Free Wireless Internet (WiFi) Access Points in Austin, Texas

... won't go back...Posted by Anonymous at 12:30am March 21, 2007 Flag This

Well, my first time here, and I think, my last. I was excited by all the positive comments about the place, and was only about 2 miles away, so came on by... there is NO place to park - I guess if you're a student walking over that's no big deal, but it was a problem for me.

My main complaint, however, is that my whole experience here is tinged by the attitude of the female behind the counter. Did I not meet her dress standards or something? I felt like I could hear audible sniffs of disdain. I thought maybe I was interpreting things wrong, when I interacted with her on the way in, ordered, etc. ... maybe she wasn't really handing out the attitude I felt? Then I went and sat at one of the big overstuffed chairs in the corner - there was a guy already in the other one, with his feet up on the table... I even smiled and told him that looked so comfortable I had come over to the other chair to do the same. We laughed, we smiled, it was nice. Then the female comes over and tells *me* - not him - just ME - to please not put my shoes on the table. The other guy had been sitting there like that for how long?

So... I'll finish my work, and then leave. Thanks, but no thanks.

(not to mention, 15 bucks for some coffee, a biscuit, and a calzone? ... oh, well)

... won't go back...Posted by Anonymous at 12:30am March 21, 2007 Flag This

Well, my first time here, and I think, my last. I was excited by all the positive comments about the place, and was only about 2 miles away, so came on by... there is NO place to park - I guess if you're a student walking over that's no big deal, but it was a problem for me.

My main complaint, however, is that my whole experience here is tinged by the attitude of the female behind the counter. Did I not meet her dress standards or something? I felt like I could hear audible sniffs of disdain. I thought maybe I was interpreting things wrong, when I interacted with her on the way in, ordered, etc. ... maybe she wasn't really handing out the attitude I felt? Then I went and sat at one of the big overstuffed chairs in the corner - there was a guy already in the other one, with his feet up on the table... I even smiled and told him that looked so comfortable I had come over to the other chair to do the same. We laughed, we smiled, it was nice. Then the female comes over and tells *me* - not him - just ME - to please not put my shoes on the table. The other guy had been sitting there like that for how long?

So... I'll finish my work, and then leave. Thanks, but no thanks.

(not to mention, 15 bucks for some coffee, a biscuit, and a calzone? ... oh, well)

First TimerPosted by Rivkah at 4:57pm October 08, 2006 Flag This

I have to say I was a little compelled to check this place out because of all the previous comments back and forth on whether this is a good place or not. So I swung by while out for a bike ride, and I have to say . . . I'll definitely be going back! I'm actually a big Mozart's fan, but since moving and no longer being in biking distance, I've been trying to find a new cafe where I can just plop down and work for several hours without interruption.

The pros of the place is that it feels very cozy and intimate. Definitely not a place for large groups, but honestly, I like that. The barista at the time was very nice and offered up (without asking!) that the first iced tea refill was free (certainly a plus since I drink a lot of it while working) and again answered my question with a smile when I asked what time they close (2 AM). I like the eclectic mix of tables and there was soft acoustic guitar and some older blues music playing when I got there. There is also an outside area with a large tree growing in the middle for shade. The decor is nice and down-to-earth with an interesting mix of tables and chairs at different heights for those who prefer being near the ground or perched on high.

The one con I've noticed so far is that the outside area looked like it could use a little TLC. There were some empty cups and a little trash on the ground--perhaps a small trashcan outside so people aren't compelled to throw things down? (litterbugs!)

Otherwise, I enjoyed the atmosphere and I'll definitely be going back. :)

Coffee with HaloPosted by Fulgore666 at 11:16am June 01, 2006 Flag This

I suck at halo 1 and 2 but the coffee is so damn good at this place. hmmmmm

BallsPosted by Anonymous at 10:39am June 01, 2006 Flag This

Balls

PEOPLE!!!Posted by Anonymous at 01:01am May 11, 2006 Flag This

SpiderHouse sux butt!!!!!!!!!
La Tazza Rocks!!
Starbucks, please I won't even go there!!

in lovePosted by in love at 03:40am January 04, 2006 Flag This

I love this place. This place certainly has different feel about it. I see things here that I have only seen in TV sitcoms. For example the regulars always sit at the bar and talk about everything (I mean personal) stuff. As people walk in they are greeted by name and are somehow sucked in to the conversation. and perhaps the most interesting thing is that the customers actually enjoy doing things for the store, while I was there 2 customer (both professors) without hesitation helped the employee with his closing duties. Very inviting place no wonder their customers are so protective of them. Also the first time I was there I thought the place was 24 hrs so I stayed way past their 2:00 am closing time but the guy was so polite that not once did he ask me to leave instead he waited until I was finished. Needles to say I was very embarrassed the next day when I saw their posted hours.

Unique cozy place - excellent coffee & service tooPosted by Anonymous at 12:27am January 03, 2006 Flag This

After reading all the posts I just had to comment...La Tazza Fresca is a wonderful place to go relax, have a tasty cup of coffee or as I've done a few times, enjoy a glass of wine. It doesn't hurt that they have free Wi-Fi, the atmosphere is cozy, and you never know who is going to be there with their guitar. The rotation of art on the walls is also a bonus. The young lady who works the bar is friendly (even when they are packed and she's the only person working), she gets your order right and is very accomodating (I heard she was a long time manager at Starbucks i.e. trained to make you the best cup of jo). La Tazza Fresca is a place where you can go and feel welcomed anytime of the day or night.

SPIDER HOSE DEFENDERPosted by Anonymous at 09:52am December 02, 2005 Flag This

WAY TO GO SHERLOCK: There were a bunch of us there and when we saw the retards comments we decided to leave our own comments. Also we have noticed that some people like the manger of spider hose (I have witnessed this personally) have a strange contempt for this place. Possibly because its put together somewhat better than other places and the people who go there really love the place and not out of necessity.

ha ha haPosted by none at 5:59pm November 25, 2005 Flag This

i have worked at la tazza fresca and all i have to say is that like many other coffee shops, what you get depends on who is working. and for the record, "la tazza's" bathrooms do not belong to the coffee shop; responsibility for them is maintained by groovy lube. The wireless is great and fast, and the clientele is a motley blend of interesting people from hipsters to hippies to old ladies. Not the best in town, not the worst. LTF is much like the quaint neighborhood diner with hit or miss food and a few knockout specialities. When its good, it's really good, and when it's bad, well....In the end, though, it is the great Hyde Park fringe folks who frequent it that make LTF a place I like to hang out, even if i do go to Starbucks or Spiderhouse or Little City as well.

some people...Posted by Anonymous at 11:12pm November 08, 2005 Flag This

In response to the last comment and previous comments it's spelled Groovy Lube, I know the owner personally, and I'm sure Bobby wouldn't appreciated the misrepresentation. I'm taking the time to correct all the mistakes in a lot of these comments because they are fairly passionate without regard to fact. One lady called Tazza--Tazzo, which tazza is Italian for cup...you were a bit redundant. One last thing I'm sure Bruce the owner, who does the coffee shop "thing" as what some might call a hobby, is doing just fine with the business he does receive. The place is clean, and the baristas are nice...maybe some of you need to calm down.

Funny last commentPosted by No one's employee at 12:24am October 25, 2005 Flag This

The last comment stating that some of the negative comments are from the Spiderhouse manager trying to hurt some of La Tazza Fresca's business is laughable. Anyone with half a brain can go to Spiderhouse at any time of the day or night and see how popular and packed the place is. Spiderhouse doesn't need to resort to negative comments about another coffeehouse to try to gain business. It is a great place to socialize, hang out and work or relax and gets PLENTY of business on its own. The idea of the Spiderhouse having to resort to negative comments to hurt La Tazza's business is like saying Wal-mart is posting negative comments about Wheatsville Co-op to hurt their business. It's absolutely ludacrous but I salute the moron who posted the comment because it made me chuckle quite a bit.

La Tazza Fresca, however, is a different story. The place is never packed, and if you hear crickets inside it's because the place welcomes them, since it's better to have any kind of living body in there than no one at all. If it weren't for Groovey Lube, the place would be a graveyard most days of the week.

If anything, I think that one person is posting multiple positive reviews for La Tazza Fresca to try to pump the place up. Look at the post titled "first time at la tazza fresca" and the one titled "grate coffee". Both posts misspell the word "great". Coincidence? I think not. Also, the posts with references to the word "retard" are posted within 16 minutes of each other on the same night. Please, try to be a little more subtle with the false positive posts, whoever you are, you clueless nitwit.

informationPosted by ???? at 1:11pm October 23, 2005 Flag This

Propaganda:

Iím an employee at Spider House: I would like to inform everyone that some of bad comments about LA TAZZA are being posted here by the manager of the Spider house coffee shop in an attempt to hurt their business.

retard with a computerPosted by not a retard at 00:14am October 20, 2005 Flag This

Iím surprised a person who CANNOT operate a garbage can, is actually able to use a computer to leave a comment.

instruction manuals for operating the garbage cansPosted by Not attacked by a garbage can at 11:32pm October 19, 2005 Flag This

I like this place a lot, its very cozy. I also like Jimís comment. I guess la TAZZA does not discriminate against retards, whatís next, warning sings on garbage cans, or maybe they should hand out instruction manuals for operating the garbage cans with every drink. F***ing moron.

grate coffeePosted by Jim at 11:16pm October 19, 2005 Flag This

Grate cold drinks, beautiful interior. Definitely one of the best coffee shops Iíve been to in Austin. Absolutely donít agree with the last guy obviously mentally challenged and unable to use garbage cans with self closing lid.

not so fond of the dirty creamerPosted by ally at 5:01pm October 10, 2005 Flag This

Though this cute little cafe appears cozy and cute at night, a closer inspection (while having my car inspected next door) reveals that it is nothing more than a thinly veiled gas station coffee shop with ceramic mugs instead of Styrofoam. At 9am on a Monday morning, the warm jugs of half and half had curdled yellow crust around the edges, and dirty dishes in the tub below. The bathrooms were well used and disgusting, covered with grease, toilet paper all over the floor, full trash cans and no paper towels to boot. In the cafČ, The alligatorish trashcans were covered with a disgusting film of a months worth of drippings, which wouldn't have been so bad if I didn't have to push the lid to get my cup inside, upon which the lid snapped back and cut my finger. I should probably get a tetanus shot. Guess it wasn't cleaning day at The not-so-fresco Tazzo cup. Didn't have a chance to check the internet connection, had to find a band-aid and some penicillin.

Yuck...Posted by CoffeeFan at 3:47pm October 03, 2005 Flag This

I would rather drink coffee at the Starbucks across the street than drink coffee at La Tazza Fresca. The coffee beans may be okay but the coffee brewed is not very good. Bleagh. Free wireless is nice but I don't go to coffeehouses for their wireless, I go there for their coffee and their ambiance. Since La Tazza Fresca cannot offer anything promising in either category, I will take my money elsewhere. If they spiffed up the interior and made it more comfortable, I might go back. Otherwise, as of now I'm not and there are plenty of other options around that are more interesting, like Little City and JP's and Quackenbush's.

wowPosted by wow at 00:40am September 19, 2005 Flag This

WOW, Iíve found my new favorite coffee shop in Austin. Aside from the good drinks and food the servers are so damn nice and polite that it almost made me feel I wasnít in Austin anymore. I think the owner himself actually brought my drink out to me. Amazing, definitely a pleasant change from the rest of the independent shops in Austin.

MAC user at LTFPosted by MAC at 1:15pm September 08, 2005 Flag This

Finally a place where my MAC connects with no problem, good shakes, good music and mmm crÍpes. They even have computers for public use.

first time at la tazza frescaPosted by new to me at 2:15pm September 07, 2005 Flag This

After reading these conflicting reviews I went to la tazza for the first time last night, I thought the place was grate, drinks were good, music was mild swing, dČcor was beautiful, atmosphere was very calm, inside chairs are a bit uncomfortable, but there was comfortable outside seating, they are open late (I think 2 am or later), Ed the barista was very nice. Also I think they have Hookahs there as well (some people were using them outside). I enjoyed it a lot. Thumbs up. They just need to get better seats. Also, Boston guy, take it easy those last two are not representative of all Texans.

LA TAZZA FRESCAPosted by i hate yappiees at 00:17am September 05, 2005 Flag This

I would like to comment on the last 2 bitching comments because they are totally unfair and malicious. Iíve been to la tazza fresca several times and every time the service has been exceptional, sure they have a very liberal policy about musicians and people who want to express themselves or organize an event, they have a open stage policy that lets anyone to sing up for an event (at no charge) or display their art, or if they want to play music on the weekends. The baristas are very nice the have no problem carrying a conversation with the customers (not like some other places I can mention where everybody thinks they are gods gift to man). I have no idea what those last 2 idiots are talking about. I am so sick of you snobby Texans, before I moved to Texas I had never heard of anyone complain because something is unique, or about a service that is being provided for free (free wireless). Get over yourselves. You can keep your city. Good luck la tazza Iím going back to Boston where people try to preserve their cities uniqueness.

unexpected socialist propagandaPosted by no at 4:13pm August 28, 2005 Flag This

Trying to enjoy some coffee when an unanounced event started ... a socialist party meeting and film showing ... they actually actually asked me for a donation before i could get out of there. at least let patrons know that there will be a socialist meeting before they buy their coffee. also the seating is not very comfortable. will never go back.

OCELOTPosted by DEREK SMITH (www) at 05:49am May 19, 2005 Flag This

I'M TRYNG TO CONTACT LA TAZZA, BECAUSE I HAVE PAINTINGS TO TAKE DOWN AND BRING HOME, SO ANOTHER ARTIST CAN DO TOO..I CANNOT BECAUSE I WAS KIDNAPPED BY A BEAUTIFUL THING. IF YOU SEE THEM BEFORE I DO, THEY CAN PUT MY PICTURES IN THE SOUTHWEST CORNER...WHERE THE LITTLE BROKEN HEART IS ON THE SHELF. SON OF BARBARA..DEREK CHUPACABRA OCELOT KITTENS SMITH.LV

Not a fun place to work, even with free wirelessPosted by Carolyn at 4:12pm February 03, 2005 Flag This

This place has good wireless but it's not a very happy place to be hanging out. The outside part that is fenced in is kind of cool, but the inside is cold and generic feeling. They also play lame music there: for some reason they play radio stations, which kind of sucks since you get occasional commercials and other distracting banter. Just play some good stuff nonstop like some Frank Sinatra or some Gypsy Kings or something, for cryin out loud. And whoever posted about the girl with the attitude, I know firsthand because I got some of that attitude when I was hanging out there waiting for my car to be finished being worked on over at Groovey Lube. The girl acted like she was God's gift to coffeehouses. Get a grip, chicky---you are a lowly BARISTA. If you don't give me coffee, I don't care, there are only about 80,000 other places to get it from.

Review - La Tazza FrescaPosted by Mike at 11:11pm October 09, 2004 Flag This

Excellent place to WiFi and drink a quality cup of brew. Very relaxed and informal. Tables could be a little bit more sturdier for laptops but it will do. Man, I hope this place does well...its got an excellent location! Owner is cool. One negative though is the little barista who works during the day/morning. She has an attitude with customers and acts like she's "all that"...sorry, you ain't "all that" and your music playlist/DJ, 'whatever' selection is sub-par. What gives!? This would be the perfect coffee shop...

[No title]Posted by Phil at 10:07pm January 18, 2004 Flag This

Really nice decor. The house red I surely recommend. Coffee is good as well. Internet is slightly slow, but free nonetheless. Ambiance not pretentious due to the lack of beautiful hipster type folk, i.e. SpiderHouse.

New hoursPosted by steve (www) at 11:25pm October 28, 2003 Flag This

New hours:
M-Th 7am - Midnight
F-Sa 7am-1am
Sunday 9am - Midnight

Now serving beer and wine.

PresidentPosted by Tim Rogers at 1:24pm October 01, 2003 Flag This

I just had lunch with 5 friends at this cafe. It was excellent. I sat outside on a beautiful day. They have a power cord hanging from a tree outside!!! Bruce Karimi, the owner, is a great guy and a firm believer in free wifi.

[No title]Posted by Anonymous at 12:54am September 18, 2003 Flag This

I like this place. Make sure you get the comfy leather chairs. Two outlets nearby. They even let me play my own CD on their stereo system. During the day there are very few people there. I felt like I had the run of the place. Loved the high ceiling and all the windows. You can even get your car oil changed too.