Hey Beauties! (don’t know if I need a vacation or 2 days of sleep) Calling all brunchers… There should definitely be a club or society of some sort that allows all lovers of brunch to unite and conquer. There’s just something about Sunday brunch that really sets the tone for ending a long week or crazy weekend. It’s a time to have a little hair of the dog and reflect on the weekend or just have a bomb a** breakfast and cheers to a new week. Anytime I am in a different city there are 2 things I can guarantee you will be in my GOOGLE history and that’s…lounges in (insert city) or brunch in (insert city). I love a city that is swarming with options and is straight up laid back and diverse. I think we’ve established my obsession with Austin Texas, and I can honestly say I not only feel at home when I’m there but can guarantee that I’ll find something to feed my need for everything I love to do. After a Saturday of “LITivities” I was ready to start my Sunday with a bang and hit the brunch scene. I consulted my trusty companion (Google) and began the hunt. I find myself unknowingly getting into routines where I like to party in my territory or the spots I prefer to frequent and use my dinner and brunch hour to explore different sides of the city.
East Side Roamin’
I’ve discovered that I love roaming the East side of downtown Austin and wanted to give E. 6th Street another look. I live for a brunch that has banging tunes, there’s something about enjoying breakfast, cocktails, and a bumpin’ atmosphere that really gets me going. “brunch with DJ East 6TH street Austin Texas” was loaded and launched… God bless the world wide web. I scrolled down a bit and came across “Lichas Cantina” I’ll keep it 100 in saying that the photo that popped up on Google wasn’t the most appealing but the fact that it was a “cantina” had me intrigued. I went to my backup consultant “Instagram” and looked them up this way. Talk about night and day, the Instagram page was lively, colorful, and right up my alley which is why I never rely on Google alone.
My mind was made up and I was on the move. Just like most places downtown, there aren’t many places that offer on-site parking. Don’t fret, there are several designated parking areas and free parking along the sides of the roads down each block. I usually get lucky and find something along the side without issue.
Photo Cred: Google Search 
Photo Cred: Lichas Cantina Instagram
“Day and Night (what, what)” -Kid Cudi Voice
Walking up the sidewalk I could hear the music from a few feet down and knew I made the right decision. UNTZ….UNTZ…UNTZ… was music to my ears (literally). Passing by the neighboring businesses, they all shared the same “house like” structures and edgy/carefree vibe. One thing about the city is that you never know what to expect or what you’re walking in to. You can expect to find a 5-star dining experience in a warehouse at this point and that’s just the beauty of the city. There was no mistaking where the location was as I spotted umbrella covered tables on the lawn and a staircase with the words “No te apures para que dures” as my welcome. Each step got me not only closer to the entrance, but to the pair of LIVELY DJ’s up on the porch playing a mix of Latin music. Their energy was next level and contagious, it gave me the spunk I needed to hype up my experience. Opening the door was like walking into a saloon where the sun coming through the doors makes everyone turn and look at the people who so much as dared to allow sunlight in.
There was maybe enough room for 2 people to fit at the hostess stand and while I looked around, it was dark and den like. You can say the interior didn’t match the exterior vibe and was downright “quiet and uninviting” in my eyes. The host wasn’t very welcoming and seemed sort of “huffy” maybe he was having a bad day. There was a dim yellow ambiance throughout the interior, and it was pretty dark in there. The smell matched the dark and dim motif and I caught an attic like smell. We requested to sit outside so we can hear tunes. I wasn’t in there long to explore further as the hostess was guiding us back outside onto one of the covered umbrella tables. Simply walking down the stairs again was that breath of fresh air and reminded me that I made the right decision. As I sat down I made more observations on the detail of the restaurant. The small house was older, and not well kept but that’s the beauty of downtown Austin. I personally love to brunch at raw and unique places as this.
A “Cantarito” in a Cantina?!
Of course I scanned the cocktail menu and was so pleased at all the classic “Cantina” cocktails that were offered. I spotted the “Cantarito” and without hesitation it was my choice. This cocktail is served in a clay jarrito that is said to keep your cocktail cold and fresh longer. This alone sets the tone for the entire drinking experience. Any time you are having your drink served in a clay cup it’s a …. “YAAASSSS QUEEN” moment. This is a tequila-based drink that calls for grapefruit, orange, lime, and lemon juice with a splash of Jarritos grapefruit soda and a chili salt rim. You can guess that this cocktail is definitely for a citrus lover. Getting this drink served to me on what felt like a 100-degree weather day was just what I needed. It was made to perfection and really truly refreshing and thirst quenching. Having that first sip, I was able to actually sit back and take everything in around me.
When I say the DJ’s were in their own world, I mean it! They were definitely at high energy and enjoying each other’s company. At one point they pulled out their own instruments and played along with the beat, it was definitely entertaining to watch. With every sip of my cocktail it was true that the Jarrito was indeed helping it keep its chill. It was like taking a drink of fresh lemonade/orange juice that just gives you that “ahhhh” after every sip. I appreciated the chili salt rim as it complimented each sip perfectly.
I ordered a plate of chilaquiles and enjoyed the rest of my experience. There were 4 other tables outside with guests, but for the most part no one else arrived or left during the time of my visit. A friend of mine had a mimosa and loved it but you can’t really screw up a mimosa right? All in all, I enjoyed this visit for the outdoor vibe and the cocktail. I appreciated the DJ’s energy and groove and will definitely be returning maybe for dinner this time! This is a perfect place to go with a group of friends and grab a big table and some cocktails to enjoy some social time and a lit brunch. I don’t know if it was just this particular day but I’d stay away from the inside if you’re looking for a poppin’ experience but judging by the food and drinks it’s defintiely worth experiencing the indoors if you want something more intimate and quiet.
So what’s your vibe for brunch? Are you just there for a bomb a** breakfast and could care less about the atmosphere? Do you even enjoy having cocktails and brunch or prefer just to drink or just to eat? Do you think I should go back for dinner and hit the saloon this time? *wink* Let your gurl know!
