Mothers Cafe & Garden

First of all, for what it is, it is WAY overpriced. (I'd rather spent $2-$3 more, walk across the street and get a nice plate of vegetarian pasta at Asti.) Plus, you get served by "slacker girls." If that's your scene, you'll fall in love. I got the BBQ Tofu, and it was the dryest, most tasteless tofu I had ever tasted, slathered in - get this - Peanut Butter and what they call their "special" bbq sauce. Bleeaaachhh. It came with the alleged "mashed potatoes", which was homogenously brown substance (with a "film" formed over it) that literally looked like a load of s***, and watery beans. With 4 pieces of said tofu, for $9.50. What a killer deal!! My friend ordered the "special" - the butternut squash ravioli, for $10. A tiny plate came, with little ravioli swimming in copious, SEPARATED lemon juice and pure cream. They really should have called this a soup item. (She sent it back.) Who cares if it's an "institution?" If you serve crappy food in an environment with dubious hygiene, and have the gall to overcharge, you should (and probably will) be shut down. Sorry, we won't be back. I'm taking my vegetarian business over to NuAge (and Madras for Indian). Pros: "Food" comes out fast Cons: "Food" is a term used loosely more

I have been coming to Mothers Cafe for years and I have seldom been disappointed. The soups are incredible! Pros: Variety, soups Cons: Some dishes are bland more

I have been coming to Mothers Cafe for years and I have seldom been disappointed. The soups are incredible! Pros: Variety, soups Cons: Some dishes are bland more

GREAT tasting Veggie food!!! I'm not a vegitarian but I still Love the dishes here! The staff is great and doesn't mind making recommendations or explaing the dishes further. The dishes themselves are brought out timely and did I mention it is GREAT?? more

GREAT tasting Veggie food!!! I'm not a vegitarian but I still Love the dishes here! The staff is great and doesn't mind making recommendations or explaing the dishes further. The dishes themselves are brought out timely and did I mention it is GREAT?? more

As a vegetarian this is the best veg restaurant in town. Lots of variety on the menu for veggies and non-veggies. The ambience in the garden room is very romantic and peaceful - also great for kids. Pros: food, ambience Cons: sometimes the service can be a bit slow more

As a vegetarian this is the best veg restaurant in town. Lots of variety on the menu for veggies and non-veggies. The ambience in the garden room is very romantic and peaceful - also great for kids. Pros: food, ambience Cons: sometimes the service can be a bit slow more

I used to love Mother's Restaurant, but the last two times I've been (spread over a couple of months), the food was abysmally bland. The artichoke enchiladas used to be brimming with flavor, and now they're just dull. The same was true for other items with the exception of the tasty salad dressings. Pros: beautiful garden room, good salad dressings Cons: bland food more

I used to love Mother's Restaurant, but the last two times I've been (spread over a couple of months), the food was abysmally bland. The artichoke enchiladas used to be brimming with flavor, and now they're just dull. The same was true for other items with the exception of the tasty salad dressings. Pros: beautiful garden room, good salad dressings Cons: bland food more

This was the first time I went. I am always biased towards eggplant dishes, but I got the Bueno Burger instead. This was by far the BEST vegetarian burger I have ever had. I can't even make them this good at home. It was the combination of sprouts, home-made dressing, and whole wheat bun. I'd go back to try something else. The vegan cake will make anyone rethink their attitude towards vegan and vegetarian foods. It's jam packed with flavors and oozes with chocolate. Pros: healthy, great food, ambience Cons: slow more

This was the first time I went. I am always biased towards eggplant dishes, but I got the Bueno Burger instead. This was by far the BEST vegetarian burger I have ever had. I can't even make them this good at home. It was the combination of sprouts, home-made dressing, and whole wheat bun. I'd go back to try something else. The vegan cake will make anyone rethink their attitude towards vegan and vegetarian foods. It's jam packed with flavors and oozes with chocolate. Pros: healthy, great food, ambience Cons: slow more

This is absolutly an Austin establishment. The food is always wonderful. Every time I go I try something new and I have never been disappointed. The Steamed Veggie Platter, my sound a little boring, but is exploding with flavor and very filling. Espically with the Tamari Cashew dressing. Definalty recommend to anyone. Pros: Food, Servie, Atmosphere more

This is absolutly an Austin establishment. The food is always wonderful. Every time I go I try something new and I have never been disappointed. The Steamed Veggie Platter, my sound a little boring, but is exploding with flavor and very filling. Espically with the Tamari Cashew dressing. Definalty recommend to anyone. Pros: Food, Servie, Atmosphere more

This is an excellent local resturant. They have a wonderful selection of vegetarian dishes. Dishes range from homecooked style, to Mexican, Itallian, and more. They have the best appitizers and desserts. Prices are around $7.00-$10.00 a dish, but well worth it for the quality. Most of the dishes are pretty healthy as well. more

This is a great place for a vegan since everything is labeled well and most things can be converted from vegetarian to vegan. The ambience is cozy, they are always busy, and the food is super tasty. I like trying something new each time I go, since they have such an extensive moderately priced menu I never have a hard time selecting. PROS: great vegan selection CONS: more

I'm not a Vegan/Vegetarian myself but I love Mothers. The food is delicious and you can't miss the Sunday brunch. Their Migas platter and Mimosas are a must have. For dinner I recommend the Mushroom Stroganoff. Delicious! I recommend this place highly. more

Awesome food: Spinach salad, cashew tamari dressing (can be bought for $4/bottle), chile relleno, enchiladas mole, complimentary chips and salsa, hibiscus mint tea (the best I've ever had), TLT, most of their soups, mushroom stroganoff Pros: Awesome food, Friendly staff, Great variety Cons: Sage mashed potatoes more

Awesome food: Spinach salad, cashew tamari dressing (can be bought for $4/bottle), chile relleno, enchiladas mole, complimentary chips and salsa, hibiscus mint tea (the best I've ever had), TLT, most of their soups, mushroom stroganoff Mediocre food: Bueno burger, BBQ tofu, sage mashed potatoes, guacamole I have eaten at Mother's a million times and I've never been disappointed. Although I have discovered a few things that are less appealing to me (as listed), the majority of their food is amazingly good and filling. The service has always been great, the garden is nice, and if you're feeling lazy you can call in your order and pick it up in fifteen or twenty minutes. Food is clearly marked as to whether or not it is vegan. I miss Mother's more than any other restaurant in Austin. Even my meat-loving dad liked it. Pros: Awesome food, Friendly staff, Great variety Cons: Sage mashed potatoes more

I love having lunch at Mothers Cafe. I am always amazed at how they can make ordinary vegetarian food taste so good. So far, I have enjoyed everything I ordered from their menu. They've also got great fresh squeezed orange juice. I would recommend eating in their garden. It just makes the whole experience fun. The prices are reasonable. I would highly recommend eating here. You will always feel healthy after eating here. more

Yes, some of the dishes are very bland....eg. peasant's meal, jamacan stir fry, chili melt. But it's vege and healthy, what do you expect? The pace of the place is slow, so service can be slow. But, for three years now, I've gone to Mother's to relax and not worry about having to find the one vege meal on the menu (I hate eating out at places with their "token" salad or vege burger, hello I need variety!). There's almost always some type of live musicial (guitar or harp) and we always get a seat in the garden with the soothing fountain. Give Mother's a try and with the right attitude it will be your favorite place in Austin! My carnivore husband orders Ravioli, Enchiladas (w/sauted veggies), or chili melt. Try ANY of the desserts, they are delish. Great place for a first date. Great for a bridesmaid brunch/lunch. Pros: veggie meal variety, music/fountain, relaxing Cons: slow pace, some items bland more