Austin's Best Mexican Food 2008

Lively neighborhood restaurant serves up Mexican and Tex-Mex with the authentic colorful feel of a traditional border cafe.

Reviews:

• “bad customer service, do not cater to parties over 4 people & all must be there at the same time, before seated.”
• “My favorite restaurant”
• “Margaritaville”
• “Poor Customer Service/Descent Food”
• “Great food, drinks and atmosphere”

Tips: Reservations are accepted every day except Fridays.

Rio Grande Tex Mex

Eat at this local favorite for true Mexican flavor with a friendly handshake on the side.

Reviews:

• “Best Barbacoa”
• “Great service, great prices, tons of food served”
• “Simply Amazing”
• “Best Mexican Breakfast this side of the Rio Grande!”
• “Juan Really Shakes Your Hand!”

Tips: Owner Juan Meza is always there to greet each customer with his famous vise-like (but friendly) handshake.

Juan in a Million or email Juan in a Million

Authentic South American fare in downtown Austin.

Reviews:

• “Very Disappointed”
• “latin music”
• “Highly recommended!”
• “VERY VERY OVER PRICED!!!!!”
• “Good Choice”

Tips: Kick back on Dona Emilia’s shaded outdoor patio during the daily happy hour (5pm-7pm), or head to the atrium upstairs.

Dona Emilia’s Bar & Grill or email Dona Emilia’s Bar & Grill

South Austin Mexican restaurant known for fresh ingredients and a popular brunch scene.

Reviews:

• “best service”
• “I love this place”
• “El Malo”
• “Best salmon tacos in town!”
• “over-priced, sub-par Mexican food”

Tips: Latin American music is occasionally featured in the evenings.

El Sol y La Luna or email El Sol y La Luna

Mexican restaurant catering to a local crowd serves sizzling fajitas in a relaxing atmosphere.

Reviews:

• “More than Enchiladas!”
• “Less than bad.”
• “Horrible customer service and the food is worse”
• “A Hairy Experience”
• “Not worth your money or your time”

Tips: The portions are huge; this is a place to go when you’re starving.

Enchiladas Y Mas or email Enchiladas Y Mas

This Austin favorite has been serving traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes like carne guisada and enchiladas verde since 1958. The large spacious patio offers patrons many seating options in the open air.

Reviews:

• “Great Go-To TX Mex Joint!”
• “Good C&S, terrible enchiladas.”
• “Hooked on first bite! "
• “Best Mexican Around”
• “Best House Margarita’s”

Tips: A banquet room can accommodate up to 90 people and catering is available for parties of 25 or more. Deposit and reservations are requested three weeks in advance for this service.

El Gallo Restaurant or email El Gallo Restaurant

Artistic Mexican cuisine in a beautifully vibrant and authentic, yet understated, restaurant in north-central Austin.

Reviews:

• “Over Priced/Underwhelming – Fonda San Miguel”
• “A local must! "
• “Fresh food, great service”
• “Excessivly Expensive!!!”
• “2 Sunday Brunches + 1 diet coke + one refill = WICKED RIPPED OFF! "

Tips: Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for Sunday brunch. If there’s a wait, order a margarita and relax in the gorgeous atrium lounge.

Fonda San Miguel

Homestyle Mexican food that’s part of a rich family tradition.

Reviews:

• “Great Mexican Martinis! "
• “Yum!”
• “WAAAYYY TO EXPENSIVE FOR THE QUALITY…I would rather have had Jack n the Box tacos @ 2 for $.99!!!”
• “Talk about pricey!!!”
• “good mexican”

Tips: There are 10 daily lunch specials offered at $6.95. Choose from tamales, enchiladas, or asado de puerco, among others.

Jorge’s or email Jorge’s

Enjoy affordable Mexican food, with Salvadoran specialties thrown in for good measure, at this neighborly diner.

Reviews:

• “I miss Elsi’s”
• “WILL DRIVE THE DISTANCE FOR ELSI’S”
• “Pretty good, will definitely try again”
• “Best Central/South American Food”
• “Great selection, friendly staff”

Elsi’s Restaurant or email Elsi’s Restaurant

Chow down on Tex-Mex and sip tasty margaritas surrounded by flying fish and Elvis memorabilia.

Reviews:

• “Best tex Mex in the country”
• “Not so good….”
• “Get the Elvis Green Chile Fried Chicken”
• “BEst TEx mex ever!”
• “This is TEXMEX!”

Tips: Owners Mike Young and John Zapp support local music and sponsor various events, including a charity children’s Christmas parade and a fun run presided over by an Elvis impersonator. Call for more info on how you can join in.

Chuy’s Restaurant

A cozy Restaurant Row eatery serving creative Mexican food made by Jeffrey’s alums.

Reviews:

• “So so”
• “Bad, bad, bad customer experience”
• “Worst customer service/attitude (even by owner) . . . not worth patronizing”
• “No repeat business here”
• “You May be Dissapointed…”

Tips: If you’re dining at night or on Saturday, two large outdoor lots (UT permits usually required) are available next to the restaurant.

El Chile Cafe y Cantina

A Tex-Mex destination restaurant in the shadow of the University of Texas campus.

Reviews:

• “Best Guacamole, I’ve EVER had in a resturant”
• “Margarita deals on Mondays "
• “Worst Margaritas in Austin”
• “Best Margaritas!”
• “You must have the stuffed avocado!”

Tips: Shiner Bock drafts are $2.75 and Lone Star drafts and bottles go for $2 all the time. There are also daily specials like Monday’s all-day happy hour and Top Shelf Tuesdays.

Trudy’s Texas Star Restaurant & Bar

Bringing Mexico’s interior to the heart of downtown.

Reviews:

• “In a word, Awful :(”
• “Average Food, Cool Atmosphere, Overpriced”
• “Good food, but be prepared for a LONG wait”
• “Apologies to the staff”
• “Good food”

Tips: While Manuel’s doesn’t have private meeting rooms, you can arrange special functions with the management.

Manuel’s Downtown

A relaxed indoor-outdoor restaurant with a sprawling menu of Mexican cuisine.

Reviews:

• “I LOVE CURRAS!!”
• “Great tasting food”
• “Food is yummy but the manager is not”
• “Great tomales "
• “consistently good”

Tips: Try the avocado-flavored margarita—it’s earned a cult following. But be forewarned: It’s almost a meal.

Curra’s Grill

This Lamar Boulevard restaurant and bar is a favorite among Austin’s loyal Tex-Mex lovers.

Reviews:

• “Horrible service, horrible wait, and horrible food!!”
• “Service was horrible and the food was close behind it.”
• “Great authentic Tex/Mex”
• “Food was disgusting”
• “TASTELESS MEXICAN FOOD!”

Tips: Though there are three large dining rooms and a huge outdoor patio, expect a long wait on the weekends, when the crowds swell exponentially.

Matt’s El Rancho

Healthy Mexican food in a festive, vibrant setting.

Reviews:

• “Great atmosphere, Awful bar area service”
• “Loved this place!”
• “What? Why?”
• “When trendy Austin hippies take charge of Mexican food, Vivo happens”
• “Worst dinning experience I have had in a long time. "

Tips: There are plenty of spots in the lot.

VIVO Cocina Mexicana

Serving El Paso style Tex-Mex cuisine; specialties include the cabrito fajitas enchilada, stuffed jalapenos and queso.

Reviews:

• “Great Fajita’s Great Mexican Martini’s”
• “Good Service, Bad Food”
• “This place is a Mexican’t.”
• “so so food”
• “Best New Mexico style mexican food in Austin”

Texican Cafe Lakeline or email Texican Cafe Lakeline

This Fifth Street flagship of the popular Austin chain has locals coming for the sign and staying for the Tex-Mex.

Reviews:

• “Far West—Great place for Families!”
• “Try the Patio!”
• “Good Mexican Food, Great Happy Hour!”
• “NEVER eat their Tacos”
• “An Austin Original”

Tips: Owner Clay McPhail added Atkins-friendly, low-carb menu choices, including Ditch chicken and ranchero pescado.

El Arroyo