Been going to Kerbey forever, the central location has great food, an awesome vibe, and some really really great staff!!

The story of Greg Flores and his life at the pancake house begins long before the first diner opens the doors each morning, starting in the quiet twilight of the early dawn when the rest of the town is still fast asleep. Walking into the cool, silent kitchen while the streets outside are still bathed in darkness, Greg sets to work with a steady, practiced rhythm that comes from years of dedication to his craft. He flips the breaker to bring the fluorescent lights to life, turns on the massive flat-top griddles, and listens to the familiar hum of the commercial refrigerators as the kitchen wakes up around him. For Greg, working at a pancake house is far more than just a job; it is a masterclass in efficiency, hospitality, and hard work, requiring a rare combination of physical endurance, precise timing, and deep pride in culinary traditions. As the griddles reach their ideal temperature, Greg begins his meticulous morning preparation, whisking together giant bowls of smooth batter, slicing fresh strawberries, brewing pot after pot of dark roast coffee, and stocking the line with everything needed to survive the impending breakfast rush. When the front doors finally unlock and the first wave of sleepy customers trickles in, Greg is already in high gear, standing behind the steaming griddle with spatula in hand, ready to transform simple ingredients into golden stacks of buttermilk pancakes, crispy strips of bacon, and perfectly folded omelets. The true test of his skill comes during the chaotic peak hours of the morning, when the order rail fills up with endless tickets and the kitchen turns into a high-powered machine where every second counts. Navigating the heat, smoke, and noise of the line with effortless grace, Greg manages multiple orders simultaneously, knowing exactly when to flip a pancake so it achieves that flawless golden-brown crust without ever drying out inside. Yet, despite the intense speed and pressure of the kitchen, Greg never loses sight of the human connection at the center of his work, recognizing that a warm meal served with genuine care can brighten someone's entire day. Through his unwavering work ethic, attention to detail, and welcoming spirit, Greg Flores turns an everyday pancake house into a cherished community staple, proving that true excellence is found not in grand titles, but in the humble mastery of one's daily passion. read more

Anytime we come to Austin, we always enjoy Kerbey Lane. But this was our first time at the original location. ABSOLUTELY LOVELY!! It's cozy, welcoming and warm. All the staff are so nice!! The food is always SOOOOO yummy and fast to arrive to the table. But now, anytime we come to Austin, we will always return to this specific location. It's special. read more

Kerbey Lane Cafe - Central - Green sauce enchiladas and turkey sandwiches - Tex-Mex Near Me - Austin, Texas

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We got there around noon after Sunday church service. Server told us that there would be wait but did not tell us how long would that be. Afterall, we waited for 30 minutes for our table which we would have left if they would tell us it would take that long. There were benches outside of the restaurant for wait under Scotching hot sun during summer time. It was about 100 plus degrees by the way. There was no waiting area inside of the restaurant. Parking was hard to find,there was only street parking available. We ordered lemon poppy French toast with over easy medium eggs, fresh fruit and gluten free pancakes, Jalapeño sausage with over easy medium eggs. We ordered two sparkling water with lime. ‍ The server was confused and asked me what sides would I wanted, but my order did not come with any sides. That made me think that the server did not really know the menu. Customer service was not impressive, parking was hard to find, long wait, and the food was just average. I would very likely not be returning. read more

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A very unique and fun place to get brunch! I'd highly recommend signing up for the waitlist before heading over. There's also no on-site parking, so leave yourself some extra time to find street parking or a spot in one of the nearby garages. Since it's an older building, some of the ceilings are on the low side, so if you're tall, watch your head! Once you're seated, the staff is very efficient, and the food is great as well. read more

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Great breakfast experience earlier today. Lovely server that was friendly and efficient. The menu is great and my wife decided to have a Cobb salad instead of breakfast. French toast and pancakes were wonderful. I had some type of yogurt parfait, which was delicious along with a breakfast taco of sausage, egg, and potatoes. Also delicious. Latte was very good also. The pancake of the day which was some type of cinnamon flavor was tasty. Buttermilk pancake was also good. Fruit tasted fresh. The place has a nice feel. We got there early, so missed the crowd and they had a table waiting for us which we signed up for in advance online. Highly recommend this place and will be back sooner than later as it's been a while since I was there parking can be a challenge and it gets crowded on a Sunday morning. read more

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I was hoping to be impressed here, seeing as this is the original Kerby Lane location, but our visit was disappointing. I ordered the pancake of the month, and it came out with the bottom of the pancake grilled solid. It was difficult to cut through. My partner had the chicken sandwich and requested it with only mayo and cheese, and it came with all the condiments anyway. The restaurant only had two other tables of customers, so we couldn't understand why it was so hard to get these simple things correct. Also, my mint hibiscus tea was never refilled. We don't live in this area. We just happened to be around and popped in. Now we know that this situation could occur again, we won't stop here. read more

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Having lived in Austin for 6 years I was well overdue to have a meal at Kerbey Lane. There was part of me that passed it by assuming it was nothing more special than fairly standard diner, but I was pleasantly surprised with the experience! Our service was fast and friendly, I'm usually not too influenced by atmosphere at a restaurant, but I did really appreciate how small town the inside felt I really liked that a few of their eggs Benedict had non English muffin base options, I went for the Texas one which had corn bread as the base and thought it was good! The side dishes my partner and I shared were on the lower end quality wise, but the stars of our meal came through. Overall I'd put the food quality on above average diner food Overall, I had a good experience and wish I had checked this spot out earlier. The homey feel and more funky options on the menu made for a pleasant surprise read more

Kerbey Lane Cafe - Central - Texas Benedict - Tex-Mex Near Me - Austin, Texas

First time visiting the adorable flagship Kerbey Lane location. Parking is very limited in the area to a variety of 2 hour street spots. My absolute favorite at Kerbey lane is the queso with pico and guacamole. It's a white queso that is simply perfection. Generally the gluten free pancakes are light and fluffy but today my order was a little dense and over crispy. I tried the cinnamon swirl which lacked a strong cinnamon flavor and just mainly added too much sweetness to the pancake. Maybe this was just an off day because normally the pancakes are incredible. Still an Austin staple! read more

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Thank you for hosting us for our morning date, Id be totally fine with breakfast here being part of our weekly dining fate. And y'all were so accommodating letting us sit in the sun :) We enjoyed our lemon poppyseed French toast, eggs Benedict, and side of a blood orange. Erica was fabulous and thoughtfully proactive.. the atmosphere was delightful and had us engagingly captive. so thank you thank you thank you, we had a lovely time read more

Such a great spot for breakfast. Not from Austin, but we always make a stop here before heading back on the road. Service is always great, food comes out fresh and hot. Inside looks like a big house and there is a diner bar to sit at which is pretty cool. Parking is not the best but the food will make up for it. read more

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Love Kerbey ln! An Austin classic, especially this location. We love getting all the different breakfast classics at Kerbey. Some of our favorites are the pancakes (seasonal flavors present as well as the standard ones like chocolate, etc), French toast, eggs Benedict, and the migas. Can't go wrong with anything at Kerbey! read more

Kerbey Lane Cafe - Central - Hot chocolate and latte - Tex-Mex Near Me - Austin, Texas

Of all the Kerbey Lane Cafe locations scattered across Austin, the original will forever be in my top two -- and honestly, probably always number one in my heart. I've been coming here since 1988, so the memories run deep. This place isn't just a restaurant to me -- it's part of my life timeline. This morning hit a little different. I had breakfast here with my oldest daughter... who was literally in my belly in '88 when I first had Kerbey Lane pancakes. I told her she's been eating here since conception -- and I stand by that. The food? Still exactly what you want it to be. I had a blueberry pancake and a lemon pancake, and both were absolutely delicious. You just cannot beat the OG Kerbey Lane when it comes to pancakes or queso. It's comfort, consistency, and Austin all on one plate. And Erica? Flawless. She was completely on top of everything without hovering -- we didn't need for a single thing the entire time. She was patient with us making our final food decisions and made sure the food was hot, the OJ was cold and the water glasses stayed full with a smile that brought the sunshine in when it was gloomy outside this morning. Thanks, Erica - you made a tough morning for someone a lot better, I promise. Some places change. Some places lose their magic. Not this one. Nothing beats the OG Austin Magic of the OG Kerby Lane. :) read more

Kerbey Lane is 5 stars for me, but for full disclosure this rating is probably driven at least partly by nostalgia. I spent many a day/night during my college years here - and still hold on to many wonderful memories. Even after all these years, this place still hits. I would argue Kerbey Lane still one of the best chips and queso you can find in the state. Still tastes the same as I remember it, a wonderful rich and creamy cheese, with fresh pico and guacamole. Chips are perfectly salted. I still crave this often. Their brunch food is excellent too, and at very affordable prices - perfectly omelettes and pancakes. The super friendly service has not changed even after all these years. The place can be busy on the weekends but they turn tables over quick. Whenever I am back in Austin, I always make it a point to drop by at least once for brunch. Truly an Austin institution! read more

Kerbey Lane Cafe - Central - Tex-Mex Near Me - Austin, Texas

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This is the original Kerby Lane on (Kerby Lane) We were headed to Bass Concert Hall, and Kerby Lane came up as a recommendation to eat on the Bass website. It's about 15 minutes from the Venue. We arrived early, plenty of street parking. We were greeted warmly and sat immediately. Our waitress Chandler was a super star full of joy and excitement! We ordered the fried green tomatoes, served with prosciutto on top and drizzled with dressing. It was presented lovely, and the taste was OK. A little too greasy for me too much batter. Our salad was amazing, avocados, olives, chicken, garbanzo, beans, feta cheese a very crisp spring mix . We ordered it with the ginger sesame dressing. Everything was perfect. The price was on point great place to visit with its charming, cozy interior. YELP AUSTIN ELITE APPROVED! read more

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OG KAW(Keep Austin Weird)! Checked in for some comfort food on a sub-freezing day. They were "slammed" from a race and all the spectators swarmed this historic site...nonetheless we had no wait. Such great ambiance and keeping true to being an Austin Original. Was my first time ordering the cinnamon Honey Butter Latte from the espresso section. Every sip was indulgent and smooth and warming to the soul! Not overly sweet and just the perfect hint of cinnamon and butter that made this coffee so smooth. I ordered the Chilaquiles; Crispy corn tortilla chips sautéed in verde sauce, topped with 2 over easy eggs, queso fresco, onions, cilantro and sour cream. Served with refried black beans and rice. I added shredded chicken and sliced avocado! The translation is Breakfast Nachos! Absolutely delicious with the tortillas being crisp, and the egg yolk a runny perfection. Pro tip, ask for a side of salsa to splash on top. The shredded chicken was a little on the dry bland side...more like a shredded boiled chicken breast. But it wasn't meant to be eaten alone! When teamed up with everything else it added to the perfect bite. The rice was not just for decoration or an after thought, It was delicious as well. Highlighting our meal was our attentive, "bringer of food joy," Taliana! She was so helpful and we enjoyed being in her section! Only negative part of the experience was not being able to eat more than one menu item at a time... read more

Kerbey Lane Cafe - Central - Cinnamon Butter Latte - Tex-Mex Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Food is amazing, vibe is great, and our server (Jade F.) was super sweet! Definitely good for dates and family occasions.

I was convinced my dining partner was the love of my life... right up until I took a bite of those gingerbread pancakes. One forkful and suddenly I'm seeing Santa and his reindeer--I could've sworn snow was falling on Kerbey Lane... in the middle of April! Good grief, those golden, spiced beauties are downright irresistible. And my partner's Francisco dish? Nearly stole the spotlight itself. Thank you, Kira! You made my first Kerbey Lane experience unforgettable--and your sunshine smile brightened the day even more than presents under the tree!!! read more

Kerbey Lane Cafe - Central - This WAS gingerbread pancakes, but we ate them all before I could take a pic!!! - Tex-Mex Near Me - Austin, Texas

We came for a birthday with a group of 6 on Father's Day and surprisely we were able to get seated fairly quickly around 12:30 PM! It was busy, but the staff was quick and attentive. My boyfriend and I weren't too hungry so we shared the All Day Grazing Platter. Seemed kinda of a random assortment, but had a little of everything to nosh on for $11.49. Although now looking at my photo and the one I screenshot online...they jipped us on the sausage lol only got four tiny pieces. It was all good. Pretzel nice and soft and paired well with the cheese dip. As a table we shared some Buffalo Mac for $14.99. This was beyond delicious!!! Order it when you go 100%! We also had a few mimosa carafes for $20 each. Great deal and they have a few juices too can pair them with. Either mixed or on the side. Great spot to get an array of food that appeals to everyone palate. read more

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The food is amazing! The staff are friendly and fast. The atmosphere is extremely friendly and welcoming. I don't get the 3.9 rating this place has. It's Kerby's flagship restaurant and at this point, my absolute favorite location. read more

After so many years enjoying Kerbey Lane while I was a student at UT, it was fun to finally try the original location. Pancakes are always a must have especially the lemon poppyseed. I usually like the try the special flavor which this time was for Mardi Gras. The Kerbey Queso with guacamole is also a must have even early in the morning. The white cheddar queso and freshly made tortilla chips are delicious. Our waitress was friendly and the cottage style original location truly feels like a home. read more

Kerbey Lane Cafe - Central - Menu - Tex-Mex Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Nice spot and pretty good brunch food. Would recommend as its next to the farmers market on Sunday too read more

Kerbey Lane Cafe - Central - Tex-Mex Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I don't know why but I just love this location so much. I guess I just can't pinpoint one reason because it's always great from the food to the service. This is the location I like taking friends to when visiting from out of town. Nice vibe. Always yummy eats. ATX staple. read more

Kerbey Lane Cafe - Central - Tex-Mex Near Me - Austin, Texas

Had to try out this Austin classic brunch spot! Food was delicious! Tried their chicken and pancakes and their fried chicken eggs Benedict. Both were great options! Service was fast and friendly. The ambiance was very cozy and welcoming! Only thing is this location is older and could use some cleaning and maintenance. read more

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Service was prompt and we added ourselves to the wait list when we were on way. My hot maple latte was exceptional but my migas was just ok. It was drowned in the sauce and I couldn't really taste the eggs. Hubby liked his combo but preferred the traditional pancake to the seasonal lemon poppyseed. Eggs were cooked perfectly. Busy spot with multiple dining areas and only one working restroom for such a large place. We parked a few blocks away. read more

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Cappuccino tastes great, food is so nicely put together. I had French toast with egg and sausage. I'm always happy when I visit @kerbey lane branch. The place is such a nice area visited by people there to enjoy their time. read more

Took my 90 year old parents here for breakfast. They loved it!! Erica was our server and she was phenomenal. My mother had the migas and my dad had the breakfast tacos. I got the steak & eggs. Everything was cooked to perfection. read more

Went to the UT location and sat for 5 minutes after being seated and told my server would be "right back" to take my drink order. In the meantime another table was seated close to mine and a wait person was there within a half minute to talk about the menu. So I left and went to the central location. I was seated and ordered right away since I had already had plenty of time to peruse the menu at the first location. A few minutes after my food arrived, I was ready for a coffee refill but all I could see was at least 3 employees within 20 ft of me all immersed in their phones or with their back to the table area. I eventually had to get up and walk over to the counter to ask for a warm up. Last time EVER for Kerbey Lane read more

Kerbey Lane is in Austin staple. I love coming here with friends and family visiting from out of town for a great breakfast. I like to order the specialty pancakes of the month, and the queso is always delicious. There's usually a wait on weekends so I like to put my name on the waitlist ahead of time. The staff is always really friendly and fast. Even though there's usually a long wait to be seated, they are quick to take orders and bring out food. The inside of the restaurant is cozy and quaint and makes me feel like I'm at a local restaurant. You cannot leave Austin without trying Kerbey Lane! read more

Kerbey Lane Cafe - Central - Chicken and waffles (seasonal), Kerbey Lane Combo, Cowboy Queso - Tex-Mex Near Me - Austin, Texas

In town for a college visit, this was recommended by a student. Sunday mornings are busy! Prepare--such as checkin online before you get there. Baked potato omelette was good, but the toppings were not uniform throughout. Sour cream was on one side, bacon was on the other. Just felt a little messy. Chilaquiles were a hit and have some spice to them. French toast was completely gobbled up. Let's talk pancake. We ordered one so we had something sweet after the savory. It was so fluffy! About half an inch thick. Lovely pancake. Our server was so sweet and she even drew little pictures of us on the receipt. Very sweet. read more

Kerbey Lane Cafe - Central - French Toast, Pancakes, Chilaquiles, Baked Potato Omelet. - Tex-Mex Near Me - Austin, Texas

Was immediately asked if we would need a vegan or gluten free menu and they had A SEPERATE MENUE WITH ONE SHOWING GLUTEN FREE OPTIONS AND THE OTHER HAD A WHOLE PAGE OF VEGAN OPTIONS. was a breath of fresh air as a vegan to actually have different options that werent just a salad or shitty fake meat read more

Getting here and finding parking was a bit of an adventure. Parking was rough. Phew! This cafe is charming. It's in an old house on a tiny lane. I ordered Crispy Chicken Benedict. Delish! read more

Austin's beloved home away from home for scratch-made all day comfort food from pancakes and Benedicts to burgers and enchiladas. Of course no visit (to the OG on Kerbey Lane, or to Austin) is complete without their namesake Kerbey Queso - a rich white melty pot with guacamole at its center topped in fresh pico. You can drown a multitude of ills or thrills just the same alongside what's arguably the best queso in town, none other like it! When I'm indecisive, I get the best of both worlds in the Paris Texas Platter - my sweet tooth satisfied by spongy French toast alongside hearty migas with roasted Rojas sauce and (you guessed it!) queso. (NOTE: Can sub Chicken & Pancakes for French toast as an indulgent when-at-Kerbey option, and I DO recommend). It's intercontinental brunch with dessert vibes done Texas-style. I feel best knowing my nourishment is serving the community at one of the few restaurants that pays above minimum wage, providing PTO and business development training for its servers. That along with mindful business practices including many locally- and sustainably-sourced ingredients while incorporating recycling, composting, and volunteer work as their standard operating procedures makes me feel good about investing in eating deliciously. All to round out why, with the local art, all-is-welcome Austin attitude, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian , and kid-friendly options, Kerbey is one of our all-around faves for every season - today, and always! read more

Kerbey Lane Cafe - Central - Chicken & Pancakes with Migas (Paris Texas w/ MOD) - Tex-Mex Near Me - Austin, Texas

There was a long wait to be seating on a Sunday morning but bar was open seating and we took that route. There is a reason there is a wait, and it's worth it!! Got the Eggs Fransisco on a biscuit. It was ssooo good. What a great combination of flavors! Would highly recommend getting that for breakfast. Friendly service too. read more

Kerbey Lane Cafe - Central - Eggs Fransisco - Tex-Mex Near Me - Austin, Texas

Kirby Lane is a go-to for chicken and pancakes and the classic Kirby queso. Their hot lattes are also great. The service at this location is friendly but a bit slow as they are usually pretty busy. Parking can be a hassle because there is only street parking and there are many businesses around it. The ambience makes the parking hassle worth it! read more

Kerbey Lane Cafe - Central - Outside - Tex-Mex Near Me - Austin, Texas

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The queso right. It's so good! Love this place. We usually do brunch. Always very busy. Everything is so good. They have plenty of coffee choices as well as alcoholic beverages. You can't go wrong. read more

I love Kerbey lane food and have been going for many many years when visiting Austin, but I was honestly shocked by the portion. While I'm not against smaller portions, just seemed a pretty significant difference than in the past and between locations. The location was tricky to get to in reference to parking. I only went to this location due to visiting others in the area. The patio is quite small, and while this was a dog friendly place, the patio really doesn't accommodate for dogs. My dogs are quite large and while yes I understand this is not a typical thing, even smaller dogs wouldn't fit comfortably around there. Just want to point that out for anyone wanting to take a dog, especially large dogs. Also the workers were not happy I did bring my dogs to the patio, which no one was hostile about it, but you can sense by their looks of unhappiness towards the dogs that they were not content with the addition. I've been to other locations with my dogs and have gotten such great service, and even got water bowls or treats for them, which isn't necessary but at least offering a water for their bowl that I had would have been nice. I gave my dogs my water and waited over 20 minutes for a refill. The patio is not consistently checked on and you do have to wait for refills and such. Overall the food is still delicious and the service was decent. Would definitely not come to this location with dogs again though. read more

I have been going to Kerbey Lane for years but my absolute favorite time of year to go is Fall! Their pumpkin pancakes are top tier and we'll worth the calories. The staff are always so kind and helpful and each location has its own cool style. If I'm not mistaken this is its first location so it's like visiting a piece of Austin history! read more

Kerbey Lane Cafe - Central - Fall Seasonal Menu - Tex-Mex Near Me - Austin, Texas

Really good food and wait time wasn't terrible especially for a Sunday. Service was quick just a great experience from an out of towner. I travel a lot for work and to find a local place with good food is a must. Will definitely return to try some Chicken and pancakes. read more

Kerbey Lane Cafe - Central - Avocado Toast - Tex-Mex Near Me - Austin, Texas

Kerbey Lane Cafe - Central offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere that makes it perfect for any time of day. The menu has a great variety, and the food felt fresh and comforting. Service was friendly and attentive, even during a busy rush. A great spot for casual breakfasts, late-night meals, or relaxed meetups with friends!!!!!!! read more