DINING FEATURE Kick Butt Co ee Co ee shop and punk venue packs a punch N estled in a strip mall on Airport Boulevard, long-time local business Kick Butt Co ee has found an unexpected niche, doubling as one of Austin’s top punk music venues. The business’s two music stages are not the only surprises to be found in the cafe, owned by Austin native Thomas Gohring. The shop also has a full breakfast and lunch menu. “When I rst opened, someone said you just have to keep listening to your customers and adjust what you do. Everyone would always complain there was no food on the menu,” Gohring said. In response, Kick Butt added homemade break- fast tacos, scratch-made mu ns and baked goods, sandwiches and salads, in addition to a full slate of co ee and espresso drinks, including frozen blended “Frappys,” mochas with Ghirardelli choc- olate and black ice toddies, which are Kick Butt’s brand of cold brew co ee, “brewed with attitude” for 20 hours. When it comes to co ee, Kick Butt always had to aim high, Gohring said. “I learned the rst year because of the name [Kick Butt] the co ee actually has to be good—because it’s not called ‘Okay Co ee,’” he said. The name itself may carry another surprise to rst-time co ee shop visitors who are not familiar with Kick Butt’s history. Kick Butt Co ee is Gohring’s second business, following his dojo Master Gohring’s Tai Chi & Kung Fu, which now resides next door. The co ee shop’s name is a nod toward Gohring’s martial arts background, a theme which carries through the cafe’s menu, which includes items such as the Bruce Lee B.L.T. and the Green Dragon Salad. BY OLIVIA ALDRIDGE
Ms. Elizabeth's Avocado Toast has a focaccia base and is topped with tomatoes, cucumber, strawberries and balsamic vinegar for $8.99.
PHOTOS BY OLIVIA ALDRIDGE COMMUNITY IMPACT
Kick Butt Co ee was founded in 2008 and named in honor of the owner's other business, a martial arts studio.
Thomas Gohring owns Kick Butt Co ee and Master Gohring’s Tai Chi and Kung Fu. Kick Butt Co ee 5775 Airport Blvd., Ste. 725, Austin 512-454-5425 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 6 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. with additional hours for evening shows and open mic nights
Kick Butt Co ee sells homemade breakfast tacos for $3.49 and up.
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Kickbutt Co ee was originally featured on Community Impact’s podcast the Austin Breakdown. Scan the QR code to listen to the episode and subscribe. HEAR MORE OF THE STORY
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BRAND BUSINESS your WITH STICKIES Exclusive front cover placement • Targeted mailbox delivery • Competitive pricing Sitting at the cross-section of these unlikely pairings, Gohring acknowledges Kick Butt has developed into a business that is uniquely “Austin.” “Few places are more local than us,” he said.
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NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION • OCTOBER 2022
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