If you're male and you come here, you're a Dobie-man. And all men are dogs, so you're also a Doberman? Draw your own conclusions (here's a sketch pad). They gone done a really good job with this mall, y'all. I appreciated it years ago visiting when I was on tour and it was basically nothing, but still a hot spot for UT students. Rundown yet popular students despite not really having anything. Now they've turned it into a real fancy violin... um, I mean mall, not sure why my predictive text thinks this mall is a string instrument but anyway. So several of my friends whom are students head down here often to hang out and get boba from the popular and over-busy Gong Cha here. So it's alive, and largely because there's a bubble tea shop and a whole bunch of TVs for you to watch in the food court. So if you're at UT and spoiled by stuff to do... this is just an extra place for you to hang out and spend money and I think it's a great location and has some cool stuff as well. Parking is awful though unless you pay for the garage. read more

See all

I love the Dobie Mall, and it's one of the cleanest retail areas on campus! I'm not too sure why there are so many disgruntled reviews on here. We have a Target inside the mall, and a few other really nice shops. These were all put here primarily for students that live in the dorms on campus, as well as the dorms located in the tower above the mall, not the general population. Also, the businesses & dorms are their own entities, meaning they aren't owned or managed by the owners of Dobie Mall. read more

If I come off harsh, it's probably because I'm not from here and thus have no sentimental nostalgia associated with Dobie Mall. I think this gives me an unabashed unbiased opinion when I say this place fckin sucks. The directory listed two game stores (Resurrection and Cartridge) that sounded interesting but after wandering around for 10 minutes I could find neither. Considering how tiny the mall is i must surely be an idiot for not finding the shops, right? Found an internal directory and found the exact spots. Went. Nothing. Both closed down. Easy to miss, I suppose because they were each surrounded on both sides with more closed shops. So the external directory, the internal directory, and the website (I later checked) are all wrong. Obviously "The Weitzman Group" maintains a high standard. It has an army recruiter, a nail salon, a convenience store, a hair salon, a food court, a Princeton Review, and a textbook store (which also was listed incorrectly, both in name and in the hours of operation posted online). I'm sure, containing the "college essentials," it's a nice air-conditioned place to get relax when you live in Dobie apartments right next door, but as far as malls go this place is a piece of shit. Superfluous. As useless as the three Japanese good luck cats sitting next to each other in the window of "Funny Nails" salon. Any appeal of this place extends only from convenience and no other aspect, and if you're not a UT student (who can't be bothered to walk across the 50-feet across the street to the drag,) then there is no convenience in this place, and thus no reason for it's existence. read more

Dobie Mall - Shopping Centers Near Me - Austin, Texas

Dobie Mall is a locally famous, UT-campus-based two-story shopping center that is primarily known for its 4-screen movie theater. The exterior is dingy, but the interior has been better maintained. Let's start with the best. The Dobie theater is small, but mighty. Known for catering to independent, local, or underfed films, it's a popular spot to see arthouse reels with friends. Their four screening rooms have differing "themes" (awesome) but apparently pillars in a couple of the rooms cause viewing blockage (I've never had this dilemma, but have been warned by friends). The theater shares space with a food court, home to the usual suspects (subs, burgers, Indian, Chinese, pizza, smoothies, coffee and burritos). The bottom floor is dedicated to retail and service-oriented businesses (hair and nail salons, postal and copying services, a florist, a ticketing agency, etc.). See their website for a full listing of service and individual store hours. There are certainly more spectacular Austin alternatives to everything Dobie Mall offers; but, when you get right down to it, the Dobie sells convenience. When you're in college, you need what's cheap, fast and accessible. Dobie is all of these things...and a little more. I'd like to be strict and award 3 stars, but Dobie has proven herself. One-stop shopping at Dobie Mall. read more

See all

When I was in high school and college, the Dobie represented the best of Austin for me. I had my first dates at the Dobie theatre, hung out in the (admittedly awful) food court between classes at UT, and perused the comic store downstairs at the height of my nerdom. The pizza store guy will always remember your name, and is relentlessly cheerful. The Dobie Mall is just not the same without the theatre. I miss the free Landmark soundtrack CDs they gave out, being able to walk there from class, and seeing local shorts during Austin Film Fest. read more

Well...I continue to love and frequent Dobie Mall (actually just the movie theater) for many reasons. They show the coolest indie movies in town. The only other place you can see cool movies is at the Arbor and this is alot closer to those of you more in the campus vicinity. I saw several movie premieres there during SXSW and wasn't disappointed. The theaters are smaller and more intimate, but I liked the feel. They have a photo booth that takes grainy ridiculous pictures ( I have like 3 sets on my fridge) , and a food court that is always empty whenever I come. There are several other rarely used shops, but it has remained pretty much unchanged for years. Unlike the rest of Guadalupe where things are popping up and getting torn down every day, Dobie mall, and its rocking theater, remain a constant. 4 stars for the theater, 3 for the mall. read more

The Dobie would get a higher rating from me if they had not gotten rid of the photo booth. I want to give them only one star for that fact, but I'm going with my head over my heart with this one. They have a convenience store that is pretty well stocked with good ice cream, and sometimes they have good beer. There is also a funny sign that is supposedly written in blood about killing shop lifters, but I know they guy who wrote it and can tell you that it was written in marker, but if they ever get a chance the employees, though a nice bunch, will use your shoplifting blood for ink. I like the theatre in this place, it has theme screening rooms. There is also a crappy comic book store, a hoa hoa(Chinese restaurant) that has lots of vegan options, and a pizza place that is okay. I want them to bring the photo booth back. It broke my heart when they took them away. read more

It has nothing... Foods are not bad though. I was very disappointed at the nail shop where I did French nails. They don't look pretty when they were finished, and they became yellowish brown at the 3rd day. And the lady did my nails didn't really speak English, making communication very hard. read more

This is so NOT A MALL. Most of the shops are closed. They is nothing but sad food stands. It looks like a terrible thing happened and that whole place just didn't survive. Oh and good luck finding the entrance anyway... read more

They renovated this place---after realizing it actually was a 'mini highland mall'. Most of the Dobie Center shops were vacant during the school year, even though they were supposed to be convenient for the student-residents Enter Target. It recently opened a mini-store in the downstars section both for the students and the community alike. Prices are probably a good deal higher than what you would purchase oh say in either the Arboretum, on Ohlen road, or @ Lake line Mall's location. Don't do all/most of your shopping here. Pop in for extras and emergencies. You are paying for convenience here. It is a tradeoff!! Navigation around the store is a little crowded. Space is a little tighter in this location. If you need more aisles and/or are claustrophobic, it might not be your best shopping experience. But the staff is friendly. I even ran into staff from prior stores who I remembered and we proactively struck up conversation. They remembered who I was and my shopping preferences. Target is not at all your typical 'big box' store!! Because this much newer store has a CVS pharmacy inside--I am intrigued what will happen to the older and free standing CVS pharmacy located a few blocks away on the drag. I can't imagine that it would be profitable to keep two locations so close together open/stocked. read more

excuse the language, but this place is a run-down, empty, worthless shit hole. the last time i went here (to see a movie in the odd, but surprisingly good theater), almost all of the stores were closed for good, ostensibly due to not paying rent. it's a shame someone hasn't torn this place down, or used it to open decent stores that don't just sell textbooks or random crap. i think the positive reviews here are for the theater, which has a good selection of movies... but the mall? worthless. read more

If you are looking into student housing, know that Dobie student spaces look luxurious but the management here is SO UNHELPFUL. They do nothing, trying to get a lease started was so frustrating, they put in so much work making sure they do as little work as possible. The food is great, the people who clean are sweet, but the people who run this place could careless about your time here. The more and more I stay here the more and more I can't wait for my lease to be up. read more

Maintainence takes a very long time, it's been over a week and I'm still waiting. New renovations are nice and welcome. read more

Dobie is a good place for eating but I have 4 notes: 1- the workers their always look at the food which you are taking you in your plate and also while you are eating specially if you stay sometime to talk to your friends and the workers had seats beside me and my friends , may be this is a method to tell me that's enough for you and go away now. 2- The vegetables are not fresh specially which in the salads like the lutes is yellow not green. 3- The cups at the front desk, if you want to drink coffee or something like that you have to go and ask the lady in the front desk to give you one, so if you want to drink another thing you will be shy to go and ask for another cup. 4- the staff stay on the food and they ask you what you need although its open buffet so, the last time I went I finished the rice and wanted more but I was so shy to go and ask the lady to give me more rice. read more

Hello I am a fellow student that lives here at the tower. I was recently having lunch on a Saturday morning at the 2nd floor food court. I witnessed a very sickening event. A homeless guy was sitting minding his own business at the food court area. He was obviously very tired & hungry but he wasn't bothering anybody just literally sitting there. I noticed him staring at me while I was eating. Like in a way as if he wanted to ask me something. So as I was noticing this a Hispanic young security that works there walks by and starts talking to the guy that works for Nikki's pizza. All of a sudden security went over to him and said he had to leave! The guy wasn't even there 5 mins! So the guy was like why dude I'm hungry and was just sitting here. So the security begins to explain that the pizza guy said he was harassing people. Omg! Seriously? No I spoke up and defended him. He didn't say or do anything! So the very nice and understanding security guy bought him a subway sandwich. It was awesome to see. Even though the guy still got thrown out his need was meet. Amazing! Thank God we still have nice people in the world. I have this food court a 1 star because the pizza guy actually lied on the guy cause I guess he was homeless. That is not professional and I personally won't be spending my money here if that is how they treat people who are down and out. I guy that happen to be homeless but didn't look it said, " That is nothing new they have been mistreating homeless for couple years now"! That saddens me. I guess that's why it's so Dead there. When u treat people right they will come back but when u witness what I did you never want to be there again! Btw nice security guy keep it up despite what your bosses tell you. You treat people the way you would like to be treated! read more

let me just start by saying please please PLEASE DO NOT SUBJECT YOUR CHILDREN TO LIVING HERE. I mean sure it WAS cheap when I lived here, but since they changed management around Dec 2013, this place has dramatically fallen to shambles. There is a REASON why most residents DO NOT stay a second year. Pros: You can meet your future friends here, but seriously, join clubs and you can probably do the same. Oh, it's close to campus, and next to the megabus stop. Cons: The rooms look bland and prison cells. I'm not Joking, the closets aren't that much of a step up from Jesters so don't expect much. The kitchenette is tiny, just a sink and a mini fridge. Meanwhile, the bathrooms are TINY. LIKE YOU HAVE NO ROOM AT ALL TO MOVE. You can only turn around in there to use the toilet and to shower. I'm pretty sure housekeeping skips around, I've literally dropped a bunch of tiny beads on the floor to see if they vacuum and they were there for three weeks. Rooms are a sham, and the show room they present to you is NOTHING I REPEAT NOTHING like what the actual room is like. I've seen Dobie lure in unsuspecting customers to show them these "show rooms" and I've been tempted many times to jump in front and warn them to save themselves. Second, the washing machines are bipolar. Sometimes they work, sometimes they dont. Not all the computers there in their lab work too.... Gotta hop around... And their printers, are always dying. Whether it's no paper, or there's a jam, leave it up to dobie to not bother fixing it during the week of finals. oh my favorite, the elevators, there's always one that never seems to work, which leaves the rest of us stranded in the lobby for 10 min while we're trying to rush to class. The management sure loves to keep it's residents waiting in suspense, they let the maintenance workers take their time fixing everything in that damn place. Thanks a lot Management. Third, the food is always great in the beginning. They had so much to offer in the fall of 2013, but later, as the year progresses, their food just deteriorates. The new management fired some of the kitchen staff and decided to "save money" but cutting off our food supply and quality. They let it become sort of a buffet style where we serve ourselves and let me say, it's atrocious. The food sometimes looks moldy and disgusting. They just leave it there till it dries and shrivels up. The Salad bar isn't that great either, if it tasted good, they took it away. And the Grill isn't that amazing. Apparently they cut off the grill towards the end of the spring of 2014. They cut the hours down which made it nearly impossible for anyone to eat without skipping their class. I'm pretty sure this is Managements new strategy to "save money" but starving their residents. Most of us have resorted to eating off campus bc of how terrible this place became. In addition to the bad food, they decided to spend the money they "saved" on new wooden floors and "artistic" murals for the cafeteria- let me just say they looked like someone broke in just to vandalize the walls. Oh, they even spent money that could have improved the food quality on stupid chairs for the cafeteria and pool side (WHICH RARELY ANYONE USES) Fourthly, DOBIE NEVER EVER HONORS DEALS. I'd have to say, they're the biggest scam off campus. I've met so many people who were promised free iPads or $1000 gift cards and what not and were NEVER given a single thing. In addition, they had all these contests and what not during the fall with cash prizes which THEY ALSO DID NOT HONOR. Recently, I was reading all the posts so many people made on the Dobie Facebook page about how Dobie is now withdrawing the deal they made with about 30ish students. Apparently these students were offered cheaper dorm prices by the old management which they accepted. HOWEVER, the new management decided to pull a fast one and rescind their offer. The funniest part is that they didn't even notify all the students and now they're being left homeless less than three weeks before move in day. Oh wait, they also said that their only option to keep the room they wanted is to pay an "upgrade" fee (which apparently for one of the girls was a 200% increase) DOBIE IS A FRAUD. And now those pissed off soon to be residents are even taking legal action against them. Lesson here: DO NOT TRUST DOBIE. Their show rooms are a lie, their promotions are a lie, and their entire image is a lie. If you like crappy food, small bathrooms, and money hungry managements, then this is the place to be. THERE IS A REASON WHY DOBIE REMOVED THEIR STAR RATINGS ON FACEBOOK. Trust me, this place is BAD. The rent isn't even all that cheap!!!!!! please don't EVER EVER LIVE HERE read more