A Taste of Home: Luby’s Returns Downtown in a Cozy New Form

If you're craving that familiar taste of comfort food with a dash of nostalgia, your wish has come true. Luby’s, the beloved Texas cafeteria-style institution, has unveiled a fresh new spot in downtown Austin. Meet Austin Luby’s Café – Granger, located at 314 W. 11th St., Suite 163 inside the Travis County Ned Granger Administration Building, just blocks from the Capitol.

What’s On the Menu and the Vibe

The new downtown location is classified as a café, so it is smaller and more intimate than the full-scale restaurants many Texans grew up with. But the menu still offers the classics, including the iconic LuAnn Platter with an entrée, two sides, and a warm roll. Comfort food at an affordable price never goes out of style.

Hours are 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. for breakfast and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch, Monday through Friday. The café is closed on weekends. Workers downtown can also order through Luby’s To-Go or get delivery through Favor for an easy comfort food fix.

A Statewide Resurgence

Austin now has three Luby’s locations: the new downtown café plus two full-service restaurants on E. Anderson Lane and W. Slaughter Lane. Across Texas, there are about 40 locations still operating, which is good news for anyone who thought the chain’s story had ended.

The comeback is especially meaningful after the turbulence of recent years. In 2020, the company announced plans to liquidate. By mid-2021, however, businessman Calvin Gin stepped in and bought Luby’s, saving the brand from disappearing entirely.

Personal Reflections: A Salad Bar and Dad’s Treats

I can’t help but smile thinking back to my teenage years in Dallas. Luby’s wasn’t just a cafeteria, it was a cherished tradition. My dad would sometimes take us there on a lunch break from work, and those moments felt so special. I always looked forward to the salad bar, with its fresh veggies and endless combinations. The atmosphere was bustling and welcoming, and it made those family lunches unforgettable.

Seeing Luby’s open a cozy new café in downtown Austin brings those memories back. It feels like the tradition is alive again, ready for a new generation to discover what makes this Texas institution so special.

TL;DR: Why It Matters

• New downtown Austin spot: Austin Luby’s Café – Granger at 314 W. 11th St.
  
• Hours: Breakfast 7–10 a.m.; Lunch 11 a.m.–3 p.m.; Monday–Friday
  
• Ordering Options: Pick-up through Luby’s To-Go or delivery via Favor
  
• Menu: Classics like the LuAnn Platter are still here
  

Personal Connection: For many Texans, including me, Luby’s is more than food. It is family and tradition.

Photo credit: Luby's