Great Tex/Mex in Austin?

[leaudemiel]

Hello!

I am heading to Austin next week and LOVE Mexican food. I'm a Yankee, so I dont get south very often. Where can I have some wonderful cuisine? I'm staying downtown so that is preferable, though I am willing to hop a bus...I'd like to keep the entrees under $20...

Thanks!
M

[TroyTempest]

If I'm not mistaken this trip has already happened. Leaudemiel, how was it?

[danny_w]

The best crispy tacos in town that I have found are the Grilled Tacos Garcia at Jorge's (2203 Hancock Drive). I don't care for anything else I've tried on the menu (that isn't much though, the tacos are so good!). Crispy grilled tortillas (not the pre-made store-bought taco shell that breaks apart in your hand), perfectly seasoned beef, and plenty of tomatoes, cheese, and lettuce make for a great taco. Just like the tacos I grew up with, only better!

[chispa_c]

whenever I make fajitas at home, I call and order a couple dozen corn tortillas from Jorge's on Hancock. they are fan freakin' tastic.

[danny_w]

Does anybody know of any other restaurant in town that serves grilled tacos? I am referring to the tortillas, which are grilled and folded, instead of a standard store-bought hard taco shell.

[cstrombe]

Matt's El Rancho has them, they call them "old fashioned tacos" on the menu. They're good. Also their flautas are similar--crisped on a griddle and not deep fried, afaik.

[danny_w]

Thanks! I haven't been to Matt's in years. I used to go all the time when I was in college in the 70's and they were at their old location. I think I have only been to the new location once, but I'll have to make a trek down there soon.

[chispa_c]

Start with the Bob Armstrong dip!!! Yum.

[marfaboy]

Visit Matt's El Rancho at 2613 South Lamar - great Tex-Mex, excellent margaritas and a true Austin institution since the 1950's. Not downtown, but certainly worth the easy drive.

[chispa_c]

I loved Angie's when it was in the original location. Now that it moved, it's just not the same. It's like a mess hall at a small college or something. It was freezing when i went in there and the fans were on full blast. The service was terrible. The waitress couldn't seem to remember that I had asked for a straw about 3 different times. My kids and I started laughing about it after a while.

I'm going to need more than good tortillas to call Angie's "good" Tex-Mex. Dario's is good, El Azteca is good, Jaime's is pretty good and I know folks either love or hate Maudie's but I like it.

[tim irvine]

I agree 100%...the tortillas are a major part of why I mentioned Angie's. I am not wild about the rest of their menu. Was it my imagination or did El Chile down on Congress start off as an El Chillito?

[tim irvine]

Although I like some of the things at Manuel's, it is not Tex-Mex. It is pricey. If you want Tex-Mex, spend a few bucks on a cab and head out 6th to Dario's for enchiladas or 7th to Angie's for (my vote) the carnitas tacos. I have not been wowed by El Chile, but I have only tried it twice. If you are downtown and want a greasy Tex-Mex enchilada, go to the Capital Cafeteia for lunch. Also downtown, truly in the Tex-Mex idiom, Jaime's on Red River.

[TroyTempest]

Except for the Carnitas tacos, everything at el chile is heads above Angie's. I haven't been to the el chile down town, only on manor road, but IMHO the experience is much preferable at el chile.

[PappyAustin]

No one has mentioned the fabulous home made tortillas at Angies. That in itself makes it a better destination than El Chile IMHO.

[achtungpv]

The chicken enchiladas are good at Angie's also. The chicken is slow stewed on the bone and there's a ton of it in and covering the enchiladas which are served with the old school TexMex brown gravy instead of the default verde sauce that is always on chicken enchiladas.

[LakeLBJ]

If you want to walk somewhere downtown, I'd go with El Chile Cafe, it's a few blocks from the capital on Congress.

[PappyAustin]

You need to decide if you want Tex-Mex or interior Mexican. If you want the latter you can walk to Manuel's right on Congress. Everyone seems to have a different opinion on the best Tex-Mex in town and there is all the info you would ever want on this board. Can't think of any really good Tex-Mex right downtown.