Galaxy Cafe — Restaurant in Austin

Intention means nothing if execution falls flat...

I've had some lackluster meals in my day, but rarely any for which I had reasonably high expectations. My partner and I decided on Galaxy Cafe on this particular Saturday for many reason, but particularly for their close proximity and their menu.

If you've had the chance to read through the aforementioned menu, you'll notice that there appears to be a decent amount of care and consideration in the selection - adding a unique twist on old favorites, interesting swaps for more wholesome or artisanal ingredients, and a variety of options for special dietary needs. All of this combined with the prices leads towards the assumption that their kitchen is serving an above average fare.

I decided on the Brie and Smoked Turkey sandwich with gluten free bread, a side of sweet potato fries, and some drip coffee. The coffee was the first indication that perhaps my expectations were naively hopeful, as it was brown-tinted, flavorless water that almost tasted as if they had tried to use the same grounds twice. I don't know about anyone else, but I enjoy coffee... not homeopathic coffee.

The sandwich had two thin slices of turkey that were overwhelmed by everything else - I flat out couldn't taste the turkey, let alone that it might by chance be smoked. I wasn't anticipating a New York style serving of deli meat, but seriously? Two thin slices?

Then again, the remainder of the ingredients were bland themselves beyond a hint of apricot and brie. The tomatoes were that pale pink shade of "almost ripe but not quite" that are gritty like watermelon but taste like nothing. Much of the mixed greens were half wilted, and not the kind of wilted that comes from heat - the limp, dry kind that just screams careless. So hey, thanks for giving me the stuff that was left out overnight.

Lastly, I've never had unseasoned sweet potato fries... and now I know why. I'm not certain if this is just what they do, or if they forgot the seasoning on this particular day, but the fries were flavorless, too. By this time, I looked at my partner and thought maybe my taste buds were off and that I was just going crazy, but he said the same. In fact, given the meal as a whole, I'm pondering whether there is even any seasoning in the kitchen at all. Salt? Pepper? Anyone?

All in all, at the end of the meal, we both regretted selecting Galaxy Cafe, or at least this location, and probably won't be returning. If I wanted to pay more for mediocrity, I'd go eat at...

My wife ordered the salmon salad a week ago and they forgot the dressing. Unfortunate, but mistakes happen. Then again a week later my wife ordered the salmon salad and again they forgot the dressing. So twice we had to drive a half hr there and back just for the dressing. We are reviewing because when we called again (mind you twice in row) and Maddie answered, rather than be apologetic or at at least empathetic, she was put off by the fact that she would have to stay no more than five minutes past close to hand my wife the dressing that we paid for-that comes with the salad. What’s a salad without the dressing? I explained to Maddie that this was twice within a week and she could care less about the inconvenience to us, rather more concerned about having to hand my wife a small salad dressing after closing. Truly abysmal customer service and this will most certainly be the last time we order from here, which is unfortunate because we loved the food. If you do order from here, please check your order before leaving!

So they did remake my wife’s salad so it would be hot so that is nice, but giving her a pint of salad dressing feels like a...

The food is excellent, but the service sucks. I used to love this place, but after my last three experiences there, I'm not going back. The first time, I parked in curbside and texted, and waited...and waited. Finally I go inside and the kid just points to the shelf where online orders are. Mine had been sitting there long enough to get cold. Second time- they bring the food out, but forget the drink. Again- I waited and waited and waited. Then today I order one entree. This time I went in and waited. It took them 50 minutes to prepare one entree with the restaurant being about 90% empty. I get that things go wrong, but this is three bad experiences in a row and not once did I get anything remotely close to an apology or at least an acknowledgement. If the guy I dealt with today had just said I'm sorry, I wouldn't be so annoyed. Whatever though. This town is full of overpriced restaurants. I'll just go elsewhere...