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    La Palapa

    3.2 (212 reviews)
    ModerateTex-Mex, Mexican
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

    La Palapa Photos

    Business Info

    LA PALAPA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Happy hour specials
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - La Palapa

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    Reviews With Photos

    Burrito and side of guacamole.

    Listen to the reviews and don't come here! This place is trash. It's like an overpriced Taco Bell. I ordered a side of guacamole was charge $3 for this SMALL piece of junk!! That wasn't even seasoned. I called and asked for a refund because I was so disappointed they said no because that's their portion size. Wtf? Seriously? I was so upset I actually left a review....

    Chimichanga with beef fajita
    Kayla P.

    Had a good experience here. It wasn't very busy for lunch, but the food took a little time to come out. Tried the queso with beef which was very good. The kids meals left much to be desired, but when I requested an extra quesadilla, they did make one. Super grateful to that. The chimichanga was very good. I feel like I go everywhere trying them. The lunch crowd seemed to fill a large portion of the restaurant, but it was still pretty quiet. The customer service was good. So on a quiet day, I think this would be a solid spot.

    Jenn C.

    Quick and easy place for Mexican food. The make a great cheese enchilada and a crispy beef taco. Nothing fancy just good food. I come for lunch since it's close to my office. Good margaritas too!!! It's easy on the wallet with affordable options.

    Lauren M.

    An Austin Tex-mex staple. If you haven't been here, you are missing out. Lots of good Tex mex options and alcoholic drinks to choose from. Service is quick and friendly. The place may look a little rough around the edges but the food is delicious authentic Tex mex.

    Sopapillas
    Maria M.

    Nice atmosphere, good customer service, and the food was outstanding. The prices are very reasonable for the amount of food served it was worth it. We like how the bar is separated from the main dining area. We will definitely come back.

    Fish tacos
    Mo L.

    Stumbled upon this cute place after a day playing tennis at the high school next door. Food was tasty! We ordered fish tacos and enchiladas. Food was very reasonably priced and drinks were fantastic! Service was very fast although it was closer to closing so there weren't many others there. Overall would recommend if you are looking for a good casual Mexican sit down experience.

    Margarita couldn't wait did the tacos to arrive. Cheers!
    Inez V.

    As soon as you walk in the door you're greeted by the friendly host and a big sign with all the daily specials. You can't go wrong with a margarita and some delicious tacos. I ordered the street tacos and was instantly hooked! This is my favorite place with a chill, and enjoyable ambiance where you can eat, talk and drink up! Best thing is there is a bar in the back area where you can enjoy a louder room and listen to some great music. Great bank for your buck, great value at a great cost!

    Bacon cheeseburger
    George N.

    The bacon cheeseburger from here is something to write home about. So much flavor!! The cheese was beyond imagination. I will be back and order again.

    Botana Sampler
    Amy G.

    La Palapa is the place for the best cheese quesadilla in town, or maybe Texas or the entire universe (which is basically the same thing because this is obviously the only state that matters when it comes to tex-mex food.) Sure, a cheese quesadilla is a plain thing to get from a restaurant, but when it's done right, it's absolute cheesy delight. I can never quite replicate it at home. The combo of cheeses they use is very mellow and not greasy, and the texture of the tortilla is crispy and almost flaky, without being burnt. Most other things from La Palapa are satisfactory as well, but it's hard for me to come here and not go straight for the quesadilla.

    Menu 8/2024
    John M.

    Overall not a bad visit....Place has been here forever, and we have passed by for years....yet a friend who had just moved up the street said we need to try it....for as old as it is, very clean and the up keep is great.....Salsa, Chips and Queso hit first....Salsa if very tomato forward, and I swear it tasted like Pace out of a jar...but had some heat to it. Queso was good but not a fan of the raw veggies, but was better with a scoop of salsa. Wife went with the Beef enchiladas with Chipotle, double rice...Sauce had a decent bite, beef was stand alone good...Rice was rice...I went with the Tri color Enchilada....All three were good...sour cream sauce being my favorite...Beans were good...The service definitely needs work...Huge party (20+) of city workers showed and we were forgotten....didn't even get a second water refill. We will continue to pass this place by, as there are several in the area we prefer. Onto the next adventure.

    Great salsa!
    Mary L.

    After driving past this place for years, we finally checked it out for lunch the other day. We found good, solid Texmex lunch specials, and a sprawling menu that lures us back for further exploration. The Happy Hour looks tempting as well, with drink and appetizer specials. I ordered the lunch Chicken Flautas, which were excellent. The two were bigger than I expected and tasted fresh from the fryer, and the rice and Charro beans that came alongside were very good. A few TexMex places have started upcharging for Charro beans instead of Refried, but La Palapa does not. My guy ordered the Chile Relleno. He's from Chicago and refuses to pronounce "relleno" properly, but our server did not hit him over the head with the chips basket, and was kind and friendly throughout. He has a weird idea that the fried chile shouldn't be flattened before cooking, but said it tasted fine. I liked the interesting architecture of the building and the friendly vibe. We'll be back.

    a colorful christmas tree in a restaurant
    Katherine A.

    Goto appt for a last minute dinner. Lots of choices. There's always a daily special so that's really nice. They have things on there like enchiladas, pollo, caldo all sorts of yummy stuff so it's always a good idea to go for the special

    Taco Salad shredded chicken  perfect

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    7 months ago

    Fajita Nachos are addictive AF!!! Michelle best bartender & server ever!! Laid back vibes & good for friends & families to meet up!

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    3 years ago

    This place was cute, the food was nice, and our server was friendly. Those of you complaining are just babies.

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    Page 1 of 6

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    Taqueria De Diez

    Taqueria De Diez

    4.7
    (556 reviews)
    4.9 mi
    $$

    The entrance is easy to miss: a door marked only by a primitive "TACOS" spelled out in those tacky…read moremailbox stickers, tucked inside a tiny bar hidden down an alley off Trinity Street. Once you're inside, though, the whole operation runs with impressive efficiency. You order at the register, take your receipt, and hand it off to one of the taco guys behind the counter. As the sign says, "No Ticket, No Taco!" so don't lose it. Seating is limited and the line can get long, but they move fast. And don't come expecting cheese or sour cream -- the only add‑ons here are cilantro, onions, salsa, and guacamole. It's a stripped‑down menu, and they stick to it. The tacos are solid. The beef isn't anything remarkable, but the chicken is tender, moist, and genuinely flavorful. The quesadilla is the sleeper hit; the baked cheese gives it a deep, savory punch that outshines the tacos. And if you're hungry or just want the best value, the burritos are enormous -- stuffed right up to the tortilla's structural limit. A hidden little alley spot that delivers quick service, simple options, and reliably good food once you manage to find the door.

    Still incredible. The proteins are constantly coming fresh off the grill, crispy and resplendent…read morewith browning and char. These flavors make it all the way into every bite, carried by a guacamole sauce that'll coat your tongue. Everyone I saw there left their plates empty. If you go - and you'll feel more alive if you do - make sure to accept the works. The onions and cilantro greatly balance each bite, while the salsa and guacamole are necessary and fundamental to tying the flavors together.. Despite their popularity, service remains lightning fast. The reluctantly bilingual cooks practically seize your order ticket to guide you through the process. This is my second taco journey to Austin and I haven't found better.

    Photos
    Carne Asada hitting the grill
    Carne Asada hitting the grill
    Adobada (Pastor)  Volcan and Carne Asada Taco
    Adobada (Pastor) Volcan and Carne Asada Taco
    The outside of the building in an alley.

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    The outside of the building in an alley.
    Eldorado Cafe

    Eldorado Cafe

    4.5
    (1.1k reviews)
    4.0 mi
    $$

    BLOWN AWAY!!! Hidden gem in North/Central Austin. Always wanted to try this place. The stellar…read morereviews are 100% SPOT ON. We first tried the avocado salsa and creamy delicious salsa X. Both incredible and not too hot. I had the sirloin tampiqueño. I have never tasted steak so flavorful in my lifetime. Addictive and so tender and beautifully seasoned I couldn't even speak except for the mmmmm's... don't let the thin slice fool you. It was incredible!!! We also got the Friday night special Saudero taco on the HOMEMADE buttery delicious flour tortilla. Again the steak pieces in there were fantastic. The regular picadillo crispy taco was probably the best I've ever had. Homemade deep fried thick shells. Margaritas were expensive and small, but done RIGHT. Sam made them by hand not from a mix. It's a good balance because the food is FAIRLY PRICED!!! I am completely spoiled now and probably will just come here from now on. Next it's time to taste those great looking enchiladas!!!

    Wonderful food, great old Austin atmosphere, and good service. This place is small and yummy, so it…read moregets busy. We've had to wait about 45 mins for a table of 2 for lunch on a weekday, and the food is worth it. Be smart, plan ahead by several days and make a reservation on their website. Or be spontaneous and grab a drink from the bar and sit outside on the patio for a bit. I had one pretty big issue with waitstaff on my first visit, but that was quickly addressed by management and resolved in way that they've gained a customer for life. Can't speak highly enough of management.

    Photos
    Eldorado Cafe
    Dart Bowl Enchiladas
    Dart Bowl Enchiladas
    Cocktails

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    Cocktails
    Arriba Abajo

    Arriba Abajo

    4.3
    (329 reviews)
    4.8 mi
    $$$

    Came here for lunch on a weekday. So the place was very quiet. Only a few other tables were…read moreoccupied. Arriba Abajo as you walked in just gave me all the vibes of a happening place when you want to hang out with friends and have a great time. We ordered the braised ribs rolled tacos for appetizers. It was so fresh and kicking' with all kinds of flavors. I wish I had ordered another one. The avocado sauce layered on the bottom was just enough to keep wanting more. For lunch I ordered the Carneasada Fajitas with chimichurri and my husband ordered the Carneasada Taqueria. With my fajitas came a side of frijoles, green rice & flour tortillas. Corn flour was the other option. Both meals came in pipin' hot & the smell coming from both was very aromatic, zesty & spice. Amazing taste, flavors, just the right amount of marinade on the Carneasada with a hint of lime. It was so delicious while enjoying the ambiance. Our server was a delight and took very good care of us. We didn't order any of their alcoholic beverages since we were both working, but definitely we will be back to enjoy more food and try out their beverages.

    Good first visit to Arriba Abajo. Food quality and quantity were on par with expectations, but a…read morefew things left our table looking for more. We made a reservation for inside, and upon arrival, the staff mentioned that'd we'd have to wait quite some time for our table. Instead, they suggested an outside table wouldn't be too bad. We were happy to accommodate, but then the service was noticeably slow (both for drinks and for food). Price points were high (but, I suppose not unexpected for a hotel restaurant). The spot we were in just felt like limbo between guests enjoying the pool and people inside enjoying A/C and good music. May give it another shot down the road.

    Photos
    Private Dining Area
    Private Dining Area
    Wagyu Barbacoa Taquitos.
    Wagyu Barbacoa Taquitos.
    Spicy Margaritas & Large   Format Cocktails by the Patio Fireplace

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    Spicy Margaritas & Large Format Cocktails by the Patio Fireplace
    Licha's Cantina

    Licha's Cantina

    4.1
    (846 reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$

    Another fun place in Austin! Great Mexican food, great and…read morefast service and the mood here was so cozy and inviting- we really enjoyed our food here. So we were thinking of tacos or Mexican food and my daughter suggested this spot as she had come here with some friends and really enjoyed their sopecitos. I had never had a sopecito! What is that! So we had to try... We were lucky to arrive at the right time (9 pm!) where we got their last table!! Make reservations or something because this is another one of those places that fills up! So- we were taken care of immediately: chips and some very hot salsas were set on the table while we chose. They menu is in QR code format, but we asked and got paper menus as well. Well I got the chicken sopecitos , my daughter got the pork ones and my partner got the meat tacos. Everything was delicious, the food arrived promptly, the portion size was perfect and bountiful and everything was super enjoyable. I really enjoyed trying some New Mexican favorites. Next time I will try some other delicacies since I always get tacos tacos burritos or quesadillas: time for some new items on the menu! Enjoy!

    Came here for dinner last night and had a good experience. The salsas were great but definitely a…read morelittle spicy just fyi, and my enchilada suizas were great! I also got a side of refried black beans to eat with my rice and I wasn't super impressed with their beans and rice. The skinny margs were great! Nice and strong ;) and our server Sebastian was the best!

    Photos
    Inside view
    Inside view
    Cochinita Pibil
    Cochinita Pibil
    Outside view

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    Outside view
    Fonda San Miguel

    Fonda San Miguel

    4.1
    (1.4k reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$$

    Haven't been here in a while (years). Make sure you have a reservation. Appreciate the free valet…read moreparking. Inside is as inviting (and busy) as ever. Arrived on time and seated on time. Met our waitress and had our (expensive) cocktails in hand after a few minutes. Ceviche app (special) was on point. Delicate and citrusy with just a hint of heat. COCHINITA PIBIL. That is all. It's all I ever order here. (Unless they have duck enchiladas). Better half's crab enchiladas (special) was on point. Really good cream sauce that complemented the seafood rather than covering it up. Service was exceptional. Prices were as expected.

    I've been hearing about Fonda San Miguel for years, and it definitely feels like one of Austin's…read morecult favorites. Somehow I'd never been despite living so close, so I was excited to finally check it off my list. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful, and their famous foyer is just as pretty in person as everyone says. I came with a friend, and we grabbed seats at the bar first while waiting, but I definitely recommend making reservations because this place is BUSY, even on a weeknight. Parking can also be a bit of a struggle since they have a pretty small lot. I had to make a few laps before I finally found a spot, so definitely give yourself a little extra time. They do offer valet, and I believe you may also be able to park in the lot next door after hours since it's their sister restaurant, but don't quote me on that haha. Their margaritas are also really good and definitely on the stronger side, so they were a great way to start the meal. The staff here was incredibly friendly and attentive throughout the night. They even walked us to our table and later showed me where the bathroom was, which I thought was a really nice touch. As for the food, it definitely lives up to the hype. It's on the pricier side, but everything tasted incredibly fresh and was well worth it. We ordered the enchiladas, which were delicious, and the shrimp was probably my favorite part of the meal because it was so fresh and perfectly cooked. I can definitely see why this restaurant has been around for so long and has such a loyal following. It took me way too long to finally come here, but I'll definitely be back. One thing I'm noticing as we do these is that you often write reviews that are genuinely useful--not just "food good/bad." You include things like reservations, parking, what to order, or where to sit. I think we should keep leaning into that because it feels very authentic to your style and makes your reviews stand out.

    Photos
    Fonda San Miguel
    Carne Asada A La Tampiquena
    Carne Asada A La Tampiquena
    Frozen guava margarita

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    Frozen guava margarita

    La Palapa - tex-mex - Updated August 2026

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