My first visit here was good. I had the chicken mole enchiladas, rice and beans and plenty of chips and salsa. Everything was good and the mole sauce was tasty. I left full and happy with my meal and the very reasonable price I paid. However, on a subsequent return, I ordered the 3 large taco plate (beef). The 3 tacos were large, as advertised, but frankly the meat inside was tasteless. So much so that I found it difficult to finish the meal. The chips and salsa, again, were very good, in fact, their salsa is some of the best I've ever experienced in Austin. The restaurant is right off I35 at 38th street on the West side of 35. It's easy to get to, plenty of parking and both times I was there for lunch there was ample seating. Maybe I got them on a bad day. I'll go back for another try sometime in the future and maybe the third time will be the tie breaker. I did see a beef burrito on the menu, so I guess I could give that a shot. read more

(#83)Very solid find with this place. Service was outstanding start to finish!...Chips and salsa awesome...Salsa had a nice kick too it...what really cool?..the wife has become a salsa fan!!!...she never realized how different each one is..queso was creamy and really good with a splash of the salsa in it!!!...wife had beef enchiladas w/double rice..the "standard" gravy was tasty..beef had a good flavor on its own..myself...combo plate!!..one beef, one chicken and one cheese..ALL with a different sauce!!..Loved it All!!...chicken tender with a nice tasty green sauce..beef Good!!!...and the cheese one was packed with creamy goodness !!!..rice was fluffy an fresh, we both liked that ...I had the black beans on the side..very good !!!..we will for sure be back!!!..lots more to try on the menu!!!..and by the look of other reviews..they have a killer breakfast !! read more

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The service is the only good thing here. The food is absolutely disgusting. Bland, crappy and awful. It's WAY overpriced. I'll go to Los Altos right on the other side of the highway. The family got the special (enchilada, taco, rice and beans) and the food was just so bland and so awful... We also got the carne guisada and it was more like a thick stew with too much pepper and overcooked bland meat. read more

Went last night. This was good. The chips and salsa were good. Liked the salsa, it was more medium than mild. We also tried the chili con queso. That was alright. It was hot (temperature). We ordered the enchiladas suizas and the vegetarian enchiladas. Both were good. Loved the refried beans. We'll be back. Will also want to try out their breakfast. read more

Great food, and even better service! The servers are very attentive. The restaurant is always clean. The owners are very friendly and welcoming. My favorite dish is the chicken flautas with black beans & rice. You will not be disappointed with this place. read more

Great food that is consistently good and reasonably priced. The wait staff is efficient and friendly

I love this spot. The food is definitely priced on the cheaper side, my meal is always solid, and the service is the happiest, most pleasant service I think I've ever received. Honestly, the servers/bartenders are my main reason for coming back. I've worked in restaurants my entire career and i can see how it would be easy to fall into a grumpy slump working at a Texmex spot by the highway, but man. Nothing but smiles and positive attitudes here! Love to see it. Will return again and again. Only negative is the tables are weirdly small. But not that big of a deal. read more

Terrible service. They tried to memorize our order 3 different times instead of just writing it down. Waited 2 hours for food just to find out they never placed our order in the kitchen. Then a piece of fish came when we ordered a chicken quesadilla so we packed up and left read more

Jorge and Noe literally made my trip. Best drinks, best people ... Really gave me a "Cheers" vibe. Coming back for sure!!! Love these d00dz.

The food wasn't bad but not amazing. The restaurant was clean but pretty run down. The wait staff was nice but had difficulty getting our orders correct. read more

A no frills Mexican place with great Margs and friendly staff. I probably drive by this place a few hundred times and didn't know what I was missing. Definitely worth pulling off the service street for some food and drink. read more

Hidden gem! Authentic and delicious food, family owned too! Everything is good but the Migas taco is the best migas taco I've ever had.

Good spot for decently priced mexican food. You definitely get what you pay for and for a good price. I had the enchiladas de Cameron and they were good. Nothing spectacular but good and I finished every last bite. The server was very on top of it all as well. Would return. read more

This and the 24hr Mexican spot on Cesar Chavez are clutch go to restaurants in town. A bunch of vegetarian option on the menu and everyone that works there are personalities. read more

This morning, I wanted Brussel sprouts. I checked my fridge, and NO. Jack and shit. Meat Eater wanted, well, meat. Hey, lets go to Fiesta! And grab breakfast on the way! Cafe Hornitos is right across the street, lets go there! Walked in to an empty ass restaurant. No one, but the server. The host said, "table for two?" Yes, thanks. "Please sit anywhere you like." Do you have any tables open? ...Confusion. Crickets chirp. We sit at a booth. Check menu, Meat Eater orders Carne Guisada. I see nothing vegan friendly, so I just go ahead and say, "Veggie taco, please. No egg or cheese, just veggies, like whatever you have." Oh, sure, we can do that. Breakfast comes out. Meat Eater liked it, he said it wasn't the best, but it was still tasty. Veggie taco, super! Spinach, onion, mushroom, tomato and some other crap all sautéed together to make a great breakfast. And a buck fifty. Even better. Salsa was nice, chips were nice, "decor" was totally weird and unfortunate. Breakfast was good, and I would totally go back. I'm not sure if anyone ever goes here, but they should. It's good and simple, and just order a veggie taco, the one that's not on the menu. If you sit by the windows, you'll have a great view of Chicas Bonitas, right across 35. They weren't open yet, but if you go at the right time, you might just be able to enjoy a massive train wreck with your tacos. read more

Cafe Hornitos - Don't eat meat? Ask them to make a vegetable taco. Really tasty. - Tex-Mex Near Me - Austin, Texas

Went here for breakfast, but I was not feeling like having tacos or any breakfasty items. Fortunately, they can cook anything in their menu at 8am! I ended up ordering their tortilla soup which was really tasty, but a little on the spicy side. It actually cleared my sinuses, but again I am a total wimp in terms of the heat. The portions were decent and liked having a side of rice with my soup. I just wish there was a little more chicken and tortillas. The decor was interesting. Their wallpaper was actually beer labels... the whole place was actually covered! Service was pretty good too, our server was attentive and rather cheerful for working at 8am on Saturday, so I'll give him that! I am actually curious to try some of their other meals next time though. read more

I didnt know what to expect since there was only one vehicle parked out. Ordered the carne asada. And just let me tell ypu they had authentic nopales none of that canned stuff. And the carne asada was actually asada. Best flavor in austin so far. read more

I was driving down the south bound service road of I35 today contemplating where to eat when I see the Hornitos sign that I have passed hundreds of times and decided to give them a try. This area of town is kinda sketchy so sketchy that I rolled down my window enough for my dog to get out in case she needed to save me from a mugger or crack fiend before I got to the door. When I got inside it was even creepier as the place was empty at 3PM. Once I got seated I felt like I had walked through the twilight zone and was in a good place. My waitress was awesome and suggested the Chicken Tortilla Soup. Since it was cold out and dreary it was just what I was craving to warm me up. Might I say "almost" as good as my favorite Chicken Poblano Tortilla Soup recipe. The tortilla chips tasted homemade and the salsa was very HOT with a slight sweetness to it! And the hot cinnamon tea was sweet without any need for sweetener. I will be back to this hole-in-the-wall Tex Mex joint to explore more of the menu! read more

Not a shady neighborhood, across I-35 from a shady neighborhood, but everything along I-35 in Austin below Airport is just "across the street from a shady neighborhood." This restaurant isn't in the best location, but is far from being in the ghetto where one has to worry about drive by shootings. Less than two blocks west of this restaurant is a neighborhood full of multi-million dollar homes. I have lived in the neighborhood between this fancy one and I-35, and the only thing that ever happened was a bum sometimes ventured our way from 35 and asked for some change. Now that we have that cleared up, lets move onto reviewing the actual restaurant. For a cheap place to eat, this one is a winner. I have tried their enchiladas, burritos, and tacos. They always give generous portions. The food is nothing to write home about, but it fast, tasty, and cheap. There typically aren't very many people in here, so the service is always awesome. I hope this place stays in business, I will be sad when I can't go for a walk in the morning and grab some breakfast tacos. On that note (breakfast tacos), what a deal. $1.50 for a taco that really is more full and just as tasty as most of breakfast tacos I've ever had in Austin. They serve breakfast tacos all day long. Don't get them with cheese, their cheese isn't good. When your in a hurry for some cheap food, choose Hornitos. I am always baffled by how few people go here and know about this place. read more

I have never been disappointed in something I have eaten from here. I work close by, so I stop for breakfast tacos 3-4 times a week. They're so friendly, attentive even for a to go order, and make their food incredibly fast and fresh! For dinner, I typically get the El Jorge. I love the size of their crispy taco and the taste of the ground beef and their chili con carne sauce on the enchiladas. I tell everyone about this place and want to come back to try happy hour! read more

I work in a tex-mex restaurant, which is much more prestigious than this little haven. I don't know why people come and give me so much of their money, when they could go here and save so much and still have a good experience. Let me tell you, this place would be a competitor if you did a blind taste test. It really isn't hard to make tex-mex food, and they don't disappoint. The daily special is usually 7 dollars and includes tea. Their menu is at best moderately priced if you don't make it for the daily special (stops serving at 7pm), or for lunch. This happened to me on 4/20, I got there right after, so I thought what the hell and got the most expensive thing on the menu. It was a large grill plate called the Hornitos, it was meant for two people, had grilled shrimp, Mexican sausage, and mixed fajitas, plus rice/beans, guac, sour, cheese, pico: all for 23dollars. It was great.. Try the stuffed jalapenos, very fresh and tasty. Alcohol is about what you would expect, but they have really cheap happy hour appetizers. The hh rita is 3$. (ill find out their hh beer prices and edit this post) Always dead in here, but the service is great if you can make your own atmosphere. I also agree with everything Garrett said. The queso appetizer and enchilada cheese is fine, but it isn't the greatest on the btacos. I highly recommend trying this place out for a quick lunch or breakfast, and if you like it maybe even come for dinner. read more

Oh hell yes. I have wondered what this place was like. We used to go to Jade Fountain all the time. One time I ordered a stir fry dish I hadn't tried before. They cooked it tableside. I had ordered it extra spicy. The server got the wok too hot, and when those peppers hit that hot oil, the entire place filled with caustic hot pepper smoke. An old couple ran out, coughing. I think I remember others moaning. People got free drinks. CSB. Anyway, so we go to Cafe Hornitos for lunch, expecting nothing. This place is now one of my favorite Tex Mex restaurants. They have great lunch specials. You can choose one entree and two sides for $5.99, or two entrees and two sides for $6.99. I had a beef fajita taco, a crispy taco, charro beans, and stuffed jalapenos. The crispy was huge, with perfectly seasoned taco meat and really fresh toppings. The lettuce was leafy and green, not iceberg, and the tomatoes were ripe and freshly chopped. The cheddar cheese looked like they grated it there, not from a bag. The fajita taco was so good! I wasn't expecting the meat to be charbroiled. It, too had fresh toppings. Might be my favorite fajita. Robert got one with his lunch, and agreed. Killer. I TOTALLY was not expecting anything like the stuffed jalapenos. I was thinking they would be a canned jalapeno or two with cream cheese or something. Maaaaaannnn. Two huge deep fried cheddar and jack cheese peppers served with a little bowl of ranch! They were world rocking. Again, not some premade marginal thing from a bag. Even the ranch was home made. Yummy crispy spicy melty creamy. I was too full to take more than a bite of the charro beans, but they were damn good. The chips are fresh and maybe even made there. Good spicy salsa. Really great service, too. It was almost empty at lunch. Get over there, people! Trust me, it's fanfreakingtastic. read more

We stumbled across this place while taking a stroll underneath the freeway. We were pleasantly greeted my Jorge who gave us drinks and chips. The chips are fresh and delicious. Service was fantastic. Will come back to this establishment just to see Jorge and Noe!! read more

I had lunch there today with a friend. I had a fajita taco with a beef burrito with two sides for $6.99 and it turned out to be a good quantitiy of food for the money. Everything tasted pretty good but it didn't quite blow me away. My office has often brought in breakfast tacos from them and I have always been happy. Their potato and egg taco is one of the best that I've tried in town. They get an extra star for the breakfast tacos alone. Overall, a must for breakfast, and a solid choice for lunch or dinner. read more

How did I not know this place was here? went for a work lunch, was able to sit right down, wasnt busy. I was worried at first. very good. servers kept chips and salsa and drinks refilled. small parking lot. perhaps carpool . About 10 bucks a plate read more

I love this place. My wife and I have been going there for at least 10 years. 5 times a year-ish. Awesome texmex. 2 brothers and one more dude are the waitstaff. It's so friendly and quiet. It's on the service road downtown. Suiza enchiladas are great. read more

Solid Tex-Mex, reminded me a little of a good San Antonio hole-in-the-wall place. Got the El Jorge plate with a crispy beef taco, two cheese enchiladas with chilli con carne sauce and rice and beans, very happy with my choice. Also, the chips and salsa were awesome. That might seem kinda minor but it's always a good sign of a Tex-Mex place that knows what it's doing. I'll need to make it back for the happy hour, they had some pretty good deals. read more

Went last night to check this place out cause it's near our place. Walked in and a band was playing from Bastrop to a crowd of 4 people plus the staff. I thought it was closed for a private party but I guess people just don't go here or know about it or are just scared cause it's across the highway from the Latin Strip Club Chicas Bonitas (which by the way was bumpin'). The building is well used but not scary - I mean we ate here and actually liked it - I wouldn't recommend letting your kid crawl around on the floor is what I'm trying to say. Our server was really friendly and helpful with the menu. The food came out really quick and was actually pretty good. I got the chicken chalupa and the women got combo fajitas which were also good. The band playing turned out to be fun so we stayed for a few drinks - nice laid back atmosphere. Every Friday they have music - and a happy hour - and it's cheap and decent food. I wouldn't drive 20 miles to eat here but as a local place I enjoyed it and will return on a Friday. read more

By far the best brisket in the city, I come by once a week to get it, they have never missed. I am going with there spicy wings this week and by far on point. For a small crew beat in the city by far, highly recommend. read more

Awesome for the price! Great friendly service, had the bonatas which was an app sampler and the chicken Tres salsa birth were wonderful definitely going back ! read more

Cafe Hornitos - Pollo Tres salsa - Tex-Mex Near Me - Austin, Texas

Had the nachos and were really good Also tried the chicken wrapped in bacon which was really dry. Restrooms are talky close together and lights were not working in the men's. Maybe the power was out or breaker flipped. Other than that I would give it another try read more

Ok, those who said this place was great need to have their taste buds checked. It was disgusting, starting with walking through the door. It smelled bad walking in. Bathroom...gross. Chips greasy, salsa hot and tasteless, steak fajitas had a "bad meat" taste, no seasoning, guacamole was brown, salad old and tired, and how, please tell me, how can you mess up tortilla soup? Really???? It was like drinking from the Dead Sea...have a little liquid with your salt and month-old chicken. Seriously....the waiter was very nice and helpful, but the food....gross. My boyfriend, the "caveman", couldn't stand it so that's saying a lot! read more

Full bar witch is always a plus. The salsa is great, not to spicy but just spicy enough. My favorite is the beef enchiladas. Good music.

I want to support local businesses but have to be honest. Their lack of Covid awareness is concerning . We were only there for take out. I witnessed waitress talk to customers at packed bar with mask below her chin for 20 minutes. Some of food was very good (grilled veggies and flautas were tasty). Rest was fine but nothing memorable. Not comfortable going back inside read more

I've passed this place a million times and always thought to myself that I needed to give it a try. Today was the day. Scary little corner on the access road of I-35. The building across the street is either an office park or an apartment complex. Hard to tell since no signs out front and most windows are heavily covered. My first thought - crack house? The neighboring houses definitely have that crack house appearance; no paint, cars up on blocks, gravel instead of grass in the front yards, broken windows, junkyard-looking stray dogs - it's got it all! Once I got out of my car and sprinted in the door of the restaurant, I was greeted by a smell I couldn't identify. I almost turned around and walked out, but since I was already a little nervous about getting caught in a drive-by shooting, I figured I'd hang out for a little while. I'm glad I did. Although the decor is very much lacking and the neighborhood is beyond scary, this place is pretty good! I had my usual combo plate. This place calls their main combo plate "El Jay." Have you ever met a Mexican guy named Jay? Me neither....but as usual, I digress. Taco was huge. They use those over-sized shells. Queso came in a little tostada bowl. Guacamole was good too. 2nd plate wasn't as impressive but was still tasty. 2 cheese enchiladas were good, but borderline too much cumin. Rice and beans were very good. Chips were very fresh and are most likely homemade. The salsa was da bomb! Very spicy but with a slightly sweet flavor that I think came from the sweet white onions. Overall, a pleasant surprise. I'll probably go there again, but it will definitely be before the sun goes down. read more

I had lunch here the other day and thought it was just okay. Really not that special. The service was pretty good--the guy was really nice and helpful, but it was also not very crowded. I got the lunch special and ordered a beef burrito and a beef fajita taco. Out of their selection of sides, I got their side salad and the charra beans. The pluses: it's a lot of food for $8; the beans were good. The minuses: the "wet" beef burrito was literally only ground beef (no vegetables, beans, rice); the fajita taco was not very flavorful. First of all, I don't respect ground beef--I don't think it has any place in the food service industry other than in hamburgers. If I eat something with ground beef as the primary ingredient, I invariably become disappointed, and the allure of eating out has been lost. After all, if I eat outside of my own home, I want something I can't just whip up myself. Those "fajita" tacos also looked like something I could throw together in my own kitchen. I honestly wondered if they got their tortillas from HEB up the block. The problem is, the fajita tacos just did not satisfy. Let's just say there's a lot better to be had in town. And that's the verdict on this place--there's a lot better Mexican/Tex-Mex nearby. I cannot recommend--for lunch at least. read more

Being set on I-35 close to the hospital district, the East side, and campus, Cafe Hornitos certainly provides a convenient drop-in stop or to-go taco joint at which to get your grub fix for the early hours. The menu is fairly expansive, even for breakfast, and the inside is quite dingy. Perfect sort of eatery to get your taco on. I went with a spinach and bean and a potato and spinach. The potato was shredded a little too fine--it essentially melted into the spinach. The beans were sparse and the spinach excessive in the other. Also, everything was heavily underseasoned. At least each guy was only $1.50 a pop. The salsa did not hit home. It was watered down and underseasoned, as the tacos were. All in all, I would say that Cafe Hornitos is mediocre at best. I do not necessarily recommend this to anyone wanting some all-star tacos. Maybe pull over into the city limits for something more tasty. I liken eating at this joint to eating BBQ on I-35 around Waco or something. Nothing good, but it will do. read more

The food is great. The chips were fresh and the salsa was delicious reminded me of homemade salsa. I had the chalupas Mexicanas with chicken and it was delicious everything here taste homemade. The rice was very authentic and flavorful. The margaritas are the best. I am definitely going to bring my family and friends to this place. The waiter provided excellent customer service. He was the bartender our sever and hostess all in one and he did a phenomenal job. I wish I got his name for this review but either way this place is still one of the gems ATX has to offer. read more

Cafe Hornitos - Frozen margarita - Tex-Mex Near Me - Austin, Texas

Waited over 1 hour for food. 1 waiter doing everything. Dumb girl at the register on her phone. Useless. Because of her. I must wait. Food is not bad. No true choice in Austin. ATX Cochina is worth the drive. My mistake. Dont let it be your mistake. Avoid this restaurant. read more

The veggie enchiladas were crispy and cheesy with the spinach and mushrooms piping hot. The beans on the side were good along with the salsa. They had avocado, tomatoes, and lettuce to balance the heaviness of the dish which was great. (It's surprising how many restaurants don't think to balance the richness of beans and enchiladas with something light). The rice was a little cold compared to everything else but that's my only complaint. The food was yummy and the tortillas came in the most adorable basket that had a tiny sombrero. The restaurant is a hole in the wall off the side of I-35, but it's a great cozy, family style atmosphere. The service was great. Ya can tell it's family owned so it's real casual. read more