searched but only found a thread from 2014.. hoping for input from more recent experiences

visiting Austin and staying in the Rainey St district. what are some good to great Mexican food restaurants with good to great margs/drinks within a 10-15-minute drive?

is Fonda San Miguel still a reliable go-to for locals?

looked at pics of Enchiladas y Mas and thought it looked like a Mexican DQ.. kinda dissuaded by the atmosphere, both inside and out.

TIA!

Fonda San Miguel was great the last time we went a few months back but definitely on the $$$ side, which isn't a bad thing because the quality is there. Cadillac marg is worth the trip.

Since your downtown, going over to the east side to Denada is probably pretty easy. More taco focused but the frozen margs are great.

I've heard good things about Habanero cafe but they're open only from 7am-3PM.

El Borrego De Oro is a hole in the wall type of place that's good further South.

I would also be curious to hear from other folks too since it never hurts to find those hidden gems.

Isn't there a newly famous "mexican mile" might want to look into that.

Curra's
Matt's El Rancho
La Condesa
ATX Cocina
Comedor
El Alma

do you want tex mex or modern Mexican?

Comedor and Suerte and fantastic upscale modern Mexican. I am an investor in Comedor.

If Tex Mex Matts El Rancho

Polvos.

Curra's is interior Mexican. Not Texmex. I like it. But its not for everyone. Chips/salsa not free there.

Suerte and Bacalar if you want a more modern take
Maudie's and Serrano's if you don't mind strip mall ambience, but want good traditional tex-mex

Here is a best of list. Need to search for ones near your hotel. For pure tourist place Matt's would be fine. Can get busy at times

https://austin.eater.com/maps/best-tex-mex-restaurants-austin

I'm from Houston and finally went to the famous Matt's El Rancho a couple months ago.

Below mid is right. Good vibes, sure, but below mid.

El Dorado isn't the most impressive setting (strip shopping center in north Austin) but I've never been disappointed with the food. Fresh ingredients and scratch made recipes make a noticeable difference. It can get busy so reservations are recommended.

Edit to add: Enchiladas y Mas is a dump/dive in the best sense of the word. If you end up there, the enchiladas con queso is the only way to go. Classic Tex Mex dish. The crowd is the opposite of new Austin tech bro, which is refreshing for me and my wife. Weird mix of blue collar (and I'm pretty sure some gay) folks - both of which are usually pretty good at finding a bargain.

Already some of the classics be mentioned.

I'll add Vaquero Taquero for tacos & has a full bar.

Also add Pelons Tex Mex as well.

Senator Blutarski said:

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Suerte and Bacalar if you want a more modern take
Maudie's and Serrano's if you don't mind strip mall ambience, but want good traditional tex-mex

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I really like Maudi's at Davenport Village. Best tacos out there.

Big fan of El Dorado Cafe
Matt's is a fun atmosphere but pretty average
Best queso is Tacodeli imho

Bolivar if you head up north a bit. El dorado is solid.

With your location I would also go with Matt's. Maudie's is always disappointing.

If wanting to drop some coin, comedor is the way to go. Just order the whole menu.

Best Mexican food in Austin is Pappasitos. Sorry but it's true.

If you want authentic Mexican then Mi Sabor Oaxaqueño is the best. Best Oaxaca Mexican food hands down

Aston 91 said:

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Edit to add: Enchiladas y Mas is a dump/dive in the best sense of the word. If you end up there, the enchiladas con queso is the only way to go. Classic Tex Mex dish. The crowd is the opposite of new Austin tech bro, which is refreshing for me and my wife. Weird mix of blue collar (and I'm pretty sure some gay) folks - both of which are usually pretty good at finding a bargain.

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to add: the fajitas are solid too. and make sure you are ubering if you are coming up from downtown b/c the margaritas tend to be strong. By far, my favorite place. I also prefer dives for my mexican food...those places tend to have much better food.

and going back to the Matt's El Rancho mentions. I don't really get the love for Matt's. Food is decent, but the atmosphere (not the food) feels like a mexican olive garden. That said, its an austin "institution" and people love it, so feel free to ignore my opinion.

If you are ok with a South American option versus Mexican, I really like Buenos Aires Cafe down off East 6th across 35. It's Argentinian.

Tacos: Amaya's Taco Village
Fajitas: Lupe Tortilla

All around Tex-Mex: Tres Amigos, Julio's, Matt's

Amayas is ok, but been a while since I've been there.

Want something similar but also different, there's a Peruvian restaurant near the ACC highland campus (old mall) next to Easy Tiger. It's good and surprisingly affordable. That doesn't works there's always old reliable but generic pappasitos across the Hwy.

I don't eat south of about 45th very often.

La Cocina de Consuelo off Burnet RD is gem that puts out some outstanding food.

Love her. That place is so good. I'd get takeout there several times a week during covid.

Azul Tequila(?)
Casa Garcia
El Pollo Rico
Flores
Maudies
Rosa's

Disclaimer: above selections are not "best" but what I choose for Tex Mex. I am not a foodie by any means and more of calorie in, calorie out with good chips salsa consumer.

Matt El Rancho is a good choice if you're at the airport and about to fly to the Midwest. Polvo's - please #eyeroll. El Alma - overpriced, small portions and not worth that combo but drinks are good. Not familiar with others except a couple.

theNetSmith said:

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searched but only found a thread from 2014.. hoping for input from more recent experiences

visiting Austin and staying in the Rainey St district. what are some good to great Mexican food restaurants with good to great margs/drinks within a 10-15-minute drive?

is Fonda San Miguel still a reliable go-to for locals?

looked at pics of Enchiladas y Mas and thought it looked like a Mexican DQ.. kinda dissuaded by the atmosphere, both inside and out.

TIA!

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Enchiladas y Mas is what South Texas Tex Mex place looks like and is easily the best TexMex in town. Enchiladas y Mas margs are kick ass.

Fonda is not as good not as cool version of Javiers in Dallas. It's solid though but comes at a price. Bacalar is good but very modern and spendy

Matt's is fun

El Dorado sucks the harriest of dog balls

Comedor and Suerte are great modern choices

We like Mi Madres on the east side.

I hesitate to mention it since it never shows up on these lists but I go to el Jacalitos on Oltorf on a regular basis.

Habanero cafe is another good one South, also on Oltorf.

El Dorado and Jardin Corona up North are the go-tos with the family.

Austin truly sucks for Tex mex. It's astounding actually.

The fact that chuys and lupe tortilla are near the top of the list tell most of the story. Whoever said papasitos is the best in town is actually right. Sad selection of crappy places around these parts. Don't even mention gawd dam Matt's el rancho around me. Cannot for the life of me understand the allure of that place with so many people I know. Maybe it's from growing up in San Antonio, I dunno.

It's not the food... It's the ambiance. Classic nostalgic Austin.

Must sit outside. Must have margs. Lots of them. Then go see some live music

tlepoC said:

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It's not the food... It's the ambiance. Classic nostalgic Austin.

Must sit outside. Must have margs. Lots of them. Then go see some live music

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The one time I went there a guy had to pull up his dress to pee at the urinal next to me. That was it for me. Never went back. But I do agree it's classic Austin vibe.

Matt's is a safe place to take out of state visitors. They won't know the difference from average and great. Throw in the atmosphere and easy to choose.

Aggietaco said:

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I hesitate to mention it since it never shows up on these lists but I go to el Jacalitos on Oltorf on a regular basis.

Habanero cafe is another good one South, also on Oltorf.

El Dorado and Jardin Corona up North are the go-tos with the family.

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Good to know El Jacalito's is still around. I used to work over in that general area for quite a few years, and we'd go there pretty regularly. But it's probably been 4 or 5 years since I have been there. Nothing too fancy, just a smaller local place with pretty good food.

Keeper of The Spirits said:

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theNetSmith said:

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searched but only found a thread from 2014.. hoping for input from more recent experiences

visiting Austin and staying in the Rainey St district. what are some good to great Mexican food restaurants with good to great margs/drinks within a 10-15-minute drive?

is Fonda San Miguel still a reliable go-to for locals?

looked at pics of Enchiladas y Mas and thought it looked like a Mexican DQ.. kinda dissuaded by the atmosphere, both inside and out.

TIA!

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Enchiladas y Mas is what South Texas Tex Mex place looks like and is easily the best TexMex in town. Enchiladas y Mas margs are kick ass.

Fonda is not as good not as cool version of Javiers in Dallas. It's solid though but comes at a price. Bacalar is good but very modern and spendy

Matt's is fun

El Dorado sucks the harriest of dog balls

Comedor and Suerte are great modern choices

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I really like Enchiladas Y Mas. They used to serve breakfast... it was really good. Known for their cheese enchiladas. Margaritas made with grain alcohol if I had to guess.

Licha's Cantina
Comedor
ATX Cocina
Suerte
Polvos