Progress Coffee

I liked this place better before it got gentrified into Wright Brothers or whatever they’re calling it now.

Hipster central. The cold press (they called it something else) was great and it seems like a cool place to hang out if you can find a table not already staked out by a laptop user. And the nearby construction makes things interesting. Still, a cool place.

This is one of those serious coffee drinking places.
I came in and asked what they recommended and ended up the cold pressed iced coffee. As with cold-​pressed coffee, flavor was concentrated.
Definitely wouldn’t mind stopping by again to try their other coffee drinks.

I went here in July cause I had a list from Travel and Leisure of the best coffee shops in the US. This was one of the 20. I didnt really stay long, just ordered my drink and went. But i did like the atmosphere and their workers were really nice.
I’m from california so I was pretty new to Austin’s take on coffee. By that I mean they put condensed milk in it. I’m normally a 1 tsp sugar or 2 pumps syrup kinda gal, so the condensed milk was pretty sweet. It was interesting and I’d probably order it again if i’m ever in austin.

I tried to come here to study today, really looking forward to the outdoor seating (suggested by a friend) and strong wifi (according to many Unilocal reviews). Unfortunately, I was disappointed by both.
The patio /​deck area that wraps around the corner of the coffee shop is decent but wifi doesn’t reach. There was also a film of black dust on all the table tops. I understand it’s Mother Nature, but not even a damp napkin could get rid of it. The view is a wonderful dirt road and some construction. My friend and I decided to relocate and to our surprise, there was no working wifi inside either. It was also extremely dim, all the blinds on the windows were down. You can’t really study unless you’re using a laptop, which will be your only source of light.
Now the coffee… I didn’t really see a comprehensive menu. There were a few black chalkboards with a total of two sandwiches and one drink item on it. I tried the iced lightning because the description sounded delicious. I was a little skeptical since its pre-​mixed and even had a small sip of my friend’s before getting my own. Let me tell you… the more I drank it, the less I enjoyed it. It got sweeter and sweeter every sip I took. I actually ended up tossing it after drinking a quarter of it. Yes I know, I feel horrible for throwing away a $ 5 cup of coffee but I could not justify ingesting the sugar and calories.
This coffee shop literally looks like a warehouse with lime green accents. It feels extremely industrial and cold. I don’t think I’ll be coming back for the environment or coffee.

Wow I am really glad I made the trip to this coffee shop. Let me tell you I loved the ICED THUNDER, haha so good a mix of the iced coffee and the iced lighting. I also tried a special sandwich they had on the board with turkey and brie. Such a large portion I almost didn’t finish it, and I defiantly could not finish the chips that came along side. I sat outside reading and enjoying the weather. I guess my sandwich took longer than expected to make (but I didn’t even notice) so the nice staff brought me a cookie as well, it was sweet. I don’t eat cookies so I took to my mother as a treat :) The service was great, the people were nice, and I will defiantly be heading back to Progress soon

Espresso: damn good!
Wi-​fi: good
Outlets: so-​so — most places along the walls have them, but the middle seats
Seating: simple and clean
Café: fairly spartan décor, with some paintings; it feels like a warehouse (as it probably was), and they could make some improvements; many would apparently disagree, but I’ve had very good luck with the sandwiches, esp. the smoked salmon, but their prices are pretty high
Baristi: very good
Notes: lots of parking available

Progress, you really let me down today.
I ordered my usual Sandwich, described below, and this time the sandwichmakers squealed, «Gross!» and made a big commotion of my modified sandwich. Maybe you shouldn’t put your waiting bench so close to the food prep station.
My meal usually comes with chips. Today, I got back to the office and opened my to-​go box to find a lonely sandwich staring back at me.
Grow up people. Austin is weird. I am weird. It’s just a freaking sandwich, and you can make it without yelling all over the café.
I miss my chips.

It’s fun to come and people watch (there are more hipsters per square foot than any other coffee shop around), and the coffee is pretty good, but, for the love of god, don’t order the food.
I’d always avoided the food because I heard it was mediocre and expensive, with tiny portions. But, one time, I was waiting with a starving friend, so we decided to get something to eat. I should have known better. The shop was almost totally deserted (four tables had customers, none of whom were waiting for orders). Somehow, it took 35 minutes to make a salad and a bagel. The salad was a bed of twenty pieces of baby spinach, with an eighth of a cucumber chopped up in one corner, and some smoked salmon in another corner. The bagel was, well, a bagel. How that could take more than two minutes I’ll never know.
On the bright side the delay let us see the most hipster-​ish limo in Austin pull up. It was a hearse limo (it’s a real hearse, with the words ‘hearse limo’ on the side), driven by a guy with a hipster ‘stache, hipster hat, and hipster pants. If I knew it was going to take 35 minutes to get our food, I would have asked for a ride while we waited. Oh well. Maybe next time.

Great place to get your coffee/​tea and hang out with your friends! It’s located near downtown with a nice view of the Austin skyline. The inside of the shop is cozy and seems to be a good place to study. There is plenty of parking across the shop and it’s also convenient to bike here.
The prices were reasonable for the size. I only had to pay a little over 2 dollars for a 16 oz. mint mate. No complaints with the taste of the tea, it wasn’t overly sweet (a good thing imo), however I wish they would add less ice and more tea, but this is typical of most coffee shops.

My main issue with Progress is inconsistency.
I always get the same drink (earl grey w/​steamed soy, essentially a tea latte). It is never, ever the same. There is one dude who makes it and it’s the bomb. Everyone else — a mess. Once it was completely watery. Last time it was lukewarm. Sometimes it’s half tea half soy, sometimes it’s ⁷⁵⁄₂₅.
I’m bummed out because I live down the street (literally, 5^th and Robert T Martinez) and having a neighborhood coffeeshop is so convenient, but Progress just can’t get it right. I’ll just drive 5 minutes to Bennu where they know what «london fog» and «earl grey latte» mean so I don’t have to walk them through how to make the drink only to get it wrong.
Other places that know how to make a tea latte: Thunderbird, Whole Foods
Additionally, food here is REALLY pricy.

I swear every time we try to go here they are about to close or are closed — at 7pm on a Friday night?! WTH? You are a coffee shop!
The iced coffee (when I can get my hands on it) is good. The oatmeal with yogurt is good.
The service is less than stellar — a little too, «I’m too good to be here — I’m really an actress waiting on my big roll, what the hell do you want» attitude — or they just don’t seem to care at all. I’m sorry, but I have a choice where I spend my money, and I do prefer to shop local, but this is just a little much.
I suggest heading over to Juan Pelota downtown, Bennu Coffee on E. MLK, Bouldin Creek Coffee House on S. 1^st or Thunderbird — they have a couple of locations, and Spider House off Guadelupe.
Sorry, Progress, I gave you way too many chances and you have let me down too many times. Adiós.

I love this place. The coffee is outstanding. The employees are laid back and friendly and the sandwiches are great. I do some work in this building and really appreciate that they’re here. Progress is exactly what I look for in a coffee place.

Was looking for a breakfast spot and coffee during the SXSW event and couldn’t find anything, but this place! I was hoping they had something to eat! And yes they do, cheddar jalapeño biscuit sandwiches! OMG I am such a piglet I had two and two of the ice coffee one there and one for the walk downtown. I really liked all the screen prints on the wall by the bearded lady! So, rad I wanted to steal them! If I lived here I’d be a regular cause it is that cool!
=)

So I may be a bit bias that I can walk here from where I work, but this place really is great.
Great patio with sun screens thick enough to block the rays yet still enjoy a breeze. Small snack and full lunches and breakfast items, strong coffee, not snobby baristas that actually know how to steam soy!
I see a few people complain about the price, but there’s a reason you’re paying a little (maybe 5%) more than normal. Everything is local, organic, recycled and compostable! They didn’t skimp on buying cheap cutlery or plates which to me is always worth a few pennies more knowing your trash wont sit in a landfill for 97 years. Plus, tons of healthy choices and a good selection for vegetarians.
The baristas always go out of their way to say hi, of flex their manly biceps for me which is always a friendly treat. I have had a few dance off’s with the ladies with the awesome 80’s music they randomly play too. They really do have a down to earth, fun staff that you don’t find in many «hipster» coffee shops like that.
As far as the owner, we met him once and he asked our names, shook our hands and thanked us for our business. He is opening a few more and I can’t wait till he does. His shop and staff is a product of his passion to own a legitimately good business.

I’m a bit biased to Progress, being that it’s my neighborhood coffee shop, but I have literally nothing negative to say about it.
To start with, it’s a great place to get work done. Free Wi-​Fi notwithstanding, the place is buzzing with freelancers who are generally very respectful of one another. The staff is also great in getting the Internet connection back up and running if it happens to go out.
They’re also very appreciative for repeat business. I’ve been coming about 3 – 4 times a week for the better part of a year and almost all the staff knows me by name, as well as my typical order. Little things like this make it a joy to come back.
If you use coffee shops as a less-​sleazy alternative to bars, you’ll also be happy to know that there is mucho eye candy here. Unlike down the road at Rio Rita, however, people at Progress are warm, friendly and approachable.

This place is absolutely great for getting work done!
1. Free wifi that is pretty reliable
2. Great coffee — not overly bitter or burnt tasting like some places
3. Great Chai — not too sweet
4. Lots of plug strips
5. Decent sandwiches, bagels, house made biscuits, and salads, and other good snacks
6. Never overly crowded! Always a table with a plug. Outside seating when the weather is nice.
7. Good music, nothing too weird. The volume level is good too.
8. Great service!
I’ve done some café hopping around town and progress is definitely my favorite on the East Side, maybe in all of Austin.
Keep up the good work, progress!

Great little coffee joint. The hipster staff has always been top notch in the customer service department. The coffee is excellent. The vibe is casual hipster at it’s best… you could make a drinking game out of the clientèle…skinny jeans… drink! Writing in a journal… drink! Handlebar mustache… drink! But I don’t mean that disparagingly. The hipster vibe is quite enjoyable.
But now for the real reason for this review. If you die before having the jalapeño breakfast biscuit with smoked turkey your soul will never be at peace. This is, by far, one of the best breakfast biscuits I’ve ever had, and I’ve had it about 10 times now. It never fails. It makes any breakfast item you might get from a fast food restaurant seem like low quality dog food.

Iceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed Lightning! A jolt of electricity through my otherwise sluggish veins. A long night at Egos led to an even longer morning. Thank goodness that they had the foresight to channel Ben Franklin’s genius and capture that particular phenomenon in a way that’s useful.
It’s seriously tiny but strangely there’s enough room. Industrial chic — all concrete and chrome with artsy stuff on the walls (russian saints, currently) and pretty normal lookin dudes behind the bar. The music’s never blaring, I rarely scent an unwashed pit and it’s all quite civilized and subtle.
It’s nothing spectacular — just a coffee shop that’s super convenient if you’re downtown and actually want to find parking. Wireless is strong, coffee is quality and I’ll be back in next time for some of those sweet sammies I saw hanging around in there, eyeing me from the case, trying to pick me up. I see you evil carbs… and I will eventually succumb to your siren song.

As I have usually hit this place in the late afternoons, my perspective may be a little different than the morning crowd’s. I’m not looking for a caffeine rush, just something warm and possibly a snack because dinner is going to be very late.
So…I can tell you that their hot chai lattes are delicious, and served in a giant cup that really should be lifted with two hands to be safe and not spill it on your keyboard. Which brings me to the observation that at this time of day, the place is full of adult students with laptops. There must be a college nearby.
I love the original art on the walls, which changes fairly often, and the laid-​back older building with high ceilings and wrap around cement porch (though it’s 2 feet wide and has a western exposure). The baristas are friendly and helpful.
What would improve the experience immensely is for them to offer at least some healthy snack options. Maybe a whole grain, low-​fat bran or oat something with fruit? Everything is made with white flour and pasty, which doesn’t fit the vibe of such a home-​grown, socially conscious place. But they will sell you an apple or a banana, which is a bonus.

OK, so yes Progress is overpriced. But the Iced Lightening is like crack and a great way to get started in the morning. Also, I love the baristas as they always have a smile for me and interesting conversation.
The art on the walls is one of my favorite things besides the convenient location.
I went through a phase where I was addicted to the 5^th Street Turkey sammie (I think that’s right) and it was really good until one day it just seemed off to me. Their pastries are just alright and I have to admit that I was very underwhelmed by their croissants. I make much better ones at home.

I wasn’t too impressed with Progess at all. There’s plenty of parking although if you come here when it rains you are out of luck as the parking lot turns into mud and there’s limited street parking.
The inside is a renovated old building that seemed it was in use when that area was an old railroad yard. Don’t know much on Austin history so I do apologize if I’m only guessing what the area use to be. The inside reminds me of Halcyon and I’m not a fan of Halcyon.
I ordered a latte and it was water to me. Then I ordered these cake balls and they were the only good thing out there. If I were in the Eastside I would go somewhere else besides this place. Don’t think I will be coming back here anytime soon.