October 2024 I was desperate for something to eat, so I stopped at Messhall Cafe. It's a charming little spot. The sandwich I got was awful. But, some of the hot plates looked decent. And the service was fast/kind. Grilled Chicken Sandwich: Unseasoned tough chicken, unseasoned tomatoes, lettuce, mayo, and white American cheese on a plain white bun. It served its purpose - survival. But no chance in hell I'd willingly seek this out. Maybe would have been better if ANY condiments were available. Do not recommend. read more

Messhall Cafe - Chicken sandwich - sadness on a bun - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Austin, Texas

This place is very convenient for me when at work. There's not many places near my job to grab a quick breakfast or lunch. They usually have a sign out on the sidewalk but it can easily be missed. It's a small place with tables setup inside and a few outside with reasonably priced food. They have a variety of things from omelettes, tacos, burgers, to chips. My go to is usually the bacon and egg taco with an iced coffee. Management has changed a few times however they have still kept the same quality customer service. read more

Great spot near the Capitol when you're on foot and need a quick coffee or breakfast taco (that doesn't cost as much as OneTaco down the street). The staff is very friendly and the bacon and potato tacos are wonderful. Try the salsa verde! read more

A sight for sore eyes to be sure. Especially when you work downtown, it's hard to find an affordable place for lunch that tastes good, but man Messhall delivers. They have one daily special that ranges from fried chicken to meatloaf to fish with some veggie sides. Even if that's not your thing they have burgers, chicken tenders and fries, etc for very very good prices. A little greasy but can't complain especially with the full belly afterwards. Best hidden gem in downtown :D read more

Since Mark retired, I've noticed some seemingly budget-cuts that probably make sense for the business to keep this a fantastic cheap cafe, but I've been going less and less, and I used to go every day. Can y'all bring back the old sausage patties? The new ones are dry and crumbly. I LOVE the salsa but you've been out of it the past two times I've come in. Actually, it seems like things run out more frequently, like potatoes and beans! I understand the color-coded taco-wrap system, but the paper makes it hard to travel if you've got "drippy" items, and it seeps through. Maybe try colored stickers instead? read more

Inexpensive breakfast and lunch. I have no idea how they operate unless the lease space is free. Food is decent but not something that will have you coming back. The prices will though. I used to go by and get breakfast tacos before work and they were the least expensive you could find anywhere close by. Went by this time for lunch and chose to get a burger and fries. Kinda reminded me of the food you would get at a ballgame. However they do have a blue plate special that varies daily. Bottom line if you are hungry and have $5 you can eat eat here. Hard to believe given we are in Austin. read more

THIS REVIEW POSTED AS OF JUN 01, 2018 I am excited to try this cafe out (One block from my place). *NOTE*: Pricing has increased by approximately 23% ... *** New menu and pricing have not yet been listed ... *UPDATE*: Staff told me that they are now open until 3pm. I am basing this review on a phone call where I was told, by an employee, that the Veggie-Burger was no longer $3.25 but had increased to $3.99 ... Based on this one item, I did the math and $3.99 represents a ~23% increase over the original price of $3.25 ... *** STILL CRAZY CHEAP ! THIS REVIEW POSTED AS OF JUN 01, 2018 read more

It was voted by the Austin Chronicle 2010 Best Lunch Refuge for the Downtown Masses. It's true because you can't find the place since it is in the basement. Don't need to worry though. You can access it from the outside. Where is this located? In case you miss it, you go down north of Lavaca Street and when you hit the end of the road, it is on your right. There's a neon sign says Open and the address itself is the Office of the Secretary of State. It is small but there are tables outside and a couple of tables inside. It is open only from 7am - 2pm. But the cooking is so good. The people are very nice. Now if you are on a diet this place is not for you. It's comfort food. I recommend calling in advance so you don't have to wait a long line. I would say this place is the best kept secret. Well that is until I blew I secret wide open. But seriously try it out. Your wallet won't hurt you. read more

This joint is a real hidden gem and literally a hole in the wall. The address given is actually the Office of the Secretary of State! Messhall Cafe is located on the underground level, and all you can see from the street level is a small red "Open" sign. If you do make your way around, this may be the biggest steal of a meal in all of downtown. Yes, parking around the Capitol area is extremely annoying, and all that construction does nothing to help, but find your way over to MC and you will be rewarded with free (almost free) stick-to-your-ribs grub. Most people get take out, but there is a nice 20 person communal table smack dab in the middle of the joint. Breakfast food may be my least favorite, though breakfast--eating in the morning--is certainly my favorite time to eat a meal. Moreover, the offerings here are simple and straightforward. You just really cannot complain about a $2 quality breakfast, though. Heck, I saw some ridiculous orders. One woman had a single fried egg in a small to go box. One guy was carrying his 2 breakfast tacos and 2 strips of bacon outside of the wrapped up goodies! Another got a 5-item breakfast taco. Clearly, you go downtown to go to town (on their grub). I went for some items that can turn out badly without a touch of finesse in the heated kitchen. Some woman in the back was even preparing some sort of dough dish by hand with butter being spread in between the layers. My personalized breakfast of champions: 1 biscuit smothered in cream gravy, refried beans, and hash browns. The damage? $2.53. Boom. The super tender biscuit was moist, and the cream gravy was so smooth; not the least bit lumpy! The refried beans were very savory and slightly chunky. I will admit that the hash browns were mediocre. They were cubed potatoes, but they were not crisp or super tender. They fell into that odd "stale-fast food" sort of texture. Oh well, all is well with a $.80 order of tubers. As you can tell, I really enjoy cheap, filling food. If lunch time around the Capitol was not super hectic and I could make my way around that area, you can guarantee that I will write another review over their "ever-changing menu." Yes, "ever-changing" sounds classy, but it really does. Today's lunch item is meatloaf with collards and black-eyed peas. Darn you, inconvenient geographic location. For now, breakfast has left a good taste in my mouth and a load in my stomach. read more

If you are looking for a whole in the wall cafe where you can get great food, good service and get in and out quick then stop by and check out my friends here. The cook there makes great enchiladas on Wednesdays, I just kept eating even after I was full...yummmm They are open for breakfast and lunch, go check them out. read more

I am on a quest to find inexpensive places to eat breakfast and lunch near work. This place is a win! This is a cafeteria style place locate in the bottom of a state building. This is a business run by an individual who is blind started via the Business Enterprises of Texas Program. They server sausage biscuits, tacos, and other breakfast options. For lunch they typically offer a special and also have recurring options such as chicken tenders. Nothing fancy. Nothing Funny. Downtown food that saves my money. read more

I have been eating at Messhall Cafe since I discovered them last year. They are not out to redefine your dining experience, give you free range anything, or make you overpay. The space itself is very basic, as is the food, but that's the charm of coming here. I typically get a burger and fries, which comes in at very affordable $6. The staff there is very friendly, remembers regulars, and they all have a good sense of humor. A quick aside and word of warning, it's really easy to miss the restaurant! They're located in a basement-esque part of the building at 1019 Brazos Street. Just look for the flashing open sign and stairs leading down. read more

It's fast, fresh, and friendly. A bit hard to find, it's right at the corner of Brazos and 11th. Take the stairs down. They have a different special every day, so be sure to check their website. You get in line, grab your food, pay, and walk out (or dine-in). It's really that simple. The food tasted great, no powdered mashed potatoes here. Lastly, it's CHEAP! -- The capitol grill can be kind of pricey at times, I'm definitely going to the Messhall Cafe from now on. read more

Taco salad on Wednesdays are always good just wish that they would give me more chips! Lol! Nice cafeteria style comfort food are available everyday at this place with a decent price for lunch! read more

Messhall Cafe - Taco salad! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Austin, Texas

Small but good no nonsense place to grab a bite to eat or a drink. Good food (breakfast tacos) and friendly employees. Saw several local law enforcement officers eating here which usually is a sign that a place is good to eat, while also feeling safe at the same time. I'll be back the next time I'm back here. read more

Amazing food, Fantastic taste, Great quality of food, Low prices, Great customer service, Nice people, hidden on the corner of Brazos and 11th st, Located in side the Security Of State building in the basement, gotta go down a few steps but its there, neon sign on the Window that says open is the only thing you will probably see. ENJOY!!!! read more

See all

Um.... best Biscuits I have EVER had. I think they are 50 cents too. This place is the bomb digidty bomb! There food is awesome and most C-H-E-A-P without tasting so. You can literally buy breakfast for 5 people for $10.00 if that. They have daily specials too like catfish on Friday and . It's cafeteria style so don't expect table cloth service or anything but you will get great food from great people. It's in the Basement of the Secretary of State Building downtown and they are only open Mon - Fri (7a.m. to 1:30) for breakfast and lunch so get walkin' brother before all those homemade biscuits are GONE! http://www.messhallcafe.com/messhall/index.jsp read more

The Messhall has reopened. Glad to see them serving great comfort food again.

This Mess Hall is exactly what you need on the go. Located in the lowest level of a building downtown, it doesn't try to be fancy or ornate. You're hungry and looking for a quick place to grab some good, cheap food? Slide on through; grab your food, grab a drink and chill for a minute. The service is pleasant and responsive and the employees are apt to strike up a conversation. read more

Inexpensive. Great selection of comfort food and snack/junk food. Since Mark retired things are basically the same with some exceptions. Whoever is at the register is usually very friendly. But those taking the orders and serving the food are not nice. They have sour looks on their faces and seem offended if you smile or say thank you. While the food seems the same, the breakfast taco I used to get almost every morning is dripping with grease/oil, thrown together and wrapped so loosely that I have to remake it when I get to the office. while those things can be messy, for some reason they never used to be such a mess. I'm writing this review because I recently realized that I was not going there anymore. So I ran over yesterday to grab a breakfast taco and suddenly remembered that I do not enjoy being greeted by sour faces and food I have to remake. Bringing my food from more these days. read more

I ordered a hamburger which was good, however the fries are terrible they look beautiful and crunchy on the outside, then when you bit into it its gummy, not worth getting fries there again read more

Affordable but Skip the enchiladas for sure on Wednesdays and get a large taco salad instead. The taco meat is great and its more like a big nacho plate instead of a salad and overall one of the top items at this hidden eatery for govt workers.The Salisbury steak was good as a special and is a repeat. The sausage on bbq day is very good. Got the burger and fries today and was really disappointed but others seem to be satisfied so it seems to be a hit or miss item. Best deal here is the chicken finger basket at 4.99 and comes w fries, toast and gravy although gravy is mix with boiling water type and not quite that good especially if it has too much water. It's run by very nice characters and worth a look or two or three before you kind of find a niche of items you can depend on and save money as well. read more

It's basically a bodega-meets-office-lunchroom. A small restaurant inside a State office building that serves mostly public employees with blue-plate style cheap but full lunches. The food isn't gourmet or trendy by any means, and the nice thing is that it isn't trying to be. Think a few notches above the school cafeteria, with plenty of grill options and convenience store snacks available to purchase. read more

homemade Jalapeño Biscuit with butter, put me some of that Strawberry Jelly, definitly fresh made, so so good! Couldn't have asked for anything better for a Friday-Eve. read more

I like the prices, but if you decide to get something extra off of the menu...like say, extra bacon, it will have a crazy high price. The food isn't top of the line, but a lot of it is good. Get there early to get hot food and get in and out. Lines start up early. read more

Awesome place and the staff are super friendly. I've been coming here for about 7 months and the food is great and they have even better prices:-) Nothing fancy about the decor however the food makes up for it all. read more

Great homestyle, southern food at a very affordable price. They update their menu each week online with their daily specials. I've gone here for breakfast and lunch. For breakfast, you can order up your own huge, personalized omelet or pick from their cafeteria style breakfast. For lunch, the catfish and the wings are some favorites in our office which are usually served on Fridays. If you're looking for some good homecooking downtown, definitely come here! read more

Real down-home country cooking. Easy to eat. Reasonable prices. But don't expect anything fancy.

Love the food I eat here everyday and the prices are very reasonable!! Especially love the homemade peach cobbler that is served every Thursday from Mrs. Sondra keep up the great work crew!! read more

This place is really good.Breakfast- homemade biscuit style, ham& cheese omelet is my favorite, and there breakfast tacos just melt in your mouth. ( Those eggs are so tasty) . Inexpenxive also and there lunch I can go on and on but I am not you have to check it out for yourself. Family ran soul food cooking business. The Fish on Fridays is the business with the mac & cheese and corn nuggets. DON"T FORGET THE SWEET TEA A MUST HAVE. read more

We were visiting from NY and went to this location based on reviews. Dinerish eating area, but Very quaint. Felt lie we were back home. Good food and pleasant people. Fits in any budget. read more

This is what you want from a hole in the wall place. No frills, cheap comfort food. I'm a fan and I'll be going back.

The food was great! It was fresh, quick and hot! The price was very good as well! This place is run by the blind association. The people are so nice and friendly! Gave us great tips on platings to see and things to do while in town! I will definitely come back when I am in town again! read more

Just when you thought things were as good as they could get, in comes new management! The name is still the same, but "the times they are a changing." Management did what great management does; they kept the best of what was going on, brought back the best that had slipped away and brought in some of the best, hand-picked by him! Come by and meet Mark and his crew. Service is, better than ever before, provided with efficiency, quality and certainly a smile. New items are being added, oldies are being improved upon with higher quality ingredients (try those onion rings) and feedback is always welcome because they let their customers know that they are in it for the customer satisfaction. Call ahead get your order in, they will have it in the warmer for you. The last thing you want is for them to run out of that thing on the menu that made your mouth water! www.messhallcafe.com 512.322.9625 read more