Tried out Commerce Cafe in Lockhart and had a really solid experience overall. The roasted airline chicken breast was absolutely amazing--perfectly cooked, juicy, and full of flavor. The glazed carrots had a light maple taste that paired really well with the dish. The temperature in the restaurant was perfect, which made the whole experience even more comfortable. Service was spot on too--Anna took great care of us and was incredibly patient as we shared stories and even offered a few decor suggestions. She was attentive without being overbearing. The music was great and set at just the right volume, which made it easy to relax, enjoy the meal and hear the conversation. That said, the decor could use a bit of improvement. No offense to the artist, but the prints felt a little odd and too small for the wall space. The overall layout of the restaurant could also be better--it didn't feel as cohesive as the food and service deserved. Also, the hardwood seats could use some padding for both the back and bottom to make longer visits more comfortable. All in all, definitely worth checking out for the food and atmosphere, with just a few areas that could be elevated. read more

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Good little spot to stop in when you're in Lockhart but are for some odd reason NOT craving BBQ. We got: -the popovers (a must, very filling, so beware. I do wish it came with more onion butter though!) -burger and fries (solid, the bread leaned a little sweat for my taste -derby pie (get it warmed up!) read more

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Order the Chicken fried steak and a daily special lasagna. first off steak was tough/overcooked.The so-called gravy was too spicy to put on the piece of leather/ steak lasagna was OK not great. cannoli for dessert that was stale read more

I would rate this place more than five stars if I could. The reviews alone were the reason I even stepped foot into this place. And let me tell you, if you decide to try it too, you won't regret it. The chef's know what they're doing and the servers were lovely. It's generally quiet during the week, not too noisy. The tomato soup is nice and flavorful and the Caesar salad is crisp, tangy, and creamy. The pork chop sandwich is TO DIE FOR. I was nervous at first since I thought it would be overcooked like most pork chops are but this... this sandwich was a masterpiece. It's juicy on the inside and perfectly crispy on the outside. Served in deliciously crispy and soft bread, stone ground mustard, melted cheese, and mixed greens... I'm still thinking about this place. Not to mention the fresh cut fries! Seriously, if there's one place to try in Lockhart that isn't BBQ? It's Commerce Cafe. read more

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This place has the best food in Lockhart, if you go make sure you get some duck fat potatoes. They are amazingly crunchy omg they are so good. The chicken breast is so juicy you can add if to most anything. The breakfast sandwich has 2 eggs on it and yoke everywhere so use a fork If you like Italian style Wednesday they have many selections and they make all their own pasta that's awesome. The wait staff are awesome Anna and Zion are the best read more

Commerce Cafe - Salad with added chicken - Cafes Near Me - Lockhart, Texas

Another hidden gem in Lockhart TX. The service was excellent and the food was good as well. I tried the blueberry coriander pie. I like the flavor of the filling. The crust was a bit chewy to me. The burger I had was very good, I also liked how seasoned the fries were. The falafel sandwich was decent. It didn't wow me but a very good choice nevertheless. The have a very try clean and inviting restaurant. It really gives you that hometown cafe feeling. Check them out!! read more

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Carol an I enjoyed a late dinner here. I found my roasted chicken breast to be juicy and tasty, and the mashed potatoes and carrots to be well seasoned. Carol had the Not So Classic BLT she rated excellent and especially liked the bread. Not the usual taste of a BLT, but tasty in its own way. read more

We hosted a brunch here for our wedding weekend and could not be more satisfied with our experience!! We worked with Jayden and she truly went above and beyond to ensure we had a wonderful event and stayed within our budget. The food was AMAZING and the staff were so wonderful, kind, and accommodating. Can not recommend them enough!!! read more

We just happened to be in Lockhart on a Friday night and there was some kind of art event, so the restaurant we had chosen was crazy busy as they are located right on the courthouse square. We just stopped in to see if we could possibly find a table. We did not have a reservation, but the hostess found us a perfect seat right by the front window, so great people watching, good wine and crazy, busy, fun vibe! The service was great even though they were busy. Wait staff was friendly and knowledgeable. All in all it was a very fun evening with amazing food! We can't wait to go back!! Will make reservations this time though! read more

Stopped by here on a work trip and was pleasantly amazed! The staff was awesome and attentive. The restaurant is right on the square in front of the courthouse and is so cozy inside. There are not many items on the menu but that's ok because they execute those items very well! I had the chicken fried steak that was accompanied by green beans and smashed potatoes! Everything was amazing! I'm not a gravy person but even that had a wonderful taste and texture. Will definitely visit again. Our wonderful waiter told us about the numerous dinner specials and drinks for our next visit! read more

Commerce Cafe - Chicken fried steak - Cafes Near Me - Lockhart, Texas

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The food here is always good. I especially like the Chicken fried steak with red eye gravy. I normally order different things at restaurants I go to more than once. But Indrive here just for the chicken fried steak and order it 75% of the time. read more

An upscale diner in Lockhart with the lively buzz of patrons and staff filling the air. The vibe is super welcoming, and the open-concept kitchen lets you watch the team in action. The staff is hustling, making sure everyone's taken care of, and the bartenders are totally engaged with their guests, adding to the overall great energy. We ordered the yeast rolls as an appetizer (it's yeast rolls, you can't just give those to folks?). At $5 for two, that was a bit of a "wait, what?!". They're not exactly a difficult or expensive item to make, so that price stood out. The roasted chicken was super tender, perfectly seasoned on the outside, but the seasoning didn't make it through the meat, so that's an aspect that should be addressed (the flavor on the outside was perfection, though!). The molasses carrots were just right--cooked perfectly and not too sweet. Mashed potatoes? Spot on! As for the chicken fried steak, we went with mashed potatoes instead of the usual duck fat crispy potatoes that come with it. The chicken fried steak was good. We had the blueberry lemon chess pie for dessert and I couldn't eat it. The compote on top was so sweet, it took away from the pie itself. The crust wasn't very good - too thick and not cooked all the way through. I'm not one to leave desserts uneaten, but I didn't love it. All in all, this is a great addition to Lockhart and sometime different from the usual Lockhart spots. We will definitely be back and I look forward to trying more. read more

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Fantastic experience. One of our new favorites in Lockhart. The menu is pretty limited but they seem to knock everything out of the park. Definitely get the yeast rolls with your entree. Especially if they are just coming out of the oven. Service is friendly and pretty quick. read more

I only selected 5 starts because that's the most they have available. But it should be 6 stars, minimum. Chicken fried steak, incredible. Add a fried egg and you can thank me later. Earlier today I had their not so classic BLT. It's on focaccia bread and comes standard with a fried egg. It only took me 2 bites to realize something, it's the best sandwich I have ever had, in my entire life. I'd explain why but words fall short of describing the experience. It's probably akin with the first time Buddha reached Nirvana but more like Culinary Enlightenment. Forgot to mention, ask for the Fresno hot sauce. It's on point, and pairs well with the sandwich. read more

Commerce cafe continues to be one of my favorite restaurants in central Texas. Located in charming Lockhart, the atmosphere is friendly and casual but the food is delicious. I love their Monday night family meal. It's always so tasty and piping hot. Even when busy they provide fantastic service! read more

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I'd like to start by saying this is my second time visiting commerce Café. This was a birthday dinner for my mother. The ambience and the service are five star A+, our waitress was wonderful , but let's be serious the importance of a restaurant is the food. Keep in mind this is in Lockhart Texas, where we're all southern and we like southern food, everything on the menu here is "fancy", so I'm excited to go out and eat some fancy expensive food , everything that we ordered was oversalted for starters but, being how is my mom's birthday dinner and she didn't want to send her food back , we didn't comment. It was so salty that she couldn't eat it. I don't know if the chef isn't tasting the food or the sauces that are premade are sitting too long and absorbing salt but everything on our table was extremely salty. Then we ordered cheesecake which is her favorite and You guessed it .....SALTY, who wants to eat an over salted dessert??? It's honestly a shame because this is a nice restaurant. high priced for Lockhart, like I said the atmosphere is wonderful. There was quite a few people there. We went on a Tuesday evening. So that being said , they need to do some revamping or tasting of their own food... disappointing And truthfully, I won't go back for a third try.. read more

Stepping inside, you're greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere. I really enjoy the open kitchen layout, and the staff is incredibly friendly. The food is simply outstanding, and I can't wait to return frequently, even if its a trek from Cedar Creek! we need this! read more

Had a wonderful lunch here today. Service was fast and efficient. Love watching the staff cook in the open kitchen. Everything was made fresh to order. Got there at 11:30 and we were seated immediately. A little after 12:00 and things were getting busier. Great find on the town square. read more

Commerce Cafe - Chicken fried steak, duck fat smashed potatoes, and green beans hidden under it all. - Cafes Near Me - Lockhart, Texas

Go to Commerce Cafe when you have time to study the menu. It's not that big but it's not your everyday fare either. We had Airline Chicken. New to me but I eat chicken! Turns out it's chicken breast with the wing drumette minus the flat. This was the juiciest and most tender chicken breast ever! The sides were great too! The open kitchen makes it fun to watch how they prepare the food. Tables are limited and staff size small but attentive. Enjoy a slower paced meal and watch the show! read more

Highly recommend!! We stopped in while driving through town for a quick weeknight dinner. After searching Yelp for recommendations in hopes of finding something other than BBQ we discovered this place. The food was AMAZING!! We had the chicken fried steak, duck fat roasted potatoes and green beans with gravy and the pork short rib ragu pasta. The potatoes...no words, the homemade pasta...no words....the pork short rib ragu......speechless. Oh and how did I forget the pecan pie?!? Every single thing we had was DELICIOUS. There are several other items in the menu we can't wait to try. Don't miss out on this place! You'll be happier because you ate here. read more

Very creative menu that's off the beaten path in a culinary sense. Black pepper popovers, molasses carrots, BLT with a fried egg, etc. And if you like your fries thin cut with skin attached and just a tad overcooked (by normal standards) then you might say as I did, that they're the best you ever had! For sure, we will be back. read more

I work in the service industry first off, let's start there. I just tried to go to this establishment to get a solo meal after a long day of work and just snack like food. I knew exactly what I wanted and was prepared with an order before I even walk in. I would have even gotten my food to go, because again the work in the service industry and I know what it's like for someone to come in 30 min till close, but as I pulled up and parked out front a young lady walked to the back and a young man who clearly saw me park, walked to the front window in the cafe and unuggrd the open sign right as I turned off my car. I get that week nights can be slow and staff wants to go home, but don't advertise a 9pm close time if you are going to close at 8:30 just cause you feel like it. Super rude. Definitely not southern hospitality. read more

My 3rd visit. When my girls and I had a weekend in Austin, we stopped for lunch on our way home to the Houston area. I was very disappointed in the biscuit which I have previously raved about. It was obviously toasted and dry. Not fresh. The popovers were delicious! The roasted chicken was tender, juicy and flavorful. The corn risotto was weirdly sour and did not taste like corn. Overall, it was tasty, but not special like my previous visits. read more

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If Yelp allows, I will give it 6 stars! The restaurant is small locall owned bussiness. Only two chefs and a bartender running the restaurant. It's clear they are passionate about their food and know exactly what they are doing. The The food is delicious, truly delicious. I ordered the roasted chicken breast. The chicken is really tender and juicy. The side dish carrots in a tangy, sweet wine sauce added a nice balance to the chicken. This restaurant has become one of the reasons for me to drive an hour to visit Lockhart. I will definitely come back read more

Commerce Cafe is a really nice addition to Lockhart and located right on the city square. The location is perfect and they have seating indoors and outdoors for those who want to admire the funky looking Caldwell County Courthouse while they dine. Commerce Cafe's menu is a mix of classics with a contemporary twist. I really enjoyed their risotto and their tomato soup. I tried many of their vegetarian sides, and most of them were very good, especially the fries, green beans and mashed potatoes. The only big disappointment so far is their popovers which are huge and mushy inside, but not in a good way... I'm sure the texture appeals to some people, but for me it's a no-go. Lots of nope. Where they shine most is with their desserts, especially their daily pie selection. Most of them are classic southern pies, known recipes, but they're usually done pretty well. My husband who loves pie is a big fan. Whenever I go to Lockhart to meet someone, he asks "can you please bring back a slice of pie?" Commerce Cafe's also got some alcoholic drinks and cocktails, as well as non-alcoholic options. If you're sober like me, I recommend their watermelon soda. It's pretty darn good and refreshing. Commerce Cafe has become one of our local eats. The only caveat? Their opening hours are limited and they're closed on Sundays. Bummer! read more

Commerce Cafe - Lemon and Buttermilk Pie - Cafes Near Me - Lockhart, Texas

The restaurant should be ashamed of themselves. Ordered the Thursday prime rib special @$24. Meat came out by itself and was 1/4 inch thick and couldn't have been more than 3 oz. I've seen twice that amount on a Waffle House breakfast plate. It was cooked properly. Sides didn't come until 15 minutes later. No repeat customer here read more

I was traveling for work last week and stopped in for a quick lunch. They have done a great job decorating the space, it's elevated but approachable. I had the side Caesar salad with the burger. The salad was fantastic! I found the burger to be tasty and well-cooked but the bun was slightly crumbly in a way I wasn't expecting, maybe slightly dry or beginning to go stale. Service was okay. I sat at the bar. And my server seemed like she may have been a little new. Small gripe, I accidentally left without taking a copy of my receipt (that's on me), but when I called to see if they could text or email me a copy of the receipt (business expense), they basically told me that my only option was to drive back down there and they reprint it. That's fine, if true, but it didn't seem like much effort was made to help me out with the situation. I would go back and try more of the menu next time I'm in the burgeoning town square of Lockhart. read more

Commerce Cafe presents as a lovely mid- century diner that offers a downtown dining experience reminiscent of the 1960s but Commerce Cafe offers so much more with the fresh and ever evolving eclectic and refined menu that always exceeds your expectations, no different than Foreign & Domestic has for years in Central Austin with such a forward and fresh menu every time along memories of Saturday Bake Sales and Indie Chef Week events a few years ago. There is so much to write about my first dining experience at Commerce Cafe after dining many times at Foreign & Domestic in Austin, so being that the menu is ever changing to advantage what's in season at local farms, ranches, and what fruits of the sea are available each week. I'll start with the Popovers with Gruyere cheese and black pepper that are iconic and known to many from Food Network coverage for their amazing taste and golden brown flaky tender texture that are appreciated far and wide once taste how exquisite they are and you learn that like Yorkshire Pudding that Popovers like made here are a rare fine for not many pastry chefs and bakers are able to achieve the level of what's served here as evidenced by rarely ever seeing Popovers on the menu anywhere short of a Michelin star restaurant. Like many home bakers, I went as far as buying a special Popover pan a few years ago after having the Popovers here and reading the story and recipe online, but being a novice my attempt failed and only made me more appreciative of what the owners and the team at Commerce Cafe consistently accomplish everyday with great effort, talent, and tenacity that many aspire to. Sitting at the few seats available at the counter of the open kitchen is a great experience for the first timer dining here as well as the frequent guest as it brings everything to life to watch the chefs in action creating the dishes you order along with all the others. Our table tried a number of items on the Happy Hour and Dinner Menu including Popovers, Hush Puppies, Japanese Fried Chicken, Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese, Mushroom Rissotto, Wine, Craft Cocktails, and amazing sides of exquisitely prepared Carmelized Molasses Carrots, Collards Greens, and the Crispy Fingerling Potatoes that are seasoned so well with herbs that they greatly compliment your meal or could be a meal alone, considering the taste and portions. If you're looking for a nice healthy family meal of comfort food, romantic dinner experience with your special someone, or you desire an experience like being a judge on a Chopped or Iron Chef Food Network show, Commerce Cafe is a place you'll feel at home and will rate as a destination for future visits. read more

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Food was amazing. Great and attentive staff. Quiet lunch spot. Really enjoyed the diner feel read more

Commerce Cafe - Chicken sandwich with Brussels sprouts - Cafes Near Me - Lockhart, Texas

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Great food, good drink selection. Super friendly staff it's easy to tell when people care about their work and this place did a great job.

We had 10 people and everyone loved their food. And the service was great. The burgers are delicious. And most of us sampled the gizzards and reminisced about our childhood and eating gizzards. So much fun in a cool location. read more

FARM TO TABLE! Incredible food!!!!! everyone working there was so nice. cute view of the town square. i cannot emphasize enough how amazing the food was. such moist meat. they source locally and meats from the farmers market. they make EVERYTHING themselves except the ketchup haha. THE BREAD was to die for. we got a bread appetizer that really hit the spot. i would recommend everyone dine here. read more

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I tend to stick with checking out restaurants that have a decent number of Yelp reviews. The more reviews, the more that outliers are weeded out and you can get a good gauge of the quality of a restaurant. It all comes down to statistics. That's why I was a little hesitant to check out Commerce Cafe. As a relatively new restaurant that opened up right around the pandemic era, they haven't yet accumulated a bunch of reviews. I'm so happy I took the plunge because this is a five-star restaurant hands-down. I stopped by for some takeout on a weekday while I spent a week in Lockhart. Located in downtown Lockhart, Commerce Cafe looks like your run-of-the-mill cafe from the outside. Don't be fooled though as you're going to experience elevated cuisine here. I went with the popovers to start which was a new experience for me. It's tough to describe but it's basically puffy bread that's served with butter and served warm. I'm not sure exactly what was in it, likely some cheeses, but it was delicious. For my entree, I went with the chicken biscuit with fries. As your dipping sauce, you can go with some standard ketchup or aioli. Leave the ketchup for your standard meals and go with the alternative here. The chicken was juicy, the biscuit was flaky and buttery, and the fries were crisp and well seasoned. All-around, five stars here too. While the food is the star of the show, the service didn't disappoint either. Even though I only ordered takeout, the lady over the phone was super nice on the phone and also when I was picking up the food. Even though I initially called, I ended up using their online ordering system which was a seamless experience. You can make changes to your order with ease. While Commerce Cafe is only a year old or so, I think it's already one of the best restaurants in Lockhart. Keep it up! read more

Commerce Cafe - From the outside - Cafes Near Me - Lockhart, Texas

Stopped by for a late lunch around 2:30 pm since I heard Lockhart was the new Austin. I was the only customer at this time. The red eye cream gravy caught my eye... it was a new and interesting take on CFS. I liked it! The cauliflower was alright, but it was the smashed fingerling potatoes that stole the show. Crispy and delicious. Finished by ordering a lemon buttermilk slice of pie, but it apparently had not set. They brought me this instead... on the house! Had I known they had that, I'd have ordered it. Really really good... so much so that I added the cost of the slice to my tip. Very attentive folks who clearly take pride in their restaurant. Recommend them highly. read more

Commerce Cafe - Blueberry buttermilk pie. Delicious! - Cafes Near Me - Lockhart, Texas

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What a gem, the view of the market square is gorgeous, the inside if the restaurant is gorgeous, the staff are great and the food is indescribably delicious. I had the chicken fried steak, the batter is light and just enough, the sauce is awesome, the little potatoes were fried to perfection in duck fat and gently sprinkled with light cheese. The green beans perfectly seasoned with distinct flavour notes of lemon and herbs. I'm waiting for my peach pie to warm, I am confident it won't disappoint read more

Commerce Cafe - Chicken fried steak - Cafes Near Me - Lockhart, Texas

Great place!! Food is always good and servers are friendly and attentive. It's our go to place for nice meals in Lockhart!!

I stopped in here for dinner based upon the Yelp reviews and it did Not disappoint. Delicious risotto, Gruyère pepper popover, and draft beer all tasted great. Wonderful service, too. I'll be back!! read more

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We stopped in on a Thursday afternoon and had the lunch special....fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and a roll.....and a popover. All of the food was delicious! Service was great and the restaurant itself is very nice and clean! This place is a gem! read more

So Lockhart is known for barbecue, but this little gem of a cafe is one of my favorites. I make an occasional day trip from Austin and always stop here for the best tomato soup and grilled cheese I think I've ever had. I've brought a table of four in where we all ordered the same think and loved it. There are other greats on the menu as well, mind you. Fried pickles, sandwiches, elevated diner cuisine. All freshly made. I would love to get to take home some of their delicious homemade pickles. Cute restaurant with traditional diner seating. Tables and counter option. Helpful staff treats you like you want to be with the perfect amount of attention, not overdone but welcoming. Just be sure to check the hours before you plan your day around eating here. Closed every Sunday and also not open for lunch on Mondays. read more

We've visited this quaint country chic cafe a couple of times. They have an all night happy hour on Tuesdays in case you want to sample some good starters. Both times I've started with the peach salad. It is a fresh sampling of summer. I've had the risotto as well as the chicken. They have a variety of fresh pies to satisfy your sweet tooth. read more

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