Love for Launderette

I love food, but I loathe waiting for food. Sitting outside in all kinds of Texas weather for a crowded two-top is pretty much my least favorite activity. But sometimes (and by sometimes I mean rarely) there is a restaurant worth the wait.

Launderette has been bustling since I moved across the street six months ago. Nonstop crowds sit on curbs, aluminum chairs, or park their luxury cars in front of my house as they pass the hour or so in queue. My neighbors shake their heads and put cones in their driveways, scoffing at the line. As I drove by to pick up my Saturday coffee, I couldn’t help but think that these hipsters and wealthy west-austinites were insane for venturing across town.

And then I joined the hipster foodie crowd waiting in line for brick chicken and crab toast. Launderette is worth the wait, and I’d say worth the drive too if I didn’t just walk across Robert Martinez to get there.

Eater Austin just named Launderette the best restaurant in Austin, and there’s good reason why.

The atmosphere is amazing; it reminds me of a blend of minimalist, Marfa, and the ‘hood. Launderette doesn’t try to hide its surroundings or be something its not; the aesthetic embraces Holly neighborhood and the food is fantastic. The lovechild of chefs Rene Ortiz and Laura Sawicki, Launderette brings flair and bold flavors to the table...literally.

You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but my personal favorites are the plancha burger, frites (with a mouth-watering aioli), crab toast, charred octopus, brussels sprouts, and brick chicken.

Bonus: Launderette has been working on a full brunch menu for a while now, and I thought it was a great offering. We sampled the duck hash, the always-yummy burger, and our go-to frites. The espresso drinks and mimosas were great also…Worth the wait.