The Oasis restaraunt bills itself as the largest restaraunt in Texas and it is almost always hard to get a seat, especially around sunset. You don’t drive this far out of the way for average food and drink–people go to the Oasis for the spectacular view of Lake Travis from its many decks. The Oasis bills itself as “The Sunset Capital of Texas” and it does offer a spectacular view of the sunset across the lake. Beau Theriot, who opened the Brownstone Restaraunt in Houston and has worked as an interior decorator, has done quite a bit of work on the grounds and the interior space. The view off the deck and the breeze off the lake make it a worthwhile stop.
The Oasis, 6550 Comanche Trail • Austin, Texas • (512) 266-2442
The view is great. Just don’t go there for the food.
The wait was terrible, promises of arrangements for large group were forgotten. Service was poor. Because we were forgotten they treated us like we were a pain in the neck. Unfortunately a member of our group was so angry she made a “your number one” gesture on departure. The general manager stated she could take it and stick where it belongs. “What a special guy”. I wouldn’t return to this location unless it caught on fire. The General Manager should exercise a little professionalism and remember the customers are why he is there. Sorry we were so inconvenient.
The food isn’t average — it’s mediocre at best. It’s the kind of bland that salt can’t salvage; I think the kitchen ran out of herbs & spices. The drinks are weak, too. It’s too bad that the vittles can’t match the view!
Just a few minutes south of the Oasis is Iguana Grill which I always felt offered just as nice a view with good food to boot. I usually choose it over the Oasis. The Oasis was great when Rotel and the Hot Tomatoes played there.
Beau Theriot is a wonderful designer. He did a fab job on a house that belongs to a relative of mine. Unfortunately that same fab doesn’t apply to his restaurant. The staff is incredibly rude, and the wait time even with a reservation is uncalled for.
Where the food is concerned, one word comes to mind. BLAND. The drinks are watered down and over-priced.
The Iguana Grill down the road is wonderful, with great food and friendly staff. I highly suggest it!
Beau, I hope that you clean house and get staff that know what they are doing before they ruin your name!
I went the day after Thanksgiving at about two in the afternoon. There was no wait (it was cool, very windy, we sat on the top deck (four of us). Had a spectacular view. I had no problem with the food, the service, or the drinks (lucky me maybe). I would recommend this place to anyone, but guess you should try to be there when everyone else in Austin isn’t. (Timing is everything as they say.)
Whenever we have friends or relatives come in to Austin, we always take them to the Oasis. As we’re driving there we always give this disclaimer: “We’re not going here for the food or service.” Both are average or below, and while our experiences with the poor service are limited to slow drink refills and disappearing wait staff, the food is downright poor. Still, a nice place to sit and watch the sunset. Avoid the nachos at all cost… blech.
I live near the Oasis for almost ten years and I can say this about the place. The owner makes a LOT of money.
I meet clients there on occasion and the food is always bland, dull and overpriced. The drinks are overpriced. The service is usually average.
On an odd note, I was there with a structural engineer once and he was looking around at the decks while we ate. He walked over to a railing and moved it back and forth and shook his head. He said if there was ever even a tiny earthquake, the whole thing would end up in the lake so fast that nobody would know what hit them. He said it would never pass code in California (they worry about that kind of stuff there for good reason.)
The view is nice and live music is great during the summer.
So my take on The Oasis?
Avoid it for lunch or dinner. Go to Iguana Grill down 620. MUCH better food and as good a view. If you go to The Oasis, you’ll feel like someone slipped their hand in your wallet when you weren’t looking.
A local.
(editor’s comment: I don’t think an earthquake is something to worry about…we haven’t had one in 300 million years)
The food at the Oasis is all from SYSCO people. A step above prison grade. Get a clue.
______________________________
Jeff,
Can you tell me precisely what you objected to? The article mentions average food and drink at best. Hardly a resounding endoresement.
The Editor
Beau Theriot should take a closer look at his restaurant operation there at the Oasis, starting with his General Manager that literally everyone hates, including patrons and staff. (if it’s the same one that has been there for more than five years now. if you have a new one, good for you)
The feedback from customers is always the same “poor quality, poor staff, poor experience other than the view”.
So, the view is what defines the revenues at the Oasis… and that’s fine for making money. Beau should know though, quality keeps revenues up on those cold rainey days, and drives opportunities for future growth. If Oasis’s quality was there, Beau could open multiple locations. When the quality is worth talking about, the view can be average and the name still represent “Good Food, Great View”.
Think about it Beau,
“Oasis – Lake Austin”
“Oasis – Bee Caves”
“Oasis – N.W. Hills”
“Oasis – Oasis, TX., Headquarters”
If the quality of food and staff was there, you could really start something wonderful.
Get rid of your GM. It will all start from there.
Here’s a secret… Go after a guy named Greg Cooper. His style edges more Corporate with structure in place for customer service and quality, and is far more successful. You should at least call him to advise.
Oasis TX would grow faster with more buy-in! Good luck in this dream, it’s a great one, and don’t forget to look back on your progress.