My head snapped around, and I had the same sickening feeling I get in my “walked into the DadLabs World HQ in the buff” dreams.

I had just inadvertently burst into the ladies room and I knew exactly who was to blame. Daddy Troy. It’s the Gear Daddy’s fault because he’s such a big fan of those bathroom door icons that are so “witty” that you have to stand in the hallway for twenty minutes until you finally puzzle out if you are a “Pointer” or a “Setter.”

I had obviously guessed wrong. So I quickly ducked back out and headed for the other door. This door featured a matron kneading dough. Could that be right? Was I a “kneader?” The first door featured a chef, clearly male, firing a pizza. Maybe I was right the first time.

I crept back into the bathroom and peered around a corner. There to reassure me was a urinal. But how could this be right?

The presence of the Most Epic Changing Station in the History of Men’s Rooms is what had thrown me off.

So let me say it loud: Mandola’s Italian Market restaurant on Guadalupe Street in Austin Texas has a changing table of Historical Significance.

Way back in 2004, the dadblogging pioneer Greg over at Daddytypes began posting a running account of which men’s rooms in New York featured changing tables — a project that gained national attention and brought focus to the, hem, changing roles of dads in modern families. SAHDs made the news because of this issue. Not surprisingly, we blatantly ripped this idea off.

Since then, changing stations have slowly made their way into men’s rooms as far south as Austin. The most ubiquitous is the Koala. I’ve come in recent years, despite that wonderful fact that my kids are out of diapers, to make mental note of when I see a Koala changing station in a restaurant. I check a box in my head in favor of that place. Seeing a Koala is still rare enough, but still encouraging.

But this Mandola’s thing. This is a game changer.

Let’s take a moment to note the features. To wit: a wooden frame changing station with ergonomic pad, disposable changing pad covers, wipes, baby powder (yeah, yeah, yeah, I know), diapers *of several sizes,* and a diaper pail.

What it says? “We honor parents that are also men. Bring your kids to our restaurant and we will make every possible accommodation to make your meal pleasant. We recognize that we have to be talking to dads as well as moms.”

In a restaurant in Austin, Texas? I think this poopy diaper station represents a tipping point.