Chu-Mikal’s Cafe

The place is what you picture when you pull up to a down home greasy spoon. However once inside you meet a quaint little place with a family oriented staff. I believe they have sixteen tables for patrons so it can be somewhat tight. The atmosphere is good, you get a melting pot of real Austin. What I mean by that is most of the folk making the city run. You got everyone from postal workers, delivery drivers, politicians, government employees to of course the neighborhood folks. I appreciate the fact it’s not some trendy dive.
I have dined here since 2011 or so and continue to return. The price of food takes you back to a simpler time and taste as well. Now again I say that with regard to diner/​kitchen style food. The first meal I got here was chicken fried steak.
A coworker and I dined there 12.16.15 and both got the special. He had the enchiladas and I got chicken fajitas with beans and rice. I swear before I could get my tacos set he was nearly finished. H said he enjoyed everything but his beans. He said all refried beans were the same no matter the cook. My fajita tacos were delicious and the flavor surprised me. I was fufilled and good food does that.
Alright so after this Odyssee I wrote the bottom line is give them a try. You want fair priced, decent meals and quality people? I say drop in the next time you want those things.

Happened across this place from a Unilocal search. doesn’t look like much, but food is first rate. They were out of the special of the day (meatloaf) when we were there (it was about 1 pm) which was a shame as it looked good. Burgers have very good flavor and are obviously hand made. Ordered the onion rings with it. Delicious! They were tender and sweet, except for the one that was obviously the ouside skin of the onion which was tough. Otherwise, would definitely recommend! Soda is served in a LARGE styrofoam cup (which is fine with me as I drink a lot). most places use smaller cups but It keeps them from having to refill too often. My wife had the turkey sandwhich and she said it was delicious. Atmosphere is friendly with a small dining area. Couple of tables outside which would be nice on a cool day. Easy to miss if you are not looking out for it. Luckily my wife spotted it as I had missed it.

Best club sandwich in Austin, the best chicken and dumplings in Texas. Hands down. Never had a bad experience. Very pleasant staff as well.

Call me crazy, but with a name like Chu-Mikal’s, I was expecting something European or Asian.
Boy, was I wronger than a sweater in August.
This is your typical greasy southern diner. Very low-​key, and they don’t cater to high class types, so shove your ‘tude up your keister.
This place is no bigger than a shoebox, and is very unassuming. You walk in and might think twice about eating there.
And that’s where they get ya. The food is surprisingly tasty.
Look, I’ve been in some great southern diners and some really crappy southern diners, the latter of which sometimes turned out to be the literal truth a few hours after eating. Chu’s isn’t spank-​my-​ass-​and-​make-​me-​howl great, but most things are quite tasty.
Okay, granted, I’ve only had two items so far, both breakfast items, but just trust me. The breakfast taco was lackluster but, hell, you can just as easily go to Beto’s a block away for tasty Tex-​Mex treats.
This morning I got the bacon egg and cheese sandwich, and boy howdy, was it delicious. The hash browns knock those of Jim’s Restaurant off the griddle, too.
During lunch, this place is busier than a bee on crack, so you don’t even have to take my word for it.
What Chu talkin’ ’bout, Mikal?

We pop in here about once a month. Their food is solid and cheap and the service is friendly and fast. Especially like their breakfast. We learned that’s it’s a family business when we chatted with some of the staff who turned out to be in Mikal’s family (and also learned that they pronounce it like «Michael»). I’m always surprised that there aren’t more people in this place, because it’s always good.

We’d driven by this place a million times, always threatening to stop in, but never made it by til this week. So glad we did!
Great chx fried steak — the best in town! $ 6.99 for CFS, 2 sides, & a roll. With some joints charging upwards of $ 14 for lesser product, there’s no excuse not to make this your go-​to lunch place for down-​home cooking.
Great burgers, great turkey & dressing, & some of the BEST homemade coconut cake I’ve ever had!!!
Service is warm, friendly, & efficient. :)
Stop in. You’ll be glad you did!

First time there and I had a cheeseburger, fries and iced tea for $ 9.00. Burger was an average to good diner style burger, nothing extraordinary. If you’re nearby it’s worth stopping but I wouldn’t make a trip out there just for the burger. They also have lunch specials for $ 6.99, one entrée and two sides.

I have been here a few times now and this review is way overdue! This place is a welcoming, divey diner that will make you reminisce about childhood and your grandma’s cooking!
They have daily specials that are around $ 6.00-$ 7.00 and they come with your choice of two sides and a dinner roll!
Here is what I have tried so far:
Chicken Fried Chicken Special (Thursday): Great lunch portion size, good quality, great white gravy!
Mashed Potatoes with Brown Gravy: I love when mashed potatoes have small lumps of potato in them and aren’t whipped to death. Both items were well seasoned.
Vegetable Beef Soup (Cup-​as a side selection): This is what made me feel like I was sitting back at my grandma’s table as a child. The soup was hearty, the broth flavor was spot on and the vegetables weren’t overcooked to moosh! Plenty of meat!
Club Sandwich $ 6.69 (served with 1 side): This item was just ok and that’s why I can’t give this place 5 stars yet. The sandwich was a bit on the dry side and could have used a little more mayo. The ingredients were all good but, normally I am used to a club having more turkey. Instead this one had very thick sliced ham that was similar to honey baked ham. I chose the side of chips which was just a small bag of Lays. Also there was no pickle on my plate and being a pickle person this was disappointing.
This place is awesome for the price and food quality. I hear their breakfast is really good and they serve it all day so, I will have to try that soon. They also serve their beverages in very large to go cups! They have a good amount of parking but, if the lot is full there is plenty of room on the side street next door.

Closest place to my work. Fast service but I was just told they no longer carry thousand island dressing. Booooo. Just wen down to 3 stars as a mediocore place to eat.

First stop in Austin… amazing! Great service, great food, great prices. The biscuits are delicious!

Had an awesome dinner with the kids, we tried the yuca frita, the pulled pork, some tamales and some pupusa’s. The service was great and the new dinner menu is authentic Salvadorian. A must try.

This little place is absolutely adorable! Eating breakfast here is always like having a home made meal with the friendliest servers.
Not too many options on their lunch menu but they offer 3 or so lunch specials every day which change daily, so you know everything is fresher and not mass produced for regular sell. The owner is a delight and she’s always there helping out.
I REALLY want to try their popusas which are only sold once in a blue moon. I’ve never had them, but I hear they’re delish and seeing as the owner is Salvadorian, I’m sure they’re genuinely amazing!
An easy 5 stars, Chu-​Mikals definitely has made a regular out of me.

Need a solid, cheap, all-​American breakfast? This is your jam.
It’s a small hike to this Eastside hole-​in-​the-​wall join, but worth every extra minute you’ll have to drive to get there.
I had the #6 with two eggs, hashbrowns, sausage, and biscuits. THE BISCUITS. I haven’t had good ol’ southern-​style biscuits this good in FOREVER. And definitely pay the extra $ 1 for a small side of sausage cream gravy to pour on top of them. O. M. G. Yes.
With coffee, this giant, tasty, amazing breakfast only cost me like $ 8.50.
Come eat this stuff now. I love my Eastside hood!

I find myself eating here about once a week. Breakfast for lunch is my new thing. Growing up my grandma would do breakfast for supper, which I though was incredible. Since my family openly objects to eggs and pancakes for dinner I sneak it in for lunch. My office is right down The street, so this is my go to place to eat with employees and really cool clients.
Cheap, easy parking, love the staff. Picked up a chumikals t-​shirt for hubby last week when I saw them on the wall. Great gift.

They get 5 stars for having a 3 option $ 5.99 blue plate special every day.
Nothing fancy here at all but the food is always high quality and a bargain for the price.
Great service, great prices, and great food.
5 stars.

Here’s the thing. It’s better and cheaper than the other places doing the same thing. I’m not sure it should actually be 5 stars, but when you’re better and cheaper than your competitors… you get 5 stars from me.
All around delightful. Great service. Great food. Great price. I’ll be back many times.

Great old school diner!
Semi-​hidden East Side gem!
My husband and I have been twice for breakfast.
The first time we both got the special, 2 eggs, hashbrowns or fruit, biscuits or toast and choice of bacon or sausage patties for $ 4.99.
Delicious and Cheap!
Our second visit was this morning.
He tried the breakfast tacos.YUM. Nice toasty tortilla, decent amount of ham and egg.
My eggs were good, the bacon was a little too crispy, and they offered to make another order for me, the hasbrowns were perfect and the biscuits… oh my god… the biscuits!
Warm, fluffy, buttery goodness!
I would go there every morning JUST for the biscuits.
After reading some reviews on here, I am looking forward to going back at lunch to try the burger ASAP!

My wife recommended we eat breakfast here after getting a recommendation from a co-​worker. We ordered an omelette with cheese and bacon and biscuits. The biscuits were homemade. The ambience was homely we got there around and it was packed. The food was good the service was average. If your on the East side of down I recommend giving Chi-Mikal’s a try.

This place never fails on juicy, flavorful burgers. I bet I have been here a dozen times 9and had burgers 10 of those times) and never had a bad one. Don’t expect anything fancy, just a burger, lettuce, onions, pickles, and tomato done right! The fries and onion rings are great, hot and plentiful.
I’ve had the meatloaf and chopped steak there too. Those are great though the sides like green beans and corn leave a little to be desired. The side salad is green, crunchy and filling though.
Next on my must-​try list — pancakes!

GREAT BURGERS! Been here twice and it’s great! Everything else looks so good as they bring it out. One day I will try something different, but their burgers are so yummy that I can’t change my order.
It is a pretty small place though, so I wouldn’t go during a lunch rush, or expect to have to wait. Their servers are very friendly.