Foodie Friday: Kerbey Lane Cafe

There’s something about Kerbey Lane Cafe officially opening in San Marcos that stirs up a bit of nostalgia in my mind. 

It wasn’t too long ago that I was an undergrad student at the University of Texas at Austin, where, of course, there were many times I stepped into the Kerbey Lane Cafe located near The Daily Texan basement office as well as the Moody College of Communication. I had my fair share of Kerbey queso, my favorite plate — the Paris Texas Platter, and maybe one too many pancakes during my time at UT. It’s safe to say that, although small, Kerbey was a part of the undergraduate experience. 

Fast forward over a half decade later and Kerbey Lane has once again found me. Kerbey Lane Cafe officially opened in San Marcos on Monday. 

Kerbey Lane is a small chain of restaurants located around the greater Austin area. But its roots can be found in Central Austin in a bungalow built in the 1930s on, you guessed it, Kerbey Lane. The eatery first opened its doors on May 5, 1980 and has since expanded to seven Austin locations, one Round Rock spot and now San Marcos. 

“Kerbey Lane Cafe remains 100% family-owned to this day and we continue to stay true to our original values of serving delicious meals that are thoughtfully-sourced, scratch-made, and affordable while welcoming all who come through our doors,” the restaurant says on its website.

If you haven’t been to San Marcos’s Kerbey Lane Cafe — located at what was formerly Saltgrass Steakhouse … or Pepper’s at the Falls, if you know, you know — it’s well worth a try. 

What to get:

My go-to meal at Kerbey Lane Cafe is the Paris Texas Platter. It’s an unexpected combination that works so well. It’s a savory plate of migas served with sweet French toast. The migas — a plate of scrambled eggs mixed with tortilla strips, cheese and your choice of signature homemade sauce (I suggest going with Kerbey’s salsa roja) — and delicious French toast topped with powdered sugar and served with butter and maple syrup are an excellent combo. For $10.99, this plate is hard to pass up. 

Kerbey Lane has only been in San Marcos for a short time but I’ve already been twice, once during a soft opening and once this week. Both times I ventured away from my favorite plate, well sort of. 

On my first visit to this Kerbey, I tried the Crispy Chicken Benedict ($13.49). This was a humongous selection with golden fried chicken breast tenders served on top of a homemade biscuit topped with poached eggs, Hollandaise, green chile sauce and citrus marinated onions. This plate comes with one breakfast side, which I went with Kerbey’s homestyle fries. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t finish this delicious selection. 

On my second visit to Kerbey, I tried the Pumpkin Paris Texas Platter ($12.49). This choice came with migas but this time Kerbey swapped out the classic French toast for its homemade pumpkin French toast. The migas were just as good as usual and the pumpkin French toast was a welcomed addition to this plate. 

During my multiple visits, my dining companions chose the Chicken Fried Platter ($13.99) and the ½ LB All Natural Bacon Cheeseburger ($13.29). The Chicken Fried Platter comes with your choice of all natural wagyu steak or chicken breast fried golden brown and smothered with Kerbey’s bacon peppered gravy. The plate is served with bacon cheddar mashed potatoes, garlic steamed broccoli and a homemade biscuit. Both the steak and chicken were sampled during our visits and those dining partners who tried this plate were impressed. 

Above, Kerbey Lane's Chicken Fried Steak — a delicious deep fried wagyu beef steak served  smothered with Kerbey’s bacon peppered gravy, bacon cheddar mashed potatoes,
garlic steamed broccoli and a homemade biscuit. Daily Record photo by Lance Winter

The bacon cheeseburger comes with two all natural wagyu beef patties, cheddar cheese, Pederson’s all natural bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion and Kerbey’s tangy burger sauce served on a grilled challah bun. My dining companion chose to try this burger with just the bacon and cheese. He enjoyed his selection. 

Kerbey Lane has an expansive menu with plenty of options to choose from. To start off a meal, you have to try one of the restaurant’s queso options. Kerbey has a classic queso, which you can add veggie or pork chorizo to spice it up. But if you’re looking for something a little more adventurous try the Kerbey Queso — classic queso served with fresh guacamole and pico de gallo — or the Cowboy Queso, the classic queso with fresh guacamole, black beans and pico de gallo. 

Interested in breakfast, Kerbey has Chicken & Pancakes ($12.99), Chilaquiles ($10.99), French Toast Platter ($10.99), a Breakfast Platter ($10.29) and many more options. 

For lunch and dinner, the eatery offers Pan Seared Salmon ($15.99), Chipotle Beer Battered Fish & Chips ($13.99), Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf ($13.99) and plenty of other choices. 

To view the full menu visit: https://kerbeylanecafe.com/our-menu.

If you go: 

Kerbey Lane Cafe in San Marcos is located at 221 E. Sessom Dr.

The cafe is open from 7 a.m. until 12 a.m. on Sunday through Thursday, and 7 a.m until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. 

Phone: 512-879-2825

For more information visit or to join the waitlist visit: https://kerbeylanecafe.com/locations/san-marcos.