Going to Beto's on E 7th for lunch. Hole in the wall, really good carne guisada. I think they make their own tortillas too..

Al Pastor pretty good as well there

Casa Chapla -good food, good atmosphere, good drinks

Bryan98 said:

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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.

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Grew up in Houston and you are correct.

The best TexMex I've found in the Austin area is Mama Betty's, run by a guy who used to work for Ninfa's. Pretty legit Houston TexMex.

Adding it to my list of places to go.

Hanrahan said:

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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.

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I think some of it is the fact that all the places in Austin have become so commercially successful that they are everywhere, so they don't feel nearly as special. Like if the only place you could get Chuy's, Torchy's, Taco Deli, or Iron Cactus was in Austin, those places would probably be on a list of recommendations.

But they do truly lack a big hometown place that gives you a sweet tea in a giant plastic red coke cup like other small towns throughout Texas.

MamaBetty's is good. If you live up that way go try Taqueria Chapala #2 on 620 in Round Rock. Really good hole in the wall.

Not a lot of variety, but I went to Taqueria 10 de 10 on Trinity this week, and it was so good I went 2 days in a row. Best tacos I've found in Austin ... takes me straight back to the border across Laredo. Absolutely beat Rosita's, Las Trancas, and anything else I've been to for the last few years.

Awesome, I'm a bit further west but will definitely check it out when we're out that way.

You will likely be the only gringo in there

I'm currently in my own kitchen and the only gringo so not a problem

Actually a good sign when you're the only white guy in a place like this.

The thread has already dumped on Chuy's etc... but this link just shows the take was pretty spot on.

RIP Chuys

KT 90 said:

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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.

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Bumping just because I went to Jacalito's again today, for the second time this week. Not my choice, but I'm not going to say no. Barbacoa was on point as usual.

SwansAg14 said:

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

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The cabrito plate.