Week Four: Mother's Cafe & Garden

Texas barbecue. Known to be a highlight of traditional southern cuisine, Texas barbecue definitely lives up to its infamous reputation. With many cooking techniques, variations of sauces and meat styles Texas barbecue is one of a kind. Austin definitely does not lack a good barbecue meal. There are dozens of restaurants I could think of off the top of my head – The Salt Lick, Rudy’s, Stubb’s, Iron Works, and many more.

So, what’s the problem with dozens of restaurants that feature Texas barbecue? Try being a vegetarian. Vegetarianism and veganism have become increasingly popular trends within the United States. More websites, cookbooks, restaurants and such have been promoting vegetarian and vegan lifestyles.

Therefore, I felt it was my duty to go on a quest to find the best restaurant in Austin for those who live a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. After trying many vegetarian restaurants, I found the “mother” of all veggie cafes – Mother’s. Mother’s Café & Garden is located on 45^th and Duval.

At first when I pulled up to Mother’s I was not very impressed with the appearance, but let me be the first … actually probably not the first … to tell you appearances can be deceptive. What looks to be a“hole in the wall” place is now one of my favorite restaurants in Austin!

The outside of Mother's Cafe & Garden. Such an "Austin" place!

Photo by: Kate Kutilek

Once you walk into the building, you definitely can feel the Austin ambiance radiating from the décor, menu, and even the staff. It is very earthy, natural – definitely a typical vegetarian restaurant.

“Even though I’m not completely a vegetarian, Mother’s has great healthy options for anyone,” said Annika Hathaway, a sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin.

From soups, fruit trays, and quiche to enchiladas – Mother’s has a wide array of options for any health-nut. When I went I ordered a fruit tray to start off and spinach mushroom enchiladas for my meal. The fruit tray includes many types of fruit such as kiwi, banana, mango, oranges and berries all topped with currants and fresh grated coconut. My enchilada was filled with spinach, mushrooms, red onions and jack cheese topped with spicy cashew chipotle sauce. Yummy!

The spinach mushroom enchiladas I ordered with fresh guacamole on top.

Photo by: Kate Kutilek

Weekend brunch is served at Mother’s on Saturdays and Sundays. Here you can find a wide variety of healthy breakfast classics such as vegan whole-wheat pancakes or French toast. “When I went to mothers I ordered a spinach egg-white omelette for brunch with a side of fresh fruit,” Hathaway said.

“I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes natural, healthy foods,” Hathaway said while talking about Mother’s Cafe & Garden. 

Until my next adventure in the best city of Texas, Kate.