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It was my first time at this restaurant. I'd recommend making a reservation, but once you get there, parking is very easy. I enjoyed the chips they bring out with your choice of complimentary salsa. If you want to sample all the salsas they offer, you can do so for an additional fee. For my main dish, I ordered the Sirloin Tampiqueño with No Hater Taters (mashed potatoes) and Texas Creamed Corn. The steak was very well seasoned and flavorful. I loved it! The sides were great as well and complemented the steak nicely. I had the Watermelon Agua Fresca to drink. It was refreshing, but not my favorite watermelon drink I've had. Overall, I loved the steak and was impressed with the quality of the food! A couple of things could be improved, though. Some of the light fixtures hang way too low, so if you're tall, be careful! Also, the back-of-house area spilling into the restaurant space feels a little odd and takes away from the overall atmosphere.
This is a must visit when in Austin. Family owned and fantastic food. The wait on a Wednesday evening at 7 pm was 45 minutes. Since we had to wait, they serviced drinks and chips and their signature salsas. Everything on the menu sounded fantastic, but our waitress recommended the enchiladas jitomate, and she was absolutely right. The beans and rice were delightful as well. Cool interior too.
Eldorado Cafe continues to be a great Austin spot for flavorful, comforting Tex-Mex. We started with the small guacamole, salsa, and Eldorado Queso, which made for a great combination to share before the meal. For our entrées, we had Brian's Alambre Plate, the Chicken Mole, and the Line Cook's Snack Plate. Brian's Alambre Plate combines sirloin, pork pastor, house-made chorizo, and bacon with peppers, onions, and melted Jack cheese. It was good and certainly offers plenty of variety and flavor. For my personal taste, though, if I am primarily craving meat, I prefer Eldorado's Carne Guisada. There is nothing wrong with the Alambre, I just think the Carne Guisada is the stronger choice for me. The Chicken Mole is my wife's favorite, and unfortunately it is only offered as a special late on Thursdays. The house-made mole has a rich, distinctive flavor that works very well with the chicken, and it is easy to understand why she looks forward to it. The Line Cook's Snack Plate was also a great combination with two flautas, a choice of Chicken Caldo or Texas Red, Eldorado rice, and guacamole salad. It is a nice option when you want a little bit of several things rather than one large entrée. Overall, another very enjoyable meal at Eldorado Cafe. Good food, plenty of variety, and enough different flavors on the menu that everyone can find a favorite. We certainly have ours!
I'll keep it simple. The wait was an hour. The service and the atmosphere were on point! The warm chips and tasty salsa were great! Tacos and then Friday Special were great! Drinks great! I had read a review that said not to worry about how long you wait because it is so worth it and they were right!! Thanks Dante and Brady for our shirts, hat and shorts!
Overall decent Tex mex food. A bit on the more salty side. Service was good. Ambiance is Great for friends and family, kids friendly too.
I wanted to go to as many Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants as I could when Steve and I were on our trip to Austin. Where we were exploring we saw that Eldorado Cafe was close and it had a good, solid Yelp score average so we came here for supper one night. We got some chips and queso along with Mera Mera Salsa. It was pretty hot on the restaurant's salsa scale but what really sold us on it was that this dip had sesame seeds in it and it indeed made it uniquely tasting and wonderful! For the main course I got the Enchiladas Suizas. What these enchiladas had was your choice of beef, chicken, cheese or hongos. I went with cheese for my filling which I enjoyed. On top was salsa verde, avocado and jack cheese. Sides I had with it was a white rice and a potato hash. All very, very good!
There are some restaurants that need a review, and then there are restaurants like El Dorado, where the city has already rendered its verdict. At this point, El Dorado is an Austin favorite. People don't really debate whether it's good. They debate whether the wait is worth it, which is a very different conversation. So rather than adding another voice to the pile of praise, it seems more useful to talk about what people should actually expect when they go. First, yes, there may be a wait. This place is popular, and popular restaurants attract crowds. That's not a criticism; it's simply the reality. But it's also worth noting that many of the legendary wait times come from showing up exactly when everyone else does. If you can sneak in before or after the prime lunch and dinner rushes, the experience becomes much more manageable. Once you're seated, do yourself a favor and order the white queso. Better yet, if you're with family or friends, just get the sampler. It turns the beginning of the meal into an event rather than a formality. The white queso is every bit as good as people claim, but what surprised me even more was how seriously El Dorado takes its salsa. Most restaurants treat salsa as a free opening act before the main performance. Here, it feels like something carefully considered. Several varieties stood out, and more than one made me wonder why so many places settle for mediocre salsa when it can clearly be this good. As for the food itself, it's important to know what kind of restaurant you're walking into. If your idea of Austin Tex-Mex is fresh, light, bright, and vaguely health-conscious, you may need to adjust your expectations. El Dorado leans toward the heartier side of the spectrum. These are rich, deeply flavored dishes that feel rooted in tradition rather than trends. The portions are generous, the flavors are bold, and the meal has a certain gravitational pull to it. This is not food that politely taps you on the shoulder. It gives you a warm hug and then insists you have another bite. What impressed me most, oddly enough, were the beans and rice. Normally, they're supporting characters that exist simply because tradition demands they be present. At El Dorado, they seem to receive the same attention as everything else on the plate. It's a small detail, but great restaurants often reveal themselves through small details. The service deserves just as much praise as the food. During our visit, we interacted with several different staff members, and every one of them was friendly, attentive, and genuinely pleasant. There was none of the rushed indifference that sometimes sneaks into busy restaurants. Even better, management was actively moving through the dining room, checking on guests, talking with tables, and making sure people were enjoying themselves. It's the kind of thing that doesn't always get noticed when it's done well, but it absolutely contributes to why places like this develop loyal followings. The atmosphere itself is cheerful and comfortable. It's colorful without being flashy, lively without being chaotic. Nobody is going to leave talking about the interior design, but that's perfectly fine. The room accomplishes what it needs to accomplish: it feels welcoming and relaxed, allowing the food and the people to be the stars. As for negatives, there really aren't many. If you're looking for an elevated dining experience with dramatic plating, moody lighting, and a server who explains every ingredient as though introducing characters in a novel, this probably isn't your place. El Dorado seems far more interested in feeding people well than impressing them with presentation. And honestly, that's probably part of the reason Austin loves it so much. Go when you can avoid the biggest crowds. Order the queso. Explore the salsas. Don't overlook the beans and rice. Show up hungry. The food is hearty, the people are kind, and the restaurant knows exactly what it is. In a city where so many places are trying to become something, there's something refreshing about a place that already has.
Popped in here on a Tuesday night with a friend around 8 PM and I was kind of shocked how busy they were. There was about a 15 minute wait and we waited inside and thankfully the table was ready before the 15 minutes was up. Service was prompt and attentive, my friend got tacos, don't recall which ones, and I got the flautas. Next time is totally get queso or something alongside as they were a tad dry but very crispy and the chicken was cooked well. Had leftovers as well. Got the watermelon nojito mojito and man that was amazing, very refreshing and fresh!
We came on a Saturday and had about an hour and a half wait. We enjoyed a cocktail outside while we waited and they even brought us complimentary chips and salsa. The venue is cute, with open seating, colorful decor, and great art that gives it a fun vibe. The staff was friendly, and the food was great. Overall, it was a really pleasant experience!
Eldorado Cafe is an Austin institution. The place is on and popping...always! We arrived at 8 pm on a Tuesday evening and there was a 20 minute wait, which turned out to be a lot less. My friend ordered chicken flautas whereas, I ordered two corn tacos (one chicken and one pork). Both dishes were quite tasty. In addition, my friend ordered a watermelon mocktail, which she enjoyed. Our server, Adriana and her trainee, Roger were very attentive and accommodating. The restaurant was busy but not chaotic. Everyone seemed to be in their own little worlds. Sedate atmosphere... Great food, service and fellowship.
This isn't my first visit to Eldorado, trust I've been here many a time. This ain't my first rodeo! I am such a huge fan of this place and I am glad to say I've been coming since before their Bibs Gourmand recognition which is very deserved. First off, the spot has such a cute vibe and decor. The staff are also very kind and attentive and it's always popping any time I've come for dinner so it always has a lively energy. I always either get the chile relleno plate or one of the enchiladas. All their food is seasoned to perfection and has so much depth to every bite. I'm also a huge fan of their salsa flight and queso and their chips have a toasted tinge which I love. On top of all of this, their prices are very reasonable as they live up to that Michelin recommendation.
We arrived for a night out with some friends and put our name on the list. Then we headed out and got a table for waiting outside next to a heater. We ordered chips and green salsa with the watermelon nojito mojito drink and a margarita with tajin for my partner. They were perfectly made and the salsa was nice and spicy. We had about a 45 minute wait for a table and once inside we were seated and the server was quick to take drink and apps order. The restaurant spacious and tables make it kinda cozy. We had a party of 4 and together had two bowls that were excellent along with tacos. I had the beef fajitas with white rice and boy was it delicious. We all had another round of drinks and of course kept eating chips and salsa. Once dinner plates were removed we opted for the cinnamon and sugar mini donuts and an order or the chocolate mousse. Both were so dang delicious that I ate way too much. We split the bill and headed home. What a perfect Friday night at what I might call the best Mexican restaurant in North Austin. Of course we will be back!
Eldorado is one of our favorite local restaurants. There will be a wait, but it will be so worth it. Grab a drink from the bar and a seat at one of the outdoor tables while you wait! There are heaters to keep you warm. The margaritas are delicious as are the mocktails. Love the spicy salsa and the chips are always fresh. We ordered a variety of dishes, including one of the bowls, steak and enchiladas. All were amazing! For dessert we tried the chocolate mousse and the donuts. Both were so, so good! Our server was great and had good recommendations. We will definitely be back!
3 months ago
Business owner information
Joanna F.
Thanks Jessica.
7 months ago
We were good the want would be 1.5 hours but got lucky after 40 minutes to get a seat at the bar. The food was excellent. Laid back atmosphere in a non-descript shopping center but don't let looks fool you. Food is fresh and worth the trip. Portions reasonable as well as price. Ordered one plate that could easily have been from a fancy restaurant had it been someplace else. The carneasada steak was favorable and moise; spinach cooked just perfect; and mashed potatoes that were obviously cooked from scratch. Would recommend making reservations but definitely will be returning. read more
Packed on a weekday night, definitely get a reservation ahead of time if you don't want to wait. Service was quick and friendly. One of the best Mexican food restaurants we've been to in a while. Meat was flavorful and salsas were fresh. We opted for the salsas sampler and that was a nice way to try multiple at once. They seem to be known for their enchiladas since there's several options. Tacos are tasty and pretty big for one serving. read more
Went here after a long shift and the food was exactly what you need for a long day! The staff were super friendly and welcoming. Even the long wait we had felt short with how nice everyone was and with being able to order apps and drinks while we waited helped. The place is cozy and welcoming to all with delicious food that never fails! read more
1 month ago
1 month ago
My 2nd time coming here. It was good and I enjoyed my food. The salsa and chips is great. I would come here again for sure. This place gets packed around lunch time. The times I came here we came at 11am, so it wasn't busy. read more
9 months ago
One of the best mexican restaurants I have been too. Being a vegetarian I was surprised by the large amount of options for me. The crunchwrap, 'too good' tater tot tacos, and burritos are some of the best. Salsa sampler is a definite must try as well. read more
4 months ago
Business owner information
Joanna F.
Thanks Jordyn. I am pretty crazy about other breakfast tacos too.
I am shocked that I have never reviewed Eldorado Cafe. We've been many times and it never disappoints. Do know that a reservation in advance is important to avoid a long wait and they always seem busy!!! They have an amazing vegan menu with so many choices. I've had the tacos, enchiladas, and just recently tried the vegan crunch wrap - obsessed. Everything is just so fresh and delicious here. They also have a perfect tamarind marg here!!! Could not recommend more! read more
Before we headed home from Austin, the birthday girl wanted to try a good Tex-Mex restaurant. So, scouring reddit, I saw ElDorado Cafe mentioned by multiple people, and decided that was going to be the place. And we were all hair with the decision We were seated right away and drink orders were taken. Wex asked for food recommendations and our server was happy to give us numerous options. We started out with the ElDorado Queso, which had good flavor, starts out very thin, but as it starts to cool down, thickens up to a nice, gooey cheese. There were also chips and salsa to go around, which is always a plus For food, we tried multiple items. The crispy tacos were fried perfectly, had a good crunch and the best inside was drained nicely. The Kathy Valentine Taco was interesting as it's stuffed with a poblano pepper stuffed with cheese that gives a bite you weren't expecting and didn't know you needed in your life. The enchiladas, while good, didn't necessarily stand out one way or another. The shiny ribs were also well seasoned, with a good flavor, but hard to eat ribs after eating the ones at Terry Blacks. But they were still good. Overall, a nice Tex-Mex restaurant, definitely worth it if you're craving this type of food. Give it a try read more
2 years ago
5 months ago
Am I piggy because I wanted to order every single thing on the menu? Or am I piggy because our table did (almost) order every single thing on the menu? We had an excellent experience. You need to book a reservation well in advance unless you enjoy waiting a really long time for a table. The food is absolutely delicious. If I lived near here, I would visit often and just deal with weighing 300 pounds. I mean, I could just buy bigger pants, right? The location is funky. The restaurant is located in mini-mall which has a number of closed businesses and hopefully has seen better days. But never mind. Eldorado was booming during our visit. The decor inside is delightfully funky. The menu is outstanding and our server knew the menu inside out and offered great recommendations. They have beer, wine, FIVE, count 'em, FIVE different (and interesting) mocktails, and very good cocktails. I went with their special "Black Widow" cocktail (made with mezcal and blackberries) and it was smoky and sweet and fantastic. I thought I would hate it but I loved it. Don't tell anyone but I might have drank two of them and they were strong. If you like salsa, start with the salsa sampler. You get six different salsas (plenty for the table to share). I didn't love the super mild one but loved almost all of them. As long as we are sharing, I wanted to rub at least two of them over my body. We also ordered the queso and it was excellent. I absolutely recommend it. For my main meal, I ordered the Cubanos Carnitas and it was very crisp and flavorful. The entrees come with two sides and they offer many different sides. I selected the CheezNRice (rice and queso), which was amazing, and the No Hater Tater (mashed potatoes with queso, of course) and it was terrific. Their sides are wonderful. The tortillas and chips are freshly-made and delicious. Their enchiladas are great. I am dreaming of my next visit and presently looking into buying bigger pants. Go big or go home. read more
2 years ago
I love their vegan menu! The vegan crunchwrap is so great, as are their drinks. The interior isn't anything special, but it's a nice local spot. You need to have a reservation, as the waits often exceed an hour. read more
1 year ago
Everything on the breakfast menu was delicious and authentic tasting, especially their beans and carnitas, but less heavy/greasy than traditional Mexican food. Service was great and very fast despite it being busy. However, I wouldn't recommend the Suadorado (horchata and cold brew), as it was pretty watery and not flavorful. read more
1 year ago
This joint was jumping! My friend was visiting from Colorado, so Tex-Mex was a must for our afternoon. I stumbled upon Eldorado when I was using the parking lot as a quick turnaround before getting on Mopac. I thought, "that looks like a place with potential". When I saw, Yelp reviews agreed, I added it to my "must try" list. Everyone was very welcoming from the hostess to the server. They don't have a happy hour, but there are a variety of tacos to try a la carte that easily make up for no happy hour menu. The drinks were reasonably priced, and delicious. My friend had the Purple People Eater and I had the house Margarita. If you enjoy a fruity drink, I'd highly recommend the People Eater- it was yummy! My Marg was larger than average and also great. I had a chalupa- very tasty. My friend had the taco of the day which she devoured and found perfectly filling. Every table was full at 5 pm! Definitely check this place out! Get there early! read more
3 months ago
Business owner information
Joanna F.
Thank you Jane.
Busy busy spot so make reservations, we had a great server who was spot on for food on time and getting us drinks. Salsa was a good creamer one which we enjoyed. I wanted enchiladas and got them with cheese. 8 of us there and all finished our plates as it was delicious. We will be back for special occasions. read more
8 months ago
2 years ago
Good salsa sampler, I thought their middle four salsas were very flavorful and unique. The shiny ribs were okay and could pass next time. The dart bowl enchiladas were very flavorful and my favorite enchiladas. Good service. Try to get a res before bc they can have a long wait. read more
1 year ago
Food was great and service was great. Staff was was great and did not have to wait at all, but it was a Thursday morning. Was told Saturday's were their busy days. They do offer reservations. read more
3 years ago
So this is delicious. Consistently, fabulously good. We've eaten here several times, weekend and during the week, and the food is delicious presented beautifully, and served by really fun staff. We will be coming back here. A lot. read more
3 months ago
Business owner information
Joanna F.
I'm really sorry about that. It's not normal to get bags like this…
8 months ago
2 years ago
Dined here on a Friday evening. We arrived around 730 and were given an hour and 50 minutes wait time. Since we came here on a recommendation we thought this was a good sign for the food. We ended up only waiting an hour for our table. We were thrown off in the beginning by having to pay for anymore than one salsa. Since it was our first time the waiter offered us to try two of the salsa. We tried the spiciest which we enjoyed and their most popular medium heat one, forgot the name, it was just ok. Overall they have a creative and well thought out menu. A few stand out dishes like mash potato enchilada and salsa (meri meri) in their margaritas. The quality of food and presentation is there but we felt that overall the flavors were just muted and we were left feeling lacking. Maybe it was an off night for the chef. My husband ordered the chef special taco which was recommend by the waiter. When the waiter followed up with my husband who reported that it was just good, the waiter came back later and said he had eaten his taco in the back and agreed that it was lacking a saltines. read more
Came here for a birthday and had a great experience! Highly recommend for vegans and vegetarians as they have a lot of options but would definitely make a reservation on the weekends. I can't remember the last time aI finished a full enchilada plate. The variety of salsas is also a great highlight! Love the homey, old austin feel read more
9 months ago
Business owner information
Joanna F.
Hi Amy. I'm really sorry you had that negative experience. We do have…
We came for lunch, and the food was fantastic. This is one of the few places I can say that I think I actually like their lunch and dinner menu better than the brunch, which is unusual for me. We did have to wait for about 20 minutes, but with comfortable patio seating and water and chips while you wait, the time moved by quickly. Once seated, we ordered beef salpicon and enchiladas suizas with the salsa flight appetizer. Our waitress was helpful and attentive. The seating is comfortable and I like the retro decor. She talked us into the sopapilla cheesecake, which was not-too-sweet and served hot. We will be back! read more
More info about Eldorado Cafe
3300 W Anderson Ln
Austin, TX 78757
Directions
(512) 420-2222
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http://www.eldoradocafeatx.com
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Ask the Community - Eldorado Cafe
Do they offer a happy hour?
I'm not sure. They have daily food specials on weekdays, but I don't know about bar/drink/happy hour specials.
Are the corn tortillas and chips gluten-free? Is there a gluten-free menu?
Hi Not sure if they are or not however it appears that there are dishes on the menu that would be naturally gluten-free. For more information text them at info@eldoradocafeatx.com
How late is the wait on Saturday. morning?
Very much depends on what time you get there. If it is really early no wait - if it's 9:30-10am prod 30-45 and can be very busy - it's very popular - call ahead to see what the wait is.
How long should we anticipate waiting to get a table for a weekday lunch?
At least 20 minutes has been my experience if you go early.
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