While so many of us are redoubling efforts to support small businesses in this particularly fraught moment in time, some of those small businesses are actually doing the same. Literally starting from the ground up, sourcing from local farmers is part of the puzzle that those in the dining room don’t see, but when it goes missing, it’s obvious when the bigger picture doesn’t look right. An essential, core element of the community, Counter Culture is weathering the storm of the pandemic without ever losing sight of that crucial aspect, among many others.
To discuss Counter Culture without mentioning their outreach and impact across all of Austin would do a terrible disservice to all that it stands for. Food is a form of activism here as a way of positive reinforcement, making environmentally-sound, cruelty-free options an easy choice. Inclusivity has been part of that compassionate approach from day one, which means that there’s something for everyone at the table, offered at affordable prices that still allow employees a living wage. It’s a delicate balance to maintain, if not an impossible compromise to strike between ethics and business, which makes the past decade of success all the more inspiring. If every meal is a battle, they’re winning this war.
At the end of the day, it’s the food that keeps customers coming back, after all. Approachable, comforting classics are menu mainstays, but that’s not all. You can also find raw specialties like zucchini noodles and raw cheesecakes for healthier cravings, or on the flip side, strong mixed drinks if you’d rather re-tox than detox.
Sandwiches are the stuff of deli dreams, layered with thick, hand crafted and cured seitan pastrami, or sweet apple jam with “bacun”. Though few people would rave about a green salad, the BLTA salad deserves such praise, sharply dressed in creamy ranch with lavish piles of buttery avocado, smoked tempeh, and hemp Parmesan. Show up for happy hour to get a smart discount on their crowd-pleasing buffalo mac & cheese balls, or the towering plate of east side nachos that could feed an army.
Visitors should put it at the top of their itinerary and plant-based residents should be regulars. Counter Culture is the kind of cornerstone establishment that any city, big or small, would be lucky to host.
Counter Culture
2337 E Cesar Chavez St.
Austin, TX 78702
You have some of the tastiest establishments near you! Totally jealous. That vegan flatbread looks so delicious.
I really am so lucky to be surrounded by so many incredible people and delicious food options! I love it here!
Their food looks amazing, Hannah. I like to support small a/o local places, too. Hayden Flour Mil is one and Queen Creek Olive Mill another.
janet
Oh I know Hayden Flour Mills! I didn’t realize they had an actually shop!
It’s a small shop open short hours Thurs.-Sun. Before Christmas last year they had a holiday market with a small number of local businesses/people. It was quite nice. Some of their products are grown on various reservations, which is a great way to keep the history and provide good jobs.
The food looks perfect, so many great options and need to add to our list for the next visit.
Those nachos looks amazing
[…] Counter Culture puts a healthier spin on this otherwise gut-busting sandwich, employing whole foods that remain true to their earthy roots. Soft marbled rye flecked with caraway seeds cradles thick planks of marinated locally made tempeh, slathered with super gooey cheese sauce and a notably tomato-forward dressing. Crunchy red onion adds welcome textural contrast, cutting the subtly bitter edge of the fermented beans nicely. The sauerkraut is so soft that it seems to melt into the filling, blended with a few cucumber pickles for an extra fresh flavor. […]
[…] Counter Culture, cornerstone of the vegan community, sent shock waves through all of Austin after announcing that this December would be their last. Having beaten the odds for over 13 years of business, it’s especially difficult to accept that their hearty, home style sandwiches, snacks, salads, and raw specialties will no longer be with us. Coming so late in the year, it truly felt like the bottom fell out of the neighborhood as a whole. […]