of course we all love tex-mex but I have been pretty impressed with the mexican food scene in austin. wondering if there are some spots that are not on my radar, and what other folks thoughts are and favorite items at the places i did know.
el naranjo - this is a place i would have eaten at far more often but for the location on rainey. now that they are closing the rainey location down and have just opened up the new spot on south lamar, it will be in my regular rotation. went for dinner last week and was just an infinitely more pleasant experience. we had the fundido with huitlacoche with corn tortillas and i had the pastel azteca with chorizo as the entree. both were amazing. duck breast with black mole is another one of my favorites, but definitely need to try more of the menu items
ATX cocina - i avoided this place for a while because the name is kind of stupid, but once i gave in and tried it, i was pretty impressed and have been several times. “modern mexican.” the roast chicken with white mole is one of my favorites, and is a good dish to split between two people as the entree (especially if you're like us - one likes dark meat and one likes white ). the whole fish entree is really good too. “salsa sampler” usually seems like kind of a rip off item, but i think its worth it here for the tortillas
comedor - been for dinner three times. masa spaetzl is our favorite dish here. bone marrow tacos are good, but seem overpriced for what you get. the fish is the only entree we have tried, and have just rotated among several of the small dishes to share and have really enjoyed doing it that way. the monster pork chop with mole looks legit though.
nixta tacqueria - tried this on opening day. line way out the door and i’m pretty sure i was the youngest person in there by 10+ years. /shrug. there are maybe 7 all tables inside. i wonder if they are going to expand into the space next door that looks to be used for storage and prep. we had the beet tostada, the “enchilada” potosino with duck fat refried black beans which were both great, and the duck confit taco. i would go back but would either get there right when it opens, or in an off-hour, until the “new place” hype dies down.
fonda san miguel - i dont think i've been there in 15+ years. still worth going?
el elma - been once, enjoyed it, but i can’t take a place seriously if they can’t make their own tortillas.
polvo’s - been to the new downtown location twice - seems like an upgrade from the south 1st location. enchiladas are good. enchiladas de la casa remind me of las manitas so i go just for that.
el meson - judgeroy turned me on to this place when it was just the original shack out by the airport. i will still stop at that one sometimes when i am over that way, but the new one on south lamar is more convenient, and nicer, if not lacking some of the authenticity of the original. tinga, pibil, and pastor are my go-tos.
suerte - goat barbacoa is worth the trip. seriously.
what else?