Lou's Barton Springs

Food was good. Happy Hour was fun. Wait staff was fast and attentive. Pretty casual place. Order by QR Code. This location has garage parking which makes it ideal for this area. If I could change one thing it would be to be able to keep the tab open instead of closing it each time we order drinks. Otherwise, my friends and I enjoyed this location.

Probably the most bland food I have ever had. Overpriced fries that taste like cardboard. The burgers have sloppy fatty cuts that are bland as can be. The queso tastes like water and has the consistency of water. The “Parmesan” fries are normal fries with the lightest sprinkle of cheese on it. I never had such poor food in Austin. Everything is self serve and you still are asked to tip. Never coming back here again.

The food was mostly meh, but there was no wait for a table on a Sunday afternoon, and the patio atmosphere was lovely. It’s open seating, and ordering through the QR was easy. My thoughts on each menu item we ordered: • chips & queso - bare minimum honestly. I wouldn’t order again. • pulled chicken sandwich - it was okay. I expected tastier flavors. • fries - bland • chicken tenders - now these were moist and tasty. • frozen custard - I got mine with Swedish Hill cookie crumbles and it was delicious! So much so that I’ll probably hit up Swedish Hill soon for their cookies. If I go back, I’d get a salad, chicken tenders, and absolutely the frozen custard with cookie crumbles. No need to waste my time on appetizers or sides.

I went to this lovely place on an unexpected date over my weekend in Austin. This humble burger was quite tasty! It was really satisfying, the burger was well cooked and seasoned, and the sauce was just right. Additionally, the staff was incredibly nice, polite, and efficient. The dining experience was excellent in general and the prices were reasonable for the area. One thing that stood out was the ability to order food from the QR code on the table, really efficient!

Lou’s at Barton Creek has quickly become one of our favorite spots to bring the family. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, and it’s perfect whether we’re grabbing a quick bite or hanging out for a while after a walk on the trail. There’s always plenty of parking (which is rare in Austin!), and ordering couldn’t be easier—you just scan the QR code at your table and order from your phone. Everything comes out fast and hot, and the food is consistently great. It’s super family-friendly, too. Our toddler loves running around the outdoor space, and we love being able to sit back with a cold drink and enjoy the laid-back vibe. We’ve been dozens of times and it never disappoints. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a casual, easy, and delicious spot in the area.

This is a great and inexpensive place on Barton Springs. The burgers are fantastic as are the fries (all of em) the rotisserie potatoes and salads. I haven't had a bad meal yet. However on Wed a run club does meet there, making an annoying crowd, for the patrons. Parking is easy. If you have a big vehicle park down the road and walk however if you have a smaller one parking in the garage is great and they comp the parking. The servers are great but you do order online, so use a CC. In short this is a great place sure to become an Austin staple. Give it a whirl.

So, i will say the fried chicken was was fresh and crispy. The rest of the food, not so much. And drinks appear to come from the local convenience store. With a healthy markup. And, fairly sure the "Ranch Dressing" was just seasoned milk.. Somebody's kinda place obviously, not mine. Other than that, this is a wannabe McDonald's without their own kiosks. Though, for the prices I would think they could afford servers. You order and pay on your phone. Got questions about the food? You'll figure it out when ya get it. From what I could find you'll pay with the card in your digital wallet or else, no other options. If it presented itself as a fast food joint I could have had more realistic expectations.

Prices seem reasonable until you realize they don't include any extras. That's ok, the menu is clear. One of us enjoyed his falafel burger but my pulled chicken sandwich had very little filling and lots of bread. The flavor was good but quality control lacking - 5 pieces of gristle in one sandwich? Tips are due as you order (newer trend we dislike) so no way to grade food at the end of the meal. Servers were great, and brought water for our thirsty dogs.

Best salads in Austin. I keep going back. Even take out is great! Would recommend every time,

Great spot for a quick bite. Their outdoor deck is great and ordering is a breeze. My advice is - wings - tenders - comeback sauce - fried pickles Do not get - burger: over cooked and dry - pulled chicken sandwich: flavorless

The order process is ABOMIDABLE!!! After trapping you in a garage, you will need half an hour to figure out how to build your drink and order. No escape till you tip for the order you did the work on. I SINCERELY HOPE THIS PLACE GOES OUT OF BUSINESS SOON!

Love Lou's for a casual dining spot! I've been a couple times and I like the vibe. There's plenty of outdoor seating which is what I prefer and the staff here are very attentive, cleaning up tables quickly. I also like how they provide a doggy water bowl when you bring a pet with you. In terms of the food, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu but my fav has to be the rotisserie chicken. I'm not usually a rotisserie fan but this one blew me away with the flavor and tenderness of the chicken. It's done to perfection! Also really love the roasted potatoes with the garlic confit. So delicious and I will keep coming back!

I'll start off by saying this can be a solid spot for some sports viewing, especially if you're interested in viewing sports in an environment that is less like the loud and grungy sports bar vibe. (Which, of course, I don't mind) A good amount of space (indoor, outdoor, and even in the back "treehouse" room) with ample TVs, and a solid menu. You'll find on the menu your traditional bar options like burgers, chicken wings, and chips and queso, but also some unexpected options like hot chicken, piri piri rotisserie, sandwiches and dense salads. We went for the buttermilk crispy chicken (bone-in) to snack on, with a side of piri piri. I'd say it's similar to a chimichurri. I'm a fan! On second thought, would suggest piri piri for the rotisserie, rather than fried chicken. Chips and Queso were also top notch. Using tostadas, instead of flimsy thin chips, was a plus. Not sure what all goes into the queso, but it was for sure tasty and the cut green onions were a nice touch. Service was great! If you're a UConn fan, most viewing parties will be found in the treehouse.

This place simply wins on location. Service is lackluster - basically non existent. Their happy hour on wings is a good deal - not sure we'd return to pay full price for this food.

This was my first time going to this Lou's location, although I've been to the location on the east side many times before. The menu is similar but has a couple small difference here and there. The most notable is the lack of frozen margs at this location. I highly recommend the spicy cucumber ranch water, which is very refreshing and tastes like a slightly less sweet marg. The wine selection is also great. My go at the other Lou's has always been the giant salads or the burgers. The sandwiches are good as well, but a little less exciting than the burgers and salads. I was a little dismayed to find little pieces of chicken bones in my salad this time, but once they picked them out, the rest of the salad was pretty solid. Definitely keep an eye out for the happy hour schedule (weekdays 4-6) and the specials on Mon-Tues-Wed! The free underground parking here is also a nice plus.

A happy hour go-to for me! $25/pitchers (normally $50 which is insane) and $9.50 for a dozen wings with your choice of 2 sauces. Drive into the parking garage, walk inside and seat yourself. Scan the QR code on the table (if you don't have service, Wi-Fi is listed at each table). Order and enjoy! Once you're done, grab a parking validation ticket on your way out

Tastyyyy oh my. You walk in and sit wherever you like and order through at QR code. This is kinda nice cause you won't have any interruptions but I also like being able to ask the server what they recommend. I always feel weird about tipping at places like this without a true server but I thought of it more as a bar level tip. The ambiance is pretty chill and I enjoyed the vibe. They validate parking for the garage. I got the cheese burger with bacon and DAMN it is a good burger. I think the price is reasonable for the quality. Got the Paloma to drink and it was delicious. They have patio seating and plenty of space inside. Definitely recommend trying it out if you're in the area. Overall a great experience.

Bomb Ass Chicken Wings!! Freaking loved them. Burgers were Okay Cold beer & cocktails were great. Almost No Service whatsoever. Everything is done using your phone. So if for some reason you dont have a phone; then recommend you sit at the bar because No Waitstaff is coming to check on you... lol Awesome location! Great place to sit and people watch!

Such a sad time at Lou's today. I usually love coming here for the reverse happy hour and we showed up for it this evening to celebrate my friends birthday and they no longer have it!! It stinks that this is no longer around, it was a great deal, and honestly the pitchers are half ice so NOT worth it for full price at $50. Service was terrible this evening. It was really unfortunate because the manager was very kind, but the person we interested with the most / server even though you can only do a QR code was very rude to us. She was not pleasant and made a hassle / fuss when we asked a couple questions. Really unfortunate when we came to have a celebration that this happened. I don't think I will be coming back to Lou's for a little while sadly, time to find a new nightly hh!

Another MML joint. Another place where YOU do almost all the work, but are expected to tip, starting at 20% minimum. Order your food from QR code, get your own water& flatware, get up and go to the bar if you need another drink. The staff, when you *do* see them, think they're too good for the place. Well, you know what... maybe I am, too

Bright clean place. You order with your phone. The waitstaff did come over to make sure I knew how to order and then checked back later to see if we needed anything. The watermelon margarita was amazing! Loved the Brussels sprouts as an appetizer and enjoyed the rest. My husband said the slaw was really refreshing.

Food was very very good. Had rotisserie chicken which was fantastic; Szechuan lemon pepper wings - nice and crispy, not too much sauce, amazing blue cheese dressing; rotisserie chicken salad - delicious; and brussel sprouts which were to die for. Custard wasn't that great, but edible, just not as creamy as I'm used to for custard. Only gripe is lack of service attention. Perfectly pleasant when they delivered food, but had to wait for next food items to come to ask for extra napkins, box for leftovers, didn't get water refills. It's a huge pet peeve to not clear plates, refill drinks, etc and then have the lowest tip option be 20%. For what??? That is the type of tip for someone who takes you order (all orders are done through an app), refills drinks, checks on you a few times, etc.

Ordered lemon pepper wings and the taste of salt dominated my palate. It was off putting and confusing to say the least..

Lou's is one of my recent favorites in Austin right now! The food is consistently delicious! Their jalapeño burger really hit the spot and I highly recommend that to anyone who loves a little spice. The Brussels sprouts were also delicious but I just wish they were a little crispier. The chicken is absolutely cooked to PERFECTION and the right amount of crispy. I also love a classic custard so you can't go wrong there. The service is pretty great too! I really enjoy sitting out on the patio and watching the sunset especially on one of these hot summer nights while enjoying a late dinner. I can't wait to go back and try some more of the menu

Fun place. Love the burgers and chicken. Good HH and 3 hours free validated parking! Good cocktails and draft beer for those hot summer days.

Menu options that are just as delicious as they are affordable! My belly is happy and my heart is full. DON'T SLEEP ON LOU'S!

This place made a great first impression. Rotisserie chicken was absolutely delicious, especially loved the seasoning on the outside. The chicken doesn't need a sauce however, the green sauce is too good not to get. And if you are a buffalo sauce, fan, the fried chicken sandwich with that sauce is lights out one of the best chicken sandwiches I've ever had. And don't sleep on the fries, they had the perfect level of crispiness while still being a slightly thicker fry. I will definitely be back to this place! I even had some leftovers that were just has good the next day. Highly recommend this place for something that is a little unique and a great price.

Yummy, clean, and fresh (fast) food. Casual dine in -our- out chill space. Lots of veggie options that do not disappoint. I do have to be honest, the pay upfront with a number before finding a table and then having to order drinks separately at the bar is kinda annoying.

Was at Lou's with my running group on Saturday late morning; We've been to Lou's several times; had to sit inside because the patio was very loud; difficult to talk because of noise level from games on TV. Breakfast selections are minimalist. Had the breakfast burrito which was very mediocre; tasted like a low quality reheated frozen burrito. Coffee (drip and Americano) is very weak, almost like a dark tea. Service is not very good. Perhaps if you go to Lou's to have a burger, drinking at 11AM and watching a UT game it might be ok.

Staff very unfriendly, not sure why they got the UFC fight that ended at midnight when they close at 11.

I think the best part of my experience here was being with friends so we can all experience this place together. Firstly, we were confused about the ordering system. We are all decently smart people (well not all of us. We have someone in our group that thinks burgers are better than tacos - they are obviously dumb. Anyways...). We didn't know if we were supposed to order at the counter or the table, and then how to get our drinks. The process was confusing. When it comes to the food, it was the most basic food possible. The fries were decent because of the amount of seasoning, so that was bearable. But the burger was nothing special at all. I only ate it because I already spent the money on it. But if they would have let me return it for a full refund after the first bite, I absolutely would have.

Love how fresh this place is! If you like Brussels you must try these , so flavorful and delicious

Food was great. Hamburger and Onion rings were the best I've had in a while. Service was good too.

We almost didn't come in here because it didn't have 4 stars, but I'm glad we did! It was very yummy! We had a whole fried chicken (yum!) with Brussels sprouts and onion rings and it was delish!!! Drinks and beer were great. The only bummer is having to order through the QR code which didn't work for our phone. Other than that it was great!

Food is really expensive here, to be honest I don't think it's worth the price but food was decent. Also fyi we have to order our own food through our phone (beware default tip is 22%).

Low-key, casual interior. The food is delicious. They have a QR code ordering system (no wait service) that is pretty glitchy -- it also doesn't automatically apply any of the happy hour deals and is generally clunky. I'd give this place 5 stars if they didn't cheap out on having actual service.

Drinks are good but pricey. Wings were really good. Nice atmosphere. Did not like the ordering process through the QR code. Staff is nice. Probably capable of taking orders! The QR code ONLY should go. Customers need to relax when they go out and get service, not do it ALL themselves. I'd say ditch the QR ordering and be aware of your high drink prices for such a casual place.

The service at Lou's Barton Springs has really gone down recently. In particular, no one seems to manage the front counter/bar. When I mentioned this to Lindey the last time I was there, she was incredibly rude and basically called me a liar. I live across the street on Barton Springs and used to come here once or twice a week, but I won't be coming back if Lindey is still there. Also, several of my neighbors mentioned the same thing. So sad, since I used to used to really like coming to this place.

A Great spot to meet up for the Springs. Food service was quick and fresh minutes after ordering online. I have to say they serve A Bomb Miche! The restaurant gives a cafe tree house vibe due to being built around a tree trunk. But, overall the atmosphere was nice to have a conversation when the drinks just keeps coming.

My Wife and I attend ACL (Austin City Limits) Music Festival. Visiting from California. We were looking for somewhere good to eat and nothing was immediately coming up on Yelp. While driving around we found Lou's open and welcoming. Hailey greeted us from the register. We asked her recommendations and she shared her favorites. I told her order me what you want as I'm good to try anything once. She ordered me a breakfast taco with eggs, potatoes, bacon, cheese, and pico. She had such a great attitude and was so happy and eager to get us something yummy. The food was great the patio sitting was perfect. Nice breeze and got to people watch a bit. We will definitely be back to Lou's when in Austin.

Checked out Lou's for an early dinner around 6PM. Plenty of open seating at that time and we sat outside. It is a fun and casual vibe. It is counter service so you order first then go pick up your food when your buzzer goes off. I really enjoyed my burger. Yes, it's just a standard burger but fresh ingredients, very big portion too. A friend ordered parmesan fries and they were crispy and tasty. The frozen custard is soooo good, happy to go back just for that. Lou's is a great spot in a central location. I love that they validate parking in the garage. Prices are in line with that area.

Stopped by on the way to ACL for breakfast tacos. Super tasty. Tacos: Bacon, Egg, and Cheese - 4/5 Brisket, Egg, and Cheese - 4/5 Fun spot. Super friendly staff. Delicious tacos.

Although we enjoyed ourselves, the entire ordering process was confusing. While I was waiting to order, another customer had no idea where to go. The roasted Brussels sprouts were delicious, the half rotisserie chicken was moist, and the sauces were great. Based on what a lot of people ordered, we will likely opt for salads next time. The sangria was mostly ice, and the margarita gave me heartburn, so beer and wine are the way to go.

3.5*/5, Sitting on the patio here in a lazy Sunday afternoon I almost forgot I was in Austin of 2022. This patio covered with Astro turf and picnic tables and is great for people watching. Barton Springs road even with all the gentrified condo complexes still has a that old Austin vibe; laid back with a few eccentric street people walking up and down the street. As for the food, the chicken rotisserie was good and I enjoyed the peri peri dipping sauce. A half chicken is good enough for 2. The Brussels sprouts were a little too sweet and the potatoes were ok and could be softer, we opted for a pitcher of rose sangria which had too much ice. The margaritas were ok but not very strong; the Tajin was nice touch There's also a covered patio at back which I missed. The indoor seating didn't seem that good more like a cafeteria and the line to order can back up quickly.

Returning for breakfast, I must say I was very disappointed. I purchased four tacos, each priced at $6. They were nearly inedible due to the amount of grease. I held up one taco and had grease running down my arm.

Salad was a great, healthy option but the price for a chicken salad was not justified.

Casual restaurant with delicious food. I particularly love their salads, which are quite filling and delicious. Their hamburgers and fries are also very tasty. Great hangout spot in the summer. Cute indoor and outdoor sitting spaces and ample free parking in the back.

Deja vu, but when it comes to Austin restaurant buildings that used to house other establishments you used to frequent. I'm sure it happens a lot in other cities but with Austin's market, and the pandemic, the odds are higher. I'll give the Lou's folks credit, they updated the building with a healthy respect for its long-standing character, preferring to work with the existing themes as opposed to destroying them and pushing a sanitized version. The people at the counter are always nice, friendly and accommodating, consistently, to the point I need to call it out. The food, for the most part, has been excellent every time. The chicken is always spectacular, nothing bad to say there. The crispy skin, juicy meat and assorted dipping sauces are a treat. The Greek salad today was surprisingly good--I say it facetiously since I'm not a salad guy. The potatoes were a good pairing and the brussel sprouts had a nice flavor to them. The only critiques are for the brussel sprouts and the music. While tasty, they were a little on the undercooked side, maybe more than a little. The music just seemed to be chasing some vibe that didn't fit and nobody was asking for. It brought me back to the 90s, as it reminded me of an outside patio of a Night at the Roxbury type of night club, with their DJ's music blaring outside, annoying the poor souls trying to escape the nauseous Hugo Boss/Drakkar/CK One smells and dudes gyrating to This is the Rhythm of the Night. All said though, four stars, very good.

I like sitting outside here in the perfect Austin weather but the food is very mediocre here. The pulled chicken sandwich was highly recommended but there wasn't much meat and it was so bland. The bread was very dry too. The brussel sprouts were good though.

Great spot to eat. My running group and I come here every Saturday and the food is delicious. Reasonably priced and inside is always clean and well kept. The breakfast sandwich is delicious but my friends got the omelette which also looked excellent. Right near Barton springs so even if you want to catch something to eat after a swim, I highly recommend! They have other things on their menu too which I look forward to trying. Staff is nice and caring.

Just know that you order from your phone and pay in advance to include tip which automatically defaults to 23%. We went here for lunch on New Years Eve. Non-alcoholic drinks are $3 and include canned drinks and 6 oz of iced tea which there are no refills on tea. The only time I ever saw a waiter was when they brought out the food. Otherwise you are on your own to get your own water, sweetener etc. Good luck if you have a problem with your meal. The food is okay. Definitely not something I'd purposely go and eat. The fried chicken is okay- ordered the 5 piece and it comes served on wonder bread white bread with a couple of spicy pickles. The chicken tenders were a hit. The burger was large and very good. Skip the Greek salad, it's not great. Overall, not impressed with their food or service. Good thing this place is in Austin because the pay and tip before anything is served would not work in any other city.

The food was pretty good. I had a burger and fries, which were standard burger and fries. My friend had a BLT which he said was "very very good." So, no complaints there. You seat yourself, and, since it wasn't busy, this was easy. Then, you scan a bar code to get the menu and order on your phone. There is no 5G service there, so the menu was slow to download on a weak 4G signal. There was a Lou's Guest Wifi, but no signs to indicate the password to get onto the wifi. All of this takes place with no interaction with the people who work there. When placing your order, you pre-pay. This includes a tip. I should have put zero and then put cash on the table after, because, when you prepay for service, you get no service. The tip is supposed to be a reward for excellent service, at least that's how I was raised. Anyway, the ordering screen defaults to a 22% tip, with choices for 20% and 25%. Tipflation is really bugging me since the pandemic, but that's my issue. I chose 20%, because no one seated us, no one took our order, no one came around to answer questions about the menu or make recommendations, no one told us the wifi password. It didn't take long for the food to come out, and someone did serve it to us. She also gave us a thing to get out of the parking garage for free. That was our one and only interaction with the staff. It lasted less than 30 seconds, and that's what I got for my $7.58 tip. They never came back to check on how the food was. They never asked if we needed anything else. When my ice tea was empty, I did get a refill, but had to walk my glass over to the bar to get it. It was a 12 ounce glass, so it didn't last long either. The restaurant is nice and clean, airy and comfortable. I liked the atmosphere. I'm sure the location has expensive rent, so I'm not surprised the meals were over $20 each for simple food. The one thing they could improve, and it needs a LOT of improvement, is the service. While the staff were friendly, this was 99% a self-service experience. Food: 4/5 | Service: 1/5 | Atmosphere: 5/5

The food at Lous was outstanding, we got the burger and fries which seemed to be their bread and butter, along with an Oreo shake. It was all super delicious and for Austin 11 dollars for a burger is not to bad. The reason for removing a star is the way you order, it's a QR code restaurant with no front of house whatsoever which made for a very clunky ordering process and the big question every patron seemed to have "Do you tip?" Overall amazing food with the only shortcoming being the quirks of their business model.

Food was delivered quickly and delicious. You do need to order and pay on your phone which is efficient but strange at first. I would recommend this place! Indoor and outdoor seating - there is also a screened in porch. Cute decor.

Hate ordering on my phone. Why would I go to a restaurant to order from my phone. It degrading to humanity. Especially when someone is standing behind the counter doing nothing. No thanks. I'll never eat here again. The food is good.

The front hostess attendant was fantastic. We were served quickly and our interactions with the staff were amazing. The location was clean, bright, and seemed very sanitary. Pretty decent prices on most things, but this isn't your local dive bar for cheap beer. I would recommend this place!

Newest addition to the Barton Springs dining scene. Have to say I was pretty skeptical this place would be good since I thought Ski Shores before this was just fine. I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in to see the makeover MML had done. Scattered throughout inside are old photos of Austin's glory days but the outside was most impressive part the screened patio with a legit tree built into it! The food is pretty standard and ordering is easy when you walk in just go to the counter and they give you a buzz when it's ready. Nothing to really write home about but def just good classic American food like burgers, fries, chicken with some vegetarian options but they did have a decent frozen cocktail list which is great for the summer time. Noticed they also had a breakfast menu so would be open to trying them out again next time I'm heading to Barton Springs. Will say prices are a little bit on the higher side and they don't really offer any service so those would be my only complaints.