Ski Shores Cafe Austin

Menu Highlights at Ski Shores Cafe Austin

From legendary burgers to fresh lakeside seafood, Ski Shores Cafe’s menu celebrates classic American comfort food with a Texas twist. Here’s what makes regulars salivate:

Burgers & Sandwiches

• The Ski Burger – Half-pound Angus patty with cheddar, bacon, and secret Ski sauce on a brioche bun
• Lakeview Chicken Sandwich – Grilled chicken breast with avocado and chipotle mayo on sourdough
• Boat Club Burger – Double-stacked patties with American cheese, grilled onions, and pickles
• Portobello Mushroom Melt – Marinated portobello with Swiss cheese and caramelized onions
• Fried Catfish Po’ Boy – Crispy catfish filets with remoulade on French bread
• Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich – Slow-smoked pork shoulder with house barbecue sauce
• Turkey Avocado Club – Triple-decker sandwich with applewood-smoked bacon
• Black Bean Burger – Spicy vegetarian patty with pepper jack and guacamole
• Grilled Cheese – Three-cheese blend with tomato soup for dipping
• Reuben – Classic corned beef with sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing

Seafood Specialties

• Fried Shrimp Basket – Jumbo Gulf shrimp with Cajun remoulade and fries
• Grilled Redfish – Fresh catch with lemon butter and seasonal veggies
• Fish Tacos – Beer-battered cod with slaw and lime crema
• Crab Cake Platter – Jumbo lump crab cakes with rémoulade sauce
• Shrimp Po’ Boy – Fried shrimp with lettuce, tomato, and spicy mayo
• Lobster Roll – Chilled Maine lobster with buttered split-top bun
• Oysters Rockefeller – Baked oysters with spinach, bacon, and hollandaise
• Cajun Crawfish Pasta – Spicy crawfish tails in cream sauce over fettuccine
• Seafood Platter – Fried shrimp, catfish, oysters, and crab cake
• Grilled Salmon Salad – Herb-marinated salmon atop mixed greens

Tex-Mex Favorites

• Beef Fajitas – Sizzling skirt steak with grilled peppers and onions
• Chicken Quesadilla – Grilled tortilla with three cheeses and pico
• Nachos Grandes – Loaded chips with queso, beans, and jalapeños
• Breakfast Tacos – Soft tortillas with eggs, cheese, and choice of filling
• Chile Con Queso – Melted cheese dip with chorizo and chips
• Enchiladas Verdes – Chicken enchiladas with tomatillo sauce
• Taco Salad – Crispy tortilla bowl with seasoned ground beef
• Carne Asada – Grilled flank steak with chimichurri
• Vegetable Fajitas – Grilled seasonal veggies with warm tortillas
• Mexican Street Corn – Grilled corn with cotija and chili powder

More Than Just a Meal: The Ski Shores Experience

Waterfront Atmosphere

The moment you step onto Ski Shores Cafe’s sprawling deck, you’re greeted with one of Austin’s best lakefront views. The space feels like a cross between a 1950s diner and a lakeside lodge, with vintage water skis mounted on weathered wood walls and ceiling fans stirring the humid Texas air. On weekends, live music drifts from the corner stage as boats pull up to the dock, their passengers hopping off for frozen margaritas and onion rings.

Service With a Smile

Staff members here have that rare combination of laid-back Austin charm and efficient service. Many servers have worked at Ski Shores for years, remembering regulars’ usual orders and happily explaining the menu to first-timers. The kitchen keeps pace even during busy Sunday brunch rushes when the smell of sizzling bacon mixes with sunscreen and lake water.

Pricing & Value

Considering its prime location, Ski Shores Cafe maintains surprisingly reasonable prices. Burgers and sandwiches range from $12-$18, while seafood entrees top out around $26. The real value comes in the portions – these are Texas-sized plates that often leave guests boxing up leftovers. Happy hour (3-6PM daily) brings $5 margaritas and half-price appetizers, making it a favorite spot for sunset cocktails.

Vibe Check

This isn’t white-tablecloth dining – and that’s exactly why people love it. The soundtrack mixes classic rock with Texas country, the floors are slightly sticky with spilled margaritas, and kids lick ketchup off their fingers while parents sip Shiner Bocks. It’s the kind of place where you can wear flip-flops without feeling underdressed, where the waitress calls you “honey,” and where every meal feels like a lakeside vacation.

Final Thoughts: Why Ski Shores Cafe Stands Out

After decades in business, Ski Shores Cafe has perfected the art of casual waterfront dining. The Ski Burger remains legendary – a messy, juicy masterpiece that pairs perfectly with an ice-cold local brew. Seafood lovers swear by the Fried Shrimp Basket, while brunch-goers line up for Huevos Rancheros and bottomless mimosas.

This spot shines brightest for:

• Families wanting a kid-friendly meal with entertainment (the dock provides endless fish-watching)
• Boaters looking for easy dock-and-dine access
• Groups craving shareable appetizers and pitchers of margaritas
• Visitors seeking authentic old-school Austin charm

In my dozen visits over the years, I’ve never left disappointed – though I often leave stuffed. There’s something magical about eating a burger while watching the sunset paint Lake Austin gold, the laughter of other diners mixing with the lap of waves against the dock.