The restaurant has not changed much since it opened in 1982, the staff said, even throughout four different sets of owners.
But Raymond and Cindy added new elements to the small deli immediately after buying and assuming control in August 2016, including a breakfast menu and a full coffee bar.
The restaurant previously was only open during lunch hours, so the Chois extended the hours at Garden Spot Cafe to include its breakfast offerings. The new breakfast menu features sandwiches on ciabatta bread and croissants, and Garden Spot Cafe offers a full line of espresso bar drinks, including lattes, macchiatos and frappes.
“I like coffee a lot; that’s why I started it,” Cindy said. “Now, we’ve got everything.”
The Chois did not touch the lunch menu, which includes quality ingredients such as hot pastrami sandwiches and hand-seasoned and grilled chicken salads. Soups are also made fresh daily.
“Not much has changed since the original owners,” said head cook Richard Ellis, who has worked at the deli since 2001. “The food sells itself.”
Ellis said the original owner was a New Jersey transplant, and the restaurant is a reflection of the intimate deli counter-style cafes commonly found in cities on the East Coast.
“I fix everything like I’m making it for my mom,” Ellis said.
The Chois and Ellis said Garden Spot’s dedication to customer service has earned the deli a steady crop of customers who return on a daily basis.
“We know a lot of [our customers] by name. They know they can get what they want when they come in here,” Ellis said. “We make sure our customers are well taken care of.”
Garden Spot Cafe
9415 Burnet Road, Ste. 106, Austin
512-835-1985
www.gardenspotcafe.com
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 6:30 a.m.-4 p.m., closed Sat.-Sun.
