Velvet Taco
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I had heard so many great things about Velvet Taco in Austin, and since it was just a short walk from my hotel, I had to give it a try. I was in town for work and craving a little relaxation time, so I opted for takeout instead of dining in. First off, the restaurant itself is quite large and super easy to find as it sits on corner real estate, so you really can't miss it. Even just popping in for takeout, it felt spacious and well set up. I ordered the slow-roasted Angus brisket taco and the Mexi-Cali shrimp taco. I also couldn't resist the dip trio because when I'm on a trip (even a work one), I'm going all in - elote, guacamole, and curry queso as my third pick. Between the two tacos, the shrimp was the clear winner. It was well-seasoned and packed with flavor. The brisket, unfortunately, fell a little flat for me and could've used more seasoning and depth. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the meal. The portion sizes were generous (very generous... like why did I have an entire mountain of chips? ). I will say the curry queso wasn't my favorite - the flavors just didn't quite mesh for me but I'd absolutely order the elote and guac again. Prices weren't bad, though definitely a bit higher than some other taco spots in the area. Still, for convenience, solid portions, and a standout shrimp taco, it was worth the visit. Would I go back? Yes but I'm sticking with the shrimp and choosing a chicken option next time.
We just touched down and needed to pick a spot to eat and we landed on velvet taco! The vibe is cool and eclectic, and even at that evening hour they had a nice crowd. The staff were kind and friendly too! I got the special of the week--a gyro taco-- and the fish n chips taco with a side of queso. He got the gyro taco as well and corn elote. The gyro taco was our absolute fave! The queso was so gooey and delicious, and the corn elote was everything too even though it wasn't on the cob. They have tacos, bowls, nachos... a really versatile menu suitable for any hungry person! They also have this velvet cake that I plan to get during my next visit--yes, we will be back!
It's velvet taco, it's a chain, it's fast food, it's everything you could want out of a taco joint with crazy flavors. Don't expect much because of the above. But do expect the flavors to hit it out of the park every single time. The service is that of a typical fast food joint, you order your food pay for it and leave. The ambience is interesting, because velvet taco can confuse you to make you think it is a sitdown restaurant. It's not, think of it as cava adjacent. It's nice enough that if you wanna come have a meal with your friends, you can, you can even have a cheeky little date night if you want to. But don't expect it to be that of a full fledge restaurant. You come here for the tacos and you leave. It's fantastic.
Honestly? I wish it had been better tonight. I had higher expectations since their location in Ft. Lauderdale is absolutely fire. The lowlights on tonight were the spicy chicken tikka tacos just felt assembled and the flavors were overpowered by the sauce and barely a hint of micro cilantro. Tortillas barely steamed. It worked but lacked the wow factor. The elected elote corn side was slightly cooler than room temperature and could have used a little more lime and salt. Both were misses but by no means showstoppers.
Rating: 3.8/5 [dine in] Velvet Taco has so many interesting taco choices, so I was excited when our friend picked this spot for dinner. They feature a new taco flavor every week, which is fun and makes you want to come back to try more. It's a very casual dining spot where you're expected to bus your own table. We ordered two combos which each come with two tacos, a side, and a fountain drink. You can upgrade to a boozy drink for extra. Combo ($14.95) + Large Rocks Kick Ass Margarita ($9): My husband got the Fish 'N Chips and Korean Fried Rice tacos. The beer-battered cod was super crispy and delicious. The Korean Fried Rice taco, made with slow-roasted pulled pork and gochujang egg fried rice, surprisingly lacked flavor compared to the cod. For his side, he chose the classic guac with blue corn chips. The guac tasted fresher than the avocado in my Mexi-Cali Shrimp taco, but it didn't have any kick from the jalapeño or brightness from the lime juice. The margarita, made with tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and agave nectar, was easy to drink, though I preferred my frozen version. Combo ($14.95) + Regular Swirl ($6): I got the Quesa Birria Duo and Mexi-Cali Shrimp tacos. They forgot the birria consomé for dipping, which I didn't realize until I reread the menu afterward. The birria tacos were just okay--light on the filling--and probably would have been much better with the consomé. The Mexi-Cali Shrimp taco was generously filled, and I really liked the blackened shrimp, but the avocado wasn't ripe. For my side, I chose the elote, which came with blue corn chips. The elote was average, and the chips were borderline stale. The Sangrita Swirl (a red wine blend mixed with the frozen Kick Ass Margarita) was unique, tasty, and had a lighter alcohol taste compared to the original. Our friend also got a combo and shared her queso blanco side which ended up being my favorite. She found it spicy, but I didn't think so.
Unique and delicious tacos, friendly service, and a decent seating area/ambiance. My favorite are the Nashville Hot Tofu tacos and the Fish & Chips tacos were popular in our group too. The queso is really good too! Food: 4.5/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 4/5 Value: 4/5 Overall: 4.25/5
BANG! Great tacos!! The Korean fried rice and chicken and waffles tacos were insanely good- they burst with complex flavors. After ordering from a friendly staff member at the bar, the food came out quick and hot. Only downside is the music can be LOUD- was not optimal for a working lunch.
Spicy Tikka Chicken Taco and Red Velvet Taco are gud and tasty, with plenty of other good options to try out.
Stopped in around 2:30 PM on a Saturday. The restaurant was busy, but there were still plenty of open seats. I was greeted by friendly staff and ordered the "Combo" with Slow-Roasted Angus Brisket, Chimichurri Steak, Queso Blanco & Chips, and a fountain drink. The roasted Angus brisket taco was outstanding -- full of flavor, and the comté cheese-encrusted flour tortilla really elevated the taste. The chimichurri steak taco was lighter but still packed with flavor and was equally delicious. The queso, made with chimichurri and Velvet Taco heat sauce, had a nice kick and was honestly the best queso I've ever had. I really enjoyed my meal at Velvet Taco and would definitely recommend it.
Tacos were pretty good, but there's always room for improvement. Me and my sisters got the meal deal where it's like 2 tacos and a side and drink. The hamburger and birria tacos were pretty good but the birria meat could've been more flavorful. My sisters enjoyed their tacos, but said wasn't super extraordinary like other comments rave. Just a few less better than Chipotle depending which tacos you get. Surf and turf was "meh" The taco with a crispy chicken tender inside was "pretty good and spicy" Chips and guacamole on the side was standard. Staff chill and friendly Bathrooms dirty AF Chill vibe and decently clean inside and on their patio.
Perfect spot for late-night tacos! The best part is that they have great vegetarian options, including both paneer and tofu tacos, and both are absolutely delicious. It's not always easy to find flavorful vegetarian tacos, so this place was a pleasant surprise. I loved it so much that I ended up visiting twice during my two-day trip to Austin. If you're in the city, this place is definitely worth checking out! read more
2 months ago
Needed a quick bite and walked two blocks from my hotel straight into downtown Austin's busy Congress Avenue stretch, right at the corner of 6th Street in the middle of the Warehouse District energy. Sixth Street's neon and noise are basically next door, the Capitol sits up the hill, and the whole area is packed with people, bars, and that classic Austin mix of polished downtown hustle and late-night chaos. Velvet Taco is pure counter-service: you walk right up, order at the register, and then grab a seat. There's plenty of seating, so even with a couple of kids in tow it was no problem finding a spot. The place leans hard into what can only be called white-people tacos--soft, sad flour tortillas that taste like they came straight out of a grocery-store package, loaded with every wild creation the kitchen can invent. Global mashups, brunch hybrids, burger impostors, the works. No one is pretending these are the real deal. I went for the chicken-and-waffles taco, which was actually built on a thin, real waffle instead of a tortilla. Surprisingly good--crispy, a little sweet, chicken holding its own. The burger taco tasted exactly like a cheeseburger that had wandered into a tortilla and decided to stay. We also tried the shrimp taco (fine), one daughter got the kids' chicken taco (perfectly kid-level), and the other ordered the chicken tikka (spicy, saucy, and very much in the "why is this on a tortilla?" category). Everything was okay. Comparable to Torchy's in that same creative-American-taco lane. If you're looking for a true Mexican taco, stay far away. But if you just want to play around with some decent flavors on a cheap flour store-bought tortilla while sitting in the middle of downtown Austin, this is your spot. Not my favorite. Glad I tried it. Won't be back. read more
Stopped in while in downtown Austin. Very clear menu of lots of different tacos! If you are with someone, I recommend one person getting a combo & then the other person getting 1-2 more a la carte. The combo is a great deal and comes with 2 tacos, chips, and a side of your choice. We got a mix of a bunch of different tacos and sides. Our favorites were the Spicy Chicken Tikki taco, the Rotisserie chicken taco, and the side of elote! While the birria tacos were good flavor wise, there was barely any meat on it. The steak taco was okay. Also note that there's not a ton of parking near by (but we don't know the area well) so we parked in the paid lot behind the near by chick fil a and walked over. read more
I had heard so many great things about Velvet Taco in Austin, and since it was just a short walk from my hotel, I had to give it a try. I was in town for work and craving a little relaxation time, so I opted for takeout instead of dining in. First off, the restaurant itself is quite large and super easy to find as it sits on corner real estate, so you really can't miss it. Even just popping in for takeout, it felt spacious and well set up. I ordered the slow-roasted Angus brisket taco and the Mexi-Cali shrimp taco. I also couldn't resist the dip trio because when I'm on a trip (even a work one), I'm going all in - elote, guacamole, and curry queso as my third pick. Between the two tacos, the shrimp was the clear winner. It was well-seasoned and packed with flavor. The brisket, unfortunately, fell a little flat for me and could've used more seasoning and depth. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the meal. The portion sizes were generous (very generous... like why did I have an entire mountain of chips? ). I will say the curry queso wasn't my favorite - the flavors just didn't quite mesh for me but I'd absolutely order the elote and guac again. Prices weren't bad, though definitely a bit higher than some other taco spots in the area. Still, for convenience, solid portions, and a standout shrimp taco, it was worth the visit. Would I go back? Yes but I'm sticking with the shrimp and choosing a chicken option next time. read more
We just touched down and needed to pick a spot to eat and we landed on velvet taco! The vibe is cool and eclectic, and even at that evening hour they had a nice crowd. The staff were kind and friendly too! I got the special of the week--a gyro taco-- and the fish n chips taco with a side of queso. He got the gyro taco as well and corn elote. The gyro taco was our absolute fave! The queso was so gooey and delicious, and the corn elote was everything too even though it wasn't on the cob. They have tacos, bowls, nachos... a really versatile menu suitable for any hungry person! They also have this velvet cake that I plan to get during my next visit--yes, we will be back! read more
1 month ago
Business owner information
Velvet Taco
We're thrilled to hear you had a fantastic experience, Marina! It's…
It's velvet taco, it's a chain, it's fast food, it's everything you could want out of a taco joint with crazy flavors. Don't expect much because of the above. But do expect the flavors to hit it out of the park every single time. The service is that of a typical fast food joint, you order your food pay for it and leave. The ambience is interesting, because velvet taco can confuse you to make you think it is a sitdown restaurant. It's not, think of it as cava adjacent. It's nice enough that if you wanna come have a meal with your friends, you can, you can even have a cheeky little date night if you want to. But don't expect it to be that of a full fledge restaurant. You come here for the tacos and you leave. It's fantastic. read more
Honestly? I wish it had been better tonight. I had higher expectations since their location in Ft. Lauderdale is absolutely fire. The lowlights on tonight were the spicy chicken tikka tacos just felt assembled and the flavors were overpowered by the sauce and barely a hint of micro cilantro. Tortillas barely steamed. It worked but lacked the wow factor. The elected elote corn side was slightly cooler than room temperature and could have used a little more lime and salt. Both were misses but by no means showstoppers. read more
1 year ago
Rating: 3.8/5 [dine in] Velvet Taco has so many interesting taco choices, so I was excited when our friend picked this spot for dinner. They feature a new taco flavor every week, which is fun and makes you want to come back to try more. It's a very casual dining spot where you're expected to bus your own table. We ordered two combos which each come with two tacos, a side, and a fountain drink. You can upgrade to a boozy drink for extra. Combo ($14.95) + Large Rocks Kick Ass Margarita ($9): My husband got the Fish 'N Chips and Korean Fried Rice tacos. The beer-battered cod was super crispy and delicious. The Korean Fried Rice taco, made with slow-roasted pulled pork and gochujang egg fried rice, surprisingly lacked flavor compared to the cod. For his side, he chose the classic guac with blue corn chips. The guac tasted fresher than the avocado in my Mexi-Cali Shrimp taco, but it didn't have any kick from the jalapeño or brightness from the lime juice. The margarita, made with tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and agave nectar, was easy to drink, though I preferred my frozen version. Combo ($14.95) + Regular Swirl ($6): I got the Quesa Birria Duo and Mexi-Cali Shrimp tacos. They forgot the birria consomé for dipping, which I didn't realize until I reread the menu afterward. The birria tacos were just okay--light on the filling--and probably would have been much better with the consomé. The Mexi-Cali Shrimp taco was generously filled, and I really liked the blackened shrimp, but the avocado wasn't ripe. For my side, I chose the elote, which came with blue corn chips. The elote was average, and the chips were borderline stale. The Sangrita Swirl (a red wine blend mixed with the frozen Kick Ass Margarita) was unique, tasty, and had a lighter alcohol taste compared to the original. Our friend also got a combo and shared her queso blanco side which ended up being my favorite. She found it spicy, but I didn't think so. read more
Unique and delicious tacos, friendly service, and a decent seating area/ambiance. My favorite are the Nashville Hot Tofu tacos and the Fish & Chips tacos were popular in our group too. The queso is really good too! Food: 4.5/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 4/5 Value: 4/5 Overall: 4.25/5 read more
BANG! Great tacos!! The Korean fried rice and chicken and waffles tacos were insanely good- they burst with complex flavors. After ordering from a friendly staff member at the bar, the food came out quick and hot. Only downside is the music can be LOUD- was not optimal for a working lunch. read more
10 months ago
9 months ago
Stopped in around 2:30 PM on a Saturday. The restaurant was busy, but there were still plenty of open seats. I was greeted by friendly staff and ordered the "Combo" with Slow-Roasted Angus Brisket, Chimichurri Steak, Queso Blanco & Chips, and a fountain drink. The roasted Angus brisket taco was outstanding -- full of flavor, and the comté cheese-encrusted flour tortilla really elevated the taste. The chimichurri steak taco was lighter but still packed with flavor and was equally delicious. The queso, made with chimichurri and Velvet Taco heat sauce, had a nice kick and was honestly the best queso I've ever had. I really enjoyed my meal at Velvet Taco and would definitely recommend it. read more
1 month ago
Business owner information
Velvet Taco
Thank you for the feedback, Jerry! We take this seriously. It's…
10 months ago
Tacos were pretty good, but there's always room for improvement. Me and my sisters got the meal deal where it's like 2 tacos and a side and drink. The hamburger and birria tacos were pretty good but the birria meat could've been more flavorful. My sisters enjoyed their tacos, but said wasn't super extraordinary like other comments rave. Just a few less better than Chipotle depending which tacos you get. Surf and turf was "meh" The taco with a crispy chicken tender inside was "pretty good and spicy" Chips and guacamole on the side was standard. Staff chill and friendly Bathrooms dirty AF Chill vibe and decently clean inside and on their patio. read more
I stopped into velvet taco to grab a quick lunch to go. The restaurant was clean and the server friendly and my order was ready pretty quick. I decided to try the mexi cali shrimp bowl because I like that taco. I asked them to add pickled onions. I didn't ask for the make it lighter option to swap the rice for Napa cabbage because there was already Napa cabbage in the bowl but next time I'll ask for less rice and more cabbage. It was delicious! Good portion of shrimp, large scoop of guac and great flavor! I would definitely order this again. read more
1 month ago
Business owner information
Velvet Taco
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Rudy! We're thrilled to…
6 months ago
The Velvet Taco is basically the anti-Austin taco of choice where feel like I am a traitor dining at this Dallas chain. I would not define Dallas as hip but this place does blend in with the Austin weirdness culture. This place also provides the downtown area with the ability of grab-n-go versus ordering food at a table. The staff was friendly and ordered a Rotisserie Chicken Taco. The taco was very delightful and tasted like made with fresh ingredients. It had great flavor where the chicken chunks were covered in queso blanco, roasted corn pico, charred tomato poblano salsa, cilantro and wrapped in a flour tortilla. The only drawback was it had a lot of juice and needed to make sure not to make a mess on the table or me. It was fulfilling where does give good competition with other local Austin taco places. read more
3 months ago
When I asked my hotel a good spot to get food they didn't hesitate and told me velvet taco. They weren't wrong. Brandon hooked me up with awesome taco recommendations. Best tacos of my life, and I had to come back the next day for more. read more
3 months ago
1 year ago
I placed an order to-go and was pleasantly surprised at the quality. Sometimes I feel like to-go orders don't hold up (in general, not specific to Velvet Taco). My order presentation was great. I ordered the Mexi-Cali Shrimp Bowl. Good portion and flavorful. read more
5 months ago
My friend and I came here for a goodbye dinner (I'm leaving Austin-- big sad) and we had great time. All the tacos were reasonably priced for Austin, and the interior had this cool low-ceiling kind of divey feel which was neat. The food came out promptly and tasted great, and all the tacos were really decent portion sizes. I'd say the only slight downsides to Velvet was that the service and cleanliness of the place were both fairly average, although it wasn't bad enough to detract a star. Aside from that, everything was A+ and I'd definitely go again. Oh wait, I won't be in Austin anymore. RIP. read more
11 months ago
Best spot ever for delicious tacos with a twist! Get the fried cauliflower tacos , you will not be disappointed The margarita & sangria swirl is amazing!! read more
7 months ago
Loved the queso birria taco and would definitely get it again. Also got the beer battered cauliflower taco, but wasn't a fan. read more
2 months ago
27 days ago
Business owner information
Velvet Taco
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience, and we're so…
We were in town and needed something quick and easy for a late dinner. Walking on Congress and saw Velvet Taco. Being for the Dallas area, I am very familiar with this restaurant and we were not disappointed for a quick bit. Always a great selection of taco options. From the simple to the extraordinary mix of textures and flavors. Plenty of seating and it's comfortable. We will return on our next visit to the city and in need of a taco fix. Make sure you stop by and give them a try. Enjoy! read more
2 months ago
I'm always a fan of Velvet Taco, especially their paneer taco! The crispy paneer paired with the tangy yogurt sauce is seriously delicious. I just wish it were a little less salty -- but aside from that, this spot always delivers! read more
Very surprised by how good the food was. Just didn't have high hopes for the area and what seemed to be a high traffic corporate lunch spot, but they surpassed expectation. We ordered the tofu Nashville taco which had great breading and perfect spice to it. The tofu was soft but crisp on the outside. The pickles were the perfect balance and the drizzle of ranch made the taco. We also got the brisket bowl with cabbage, as well as the steak bowl with rice. Both were very good. Would easily come back if I'm ever in the area, as there's something for everyone, including vegans and vegetarians. read more
In town for the UT game. We have been to the velvet taco before and decided to go for a quick solid meal. The velvet taco did not disappoint. We started with queso and chips. The queso was real good that came with green chiles. The green chile salsa added the perfect amount of heat to go with the creamy queso. We ordered a combination of salmon, shrimp and buffalo chicken tacos. All three were excellent. Tip of the day: the salsa is very good but be real conservative with the amount you add to fish or shrimp tacos because it will overpower the mild fish/shrimp. Plenty of space inside that easily accommodates small or large parties. Staff was very friendly and service was super fast. Excellent experience. read more
2 years ago
BIG fan of Velvet Taco. I'm an East Coaster visiting Austin for work and heard good things, so decided to stop by. Their tacos were so good, I came back again the day after. Super impressed with their vegetarian options (the Nashville hot tofu was my favorite) and the service was outstanding. My only complaint is that I don't have a location closer to my house. Don't hesitate - RUN to Velvet Taco! read more
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More info about Velvet Taco
522 Congress Ave
Ste 100
Austin, TX 78701
Warehouse District, Downtown
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(512) 298-5223
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https://www.velvettaco.com
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Is the patio dog friendly?
Yes. However, it is a very busy intersection/street and the drive-thru is RIGHT next to the patio. So if you have a reactive dog, this won't be fun for anyone (pup included). :(
How much before tax are the bottled beers and what selection do they have?
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