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The Woodland Reviews List
The Woodland
Recently (2012) named "Best Dessert" on Citysearch and "Best Shrimp and Grits" in town by Austin Chronicle Reader's Restaurant Poll.
We make and bake everything in house; the sandwich breads, hamburger buns and po-boy loaves. We hand-cut our french fries and make our own pickles. Our salads are fresh, flavorful and hearty and many say we have the best veggie burger in town.
Saturday and Sunda...y brunch at the Woodland is always a lively and delicious affair. We start both mornings beginning at 10:30 am. It’s always a good time involving mimosas, bloody marys, and the newly added Chicken and Waffles and South Texas Chilaquiles. We heard you friends! The half-price bottle of wine special we have every Sunday and Monday nights for dinner has become a popular way for folks to begin or end the week
See more The Woodland details
49 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Rating Breakdown 49 reviews
5 stars
(9)
4 stars
(21)
3 stars
(13)
2 stars
(5)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(26)
- fit for foodies(18)
- great for lunch(11)
- good for groups(9)
- great for brunch(8)
- kid-friendly(8)
The Woodland Reviews List
Review 1 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great evening
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was fabulous. First time I can ever remember seeing a menu that I was gladly eat each and every dish on it. Service was perfect."
Dined on 6/07/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 2 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Food not prepared well
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Two fish dishes were ordered at our table: the salmon and the mahi-mahi -- both were way over cooked. The service was good, and while I wasn't happy that their liquor license was suspended, they were kind enough to offer two complimentary drinks per person.
I just wish the food had been better prepared. When you are charging as much for an entree as The Woodland is, they had better get their food quality improved. There are way too many other choices for that poor quality."
Dined on 6/07/2013
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Review 3 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Let Down
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The service was akin to what I would expect at McDonalds. We have 2 year old twins and thought this place would be a compromise for Mother's Day...nice enough and still kid-friendly. Lots of other families seemed to have the same idea, yet the staff could not have been less welcoming. Usually, wait staff is extra friendly on Mother's Day, but not this place. A smile was hard to come by, as was water refills and even a straw! The food was mediocre at best. The eggs tasted like airplane eggs. Overall, I was really disappointed, mainly because of this location. SoCo restaurants need to be on their game all the time. People often flock to SoCo right off the plane, and I want their foodie experiences to be the best representation possible!"
Dined on 5/12/2013
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Review 4 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Peeved hipster waitstaff
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Went for dinner. Service was sullen, restaurant was hot and stuffy, food was mostly underwhelming. The pie was good though!"
Dined on 5/17/2013
Special Features: romantic
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Review 5 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Woodland was great - went on a Friday night, and had a group of 6, so we made a reservation. But it wasn't that crowded when we arrived. We did get a big corner booth at the back which was fun and intimate. We might not have gotten the booth had we not had the reservation. Our waiter was super helpful, making recommendations when we asked. We had the corn fritters and pork empanadas for appetizers - both were just okay. Our table had chicken fried chicken, shrimp and grits, lamb shank (the special), the fettuccini - all were great! We were pretty much too stuffed for dessert, but tried the peanut butter choc pie which was rich and yummy!"
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 6 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Family Dinner
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Had a wonderful dinner with my family and my new fiance. The drinks were great and came out quick, and my pork chop dish was AMAZING! Also, my dad loved the desserts, and he is a serious dessert guy!"
Dined on 04/27/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 7 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Loved goat cheese ravioli
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Loved goat cheese ravioli with pink peppercorns. Light browned butter sauce. So much better than overwhelming white or red sauce. BEST chocolate pie ever!!!!!! Five Stars. Can't wait to try other desserts."
Dined on 04/24/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 8 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Eh...
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Everything was OK, but felt the food was overpriced for what was served."
Dined on 04/21/2013
2005
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Review 9 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
The service was horrible.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The service was horrible. I used to like this restaurant, but something has gone wrong. Yelp gave it horrible reviews also."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2009
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Review 10 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Was greeted at the door, ask
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Was greeted at the door, ask if we had a reservation and then we greeted by name - very nice. Clean restaurant, good service and nice variety in the menu. Only complaint - my over easy eggs were not cooked at all. I didn't say anything because this is an issue were ever I eat. If you ask for over medium, they're over cooked. It was still a nice meal."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2012
Special Features: great for brunch, neighborhood gem
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Review 11 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
One of my favorite restaurants
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"One of my favorite restaurants in all of Austin. It is simple, relatively quiet, uncrowded even when full, and the food is exquisite and affordable."
Dined on 03/26/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 12 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Good wine!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I am so sad that the stuffed tomato has been removed from the menu, but the linguine was an OK substitute. Order the fired oyster appetizer and you will not be disappointed.
I loved the wine list and great recommendations from the waiter."
Dined on 03/25/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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Review 13 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The atmosphere was great.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The atmosphere was great. Service was quick and attentive. Sunday nights, they have 1/2 off wine bottles, so that's a big plus.
I got the chicken pot pie, and it was not hot enough, plus it didn't taste that great. The interesting combinations on the menu led me to expect better food. I don't remember what my date had, but she didn't care for it too much either. I will give 'em props for the corn fritters though. They were great.
I got the chicken pot pie, and it was not hot enough, plus it didn't taste that great. The interesting combinations on the menu led me to expect better food. I don't remember what my date had, but she didn't care for it too much either. I will give 'em props for the corn fritters though. They were great.
Despite not having a perfect experience, I'll definitely be giving The Woodland another try."
Dined on 03/24/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, great for lunch
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Review 14 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Wine list was poor, but the
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Wine list was poor, but the food was very good. The shrimp and grits were among the best we have found."
Dined on 03/11/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 15 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The desserts are some of the
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The desserts are some of the best that I have ever had."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 16 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
After a long day we wanted
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"After a long day we wanted comfort food and found it at The Woodland. On Saturday night the reservation was helpful, as the restaurant was crowded when we arrived and when we departed. I had meatloaf, and my wife had a pot pie. Both were very tasty and well prepared, with fresh ingredients. Service was excellent."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2011
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Review 17 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great Sunday evening dinner spot!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We had a wonderful meal...very fresh and with great flavor...pork tenderloin tower, tomato capriese salad, and chicken tortilla soup. The soup base was very authentic Mexican poblanos and definitely made in house. The key lime pie had a very nice crust but the pie filing was a bit stale or old. The service was fine but not outstanding. The server was attentive but disinterested. Sunday evenings had half price wine by the bottle. Overall, a good experience and we would go back...would just order a different dessert."
Dined on 02/24/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 18 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Excellent corn fritters and
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Excellent corn fritters and steak frites. Comfortable, casual dining. Pleasant atmosphere. Friendly wait staff. Highly recommend for informal occasions with friends or family."
Dined on 02/21/2013
2012
Special Features: kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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Review 19 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
I was an avid Treehouse patron
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I was an avid Treehouse patron when it first opened but afraid I'll not be returning after my Thursday night experience. My mother ordered a gin martini and received a rum (that's right rum) martini. I ordered the veggie burger which was simply inedible - pure salt. Even tho the restaurant was only 1/3 full, the acoustics were so bad the four of us found ourselves shouting so we could be heard. This was partly due to an exhausted child at another table who was screaming.
Just not a good experience at all."
Dined on 02/21/2013
2013
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Review 20 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Even though we had a reservation
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Even though we had a reservation we waited for 40 min to he sat. The hostess then just pointed to the table and said y'all are over there. He did not bother to walk us over or bring us menus. The server was ok. He was not very friendly and kind of slow. He was in no hurry. I have been here before and remembered why it had been so long since I had been back. I was a little disappointed."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2007
Special Features: romantic
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Review 21 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Most Under-rated Restaurant
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I think this is one of the best restaurants in town. Local steak restaurants need to take a lesson from Woodland. Their Chicken Fried Chicken is also the best in town. Even beats hoovers. Their meatloaf is excellent and the Fish & Chips is some of the best I've had outside of Ireland."
Dined on 02/13/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 22 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The bad news is that when
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The bad news is that when we arrived at our reservation time, we still had to wait. The WORSE news is that the staff sat a couple who arrived AFTER us who had the same reservation time. We then ended up sitting at the bar for another 20 minutes until a table opened up.
Luckily, the food was impeccable as always - although they disappointed my wife by being out of salmon. And they comped our bar alcohol for the seating troubles, which I suppose is fair enough. The waiter was highly inattentive and distant however.
In our experience, this is the kind of place where the service is spotty but the quality of the meal means you'll always leave satisfied."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
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Review 23 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
My only negative feed back
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My only negative feed back to contribute was with the appearance of the servers. Except for Tim, all of them were dressed after a "ratty/I don't care how I look" fashion. It felt like I was in New Bohemia with all of the skin-art creeping out from the rumpled apparrel."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 24 for The Woodland
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Definitely Recommend!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We really liked the Woodland Cafe!! The Shrimp and Grits was DELICIOUS! Their Desserts were amazing. Great Cafe Atmosphere..day or night."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Ratings-Only Reviews for The Woodland
Based on the average of (25) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
6 out of 6 recommend this product
Food
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic