Joann's on South Congress serves vibrant Cali-Tex-Mex in a retro diner with a colorful patio, buzzing with solid cocktails and all-day brunch vibes.
"Joann’s on South Congress is part Tex-Mex restaurant and part American diner with a retro decor, lots of pastels, and a heavy reliance on theme and interior design à la Wes Anderson—all in the lobby of the Austin Motel. But that doesn’t mean that eating here is all show and no substance. Instead, you can expect to get tasty renditions of Tex-Mex classics, like green chicken enchiladas, barbacoa plates, and skirt steak fajitas. Just don’t be surprised when you also find green peas in your guacamole or soyrizo on your queso. " - nicolai mccrary, raphael brion
"Part American-inspired cafe, part Tex-Mex restaurant, Joann’s Fine Foods on South Congress Avenue is a retro-themed diner in the lobby of the Austin Motel from the same team behind Perla’s, June’s, and about a dozen other Austin businesses. During the week, you’ll have access to a pretty big menu of mostly Tex-Mex-inspired dishes, like enchiladas, huevos rancheros, and fajitas, plus a handful of more diner-y plates, like turkey clubs and patty melts (served with cotija fries). And on the weekends, there’s a special brunch menu that includes a lot of the same dishes, plus things like blue corn pancakes and a “breakfast chicken fried steak” plate that’s basically just the dinner version you know (and hopefully love) served with hashbrowns and fried eggs. Between the retro decor, heavy pastel accents, and a large straw awning on the patio, Joann’s kind of feels like a vaguely Tex-Mex restaurant that draws its inspiration from a Wes Anderson film. But despite relying heavily on theme and interior design, you can expect to get solid renditions of Tex-Mex and diner staples, just at prices that will very quickly remind you that you’re sitting right in the middle of one of the most trafficked parts of South Congress Avenue. photo credit: Holly Dirks photo credit: Holly Dirks photo credit: Holly Dirks photo credit: Holly Dirks photo credit: Holly Dirks" - Nicolai McCrary
"The Cali-Tex-Mex diner from McGuire Moorman Hospitality Group and Bunkhouse at the Austin Motel offers juices like pineapple with cilantro, green juice, and a watermelon agua fresca, with optional boozy shots." - Nadia Chaudhury
"The completely covered patio on South Congress features pretty multi-colored glass windows, easygoing cocktails, and good cake." - Nadia Chaudhury
"Melanie Haupt reviewed McGuire Moorman Hospitality Cali-Tex-Mex diner Joann’s for the Chronicle, and had high praise for all aspects of the experience except the food. Though she expected sticker shock from the South Congress restaurant at the Austin Motel, she didn’t find the food justified the price point. The common theme of Haupt’s visits seem to be mountains of food that ranged from forgettable to fine. The Bodega Sando came out with 'what looked like a lifetime supply of sprouts.' Her husband tried that much-talked-about $32 chicken fried steak, which she thought was a bit salty, but he enjoyed. The items Haupt enjoyed the most were the Swedish Hill Bakery’s sweet roll during brunch ('tender, moist, and appropriately slathered with gooey icing'), the flour tortillas, and the South of Fresno cocktail ('smoky and spicy-sweet, a pointed reminder that mezcal is almost never a bad idea'). She called the breakfast dishes 'unremarkable' with 'nondescript' migas and 'forgettable' banana-blueberry-coconut bread. What Haupt did like about the restaurant was the decor ('The commitment to the mid-century diner aesthetic was complete') and, questionably, the service. While she said she received top-notch service, she also pointed out being 'silently assessed a to-go fee' and finding a rubber band in her beans." - Erin Russell
