Texas French Bread

Category:	Cafe
Address:	2900 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705, USA
Phone:	+1 512-499-0544
Site:	texasfrenchbread.com
Rating:	4.2
Working:	7AM–3PM 7AM–3PM 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM 8AM–10PM 8AM–10PM 8AM–10PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 15

Veronica Toro

The baked goods -- my favorite are the ciabatta and bagels-- are excellent. However lunch here is all but average and the dinner, in spite of the relaxed atmosphere, the simple approach to food made with locally sourced sustainable food, is very underwhelming. Texas French Bread has yet to reach the the consistent quality for its dining experience that it has attained with its bread. The daily menu is really hit or miss. Most things I have had there are very memorable: from a very beautiful simple salad of figs, prosciutto, hot mustard greens with a drizzle of wild honey or a roasted garlic braised cauliflower soup to a tough and oily pork milanese (their knives could not cut through it) with a poorly prepared radicchio salad or excessively mushy and poorly cut tagliatelle with a weak and muted basil pesto. Although I often leave very unsatisfied (especially given that the experience does not justify the prize) I will occasionally revisit them for their endless bread, friendly staff and down to earth, even if often confused, approach to food.

kim hill

As a former employee of TFB, Ill say this for them. What they do right they excel at. Great espresso, great bread. Their food is high quality. They make a walnut and currant bread that will knock you off your feet. What they do badly is service, and I can say that because I was a baker there for two years. I can only blame management for the uneven --sometimes wonderful, sometimes breathtakingly rude -- service Ive received. Dont get mad bc I only ordered the salad. Ask me if my coffee is to go. Quit assuming. Dont offer coffee during dinner service and then get mad when customers take you up on it. If I pay $5 for a cappuccino, you can bet I want it in a ceramic mug. This last example happens all the time. By the way, some of this behavior is from the guy whos the manager, not some underpaid student. Id love to see them stick around for another twenty years. Its such a beautiful little place to have a cup of coffee. I just wish that I knew what I was stepping into when I walk through the door. Its an adventure, and not in the good way.

David Maxfield

This is an Austin place. The food is great and the service is nice, but a little weird. The building is something... and really gives the impression of being in an old bakery. I have never been disappointed in the food; it is always great. It can be pricey, but so is everything else in that part of town. Go eat, enjoy a walk around campus and grab a cup of coffee on the drag... That is a Saturday afternoon... I have kids now, so this never happens. Maybe one day I can show them too!

Jillian Newman

I love TFB. Great food, baked goods and coffee. They serve dinner on certain nights of the week as well. I was pretty sad when the location on Red River closed, but the one off Guadalupe remains open. So - yay! The fish sandwitch and soft, ginger cookie both are amazing. Whatever the default salad dressing that they use is (lemony, tangy), it was addictive and my salad quite fresh. This was all picnic-lunch catering, and I think that I need to go for dinner.

Alex Vences

I used to live nearby and would stop for a pastry every so often, if they still had any. I finally sat for a meal not too long ago and was impressed with their speed and attentiveness. The space itself is antique and natural and feels very welcoming to anybody, whether casual diner or fancy date. Reasonable amount of parking in the back and great selection of pastries and other goods at the counter. Wine and beer available, too.

Mike Galante

TFB was just ok for dinner. I had a really good pasta with homemade noodles and a very good meat sauce. The rest of the meals werent as good and no one was very impressed. Id give it another try for lunch, but Id have to be swayed to go back for dinner unless I planned on getting that exact dish again. I know, not exactly a typical 4-star review, but I did like my food enough to bring the stars up.

A Private User

Not just a bakery, Texas French Bread is serving up gourmet lunch & dinner utilizing locally sourced ingredients. However, their baked goods are very good. I love using their brioche for french toast or a breakfast strata. The quality of the foods offered is quite impressive. Subscribe to their e-mail newsletter for insider tips on special offerings, changes to the menu and seasonal dishes.

Angie Wimberly

My goodness, the food here is delicious - carefully considered and interesting flavors. Of course a little pricey, so its best for a special night out. The servers were really nice and easy to talk to. We even received complimentary baked goods on our way out. You can bring your own drink of choice, which is neat. The atmosphere was homey, clean and beautiful. We loved everything we ordered.

A Private User

Sandwiches were not good at all, big disappointment, not what I expected and very expensive for what you get. I was also hoping for a nice park for my son to play while having lunch and it was dirty and the weed was so high that I was afraid for a snake during the time we were there. I was very sorry they did not have anything for me to go back or to recommend them.

A Private User

So I can only eat a few things here because of the celiac disease (gluten free) but it is amazing! I get a salad and the tortilla soup and they are always incredible! My girlfriend tries something new every time and always gets some cookies or pastries to go. Wonderful experience and atmosphere. Its a great place for us to treat ourselves.

Elizabeth Nash

Just went to TX French Bread after the remodel and new menu. Very disappointed. It is no longer the good Austin place it was. I paid $15 for coffee and a thin, somewhat burned BLT. My friend paid $7 for coffee and a muffin. Way too expensive for a meal you could get for about half elsewhere. I have loved this place for years but not now.

A Private User

Had dinner here last Friday night. Had been meaning to for awhile. I wont wait as long to return. The ambiance is cozy, the place was full and the food was fantastic. I had a great risotto with chicken livers and my wife had the black drum. We both cleaned our plates. And it is a brown bag wine establishment. Highly recommended.

Nicolai McCrary

Im a big fan of Texas French Bread, and I go here relatively often, living right down the street from it. Its BYOB with a small corking fee, so its nice having your own selection. The food and coffee are both very good. Ive never been here for lunch, so I can only speak on the dinner, but the atmosphere is excellent.

A Private User

I havent visited this location in close to a decade. Why? Because the service was always horrible: slow, and attitudinally bordering on condescending and snide. But so much time has passed, I thought Id give it another shot. And...WTF nothing has changed. Im going to give it at least 10 more years before going back.

Heidi Anhalt

Bakery and deli. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They bake all of their bread and sweets in house. The half and half lunch special is just the right amount of food at a decent price. They have a good selection of vegetarian items. The soups are usually non-vegetarian so I like to order a salad and sandwich.