Austin Java Company

I've enjoyed eating at Austin Java Company for almost two years now. The AJC on Lamar in Downtown Austin has several positive attributes: it has got good food, it is open 24-hours a day, and it has an interesting crowd. Nice food: favorites include the veggie plate with a cup of their African spicy peanut soup, hummus, black bean salsa, the veggie or mashed potato of the day, and tortilla chips. They have good hummus, which they also offer on a sandwich or as a dip. They have several pasta choices, including the indulgent mushroom pesto. Plus, their black-and-blue burger can be made with a veggie patty. Warning: their peanut soup may have chicken broth, so check with your server before ordering. Open 24 hours: I'm a computer programmer. Sometimes I keep very odd hours. I really like places open at 3AM. Only the AJC down on Lamar is open 24/7 right now; there are a couple of other locations, one up on 183 and another next to the Alamo Drafthouse called Austin's that keep shorter hours. Interesting crowd: I've never been to the Lamar location where there weren't other people around. Its mostly a student crowd; lots of people studying or chatting. It feels friendly, like a good coffeehouse. ($10)

Update (4 Oct 2000): it looks like their Austin's location next to the Alamo Draft House is out of business. They have expanded into Barton Creek Square Mall with a new location that opened earlier this summer.

Update (28 Aug 2001): The north location on 183 is now closed.

Update (25 Mar 2005): Updated to point to their website and note that their two locations are now the original Parkway spot and the former Pizza Nizza location on Barton Springs Road.