Free movie nights. A hospitable and cozy study/work environment. A diverse menu and dog-friendly patio. The java’s not so great, but Austin Java Company has hit so many of this city’s erogenous zones that it’s guaranteed to be around no matter what it does or doesn’t do.

Prices are a touch higher than at similar places, but consider it rent if you tend to hang out. The food nods to both the crunchy old-Austin crowd, as well as the new, well-traveled dietary dilettantes, with varying results. Thai sesame noodle salad, albeit on the sweet side, is good (leave the undressed spinach beneath it alone). The burger with cracked pepper and Gorgonzola is good; it won’t come cooked to temperature, but the meat has a nice steaky flavor, and the blue cheese isn’t overpowering. One unusual perk is “African Peanut Soup”—it tastes like a spicy combination of Campbell’s tomato mixed with crunchy Jif, but we mean that in the best possible sense.

But Tex-Mex and Cajun items are on the bland side; eggs “Benedict” (sans meat) over spinach and artichoke have tasteless Hollandaise, although the eggs are nice and runny. Better are the slightly crisp pancakes with cinnamon butter and syrup. Breakfast tacos (“roll your own”) and quesadillas also work and are served with fresh-tasting chunky salsa. Both new and old Austin seem to like it.