Cosmic Saltillo — Restaurant in Austin

I visited Cosmo Austin (1300 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78702) today around 11:30 AM and parked in the restaurant’s parking lot, excited to enjoy some food and get work done. I ordered a rice bowl and a beverage.

When I went to get my car around 3:50 PM, it was gone. At first, I thought it had been stolen, then noticed a sand trail as if it had been towed. I immediately went back inside and spoke with a kind employee at the bar. She promptly reached out to the manager, “Preston,” who said he would be with me in a few minutes.

I patiently waited 15 minutes, followed up again, and was told it would be another 15 minutes. After 30 minutes of waiting, I followed up yet again. Only then did the manager finally come over.

He told me that another manager had made an announcement and asked everyone in the restaurant if the car belonged to them. This was very hard for me to believe because I had been sitting in the center of the establishment the entire time with my laptop out. There weren’t many people there, and I would have clearly heard an announcement. I also hadn’t even gotten up to order food until 12:50 PM, while he claimed the announcement was made at 12:15 PM.

Instead of genuinely investigating, the manager brushed me off and returned to his shift. This was my first time in Austin, and unfortunately, this was the first time I felt I was treated unfairly — and frankly, singled out — in a way that felt racially biased. At minimum, it reflects poor management, lack of accountability, and dismissiveness toward a paying customer, which certainly feel discriminatory.

The food, beverage, and atmosphere of this establishment are nice, but the way I was treated by the manager left me with a very bad impression.

Update / Response to Owner’s Reply:

I want to clarify that I was a paying customer seated from 11:30 AM to 3:50 PM, so I was not “illegally parked” — the lot is for Cosmic Saltillo customers, which I was. The cars you claim were blocked are shown in my attached images: my car in green, the two others in red. The traffic barrel (orange construction barrel) was placed after my car was towed and after the car on the left-hand side of mine had left, which indicates no one should park in that driver’s former space. However, there was never a barrel blocking my spot (Image 2), and in fact another customer later parked in the exact same space after my car was towed (Image 5).

You also claim 3–4 announcements were made and staff went to every table for almost 3 hours. At that time there were fewer than 20 customers, and I was the only Black customer sitting in the center with a laptop out. If staff truly went to every table, I would have been noticed easily. In 3 hours, they could have gone to each table 9–12 times, yet no one ever approached me.

Images 3 and 4 clearly show the drag marks in the gravel where my car was towed. What should have been a $25 lunch turned into $425 ($400 tow fee + $20 Uber). At minimum, this situation reflects poor management, lack of accountability, and dismissiveness toward a paying customer, which certainly feels...

Been looking forward to trying this spot since it opened. Went here this past Thursday, then again the next day because I was in the area and enjoyed it so much.

From the jump, the ambience is top tier. When you walk in, the layout of the place with all of the plants and vines and industrial design really gives it that good nice east Austin feel. It is so spacious, there's nearly unlimited spots to sit. Lots of folks on their laptops enjoying the weather. Such a pro you can order anything from the QR codes at the tables too.

The area to order your food and drinks are two separate areas. I was there early on Thursday so I wanted to try their breakfast tacos and coffee. I asked the associate what are the top two tacos, and he recommended the Avocado, Bacon... and the prime time. The steak was tasty, avocado was fresh, eggs were eggs. Tortilla seemed like your ordinary store bought ones. All in all, they were good, but didn't wow me. He let me sample their pineapple chamoy aqua fresca and it was SO good! Definitely going to get it next time.

For my coffee drink, the associate knew it was my first time so he also let me sample the liquid sunshine I was asking about, along with the cosmic comet that is one of their best sellers. They were both so tasty, it was hard to pick from, but I went with the liquid sunshine. It was a healthy caffeinated aqua fresca, cant complain about that! However, I didn't really feel any of the caffeine like I was hoping for. I will go for a coffee next time, their menu is so fun with so many options to choose from. Also, I would ask for less ice as well, I finished my drink so quickly with just a few sips for $6.

On Friday, we went to NADC burgers, then walked all of East to see all the bars are still closed at 2pm on a Friday. Then I recalled how awesome Cosmic was, and it was open and poppin'! My buddy really liked the place too. This time we were here for some cocktails.

I tried their espresso martini, which they have on tap. Cool concept, specially with a cocktail that is so popular and takes time to make these days. However, for $12, it was lacking the quality of the ones made from scratch. I wouldn't order it again here.

My buddy tried their Tequila Mangonada. It is also premade in one of their frozen machines. They still dress the rim with tamarind chamoy. His drink was really good, we both enjoyed it.

We then both got their old fashion. Thankfully this one isn't on tap and they make it from scratch. It takes like a traditional old fashion, even though they make it slightly different. Instead of simple syrup, they use oleo, which was better. We both really loved our old fashions, this is always my go to drink, so glad to know they know how to make them right here.

Service was great with everyone we encountered. We made our way to the rooftop for some awesome Austin views. Can't wait to come back to try more of their fun unique menu. I would have given a perfect 5 stars, but it was just the tacos that were just okay, plus the premade drinks that...

Overall had a good experience, the only reason I (or more like my husband) gave it 4 instead of 5 stars is the Cosmic Taco joint.

We walked there on a Friday morning and got there around 8:45. The outside makes you wonder if you're in the right place but once you walk "in" it's a pretty cool atmosphere and vibe. When you order at the taco place, you have to scan a QR code and download an app, then put in your order via your phone. There was no one else in there but us, so that seemed like a bit of a pain when there were guys behind the counter that could take a person's order. Then we got a text when the order was ready. My husband got the brisket taco (NOT your typical brisket, more like a roast meat) and bacon/egg/cheese, and migas. He was not expecting the "brisket" to not be brisket, and the other tacos he thought were kinda bland. I got similar stuff and thought it was fine, nothing to write home about though. I also ordered a hot oatmilk latte. Again, maybe only one other person in there, but the employees behind the counter were friendly and helpful. The drink was made quickly and tasted good, although given in a to-go cup which takes away from the cozy feel of a warm coffee mug on the patio on a cool morning. But it's no biggie. Then we had plenty of seating options to choose from as there weren't many people there yet so we sat under the covered area where the heaters were as the outside tables were still wet from rain. I expected it to be at least relatively crowded but was pleasantly surprised. Even when we left around 10:30 I wouldn't call it near "busy" at all.

I LOVED the whole look and feel of the place (inside, outside patio, rooftop). If I lived nearby it would probably be a place I would frequent for the...