The Cedar Door on 2nd (Willie Nelson Blvd) and Brazos has been an Austin Original since 1975. What drew our attention is its claim as the "Home of the Original Mexican Martini". In my review of Chuy's, I point to their Mexican Martini as one of the best in Austin, so it only made sense that I needed to try the original.
Recently remodeled, the Cedar Door has an impressive outdoor seating section overlooking Brazos, banquet rooms, and glass garage doors facing 2nd St. The interior was spacious, with large flat-screen television within easy viewing distance in any direction you looked but also not everywhere you turned you head. You could watch the televisions or focus on the conversation at the table with equal ease.
The staff was friendly, and it seemed like the servers make a point of letting you enjoy your food and the atmosphere while themselves not getting in the way. Our waitress did not hover around our table or her section of the restaurant, but kept our drinks filled. The check came a little more slowly than I would have liked, but then it is the kind of place that encourages you to sit and relax.
The menu, which also recently changed, included what I would consider common sports-bar fare. For example, we ordered fried mushrooms as an appetizer and I had the chicken-friend chicken. The fried mushrooms were similar to those you get at Cheddar's, and the chicken-friend chicken was a step below Applebee's. Price-wise, though, these same items were slightly less expensive than from the two places I mentioned. We went with the top-shelf Mexican Martini, and we didn't like it as much as its counterpart of Chuy's. It was good, maybe even a little smoother than Chuy's Mexican Martini, but it lacked the same spicy-kick.
If you are not a fan of spicy food, then you would probably favor the Cedar Door's drink over Chuy's.
Over all, it was a cool place to eat; just a couple of blocks from 6th St, good food, great atmosphere, and a competitive price. If you are looking for a place that everyone can afford to hang-out at before hitting the bars on 6th St, then check out the Cedar Door.
2nd and Brazos
Austin, TX
512-473-3712
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