Customer Reviews of Lux Bakery & Cafe

"I love the tofu sandwich here... My favorite sandwich is still there and still delicious." - Shannon O.

"The Snickerdoodle cookies were the best I've ever had, and the cheesecake was absolutely perfect." - Megan B

"My new favorite cafe!" - Kay O

"The staff is SO FRIENDLY. I love this place." - Tiffany P

"Awesome food!" - Justin M

"Love your smoothies!" - Sandra O

"Yummy!" - Tammy C

"Love this place!" - Rachel P

"Yummy cookies!!" - Amy H

"Highly recommended." - Vinh N

"Thanks for great service." - Jessica G

"Ya'll are awesome!" - Cambrie C

"If you live or work near William Cannon/ Mopac I highly recommend you stop in here for a Vietnamese Sandwich." - Tara M

"This place is wonderful!" - Lisa P

Far Southwest Austin is one of the fastest growing areas of our city, and for several years, there was a consistent complaint about the lack of reliable dining options in the neighborhood. As shopping centers were developed, national and regional chain eateries slowly began to dot the landscape, along with the occasional local mom-and-pop outfit. One of the most inviting little independent spots is a 1-year-old endeavor called Lux Bakery & Cafe. Ann and Tim Lux bought the former Chooby Doo Cafe last summer and opted to keep the existing international lunch menu, which they augment with Ann’s handcrafted baked goods. It is just the kind of place that could develop into a popular neighborhood hangout – perfect for coffee and pastries in the morning, very affordable for lunch with the working crowd, and a pleasant afternoon retreat where the bubble teas are refreshing, the sweets are satisfying, and the Wi-Fi is free.

Begin the day at Lux with a cup of organic coffee ($1.50/$1.75) or a thick, sweet Saigon Coffee ($2.50) paired with muffins (95 cents), frosted cinnamon rolls ($1.95), a cheese Danish ($1.25), or scones ($1.75). Drop in for lunch, as I did recently with some friends who live in that neighborhood, and you’re greeted with a globe-trotting selection of international specialties. The menu is heavily weighted toward Asian and Mediterranean dishes, but there are plenty of American regional choices as well. My main concern after looking at the diverse menu was that it seemed unlikely this small place could turn out so many different ethnic dishes effectively. However, we ordered the equivalent of a U.N. contingent of soups, salads, and sandwiches and didn’t find anything wanting. Everything we sampled was fresh, simple, and well-prepared. We began with fresh, crunchy veggie spring rolls (two for $2.50) and a sweet-hot peanut dipping sauce. I thoroughly enjoyed the home-style interpretation of the hearty hot and sour Thai tom yum soup ($3.25) and a hot, creamy, pressed Cuban sandwich ($4.95) that reminded me of one I’d enjoyed in a little hole in the wall years ago in Miami. Both the toothsome grilled chicken gyro ($4.75) and the falafel wrap ($4.50) came wrapped in soft local pitas, dressed with chopped fresh vegetables and a tangy yogurt sauce. The Chicago-style hot dog ($2.95) came with regular pickle relish instead of the signature DayGlo green concoction, but in its defense, the dog was made with a quality wiener nestled on a homemade bun. One of my guests was unfamiliar with bubble teas and became a convert on the spot after sampling the Lux version ($3/$3.50). During a follow-up call, Ann Lux made a point of telling me they make tapioca pearls several times during the day to ensure freshness and start over anew each morning.

Stuffed as we were after our multiethnic meal, we couldn’t think of leaving without trying some of Ann Lux’s tempting sweet treats. There are drop cookies, hand-decorated cutout cookies, bar cookies, brownies, tarts, cupcakes, cheesecakes, and decorated layer cakes from which to choose. Lucky for us, most of the desserts come in small, individual servings – mini cupcakes, tiny tartlets, cheesecake bites, and festive bags of little cookies – as well as whole versions. We nibbled and made notes on things we would investigate further when we could bring the appetite to do them justice. All of the baked goods listed on the menu can be ordered for special occasions. Think breakfast pastry trays for the office, a one-of-a-kind birthday cake, or a romantic dessert offering for your sweetheart. The Luxes celebrate the first anniversary of their business all next week with daily menu specials. Stop by, and make some new friends in the neighborhood.

-- Virginia B. Wood, Austin Chronicle, Sept 5, 2008

Have You Heard… Well, somebody’s finally on to me — specifically, the people who own Lux Bakery & Cafe on William Cannon Road between Hollywood Video and Firestone Tires. I got an email from Tim Lux, husband of owner/baker Ann Lux, which ended, “Maybe if we served margaritas like Segovia you'd come by too?

Okay. So you see through me, then. Well, I did one better than that. I sent my girlfriend, who asked not to be named in this report since she’s not sure the relationship is going to take. She brought me back some macaroons and some chocolaty kind of treat things — I have no idea what they’re called, but they tasted great.

After sampling the sweets, I decided to go in for the kill. I saw something on the menu that beckoned to me — hot dog, Chicago style. We’ll see, I thought. I may not know my chocolate pastries, but I know my hot dogs. I went in around 4 P.M. and ordered the dog with a bag of chips and some apple juice — six bucks total, including the buck tip. Six bucks for lunch and at 4 P.M. no less. I’m in.

And the hot dog? It’s the real deal. Kosher, all beef, onions, pickles, tomatoes, mustard — real Chicago style. You don’t like that style, try one with chili. That’s the LA style, ala Pink’s. I’ll try that one next.

Look. It’s not the easiest place to get in and out of and you’ll never find it unless you look for Hollywood Videos and Firestone Tires (enjoy the plug, boys). But when you do get there, it’ll be worth your while. Croissants and muffins for a buck. Chili cheese dog, $2.95. Turkey sandwich, $4.50. Baja chicken salad, $3.25. Soup and salad combo, $6.25. Organic coffee, $1.50. When’s the last time you paid less than $3 for organic coffee? The food’s fresh, but the prices are ten years old.

Definitely worth the trip.

-- Mike Jasper, Oak Hill Gazette, July 25, 2008

People are becoming more and more aware of what they eat; seeking a healthy alternative instead of following the latest carbless fad diet seems to be what the experts recommend. Luckily for the folks in Southwest Austin, Chooby Doo International Cafe is here to provide just that: a healthy alternative to fast food that will neither break the bank nor deprive the population of great flavors. With the objective of bringing a fun, fresh alternative to the standard fast-food places in the area, they devised a menu that incorporates multiethnic "fast foods" and is full of interesting and tasty options that focus on interesting flavors rather than grease.

The place is impeccably clean and the atmosphere is youthful and modern. Asian pop music streams out of the speakers while a friendly attendant recommends the best bubble drink or fruit "slushie." The owners pride themselves on having created a tapioca minipearl for their bubble drinks, which is about a third of the size of the ones commonly used. They make the pearls fresh everyday to guarantee that their customers get the best product possible. The array of flavors and combinations is mind-boggling. I ordered a Mango Slushie ($2.50) without pearls while I waited for my food. It was not too sweet and had a pleasant fresh mango taste.

The food was efficiently and quickly prepared, and all ingredients looked fresh and appealing. The Chicago-style Hot Dog ($2.75) included a plump, all-beef hot dog dressed with the works: mustard, sliced tomatoes, pickles, and sport peppers. The Greek Gyro ($3.75) was loaded with tender meat and sliced tomatoes, but the yogurt sauce could have been more flavorful. I am a big fan of Vietnamese sandwiches, and the ones at Chooby Doo ($3.50) did not disappoint. Available in pork or chicken, they both feature a crusty French roll, shredded marinated carrots, and fresh cilantro sprigs. I usually like some thin slivers of jalapeño as well, but I had to add them at home since they were missing in the original presentation.

The folks at Chooby Doo also prepare good salads. The Asian Chicken Salad ($3.50) is a dinner-sized portion of fresh, crisp lettuce, topped with sliced cucumbers, water chestnuts, tomatoes, and strips of grilled chicken. These are nicely flavored with Chinese five spice and star anise. The dressing is a slightly sweet and tangy vinaigrette. The Japanese-style Marinated Cucumber Salad ($3.50) was absolutely delicious and refreshing. The rice-vinegar-marinated cucumber slices were slightly soft but still crisp, sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds and a hint of sesame oil.

Desserts include Asian candies, cookies, and cheesecakes. But for those with a sweet tooth, I recommend Chooby Doo's specialty drinks to satisfy the craving in a healthier, yet delicious way.

-- Claudia Alarcón, Austin Chronicle, Sept 10, 2004