Houndstooth Coffee

If you live in Austin and like coffee, I mean REALLY like coffee, you must go to Houndstooth.

One tired day shortly after our son was born before I went back to work I had to go to a special compounding pharmacy to pick up something for Lisa.  On my way to the pharmacy I saw a coffee shop and decided that I really needed some caffeine and would stop on the way back.  I'm glad I did.

Houndstooth coffee is on North Lamar just a little north of Central Market and on the other side of the street.  It is in the same building with Uchiko and Taco Deli. 

This place is coffee lovers' heaven and a pure coffee shop.  Make no mistake, if you like "coffee drinks" or essentially milkshakes with a shot of espresso, this is not your shop.  There are no blenders or caramel syrup.  They sell espresso, espresso drinks, coffee, tea, and pastries (oh, and beer too).  Everything comes in a single size, so there is no need for cute names for sizes from which "small" is strangely absent.  Although sizes are lacking (this isn't a failing, trust me), there are still plenty of options.  If you want a drip coffee, you don't have settle for the coffee of the day, they will grind any coffee they carry for you fresh and make it for you via a single cup drip or in a french press.  If you want espresso, they will have two espressos available for you to choose from on any given day.  One will be a good baseline espresso of the type that would normally be the "house espresso", and the other will be some sort of more experimental "unique" offering (sometimes at a $.50 surcharge).  This second espresso will be more floral, or perhaps have a very prominent bright acidity, or perhaps be a sweeter more caramel-y lighter roast.  Tasting notes will be on the board by the register.  Also if coffee isn't your thing, there are plenty of great teas to choose from (and again, the beer).

The baristas are the really great thing here.  Unlike some major brand-name coffee shops out of Seattle with locations all over the place, each of their baristas is well trained and loves coffee.  Every milk drink I have gotten has had milk steamed to a perfect microfroth with a bit of latte art on the top of every one.  The baristas hand tamp the espresso into the portafilters and the result is a great tasty crema on every espresso drink.  The baristas are knowledgeable and can answer any of your questions or just chat coffee with you.  They are friendly and it's worth it to stand at the bar and watch them make your drink.  It's usually entertaining watching and a bit of nice conversation.

The space has a sort of urban feel with exposed metal, stone, cement, and nice clean lines.  It is a small shop with a few high tables, a few low tables and a couch and a few spare chairs inside and 3 or so tables outside.  It's not cramped, but at high business probably not the best place to hang out and read, study, or play cards.  If that last part is your need, hit up my second favorite coffee shop in Austin (used to be my favorite until I found Houndstooth) Mozart's Coffee Roasters.  If, however, you are having a quick one on one business or personal coffee, are stopping in for your morning caffeine fix, need to kill some time between places you're going, or just want an awesome cup of coffee, go to Houndstooth.  Houndstooth makes my inner coffee snob very very happy.

If you really love espresso, take my word for it and get a plain shot or two.  It's served up with a small glass of sparkling water.  Heck, get a shot of each of the day's espressos.