Solid Tex-Mex!! Some fun to come here on a trip back to Austin. It's been years! They have an impressive menu of Tex-Mex items. They've even got quite a few things that aren't typical around here. My friend had quail. She loved it! I had the Asodero Tacos, something I've never tried before--delicious. We also started off with an order of Matt's fries, which are essentially french fries drenched in fajita meat and sautéed onions. Delicious! The chips are also spot on. So fresh! And the salsa is not wimpy. Service was good. Yes they are very busy. Always very very busy. We did have to wait a few minutes on a Wednesday night, but they actually seated us relatively quickly. Parking was challenging, but we did find a spot in the far back of the lot. They have several dining rooms. We were seated in the main one, I believe it was the original one. It's noisy. Seriously noisy. It's not a place that you want to go to catch up with an old friend unless you can both read lips. But it's a fun atmosphere. I'll be back. I always do. read more

Matt's El Rancho - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Came here for a quick lunch after a business meeting. Didn't expect much from a Tex mex restaurant called Matt's and I was impressed. Service was friendly and fast. Inside is very cozy and warm. They have patio seating in the back. Chips and salsa hit the spot. Waitress recommended the Asadero tacos and boy am I ever glad I went with it. It was so tender and flavorful that I didn't add the fixings that came with the food. $20 for two tacos which is pricey but well worth it. read more

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Obviously as iconic as it gets, decor and interior very pretty. But food was very below average. Queso is just pure cheese with no other flavor at all, and it solidified pretty quickly. Quesadilla was average. Sopapillas were bad. The prices are pretty high too, and i get that you're paying for the experience but for the quality of the food the prices are too high. Glad i tried it once but no reason to ever return read more

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Yummy food. This place was recommended by the conference organizer. The food was good and they allowed us to each get our own bill. This is probably annoying for establishments but makes the customers life a little easier. Just an fyi- they do not accept American Express. read more

Matt's El Rancho - Fajita - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Have lived here several years and finally got around to trying Matt's. Warning: they do not take reservations and there is almost always a long wait! They do have a bar with drinks while you wait however, and a large parking lot but I'd definitely recommend ubering. We arrived at 5pm on a weekend night and were able to get a table within 10-15 minutes for a large party which was great. Once we got settled we ordered the ground beef queso and some drinks. The queso was your typical mega Tex mex American cheese looking queso which was just what we needed. We got spicy margaritas that were good but super spicy, I kept swallowing jalapeño seeds which wasn't ideal but good flavor overall. For my main I had the taco salad which was decent but nothing special. Most people liked their entrees. Felt like a standard Tex mex Austin experience which is what most visitors and folks want so if that's the case you are in good hands! The restaurant itself was really pretty inside with some traditional murals and decor inside. It felt like an old Hispanic villa which was beautiful. read more

Matt's is iconic. Have eaten there for decades. Service was great and the atmosphere just as it should be. L had a green pork dish and I had a chicken fried steak. Yes! At Matt's. Also had a great Mexican Martini. And of course, pralines at the end. read more

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Great service, friendly workers, and very hot temperature food. Nice ambience and quick wait times. However, I did not really care for the food much at all. The enchiladas just didn't really taste that good to me, almost peppery or some sort of weird spice. The tortillas, which I think were corn, were possibly the worst tortillas I've eaten ever. I took two bites and didn't touch the rest. Soft, floppy, and not a flavorable taste. Overall, I would say this place is overhyped. How I understand it is that this is an Austin staple and institution if you will, that's been around forever, so perhaps there's some nostalgia for those who have lived here their whole lives. But I probably wouldn't go back due to the food not really tasting that great in my opinion. But I will emphasize again: the workers were all very friendly, the service was fast and attentive, and they refilled my drink, chips, and salsa before I could ask, each time. So in that regard, it's a great service experience. read more

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I have to be honest, but the food was def very mid at best. The serving size is huge and the service was great. Very lively atmosphere with a lot of seating, def great for huge groups trying to find somewhere for a quick bite. Overall still enjoyed my time here but will not be revisiting read more

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It was, well fine for a Tex-Mex place. The chips and salsa were really good. Salsa had some heat. I had the Carne Gruisada, which was a bit dry on the meat and really lacking flavor. The rice, while seasoned correctly with cumin, was dry. No beans came with this plate. The flour tortillas were fine, and only two. It also came with an ice cream scoop of guacamole on a bed of shredded lettuce. Service was good and I got seated quickly even though the place was busy. The venue is very tex-mex restaurant. read more

The place is huge so you get seated super fast even if you're 15th on the list. The food was outstanding. The salsa they serve with the chips is super hot. read more

Service was great they just changed to having online reservations with open table to to avoid the long wait try that first. The menu is labeled for gluten free and vegetarian. One of my favorites in Austin been coming here since I was a kid. read more

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This is a staple in Austin, Texas! You have to try the queso! Everything we ordered was great! read more

Matt's El Rancho - Bob Armstrong queso - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

Tried this place while on a trip to Austin. Lived up to its hype. There is normally always a wait line and its a hugeee line. But good part is they have alot of space so line goes by fast! Their Food is legit!! We tried their faijtas and they were absolute delight! MUST TRY!! Great ambiance great service and really busy. read more

Matt's El Rancho - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Literally THE BEST EVER!!!!!!! Margaritas are amazing-Bob Armstrong Dip sensational and every item on the menu is phenomenal! Gets a Huge Booyah on every visit!!! David T Sine AKA Coach read more

Great spot. The ambiance is everything, it is so lively and fun. Definitely expect a wait on a weekend but it went by quickly, and we got a Marg beforehand. The drinks were so good, the salsa was so spicy and yummy, and I loved my tacos! All was right in the world on the beautiful patio in Austin! Loved it read more

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Didn't have to wait too long for seating for 6. sat outside with plenty of heaters around. service was fast. food was hot and fast. queso was amazing!!! my tacos were fantastic. everyone was happy. patio is very accommodating and fairly quiet. perfect place b4 show at 04 Center. widh they'd bring back froglegs!!! read more

Matt's El Rancho for lunch is the best! We went on a Friday for lunch, and service was fast. Liz was our server and she was friendly, attentive, and helpful! We ordered a margarita in the rocks, grilled tacos, the queso with meat and guac, and Arsado tacos(I think that's how they're spelt). The food was great and we had a bunch leftover. I loved sitting on the patio as well as I know for dinner they usually have like a 2 hour wait. I'd recommend going for lunch during the week and sitting with Liz!!! read more

Matt's El Rancho - Classic grilled beef tacos - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

The bad: we had a party of two meeting us in 25 minutes, we could not be seated, as partial party, even to order drink & appetizer, and the bar had no service, or stools to wait on; that was inconvenient. We were sat as two for drink service, and then closed out and moved with our remaining party when they arrived. Food, service, and drinks were very good. read more

We have been eating at Matt's El Rancho since it was on 1st St. It has always had consistently good food and efficient and friendly service. However they now have valet parking so the whole back part of the parking lot is blocked off and mostly empty while cars circle and converge on any car that looks like it is backing out. Not wanting to add $9 plus tip to the bill we circled for 20 minutes past our entry time and finally gave up and left. We will miss El Rancho. read more

When I was told they wouldn't sit an incomplete party of TWO (?!?!), I should have left but I stuck it out. The food was tasty, but the bar area was ridiculously loud. Nothing that exciting on the 2 TVs, but I had a hard time hearing my companion at my table (so loud the water lady brought me a sprite when i asked for ice). The Mezcal drinks were interesting because they no longer carried the mezcal that was shown in their bar menu and the waitress had no idea what mezcal was now being served. $18 for 2 tacos is a bit much in a town that offers 2 millions places to eat. If you want loud, this is your place. But try elsewhere unless you enjoy shouting at folks you are dining with. read more

Best Mexican food in Austin. We got the queso with beef and it was so delicious. I had a Prickly pear knockout margarita and it was also WOW (very strong!). My table split 1.5 pounds of fajitas and it was the perfect amount. The meat was seasoned so well. Busy place but for good reason! Our server was fast as well read more

Don't waste your time trying to figure out where to go in this town in trying to avoid "a wait" that you think you have at Matt's El Rancho. I don't care how busy it looks or appears from the outside (or inside!) just stay here and add your name to the list. We had out of town friends come in during a wild UT game weekend and although Austin had many of the opposing team guests and visitors in town who decided to come to Matt's on the day we did - it didn't matter! We had a wonderful experience and were seated very quickly despite how swollen the waiting area seemed to be. There is plenty of seating here and the building, from outside, is deceiving to the eye. So don't leave or go anywhere else because you will regret it. Food and service is always 100% here. We are consistently checked on as we dine here and the staff really care about you having a positive experience. Pricing here is super decent for the portion of food you get. Margs here are a staple in Austin so yes get more than one or one of the top shelf margs. It rounds out your experience and tasty Tex-Mex meal. There is always plenty of parking so be patient and drive around if you don't notice anything right up in the front. All of their parking lots, even their overflow, is all paved and easy to walk from car to the front door. read more

Matt's El Rancho - Beautiful Virgen de Guadalupe altar in the waiting area. Many local bands, such as Spoon, have taken album pics in front of this. - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

Great as always. Got the flautas and they were a 5/5! It's always loud and busy in there so just keep that in mind. Also, the watermelon mezcalita was very good! My boyfriend loved the tacos too. The chips and salsa are very good, but the queso is where it's at! Not sure which one we got but there was guacamole and meat in it. Soooooo good!!! read more

Matt's El Rancho - watermelon mezcalita - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

Love this place! We chose to sit at the small bar. Ordered Bob Armstrong' dip, a margarita and bottle beer. The margarita was yummy! Dip was great! I look forward to visiting again! read more

Matt's El Rancho - Bob Armstrong's dip, small order finished! Margarita with strawberry? Delicious! Salsa was spicy! Bar staff were very nice. - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

Prepare to wait a while for a table. Once you're seated, though, the service is very quick with getting your order and food. Matt's has a cute ambience, especially if you are seated outside. It's a lot less loud once you're seated and away from that front entrance! The food itself is okay. I ordered the Tacos Al Carbon and Tortilla Soup. Both were good but definitely not anything to write home about. This is THE place to go to simply for the quintessential South Austin vibe, especially if you've got out-of-town friends visiting. But the food doesn't separate itself from other similar Tex Mex restaurants. read more

I was ready to come and leave a review about how this place is overhype but no... the wait was worth every second! Starting with the drinks, which they have so many different options and are delicious and wrapping up with the food. Probably the best Tex-Mex I have had. The service was super fast and friendly. Highly recommend the patio if it's not too hot. read more

Matt's El Rancho - Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

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This old Austin institution is closing in on almost 2000 reviews. Not too many businesses on this road have been open this long except for the Broken Spoke a few blocks away. I have to admit, I've not set foot in this place in ages, so I decided to read quite a few reviews before arriving. Some key points that others have stated are the fact that they are not open on Tuesdays, tons of seating, bar seating, plenty of parking, no reservations taken, flies will join you on the patio and it's likely the business owner will respond to your review. Once seated, there's no fancy menu here just the 9 x 14" piece of menu paper which doubles as your place mat. I did like their red salsa which had plenty of heat as well as the warm chips, however, the chips are not very thin. Their margaritas are disappointingly small for the money and they have no craft or draft beer. If you're not a fan of refried beans, they do offer black and charro beans as a substitute. I recommend that you also ask for some of their fresh hot tortillas as well. I was surprised we were not charged extra for the tortillas or the bean sub. Everything comes out on facsimile Fiesta Ware (called Tuxton). I had the beef enchiladas and my friend had the Asadero tacos. For the money, both of these items are as good as any Tex-Mex you'll find in town. Service was on point, but we could've used some more salsa. Definitely a place I would bring friends from out of town to. When it's time to settle up, they'll bring the bill to you first and then later the handheld device with those predetermined tips. Check out our bill and the informative photos. read more

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This is a big busy place. The outdoor patio is the best on a nice day buy the inside of the restaurant is spacious. This time a group of us at inside in the front room off to the left. That was a first for me we came early so the wait was short to get a table. They wanted to sit inside. Our service was slow but our waitress was busy and she made up for the delays as best as she could. It's a perfect brunch spot but also for other times like this one. Chips and salsa was available to nibble on and water. They have a full bar moderate price. I missed getting pics of everyone's food before they dug in but it all looked tasty. The fajitas came out sizzling and the portions are a good size. Matt's is one of the few places that have been in Austin for years and they are doing it right still. It's a great place for groups, families or a date. Bring your friends and stay awhile. read more

Matt's El Rancho - Chicken Enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Fun vibe but the food is mid at best! Ambiance & Service: Charming interior with a lively bar. Waited 25 minutes on a Sunday night. The host staff was a bit disorganized, but our server was friendly and attentive. Food arrived piping hot and fast! Food & Drink: The Cactus Pryor: way too sour, not enough sweetness--would skip. Guacamole: fresh with a nice lime kick, salsa was spicy and flavorful. Spinach Poblanitas Enchiladas: decent but nothing special. Filling was good, and the sides were well seasoned. TL;DR: Great vibe, friendly service, but the food doesn't quite live up to it. read more

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El Rancho is my favorite Mexican food restaurant and it has been since I can remember!! My parents have been coming here since before I was born. It's an Austin classic!! We always start with the Bob Armstrong Dip as an appetizer. It is taco meat and guacamole add to a bowl of queso. It's SO delicious and is always part of every meal we have at El Rancho. For my main dish I love to get the Asadero Tacos. They were named by TEXAS MONTHLY as "one of the 120 Tacos you must eat before you die!" They are two Beef Tenderloin Tacos with Grilled Asadero Cheese, Onions and Rajas in Corn Tortillas. They are a served with Frijoles a la Charra and Guacamole Salad. I cannot recommend El Rancho enough! read more

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I typically go here for their knockout margaritas so I had yet to get enough to review. I'm not a huge fan of their quesadillas (essentially just their queso in between a double layered tortilla) but I got the traditional tacos this time and they were great. Crispy on the outside but delicious flavor on the inside. Obviously their knockout is a great way to get a night started, but I find that their other drinks are a little overpriced for not the best drinks. I got a skinny margarita and there was a pile of salt in the bottom of the cup and very little agave. I've had other experiences with good drinks so I'm willing to give them a pass. All in all- go here to pregame but don't expect the best food. It's a fun environment and definitely an Austin staple (with a wait to match) and they definitely know how to run a restaurant. read more

Matt's El Rancho - Traditional Taco - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

This place is huge! We sat at outside under their patio cover so I didn't feel completely outside. We were served chips and salsa right away. It was off to a good start until we were ready order. We had to go find our server chatting it up at the bar area. She took our order and at the end when we were done again couldn't be found. Finally she came by we asked for boxes and the check. For some reason she had an attitude. Iliana- having an attitude with the customer is not good business. I was generous to give you 20% tip on the food. Regarding the food- it was good the flautas were over fried but had good brisket inside. Beans and rice were good. The queso hardened quickly. read more

Matt's El Rancho - Brisket flautas - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

Absolutely awful! If I could give 0 stars I would. I was "first on the list" for 1.5 hours. Rude service from our waiter confirmed our experience. When we were seated we waited over an entire hour to get chips and salsa. If you want to wait and get poor service, Matt's is your place! read more

Went with one of my work teams to dinner at Matt's El Rancho last night, and it was great. We ordered some of the Bob Armstrong Dip and guacamole for the table, which were delicious. I also had the prickly pear frozen margarita, which was pretty good. I personally ordered the chicken taco salad and a cup of chicken tortilla soup, and both were tasty. Our server was friendly, and it didn't take long for them to seat our group of 9. I had made a reservation with Paul via email several weeks in advance. Would return here again sometime when I'm in town and would recommend to my other teams and co-workers in Austin. read more

There was something powerful about sitting down for a meal at Matt's El Rancho on the 4th of July--a holiday that, for many of us in the Latinx community, can feel fraught in a country still wrestling with white supremacy and the lingering ugliness of Trump-era politics. While flags waved outside, inside I celebrated my identity with chips, salsa, and something far more meaningful: food that felt like home. The air inside was a bit stuffy--crowded, loud, and warm--but it didn't matter. I ordered the Deluxe Dinner, which turned out to be the perfect way to explore the full range of what Matt's has to offer. From the rich, earthy tamale to the crisp taco and smooth chile con queso, every item on the plate spoke to a deep respect for tradition. This wasn't flashy food--it was food with roots, prepared with care and balance. And then there was Mathieu, our server. He was phenomenal--gracious, attentive, and intuitive, the kind of presence that elevates the entire experience without ever making it about himself. In a country where so much can feel hostile, Matt's was a warm, defiant reminder of who we are, and the power of simply being seen, fed, and welcomed. read more

Matt's El Rancho - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Got here on a Saturday afternoon around 4 PM and I'm glad that we were there at that time because not long afterwards the place became extremely busy. Four of us were seated promptly, and from there it kind of went downhill in terms of service as we just come in at the shift change and the first server seemed very tired, rude, and indifferent. The second server for the next shift had a hearing problem as the place was very loud with more and more people starting to show up. I had ordered the smoked brisket tacos and he heard that I ordered a brisket salad. Not sure how he got that mixed up, but it got straightened out. Fish tacos weren't too bad. The guacamole was quite good and the queso wasn't too bad. It was a nice dinner with family, however, the service could've been much much better. With so many other places to try while I'm in Austin, I'm not sure I would come back here soon. read more

I don't know how I did not know about this place. I always passed by them, lived so close to this restaurant and always assumed they have nothing for me as a vegan. Oh boy, was I so wrong. this place definitely has a vibe, a charm of a Texas Mexican restaurant. I love it. It gave me a cross between El Alma, Fonda San Miguel, which are my other favorite Tex-Mex restaurants. you cannot make reservations to this place online so you have to wait and while you're waiting, you can get one of their house margs - this place can get extremely crowded. You might have to wait for 45 minutes. Don't show up if you are a very hungry, but the wait is worth it. They do have vegan options and vegetarian options. I got their salad, which was very filling, I could not even finish half of it . MARGS really good, very strong. I think they should have a limit on how much people should drink Because two of their drinks will get you completely wasted so be careful overall lot of young Austin crowd. Apparently this place gets really full on Sundays for brunch, so plan accordingly. read more

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What is there to say about this iconic establishment that hasn't already been said a million times over? They are literally always busy like jam-packed and it doesn't seem to affect the efficiency or quality of service. Fantastic! The legendary Bob Armstrong queso is enough to put you in a tailspin of gooey cheese goodness like that you've never known. Great restaurant design and layout, big with lots of seating inside and out. The entrees are always pure perfection just like the cocktails! read more

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Very disappointed this time. Matt's has been a staple in Mexican food and always good before but our last visit was not good. My grandsons asado tacos were inedible. My enchiladas were mediocre. The queso was the best but I've had better. Will be awhile before we go back. Matt's - you can do better! I know it! read more

Food was really good! Service was great as well. This is a very fast paced restaurant. You will get your appetizer and then your food 4 minutes later. read more

Matt's El Rancho - Ribeye Steak tacos. Arguably one of the best tacos on the menu. - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas