The Early Word on Stylish New Orleans Diner Sawyer & Co.

Steven Shallcross of Swoop House and restaurant designer Mickie Spencer teamed up to open a stylish new diner on East Cesar Chavez earlier this month. Sawyer & Co. debuted breakfast and lunch menus of New Orleans-inspired dishes and kegged cocktails; dinner is coming soon. Read on for the early word.

The Breakfast News — Reviews are mostly glowing for the breakfast dishes on offer at Sawyer. The biscuits are "soooo so so fluffy and buttery," and the crawfish etouffee scramble is "out of the park." Yelper Susie L. is less impressed: "It's a pancake. It's a biscuit. It's cheesy grits. It's all solid, but that's it."

The Lunch News — They're serving po'boys on bread brought in from New Orleans. Chowhounder slowcooked praises the gumbo and the meatloaf, "a huge catsupy slice, the baked mac and cheese and green beans sides." Oh, and the pie inspires some weird Yelp poetry.

The Drinks News — Blogger Gourmet Fury recommends their Hurricane on tap and Chowhounder slowcooked digs the "fine whiskey and bourbon short list." The kegged cocktails are blowing minds: "Keg Cocktails? Like...out of a keg? Shut...up...."

The Design News — Co-owner Mickie Spencer's mid-century riff charms most visitors. Yelper Jennifer O. praises the, "Beautiful, wonderful mid-century vibes that just feel *homey.*" Jennifer L. digs the patio: " The outdoor space with kitchsy booths, hanging plants, globe style light fixtures, and a vintage RV created an amazing atmosphere!"

The Wait News — Sawyer & Co. is still only open for breakfast and lunch (dinner is coming soon), and the breakfast waits can get lengthy. Wronged Yelper Brent B. files an angry missive: "Placed order for muffaletto and sawyer benedict waited more than a hour. When we finally got our meal everything was completely cold." Several folks note that weekend brunch-time waits get long, fast. And Yelper Brian D. notes, "The kitchen is a bit slow, but the wait is well worth it."

The Price News — Sawyer & Co. promised to serve "affordable" food when they were opening, and overall the prices strike early diners as reasonable. Chowhounder slowcooked says, "Her whole breakfast meal was cheaper, for example, than olamaie's three biscuits alone," and Yelper John M. adds, "The prices are fair, to be honest, less than I had expected from a new Austin place." Brian M. is so relieved: " I was expecting yet another overpriced Kale Emporium run by sniveling hipsters. I was very pleasantly surprised."

Sawyer & Co
4827 E. Cesar Chavez
(512) 531-9033
Website