Tex-Mex, County Line BBQ, and tried a new place Gumbo's. Along the way, there might have been a Shiner or two. You can read his blog post here.

But this was his "pièce de résistance" - Hey Cupcake.

We'd like to tell you more about Austin's trailer culture. The city is enjoying an unusual phenomenon these days: micro-restaurants serving absolutely delicious food out of mobile trailers. Hey Cupcake is located on S. Congress Ave, about 2 blocks north of Magnolia Cafe South. They've become a big attraction for both residents and tourists in our SoCo neighborhood.

So, if you've visiting Austin, you should definitely come visit us at the Magnolia Cafe. But you should also try to fit in a meal or dessert with one of our friends in the trailers. They're an Austin experience.

Hey Cupcake on South Congress Ave.

LuLu B's Thai Sandwiches on South Lamar

Flip Happy Crepes, near Zilker Park

From the Way Back Machine: the waitresses with Kent Cole, 1982

noreply@blogger.com (dP) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 18:52:00 +0000

Back story: the Omelettry West was the first incarnation of today's Magnolia Cafe. Kent and his wife Patricia were asked to help open a new location for the Omelettry. K & P were quickly made part-owners of the new venture and went to work. Kent only learned to cook the day before the official opening.

A year later, Kent found himself single again. Perhaps that explains the gorgeous look of the waitresses in this picture.

The photo was taken by Jack Rheem for a special project: a 13-month calendar to be sold to customers (the extra month was called "Thermidor" which explains the extra long Texas summer between July and August). Each month featured a beautiful B/W photo of the early staff and cafe environment. It is the ultimate collector's item for Magnolia Cafe followers.

I'll eventually post all of the pictures to this blog. Thanks for your interest.

dP

The Kid Art Show, recent contributions by talented customers.

noreply@blogger.com (KC) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:21:00 +0000

YouTube introduction to the Annual ROT Biker Rally, Austin, TX

noreply@blogger.com (dP) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:18:00 +0000

It's here! It's time for the motorcycles to engulf downtown Austin and the Travis County Expo Center. We've got a video from YouTube to help you get excited:

The official rally takes place over three days, June 14-16, at the Expo Center.

FREE PARADE & CONCERT on June 13th:
Congress Ave (from 2nd to 11th and 1 block on each side) will be closed for the parade from 4pm Friday to 2am Sat. The parade will happen at about 7:30pm and the concert should end around Midnight.

Magnolia Cafes, at two locations near downtown, will be welcoming visitors and locals with excellent home-cooked food 24 hours.

www.rotrally.com For road closure, concert and parade info, visit the City of Austin's web site.

Neon Sign of the Magnolia Cafe - Austin, Texas - "Sorry, We're Open"

noreply@blogger.com (dP) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:10:00 +0000

Neon Sign of the Magnolia Cafe - Austin, Texas - "Sorry, We're Open"
Originally uploaded by JIMWICh

This beautiful picture of our sign was posted by a fan on Flickr. The owner of the picture has suggested this music as well. What an interesting combination! Please feel free to play this podcast to enjoy the sounds of Texas (?)

Says Meg of Minnesota: Every person deserves their own Magnolia Cafe

noreply@blogger.com (dP) — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 02:36:00 +0000

Meg writes a blog to share her Top Five lists.

We're please to make it into her Top Five Restaurant list. She writes: "What makes food so great is the rest of the experience."

5. Magnolia Cafe, Austin, Texas
I had dropped out of high school and was waiting to find out whether I got into college or not the summer my sister came home from her freshman year at UCLA. A little after midnight, Sarah and I wanted to find a cup of coffee, so we went cruising around South Austin. That's when we found Magnolia, the digs I can't go without patronizing every time I visit Austin. I bring everyone there, and all the food is delicious. Every town deserves a 24-hour greasy spoon. Every person deserves their own Magnolia Cafe.

Click here to read her full blog post. Thanks Meg!

What we didn't know about SXSWi

noreply@blogger.com (dP) — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:27:00 +0000

The Magnolia Cafe is part of the "inner circle" of SXSW Interactive intelligentsia. We discovered this blog post about us by a fan:

SXSW Interactive (day 1)
Posted by Nick Finck public@digital-web.com
March 7, 2008

...I myself have been busy hammering away the details on my presentation for Saturday only to take a break for a midnight dinner at the notorious Magnolia Cafe were geek ideas for the next killer apps are discussed and new companies are formed seemingly overnight. Tonight there were few from the web industry at the cafe, my guess is because most of them are still stuck in Dallas. Tomorrow should be pretty exciting and we are hoping for a more insightful blog post summary that goes beyond the weather and travel.

We'd like to remind our visitors to Austin that we're open 24/8. We hope that you can stop by, grab a meal, form a new internet company and blog about us.

For a recent review of Magnolia Cafe, please visit this updated page on CitySearch. We're so happy that they recognized the Real Us at "Four and 1/2 Stars!"

Our friends on Flickr enjoy the Sorry sign

noreply@blogger.com (dP) — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:47:00 +0000

sorry (reposted)
Originally uploaded by mofo

It's amazing how this marketing message got started. Let me be clear to say that I wasn't there, but I saw the original sign in the window at the Omelettry West (which later became the Magnolia Cafe under the new ownership by the former sweat equity manager, who later became my husband, Kent Cole).

If you can imagine the intensity of starting your own restaurant AND having to be one of the cooks in the kitchen from opening to closing -- well, this sign is a result of post-traumatic-cook-syndrome.

The sign was prophetic: only years later did we become a 24 hour eatery. Maybe because, when you turned the sign over, it said Come In, We're Closed.

I'll be blogging a bit about our creative marketing choices from 1980-1995 or so. You might enjoy staying in touch with us and seeing the eccentric charm of Kent Cole in print advertising. Thanks for your generous time and curiosity about the Magnola Cafe.

d.p.

Kudos to Magnolia Cafe from Rare Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (dP) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 18:13:00 +0000

We've got the scoop from Rare Magazine that Magnolia Cafe will be featured in the upcoming May issue. Rare Magazine has taken a cue from the venerable Austin Chronicle's "Best" list, and they've put together their own "Rarest of the Rare."

The Magnolia Cafe has been chosen in some category, but we don't want to spoil the suspense. We'd just like to thank the two customers who volunteered to eat their lunch in front of the Rare Magazine photographer - thanks to Stacey and Sarah!

Stay tuned to the May issue, and find out who else got a Rare mention for something special.

This, from the Rare Magazine web site:

What is Rare Magazine?

Rare is a monthly magazine based in Austin, Texas -- the coolest city in the world. We represent the best of Austin -- from boutiques to restaurants to artists to realtors and everything in-between. We give our readers a taste of what's local, fun and interesting.

Valentine's Day! 2008

noreply@blogger.com (dP) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 05:31:00 +0000

You're looking very beautiful tonight. No, really. I love your hair like that. And you're also looking for a perfect place for a romantic dinner. Well, let's look no further than one of the Magnolia Cafes.

Magnolia Cafe, Lake Austin Blvd., is offering Heart Shaped Ravioli as well as Hearts of Palm Salad, with a nice selection of wines to pair with your selection.

Magnolia Cafe, South Congress, is offering some cozy choices, including Lovin' Lamb Chops, Cornish Game Hen or Halibut with Mango Citron Butter.

Among the many desserts, we offer Gateau Marissa and Chocolate Covered Strawberries.

Making memories.

At two locations.
Magnolia Cafe, 2304 Lake Austin Blvd., Austin
Magnolia Cafe South, 1920 South Congress Ave., Austin

The Magnolia Cafe 2008 calendars are available

noreply@blogger.com (dP) — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 16:01:00 +0000

The Magnolia Cafes have enjoyed a long history of eclectic marketing efforts. Every year we run a short edition of the Magnolia Cafes annual wall calendar, printed in Mexico. You'll see eight of the designs in the picture above.

The price is only $1.00 each, and the selection of images will surely allow you to find one that matches your decor or holiday gift list.

Available while supplies last, at either Magnolia location:

Magnolia Cafe (original)
2304 Lake Austin Blvd. Google Map

Magnolia Cafe South
1920 S. Congress Ave. Google Map

To order by phone, please call: 512-447-7636
(If you miss us, you can leave a message and we'll call you back.)

Magnolia joins 'Eat Local Week' 12/8-12/15

noreply@blogger.com (dP) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 21:17:00 +0000

As part of Austin’s Eat Local Week, both Magnolia Cafes will be serving Chipotle Barbecue Bison Burgers from Saturday, Dec 8 through Friday, Dec 15, 2007. The Texas grass-fed buffalo are raised running free at the Thunder Heart Bison ranches in South Texas. For more info go to thunderheartbison.com

The cafes will donate a part of their proceeds for this week to Urban Roots, which uses sustainable agriculture to help kids learn life and job skills. Urban Roots is part of YouthLaunch, which provides empowering service experiences for young people. For more info go to youthlaunch.org.

Happy Thanksgiving, circa 1981

noreply@blogger.com (dP) — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 18:40:00 +0000

In the early days of the Omeletry West (before it became the Magnolia Cafe) Thanksgiving was a giant affair for all of the employees. The tables were pushed together in the dining room to make one common table, and Kent was in charge of cooking the turkeys.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving, with all the trimmings!

Magnolia South closed for new carpet, 10/30/07

noreply@blogger.com (dP) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 18:19:00 +0000

Please forgive us for closing briefly on Tues. Oct. 30th, from 6 am - 5 pm. We'll be installing new carpet, a new sound system, and performing other routine maintenance. Opening again for dinner at 5 pm.

The Magnolia West location did the same updating just two weeks ago. It looks and feels great, with new carpet in both dining rooms and new flooring throughout our kitchens.

Your patience is appreciated. Being open 24/8 puts a lot of wear-and-tear on the physical premises. We do in fact need to close once in a while for improvements. Thanks for your continued patronage.

Celebrating Halloween with Amy's pumpkin ice cream.

noreply@blogger.com (KC) — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 19:33:00 +0000

Amy's ice cream has been part of Austin's quality of life for almost as long as the Magnolia Cafes.

We are excited to offer you Amy's pumpkin ice cream for Halloween. We can't give you a forest of yellow and red leaves, but what better way to mark the changing season than with a taste of pumpkin on a beautiful sunny day. That's autumn, Texas style.

BEST OF AUSTIN AWARDS, 10/14/07

noreply@blogger.com (dP) — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 04:48:00 +0000

We are delighted to learn that our customers have voted to make us #1 in the BEST OF AUSTIN AWARDS 2007: Best 24-Hour/Late restaurant in the local Austin Chronicle newspaper.

We appreciate your support. It means a lot to us. Thanks to our many loyal customers who participated in the balloting this year!

Not 24/8? Magnolia on Lake Austin Blvd. announces brief schedule change 10/15-17.

noreply@blogger.com (KC) — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 21:48:00 +0000

Being open 24/8 has its demands. In reality, we actually need to close once in a while for both predictable and grand improvements to the premises.

Magnolia Cafe (2304 Lake Austin Blvd.) will be closing briefly on: Mon. Oct. 15th at 3 am.

Reopening for delicious food and good service on: Wed. Oct. 17th at 10 pm.

Please consider driving over the Magnolia Cafe South for the 2+ days that we will be closed for maintenance. We hope to accommodate you there.

Welcome all hungry ACL Festival-goers!

noreply@blogger.com (dP) — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:13:00 +0000

The Magnolia South welcomes you to our beautifully remodeled patio and garden room. It's spacious and breezy, with South Austin details (like our plastic green chairs and funky chandelier)!

Of course, you'll find our usual giant menu of fresh food options at both locations, and (note) the Magnolia Cafe original location is within walking distance of Zilker Park.

We invite you to join us, rest and relax, and have some Tex-Mex, burgers or veggies with a frosty glass of our featured beer: Sam Adams Octoberfest. We're open 24 hours, and serve breakfast all day and night.

Map for Magnolia South.

Map for Magnolia Cafe original location

Getting the gardens ready for our remodeled patio grand opening...

noreply@blogger.com (dP) — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:06:00 +0000

Cool your summer with our hot sauce

noreply@blogger.com (dP) — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 01:52:00 +0000

August is the hottest month, and it's also the month for the Austin Chronicle's Hot Sauce Festival at Waterloo Park, Sun. Aug. 26th.

We'll be offering a min-sauce-festival through the month of August. Try our Chip and Sauce Sampler -- 4 oz. each of Magnolia hot sauce, smoky chipotle sauce, and the best creamy delicious queso in Austin, TX.

You can make it into a party for one with a frosty cold beer. We'll be adding Stella Artois to the selection just for this month.

We hope you enjoy it.

Something unusual we found on YouTube...

noreply@blogger.com (dP) — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 00:13:00 +0000

Apparently, back in 1987 our kitchen was occupied as a recording studio during an art opening. We're currently pretending that we remember this. Here's the link to watch the video.

"Velotrace Jazz Project live at The Magnolia Cafe, Austin,TX 1987. Provided family fun for our friend Jonathan's art opening. Vincent O'Brien-guitar, Thor Harris-drums, Brett Bowen-bass."

Thanks for the memories!