Many don’t know it, but Walton’s Fancy and Staple has been around the Austin area in some form or fashion for 45 years now. It began in 1969 with a focus purely on flowers and plants, as Walton’s Florist and Nursery in the neighboring city of West Lake Hills.
Walton’s Fancy and Staple at 609 West Sixth Street
In 2009, the owners of Bess Bistro (hi, Sandy!) moved the business across the street from them on West Sixth Street, and renamed it Walton’s Fancy and Staple. They kept the floral aspect of the company intact, while adding an expert team of bakers and a top-notch delicatessen.
You can now go into Walton’s Fancy and Staple and order a delicious breakfast or lunch, grab a latte and any dessert made from scratch, and pick up a flower arrangement on your way out. Why didn’t someone think of this sooner?!
Walton’s Fancy and Staple cases overflowing with delicious treats
The decor is a mix of modern and vintage, with tin tiles along the ceilings, beautifully stained wood tables and chairs, and all stainless steel behind some of the biggest, most colorful deli cases you’ll see in the area.
Light fixture in the hideaway
Order at the counter and the food is brought out to you. The same goes for lattes or anything on the coffee side. The customer service is consistently wonderful, with a smiling face always ready to greet you and get whatever you may need. You can tell it’s truly a team atmosphere when it comes to taking care of the customer. I’ve seen anyone from the managers, to the chef, to the florist bringing out orders and checking to make sure all is well.
Speaking of the florist, she’s one of the best in Austin. Her name is Bernie and she’s been doing flowers for 40 years. Her experience shows and she’s just delightful. She’ll walk you through whatever you’re looking for and make sure you make the impression you seek. She’s my go-to florist in the city. If you’re not looking for anything specific, she makes ready-to-go arrangements in the mornings and prices them very reasonably. They’re perfect for a desk and I’ve seen them run anywhere between 20 and 50 dollars.
One of Bernie’s beautiful floral designs at Walton’s Fancy and Staple
As far as the food, it’ll take a few trips to try everything you want. For breakfast, I’d recommend the Shrimp and Grits, Fried Egg and Ham Sandwich, and the Creme Brulee French Toast – all are slap-your-mama delicious. They’ve got lunch covered as well, with standards like the Turkey Sweet (made with one of the best croissants you’ve ever had) and the succulent Meatloaf Sandwich (only available on Wednesdays, but worth the trip alone).
Shrimp and Grits in your face (Photo credit: Foodspotting.com)
If you want to stick around for dessert, I’d recommend the Cheesecake Brownies, their Honey Bee Cake, or a mix of macarons (get the pistachio). Combine those with a fresh latte or espresso and you’re set.
Macarons!
Basically, what I’m saying is the team at Walton’s Fancy and Staple knows what they’re doing and they do it well. Though it can get crowded and the parking isn’t always ideal, it fills up for a reason and serves as a refreshing break from all the downtown hustle and bustle. So next time you’re strolling down West Sixth, make sure to stop in and remember to relax and treat yourself once in awhile. Don’t forget to say hey to Bernie for me.
@mattchampionatx asks:
What is your favorite break from the hustle of the city?
Disclosure: I recently completed a short-term employment gig at Walton’s. All opinions are my own. Photos courtesy of Walton’s Fancy and Staple.
