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    Julio's Café

    4.0 (470 reviews)
    ModerateMexican, Tex-Mex
    Open • 8:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    JULIO'S CAFÉ ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Julio's Café

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    Chicken Enchilada
    Wendilyn I.

    This place is run by sisters who are incredibly welcoming and warm. I came here on MLK weekend to meet up with some friends for breakfast. Our group of 5 had two couples and a toddler. You order at the counter and then they bring your food to you. It came out before my toddler got fussy, which was a plus. We had two of their breakfast entries and they were both very good. The sisters raved about their chicken enchilada and their pozole so they let us try some. They were not lying, they were both delicious! They also told us how everything is homemade and their kitchen is so small that they're only able to hold fresh ingredients to make everything from scratch, and, I believe it because everything tasted so good!

    Beverly M.

    Two pleasant sisters from Mexicali acquired Julio's from Estela 2 years ago. They spruced the place up, added some specials of the day (Mondays are mole days) and kept all of Estela's original staff. I've just tried their green chicken pozole and I'm taking some home for dinner. I will be adding some avocado slices and some jalapeño chile to the extras they add themselves: chopped lettuce, radishes, onions, lime juice and tostadas. Yum. As Samuel C pointed out, chicken dishes shine here. We have been coming for (ahem) decades and we always order the same thing: chicken enchiladas in green sauce plates + a cold Shiner bock in an icy mug. Same recipe... same presentation... same reason to come back. Comfort food :) There's a wee bit of free parking in front and a lot more Pay parking in back. Service is good. They still have a rack of Austin Chronicles by the door.

    Chips & salsa - so good
    Young B.

    We were visiting the University of Texas and this was close by with good Yelp reviews. The area was Hyde Park, which was very cute. The lady who greeted was so nice! Since we were first time customers, she gave us free chips & salsa, which was delicious. I loved the thick and crispy chips and the salsa was perfect. I used it for my tacos too. I got the chicken taco plate, which I didn't know came with 2 tacos, and beans and rice. They are soft tacos and have lettuce and tomato on top of the marinated chicken and were yummy. I was very impressed with this little family restaurant. It seems to fill up after we arrived on a Saturday - seemed like the locals were taking advantage of their happy hour prices.

    Chips and Queso, House Margaritas
    Lauren ..

    Quick service, their chips and queso were very delicious, I loved how crunchy and crispy their chips were. I enjoyed my margarita, and my chicken tacos were good, they reminded me of Casa Garcia's tacos. The chicken was very juicy, it could've used a bit more seasoning/flavor but overall I enjoyed my plate. Everything came out very hot and fresh

    Chicken Fajita Taco Plate
    katie

    The staff was so nice!! Great energy. The food was a little underwhelming, especially for the cost.

    Carne Guisada
    Takao N.

    Located in Hyde Park area, Julio's Cafe is one of the best Tex-Mex restaurants in town. Casual and cozy atmosphere. Good vibe all around. Food and service are always 5 stars. Carne Guisada was super tender and flavorful along with a fantastic frozen margarita.

    Rotisserie chicken
    Jenn C.

    I've moved in Austin for over 25 years and can't believe I haven't been to Julio's until today. Food was excellent and the new owner Claudia was the nicest lady!!!!! My friend was craving a rotisserie chicken and let me say it was delicious!!! We split that and still had plenty of leftovers. My other friend decided on the carne guisada plate and I couldn't stop eating his food. Soooooo good! I didn't have a Mexican martini but my friend said it was perfect and gave him a good tingle on his first sip! Love this place and can't wait to come back and try some more!

    Pozole Verde

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Usually stop in on trips to Austin, great fajita tacos and one of the freshest strawberry margaritas I have had. Place is cash only!

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    10 years ago

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    17 years ago

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    13 years ago

    very fresh! great chicken tacos and nachos. Good beverages. Service was quick.

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    13 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    13 years ago

    Breakfast tacos to the max! Migas is especially tasty too. This place is a Hyde Park staple and is worthy of 5 stars.

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    13 years ago

    No frills but very solid Mexican standards and wonderful chicken soup. Service was mixed.

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    12 years ago

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    11 years ago

    This is my favorite Mexican place in Austin. I love the neighborhood, the patio, the food, and the service. Couldn't be happier.

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    14 years ago

    Less than mediocre food...(dont order the queso...its a velveta insult to austin)...location is the only positive point.

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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Best chicken soup in Austin--made with fresh ingredients. Also, ~$10 Mexican martinis that cannot be beat.

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    17 years ago

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    17 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    13 years ago

    limited seating but excellent brunch or hangover spot!

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    10 years ago

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    11 years ago

    It was OK, I got the half chicken special. I think I just ordered the wrong thing maybe. My stomach is KILLIN' me after eating though.

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    12 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Authentic cuisine. Friendly staff. And the best Mexican Martinis in town!

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    15 years ago

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    Page 11 of 12

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    El Alma - Chips salsa and queso

    El Alma

    4.1(1.4k reviews)
    3.5 mi•Bouldin Creek, 78704 (South Austin)
    •$$

    I love taking new people to a place where I have confidence it's gonna be a great experience and…read moregreat food. El Alma has always one of those stops for me. And yesterday was no different. I was worried we might not get a table quickly, but we arrived at the perfect time on a Saturday and were seated immediately. We ordered a couple drinks, perused the menu and ordered the ceviche and street tacos and chicken tacos and everything was fresh and delicious. Our server was helpful, Attentive without hovering. My friend visiting had nothing but great things to say. Look forward to going back for brunch. Which is my typical go to there.

    I've been coming to El Alma for nearly 5 years now (according to my first review, I first came here…read morein November of 2026). During that time, it has easily become one of my favorite restaurants in all of Austin. I absolutely love the food and the rooftop patio that overlooks downtown/the park, and it will forever be somewhere I continue to go, especially during happy hour. I have tried every vegetarian item on their menu, and while everything is great, my personal favorites are: - cheese enchiladas with mole verde (I get this 99% of the time because they are my favorite enchilada in town) - the chile rellano (it's listed in the sides, but I promise you that it can be a meal in itself) - their rice (comes with many of their plates or inside of their enchiladas) is actually soooooo good and one of the things I look forward to - queso (nothing different about it, but it's just a really good standard queso) - flaquita (spicy watermelon margarita; I don't need to say more) - sangria blanca (super refreshing) Up until a few months ago, I would have given this place five stars, but I've noticed a decline in service that is making me knock it down to a four. For example, they used to give free chips and salsa the second you sat down, but the last three times, I've had to ask them for it (pro tip: ask for chips and salsa!!). I've also noticed slower and less attentive service. Overall, I still love El Alma, and when it comes to food and vibes, it has withstood the test of time. Everyone I introduce to El Alma falls in love (my sister visits me once a year, and El Alma is always on the agenda). Not only have I been coming here multiple times a year for the past five years, but I know I will be coming for as long as they are around.

    Photos
    El Alma - Busy on a Tuesday

    Busy on a Tuesday

    El Alma - Queso blanco

    Queso blanco

    El Alma - Mezcal Margarita

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    Mezcal Margarita

    Taqueria De Diez  - Carne Asada Taco

    Taqueria De Diez

    4.7(565 reviews)
    2.9 mi•Downtown
    •$$

    This is the best taco place I have found since I've moved!…read more I don't know how often I will come back here I don't know that it's that easy to find parking in this area. We walked from the hotel and ended up eating here twice! I had the extra cheesy volcan tacos they were so good I could smell how they tasted when I walked in. The carve asada was a little salty but it didn't stop me from devouring them! If you come in down the alley like we did you'll walk through what looks to be a little bar area walk-through there and then follow the signs to find the tacos. There were some people walking in with small children as we were walking out and they looked confused walking into the bar and I showed them just keep going you'll find the tacos and then they laughed. Everyone inside was nice and very friendly they run a super efficient operation and it's very clean. Soon as someone gets up somebody cleans the table because somebody's already waiting for a table. The whole thing is like an assembly line you get in line you order you get in line you get your food you walk around the corner and you get a table. Keep it moving people! This is just an amazing taco place with some amazing people highly recommend if you are in the area to go for it. The second time we came back and got more tacos to go and had to pay for parking around the corner so I don't know that it's convenient unless you're walking because parking was really expensive over there I think we paid $20 for 15 minutes.

    Why 5 stars? Because this absolutely nailed my craving…read more --- --- --- My friend and I had big ambitions to eat nothing but BBQ during our 4 days in Austin. We weren't even fully through day #2 and were already sick of BBQ. He broke the seal first and suggested Mexican. I found Taqueria De Diez in my bookmarks, and dinner plans were set. This was one of those meals where I was walking out with a pep in my step because I got exactly what I needed. I ordered a carne asada quesadilla + two tacos: Campechana and adobada. I don't even know what my favorite thing was. They were all excellent. The only slight miss were the beans, which were kind of oddly watery. But everything else was perfect, including the jamaica agua fresca. I ended up returning the next night and ordered a carne asada burrito. I didn't love it quite as much, but this is still an easy 5-star review for me. Note: this is not the easiest place to find. You literally have to walk in between some big, orange road blockers (is that what you call them?), to enter an alley. You then walk into a small bar, and then from there, you enter the actual restaurant. It's like a taco speakeasy, and it's glorious.

    Photos
    Taqueria De Diez  - Carne Asada hitting the grill

    Carne Asada hitting the grill

    Taqueria De Diez  - Adobada (Pastor)  Volcan and Carne Asada Taco

    Adobada (Pastor) Volcan and Carne Asada Taco

    Taqueria De Diez  - The outside of the building in an alley.

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    The outside of the building in an alley.

    Arriba Abajo - Lobster Quesadilla Pizza

    Arriba Abajo

    4.3(337 reviews)
    2.7 mi•Downtown
    •$$$

    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
    Arriba Abajo - Private Dining Area

    Private Dining Area

    Arriba Abajo - Wagyu Barbacoa Taquitos.

    Wagyu Barbacoa Taquitos.

    Arriba Abajo - 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 - Tacos

    Licha's Cantina

    4.1(847 reviews)
    2.8 mi•East Austin
    •$$

    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!

    Randomly found this spot on Open Table. Gave it a try. INCREDIBLE. The hostess and service were…read moregreat. The salsas (spicy!) were super flavorful. The guac was great. The chicken enchiladas!! I've been looking for enchiladas like this!! And just found it! Super moist, sauce, and flavorful. Delicious. The restaurant has really cute seating inside and out, and was surprised at how many people sat outside to eat (it's hot out there!!). Super cute vibe.

    Photos
    Licha's Cantina - Inside view

    Inside view

    Licha's Cantina - Cochinita Pibil

    Cochinita Pibil

    Licha's Cantina - Outside view

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    Outside view

    Fonda San Miguel - Tacos Al pastor, Cadillac margarita and numero uno margarita

    Fonda San Miguel

    4.1(1.4k reviews)
    1.8 mi•Rosedale, Allandale
    •$$$

    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
    Fonda San Miguel - Carne Asada A La Tampiquena

    Carne Asada A La Tampiquena

    Fonda San Miguel - Frozen guava margarita

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    Frozen guava margarita

    Julio's Café - mexican - Updated September 2026

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