Celebrated my adult daughter's birthday there for lunch today. There were ten of us in the group, five different families. Noisy place, freezing cold, BAD food, bad service, tea only unsweetened, and would not split the check. I'll never be back. read more

(Note: I write restaurant reviews for my neighbors in the new Buda development of Turner's Crossing.) ------------- Hi, neighbors. I have to share with you my lunch experience at an iconic Mexican restaurant I tried today for the first time. A new friend from Buda said it was probably the most popular Mexican restaurant in Austin and likely had the best food. He was on point about the food. It was good or better than any authentic or Tex-Mex food I have had in the eight months Karen and I have been in Texas. I am comparing today's food with about 20 different Mexican eateries I have tried, mostly in the Buda area. And the vast majority of them were very good. Matt's El Rancho is shown on Google Earth to be less than 10 miles from our Turner's Crossing neighborhood. It took 25 minutes in midday to get there, including some spotty traffic problems, so it is not exactly right around the corner. But believe me, it is well worth the drive. The place is on South Lamar Blvd., a very short distance northeast of Manchaca Road. The parking lot is enormous, because lots of people were still being seated at 2 in the afternoon. It was not what I consider crowded, but it was surprisingly busy after what I consider to be the usual lunch hour. Inside, there are several large dining rooms tastefully and colorfully decorated, with tables for enough apart for easy conversation. As soon as we were seated, our server brought us a big basket of oversized tortilla chips and a bowl of the spiciest salsa I have had in a long time. I immediately threw caution to the winds and gobbled down a chip with a significant amount of the salsa. My sinuses were opened for the rest of the day. The menu is extensive with a wide array of the usual offerings, plus a nice section for children. My pal and I started with a small bowl of what's called the Bob Armstrong Dip to go with the chips. It was phenomenal, and we really had no idea exactly what was in it. We each settled on entrees we spotted among the reasonably priced lunch specials. I went with the Al Pastor Plate. It was a nice-size portion of marinated pork shoulder, grilled with onions and pineapple. it was served with homemade corn tortillas, a bowl of charro beans, Spanish rice, and tomatillo sauce with cilantro and onions. Considering how much of the queso starter I ate, I had to bring home half of my lunch. My friend went with Matt's foot-long enchilada. It was an imposing beef enchilada, topped with chili con carne and cheese, served with Spanish rice and Charro beans. He had no trouble packing it all in, leaving me in awe because he looks to be in good physical shape. If you are new to the Austin area, as I suspect many of us in Turner's Crossing are, I highly recommend Matt's El Rancho if you like Mexican food. If you are not sure about Mexican food, give it a try because you will probably like most everything on the menu. The dishes are well described with all ingredients listed. read more

Food was great. Service was great. Margaritas will sneak up on you. Three is one too many.

This place is a hoot and a half. Feels like a Mexican resort and is huuuuuuge! Room after room after room. Came here with a party of 10-12 and the service was incredible, 10/10. The food is pretty good, not insane. But the atmosphere is so fun. It can get pretty loud here so would avoid for a date. read more

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

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An Austin staple! ALWAYS crowded with a wait list, so plan accordingly. The chips and salsa are top tier with thick, homemade chips and just spicy enough salsa! I've tried a few different menu items and all were good! The latest I tried was the Asadeto Tacos that claim to be "one of the 120 tacos you must eat before you die!" And yeah they were good!! The corn tortilla was almost too thick though, so I ate the innards and was stuffed! Now, I did order a Michelada and was sooo looking forward to it but was sooo disappointed when it arrived and was an odd brownish color and overly limey. I'm certain there was no tomato or Michelada mix in it at all. read more

YUM. I could just drink the Bob Armstrong dip. Can we talk about how well seasoned the fajitas are? So delicious, so tender, and the flavors were amazing. The beans were delicious- I'm not a huge rice fan in general so I didn't touch much of mine. I also ordered a Paloma, and it was so refreshing. Service was excellent. Our chips were replaced without us having to ask. Water was always in our cups. Our server was kind and quick! We were also seated in under ten minutes. Dreaming of queso until next time. read more

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

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An Austin institution. Never fails to deliver the goods. Good food, good margaritas, good service.

The food is not fancy, more along the lines of Tex-Mex comfort food. It's consistent and it's good. I'm always amazed that they have such good service with abundant servers and staff. Other restaurants in the Austin area seem to be still struggling with staffing and bad service is common. You won't get neglected here. Margaritas are pretty good, too. read more

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

Matt's is world famous for a reason. I've come here for years for family gatherings, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. I always order the same thing - the beef Chile relleno with ranchera sauce. Matt's makes it special - with raisins and pecans to give it a sweet and savory zip. The poblano pepper is always just the right amount of heat, and can be eaten down to the tip and I do! Today, I walked over after a haircut and decided to ask the waiter for nonalcoholic options besides soda. As a sober person in Austin, I usually make do with soda, but didn't want to today. To my great pleasure, he smiled and said he can do a virgin frozen margarita, daiquiri or even pina colada! He was attentive and charming and checked on periodically while the drink was being made. It took a few minutes, but I wasn't bothered. I sat outside today and enjoyed watching the fish in their fountain and feeling the breeze in the break between storms. How amazing, time was Matt's didn't have these options. I ordered a virgin frozen Margarita and got to enjoy my delicious relleno with a sober adult beverage. No tequila, it had just the right mix of sweet and sour and melted delightfully so I finished as I enjoyed my lunch. Matt's food is legendary, but I know they also cater to sobernauts in Austin, and what a thrill that is for me. You can feel marooned here if you don't drink, but today they showed me they love their sober customers as much as their others, and I am so happy. Here at Matt's you are treated like family, and I am so thrilled they are an Austin legend. I can't wait to go back, get my incredible relleno, and sample the other sober cocktails. read more

Matt's El Rancho - Virgin frozen margarita, so good! - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Very much enjoyed Matt's patio and food on Sunday for a friends birthday. The margaritas are delish! Our server was super nice and friendly. I've always wondered why the crowd flocks to Matt's and finally figured it out. read more

Matt's El Rancho - The asadero tacos on corn tortillas - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

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The food is awesome, a the Bob is one of kind appetizer, thats great.A must in Austin,to eat .

Are you kidding me? Who the heck closes on Tuesday? I've never in my life seen a restaurant that is closed on Tuesday. We drove all the way from Leander and pull up right at 12:00 PM and they're closed up tighter than Dick's hat band! Not sure what that means exactly but that's what my dad used to say! Seriously though, what the heck? Great response from Matt's El Rancho. Instead of saying, we're sorry you drove 30 miles to get here only to find out we're closed on Tuesdays, they respond by saying "we've been closed on Tuesdays since 1952". Wow!! read more

I am shook this local, Tex-Mex favorite does not have a better star-rating. But I honestly do not think a few bad reviews will ever affect the crowds that I have always seen pouring in and out of this restaurant. It doesn't matter what day or time it is, Matt's is always full and you can expect a wait during dinner time, especially on weekends. I am a big fan of their outdoor patio for endless margs by the pond. They serve classic, Tex-Mex food and the ambiance is on point. It's a little on the pricier side but what restaurant isn't these days? I have left here multiple times with a margarita-buzz and I will be back again and again. read more

Matt's El Rancho was all around good! The homemade chips are delicious and the complimentary salsa has a bit of a kick. I went for the asadero tacos and my friend ordered the fish tacos. We both agreed our food was "pretty good" but on the Tex mex scale nothing to blow your mind. They had a really nice patio and lots of room for a big group! read more

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

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The overall rating does not do this place justice. This food was sooooo good. Best Tex Mex I've ever had. I had the chili rellenos and their signature queso. It was awesome. They kept bringing more chips, and with it being packed, we had our drinks refilled quickly without having to ask. I want to go back now! read more

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If I could give zero stars, I would. The manager Charlie was unbelievably rude and completely out of line. My friend walked in wearing a bikini top (we're in Texas in the summer, not a monastery), and instead of handling anything with professionalism, he decided to embarrass her and act like he was running a church instead of a casual Mexican restaurant. The way he spoke to her was condescending and borderline creepy -- completely inappropriate. read more

Ah Matt's. I had been so overjoyed to visit you again in 2017 after so many years away. I have a thing for Chile Rellenos and that session was delicious and satisfying beyond any expectations. Last week (Friday) I was in Austin and made a beeline for lunch with you, my mouth watering in anticipation. My friend and I sat in the bar area which was crazy busy. Service was pretty good (with so many people), my Burnt Orange Margarita was delicious. I ordered my fave: cheese stuffed Chile Relleno. What a crashing disappointment. The normal top dressing (crema, pecans & queso asadero) was skimpy and different; the cheese topping was bright orange and tough. It basically ruined the entire experience. I hope this was just a fluke in the kitchen or a supply chain issue and that you can get back to making a dish that has made all of Austin proud for generations. read more

Matt's El Rancho - A very sub-par cheese filled Chile Relleno - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

What can I add to an already well-known and loved establishment that hasn't already been said? Great margaritas, great food, great service, just a very busy place but fun for out-of-town company read more

I moved to Austin in 2019. I never had a chance to go to Matt's El Rancho What a wonderful surprise ! I started with the Bob Armstrong dip. It was great. The chips are obviously homemade and delicious. The beer is served in a small child glass very old school. I had a Matts knockout martini it was huge. For drinks at least For the entrée I chose the Asadero tacos. Huge pieces of tenderloin beef with roasted garlic and peppers. Kendra was my server she is the best ! Highly recommended !!!! read more

Not a place you come to for the food as this place is known for their KO Martini (you're given a martini glass, the initial pour and the rest of the shaker; probably another 2.5 pours? Need I say more). Chips & salsa are complimentary and my go-to dish here is the Ribeye + Enchilada. Servers are always attentive and if the weather is appropriate, sit out in the patio area. Vibes are solid! read more

We have been coming here for years and have never had any complaints. I took my family who was visiting from Dallas for lunch, and unfortunately the hosts were inappropriate and unprofessional. When one host came to seat us, we informed him that we were waiting for a member of our party who was in the restroom. He said "f*ck him." In front of two young children. Never experienced something like this at Matt's and I hope they will address it. read more

Came here on the recommendation of a friend. It did not disappoint. Atmosphere: The atmosphere is pretty lively. There is a good mix of indoor and outdoor seating and we were able to get an outdoor seat in the shade. Drinks: We got some of knock out martinis. I like sweeter drinks and I liked these ones. It doesn't taste that strong but they definitely pack a punch. Chips: Each chip is half a tortilla so they are really big. I found that I actually liked this a lot. I ended up breaking up the chips to my liking and you don't end up with small pieces that can't scoop anything. The salsa is hot and kinda watery. They give you a LOT of queso which is pretty good for the price. I liked the queso but everyone else seemed to love it. The guac was decent but not as worth it as the queso. Fajitas: The fajitas were great. The waitress said she had never seen someone eat a 1lb before. It's big but if you're a big eater, you should have no problem finishing. The fajitas come with a lot of sides and the 1lb comes with more guac, sour cream and pico than the half pound but the same amount of rice and beans. The fajitas also come with a lot of onions and peppers. Overall a great dinner. Would definitely come back. read more

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I have always heard mixed reviews about this place, with the needle pointing more towards the negative, so despite living in Austin on/off since 2008 I had never dined here. I finally decided to see what the hype was/wasn't and I was very surprised at how much I liked it! We arrived on a Wednesday around 7:30 to a packed restaurant! We wanted to dine outside and the wait was only 30 minutes. The patio is large and very cute. As soon as we were seated, we received chips and their salsa, which was fire! The queso (minus the meat) was good as was the guacamole. For our mains, we chose the veggie and shrimp enchiladas and the asadero tacos and all dishes were very good. The drinks are damn strong, but delicious! I will definitely come back! read more

My husband & I keep coming to Matt's in hopes our experience will improve (considering we've been coming to Matt's since the 70's). This evening my husband & I were seated between 2 tables of 20. We asked to be moved somewhere else. No communication from the waitstaff or anyone else. We sat 15 minutes before we decided to leave and talk to management. They finally sealed us somewhere else and the waitstaff were nice. It took longer than normal to get drinks and food and we got there at 4:20. Also, the food has really gone downhill. I'm thinking we need to cross this place off our list. Bad service, subpar food & supper high prices! read more

Your typical Mexican food spot, with surprisingly quick service. Be ready to wait for a while during prime dinner hours on the weekend. There were decent vegetarian options, with a vegetarian bean and rice option - very hard to find sometimes. The queso and tres leches are a must-try!! read more

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I love the vibe here! It's so fun and easy. The food is incredible and portion sizes are shareable. read more

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

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This will forever be my favorite restaurant in Austin. I come once a week and always enjoy the same things, because when something is so perfect, why mess it up?! Knockout Martini , Large Bob, & Beef Fajitas. During COVID, they've been doing an exceptional job social distancing, keeping to state guidelines, ensuring everyone wears masks, etc. Also, best of all, they're now open on Tuesday's!! Wooo read more

Matt's El Rancho - Beef Fajita & Bob Armstrong Dip - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

They got us in with a faster wait than anticipated and the service was prompt. We were able to enjoy margaritas while we waited for our table. The frozen margaritas were definitely the highlight of the meal, particularly the Cactus Pryor. The main downside is the volume inside of the restaurant; it was so noisy it was difficult to carry out conversation at times. read more

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

*Covid-19 Review We decided to head to Matt's for an early dinner. We had both missed lunch so decided that 430 would be a good time-miss the crowd. We made the right choice! The sidewalk was marked every six feet so people could stand while waiting in line- which luckily we didn't have to use since we were hitting the place early! The two young girls greeted us from behind a plexiglass divider and escorted us through to the patio. We ended up with a perfect table for two right next to the pond! (See photo) There were fans, a mister, and a nice breeze! There were no kids running around the patio which is always one of the things I disliked about sitting out there in the past. We each ordered a Mexican Martini and a small Bob's Armstrong dip. I mean come on....you have to right? *side note - years ago on that same patio I was with a girlfriend enjoying a Bob dip when an adorable older gentleman came along and said, "I see you have the Bob Armstrong dip. I'm Bob Armstrong!" (He told us all about how it came to be etc. I think we got a photo. I'm not sure.) He then made his way around to all of the tables on the patio telling his same tale. He was darling. He has since passed away but I think of that story every time I'm there! We ordered Asadero Beef (tenderloin) Tacos and Grilled Fish Tacos. Each dish came with a guacamole salad which is always a nice touch -just a little bit of greens before you stuff your face with more cheese and goodness! The waitstaff all wore masks and were very attentive and polite. It's tough working in the service industry as it is...I can't imagine on a hot Texas day with a mask! Thank you! By the time we left, the line was forming around the building. I'm glad we got there early. I love supporting a local business and Matt's is doing a great job considering all of the changes due to Covid-19. Wear your mask!! read more

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Overrated, but the chips are amazing Torchy's queso is definitely better Worth trying, but there is better read more

It's a staple in Austin. The food service was good for a busy Saturday with about a 40 minute wait. Parking was awful unless you pay for valet. The food was okay. I heard the tortillas were fresh and homemade but it just seemed like normal HEB-style tortillas to me. read more

If you're new to Matt's El Rancho, and you're currently doing your due diligence by reading through the Yelp reviews, this clearly won't have been the first mention of the stupidly awesome Bob Armstrong dip that you've read, but trust me when I say that all of that hype is very well-earned! Man, is it good! Queso, ground beef, and guac in one bowl for dipping? Why in the heck not, right? Beyond that, Matt's has my favorite cheese enchiladas of ALL time! Pro Tip: Choose verde for your sauce and order a side of sour cream! The balance is superb! The hubby is a massive fan of the Asadero tacos and the brisket tacos! But the Bob, y'all! Run. Don't walk. That is all. read more

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In these days of New Austin with its plethora of pretentious, pricey, small-portioned food 'experiences' catering to our New York and Californian invaders (I kid, I kid!) it is so refreshing and comforting to go to an old Austin institution that doesn't seem to alter with the passing years. Dependable, affordable, and really good food. Took some visitors from Ireland last night, and they loved it. A large Bob Armstrong dip is always a crowd-pleaser, and the Cactus Pryor frozen margaritas are so refreshing and strong in their hot pink wonderfulness, perfect on a hot evening while we perused the menu. We got two portions of the phenomenal Asadero tacos, some Al Pastor tacos, and a Tex-Mex burrito. Everything was delicious! The servers are experienced, efficient and attentive. Like their slogan says... it's Always Good. read more

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

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I waited a long time before trying Matt's because ... well, it just seemed so cliche. But a friend insisted that I try their Old Fashioned Grilled Tacos because of their true, authentic Mexican heritage. So, service didn't go exactly as I was hoping. I asked if they could do the Grilled Old Fashioned Tacos without meat. I specifically requested either black beans or just avocado (as my friend suggested.) My server said that he would ask in the kitchen. He came back a while later and told me that they could do the tacos with charro beans. I confirmed that the beans were vegetarian and then just rolled with it. It seemed like it was going to be charro beans or nothing. I would have preferred to try what I had actually requested but the server had already gone back to the kitchen once I didn't want to ask him for avocado specifically and insist that he go back to the kitchen again and ask for confirmation. The tacos were definitely not like any others I've had. They are almost as thin as a quesadilla with a preparation similar to Tacos Dorados. The cilantro and onions were served on the side and they were kinda hard to scoop out from the bed of lettuce on which they was served. But even after I added the cilantro and onion, the tacos still needed something. Because they're so skinny, it was difficult to spoon salsa onto them while folded so for the last one, I opened up the tortilla and poured the salsa right inside. It was better that way. They were good, for sure. I'm not sure where to rank them on my taco list though because they are just so different than all of the rest. I agree that this is the way that tortilla chips should be done. I want to be able to shovel a heavy scoop of guacamole with my chip. It needs to have some integrity. And it's nice that they have table runners dedicated to replenishing chips and salsa. The salsa was good. I definitely had some sweat on my brow. The guacamole is pathetic though (in both portion and quality.) A place like this should definitely up their guac-game! My favorite part of the meal was eating the white rice mixed with the beans. The rice reminds me of something familiar. Zatarain's manufactures a bunch of packaged shelf-stable flavored rice products. Maybe it's their "Spanish Rice" or "Dirty Rice" flavor but it's something similar. People love this place; the massive parking lot is constantly packed. I'm just not sure that I need to come back. read more

Matt's El Rancho - old fashioned grilled tacos - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

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My fiance and I ate here recently and we were very happy with their COVID precautions. Everyone working there kept masks on, tables were nicely spread out, and they were doing everything they could to maintain social distancing while people waited for their table. Our waiter (so sorry I forget his name!) was super friendly and helpful when we asked for suggestions on what to order. When we arrived he brought chips and salsa. Salsa was flavorful with a little bit of spice. We got the Bob Armstrong queso and it was AMAZING. MUST TRY. I ordered chicken and steak fajitas and there was so much food. The meat was in a seasoning/sauce that made them a little unique and I really enjoyed it. My fiance got the asadero tacos, which he enjoyed. Very simple but flavorful. This is a perfect place to go with friends, have some drinks, eat a lot of food, and not spend a crazy amount of money. It's a good value. Also, LOTS of parking! read more

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The food and service were excellent. The wife and I split one of the dinners and had plenty of very well prepared food. The chips are house made and tasted great. read more

Get the Fajita's! Huge place...seating for over 500. They looked packed when we recently walked in for "linner" shortly after 3pm on a Sat. People sitting on benches and standing waiting for tables, but they said likely only a 15 min wait, so we waited. It was only 10-15 min. Our group ordered a variety...cheese/beef/guacamole dip, mojitos, chicken Rancho burrito, beef brisket tacos (huge, 2 the size of burritos), and Steak & chicken fajita (our fav, loved the seasoning- full of flavor)! Everyone enjoyed the meal, service was spot on. Not my ultimate favorite TEX MEX ever, but definitely good quality. A great place for groups, families and gatherings (we saw multiple parties bring in cupcakes and cakes for birthday celebrations). A local "staple"Tex Merestaurant that's been open since the 50's. read more

Matt's El Rancho - Fun spot - it's a bustling, loud, fun place. Great fajitas! - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

Classic Tex mex with large portions. Biggest factors here are that the drinks are strong, the frozen skinny marg is our go to. It's also super easy to get a table for a large group on the patio without a reservation. The vibes are awesome outside. The wait is never as long as they say it will be but average is 30-45 minutes, we always hang by the bar and grab a drink while we wait. Biggest downside is they won't split the bill read more

Matt's El Rancho - The skinny frozen marg - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

This is recommended by a local and it was a good one. I really enjoyed the ranch style atmosphere; it was very tex-mex and authentic which was cool. The food was very filling and delicious. I got the flautas and one of the salad with fajita chicken. The famous queso was good but I think a little overhyped for what I heard about it. The servers were very nice and accommodating to our requests. Would come back! read more

I ate at Matt's a few weeks back, but just getting around to writing a review. Simply put it was amazing. The place was packed and lively on a Thursday night but the service and food quality was fantastic. We had a little bit of everything from a few apps, fajitas and grilled fish. Everything was on point including the drinks, which we had a couple margaritas and ranch waters with Dulce Vida Organic Tequila. We were able to chat with Charlie, who was working the room like a champ during the dinner rush. Can't wait to go back! read more