Waterloo Ice House Southpark Meadows — Restaurant in Austin

My recent visit to Waterloo Ice House was nothing short of a nostalgic trip down memory lane, with its laid-back atmosphere and classic Texan vibe. Nestled in the heart of Austin, this iconic spot has been serving locals and visitors alike since 1976, and it’s easy to see why it’s stood the test of time.

As I walked in with my friends, we were greeted by the warm, inviting ambiance that Waterloo Ice House is known for. The wooden interiors, neon signs, and vintage memorabilia adorning the walls made us feel right at home. The vibe was casual, the kind of place where you can kick back, relax, and forget about the hustle and bustle of city life.

The bar menu was extensive, but we were in the mood for something simple and classic. I ordered a large Lonestar on tap, the quintessential Texan beer. There's something about a cold Lonestar that just hits differently, especially when it’s on tap and served in a large, frosty glass. The first sip was refreshing, with its light, crisp taste and subtle hint of malt. It’s not a beer that tries too hard—just a straightforward, easy-drinking lager that’s perfect for unwinding.

My friends opted for Blue Moon and Dos Equis, both on tap. The Blue Moon, with its smooth, slightly sweet taste and hints of orange, was a hit. It’s the kind of beer that pairs well with good conversation, its citrusy notes providing a refreshing contrast to the warm evening. The Dos Equis, with its crisp, balanced flavor and light body, was equally enjoyable. It’s a beer that doesn’t overpower the palate, making it a great choice for those who prefer something light and easy to drink.

What struck me most about our visit was the sense of community that permeated the place. The staff were friendly, and there was a genuine sense of camaraderie among the patrons. Despite being a busy night, the service was prompt, and our drinks were served with a smile. There’s a certain charm to Waterloo Ice House that’s hard to put into words—it’s more of a feeling, a sense that you’re in a place where good times are made.

While we didn’t order any food this time, the aroma of burgers, fries, and Tex-Mex classics wafting through the air was tempting. Waterloo Ice House is known for its comfort food, and I’ve heard nothing but good things about their hearty portions and flavorful dishes. Next time, I’ll definitely make sure to try some of their offerings.

As the evening progressed, we found ourselves settling into the rhythm of the place, our conversations flowing as easily as the beers. Waterloo Ice House isn’t just a bar—it’s a slice of Austin’s history, a place where memories are made and friendships are strengthened over a cold drink.

In conclusion, my visit to Waterloo Ice House was everything I hoped it would be: relaxed, enjoyable, and filled with the kind of moments that make you appreciate the simple pleasures in life. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, this is one Austin institution that should be on your list. Just grab a seat, order a drink, and let the...

We were told we would need to sit outside on a rainy day but the tables had umbrellas and we were hungry so we said okay. As we were following the hostess out through the relatively empty restaurant we noticed 3 or 4 spots indoors that would fit our party so someone asked if we could sit there instead. She said she would need to ask her manager if we could sit inside because we were a party of 6. The fact that getting a party of 6 was uncommon at this place, and that the hostess would rather make us sit outside in the rain than ask her manager a simple question should have been a red flag for us but we stayed anyway.

Myself and another person in our party still had coffee that we had bought elsewhere and while I felt a little odd bringing it in, we didn't see a sign saying "no outside beverages" so we decided it wouldn't be a huge deal. Our waitress came up and instead of introducing herself explained that it was against the law for them to let people bring outside beverages in and we would need to either throw them away or finish them right now in front of her. I wasn't really feeling like chugging 20 ounces of ice coffee so I politely asked her to throw it away and ordered another coffee. I suspected (and soon after confirmed on the TABC website) that the law applies to bringing outside alcohol into a bar with a liquor license and not to coffee on a Sunday morning but regardless of the reasoning, obviously restaurants are free to have whatever rules they like about these things so we weren't about to argue.

We all felt like that was a more uncomfortable situation than it needed to be so we made an effort to be very friendly and polite to try to make it clear we weren't taking it personally... Our waitress decided to take the opposite approach and seemed to grow more hostile with each interaction. When we ordered my girlfriend asked if she could get fruit instead of toast with her meal because of a dietary restriction. She was told no substitutions are allowed so instead of getting one plate of eggs, hashbrowns and fruit she had to order a la carte and get... wait for it... eggs, hashbrowns and fruit on 3 different plates. This cost a few dollars more than the regular menu version but also came in a MUCH smaller portion of each item. Would it really have been that challenging to combine the same 3 items on a normal plate? There's a difference between poor service and actually going out of your way to be unpleasant. When we asked for 3 separate checks she acted like that was a major inconvenience but since they use a small tablet to order she got it sorted in about 30 seconds. She then hovered over us as we wrote in the tip on the checks which was super uncomfortable but I understand her thought process since I'm sure most people would not leave a tip after an experience like that. Luckily for her we are the kind of people who tip anyway and then leave detailed...

We visited for the first time and unfortunately, we were very disappointed. As soon as we were seated, a manger came by to check how everything was today, even though we have not seen our server yet . Our server came by for the first time a few minutes after that. She kept asking how everything was and we had not ordered anything at that point, not even our drinks. We ordered an appetizer, and after about 20 minutes our entrees arrived. I asked about the appetizer, and she simply said she forgot to put it in because she got busy. The place was not busy at all, there were more empty tables than occupied ones. When our food arrived, the green beans looked and tasted like they came right out of a can and the chicken fried steak looked and tasted like it came out of the freezer. After 2 bites, I couldn’t eat any more and asked our server if I can order something else. She immediately got really upset and her attitude changed. She said she had to talk to her manager because we took a couple of bites from the plate. I was confused on why she had to talk to anybody since I simply asked to order another plate and pay for the chicken fried steak. She kept saying we took a few bites, and I replied that tasting a dish is essential to determine whether I like it or not. She stormed off and came back to report that she had to take the plate away so that we don’t eat any more of it in order to replace the entree. Again, I reminded her that we plan on paying for the food and just want to order something else in addition. She snatched the plate and took off, and that was the last we saw of her the rest of the night. She waited on all the other tables around us, but refused to check on us. We waited on our drinks to be refilled since she took the food order, but no one came. Another server dropped off the new plate and we had to flag another server down for the check. The manager never came by even though he was informed of what was happening. He stopped by in the beginning before we even saw our server, but not when he was actually needed. He was sitting in a booth across for us with other staff members, but never followed up with us. Overall, the customer service was dirt poor and I left angry and with a really bed taste in my mouth. Needless to say, I would NEVER eat here again nor recommend it to...