Lou’s - Barton Springs
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I really enjoyed dinner and drinks at Lou's. You can seat yourself and order with QR code then there are waitstaff that come to check on you. Everyone was friendly and inviting. I had the mushroom burger, fried pickles and corn. Everything was fresh and delicious. This is a great spot and really appreciated their fast service!
Lou's on Barton Springs and Cesar Chavez has been a place I've seen and considered many times, but I never stopped until last month, when I made a stop for lunch before hitting Barton Springs itself. One of the benefits of Lou's is their huge complimentary parking space next door, keeping your car in the shade before a meal, which is great in the summer. Inside, Lou's has a classic seaside diner vibe going on. We were seated instantly at a table and were told that all the ordering is done via QR codes, including all drinks, when at a table. I'm not the biggest fan of that concept because I prefer real wait service, but if it increases their efficiency, it can't be all that bad. My girlfriend and I decided to split their whole rotisserie with an added side of their cabbage and kale slaw. The whole bird was around $26, with the side costing about $7. $33 all in for both of us, plus tip. The big ole bird came out looking like a divine treat, and it was super moist with no dryness and plenty of lemony flavor, even deep into the breast. I'm so used to a standard grocery store tissi that when you see what the big guys are throwing down, it changes your perspective. I think Lou's is a pretty decent spot. It's definitely not a groundbreaking or one of the most glorious establishments to even sit on Barton Springs, but it was ultimately a good meal, especially before spending the afternoon in the sun. RIYL: A whole bird sliced down the middle.
Had a great experience sitting on the patio at Lous. I ordered the kale slaw and kid's half pound burger with the works - such a huge amount of food! Also ordered the s'mores custard cup, which is half off on Sundays. Service is easy, since you order on a QR code.
Long story short, the prices are at the level of white glove service but it's an über casual self sit restaurant that's just staffed by food runners. Fun fact: pictured here is $58 worth of food! One small thing of chips and guac (of which there weren't enough chips for the amount of guacamole) and two drinks. no extra shots or anything, just $1 to add strawberry to the frozen margarita. That's insane. Two drinks and one small side. I wouldn't even call that an appetizer. I kid you not it was about 6 ounces of guacamole and about 12 chips. The ambiance is super cute so it was nice to have something aesthetic to look at while getting robbed. I guess the free parking garage counts for something so maybe there's some value added here? At the risk of complaining ad nauseam, as a bartender I'm shocked and peeved by some practices here. Bubbles were served in a small rocks glass full to the top with probably 5 oz of wine, but the flat bottom of that glass kills bubbles and is kind of awkward to drink out of, especially filled to the brim with no stem. It's like if a full martini were served to you in a kiddie cup. Also they advertise Tajin on the menu but they really have a generic chili salt which has no lime in it, I just don't know why you wouldn't put chili salt on the menu instead of something it completely isn't. The staff was friendly enough but I would be too at a place that makes you tip a food runner before the food has even come.
Lou's is a great place and fun place to grab brunch in Barton Springs. They have a great patio area and it is also dog friendly. I got a couple of the tacos and they were delicious. The ordering system is a little different as you order everything online through their app. They also offer burgers, alcoholic drinks, and various chicken dishes. Overall great place to grab lunch or brunch in Austin.
Fun place we love to sit on the screened in patio with the tree. The chicken is amazing and the potatoes cooked under the chicken are amazing. The onion rings were very crispy and cooked perfect. I enjoyed the mezcal cocktail. Highly recommend the place. Fun casual and extremely tasty. Staff was friendly and efficient.
Visited Lou's on Barton Springs for The Morning Jo's happy hour. They have free parking in the parking garage in back that is convenient. The happy hour runs from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. each day. I took advantage of the half price wings and half off frozen margaritas. You can either place your order at the bar or use the QR codes at the table. The server then brings the food out to you when it is ready. They have bar and indoor seating in the dining area. The dining area has a lot of TVs with a variety of sporting events broadcast. There was also an outdoor patio with picnic table seating as well. We decided to sit inside in the AC. I ordered the half price frozen margarita and added mango flavor with tajin. The cup size was a bit smaller than I was expecting, but the drink was good and hit the spot on a hot summer day. I ordered the half dozen of crispy chicken wings since they were half off for happy hour. They had a variety of sauces and dips to choose from. I ordered the Lemon Pepper Szechuan with ranch dipping sauce. The wings were very large size and had a very crispy texture but the chicken was cooked just right. They were served with a side of sliced carrots and celery. I have also been here on Wednesdays when they have their half price burger day. I tried the mushroom and provolone burger with mushrooms, provolone cheese, and garlic and black pepper aioli. You can add fries to the burger for $3. Overall enjoyed the food at Lou's especially with the happy hour value specials. The service is friendly and efficient and would visit again.
Tried the custard, and custard only, with rainbow sprinkles. Maybe I'm not a custard fan, it was just meh. I appreciate the thickness, and it being served in a glass, but not quite the added price of the sprinkles.
Love Lou's for a casual dining spot! I've been a couple times and I like the vibe. There's plenty of outdoor seating which is what I prefer and the staff here are very attentive, cleaning up tables quickly. I also like how they provide a doggy water bowl when you bring a pet with you. In terms of the food, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu but my fav has to be the rotisserie chicken. I'm not usually a rotisserie fan but this one blew me away with the flavor and tenderness of the chicken. It's done to perfection! Also really love the roasted potatoes with the garlic confit. So delicious and I will keep coming back!
It was good, nothing over the top. Not much service. But food is just good. I like the outside patio area and the fact they have their own parking
Everything was good and mild: burger was tasty but it didn't taste like it had avocado and jalapeño in it even though it had both (not creamy nor spicy like I was hoping), fries we bland, ordering is done via QR (staff is pleasant), and the atmosphere is pleasantly beachy. The price feels a little high for the food, however, the location is great and comes with complementary parking. Had to hail a waiter down to get a water after my food was delivered. Thought it odd I wasn't offered a drink when food was delivered. Would recommend if you are looking for a casual spot to chow and have a beer or to carb up after swimming at Barton Springs or playing in Zilker Park. Otherwise, go elsewhere for better burgers and fries for the price.
I waited too long to write this review, but better late than never, right? Over the holidays, I walked with a friend to the Trail of Lights and on our way back we were STARVING! I myself was getting to the point of hanger where it was nearly impossible to make a decision on where to eat because my judgment was clouded. Somehow we decided on Lou's, and I'm really happy we did. While my friend went to use the bathroom, I was sitting at the bar looking at the menu. I could hardly read or comprehend anything because I needed food ASAP. The choice was between two of my trusty favorites-- a burger or fried chicken. I asked the friendly woman working at the bar what she recommended and she pointed out that the fried chicken was HALF OFF that night. Apparently, bone-in fried chicken is half off every Monday. Tip: check out their menu online because they have other daily specials and a happy hour. Plan your week accordingly. Fried chicken it was, then! My friend decided to order the same since it was such a great deal. Our level of hunger inspired up to each order our own full chicken, because what every woman needs in her life is an entire chicken to herself, right? We ordered at our table outside from our phones, which was quite convenient and left no room for error. Waiting for the chicken seemed like an eternity, although in reality, it wasn't. It was a very reasonable/normal amount of time, but again, hunger makes your mind do crazy things. When it came out, normally I would have dug right in, but it was a moment. This moment could not be ignored and needed to be captured in multiple photos. We just happened to sit outside next to the neon sign, so the photos turned out perfectly. I ordered the Tennessee hot chicken with buttermilk ranch. I've been obsessed with hot chicken ever since I had it for the first time in Nashville over a decade ago. Also, I am originally from Michigan, and ranch is a religion to us... it's most useful for dipping pizza and chicken. The chicken itself was juicy and tender with the perfect level of "hot". I am a dark meat gal, but I must say that the breasts weren't dry, which they can often be. Kudos to Lou's for that. The pickles were divine and the bread is... bread. It's the standard of what comes with that type of chicken and it's perfect for soaking up the grease in your stomach. (Please note, their fried chicken is not abnormally greasy. ALL fried chicken comes with a certain level of grease. It is what it is.) As you can probably imagine, we were not able to eat as much as we had planned, but that was perfect because I'm not embarrassed to say that I took that chicken home and ate FOR DAYS. I have nothing to complain about here. A great deal, friendly staff, delicious chicken and multiple days of leftovers. Have I convinced you to go to Lou's yet? If not, here's your message: go get the fried chicken on Monday when it's half off. You're welcome.
Tastyyyy oh my. You walk in and sit wherever you like and order through at QR code. This is kinda nice cause you won't have any interruptions but I also like being able to ask the server what they recommend. I always feel weird about tipping at places like this without a true server but I thought of it more as a bar level tip. The ambiance is pretty chill and I enjoyed the vibe. They validate parking for the garage. I got the cheese burger with bacon and DAMN it is a good burger. I think the price is reasonable for the quality. Got the Paloma to drink and it was delicious. They have patio seating and plenty of space inside. Definitely recommend trying it out if you're in the area. Overall a great experience.
Reviews are mixed. Many highlight the flavorful chicken and burgers, a fun, relaxed ambiance, and friendly staff.
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14 days ago
Amazing Food, Fantastic Service & the Perfect ACL Stop! What a great find in Austin! Ulysses and Sol were both absolutely amazing! Ulysses took care of us right away and gave us some fantastic recommendations, and Sol had the brilliant idea to bring out all the different sauces so we could try them. Now THAT is great customer service! We had the pulled chicken sandwich, which was already delicious, but adding avocado took it to a whole new level! And the frozen strawberry margarita? AMAZING! To top it all off, they had the Seahawks game on (huge bonus for us! ), and we got to sit outside in the shade with the perfect breeze. Great food, cold drinks, football, and beautiful Austin weather... what more could you ask for? If you're heading to Austin City Limits Festival, this is the perfect stop on your walk to the entrance gates! Huge shoutout to Ulysses and Sol for making our visit such a great experience. Fantastic food, incredible hospitality, and an all-around great vibe! Highly recommend! read more
7 days ago
2 months ago
Lou's has great bar food reasonably priced. The service was a little slow because our entire running group went there for lunch and took over the entire patio. The servers did their best to keep up with all the orders: I ordered a burger and two sides. All were excellent.: AVOCADO + JALAPEÑO BURGER with lettuce, tomato, pickled jalapeño, american cheese, avocado, and smoked paprika aioli. I asked to substitute American cheese for Provolone, and there was no problem. I requested medium rare on the burger, and it was cooked to perfection. When I asked for no bun, they suggested a lettuce wrap. It came with abundant lettuce. WATERMELON FETA SALAD with almonds, serrano, and lime was very refreshing on a hot summer day. SERRANO STEAMED BROCCOLI with cilantro vinaigrette was healthy and tasty. Their frozen treats are insane! My friend ordered the S'mores shake - a chocolate shake served with graham cracker & toasted marshmallow. It looked amazing. We sat inside at the bar because it was so hot outside. After our meal, we joined the rest of the group outside. read more
I really enjoyed dinner and drinks at Lou's. You can seat yourself and order with QR code then there are waitstaff that come to check on you. Everyone was friendly and inviting. I had the mushroom burger, fried pickles and corn. Everything was fresh and delicious. This is a great spot and really appreciated their fast service! read more
2 months ago
Lou's on Barton Springs and Cesar Chavez has been a place I've seen and considered many times, but I never stopped until last month, when I made a stop for lunch before hitting Barton Springs itself. One of the benefits of Lou's is their huge complimentary parking space next door, keeping your car in the shade before a meal, which is great in the summer. Inside, Lou's has a classic seaside diner vibe going on. We were seated instantly at a table and were told that all the ordering is done via QR codes, including all drinks, when at a table. I'm not the biggest fan of that concept because I prefer real wait service, but if it increases their efficiency, it can't be all that bad. My girlfriend and I decided to split their whole rotisserie with an added side of their cabbage and kale slaw. The whole bird was around $26, with the side costing about $7. $33 all in for both of us, plus tip. The big ole bird came out looking like a divine treat, and it was super moist with no dryness and plenty of lemony flavor, even deep into the breast. I'm so used to a standard grocery store tissi that when you see what the big guys are throwing down, it changes your perspective. I think Lou's is a pretty decent spot. It's definitely not a groundbreaking or one of the most glorious establishments to even sit on Barton Springs, but it was ultimately a good meal, especially before spending the afternoon in the sun. RIYL: A whole bird sliced down the middle. read more
7 days ago
Had a great experience sitting on the patio at Lous. I ordered the kale slaw and kid's half pound burger with the works - such a huge amount of food! Also ordered the s'mores custard cup, which is half off on Sundays. Service is easy, since you order on a QR code. read more
2 months ago
Long story short, the prices are at the level of white glove service but it's an über casual self sit restaurant that's just staffed by food runners. Fun fact: pictured here is $58 worth of food! One small thing of chips and guac (of which there weren't enough chips for the amount of guacamole) and two drinks. no extra shots or anything, just $1 to add strawberry to the frozen margarita. That's insane. Two drinks and one small side. I wouldn't even call that an appetizer. I kid you not it was about 6 ounces of guacamole and about 12 chips. The ambiance is super cute so it was nice to have something aesthetic to look at while getting robbed. I guess the free parking garage counts for something so maybe there's some value added here? At the risk of complaining ad nauseam, as a bartender I'm shocked and peeved by some practices here. Bubbles were served in a small rocks glass full to the top with probably 5 oz of wine, but the flat bottom of that glass kills bubbles and is kind of awkward to drink out of, especially filled to the brim with no stem. It's like if a full martini were served to you in a kiddie cup. Also they advertise Tajin on the menu but they really have a generic chili salt which has no lime in it, I just don't know why you wouldn't put chili salt on the menu instead of something it completely isn't. The staff was friendly enough but I would be too at a place that makes you tip a food runner before the food has even come. read more
Lou's is a great place and fun place to grab brunch in Barton Springs. They have a great patio area and it is also dog friendly. I got a couple of the tacos and they were delicious. The ordering system is a little different as you order everything online through their app. They also offer burgers, alcoholic drinks, and various chicken dishes. Overall great place to grab lunch or brunch in Austin. read more
Fun place we love to sit on the screened in patio with the tree. The chicken is amazing and the potatoes cooked under the chicken are amazing. The onion rings were very crispy and cooked perfect. I enjoyed the mezcal cocktail. Highly recommend the place. Fun casual and extremely tasty. Staff was friendly and efficient. read more
Visited Lou's on Barton Springs for The Morning Jo's happy hour. They have free parking in the parking garage in back that is convenient. The happy hour runs from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. each day. I took advantage of the half price wings and half off frozen margaritas. You can either place your order at the bar or use the QR codes at the table. The server then brings the food out to you when it is ready. They have bar and indoor seating in the dining area. The dining area has a lot of TVs with a variety of sporting events broadcast. There was also an outdoor patio with picnic table seating as well. We decided to sit inside in the AC. I ordered the half price frozen margarita and added mango flavor with tajin. The cup size was a bit smaller than I was expecting, but the drink was good and hit the spot on a hot summer day. I ordered the half dozen of crispy chicken wings since they were half off for happy hour. They had a variety of sauces and dips to choose from. I ordered the Lemon Pepper Szechuan with ranch dipping sauce. The wings were very large size and had a very crispy texture but the chicken was cooked just right. They were served with a side of sliced carrots and celery. I have also been here on Wednesdays when they have their half price burger day. I tried the mushroom and provolone burger with mushrooms, provolone cheese, and garlic and black pepper aioli. You can add fries to the burger for $3. Overall enjoyed the food at Lou's especially with the happy hour value specials. The service is friendly and efficient and would visit again. read more
1 month ago
3 months ago
Love Lou's for a casual dining spot! I've been a couple times and I like the vibe. There's plenty of outdoor seating which is what I prefer and the staff here are very attentive, cleaning up tables quickly. I also like how they provide a doggy water bowl when you bring a pet with you. In terms of the food, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu but my fav has to be the rotisserie chicken. I'm not usually a rotisserie fan but this one blew me away with the flavor and tenderness of the chicken. It's done to perfection! Also really love the roasted potatoes with the garlic confit. So delicious and I will keep coming back! read more
1 year ago
It was good, nothing over the top. Not much service. But food is just good. I like the outside patio area and the fact they have their own parking read more
2 years ago
Everything was good and mild: burger was tasty but it didn't taste like it had avocado and jalapeño in it even though it had both (not creamy nor spicy like I was hoping), fries we bland, ordering is done via QR (staff is pleasant), and the atmosphere is pleasantly beachy. The price feels a little high for the food, however, the location is great and comes with complementary parking. Had to hail a waiter down to get a water after my food was delivered. Thought it odd I wasn't offered a drink when food was delivered. Would recommend if you are looking for a casual spot to chow and have a beer or to carb up after swimming at Barton Springs or playing in Zilker Park. Otherwise, go elsewhere for better burgers and fries for the price. read more
2 years ago
I waited too long to write this review, but better late than never, right? Over the holidays, I walked with a friend to the Trail of Lights and on our way back we were STARVING! I myself was getting to the point of hanger where it was nearly impossible to make a decision on where to eat because my judgment was clouded. Somehow we decided on Lou's, and I'm really happy we did. While my friend went to use the bathroom, I was sitting at the bar looking at the menu. I could hardly read or comprehend anything because I needed food ASAP. The choice was between two of my trusty favorites-- a burger or fried chicken. I asked the friendly woman working at the bar what she recommended and she pointed out that the fried chicken was HALF OFF that night. Apparently, bone-in fried chicken is half off every Monday. Tip: check out their menu online because they have other daily specials and a happy hour. Plan your week accordingly. Fried chicken it was, then! My friend decided to order the same since it was such a great deal. Our level of hunger inspired up to each order our own full chicken, because what every woman needs in her life is an entire chicken to herself, right? We ordered at our table outside from our phones, which was quite convenient and left no room for error. Waiting for the chicken seemed like an eternity, although in reality, it wasn't. It was a very reasonable/normal amount of time, but again, hunger makes your mind do crazy things. When it came out, normally I would have dug right in, but it was a moment. This moment could not be ignored and needed to be captured in multiple photos. We just happened to sit outside next to the neon sign, so the photos turned out perfectly. I ordered the Tennessee hot chicken with buttermilk ranch. I've been obsessed with hot chicken ever since I had it for the first time in Nashville over a decade ago. Also, I am originally from Michigan, and ranch is a religion to us... it's most useful for dipping pizza and chicken. The chicken itself was juicy and tender with the perfect level of "hot". I am a dark meat gal, but I must say that the breasts weren't dry, which they can often be. Kudos to Lou's for that. The pickles were divine and the bread is... bread. It's the standard of what comes with that type of chicken and it's perfect for soaking up the grease in your stomach. (Please note, their fried chicken is not abnormally greasy. ALL fried chicken comes with a certain level of grease. It is what it is.) As you can probably imagine, we were not able to eat as much as we had planned, but that was perfect because I'm not embarrassed to say that I took that chicken home and ate FOR DAYS. I have nothing to complain about here. A great deal, friendly staff, delicious chicken and multiple days of leftovers. Have I convinced you to go to Lou's yet? If not, here's your message: go get the fried chicken on Monday when it's half off. You're welcome. read more
Tastyyyy oh my. You walk in and sit wherever you like and order through at QR code. This is kinda nice cause you won't have any interruptions but I also like being able to ask the server what they recommend. I always feel weird about tipping at places like this without a true server but I thought of it more as a bar level tip. The ambiance is pretty chill and I enjoyed the vibe. They validate parking for the garage. I got the cheese burger with bacon and DAMN it is a good burger. I think the price is reasonable for the quality. Got the Paloma to drink and it was delicious. They have patio seating and plenty of space inside. Definitely recommend trying it out if you're in the area. Overall a great experience. read more
A happy hour go-to for me! $25/pitchers (normally $50 which is insane) and $9.50 for a dozen wings with your choice of 2 sauces. Drive into the parking garage, walk inside and seat yourself. Scan the QR code on the table (if you don't have service, Wi-Fi is listed at each table). Order and enjoy! Once you're done, grab a parking validation ticket on your way out read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
Here to de-influence you! As someone who LOVES salads, I had been excited to try this place after hearing the salads and salad portions are great. The salad portions were indeed the opposite. This was a $19 salad...I would say this is a tourist trap of Austin that charges an insane amount for mediocre food. On Barton Springs, I guess this shouldn't be a surprise. Two of us also ordered sweet teas that had absolutely no sweetness to them. There's no way they got both wrong so don't order a sweet tea unless what you really want is an unsweetened tea that's called a sweet tea. And reminder that there's no refills on teas or aguas Frescas, the cups they serve it in are small for the cost, and it's filled 75% of the way with ice. Do not go here for a salad, there are MANY other spots you should go to instead of here for that. Do go here if you want to pay a lot for okay food and drinks! read more
This was my first time going to this Lou's location, although I've been to the location on the east side many times before. The menu is similar but has a couple small difference here and there. The most notable is the lack of frozen margs at this location. I highly recommend the spicy cucumber ranch water, which is very refreshing and tastes like a slightly less sweet marg. The wine selection is also great. My go at the other Lou's has always been the giant salads or the burgers. The sandwiches are good as well, but a little less exciting than the burgers and salads. I was a little dismayed to find little pieces of chicken bones in my salad this time, but once they picked them out, the rest of the salad was pretty solid. Definitely keep an eye out for the happy hour schedule (weekdays 4-6) and the specials on Mon-Tues-Wed! The free underground parking here is also a nice plus. read more
8 months ago
I think the best part of my experience here was being with friends so we can all experience this place together. Firstly, we were confused about the ordering system. We are all decently smart people (well not all of us. We have someone in our group that thinks burgers are better than tacos - they are obviously dumb. Anyways...). We didn't know if we were supposed to order at the counter or the table, and then how to get our drinks. The process was confusing. When it comes to the food, it was the most basic food possible. The fries were decent because of the amount of seasoning, so that was bearable. But the burger was nothing special at all. I only ate it because I already spent the money on it. But if they would have let me return it for a full refund after the first bite, I absolutely would have. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Lou's is one of my recent favorites in Austin right now! The food is consistently delicious! Their jalapeño burger really hit the spot and I highly recommend that to anyone who loves a little spice. The Brussels sprouts were also delicious but I just wish they were a little crispier. The chicken is absolutely cooked to PERFECTION and the right amount of crispy. I also love a classic custard so you can't go wrong there. The service is pretty great too! I really enjoy sitting out on the patio and watching the sunset especially on one of these hot summer nights while enjoying a late dinner. I can't wait to go back and try some more of the menu read more
A Great spot to meet up for the Springs. Food service was quick and fresh minutes after ordering online. I have to say they serve A Bomb Miche! The restaurant gives a cafe tree house vibe due to being built around a tree trunk. But, overall the atmosphere was nice to have a conversation when the drinks just keeps coming. read more
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More info about Lou’s - Barton Springs
1608 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704
Zilker, 78704 (South Austin)
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(512) 686-2030
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https://lousaustin.com
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