Counter Culture. Food Activism At Its Most Delicious Best. Great Food Adventures In Austin.

Whilst I was in Austin, this was the place I frequented the most for some good vegan comfort food.  It is on the East side of town and close to the Capital City Bakery, a 100% vegan bakery that had just opened it’s first retail space.  Pretty much like Capital City Bakery, Sue Davis, the founder of Counter Culture, began her vegan food business in a local food truck.  That is not to put food trucks on a lower rung or anything.  Austin’s food truck scene is pretty special, with several permanent food trailer parks around the city.  One park I encountered over on 1st Street even had it’s own heated covered area with rest rooms and community tables.  

Counter Culture is wholesome meatless food, cooked from scratch.  Some dishes are raw foods ALL are dairy free. At the weekends they offer special brunch menus, which is when I tried their kale & wild mushroom omlete, made with tofu. On the side was perched a generous stack of the most delicious gluten free bread from Misty Morning Bakery.  It ordered it with a side of  chunky roasted potatoes, just to be sure I was going to be completely stuffed! The omlete was light and the flavours were incredible, the seasoning of the tofu omlete was spot on.  

The founder Sue was usually around to say hello.  Sue had a varied career and travelled extensively before she decided to open first her food truck, and now her ‘brick and mortar’ cafe.  Just chatting with her briefly it was evident she puts her heart into what she does, and it shows (or should that be tastes) in her food. Actually, I spoke with many of the local vegan businesses and I really got a sense of close community between them and it was seemingly apparent they were having fun in their food ventures/adventures.

Raw donut holes.  Nice as a tiny morsel of sweetness to end the meal.

Their black eyed pea salad.  They call it Texan caviar!

Again, the bread was Misty Morning Bakrey.  I opted for the pac man salad as a side in an attempt to put a little colour on my plate.  The reuben was made from marinated tempeh, from local artisans The Hearty Vegan, with heaps of sauerkraut (perhaps a little too much for my taste) and creamy mustard.  

My friend had the spicy beet burger, and they really weren’t kidding.  Woo, such a kick!

Of course there was room for dessert!  Coconut cream pie with a chocolate crust and crumble topping.  

The service was always perfect. You’ve got to hand it to the people from Austin, they are good hearted, down to earth types, who make you feel like you are their most welcomed guest!