Fresh to Impress

Words Clarissa Jane | Photo From Austin Daily Press

It’s no secret that when the Texas heat wave hits, the body starts to crave something lighter and more refreshing. East Austin has no shortage of delicious light-weight greens to satisfy the palate while also leaving space to enjoy that game of pickleball or an afternoon on Lady Bird Lake. With a comprehensive list of the best summer flavors in a bowl, this lineup provides the tastiest soups and salads that strike a perfect balance on a blistering hot day.

Poeta

There’s nothing like a delicious Caesar salad as a light, but comforting, meal. Poeta’s Grilled Caesar Salad is arguably the best. With fresh and crispy romaine lettuce that contains the perfect amount of smoky flavor from their grill, complemented by a touch of salty anchovy and their signature cheesy croutons, each bite will liven the palate and leave you wanting more.
poetarestaurant.com | 1123 E 11th St.

Cherrywood Coffeehouse

No one does Kohlrabi Salad quite like Cherrywood Coffeehouse. Containing fresh, spiral-cut kohlrabi, carrot, daikon, cabbage, cilantro, and red onion all tossed in their delicious house-made ginger sesame dressing, this salad makes for the perfect summer side to accompany any meal or enjoy on its own. cherrywoodcoffeehouse.com | 1400 E 38th 1/2 St.

Lou’s

Kale is not only a powerful superfood, but it also serves as a delicious summer meal. Famously known as Eastside Crunch, this salad is topped with salty Parmesan and almonds. But what makes it superb is their added touch of roasted cauliflower and tangy tahini dressing.
lousaustin.com/eastside | 1900 E Cesar Chavez St.

Austin Daily Press

If you’re looking for the perfectly balanced tangy, yet light and crisp, plate of greens to give a healthy boost, look no further than the Edward Bowl at ADP. They offer three options as a base including cumin-scented Basmati Rice, quinoa and super greens mix, or just super mixed greens, topped with edamame fritters complemented by notes of cumin, jalapeño-mint, pickled chilies, smashed avocado, and topped with a ginger-peanut sauce.
austindailypress.com | 1900 E MLK Jr. Blvd., Unit B

The Soup Peddler

Soups are typically considered a winter meal, but at Soup Peddler, they offer homemade soups that Austin-ites crave all year round. In addition to their five year-round staples, they offer seasonally changing soups including a summer favorite: Green Chile Chicken Stew. Starting with house-made chicken stock, adding chicken breast, green chiles, fresh veggies, and a touch of cumin seed, it’s a perfectly light bowl of summery goodness.
souppeddler.com | 1401 Rosewood Ave., Unit 2-A

Salt & Time

Salt & Time is known for their delicious homemade sausages, salami and charcuterie but also houses something called Butcher’s Market Salad. A mix of charcuterie meats, shirttail creek egg, fresh local greens, bacon, cherry tomatoes, and onion is all topped with a delicious blue cheese dressing. saltandtime.com | 1912 E 7th St.

Vivo

What better way to spend a summer afternoon than munching on queso and sipping margs at Vivo? If you’re going for their wide variety of Tex-Mex flavors, be sure to add their Tortilla Soup to the order. With all the staples (chicken, lime, rice, avocado, cheese) married into a bowl of savory deliciousness, Vivo knows just how to make the perfect soup that’s bursting with flavor and a hint of chile-spiced broth. If salad is what you’re craving, try their Fiesta Salad; you can’t go wrong with the crunch of jicama and chile-lime vinaigrette.
vivoaustin.com | 6406 N IH-35, Ste. 2343