Rockman Coffee and Bakeshop and Mercado Sin Nombre, both within Austin’s Holly neighborhood on the East Side, are making me feel like I’m the first person to discover breakfast. I keep thinking to myself, “I have to alert the people about this!” Well, hello people. Let’s get into it:
So cute! (Kelsey Bradshaw/City Cast Austin)
☕ Mercado Sin Nombre, 408 N. Pleasant Valley Road
Located in what looks like an alley, Mercado Sin Nombre is small, with only window service, and chairs and tables outside. Orange flower garlands and twinkle lights hang above you, and it really doesn’t feel like you’re next to a busy road in the middle of Austin, Texas.
Menu items include your classic coffees like lattes and cortados. I picked the horchata cold brew and have never been happier. It wasn’t too sweet, which was my main concern. For food, your options include a masa twinkie, pancakes, and burritos, among others.
My beloveds. (Kelsey Bradshaw/City Cast Austin)
I got a biscuit made with blue masa, which gave it a nice corny taste. It’s flaky, but crunchy, and is split in three chunky slices for you to slather with jam and butter. It comes with whatever jam the shop is cooking up at the time – I was the lucky recipient of a roasted green tomato jam and coffee butter. It was so special and I can’t believe no one has served me such a combo before!
I will absolutely be returning to Mercado Sin Nombre, likely with my dog in tow, after a walk at nearby Lady Bird Lake.
Look at this cinnamon roll. (Kelsey Bradshaw/City Cast Austin)
🥯 Rockman Coffee and Bakeshop, 2400 Cesar Chavez St.
It took me a while to get to Rockman Coffee and Bakeshop, because every time I drove by, a line was wrapped around the building after it opened in October. A good sign.
The number one menu item that piqued my interest when I finally made it inside was the shop’s rip and dip bagels. What do you mean I have to rip my bagel and dip it into cream cheese? That is not what my people want for me! Well, the bagels are great. They’re light and fluffy and I love dipping them into cream cheese because you get more cream cheese that way!
During my first visit, I went back for two more bagels. I blame that mostly on the cream cheese Rockman is crafting – the french onion and loaded lox shmears are so extremely tasty. (A tub of french onion is currently in my fridge).
Now, promise me you won’t go to Rockman without ordering something sweet. Treats like birthday cake, churro croissants, and chocolate chip cookie croissants line the shop’s shelves and I wish I could take one of each home. The brown butter cinnamon roll was akin to vacation. It was a perfect bite and gave me a totally stress-free, zen moment of enjoyment. Me, dramatic? Never!
Rockman is also doing cool community events that I want to get out to. On Wednesday nights, Zee’s Weiner System is serving hot dogs at Rockman, which also serves beer and wine. I’ll be back for more bagels before then though, I’m already out of my latest to-go batch.
🗣️ Email me: Have you tried these spots?
