Austin Restaurant Guide

I'm glad to see this old fashioned fast food chain still doing good business with loyal customers.

Have been eating tendermaids for 50yrs. 5 star food and restaurant

This restaurant is pretty unique. The architecture is straight out of the Sears garden shed section. Inside, there is enough room for a central work area with seating at counters running down both sides, and not much else. At lunch rush, it's sometimes difficult to squeeze your way to a seat. This place has been around since the Depression-era, and very little, except the prices and an occasional new malt machine, has changed.

Speaking of malts-- I haven't had any better in my life. They are done from hard-scooped vanilla, with real malted powder and flavors. My family will often split a chocolate-butterscotch one between two or three of us.

The other main food item at the Tendermaid is the Tendermaid-- loosely described as what happens to sloppy joes when you forget the can of Manwich. Try the version with cheese [helps hold things together] and pickles. These are filling and unique, but fairly bland for flavor. Served on a paper wrapper with a spoon to scoop what drops out.

Prices are reasonable-- you can get a sandwich, malt and chips for about four and a half bucks. You've gotta give this one a try at least once.