Mexican in Downtown Austin...

[TJKDone]

Will be in Austin this weekend and my wife and I will be meeting some friends for one of the meals at the Salt LIck.

Give me your thoughts on the best Mexican fare in and around downtown.

Hook'em

 

[#3Rules]

I'll try to help -

Maudies - Tex-Mex (Just west of Mopac on Lake Austin Blvd.)

Neuvo Leon - Tex-Mex (East of 35 on 6th)]

Cantina Laredo - I've only been to one in Dallas, and yes it is a chain, but the food is fantastic. Upscale, higher priced Mexican food. Guac made fresh at the table. (3rd and Colorado)

El Azteca - Not the prettiest place, but excellent Tex-Mex. (7th just east of 35).


I'll think of some more for you. I guess it depends if you want a nicer place, atmosphere, or just straight up good Mexican food. Also this probably belongs on the Around Austin board.

 

[TexasHooch]

Here you go!

 

[TJKDone]

Sorry about the wrong forum. Thanks for the suggestions!

Hook'em

 

[ThrowittoRoy]

Get a mexican breakfast at Las Manitas on 3rd and Congress. Just walk straight to the kitchen to the back.
Consider Manuel's on 4th'ish and congress before you consider Cantina Laredo. (best margarita on the rocks in town, imo)
There's a Maudie's on South Lamar too.

 

[Ramathorn]

dont go to las manitas

 

[GakFoo]

absolutely go to las manitas

if you want great food, anyway

 

[austintexas]

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[TJKDone]

El Azteca rocks!

Thanks a lot for the referal.

I'm going over to the Around Austin forum and post their details. It was great fair with Austin feel to it.

Hook'em

 

[scottsins]

Cantina Laredo = hipper looking Abuelo's.

 

[40 ACRZ]

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[Smurfette]

Wow. (to above.) seems unnecessary.

My favorite Mexican in Austin is Polvo's on South 1st. I love their fajitas, and the make a pretty decent margarita. Gets crowded though, so go off peak or be ready to wait. It's a bit dive-ish too. They have what they call "interior Mexican", which makes their spices a bit different, but in a good way. They have pretty standard tex mex style enchiladas and such. Get the Fajitas!!

What's up w/ Cantina Larado? I used to go there in Dallas w/ my family when I was a kid before it became a chain-- the food was amazing. Since they've become a chain I haven't been-- is it still the same?

 

[GreasenUSA]

Manuel's is my favorite

 

[austintexas]

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[crackamacgowski]

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[bozo_casanova]

Manuel's is average, but the Mole is the best in town, and the service stinks, so you save on tips.

As for the rest of these opinions, consider the source and caveat emptor. I like the food at Las Manitas; actually, most of these places are pretty good.

7th generation Texan

To the OP- the Salt Lick? I hope you are going for the atmosphere, which is great, because the food is only so-so.

 

[hitbyatrain]

Matt's El Rancho for the win.

 

[judgroybeanbag]

What, no love for Jaime's Spanish Village? Basic but greasy, heavy and good.

 

[general35]

maudie's has the best enchiladas in town

 

[Les Claypool]

Enchilada's Y Mas = greatness

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[40 ACRZ]

To amend Lil' Rooster's top 3...

3t. Jaime's (across from Stubb's on Red River)

 

[Gorgeous Hopkins]

Habanero on Oltorf. Best fajitas in town.

 

[Smurfette]

GH-- how does Habaneros compare to Polvos? Just curious.... I've never been there, and if they can beat Polvos, I'd better be getting there soon

 

[SomeMildLanguage]

Not a fan of El Patio.

 

[Beef]

No votes for Dario's?

I love that place.

 

[whickums]

Nuevo Leon is not bad.
I still love La Reyna on S 1st.

It's funny y'all like El Azteca. My husband ate there one time and said it was so god-awful they put chili (like wolf brand chili) on the enchiladas.

 

[rayfes]

I can't believe no one mentioned Rio Grande by the convention center.

 

[tropheus]

for downtown lunch, I go to the place a few store fronts north of Las Manitas on the same side of Congress. I think its a salsa dance club at night.

I like Manuel's black beans and their chicken flautas, but that's all I order there.

polvo's is great, I love their enchiladas and they have the best CCQ in town -- sort of a build your own.

 

[Praise of Folly]

Angie's at 7th and I-35 and the Tamale House at 50th and Airport.

There are some taco stands that I could recommend but some of you would have a hard time finding them.

 

[MilkmanDan]

Yeah, it's really strange how all the maps we have just say "Here There Be Monsters" more than two blocks east of I-35.