Phoebe’s Diner: Classic American Diner in South Austin

Phoebe’s Diner, located in Austin, Texas, is a casual diner serving everything from scratch-made American classics to barbecue. In 2017, the owners of Winebelly, one of South Austin’s best wine bars, opened Phoebe’s Diner. The diner, located a few doors down from Winebelly, sits next to a gas station in a strip mall off W Oltorf St.

Since opening, the breakfast and brunch spot has gained a following for its extensive menu featuring made-from-scratch Americana dishes. Dishes include fried chicken, shrimp & grits, biscuits & gravy, and Texas barbecue.

Tip: On weekends, I always join the Phoebe’s Diner waitlist on Yelp before I arrive. I recommend doing this, otherwise, you might be waiting for a table.

Interior of Phoebe’s Diner

Due to its strip mall location, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I walked inside the restaurant. I was pleasantly surprised when I made my way from the parking lot and through the door.

The first thing that caught my attention was how small the dining room was. On one side of the narrow room was a long counter, ubiquitous at most American diners. On the other side, opposite the counter, were small booths. It was busy and noisy, but for me, this was no issue at all. It was all part of the ambiance of the small diner.

As for the décor, I would describe it best as clean and modern while rustic and cozy at the same time. The simple white walls, checkerboard floors, and retro red lamps reminded me of a 1950s diner with a modern, industrial twist.

Phoebe’s Diner Menu

For a small diner, the extensive Phoebe’s Diner menu surprised me. The menu featured everything from classic American dishes to barbecue using brisket smoked in-house.

Breakfast items included eggs Benedict, omelets, fried chicken, grits, pancakes, and French toast. If you enjoy Texas barbecue, be sure to order something made with smoked brisket, such as the Smoked Brisket Burrito. The menu’s second page featured snacks, salads, sandwiches, and burgers.

Brisket Benny

Two of my favorite things are eggs Benedict and smoked brisket. So, ordering the Brisket Benny seemed like an easy decision for me. This Texas-style eggs benedict came with over-easy eggs, chopped BBQ brisket, buttermilk biscuits, hollandaise sauce, and BBQ sauce.

Hidden under the eggs was a generous amount of chopped brisket. At Phoebe’s Diner, they cooked their brisket to perfection until tender and moist. While they do a great job for a diner, it is a different experience than a dedicated barbecue spot like Terry Black’s Barbecue.

The smoky brisket, BBQ sauce, and the yolk from the perfectly poached over-easy eggs was a match made in food heaven. At Phoebe’s Diner, they used buttermilk biscuits instead of English muffins. The unique square biscuits were golden brown and crispy on the outside while moist and buttery inside.

Hash Brown Casserole and Salsas

Served on the side was a hash brown casserole. The potatoes, served cold, were crispy on the outside and soft and tender inside. Mixed in with the potatoes was cheese, making each bite creamy.

My server brought over two types of homemade salsas without asking. The red tomato salsa was smoky and spicy, while the green salsa had a bright, tart flavor from tomatillos and jalapenos. I enjoyed pouring each salsa over the brisket benny for an extra kick of heat.

Service

Even though it was a busy day, I found the service at Phoebe’s Diner to be both efficient and personable. I appreciated how my friendly server gave me her recommendations, which turned out to be great. Food arrived quickly even with a busy kitchen.

Conclusion

Phoebe’s Diner is a hidden gem located in South Austin. Even with its unusual location next to a gas station, the wait is worth it for their scratch-made American classic dishes and Texas barbecue. With its great menu, friendly service, and cool décor, I can’t wait to return on my next visit to Austin.

Pros

• Smoky brisket cooked to perfection
• Extensive, creative menu
• Modern yet old-school décor
• Friendly and efficient service

Cons

• Can be busy on weekends
• Loud dining room environment

Last Updated on February 5, 2026