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Featured Replies

Any good?  Coming down for the spring game with some folks and a friend of mine swears by it.  

It’s fine. There have been better options for 20 years though. 

I love it but I think a lot of that is nostalgia and comfort. I don’t think I’d be near as high on it if I hadn’t been going there since I was a toddler.

I like it. It’s solid. Salsa and chips are good. Tortillas are great (for Austin). I think it’s a better overall restaurant than Y Mas but if I want enchiladas, it’s Y Mas all the way.

There's much better in the near vicinity. Maria's has fallen off but is literally right next door.

Habeneros is only a mile down Oltorf from Lamar and has infinitely better food.

NOTE: It's also cash only, closes at 3, and has a small location (i.e. it gets crowded).

http://www.habanerocafe.com

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I'd eat at Matt's at the drop of the hat, start with the Bob

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

8 hours ago, CooterBrown said:

I like it. It’s solid. Salsa and chips are good. Tortillas are great (for Austin). I think it’s a better overall restaurant than Y Mas but if I want enchiladas, it’s Y Mas all the way.

Enchiladas are pretty much all that matter, so...

But yeah, Matt's is fine.  Food is decent, atmosphere is good, nostalgia is great.  It's an Austin/UT institution.

You could do better, but you could also do much worse.  For a big group of Texas fans, not much better place.  Solid texmex and they have been doing it solidly for a long, long time.

Took the kiddos there for the first time about a month ago. Like everyone is saying, there are better options, but I forgot that it was a solid B and good for that type of excursion. And Bob’s speaks for itself. 

16 minutes ago, Hanrahan said:

Love me some el rancho. Go to Maudie’s instead.

Wrong

UPTOWN ENCHILADA BAR*

I think its changed the name or no longer exists. Good times.

14 hours ago, DaysOff said:

UPTOWN ENCHILADA BAR*

I think its changed the name or no longer exists. Good times.

Good lord. It's been an El Mercado for 25 years at least. Uptown Enchilada Bar was awesome. El Mercado blows.

And, yes, while there may be better food to be had, El Rancho is quintessential old Austin. Their menu staples haven't changed in over a half-century. Nearly always a lively, fun atmosphere. One of the best patio dining options anywhere. Great drinks. It's hard to beat for an all-around dining experience.

I miss AusTexMex and the original ghetto Jorge’s on Hancock. Those were the best Tex mex in town. 

Bob Armstrong is still great and everything else is decent. Not the best tex mex but it is truly Austin 

6 hours ago, CooterBrown said:

I miss AusTexMex and the original ghetto Jorge’s on Hancock. Those were the best Tex mex in town. 

They were good, but Carmen's La Tapatia on E 6th was the best TexMex in town.  

  • Author

Cool.  Haven't been back to Austin since 2002. I'm already preparing for the culture shock of seeing how much has changed since I was in college.  

5 hours ago, Knoxtnhorn said:

Cool.  Haven't been back to Austin since 2002. I'm already preparing for the culture shock of seeing how much has changed since I was in college.  

 

Yeah... it's gonna be.... different.

Welcome back to town, though!  Not ALL of the change is bad.  B|

Love me some el rancho. Go to Maudie’s instead.

Ive never understood the hype for Maudie’s. It seems like your average Tex mex joint that’s all cleaned up and presentable. Enchiladas y Más or death.

The chile gravy at Maudie's is great, pretty much the same as Enchiladas y Mas.  Standard cheese enchiladas are the thing to order. Strait Plate with fried egg is also great.  I don't really ever order anything else.

 

 

Great, great great patio. 

Very strong chips and salsa. 

Makes their own fresh flour tortillas, which is saying something in this hell hole of a flour tortilla town. 

Free rainbow sherbet after your meal, to cleanse your pallet from the grease and spice, as it should be at an old-school Tex-Mex joint. 

 

You poor souls.  All I’m seeing are upgraded versions of Taco Cabana.  Go try some Casa Garcia’s and Chapala.

Whoever said Matt’s food is a solid B is exactly right.  It’s a very consistent “good” restaurant.  Atmosphere and patio are A+ though.   Still find myself there at least 1-2x/month despite living north of the river.

And Maudie’s?  Talk about a place which has fallen hard over the past 3-4 years.  

You poor souls.  All I’m seeing are upgraded versions of Taco Cabana.  Go try some Casa Garcia’s and Chapala.

 

The old Casa Garcia’s that was on S. Lamar was great. The RR and Pville ones are subpar to me.

 

Chapala was good too but haven’t eaten there since 2008.

 

 

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I still take out of town family to Matt’s. Great environment, drinks, Bob dip, and they don’t know the difference between B+ and A- texmex. 

Don’t know where else to post this question: is Tamale House worth a visit?

At this point I think Matt's is better than Maudi's. I never thought I would have ever said that. 

I'm south of the river and I think Casa Garcia is the best option South Side.

But yeah, Matt's is a solid B, with great chips and salsa, tortillas, patio, etc. I have never had a bad meal, or experience there. Also, their chicken fried steak with chili gravy is an interesting and delicious twist on CFS. 

Knockout + a Bob + asadero tacos = happiness

On 4/10/2018 at 7:33 AM, utee94 said:

The chile gravy at Maudie's is great, pretty much the same as Enchiladas y Mas.  Standard cheese enchiladas are the thing to order. Strait Plate with fried egg is also great.  I don't really ever order anything else.

 

 

I swear they use a different chili sauce on the Strait Plate than on their #5. EyM #5 >>>>>>>>>>>>> Maudie's #5. But the Strait Plate with jalapenos is pretty damn good. Not EyM good, but definitely delicious. Only thing I get at Maudie's.

On 4/15/2018 at 10:36 PM, Hank_Hill said:

Don’t know where else to post this question: is Tamale House worth a visit?

For breakfast, yes. Get the chipotle migas, add a side of bacon, and get a Mexican iced coffee. Go early before the hipsters wake up. 

  • 1 month later...

Asadero tacos on flour and a knockout

On 6/23/2018 at 8:28 PM, SimonBolivar said:

Had some CFS tonight and thought it was pretty good.

I think you were sitting next to me.  I was the one who had five margs plus floaters.  

Can’t remember what I ordered though.  

5 minutes ago, Chet Steadman said:

I think you were sitting next to me.  I was the one who had five margs plus floaters.  

Can’t remember what I ordered though.  

Yeah, the part you can't remember was the OTHER five margs plus floaters. 

  • 2 weeks later...

Fond memories of eating at Matt's as a child in the 70's, when they were on 1st. Dad was pals with Matt Jr., and he made sure I always got sherbet and a praline for dessert. Before he made off for Dallas, Matt Jr. opened a place on Burnet Road where the old Holiday house was located. One night he had a kid goat tied up out front and told us to come back the next day for some cabrito. We did. It was excellent.

As long as the food doesn't make me sick, I'll have a soft spot in my heart for Matt's. 

  • 1 month later...
On 6/23/2018 at 7:28 PM, SimonBolivar said:

Had some CFS tonight and thought it was pretty good.

For a long time CFS was their Wednesday (or was it Tues?) lunch special. Solid.

On ‎7‎/‎9‎/‎2018 at 7:02 PM, Deej said:

Fond memories of eating at Matt's as a child in the 70's, when they were on 1st. Dad was pals with Matt Jr., and he made sure I always got sherbet and a praline for dessert. Before he made off for Dallas, Matt Jr. opened a place on Burnet Road where the old Holiday house was located. One night he had a kid goat tied up out front and told us to come back the next day for some cabrito. We did. It was excellent.

As long as the food doesn't make me sick, I'll have a soft spot in my heart for Matt's. 

I totally appreciate those stories.  I just don't have one like that for Matt's.  To me, it was just cheap Tex Mex in college before the volume and quality of Tex Mex joints in town improved.

  • 2 years later...

Feel like it would be weird if I didn't show up. 

22 minutes ago, immamac said:

Headed to Matt's right now for lunch and frozen margaritas in honor of the frozen margarita machine 50th anniversary today. If anyone is in town and wants to come, first margarita is on surly horns, just find me at the bar and use the password "muledick"

you’re a good egg, noonan. 

Damn, would be there tomorrow when I’m in town for sure

Just to let you guys know... I hate you all... I hope you drown in queso, get brain freeze from your frozen margarittas and get parts of corn chips stuck between your teeth and gums!

Sincerely,

Some asshole in Ohio that cant get decent TexMex

Just now, Laxtonto said:

Just to let you guys know... I hate you all... I hope you drown in queso, get brain freeze from your frozen margarittas and get parts of corn chips stuck between your teeth and gums!

Sincerely,

Some asshole in Ohio that cant get decent TexMex

you haven't been to Matt's in the last 10 years.

 

I kid, I kid!

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