If you like the smell of mothballs, this is a great place. Please fix this, KB!! http://npic.orst.edu/ingred/ptype/mothball/ read more

Stopped by last week* with a friend, hoping to get a good, quick, fresh-made sandwich or pizza for lunch. Apparently I wanted too much from this place. Heard their jazz nights were fun, and thought: "surely something else draws people to this place!" Apparently not. Maybe their coffee is amazing. Maybe they make all their money on drinks during their jazz/comedy nights. For food, though, all they had were pre-packaged sandwiches (subpar even to Starbucks, which is saying something in my book), and the veggie pizza I ordered was in want of cheese and ... veggies. I think I saw an olive or two on there, and, oh! there's a GREEN (the cheapest kind) pepper. * wish you could upload these via mobile ... this's been hanging out on my phone for months now! read more

A lot of these reviews sound more like advertisements in disguise I am a self-proclaimed coffee expert. The coffee here is a bit mediocre. Especially for the price. Now, I know you all say that fair-trade coffee cost more, but Dominican Joe's offers a bottomless cup of REALLY awesome fair-trade coffee for 3 bucks, which is less than a single cup of kickbutt. Plus it tastes a lot better. I agree that the staff is friendly, though, which you don't see that much in Austin anymore. It's nice to walk into a place and they don't act like they'd much rather be doing something else. read more

Based on everyone's reviews, your experience will be different here depending on what is going on, what day or time it is, etc. I have only been here once (it was a Wed. morning) and have to say that I loved it! everything from the cool martial arts decor, to the kung fu-outfits the baristas wore, the free wi-fi, and Sin City playing on the TV in the back. They serve all kinds of coffee from their menu but also creations per request. I noticed the alcoholic beverages including a Riesling named "kung fu girl" or something along those lines. Sweet.. I of course, was biased here; I love martial arts and I love coffee so the combination of the two was perfect. That, and I thought the Chuck Norris poster on the wall was pretty funny... They have nice booths and plenty of regular seating, they have sandwiches, a variety of pastries, breakfast tacos, and cereal in the morning ( I hear they also have pizza...) I'll go back if I'm in the area for the free wi-fi, and for the quiet and cool feeling of the place when there's not anything going on; it'd be great to study there a bit while getting a small breakfast and morning coffee. :) read more

I adore this place to work at during the day. I'm excited to see what the expansion of their space means for business. The comedy open mic on Wednesdays is pretty fun for me, too. It's a great place to get started if you want to try to be funny in front of people. When it's embarrassing, I still enjoy it... read more

I was on this side of town and decided to stop in. The coffee was pretty good (and fast, too). I bought a cookie that was pretty dried out. Bummer. The guy that took me order was about 55% scary, 45% probably just an intense dude. The place definitely doesn't FEEL like a normal coffee shop. It's kind of like a bar and a coffee shop had a kung-fu child. That's honestly not what I look for in a place I'm going to work from for hours at a time, but the staff was friendly (enough), and I like that it's a unique atmosphere in a city of copy-paste coffee shops. read more

I don't know how I feel about this place. There are many things I don't like about Kick Butt, but I really want to like it... I first came here during an open mic night and my friend who was told to come at a certain time to sign up was ignored over and over, despite being there early, and eventually told it was full. The open mic night was mediocre (like most open mics) and everyone was really close and if you were an outsider, it was really awkward. They have a lock on the bathroom door and you have to ask permission to get access in, because it is "only for customers " They do serve liquor here and play movies in the back, which is cool and keeps kids entertained while mom is working or dads drumming in the band on stage. read more

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. read more

Stopped in last Thursday, just have not gotten around to writing my review. It was a nice place, and had a nice variety of drink offerings. The interior was all kung fu'ed out, very cool. The staff was nice and got things going. I went with the mint mocha and it was delicious. It was one of the hottest days of the year so far, but I got a hot drink to spite the sun! hahaha This is on my way home after my Thursday appointments, so I will probably stop in again at some point. read more

Nearly $7 for a small cup of no-refill coffee and a two-bite muffin the size of a marshmallow...Kick Butt Coffee D.B.A. Kick My Wallet Coffee. ...these guys must really be specialists in the martial arts rather than business as their retail price points lends one to think there MUST be more than coffee in this tiny serving; I wish there was cuz the coffee isn't all that either...or maybe it was the stress hormones from getting gouged which were overwhelming the coffee's intended effects. Alas, I'll never know as I won't be coming back unless I win the lottery...sighhh. Finally I left with the feeling that I, the naieve customer (*ahem* Target), was a bother to them...as if they had better things to do than serve customers (maybe because it's all a front as they are really fighting crime with the Ninja Turtles...now that's worth the $7! :). Perhaps the lack of hospitality was due to the fact that I had no money left to tip them for the laborious task of spigoting coffee and pinching a microscopic muffin. All this to say;I feel that they take themselves way too seriously despite the tongue-in-cheek decor...at least mgt can ask the baristas to smile while pillaging our wallets! :/ read more

DISCLAIMER: I am a student of Master Gohring's kung fu. He did not ask me to write this review. I know everyone here has a problem with Sifu's self-promotion tactics. I know he has not garnered the best reaction from the Yelp crowd. I still think that Yelp has an overly negative view of the guy for doing what any decent small business owner does - shameless self-promotion - if maybe with not as much subtlety as he should've. Yes, there are probably a few too many signs advertising Sifu's Kung Fu and Tai Chi schools, but there aren't *that* many. One in the bathroom, on by the front door, and some flyers by the register. OH NOES! TWO POSTERS! SHAME! *rolls eyes* But on to the coffee shop. Um. WOW. The coffee is GREAT. I'm a coffee snob. A frequenter of Mojo's and now Epoch. A man who is in love with Blue Bottle Coffee in San Francisco (oh GODS was that yummy). And the coffee at Kick Butt Coffee is freaking GOOD. Some talking with Dave, the manager, revealed that their nifty espresso machine is the fanciest one in Austin. I have no idea what that means, but it sounded impressive. We did discuss how we both felt that Starbuck's over-roasted their beans to cover bad flavor, and Dave told me that he went through literally hundreds of beans to choose what he served. An friend of mine from Houston who visits me regularly swung by the last time I made it up to KBC, and he like the environment and coffee vastly better than he likes Epoch or Spiderhouse. You may discount this because he's from Houston, but you should re-evaluate that because he is a jazz musician of considerable talent. This place is simply the cleanest coffee shop in Austin. Not kidding. I would eat off the floor, and if you'll buy the food, I'll prove it. I loved the grungy, dive-bar feel of Mojo's, and I like the new-age feel of Epoch, but there is definitely a place in the Austin coffee scene for a place that's clean and not Starbuck's. The service was good in my experience, but I do fall in the category of I-know-these-people-so-they-hook-me-up, so you should probably not base your opinion of the service on me. I caught the indie music night, and they actually had some pretty talented acts. I haven't been to any of the other "theme" nights, but I will probably try to make it to the comedy night. Some response to other reviewers: Robin S, ever looked at the walls of most restaurants? Same stuff there, but no one complains about it. Kristen F, it turns out they rotate the art semi-regularly. Don P, I just don't see how some postcards and a whopping two posters (including the one in the bathroom) is "in your face?" R.V.B., thanks for the heads up - I'll try to catch a comedy night. read more

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. read more

I always chuckled when I drove past this strip center coffee shop, because "Kick Butt" is a hilarious name for most anything - especially a coffee shop! It took a while before I decided to take the plunge and try it. But when I did, I was NOT disappointed!! I love me some iced coffee, so I got an Iced Peppermint Mocha. It was just amazing! Its really close to my house, so I have been in several times since then (I also send my roommate for coffee on those mornings when getting out of bed seems just a little too hard). In fact, if I want to pay for coffee (instead of drinking the sludge at work) then I ALWAYS go there. It's right on the way!! I haven't had the occasion to try their food, but I intend to do that as soon as I can. The samiches sounds super good! What really sets this place apart from other coffee shops around town is the how warm and hospitable the employees (and even the owner) are. During my second visit, I had the pleasure of meeting the owner. He couldn't have been more friendly or accommodating! I signed up for the email newsletter after learning that they give away a $250 gift card monthly. Where I usually hit "delete" before I even open all the newsletters I sign up for, I found Kick Butt's newsletter to be entertaining and now I look forward to reading it (if you can believe that!). Kick Butt is now my coffee shop of choice! read more

The very first time I visited was last Friday. I had just gotten out of an important meeting at ACC and needed some caffeine. Someone suggested this place. I'm so glad I took their advice. I asked for black tea with cream. The man behind the counter asked if I had ever had lavender in it. He added the lavender, and it was AMAZING! It was exactly what I needed. He was super friendly and very professional. I had a great experience here. read more

Just when I thought this place couldn't get better, I tried their Breakfast Tacos (the black bean potato cheddar) for the first time and OMG they are YUM! Best I've had in a LONG time! and oh yeah, the espresso brownies have real coffee beans in them! I LIKE IT! read more

Such a wonderful place to grab coffee, a drink and a bite, or end up staying long enough to catch all 3 and a great music or comedy show almost any day of the week. Our host this time was Kylee and she was a perfect example of how nice and fun the baristas can be, always excellent service that just makes you feel good. Try the iced mint mocha! read more

I'm not a coffee drinker, but I found myself in the area and in need of a place to work for about an hour. I had heard of Kick Butt via their use of Twitter and involvement in the local community. I was glad to see a wide variety of drink options beyond just coffee. The croissant I had was both enormous and fabulous. The other customers were warm and friendly. The WiFi was nice and speedy. It's definitely on my list to go back to! read more

I popped in here to grab some morning Joe and everyone was kung-fu fighting. Nah, not really, but the Asian influence, dojo vibe was definitely in full-effect all over this coffee shop/bar/music venue. Yeah, it's the best of all three of worlds, obviously catering to the morning, afternoon and evening crowds like no place I've ever seen before. I loved looking around the large, spacious venue while waiting for my large, iced caramel latte. I really hated to leave at that point, but hunger and a long drive ahead awaited me, which was much more enjoyable with the delicious, cool drink in my cup holder. A great find in a little out-of-the-way strip mall in northern Austin! read more

Great food, the place is nice but as always someone has to ruin it! Who hires the staff, please! But I love your muffins Tip: the redhead should stay home and come back when he's ready... The girl was a sweetheart. read more

My wonderfully talented stylist was having a poetry reading; so I went out on a Sunday night, far past my bedtime, to support my girl. Kick Butt is the kind of place people territorially turn into their home base. They talk about it using words like "ours" and "mine" and squint suspicously at a gal who ambles in with her enormously uncool laptop, void of lit-up fruit on the superslim lid, tucked in a fake $25.00 Chanel bag. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out how to connect to the internet. Yes, even after the staff reset the wifi and gave me the password. Again. So people-watched. I expected the scruffy guy wearing a blanket as pants, wandering around with oversized cards to ask to read my fortune, but he just paced around. Kick Butt Poetry night does have it's regulars, but this night was chock full of newbies. The spoken word poet speaking to his small son, the shy little Latin teenager with his big guitar and James Blunt voice. The staff does a great job of transitioning the show and Hot Tamale's poem about word spiders was both inventive and creepy. I was tempted to order a cocktail, but settled on a tea and bagel. Maybe my next visit will be focused on the chow. read more

Tasty food: Check Significantly better than your average cup of java: Check I've been there maybe a dozen times so far, and have yet to have a bad experience with any of the baristas. Kick Butt seems to have a pretty wide dynamic of atmosphere depending on what time of the week/day you visit. I really dig the coffee shop by day/bar by night vibe they have going. I haven't had a chance to check out the bar, but plan making my way there one night this week. The owner/operator Thomas Gohring has done an excellent job of trying to appeal to many different walks of life. They've got comedy open mic night, blues, and just about everything else I can think of. They also do an awesome job of supporting local music artists. I'm all about supporting local businesses, and I'll stop at a local coffee shop over a Starbucks any day of the week. Check 'em out! read more

I love Kick Butt! Large sizes, super strong cold brew, and food and snacks! There's been times where I haven't been able to swing by for a while and they always remember my order. When I feel like trying something different, there's a huge menu of options. The iced mint mocha is my current favorite. They have shows of all sorts as well- from punk rock to poetry readings to stand up comedy. Plus, booze! Mmm... now I want to pop in there and grab something yummy! read more

Went to this cafe with some coworkers on a Wednesday night. Wednesday night is open mic for stand comedy, and was really amazed how many performers came out. The cafe is very cozy with different seating from long tables, booths, and regular tables. read more

Last time I reviewed kick butt coffee was several months ago. My, how things have changed!! The new management makes _such_ a difference. There are now plenty of power outlets for laptop use. The meals are finally up to par, and the bakery products are again fresh and delicious. The atmosphere is welcoming once more, and i felt right at home walking in and ordering a Kick Butt Iced Mocha! The poetry is always awesome, and the slams and open mics can only be described as thoroughly entertaining. I'd like to send a *huge* thanks to the owner for __actually listening to customers__!! We will definitely be coming back again and again! I'm looking forward to screenings of ancient kung-fu movies! Below is an old review. _______________________ So I've been a regular KB customer for a while. Just disappointed. Next time i won't order the spinach pizza. I learned my lesson. And maybe you'll learn to treat your customers better. __________________________________________ This is my review from before. I love Kick Butt Coffee. This is the only place to get an Iced Kick Butt Mocha, perfect for summer evenings: 4 shots of espresso = a kick you'll keep coming back for. The decor is hilarious and kung-fu-movie themed. The environment is very comfortable and laid back, also they have some kind of open mike several times a week (blues, comedy, and other random stuff). Plus, they serve alcohol, and pride themselves on their coffee-alcohol blends. They seem to be open 24/7, and any time I've gone they've been open, but I'm not sure... I live 5 minutes away, and this is the perfect spot to start your night. Customer service is always great and the baristas know how to make a decent shot. I take friends here all the time! Of course, they have free wifi, as well, and they've done so well that they are opening a _new location_ in the triangle on Guadalupe & Lamar. -Tsarbomb read more

I had such a great time tonight! I went to the comedy open mic night with a friend and LOVED it. The pizza was great -- way better than I expected and I had a "Kick Butt" massive cookie and got to have a beer?! What?! (You can't get beer in San Fran at coffee houses). All of the comics were hilarious, (okay there were some stinkers, but I know they were trying!) and everyone was really nice and if was free. :) The place is what I love about being in Austin...eclectic, quirky, lived-in feel and had funny martial arts themed drinks and down-to-earth people. Great find while traveling through Texas! read more

Laidback vibe, friendly staff for the most part. It's a live music venue with an open mic on Thurs. The cleanliness could be improved, but overall it's a good place for coffee and more. read more

I've been a KBC customer since the location opened but normally I'm there around seven or so until close enjoying the wonderful open mics (COMEDY MUSIC POETRY) but I recently decided to pop in for a much needed caffeine fix! The Barista was so friendly with me from the moment I entered and guided me through the coffee menu (flavors had changed since the last time I'd had something there that didn't involve booze ) I told him a latte favorite of mine and without missing a beat he assured me that he could make it! I was definitely intrigued and excited to see how my large honey nut latte with almond milk would turn out! IT WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good! I will definitely be coming back for that amazing drink and genuinely friendly service! KBC is an all around great place and this is coming from someone who's experienced all that KBC has to offer from music/entertainment to coffee food and yes of course booze. read more

I like to stop by for the great service and fast wifi. The few times I've been here it was very cold, so I'd bring a jacket. I like to sit toward the back in their elevated seated area because there are larger tables and an isolated feel. It's a great place to study at for a few hours. I ordered a spicy bean taco and a latte the last time I was here. The taco was too spicy for my taste, but the barista was happy to replace it with a regular bean taco for me. I appreciate the staff here and will be back. read more

Super close to My place. Food and full service bar on the weekends till 2 AM. Live shows of different kinds. Bärtender/cashiers very chill and friendly. Would bring my kid if I had one read more

I love this place! Great location, great music all of the time! Great staff! Great food! Great drinks! Also, if you're in the mood for just espresso, go here! It is the best tasting espresso I've ever had. read more

I really appreciate the unique vibe and decor here. The heavy red and black does not feel like the usual urban hipster coffee house (concrete, brushed metal, natural wood, and some carefully chosen hip accent color--this look has become ubiquitous, kind of like a coffee mecca McDonald's). They have a stage for music and open mic events, on one of my visits I heard young hipsters auditioning to be the Trivia Night emcee (my knowledge of old TV allowed me to crush one question only, but the rest of the time my huge gaping void of comic book and video game knowledge made me a loser). The drinks that I have had here were to my expectations, the baristas can make a good cappuccino or latte. I like a venue that tries to be what coffee houses first were in Europe centuries ago--a gathering place where the caffeine can stimulate conversation and ideas. Good mission!! read more

This coffee shop is about 2 seconds away from my new house so while my boyfriend's family was in town helping him to unpack we decided to stop in and get some coffee. First thoughts: - The theme, while a bit overdone, was very fun. - The employees are not the exuberant and over the top ones I find at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf or any other chain restaurant... YAY! I haven't had my coffee yet, that's why I'm here, I'm glad you're not bouncing around giving me a headache before I get my caffeine. - Mint Mocha? My two favorite things, yum! - Kung Fu Panda was playing in the back when we got there and there was live music. It seemed like a great place to come study or just hang out. - They don't skimp on the espresso. We all really enjoyed our coffee and I've been back several times since then. While I've seen others say the uniforms are a bit ridiculous I really think the whole thing is great - the kids I babysit love to come in with me which is way different than if I go to Starbucks where there's nothing for kids to look at! ++ They take Go Local! cards for 10% off?! I can get my caffeine fix at a discount and support local business!? Absolutely fantastic. read more

What a great customer service experience I had here today! My boyfriend and I stopped by this place because we happened to drive by after getting our license plates and registration at the nearby tag office. He was in need of coffee and I needed coffee and breakfast. We ordered two coffees and I got an orange muffin. I know other Yelpers have commented about the price of the coffee, but my total for all of that was $8 and the regular sized coffees are quite large, so I think the prices are pretty reasonable. Anyway, I eat my muffins kind of weird (I pick around the edges and then eat the middle. Yeah, I don't know, either . . .), and when I got to the middle, it was gooey batter. Oops, it wasn't cooked quite long enough. No biggie, I just threw the rest away. Then, I noticed the QR code on the cup and the advertisement to win a $250 gift certificate if you scanned the code. I'm always up for contests, so I scanned it. I mentioned the undercooked muffin in the comments and within 2 hours, I had an email from Gregory, the manager, apologizing for the muffin and offering the next one on the house. Thanks KBC! I will definitely be back for that muffin and for more excellent coffee. read more

I haven't been to the new one at the triangle yet. I use to like the one on airport but the drinks are not as good as when they first opened. Batista's need to learn how to make smooth, velvety foam and not over heated bubbles. I'm giving it an extra 3rd star because the staff is always friendly. read more

I've been here twice now and enjoyed it each time. Everyone's friendly, the atmosphere is inviting, and the drinks (at least the cocktails, which are all I've had) are tasty. It's a nice venue space too, and I can see myself coming back here to check out shows and events in the future. The only mark against it for me is the pizza. Last time I was here I tried the Supreme, and frankly, it was bad. The crust tasted like a slightly sweet matzo cracker, and the sauce was almost non-existent. Which is a shame because the cheese and toppings were fine, and had the base been there to support them the end result would've been a pretty good pie. Until then, though, I won't be ordering pizza here again. read more

I've been here a few times and finally decided to write a review. The iced lattes are good but wayyyy too expensive and the milk doesn't taste fresh. I ordered a medium iced latte and the worlds smallest breakfast burrito and the price was over $9. The first time I came here to work I loved the vibe and the blues guitar music playing. The second time I came here the barista was rude to everyone and was only playing scary movie soundtracks for two hour straight. Only slightly better then nails on a chalkboard for two hours straight. At least the wifi was strong. I've been here at night once for $2 comedy night and that was great. I might come back for that but I cannot recommend this as a grab and go breakfast coffee shop. read more

Kick Butt Coffee - Worlds smallest breakfast taco - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Austin, Texas

Well, if decor is what makes or breaks a coffeehouse for you, Kick Butt certainly delivers that. Or maybe you're looking for a cup of grounds, with a little coffee in it... they've got that covered too. Drip coffee worse than 7-11 (seriously guys, use a FILTER), horrible music/comedy open mics. The only coffeehouse in Austin with worse live music is Genuine Joe. That's saying a lot, cause that place is horrible. The staff always seems like they have something a lot more important than you going on. Style over substance. Hey, it's what Austin's all about these days, isn't it? Maybe to that end, Kick Butt is giving people what they want. Maybe I just have old-timers syndrome about "Austin-That-Was" or something. I don't know, but in this old-timer's opinion, this place fails at trying to be a kitschy Austin joint. I'd skip it. read more

Close to my kid's school, check. Great coffee, check. Free Wi-Fi, check. Locally owned, check. Fresh made pizza, sandwiches, and pastries, bonus! To be honest, I've never tried their pizza or sandwiches since I've only been there in the morning but they sound really good. As I walked up to the counter today I noticed what appeared to be a fresh out of the oven cinnamon roll and could not resist. Oh yes, it was fresh from the oven and was very good. Even better is that it was not huge and over flowing with icing like so many of them are. I'm going to be torn now between the muffins and the cinnamon roll. read more

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. read more

Great service! Nice people, very friendly & accommodating. But the coffee shop? Not so much... Despite the mixed reviews I thought I'd give it a try since I was in the area & had bought a living social deal. Living social, u get me every time!! I opened the door and a wall of stale air & funky closet/ moth ball scent hit me in the face. At first I though I'd opened the wrong door because the staff was in panda express attire, oh "kick butt, like Bruce lee, I get it now" Ok it's a themed coffee shop, I'll allow it. I went for a large mocha blended situation to bring to the hubby at work. I asked how many espresso shots it had, none. Frapes are made with ice coffee. Good to know but that's not ganna get the buzz on, so I added 2 shots of espresso to it. I sampled it on the drive & it was a delicious sugar mess of tastiness (but I can only imagine the calorie content has to be extreme) I got a small iced americano with almond syrup & rice milk. Small has 3 espresso shots. Wahoo! It sounded good but something was off... Like a sour tang of flavor that had no business in ice coffee. I couldnt place it, unusual almond syrup? Funky cup? I hope it wasn't the rice milk.....Eeeek! Not bad but if want something really good, like real really good? Venture up burnet a little to my new fav, The Monkey's Nest & treat yourself to a spicy mocha. Wow. read more