El Gallo
2910 S. Congress, 444-2205
Tue-Thu, 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-11pm; Sun, 11am-9pm
Having fed three generations of Austinites, this Tex-Mex restaurant continues to thrive from its Southside location. The dining room is appropriately bedecked in pinks and blues. Their Norteño-influenced Tex-Mex menu lists increasingly hard-to-find dishes such as cabrito (roasted goat), puntas de res, and carnitas. The usual suspects are also present — tamales, enchiladas, and fajitas. Weight watchers will love their healthy low(er) fat lunches.
El Flaco Mexican Cafe
3632 S. Congress, 444-2767
Daily, 6:30am-2:30pm
The skinny on this place is that they serve Mexican food just like your abuelita used to make. However, there’s nothing skinny about their portions, which consistently attract hearty eaters hungry for the El Grande size. Some of their more popular menu items include migas, chicharones, machacado, barbacoa de cabeza, menudo, and carne guisada. Their refried beans are a particular favorite among regulars. Everything at El Flaco is made from scratch, and they serve breakfast all day long.
El Patio
2938 Guadalupe, 476-5955
Mon-Sat, 11am-9:45pm
In the same location since 1954, El Patio has changed neither its recipes nor its decor since it opened. “And why should it?” asks the owner, when people keep coming back for the same favorites they’ve been enjoying for more than four decades. Enchiladas, fajitas, and fried egg sandwiches star at this well-known Austin eatery. This is probably the only Tex-Mex place in town that still serves saltines instead of chips and offers sherbet or coconut candy for dessert.
Hernandez Cafe
1201 E. Sixth, 472-0323
Mon-Thu, 8am-4pm; Fri-Sat, 8am-5pm; Sun, 8am-2:30pm
The Hernandez family has been in business in East Austin for 35 years. After the landlord at their first location sold their building, they moved one block west to their present location, an appealing retro-colored green and black restaurant. Breakfasts include huevos rancheros, chorizo, and fried pork chops. For lunch, don’t hesitate to try their comforting, cheesy enchiladas. The Hernandez family’s dedication to the community has been credited with helping renew enthusiasm for this East Sixth neighborhood.
Inocente’s Cafe
2337 E. Cesar Chavez, 479-0218
Sun-Thu, 7am-10pm; Fri-Sat, 7am-10pm
For better than 16 years, the Ramirezes have been preparing good Tex-Mex cuisine from this red brick cafe in East Austin. With Inocente Jr. and Sr. both working the floor and Aunt Estella in the kitchen, Inocente’s Cafe cultivates a decidedly family atmosphere. Try their menudo for a guaranteed hangover cure. Other featured dishes include enchiladas, carne guisada, and chiles rellenos. Innocente’s is a great place to sip an icy agua de horchata and soak up the flavor of the neighborhood.
Mexico Tipico Restaurante
1707 E. Sixth, 495-9504
Tue-Wed, 11:30am-5pm; Thu-Sat, 11:30am-9:30pm; Sun, 11:30am-6pm
After a four-year absence, Mexico Tipico is back. You can’t beat this quaint little restaurant for charm. With an outdoor terrace accented by climbing rose vines and an interior dining room featuring peach stucco walls, shiny red booths, and shrines to the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico, Tipico feels like another country. Their limited menu offers well-made breafast favorites such as migas, huevos rancheros, and menudo. At lunchtime go for their enchiladas verdes, pork chop dinner, or the steak a la Mexicana. Every Wednesday at noon, Teye and Paco de Lucia perform their increasingly acclaimed flamenco guitar and dance routine — don’t miss it!
Angie’s
900 E. Seventh, 476-5413
Mon, Wed-Thu, 7:30am-4pm; Fri, 7:30am-9pm; Sat-Sun, 7:30am-4pm
Brightly painted interior and funky icons make this restaurant seem like something out of a Pedro Almodóvar film. Featuring a small menu of well-prepared Tex-Mex dishes, Angie’s consistently pleases a well-established crowd of regulars for breakfast and lunch. Try their huevos rancheros, served with crispy home fried potatoes and meaty refried beans. At lunch, go for their carnitas.
This article appears in March 31 • 2000.