2. Up For Brunch
Now for something completely different. A bright yellow eatery.
Up For Brunch opened Thanksgiving weekend 2021, and the immediate buzz was very positive. Manager Maddy Williams said, “We just didn’t think it was going to be in such high demand. Literally, everyone comes at the same time. We weren’t expecting that. We originally only opened for two days, but due to it being so popular—we weren’t expecting that—we’re open Friday to Monday now.”
What attracts those hordes of folks to the Texas Avenue address might be the yellow painted building, or the interior decorated with murals by a local artist, or even the vibe that Williams described as like Austin. But she said there’s something more attractive than that. “It’s good, quality food. It’s worth it.”
The Library on Fern
One of the newer entries on the local eatery scene is The Library on Fern. Don’t come in expecting to check out some Chaucer, but you can check out some of what owner Jessadair Moliter calls upscale casual dining.
“We started this in June [2021]. We didn’t open until the beginning of November for lunch. Then we were kind of a ghost kitchen at that time. We had no advertising; we had no signage.”
The restaurant is located in the Auto Mall area of Bert Kouns Industrial Loop.
“We were just going around to some of the local dealerships and doctors’ offices and passing out menus. A week before Thanksgiving we started actually serving in the restaurant. The day after Thanksgiving we started doing dinners.”
According to the restaurant’s website, you don’t have to worry about keeping your voice down in this library. “Friends and
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family are always welcome to hang out, catch up and enjoy delicious drinks and bites. Try our lunch special – the brisket burger – and send your taste buds on an adventure.”
Molitor describes the fare like this: “Our lunches are designed to be within the $10- $15 range. Quick serve. We use all fresh ingredients. All of our dressings and sauces
are made in-house. We have a lot of lunch specials. There is something different all the time. We have some of the best sandwiches and burgers in town.”
“We have a beautiful bar. We have a ton of high-end bourbons. Our well is a premium well. We do a lot of really nice cocktails, martinis that we’ve designed for our restaurant.”
If that’s not enticing enough for you, he also boasts a 20-tap, self-service beer wall as well as an extensive wine list by the glass and by the bottle.
Molitor also doesn’t have late fees for patrons who stay too long.
She said patrons take advantage of the brunch atmosphere to eat, sit, talk and enjoy themselves.
“Our vibes aren’t traditional local restaurant. We’re very different. We’re unique. Our food, it’s like gourmet brunch; we have quite a few flavors of mimosas, fair priced. Great signature dishes such as our brunch roll—it’s kind of a unique twist on an egg roll, but it’s filled with eggs, cheese, potatoes; you can get veggie, you can get meat.”
More menu items can be found at https://www.upforbrunch.com/menu-pdf. html.
Like the Up for Brunch Facebook page says: “Due to the rise in Covid, we are introducing ways to keep our staff and guests safe. On each table we have QR codes where you can scan/order/pay. Don’t worry if you have a flip phone, we still have the traditional printed menu for you.” And the patio is covered so patrons can enjoy their orders in the fresh air.
