Every good neighborhood needs a good bakery, and our neighborhood is fortunate to host several. One on the fringe (but within the stomach-hood) is Russell’s Bakery & Coffee Bar over yonder at Hancock and Balcones Drive. First opened by Russell Millner in Barton Hills in 1993 and then moved to Hancock in 1998, Russell’s has been a stalwart of cake, coffee, and comestibles for nigh 30 years. And it just so happens that, when I started writing this review, I happened across the opening of a satellite Russell’s in Northcross Center on Anderson Lane in the former location of Which Which?
Russell’s has what you want out of a local bakery: good coffee and espresso drinks, good pastries and pies, and good soups, sandwiches, and salads. Their cinnamon rolls are dense and buttery, their sandwiches thick, and their soups savory. Russell’s has gluten-free items for those so predisposed and has been creating custom cakes for decades. If tea suits you to a T, he also has tea breads (and tea). The Italian Godfather (genoa salami, sliced ham, sliced turkey, provolone, cheddar, mustard, and a blessing of Caesar dressing on ciabatta) was particularly good (and the size of a bedded horse head).
web&where: interwebs; 3339 hancock drive and 2525 west anderson lane #2700; (512) 888-9885
what’s the deal? bakery (counter service)
overall: ** (food**; drink**; atmosphere*; service**; instagrammability**)
cost: $$
our scale:
– meh [think twice]
* OK [it’ll get the job done]
** good [solid neighborhood joint]
*** damn good [we’ll definitely be back]
**** yippity-yikes that was amazeballs [fantastic; one of the best]
***** holy sh!t [transcendental; best of the best] each $ = $10; cost is based on a typical dinner entrée and appetizer (no drinks)
each $ = $10; cost is based on a typical dinner entrée and appetizer (no drinks)
austin wanderlist 