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Mexican or Tex-Mex? What’s the difference you ask?
I think of Mexican (or interior Mexican) as more chicken and pork than beef, thick flavorful sauces like mole, and while not edible, beautiful ceramic plates and tile work. Tex-Mex is more cheese and bean-centric, nachos and plastic tortilla holders. Think chicken enchiladas in mole sauce vs. cheese enchiladas with red chile sauce. Here’s a great article explaining some of the differences on Serious Eats (and written by a former Austin Food Blogger Alliance member). Some places serve both types of dishes, and that’s okay, there's bound to be crossover! And I don't claim to be an expert, I just know good food when I taste it! 😉
From April 2019: An article from Eater Austin explaining some of the different Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes and where to get the best ones!
From April 2019: An article from Eater Austin explaining some of the different Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes and where to get the best ones!
Here’s the South Austin Foodie guide to the best Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants in Austin!
Interior Mexican
ATX Cocina, 110 San Antonio Street (Downtown)
Modern Mexican food in an upscale setting. Heirloom corn from Mexico, from which they make their own tortillas and masa; gluten-free establishment. Pretty much everything we had was spot on; you can read my full blog post here.
Modern Mexican food in an upscale setting. Heirloom corn from Mexico, from which they make their own tortillas and masa; gluten-free establishment. Pretty much everything we had was spot on; you can read my full blog post here.
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| Pork carnitas tacos from ATX Cocina's happy hour menu |
Borrego de Oro, 3900 South Congress (South)
Definitely a diamond (or should I say piece of gold?) in the rough; just north of Ben White/Hwy 290. One of the few Mexican spots that I see with lamb. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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| Borrego's chipotle cabrito, which was absolutely OUTSTANDING! The meat just fell off the bones. |
Comedor, 501 Colorado (Downtown)
Also modern Mexican, and totally worth every penny. Get the mango nectar cocktail and bone marrow. Dinner, fine dining. My full report from February 2020 is here.
Curra's 614 East Oltorf (South)
Also modern Mexican, and totally worth every penny. Get the mango nectar cocktail and bone marrow. Dinner, fine dining. My full report from February 2020 is here.
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| Comedor's bone marrow, with fresh made tortillas |
Popular spot, known in part for their avocado margaritas; prepare to wait on the weekends. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. One of my go-to places for taking vistors for a casual meal.
El Naranjo, 2717 South Lamar (South Austin)
What started as a food trailer on Rainey Street has graduated to a brick and mortar, run by James Beard nominated Chef Iliana de la Vega. El Naranjo moved last fall from Rainey Street downtown to South Lamar and Manchaca, and continues to do an outstanding job. Dinner and weekend brunch; fine dining. My full blog post from February 2020 here.
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| El Naranjo's mole negro with duck |
Fonda San Miguel, 2330 North Loop (North Central Austin)
This iconic spot has been a mainstay of fine dining in Austin for over 25 years; the beautiful hacienda and all it’s gorgeous tile work and decor is worth the price of their delicious margaritas. Try their traditional dishes like mole or cochinita pibil. Dinner and all you can eat Sunday brunch; fine dining.
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| Fonda's margarita |
Habanero, 501 West Oltorf (South)
Mom and Pop place just off South First Street, open breakfast and lunch daily, and dinner on Friday and Saturday only.
Hecho en Mexico, 6001 West William Cannon Drive (Southwest) and 4300 North Quinlan Park Road (Steiner Ranch/West)
This family-run establishment is also known for their monthly tequila dinners. Lunch and dinner.
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| Tacos al Pastor at Hecho en Mexico |
Juan In A Million, 2300 E. Cesar Chavez Street (East)
A neighborhood staple since 1980, very popular, especially on weekends.
La Condesa, 400A West 2nd Street (Downtown)
Trendy, modern Mexican in the heart of downtown. Great little outdoor patio to watch the people go by while sipping on a sangria, margarita, or cerveza.
La Mexicana, 1924 South First Street (South)
A neighborhood staple since 1980, very popular, especially on weekends.
La Condesa, 400A West 2nd Street (Downtown)
Trendy, modern Mexican in the heart of downtown. Great little outdoor patio to watch the people go by while sipping on a sangria, margarita, or cerveza.
La Mexicana, 1924 South First Street (South)
Mostly known as a Mexican bakery, they also have great inexpensive tacos, tortas, gorditas, and street foods. Open 24 hours, which comes in handy when you're jet lagged from an international flight.
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| Fat and inexpensive breakfast tacos at La Mexicana |
Manuel's, 310 Congress Avenue (Downtown) and 10201 Jollyville Road (Northwest)
Their tortilla soup never disappoints, and I've always been a fan of their chicken mole. Lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch at both locations.
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| Manuel's enchiladas with mole sauce |
Nixta Taqueria, 2512 E. 12th Street (East Austin)
I keep hearing amazing stuff about this new East Austin spot, but haven't yet made it myself.
Papalote, 2803 South Lamar (South), 3632 South Congress (South) and 13219 North Hwy 183 (Northwest)
I keep hearing amazing stuff about this new East Austin spot, but haven't yet made it myself.
Papalote, 2803 South Lamar (South), 3632 South Congress (South) and 13219 North Hwy 183 (Northwest)
The South Lamar location only has a handful of tables, and does a lot of carry out business. Street foods including tacos, tortas, and tlacoyos; known for the vegetarian cauliflower taco. Daily, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Great spot for a quick meal, not to be overlooked by other area taco places.
Sazon, 1816 South Lamar (South)
Sazon, 1816 South Lamar (South)
One of the few spots that serves huitlacoche; they have indoor and outdoor seating, nice happy hours.
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| Sazon's pastor |
Suerte, 1800 E. 6th Street (East)
New trendy spot on the eastside, brunch with tacos, tostadas and doblado was quite good, but the palmier with cajeta is not to be missed!
Taqueria Chapala, 4201 S. Congress Ave. (South)
New trendy spot on the eastside, brunch with tacos, tostadas and doblado was quite good, but the palmier with cajeta is not to be missed!
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| Shrimp tostado, beef tongue taco, and chorizo + potato stuffed doblado. |
Looking for awesome chilaquiles? Look no further. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Veracruz All Natural, Several trailers plus a brick and mortar
This popular food truck offers plate specials on weekends, like these mole enchiladas with plantains and chilaquiles.
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| Mole enchiladas at Veracruz |
Chuy's, Six locations
The original on Barton Springs Road is what started it all, now with multiple locations nationwide. The tortilla soup is still a staple for many. Daily, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
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| Chuy's sangria |
DK Maria's Legendary Tex-Mex, 1807 Slaughter Lane (Far South)
They took over the former Tres Amigos spot at Slaughter and Manchaca, and have incredible thick tortilla chips and a jalapeno/avocado sauce that's amazing. Pictured here, Anselmo's Grilled Fish, which on this day was a drum with veracruz sauce; hearty portions. Large venue, great for groups.
El Dorado Cafe, 3300 W. Anderson Lane (North Central)
This family-owned establishment has quickly earned its buzz. I went for lunch and the place was packed! Salsa X, calabacitas, and Esme's Magic rolled enchiladas with mashed potatoes amongst the standouts. I really wish this place was south!
Matt's El Rancho, 2613 South Lamar (South)
They took over the former Tres Amigos spot at Slaughter and Manchaca, and have incredible thick tortilla chips and a jalapeno/avocado sauce that's amazing. Pictured here, Anselmo's Grilled Fish, which on this day was a drum with veracruz sauce; hearty portions. Large venue, great for groups.
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| Anselmo's Grilled Fish at DK Maria's |
This family-owned establishment has quickly earned its buzz. I went for lunch and the place was packed! Salsa X, calabacitas, and Esme's Magic rolled enchiladas with mashed potatoes amongst the standouts. I really wish this place was south!
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| Esme's enchiladas at El Dorado |
Fresas, 915 N. Lamar Blvd (Downtown; drive through/carry out) and 1703 S. 1st Street (South Austin)
I recently had a very solid meal at the South 1st location with excellent service, which had been my bone to pick before. But they are back in my good graces. While known for their chicken al carbon, the posole was outstanding.
I recently had a very solid meal at the South 1st location with excellent service, which had been my bone to pick before. But they are back in my good graces. While known for their chicken al carbon, the posole was outstanding.
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| Posole from Fresas |
Joann's Fine Foods, 1224 S. Congress (Downtown/South)
I debated whether or not to include this in my Mexican foods post, but yes, as they say online: "The menu is a tribute to diner culture featuring Tex-Mex favorites and California inspired healthy options." And the beef picadillo enchiladas were delicious. Here's the link to my full blog post.
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| Joann's hash brown nachos |
Serving some of Austin’s most popular Tex-Mex since 1952. Lunch and dinner daily; closed Tuesdays.
Maudie's Tex Mex, Seven locations
Multiple locations around town, popular happy hours. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Mr. Natural, 1901 East Cesar Chavez (East) and 2414 South Lamar (South)
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| Nachos compuestos for $5 during Maudie's happy hour! |
This is the spot for vegetarian and gluten free options; tamales, migas, and rellenos. Both locations, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, closed Sundays.
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| Mr. Natural's stuffed pepper |
If you've got favorite dishes at any of these places or suggestions for other spots, leave a note below! Buen provecho!
Looking for taco-specific recs? Check out:
Kitchen Concoction's Taco Guide
For 2020, check out my post on the Best New Restaurants in South Austin, and my 2019
City Guide picks for the ultimate South Austin restaurants!