“Our team members dance and sing through their shifts while we’re [slammed],” founder and chef Camden Stuerzenberger said. “[Customers] see that, and they say, ‘Wow, these people genuinely like working here.’”
That joy is exactly what Stuerzenberger envisioned when he opened the first location in 2017. After years of grueling fine-dining schedules, he dreamed of creating a place where restaurant life didn’t mean sacrificing quality of life.
Today, Phoebe’s Diner has grown to three locations, with more on the horizon. For Stuerzenberger, the heart of his success is the people who fill his dining rooms—both staff and guests.
The diner’s name isn’t just clever branding; it’s deeply personal. Stuerzenberger and his wife, Amelia, decided to name the restaurant after their daughter, Phoebe, when Amelia was pregnant.
“[When we decided on the name], Amelia teared up and said, ‘That would be amazing if we did that,’” Stuerzenberger said.
That decision set the tone for everything else, allowing Stuerzenberger and his team to have time to be with their families.
“If people have kids, they come to work at 6 a.m., and they’re done by 4 p.m,” Stuerzenberger said. “They get to go home and be a [parent]. I went to the park last night. Then I went to dinner, and then I had soccer practice with my son. That to me is special.”
What’s on the menu?
“I have a playful approach when it comes to food,” Stuerzenberger said. “It’s very classic, simple and straightforward. ... There’s no smoke and mirrors. We don’t add anything unnecessary to the plates.”
A few of the delicious menu items include:
The Cheeky Monkey
A soft-boiled egg wrapped in sage breakfast sausage, shredded potatoes and smoked cheddar, breaded in panko, fried, then topped with creamy sage sausage gravy.
“The Cheeky Monkey is a fun dish,” Stuerzenberger said. “It’s one of those things where you can’t stop eating it.”
Espresso-chili rubbed smoked brisket piled on buttery scratch-made sheet-pan biscuits, topped with over-easy eggs, silky hollandaise and espresso barbecue sauce.
“It’s greasy-spoon Americana meets Texas smokehouse,” Stuerzenberger said. “It makes breakfast and Texas barbeque come together.”
Deep Fried French Toast
Sourdough soaked in vanilla-brandy custard, fried to a crisp golden exterior with a fluffy, custardy center, topped with fresh whipped cream and powdered sugar.
“It’s some of the best French toast I’ve ever had,” Stuerzenberger said.
A striking pinkish-violet mimosa with earthy-sweet beet and orange juice, bubbly and refreshing.
“It has a unique flavor,” Stuerzenberger said. “Sweet citrus but earthy at the same time.”
A gathering place for the community
Phoebe’s has grown into more than a diner; it’s a place where memories are made. The new Phoebe’s Side Stage at their Gracy Farms location hosts everything from business luncheons to sports banquets to luxury car meetups.
“We recently [hosted] a Ferrari car club. ... There were rows of beautiful Ferraris in the parking lot,” Stuerzenberger said. “The high school wrestling banquet was pretty neat to watch and to be a part of. [Seeing] seniors moving on and new kids coming up to varsity—it brought back some memories.”
The diner also caters anything from boxed lunches to full breakfast spreads for hundreds.
For Stuerzenberger, Phoebe’s is proof that food, family and fun can go hand in hand.
“If you can’t have fun doing it, why are you doing it?” Stuerzenberger said.
That’s the magic of Phoebe’s: it’s a place built on heart, where the culture is as warm as the food, and every dish is crafted with the kind of care you’d give to family.
Come taste the difference
Whether you’re craving smoky brisket, a cheeky monkey or just a warm cup of coffee in a place that feels like home, Phoebe’s is the kind of diner you’ll want to return to again and again.
Visit one of their three locations listed below, or explore catering options at www.phoebesdiner.com/catering.
Locations:
- Oltorf: 533 W. Oltorf St., Austin
- Downtown: 408 W. 11th St., Austin
- Gracy Farms: 12001 Burnet Rd., Austin
