Looking at the reviews, we had to check this place out and glad we did. We arrived and were seated right away. We asked for first available and were seated on the patio. When its 100 plus degrees outside, there are tables available. It was late in the afternoon, so under the umbrellas it was quite nice. A bit of an issue with a couple of flies, but that's to be expected. The chips and salsa, delicious! Crisp chips and great salsa. I looked at the menu and saw the Asadero Tacos - Named by TEXAS MONTHLY as "one of the 120 tacos you must eat before you die!" Beef tenderloin with grilled asadero cheese, onions, rajas in corn tortillas, served with frijoles a la charra and guacamole salad. Boy did they deliver... so good, the meat was tender the onions were great. The only thing that was not too good was the cheese, it looked like slices that did not melt. The beans were great and the guacamole salad it small, like two or 3 bites but tasty. My friend got a brisket taco and shrimp taco and enjoyed both of them The margaritas - tasty - so good I ordered a second one. Glad we sat outside, because inside was quite noisy. Looking forward to coming back and either eating the Asadero tacos again or try something new. read more

We had lunch Thursday August 13, 2026. We ordered the brisket tacos on their lunch special menu. Absolutely delicious!! Could not have been better! Quality was outstanding! Our server was Eddie, he was excellent! He clearly takes pride in his job! Thank you Eddie! Run don't walk & enjoy the best food ever!! The whole lunch experience was more than perfect, cannot wait to go back! read more

Stopped by for lunch on a weekday around 1pm and there was no wait for a table. Tried their delicious freshly fried chips and salsa along with guacamole. The guac was plain for the high price and portion was fairly small. Flavor was good. Had the green enchiladas and they were amazing. Although ordered beef, it probably would have tasted good as chicken. The taco was more of a tostada and was very generous in portion and chicken. The pinto beans tasted great and the rice was also good. read more

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Came here for a colleague's birthday and have been wanting to try it out. The parking spots are very slim and luckily I found a bigger one on some rock/cobblestone spaces. Didn't want to get a door ding, people do not care. Upon walking in, it was definitely warm, but they had a big fan blowing towards the front door to help reduce the flies coming in I assume and keep everyone cool. There were about three staff members at the check-in desk that easily got us in. We did have to wait until our full party of six was there to be seated. We opted for indoor due to it being so humid lately. Once our full party arrived, we were quickly sat, and our drinks brought out quickly. I didn't try any of their cocktails, stuck with water for the day. Water did not taste weird. We all placed our orders and got our food fairly quickly. The chips, salsa and loaded queso. We're good. Salsa is on the spicier side so just a heads up. Super large chips. Delicious. I ordered the chicken quesadilla with no sides, very big portion and had plenty to take home, I would definitely order it again. Very cheesy so if you don't like that, do not order it. My daughter got the burger and fries and really enjoyed it from the kids menu. They did forget to bring out her drink, so he gave me one for us to take to go. Overall, a good place that I would come back to, I would love to try something different the next time. read more

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

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Not sure if I understand why this place is so busy all the time. I was able to put myself on the waitlist before getting there so that helped us not have to wait 2 hrs at the restaurant. Be prepared to fight to find a parking spot if you decide not to valet. Overall I was disappointed with the food. I ordered the fried fish tacos on the server's recommendation and they were bland and not crispy at all. The table also agreed with me that the fish had no flavor even after I added the coleslaw and sauce to it. The rest of the meals that arrived weren't anything to rave about either. We left disappointed with the food and wait time. You can find a better Tex Mex restaurant in Austin for half the wait time. read more

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

We came in on a Sunday evening and even though it was busy we got seated right away. This was my first time at Matt's but I understand it's a very popular place. The space is beautifully decorated and is much bigger than I thought. We shared the knockout martini and it was strong and delicious. Also a very good size so very shareable. I then ordered the deluxe dinner and that was just ok. I was confused by how it was presented. I first got the guac salad with a crispy tortilla with some cheese on it? Very confused by that. Then the other portion came in a separate plate. The rice, enchilada and pork were good I just wished it was served warmer. Overall, for the price point I would not say it's worth it expect for the drinks but I'm glad I got to experience it. read more

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

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Checked off another Austin institution. You should too. They call it Tex-Mex, where I come from it is called Gringo Mex. And that is not a bad thing. Straight down the middle, all the combo plates you could hope for. And that cheese bowl that is loved so much in central Texas called queso, which to me is velveeta with a few chilies tossed in for color. Have fun, do it once before you leave. read more

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I am a regular at Matt's El Rancho and it consistently delivers exactly what you hope for from a classic Austin institution, consistent flavorful and delicious Tex-Mex food, amazing cocktails and great service. Matt's is known for their scratch-made Tex-Mex classics and legendary house specialties, prepared fresh daily with the same recipes they have used for over 70 years. The new waitlist sign-up has been a game changer. I can now sign up for the waitlist in advance and be seated quickly upon arrival. The wait could sometimes top over an hour due to the popularity and crowd size. Sometimes parking can be a challenge to find. I usually order the KnockOut martini for my beverage and add peach purée for additional flavor. It comes with Milagro Reposado Tequila & Cointreau. Starting the meal with the Bob Armstrong dip is a must, with queso cheese, taco meat, guacamole. It is the perfect combination of ingredients for a dip and is great for dipping with their fresh made tortilla chips. Their salsa is a bit on the spicier side and is a little too spicy for my taste. For my entree, I usually get the Asadero Tacos with Beef tenderloin with grilled asadero cheese, onions, rajas in corn tortillas, served with frijoles a la charra and guacamole salad. I usually sub rice for the beans and get sliced avocado. My other top choice is the Janie's Combination Salad served with bell peppers, cilantro, celery, tomatoes, radishes, and sliced avocado. I add the Al carbon beef tenderloin meat for the protien and the queso fresco cheese. It comes with a cilantro vinegrette which brings all the salad flavors together. The restaurant has a fun, energetic vibe and can get a bit loud. They have indoor and outdoor seating options, and the bar is a great place to sit if you want to watch a sporting event. Overall, it's a great spot for a casual night out when you're craving traditional Tex-Mex food and don't mind a busy scene. Not the place for a quiet dinner, but definitely a staple for Austin comfort food. read more

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Great salsa & chips but the mains were honestly disappointing. Not worth the wait for the table. read more

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

I'm interested as to why this place is so divisive. It's solid Tex-Mex. The chips are gigantic and crispy, and come with fire roasted salsa for dipping. We also got guacamole & Bob Armstrong Dip ($10, Queso with meat and guacamole) which were both excellent. The guacamole ($13) was super chunky. The grilled fish tacos ($20 for a plate) are gigantic and wonderful. They are rolled up like burritos and have lots of protein. The flour tortillas seem homemade. You can dip them in the ranch or cilantro sauce. Between us three girls, we finished 3.5 tacos. Staff were cheery, albeit a bit slow. Margs were good as well the interior is festive and classic Tex-Mex. read more

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Stopped in for lunch in a friend's recommendation. We sat at the bar and had a friendly, attentive bartender. They have a nice Lunch Specials menu. I ordered the Taco Al Carbon accompanied by beans, rice and a small side of pico de gallo. The beans were flavorful, the rice was ok and the beef taco taco was outstanding. Lots of flavor. Should I return (I'm from out of town), I'd likely get it again. They offer several tequilas but the beer menu is a bit limited with nothing on tap. The chips are homemade and delicious. The salsa had just enough heat for me but for someone sensitive may find it too spicy. read more

We first tried to go to Matt's El Rancho at dinner time on a Saturday but there were 132 parties ahead of us on the wait list! We tried again on a Monday at 6:30pm and we were seated immediately. The staff at the hostess stand were super friendly, as was our server. The patio has huge table umbrellas as well as some shade trees, so even in the heat it's comfortable. Big props for having an actual healthy salad choice! My salad had veggies, avocado, and grilled chicken but wasn't topped with all the fattening, unhealthy items that are typically heaped on restaurant salads. It was fresh and delicious! read more

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Stopped in for a late lunch. The blackened redfish was so good!! Veggies were well seasoned and cooked perfectly. Husband enjoyed his tacos al carbon. Ranch waters were made perfectly. We were seated quickly and chips and salsa were immediately brought out. Our server did a great job. Restaurant has a nice atmosphere. read more

An institution. Will not lie - was definitely overwhelmed coming on a Saturday night with all of the end of year / grad celebrations. Do yourself a favor, if you're reading this, GET ON THEIR WAITLIST BEFORE COMING. Parking is its own thing - valet, Waymos, Ubers, everything. There are two areas - one to put your name down, and one to get seated. It is LOUD in there. I can see why groups opt for the patio. It's also a cute space if not for the heat. Actually a 3.5 star experience, since our fajitas order was messed up and overcharged. Rounded up to 4 since we really enjoyed the food. read more

Eh. I'm not sure what all the hype is. I am from Houston so Tex mex is something I grew up on and love. This is not it. The lines to check in and get seated make you think.. wow! This place must be amazing. So we were really excited to try it! We ordered guacamole to start. We had to doctor up $14 guac. Not a good look. When heb is better we know there's a problem. Then we ordered the beef fajitas. When we got them they were soggy and not charred at all. It's like they had been sitting in the onion and bell pepper juices in the back. They threw them on a plate and set them on the hot plate when we got them. I feel like they were boiled almost. Not at all on any kind of a flame. We were also told the corn tortillas were going to be homemade. They definitely tasted like they came from a bag. Needless to say we won't be returning to stand in line for mediocre Tex mex. Glad we tried it though. read more

Delicious! So glad we got to try this place while in town! We entered our name for a table online ahead of time and the line moved pretty fast. It was packed when we got here but we got seated right away since I put my name in online. I had the brisket tacos which were amazing, my son had the grilled cheese (lol!) which he raved about as well. We had a small order of Bob Armstrong dip before the food got there and it was incredible. First time trying it (we're from out of state). The prickly pear margarita was also super yummy and had just the right amount of alcohol - one was enough! Service was fast, our waiter was friendly, and they brought out a small scoop of orange ice cream for my son at the end of our meal (his favorite flavor! He was in love with the place after that!) Definitely worth the visit if you want great Tex mex in Austin! read more

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After being in Austin for several years (and hearing mixed reviews of this place), we finally pulled up to give Matt's El Rancho a try. Glad we did! The ambiance is fantastic. What a cozy hidden gem off of S Lamar! Both inside and outside are packed with tables and lots of seating for patrons to enjoy their meal. The service was super friendly and fast. As someone told me in the line at the counter... the mine can be super long, but the service is really fast, and tables turn over pretty quick. An 1.5hr wait might not be that long. Now the food. The salsa is spicy. The super up queso is delicious. I got the chicken enchiladas my first trip, and they were good but not great. But my spouse's Asadero Tacos were incredible. Which is what I got my second visit. Excited to try more items off their menu. read more

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Can get super busy and crowded. My brisket enchilada was extremely average. The salsa is spicy which I appreciated. The dip they're known for is decent but nothing special. I've had more flavorful queso. The fajitas are seasoned excellently though. If you go, don't get anything other than the fajitas. read more

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

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Oh Matt's El Rancho Tried and True. Not quite sure the low reviews? This is the epitome of an Austin downtown TexMex hometown Mexican spot. You walk in and are rushed with the sensation.... this is where you bring your families to. Helping towards that ambiance, we happened to come here lunch time during the Christmas season. Large sized parties of families holding gifts galore sitting and waiting, sitting and eating. It was a welcoming sensation to feel that this restaurant gives off family vibes. Even with all the parties, our walk in of 4 was still able to be seated in say maybe 10 minutes? Barely enough time to order a beer and Matt's Knockout Martini from the bar while we "waited". Had one sip and WHAT table is ready! The service was quite impressive for how busy and packed the place was. Also guys...lunch is how you do it. How can you beat $12 for a meal? And a fulfilling meal at that. They don't play. And for the kiddos, $7 including a drink is right up their alley. Shirley Temple sure! Limeade sure! It's been quite a minute since I've been here but upon returning I can truly say this is a place I'd come back to. And if you ever need a place to bring all your extended family for good Ole TexMex - this place is just for you. read more

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A meal on the patio in the warmth and sunshine after being in cold stl was exactly what the doctor ordered. This place is huge and is still somehow on a wait at 2pm on a Friday (props to that). The patio is really lovely, you definitely feel like you're cut off from the hustle and bustle outside of the restaurant. The queso and chips hit the spot, and for my entree I ordered the asadero tacos which came highly recommend from the regulars in my party. The tenderloin was sooo good and it was smothered in cheese. What more could you ask for?! The staff was friendly and very attentive. Looking forward to returning! read more

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Finally tried Matt's El Rancho and I have to say that the service was fantastic! Our cups were never low on water and our server was super nice. The patio was also super cute! Unfortunately I was super unimpressed with the food though. I got the Matt's special which had green enchiladas and a taco which was actually a tostada. Both items were just very mediocre. Everyone that I was with felt the same way about their entrees as well. We were also a little surprised that they weren't willing to split our check even though it was just four of us. read more

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First, I was surprised by the amount of children under 5 here on a Friday night, where drinks appear to be the very next step after placing yourself on a wait list. But I'm starting to see that Austin has a lot of family friendly alcohol venues. Maybe that keeps the adults in check. People watching was quite entertaining while we waited on the side for our table. A balloon animal artist was set up nearby, providing some relief for impatient children. I enjoyed the ranchy vibes here. We were seated outside under big red umbrellas with fly swatter machines at the tables. They don't work that well but better than nothing as you fight against flies for your salsa. It was busy but you don't feel like you are on top of each other at all. The chips are huge and hat sized. The food? Pretty decent. Not the best Mexican you'll ever have but not the worst. The margs? Fantastic. Service was solid. Matt's El Rancho is a good time. read more

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Classic old school Austin place. The back patio is a great place to dine, the service is good in a very crowded chaotic place. The food is tasty and the margaritas are solid. Of course you need to try the Bob Armstrong Queso. Overall a fun time read more

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

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Wow!!! What an experience. The place was hopping. Though it was crowded our wait was less than 20 minutes. The food was good, the service was good and everyone was having a good time. I was a little disappointed that I could not order from the children's menu and that there is no senior plates available. It's just a waste of food and a dent in my pocket book that I had to purchase a regular plate. read more

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The Carnitas l tacos my husband ordered were good but beef enchiladas were dry and Tortillas were too bland not enough ssuce.I think sauce inside with beef wood taste delicious! read more

Matt's El Rancho has received what we would call legendary status in the Austin food scene. This had us coming in with high expectations, something only reinforced when we arrived to a jam packed parking lot and beautiful outdoor facade. We placed ourselves on the waitlist well before arrival and times it just about as well as we could've; something we would highly recommend. They don't seat incomplete parties which we ran into an issue with as we had 2 people missing but they made quick use of the valet parking when they arrived and we were seated quickly after that. The interior is very nice, old school in a way which adds to this staple and authentic feel. Once seated, at a nice family style round table at that, we were brought out 3 huge baskets of tortilla chips. The complimentary chips are pretty good, a bit lacking in salt, but the salsa they have makes up for it with a nice punchy spice that lingers a bit. Ordering was quick and the service was decent as well. We ordered a cheese quesadilla and the brisket flautas with tomatillo sauce. For a restaurant as packed as it was and with us having a party of 6 the food came out pretty quick. The cheese quesadilla was fantastic. It's a relatively easy dish that a lot of places manage to mess up but it was spot on here, simple and tasty. The flats were also very good, savory and filling with the tomatillo layering onto the bold flavors. The Mexican rice and refried beans were also pretty good as well. Everyone else seemed to really like their food too, although one person was not a fan at all of their tacos which came looking pretty bland and on a hard corn shell. By the end of the meal everyone was happy, some remarking about how good and strong the drinks were there. For a restaurant as popular as it is, the price felt fair and the value was decent. The truth of it all is that Matt's is good, truly, but it isn't great. There are other Tex-Mex places in Austin that match the quality of the food here for cheaper or with larger servings. Admittedly, the vibe here surpasses those places by quite a bit so that's something to consider if you're weighing up your options. We would say this is a good spot to bring friends or family visiting in for the vibes and good food alone, but if you're someone specifically seeking out the most authentic or best Tex-Mex that Austin has to offer then there may be a few other places to consider. read more

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Came here on a Friday with a large group and we had a solid experience. They seated us pretty quickly and service was nice, no complaints. The drinks are pretty expensive but very strong. I loved the guacamole, tasted very fresh and the queso was good too. The carne asada quesadilla was mid, didn't love it. My friend thought the same thing about his beef enchiladas. Overall: pricier place in ATX for mid Mexican food, but very energetic vibe and strong drinks. read more

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I feel like Matt's is Austin staple. Not fully sure why. But figured why not go to a staple while showing friends around town. Tried the carne this time. Honestly so much food. I enjoyed it. Maybe would like a bit more meat. The guac was yummy along with the Margaritas. The server was quick and helped to keep everything moving. The feel of the restaurant is a bit too crowded for my liking. The saving grace for it was the size of the parking lot for the crowds. The line was out the door and got sat quickly even on a Texas game day. read more

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

Tortillas tortillas tortillas!!! Service, amazing! Food, top notch! Parking, a bit of a bear, but that's testament to the quality of this landmark eatery! read more

The restaurant has tourist-trap vibes. I don't think the Google reviewers are discerning diners. The quality of the food does not justify how expensive it is. Food Ribeye tacos: 5/10; too much steak sauce and toppings, and not enough ribeye. The flour tortillas were drenched. Queso and chips: 7/10; chips were fresh and crispy, but the queso tasted like it came from the grocery store. It also got hard and thick quickly. Fried shrimp: 8/10; shrimp were big and seasoned; fries crispy and salty; tartar sauce was good. The blackened ranch on the side salad was tasty. Service Despite the large number of guests, we didn't have to wait long for a table. Our server was fast and attentive. He was also hospitable. No complaints. Ambience It's fine. read more

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Here it is. The death of old south Austin. Was fun while it lasted. I get the $20 mex martini and the 25% default tip (after taxes, of course), but now that you've closed off parking to squeeze another $9 out of us, gotta say bye-bye. read more

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

After hearing about the iconic Matt's, I was excited to finally get a chance to go while in Austin! I shared the Bob Dip, and Steak Fajitas and am still dreaming of them both. I've already googled how to make the Bob dip, and you must get the grilled jalapeños and garlic to add to your fajitas. The full order was too much for 2 people, so we will get a half next time! We had a group of 20 and our server masterfully managed the group which were split between 2 side by side tables. read more

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Went there for a work lunch while in town and was pleasantly surprised. First of all, PLENTY of seating to accommodate the lunch rush (felt like every corporate worker in the area was there for lunch). Secondly, as it is typical of any mexican restaurant, you sit down and enjoy your chips and salsa while you order. Chips were thick, crunchy, and fresh, but the salsa was really the star! Not watery at all, good flavor, well blended, and with a good kick to it. Their lunch menu offers some solid options for very reasonable prices, and the portions are huge! If that was a dinner portion I'd have been content honestly! Went for the al pastor platter with rice, beans, and salad. Meat was super tender and flavorful, rice was well cooked, and the beans were surprisingly good! I'm pretty sure we'll be adding this restaurant to our rotation of lunch options while visiting Austin for work. read more

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

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While visiting Austin this weekend I tried Matt's for the first time since the early 1980's. Entering, one of the cooks noticed me taking a photo, smiled & waved which set a nice, friendly tone for our visit. Like so many of the other reviewers we started with the Bob Armstrong Queso, chips, salsa and I had a Matt's Mezcal Margarita. All were excellent. My partner ordered the Asadero Tacos and I had my standard order for any TexMex restaurant, Chicken Enchiladas Verdes. Her tacos were as incredible as their reputation, and my enchiladas were well above "standard"! read more

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

We had a great time at Matt's! We went for lunch on a weekday, and it was pretty busy. Loved how you see into the kitchen as soon as you walk in. We ordered the Bob Armstrong Dip, but with the meat on the side as I don't eat red meat. They were very accommodating with it! I ordered the green chicken enchiladas and everyone else ordered the asadero tacos. I loved the enchiladas with the queso on top - so good. The chips and salsa were also really good. We liked how the salsa had a bit of spice to it! read more

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From my understanding, Matt's el rancho is a restaurant very well known in Austin Texas. Depending on the vibe you're looking for, can come in for a family lunch. Or come in closer to dinner to get a packed bar with a lot of a young crowd. We decided on the lunch today and I had their must try tacos. The meat was extremely tender and they had just the right amount of each ingredient sprinkled on these. The cheese bowl is also incredible with a packed punch of a lot of flavors. To top it off, great salsa. Cheers! read more

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We had multiple people rave to us about how amazing Matt's food is. Even checked Reddit to see what the buzz was about, but didn't find much. Right off the bat, the smell walking up to the front door was incredible it really got us hyped! We started with chips and queso. Unfortunately, it tasted like melted American cheese off a microwave. Definitely not a strong start. They don't offer horchata, which isn't a dealbreaker, but a little surprising for a Tex-Mex spot. My wife got enchiladas and I ordered the flautas. The flautas were soggy definitely not crispy like they should be. Honestly, they felt more like enchiladas than anything else. We really wanted to like this place, especially with all the hype, but it just didn't deliver. Not sure what we missed, but sadly, we left underwhelmed. read more

Matt's El Rancho - Supposably flautas, soft like enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I must admit that before I visited Matt's, I was worried that this might be an old school Austin joint trading on its name and glory days of the past. I was wrong. The food here is excellent and stands up to most any other Tex-Mex restaurant in town very well. My experience found it to have a very comfortable and well maintained dining room (too hot to sit on the lovely patio and garden). Service was cheerful and attentive and made the entire visit very pleasant. The food was very much typical of Austin. Guacamole was creamy and although not my preferred style (I like a rustic chunky version), it was delicious and disappeared quickly. I had the al pastor lunch special which came with charro beans, Spanish rice, and chopped onions and cilantro garnish. The meat was super tender and flavorful and I could not find any fault with the entire dish. I had so much food I just barely finished lunch. There was enough meat for at least four tacos. If you've not been to Matt's before, I strongly suggest stopping in at lunch for their selection of $12 specials. I guarantee you won't walk away hungry. Highly recommended. read more

Matt's El Rancho - Tacos al pastor... lunch special - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Where Austin's Heart Meets Legendary Tex-Mex Flavor!!! Food: Matt's El Rancho serves up classic Tex-Mex done right -- think sizzling fajitas, cheesy enchiladas, and the iconic Bob Armstrong Dip that's pure Austin legend. Generous portions, bold flavors, and authentic recipes keep locals and visitors coming back. Ambiance: This place is a vibrant slice of Austin history. With vintage charm, a spacious patio, and weekend mariachi bands, Matt's delivers an atmosphere that's both lively and welcoming -- perfect for tourists and longtime Austinites alike. Service: Friendly, attentive, and genuine. The staff treat you like family, making every visit feel special in a place that's been a local treasure since 1952. If you want a true taste of Austin's heart and heritage, Matt's El Rancho is where you start. read more

Matt's El Rancho - Let's taco bout it! - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

4 stars for the service but 3 stars for the food. The service was phenomenal from the moment you walked in and then throughout your meal. I am putting 3 stars for the food - I've eaten Mexican food, Tex Mex, and all other variations literally across the US and am used to authentic Mexican food. I came in knowing that it's Tex Mex but I would still say the food is just ok. Really you're going for the margaritas and some food to accompany it. I had the fajitas, sopapillas, and Cadillac margaritas. I wish the food had more flavor across the board. read more