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Mothers Cafe & Garden

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4215 Duval St (at Park Boulevard)
Austin, TX 78751

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(512) 893-6872
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Mothers Cafe & Garden - Austin, TX
Mothers Cafe & Garden - Austin, TX
Mothers Cafe & Garden - Austin, TX
Mothers Cafe & Garden - Austin, TX
Mothers Cafe & Garden - Austin, TX
Mothers Cafe & Garden - Austin, TX
Mothers Cafe & Garden - Austin, TX
Reviews
( 38 )
( 19 )
( 10 )
( 18 )
( 10 )

Best

Upon moving to Austin 2 years ago, we decided to try out the closest vegetarian restaurant to our house, Mother's Cafe. It was AMAZING. Since then, we have gone back at least 2 ti...

Worst

The food at Mother's is to die for. I'm not a vegetarian, but I don't eat much meat, and I love the selection at Mother's. From the stir-fry to the lasanga to the chile relleno,...

Give Mother's a Try! 9/3/2005

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. Pros: veggie meal variety, music/fountain, relaxing Cons: slow pace, some items bland more
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Awesome food and service 6/26/2005

I just recently turned vegan and recently moved to Austin and I must say that Mother's Cafe was a very pleasant experience. I went with my whole family(of 6) and so I got to try a number of dishes. Out of all the dishes we chose I loved the Bueno Burger the most. Its great. The vegan soup of the day - potato cilantro was very flavourful too. My family also loved the mexican corn soup and the jamican stir fry. The peasants meal and spaghetti with marinara(can't remember the name of that dish) were so-so! For dessert the vegan choc fudge cake is YUM! Pros: lot of vegan choice, service Cons: none more
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Awesome food and service 6/26/2005

I just recently turned vegan and recently moved to Austin and I must say that Mother's Cafe was a very pleasant experience. I went with my whole family(of 6) and so I got to try a number of dishes. Out of all the dishes we chose I loved the Bueno Burger the most. Its great. The vegan soup of the day - potato cilantro was very flavourful too. My family also loved the mexican corn soup and the jamican stir fry. The peasants meal and spaghetti with marinara(can't remember the name of that dish) were so-so! For dessert the vegan choc fudge cake is YUM! Pros: lot of vegan choice, service Cons: none more
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Disappointment 3/20/2005

Since moving to Austin, all Ive heard is how great Mother's is. Ive been several times now. I find the bland food-mostly flavored with lemon and tamari, over priced and unappetizing. I've gone back for brunch, because the vegan pancakes are excellent. We've never had problems being seated and the staff is always great. The harpist is a nice touch, but the garden room desparately needs a makeover and better, more appropriate for a green house art. B/c of the digusting excuse for 2 reuben sandwiches that were slopped into to-go boxes with literally a cup of melted soy cheese poured on top of 2 buns with pickles, saurkraut, and sprouts buried underneath, I wont be returning. For $15 dollars, We could have had a much better lunch, and I wont be wasting my time or $ at Mother's again. Pros: staff, dessert, pancakes Cons: everything else more
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Disappointment 3/20/2005

Since moving to Austin, all Ive heard is how great Mother's is. Ive been several times now. I find the bland food-mostly flavored with lemon and tamari, over priced and unappetizing. I've gone back for brunch, because the vegan pancakes are excellent. We've never had problems being seated and the staff is always great. The harpist is a nice touch, but the garden room desparately needs a makeover and better, more appropriate for a green house art. B/c of the digusting excuse for 2 reuben sandwiches that were slopped into to-go boxes with literally a cup of melted soy cheese poured on top of 2 buns with pickles, saurkraut, and sprouts buried underneath, I wont be returning. For $15 dollars, We could have had a much better lunch, and I wont be wasting my time or $ at Mother's again. Pros: staff, dessert, pancakes Cons: everything else more
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My favorite vegetarian 3/16/2005

Every meal at Mother's is a delight. I have always received friendly, efficient service, and the food is excellent. The cashew-tamari salad dressing is the best I've ever had, and the entrees are always great. Even my carnivore boyfriend loves it. Highly recommended! Pros: great food, salads, healthy Cons: little parking more
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My favorite vegetarian 3/16/2005

Every meal at Mother's is a delight. I have always received friendly, efficient service, and the food is excellent. The cashew-tamari salad dressing is the best I've ever had, and the entrees are always great. Even my carnivore boyfriend loves it. Highly recommended! Pros: great food, salads, healthy Cons: little parking more
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Excellent Food and Atmosphere 7/16/2004

My wife and I loved the environment and feel of this restaurant. The outdoor garden and fountain are very nice. We happened to go when there was a man playing the harp, which really created an excellent atmosphere. So far it has been the best restaurant I have visited since living in Austin. The only thing I did not like was the server took a long time to finally take our order. Another waiter passed our table five times and didn't bother to ask whether someone had taken care of us or not. Finally, when our waiter showed up, he didn't seem to be too friendly (i.e., he never smiled). If it weren't for the harp, the garden and the fountain, I would have made a big fuss. But the food was absolutely delicious! Pros: Atmosphere, Delicious food, Wasn't too busy more
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Excellent Food and Atmosphere 7/16/2004

My wife and I loved the environment and feel of this restaurant. The outdoor garden and fountain are very nice. We happened to go when there was a man playing the harp, which really created an excellent atmosphere. So far it has been the best restaurant I have visited since living in Austin. The only thing I did not like was the server took a long time to finally take our order. Another waiter passed our table five times and didn't bother to ask whether someone had taken care of us or not. Finally, when our waiter showed up, he didn't seem to be too friendly (i.e., he never smiled). If it weren't for the harp, the garden and the fountain, I would have made a big fuss. But the food was absolutely delicious! Pros: Atmosphere, Delicious food, Wasn't too busy more
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Great food but only okay service. 7/3/2004

As a vegan, I was very excited about eating at Veg restaurants in Austin (a city I'm very new to). I was surprisingly pleased with the tasty vegan dishes served at Mother's and even more surprised with the vast variety for me to choose from. The desserts are wonderful too! I think their garden is such a beautiful place to eat in. The only downfall to this awesome restaurant is the staff people. They, during each of the many visits, have been unfriendly and in some cases flat out rude. If not for the poor service, I would recommend this restaurant to everyone. Pros: Vast Vegan Selection, Great Food, Beautiful Garden Cons: , Poor Service, Okay restrooms more
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Great food but only okay service. 7/3/2004

As a vegan, I was very excited about eating at Veg restaurants in Austin (a city I'm very new to). I was surprisingly pleased with the tasty vegan dishes served at Mother's and even more surprised with the vast variety for me to choose from. The desserts are wonderful too! I think their garden is such a beautiful place to eat in. The only downfall to this awesome restaurant is the staff people. They, during each of the many visits, have been unfriendly and in some cases flat out rude. If not for the poor service, I would recommend this restaurant to everyone. Pros: Vast Vegan Selection, Great Food, Beautiful Garden Cons: , Poor Service, Okay restrooms more
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Not really like "my mom's" cooking! 1/30/2004

It's so nice to have vegetarian restaurants around! I think this place is relaxing and unique... I love the patio... try the lasagne... mmmmmm! more
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Not really like "my mom's" cooking! 1/30/2004

It's so nice to have vegetarian restaurants around! I think this place is relaxing and unique... I love the patio... try the lasagne... mmmmmm! more
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Mother, Are You Listening? 1/19/2004

This place needs a new menu like nobody's business--hasn't changed since I moved here in 1999. And except for the lasagna and salad, I've been extremely disappointed with everything I've ordered: I, too, can slap BBQ sauce on a slab of tofu and bake it--and I'd choose a tastier sauce; any store-bought veggie sausage is better than theirs; and the sage mashed potatoes taste weird, weird, weird. I have visited the world of Vegan and Vegetarian Cuisine, and this menu is but a shoddy rendition of all that this world has to offer. I just wish Austinites would get Mother's to be as good as it can be--we need good vegan soul food here! Mother, I wanna love you. Pros: ambience Cons: food, food, food more
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Mother, Are You Listening? 1/19/2004

This place needs a new menu like nobody's business--hasn't changed since I moved here in 1999. And except for the lasagna and salad, I've been extremely disappointed with everything I've ordered: I, too, can slap BBQ sauce on a slab of tofu and bake it--and I'd choose a tastier sauce; any store-bought veggie sausage is better than theirs; and the sage mashed potatoes taste weird, weird, weird. I have visited the world of Vegan and Vegetarian Cuisine, and this menu is but a shoddy rendition of all that this world has to offer. I just wish Austinites would get Mother's to be as good as it can be--we need good vegan soul food here! Mother, I wanna love you. Pros: ambience Cons: food, food, food more
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Wanna Like It... 11/15/2003

I really want to like Mother's; it's vege, it's in my neighborhood; it's friendly. I've eaten there almost ten times now, every time hoping that I will find my Mother love. No dice. It's not the staff, or the ambiance, or the service or anything like that. That' s all good. Unfortunately, it's the food. Way too salty, and yet at the same time totally bland. It's a bizarre accomplishment. Sometimes the food is downright nast. I got a soy patty for breakfast once, man was that thing sickazoid. And I like me some soy, don't get me wrong. Not sure whose Mama she is, but Mother's needs a refresher course in dishing it out. PS: Rumor says that the rachero sauce is actually prego's original. Mother ain't no Mamacita, that's for darn sure. Sorry, Mother's. Tough Love. Pros: nice folks, good service, good location Cons: food, food, food more
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Wanna Like It... 11/15/2003

I really want to like Mother's; it's vege, it's in my neighborhood; it's friendly. I've eaten there almost ten times now, every time hoping that I will find my Mother love. No dice. It's not the staff, or the ambiance, or the service or anything like that. That' s all good. Unfortunately, it's the food. Way too salty, and yet at the same time totally bland. It's a bizarre accomplishment. Sometimes the food is downright nast. I got a soy patty for breakfast once, man was that thing sickazoid. And I like me some soy, don't get me wrong. Not sure whose Mama she is, but Mother's needs a refresher course in dishing it out. PS: Rumor says that the rachero sauce is actually prego's original. Mother ain't no Mamacita, that's for darn sure. Sorry, Mother's. Tough Love. Pros: nice folks, good service, good location Cons: food, food, food more
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good food, bad service 4/29/2003

The food at Mother's is to die for. I'm not a vegetarian, but I don't eat much meat, and I love the selection at Mother's. From the stir-fry to the lasanga to the chile relleno, it's all good...except for the service, which is phenomenomally horrific. You can easily wait 30 minutes before getting a seat in the restaurant--when it's half-empty! And you could die of thirst before a waitperson notices you're there! I recommend ordering to go, or having the experience ruined by the staff. more
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good food, bad service 4/29/2003

The food at Mother's is to die for. I'm not a vegetarian, but I don't eat much meat, and I love the selection at Mother's. From the stir-fry to the lasanga to the chile relleno, it's all good...except for the service, which is phenomenomally horrific. You can easily wait 30 minutes before getting a seat in the restaurant--when it's half-empty! And you could die of thirst before a waitperson notices you're there! I recommend ordering to go, or having the experience ruined by the staff. more
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this place kicks ass 12/18/2002

I've been going to Mother's Cafe since I was 4, and it's still my favorite restaurant!! I recently turned Vegan, and they have THE BEST vegan chocolate cake!!! My friend was skeptical about the meatless dishes, until she tried the spinach enchiladas...now it's her favorite restaurant too :) I recommend the black bean nachos, quesadillas, and their smoothies are the best I've ever tasted!! Definitely go for lunch though instead of dinner...the small portions won't fill you up if you're looking for a hearty meal. Pros: pleasant atmosphere, good date spot, good vegetarian food Cons: HORRIBLE parking, often crowded more
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Menu for Mothers Cafe & Garden


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Local favorite serves vegetarian fare so good, you'll never miss the meat.

Owner Message

  • Mother's Cafe & Garden serves delicious, fresh vegetarian meals in a warm, friendly atmosphere. We feature only the highest quality ingredients in our individually prepared dishes, and you'll taste the difference! Most of our dishes are - or can easily be prepared -Vegan. Our broad appeal--to everyone from non-vegetarians and out-of-town visitors to people who just love good food--has made us one of Austin's most popular restaurants since 1980. Voted "Best Vegetarian Restaurant" in the Austin Chronicle Readers Poll every year since they started the voting!!

Editorial

  • In Short
    Whether you're a vegetarian or not, Mother's Cafe is a destination. The large booths and sounds of clinking flatware give the ambience of a well-established diner with the fresh...

  • 9/22/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Fri 11:15am-10pm Sat-Sun 10am-10pm
  • Payments: Discover, Diner's Club, Visa, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: Hancock, Central Austin
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