The 13 Best Tex-Mex Restaurants in Austin

Published 3 months ago• 11 minute read

A plate holds sour cream enchiladas, rice, and refried beans. — Steak enchiladas at Chuy’s on Barton Springs

Enchiladas, fajitas, and plenty of queso

by Updated Jan 28, 2025, 8:45am CST

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Steak enchiladas at Chuy’s on Barton Springs

| Chuy’s

Comfort food in Austin, Texas often means the spicy salsas and molten cheese of Tex-Mex. Nothing else will satisfy when that particular desire for sizzling fajitas or cheesy enchiladas hits. The mashup of Mexican fare with Texas tradition has led Austin to the proverbial promised land of flavors, full of bowls of sopa Azteca, carne guisada, and refried beans. Eater’s guide to the best Tex-Mex restaurants in Austin will lead to both the tried and true icons, such as Matt’s El Rancho and Joe’s Bakery, and the spots off the beaten path, like La Cocina de Consuelo and Ramos Tex-Mex.

For more Tex-Mex and Mexican in Austin, look to the city’s best tacos, breakfast tacos, queso, margaritas, and Mexican martinis.

Though it’s now a national chain, Chuy’s got its started at this colorful and funky restaurant on Barton Springs Road over 40 years ago. Along with the kitschy decor, expect serious Tex-Mex, tangy and creamy jalapeño dip, and some of the best fajitas in town (Chuy’s version is marinated with Texas treasure Shiner Bock beer). There are indoor and outdoor tables at this Chuy’s, which offers curbside pickup of orders, and four other locations in Austin proper with various pickup and delivery options.

A plate holds a green chili fried chicken, rice, and refried beans.

This Wells Branch restaurant’s menu reads like a dictionary of Tex-Mex favorites. Chimichangas stuffed with roasted chicken, green chiles, and smothered in sauce; tender pork marinated in red chile; steak a la Mexicana; fajitas; tortilla soup; fried ice cream; and numerous combination plates. Takeout orders can be placed online, but eating inside the strip mall spot gives that hidden gem feel, with green booths, mix and match chairs, and a bar for solo eaters.

Deep fried chilis sit on a plate between a scoop of rice and a bowl of pinto beans.

This North Shoal Tex-Mex restaurant is full of old-school tastes and vibes thanks to owner Joel Fried, who happens to be a former Tacodeli chef, and the team. There are cheesy enchiladas, piquant short ribs, and a spicy, flavorful array of salsas. The dining room features multi-colored walls, Home Depot tile floors, and a colorful stained glass feature over the open kitchen. When the weather is nice, the restaurant sets up a few outdoor tables too, or get it to go online.

A pair of tacos topped with pico, guacamole, and shredded red cabbage sit in a dish.

There is one reason to go to this Crestview Tex-Mex restaurant, and it’s in the name: stunning enchiladas of all types, including enchiladas rancheras; enchiladas con queso; and beef, chicken, or vegetarian enchiladas. An order of chile con queso is never out of place on the table; the margaritas, served in a no-frills dining room, will knock you clear into next week. It can get super crowded in this spot for dinner so for those seeking a quick in and out, hit it at lunch.

A plate of enchiladas in red sauce are topped with melted cheese, guacamole, lettuce, and sliced tomatoes.

The Linc Tex-Mex restaurant is steeped in San Antonio traditions, which means puffy tacos (beef picadillo, shredded chicken, shrimp, and beans and vegetables are among the filling options) alongside enchiladas and fajita tacos on the menu, plus plenty of tequila and mezcal options. The dining room nods to the colorful culture of coastal Mexico, and the boisterous patio is always a good time. If for some wild reason you don’t want to stay, you can order it to-go or for delivery online.

A chile relleno covered in green sauce sits on a plate next to a scoop of rice and a bowl of pinto beans.

The Tex-Mex restaurant with two locations (this one in North Loop and the other down south in Southpark Meadows) knows its tacos very well, serving sturdy tortillas filled with eggs, fish, chicken, beef, or even rib meat. The dining room is a great place for a party, with twinkle lights and vibrant decor alongside tables that easily push together. So is the little outdoor patio, for that matter. And it does offer takeout online.

Consuela’s dream was to open a kitchen, and at the tender age of 63, she did in a converted house. Come to the Rosedale restaurant now run by her niece Letty Garcia for the amazing breakfast burrito bursting with whatever you want. The potato enchiladas with chile chipotle sauce are also great — orders for anything on the menu can be placed online. The vibe is very DIY, reflecting crafty projects like painted tables and the sculptural use of kitchen utensils as wall decor.

Carne asada is served atop tortillas, with rice and refried beans.

The Cherrywood restaurant is a pillar for Tex-Mex in the neighborhood, offering massive burritos, sizzling chicken or steak fajitas, and perfect crispy tacos with picadillo. If that sounds good, any and all of it can also be ordered online. The cantina decor inside and on the multiple colorful outdoor patios, however, are half the reason to come here.

A plate of huevos rancheros with beans, cheese sauce, chicken, and potato chunks.

The Austin chain reigns supreme for all things Tex-Mex in the city. The chile con queso is a solid pick, as well as the molten cheese-layered nachos, tender fajitas, and carne guisada tacos. The curvy walls in here might make you feel a little funny if you have too many margaritas, so fair warning. Let those flashing lights on the walls mesmerize, and then grab a breath of fresh air on the patio. Takeout orders can be placed online.

Numerous Tex-Mex dishes sit on a table. Clockwise there are a quesdilla, queso, and salsa. chips, zucchini enchiladas, and roasted carrots covered in cotija cheese.

The East Austin restaurant is part of Austin’s folkloric Tex-Mex history for good reason. The family dishes out steadfast migas, enchiladas, tacos, and its namesake tamales (regulars can easily get it all to go online, too), as they have been for over 60 years. Raise a toast to the portrait of Frida Kahlo that hangs over the bar and enjoy the vintage decor from any of the restaurants haphazard tables or patio seats.

An oval white plate with a pale brown tortilla topped with brown meat, green jalapeño slices, and pickled onions.

If a condo displaces Joe’s, Austin as we know it will end. This daytime Holly Tex-Mex institution typically incurs waits and lines, with fancy folks jammed up against those catching a quick meal between construction gigs. The dishes — breakfast pork chop or barbacoa plates, enchilada combos, and migas among them — are huge, affordable, and arrive quickly. Takeout orders can be placed in person or over the phone only, who needs the internet.

A white oval plate with a crispy taco, rice, refried beans, and enchiladas covered in yellow cheese sauce. — Chicken enchiladas, crispy beef taco, rice, and beans from Joe’s

The appeal of this rambling South Lamar historic ranch house-turned-restaurant lies in its menu of Tex-Mex specialties. However, it’s large, rambling size inside and out make it a good spot for groups and family outings. Though the tostadas compuestas and the beef enchilada are stellar, everyone’s really there for the Bob Armstrong dip and a Mexican martini. Takeout orders can be placed online.

A person holding up a big bowl of yellow melted cheese with a clump of ground meat and guacamole in the middle. — The Bob Armstrong Dip at Matt’s El Rancho

This little daytime Dawson Tex-Mex restaurant has all the staples (fajitas, quesadillas, enchiladas) but the specialties are truly boss. The El Patron huevos rancheros come with two fried eggs smothered in ranchero sauce, all next to a pile of fajitas and steaming refried beans. This place is a classic casita-style restaurant, with bright red chairs, ornamental iron works, and a line to pay at the front complete with last minute little treats.

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