New Cafe Causing Coffee Ruckus in Downtown Austin

Editor’s Note: Cafe Ruckus closed in July 2017.

Every day, the population of Austin is growing. I have heard many different numbers thrown out, but they all point to the same thing. A booming population. While opinions vary on the growing influx to our fair city, one thing is certain…we are going to need more coffee.

If seating is scarce at your favorite wi-fi-enabled caffeine dealer, there is a new spot for you at Cafe Ruckus. Located in Austin’s new “Coffee District” (aka the 2nd Street District), this fresh locale is eager to win over new regulars.

Owner Keith Ruckus (yup, that’s his name) is lending his boisterous personality to this newly minted venue. He’s usually on hand to greet customers, and is always ready to strike up a conversation. As a special nod to his work as a published poet, Cafe Ruckus features a carefully curated selection of books for browsing and purchase.

In a city full of coffee drinkers, it seems there is a coffee shop for every taste. The menu at Cafe Ruckus manages to cover all the expected espresso drinks in a classic way, eschewing sometimes confusing brewing methods for the expected cappuccino and latte, and adding a couple of special treats. The spiced Mexican Mocha is already a local favorite.

My drink of choice is the $3 bottomless drip coffee – plug in your laptop and join me at the window bar for hours of surfing the web…I mean work!

The food menu is limited, but the selections have been carefully made. The pastries and danishes are brought in fresh from Quacks, and the cupcakes are big enough to share! There are also sandwiches and snacks available, and ice cream. Have you ever had an affogato? Hot espresso poured over vanilla ice cream!

There are also plans to have local beer on tap. In the meantime, draft root beer is holding its place, with the added bonus of root beer floats.

One of the most beneficial bonuses of a new coffee shop in a neighborhood is the added community space. Cafe Ruckus is wasting no time, adding to their local community with regularly scheduled Monday Game Nights and Live Music Thursdays. Expect to see more events added to their calendar, and special events and meetings are welcomed. Just drop them a line.

 

@briteshinything asks:

Have you been to Cafe Ruckus yet?! What did you think?

 

All photos courtesy of Trevor Yopp.

 

Disclosure: The writer was not given any incentive or compensation for writing this article, but she is a frequent customer at Cafe Ruckus, and so perhaps a bit biased.