Starting with the beginning of the meal to the end. I got the Laura's Big Time because I wanted to taste as much of the typical breakfast fare as possible and besides I was that hungry to eat all this stuff - which I ended up eating only half of. WAITRESS: was nice enough though shy, no problem with that. DECOR/SURROUNDINGS: Seemed kind of dark. I think that is due to the porch in front and it was a little cloudy when I was there. Cute collection of retro stuff. I ate here was here when it was Laura's Bluebonnet Cafe (which had better food - that was probably 8 years ago), so I know where it came from and was surprised when Laura sold it all with the cafe. She must have been tired of dusting it. It has always amazed me the dusting that must be done to keep that stuff presentable, it was dusted. The floor was a little sticky and the restaurant shows it years of wear. What was once a new place with cute retro tables, new booths, etc. has seen better days, but I can't fault this establishment for that it has been a restaurant about 8 years - was a jewelry shop and something else (I forgot) before that (some 15 years ago) plus whatever it was before that, it's not a new building. Other than the sticky, not so clean floors, it's kind of in the same shape as the Omlettry which also has kinda sticky not so clean floors (but better food). BATHROOM: was OK though an icky purple. I have no idea what the mens room was like. What's with tacky bathroom decor and fake plants? Not the first I've seen. It seemed clean enough - same floor though. Perhaps it's just me, but I like the edges to be clean and not mopped black goo. WATER: Was served water that tasted funny, not like it should be filtered or anything, but kind of worse than just average city water - yucky ice suspected. COFFEE: First was served thin burnt coffee. Asked for a fresh pot to be brewed, it was, but again thin coffee. I suspect it was also cheap coffee and the only thing worse than burnt thin coffee is thick cheap coffee. Yuck. Creamer or Milk in the creamer container was OK, no curds. Actual Breakfast: EGGS: I got what I asked for as far as cooking them "over medium" because I don't trust over easy (like my own to have all the white part cooked. Often that jelly like clear stuff (albumin?) around the yolk in some diner egg is gross not to mention scary on the health side. They were that - cooked over medium, cooked a little on the outside but still runny yolks. Preparation good. They were pretty tasteless other than the oil they were cooked in, which tasted bad. Maybe used over a few times. I have to admit though, that I am spoiled by yard eggs that do have flavor. BACON & SAUSAGE: Crisp thin Bacon, was OK if you like crisp thin bacon. Really thin. Sausage, greasy little pucks of ground meat with a tiny bit of average spice. Yuck. Sausage isn't my favorite anyhow, but these were even more not my favorite. PAN FRIES - Hmm. potatoes. Though they were spiced OK (not great) I don't think they were"pan fried", just grill heated. No crusty stuff like some other places I have had them, not that those were necessarily pan friend either, just better cooked and like they should be - crusty on the edges... according to me. SALSA: for said Home Fries, seemed fresh, a little bland, but I'm from here, I like spicy, not everyone does. Kinda gross served in a squirt bottle, but it was pretty good. Would have been much better on decent home fries, but the match wasn't there due to said Home Fry deficiency. PANCAKES: though that's basically what pancakes are, tasted like balls of cooked dough. There are other pancakes in town that are cooked dough and I like them much better. I am especially spoiled by the Pancakes at Pacha (also on Burnet Rd) THAT, though a little pricey, is a GREAT pancake, organic, with real Maple Syrup (Mmm) and fruit! (Plus their coffee is darn good and wait staff the best). BUTTER: was some kind of butter substitute. Oh yeah, Country Crock. (I think.) I guess its OK if you have some kind of reason to avoid real butter, but I don't. SYRUP: just runny regular syrup. Maple syrup is expensive and I didn't expect it here, and I didn't get it. Service after the sale was fine, waitress brought me a take away box and I took away what I didn't eat. She checked me out and was nice. All in all, I will not, ever, go back. Unless you don't know any better, you might think this place is some kind of "quaint" or something. But save your money, save your stomach, you will be much better served at another breakfast establishment. Try places like the Magnolia, Kerby Lane, Pacha, The Omlettry. Places like these are way more worth the price I paid at Austin Diner to get poor food quality. And nasty coffee. Save your appetite for a better place. read more

Single worst dining experience I've ever experienced. I had to create a Yelp profile to call out this place. Where do I start? 1) My table was the only people there.. Waiter was oblivious when we were ready to order. 2) Food took about 45 minutes to come out.. In a diner. When we were the only table. 3) Turned out one friend in my group didn't get his food when everything finally came out.. Waiter "forgot" even though he wrote the orders down. 4) My food-absolutely cold. Terrible tasting. Left that "spoiled" milk taste in my mouth.. Still taste it as I type this. 5) Once we all finish, nobody bothers to give us our checks. The waiter has disappeared.. Must have left because his shift was over and didn't bother to let us know. The other workers there just stand around oblivious as we sit with empty plates. 6) Again, only people there.. Waiter is gone.. We get up and ask for our checks. 7) Lady replies and asks "since the waiter billed everyone as a whole and not individually, can everyone pay one at a time?" ummmm 8) So first person in my group comes up to pay... Surprise, surprise, credit cards aren't taking. Lady spends 20 minutes on phone trying to fix it. 9) We have to get up to ask what's the deal.. She asks us to write down our credit card numbers on paper so she can charge us later... What? 10) Finally we put in cash together and pay. Terrible experience. In case you wondering-still have the sour taste in my mouth. A side note-as we were leaving I noticed the kitchen lights were off as if they already cleaned... This was 45 minutes before they closed at 9. Shocked about the whole experience and disgusted with rude and slow service. read more

Had breakfast there Sunday with my daughter... and 2 unexpected guest: cockroaches! By their belly-up, legs-a-twitchin', twirling state, i suppose the critters fell from the hole in the ceiling tile above our booth... subject to a recent bug-bombing. Icky. Knowing that Austin is in southern climes and prone to being buggy, I tried to accept the circumstance and just go with the flow. However, staring at my b-fast taco, one had to wonder if the sausage mixture may have contained... uh, never mind. Anyway, mentioned our dining experience to cashier, and was perhaps hoping for some type of discount or even free coffee. Nope. Nada. Just a "sorry, that'll be $12.95". Okay then... we won't be back. read more

Austin Diner is such a gem! It has the cutest retro vibes that instantly make you feel like you've stepped back in time (in the best way). The staff was super friendly and welcoming--like the kind of place where they remember your name and genuinely seem happy you're there. The food? So good. I had the migas, which were flavorful and perfectly cooked, and I couldn't resist trying the French toast too--crispy on the edges, soft in the middle, and just the right amount of sweet. The home fries were crispy, seasoned just right, and totally addictive. It's a perfect spot for a laid-back, feel-good breakfast or brunch. Highly recommend! read more

The decor is 1960s retro which we found nice and the waitress was very proficient. There's also a reto-styled patio that is cool on breezy days. The food was barely above average, but above average none the less, very generously portioned, and not terribly priced. The hours kind of suck as they close down at 9pm even on weekends and the environment itself was a tad warm for us even with the AC on, but we had a generally good time here and plan on coming again! read more

I just ate here yesterday for the first time. I really liked the fast service and the atmosphere, but I thought my migas were somewhat unimpressive. Very big portions, great for a hangover, but I think there are better diners in Austin. read more

I had dinner here the other day and the burgers are great. I love the retro Burnet Road vibe. This is a kid-friendly place too (they have kid's toys and books near the register). read more

The Elgin Wildcat pancakes are to die for. The have great breakfast specials before 10 for $6 with coffee included... Can't beat that! Excellent service early in the morning! read more

No thanks, Cold biscuits and "sausage" gravy, Cold eggs, and onion rings that somehow managed to hold a substantial amount of grease inside the batter. just not impressed. read more

La comida es muy fresca y buen precio el ambiente muy familiar como estar en casa y el servicio excelente

Amazing breakfast!! I would return as the old time music and old time diner vibes!! I will return!

a NO star dive. sorry folks this place is awful in our opinion. three strikes their out !

Everything is great. Food is so delicious, and price is good. They served us very fast

I just ate there. Very nice. Did you know they switched locations to next to Savers?

bought 2 breakfast tacos, the chorizo and egg one was so bad i had to throw it out.

I love this place, family oriented and stuff is great, prices are very reasonable.

Had the breakfast here! Awesome! Great diner!