For Kerbey Lane, It’s Out with the Old, In with the Blue
Kerbey Lane Cafe, long outfitted with a colorful mural and Longhorn memorabilia, has been a beloved resident of the Drag for more than a decade—so its extensive renovation this summer caused a bit of a stir.
Now open, the new Kerbey, designed by architect Richard Weiss, is sleeker and more modern than its predecessor. The restaurant has traded classic for chic with new retro-futuristic dividers and striking blue and lime green decor.
Karli Isiyel, Kerbey Lane’s marketing coordinator, says the restaurant was overdue for an update. The franchise acquired the lease for the Drag location in 2001, but its wood paneling on the walls inside was still indicative of the ’80s.
So far, Isiyel says, customers’ responses to the changes have been mostly positive. “There are always a few people who are upset when we update our restaurants, but I think that overall it’s gone well,” Isiyel says. “People are really happy about it.”
UT grad student Nick Zufelt says he dines at Kerbey Lane about every other month, but now finds the restaurant “much less homey.”
“I kind of like the old look better,” Zufelt says. “The new one is fine. It’s sort of chic and happening, but it doesn’t feel like Kerbey Lane.”
For others, like customer and local psychologist Daphny Ainslie, the renovations are a welcome sight. “I did not have a problem with the old look, but now that it has the new look, I feel like I may have had have a problem with the old look,” Ainslie says. “This is so much more open.”
Jaimie Krause, PhD ’12, says she almost didn’t recognize the place. “It’s fresh; it’s modern,” Krause says. “I think it’s nice. It’s definitely light and airy.”
To get used to the new space, Isiyel says the staff did a soft opening before the restaurant’s official reopening, and all food was free that day.
Isiyel says no other changes are planned at the establishment (although some of the UT memorabilia may return), and the menu is still the same.
But are the renovations a departure from the “Keep Austin Weird” vibe that the Kerbey on the Drag wore so well?
“You can be weird and contemporary,” Ainslie says, “and I think this accomplishes that.”
Check out this slideshow showcasing the new Kerbey Lane, then tell us what you think in the poll below! (Can’t see the slideshow? Click here.)
Photos by Zen Ren
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14 Comments
Such a fabulous Marketing manager Ms. K. Isiyel is!!! She will continue to give everything she touches that special flair…
Utterly ruined. It now looks like a modernized I-Hop. I no longer live in Austin, but if I did, I would be terribly disappointed in what had been one of my favorite places in the city. – former UT law student
All the old charm is gone, along with the eccentrically charming counter-culture staff. Chic, no. Sterile, yes.
hate this new look. so glad I graduated!
I’m not a fan of the new look. There’s a reason no one has painted over the “Hi, How are you” frog. Some things should stay old and hippy-ish. It’s what makes Austin weird. If everything looked like this, we’d be living in Dallas.
The problem with your statement is that you think Austin is “weird”. Let’s get real..Austin is Austin but it sure ain’t weird and hasn’t been in years.
[...] might disagree with. The Texas Exes‘ posted a more fair and balanced report in the Alcalde saying we traded in classic for chic. We’re not sure we would call the new decor [...]
Here’s how long it’s been for me…I didn’t realize Kerbey Lane was no longer on Kerbey Lane!
You’re in luck – there is still a Kerbey Lane on Kerbey Lane. It is my favorite of all Kerbey locations.
I like it. I think it looks clean, colorful and inviting. While the food has always been great I didn’t always love the kind of old musty smell. I’ll definitely make a point to visit next time I’m back in Austin.
Taken right out of the diner scene in Pulp Fiction.
So glad this has not happen to the one off of 35th…….my favorite to visit when I come to town!
The new look resembles the Galaxy Cafe. It is definitely less homey and more sterile than before. And although I like lime green, it is jarring at Kerbey. Oh well, guess we’ll just have to get used to the new Drag Kerbey. Better this than a completely new menu.
Having graduated in 1990 and left Austin completely in 1995, this was always a “new” KL for me. Love the old/original on Kerbey Lane, and got to visit this one a couple of years ago. As long as the food remains amazing, I don’t really care what the decor is. Craving those pancakes right now, all the way in NYC. Open a New York location, please! : )