Austin dining, mainly Tex-Mex
 

Any Tex-Mex faves in Austin? Usually we've been going out for BBQ, although would like to try a couple of good Tex-Mex places when I'm visiting next month.
Thanks!

Try the Texican Cafe at Lakeline Mall.
It has good El Paso style Tex-Mex.

trippin, is there a particular part of town you want recommendations for?

Chuy's is a chain and has many locations around Austin. Food is very good. The one I like best is downtown on Barton Springs Road.

Guero's is downtown on South Congress. Close to Guero's is El Sol y La Luna which I like a lot too.

A little more upscale is Manuel's on Congress (near Second or Third). There's also a Manuel's near the Arboretum area.

The absolute best (and most expensive) is Fonda San Miguel in Central Austin. The food is interior Mexican and really, really good. The atmosphere is great too.

And, for breakfast or lunch Las Manitas on Congress (near Second) is great. It's true Mexican though, not TexMex.

Forgot one...if you want to eat outside with a view of Lake Travis, try Iguana Grill. The view is not as dramatic as the one at the Oasis but the food is definitely better.

I'll second the recommendation for Chuy's on Barton Springs road and we really liked Las Manitas for breakfast.

Thanks all. Good ideas for us. :-)
AT- My daughter lives in the southwest part of Austin, and goes to UT. So in the Southwest up through downtown and the UT area. I think Jessica has been to Chuy's and liked it. I'll ask to go to one of their locations, and one of the other suggestions.

We like Cafe Serrano's on Red River. If it is a nice night you can eat outside on their patio.

My best bet for great Tex-Mex food in a funky Austin atmosphere is definitely Hula Hut. I'm sure your daughter is familiar with it.

Set right on the lake, it has a cool outside eating area on the pier where you can watch the boats, and their happy hour on the deck is very popular. Their burritos are platter size, and the Thai nachos are sooooo yummy! Top it off with a margarita, and you're all set!

She did mention Hula Hut, although I didn't realize it was Tex-Mex, LOL.

I'll second Iguana Grill. Pretty good Mexican with awesome views. Sit outside in the sun since the weather's so great this time of year!

If you haven't been to The Oasis, you need to go there (it's an institution that defines Austin). I always have the same thing - crawfish enchiladas and it's always good...

I've been to the Oasis, about 5 years ago. It was great, although we just had appetizers and drinks on the patio. Yes, it's a great view. :-)

Then try Iguana Grill this time!

Matts El Rancho was told us by locals and it was fantastic. We ate outside on their patio.

My son-in-law loves Matt's El Rancho. We may go there also. I was looking at their menu on line, which is quite extensive.

It all depends on what you like. Personally, I don't care for Iguana or Serranos and Matt's was the worst food I've ever had. (I spit it into my napkin!)

I do agree with allllll of the recommendations from Austin Traveler. I'd add Curras on Oltorf (tho not sure they are Tex Mex..)

Thanks for your info Austin. I have heard mixed about Matt's myself. Although, it's my son in law's fave and my daughter who is quite picky, also likes it. I will report back on where we end up going.

I'm with Austin on the thumbs down for Matt's. To me, there's too many other really great places with much better food. Matt's is sort of an old standard in town, advertises a lot, but the food is mediocre at best, IMHO.

How about Z-Tejas for a bit more upscale Tex-Mex? It's on 6th Street, not far from downtown.

When are you fixin' to come down here? Got extra time for a GTG? I'm sure there's a few of us locals who'd love to meet you!

Hi Kopp-
I'm going to be in town 11/9 - 13th. Not sure if I will have time for a GTG. My daughter is packing my schedule with outlet shopping, a trip to San Antonio are bar hopping with her law student buds. LOL. I will stay in touch, and see if I can work in a GTG.

There's one thing you can count on for sure when it comes to food, especially if you're asking about TexMex or BBQ, you will get so many different opinions! Honestly, I don't think there is a really GOOD TexMex restaurant in town, at least not one that I've found. But, there are plenty of pretty good ones.

Out of the ones that have been recommended, I would have to go with Guero's down on South Congress. The food may not be the best and it's way too crowded during peak times, but it's good food and it's fun. I don't think you'll be disappointed!

My second choice would be Chuy's.

I also agree with Z-Texas, especially the one down on Sixth Street, but it's not really TexMex. It is a great place to eat though after cruising up and down Sixth and checking out all the shops (and Whole Foods!!).

Enjoy your trip. Can't wait to read your trip report.

Hey trippin - if you're wondering what to do one night while you're here, head on over to New Braunfels to the Wurstfest. A Texas version of Germany's Oktoberfest, there's all kinds of music, eating, and of course beer drinking! ((B))

wurstfest.com

Two Tex-Mex restaurants that we really like, but haven't been mentioned are:

Jaime's -- in downtown (across the street from Stubb's Bar-B-Q) in an old house. Opened in the 1930s. Good, cheesy enchiladas.

Enchilada's Y Mas -- truly a hole in the wall, but the very best enchiladas, I think. On the north end of town, near Anderson Ln and Burnet Rd.

Annette

Okay about BBQ, I've been to IronWorks BBQ and Artz Rib House. I liked both of them. Got any other ideas for us?

Z-Tejas is great. more southwestern and not tex-mex. The one on 6th is good but if you are shopping at the aboreteum there is another location there where you can watch the sunset

try Casa Garcia's on south lamar (just south of the lake). its a small place but very good

the saltlick for bbq

I've been to ZTejas, but not the downtown one. It was 5 years ago, and I think, in the northwest side of town. I liked it, but for the price, I didn't think it was that special.

I have heard both Salt Lick and County Line are good for BBQ. So many choices. Thanks again everybody!

It's funny this thing we call BBQ. When I lived in California, I had an outdoor gas grill that I used for burgers, steaks, chicken, all sorts of stuff that I called BBQ.

Then when I moved to Texas, I find it's a whole 'nother ballgame. Cooking on a gas grill is called just that - grilling.

Now for BBQ, you've got to use a smoker. I tell you, I've never seen such fancy smokers in my life, especially on Longhorn football gamedays. My, my, these things are huge.

Sorry. I know you didn't ask for that.

Good BBQ places in Austin? Well, there's one on just about every corner.

You can fill your car up with gas and eat BBQ at the same time at Rudy's Country Store (locations all over town - pretty darned good fall-off-the-bone baby backs - no plates here, just paper mats and plasticware, and you eat on picnic tables).

County Line is more "formal." I don't mean fancy, just more like a regular restaurant, with table service, regular silverware. They've got the beef ribs here. I'm not sure they've got baby backs.

Salt Lick - there is one location in town off 360. I have eaten there twice, and, well, it just didn't work for me. The original Salt Lick is out of town a bit, and the wait there can be long. But the food is good.

Also out of town in Elgin there's a great BBQ and also in Lockhart. Both classic BBQ joints. Go casual.

With all this BBQ talk, I think I'll go heat up a couple ribs from last night. Can't never have too much BBQ! :@)

Have fun in Austin! Keep it weird! <):)

Hi trippinkpj. In terms of Tex Mex my faves have already been named. My #1 fave would be Hula Hut if it's a nice enough day to sit outside.

AustinTraveler mentioned Whole Foods at 6th and Lamar. This is a don't-miss. It will put every other ecclectic food experience to shame. They have every type of food under the sun, and don't even get me started on the chocolate fountain....it's the Soddom and Gomorrah of treats. The gelato bar isn't exactly chopped liver either. I am drooling on my keyboard just thinking about it. :-!

Enjoy your visit and as my pal kopp said, "Keep Austin Weird." :-)

(That's our city's slogan)

I have been to Whole Foods (a year ago), but not Hula Hut which my daughter has been to and liked. So I think I will ask to go there. Thanks P_M. :-)

Hi again P_M. Even though I've only visited Austin twice, I'm not a total newbie. I even have a Keep Austin Weird baseball cap. :-)