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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We got take out from this place. It's all around solid tex-mex. Portions were generous and the food tasted good even as takeout. Had a margarita while we waited for the order which was decent. read more

What else is there to say except Bob's queso is a must!!! Don't miss this Austin institution the staff, ambience and of course outstanding Tex-Mex shouldn't be missed. Thanks from LA where we have equally great Mexican food. read more

We have been here several times and have found it to be a great family restaurant. Good atmosphere, food and service at a fair price. It can be a little loud due to the larger groups and kids, but that is part of what makes it a great place for family outings. read more

Asadero Tacos and Matt's Special enchiladas were pretty good and very filling (healthy portions, needed to-go boxes). We loved the Bob Armstrong Queso and they have a great cup of coffee! read more

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

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I have been to Matts El Rancho, more than any other restaurant in Austin. I think that speaks for itself. It's my go-to place for dinner. The food never disappoints. The service is always consistent. Always be aware that there will always be a wait no matter what. But the wait is always worth it. My favorite things on the menu are their Flautas, queso, taco salad with beed fajita meat, and fajitas. Matts El Rancho...I love you! Pros: food, service, price, drinks, atmosphere Cons: long wait (they honestly need to open a second location for how long the wait is and how popular it is) read more

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Terrible management attitude. Paul who is the Business Manager had a poor and rude attitude towards us when we complained that a drunk guy knocked a heater that shattered in thousands pieces near our table (thankfully the heater wasn't on and thankfully our kids didn't get hurt). He never apologized, was rude to our table guests, and told us to " chill out " when we explained we had 2 kids with us, 3yrs old and 2yrs old and they could have been badly hurt. No apologies, nothing. Whoever owns this restaurant should invest in better management employees. This place has been our place to have dinner on Sundays evening, but not anymore. read more

We came on a vacation and tried their famous Bob Armstrong dip (Queso) and asadero tacos. It was the best Queso I have ever had, and I consider myself a Queso aficionado so that's saying something. The beef on the taco was expertly cooked and seasoned. read more

It was a Tuesday night and my friend wanted to take me to his favorite Mexican restaurant, insert Matt's El Rancho! We came here around 8PM and the place was absolutely packed. This large establishment has a ton of seating and thanks to that we were still seated right away and our server was just fantastic throughout the night. The menu here has just about every single thing a Mexican restaurant should have on it and from what I've experienced, they do it all pretty well. For me, I ended up ordering the Tex-Mex burrito and let me tell you, it was a dang good burrito! The Tex-Mex burrito consisted of beef, chile con carne, cheese, and it was served with some rice and beans (what else would it be served with?). The burrito itself was delicious and I really cant think of a single bad thing about it, and the same can be said for the rice and beans, ultimately making it a perfect burrito. Overall, Matt's El Rancho is a top notch establishment was delicious food, friendly staff, and a great restaurant to enjoy if all on. Come check this place out! read more

Matt's El Rancho - Bow down to the burrito king. - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

HUGE restaurant that was recommended to me by a local. This restaurant has been in Business for over 70 years!!! We came for a Sunday dinner with no reservation around 6:15pm. It was PACKED. The hostess said the wait would be about 30 min, but it ended up being only 15. Their most famous drink is their Mexican martini (the knockout), which was literally 4 drinks in 1. It tasted like a very good skinny Margarita, served in a martini glass and with olives as a garnish. Their bob armstring queso was amazing. The menu is huge, but their asaderos tacos were listed as the "best tasting 120 taco you will ever have", so I tried it. You get two tacos and a side of pinto beans. The beef is so thick that they give you two corn tortillas per taco! It's topped with onions and peppers and has baked cheese as a base. I will admit that I'm not a huge steak taco person, so I didn't love the tacos. I felt that they were too chewy for my liking. But, if you like steak tacos, then these were great. Absolutely stuffed, we finished with their tres leches cake (my personal fave), and it was very light but so good. I can see why this is a staple restaurant here! read more

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The food was amazing as always. But honestly, the service ruined our time. I'm about to move from Austin to go back to school, and this was my send-off dinner with some of my closest friends. Early on, our server came by top off my friend's martini glass - when she grabbed my friends shaker, she spilled ice all over my friend's appetizer plate. Accidents happen and we weren't upset at all that it happened, but then she took my friend's plate and never came back with another one, and didn't clean up all the ice left on our table. Later, while we still had dinner on our plates, we were asked if we were going to order anything else. Wasn't a too weird question or anything, but our server said she was going to get our check. But soon after this, our group was feeling very rushed. I've been a server before and I totally understand trying to pre-bus your table and getting finished plates out of the way. But without asking, our server tried to take plates that still had food on it, twice. We actually had to ask her to give us a plate back because my friend was still working on it. She came by to use my shaker to top off my martini, but then she took my shaker away when there was still drink in it! Those are like $18 and I didn't get to finish it because she took it away so quickly, without asking. It's also my fav drink to get here, and the last one I'll have for years because I'm moving away. After being there for a little over an hour, me and my friends were still finishing our drinks (not trying to rush a drink when we're all driving, you know?) Then, they asked for me to squeeze into one table because they wanted to break apart our table to use for another group. Which I kind of understand, but we were still drinking/eating/celebrating. She had rang us up but we hadn't closed out our check yet. I almost wanted to order another drink because she took mine before I finished, but I was already feeling too rushed at this point. Soon after they broke our table apart and had me squeeze in, someone came to our table and simply said that they had a big waitlist and asked if we were done. It was just a little after 6 on a Friday, so I do empathize and understand, but this was my favorite place in all of Austin. It's not like we were there for hours just snacking on free chips and waters. We were just trying to have a good time with quality food & drinks & friends before I leave town for the next few years. So all in all, I've loved going to Matt's for a long time, everyone in my friend group has. But I'm really sad and disappointed about my final experience there. read more

Matt's El Rancho - The real name on the menu has the term "Knockout" in the title but they will know what you mean by requesting a Mexican martini. - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

I won't wish for Matt's El Rancho on my deathbed, but I like solid Mexican-American food. Service was good and the prices were on point.

I love Matt's and I don't care what anyone has to say. This is my favorite place. The wait makes the experience - you go and get your drink and sip it while you wait and get all excited for your meal and then you get seated and get the BOB dip and beef quesadillas. that's how you do it. Matt's Fan Forever! read more

Had this the other day and wasn't very impressed. We got the asadero tacos that were getting a lot of hype, quesadillas, and the queso. The taco fell a bit flat for me. The fried cheese didn't really add much and the meat was a bit tough and chewy. Did enjoy the queso but probably won't be eating here again. read more

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

Matt's El Rancho is a definite find! I have heard good things about this place and had to find out for myself... well, I'm just going to say the food was amazing! There is just something about walking into a restaurant and being able to see who and how your food is being prepared! The homemade chips and salsa was a great start with guacamole and the the beef enchiladas was perfectly seasoned! It's been around since 1952... and they are waiting on you... get there already! read more

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

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Lyft driver suggested this restaurant on our way to our first choice for dinner. He sold us (27f, 30f, and 35f) and we changed locations mid-trip. When we arrived (Wednesday evening 730pm) there was a 50minute wait. The bar area was packed but thankfully there was lots of space in the entry for folks to wait. Our table was called after 30min. Drinks were good. Nothing special, but good. Food was good - with the exception of the Spanish rice that was on the salty side. It may have just been a bad batch, but I can't believe no one else had complained and they were still serving it. It was a friends bday and they gave options for a free dessert (flan, tres leche, something else). It came out with a candle and 3 spoons. It was very really going. Moist without being mushy, and flavorful without being unnecessarily sweet. It wasn't my favorite place for Mexican food while I visited Austin, but it was good. read more

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Amateur here: Started with Bob Armstrong Dip which is a cheese sauce with ground beef. The chips were enormous. This matched the Sangria Margarita which is a high acid frozen slush without salt on the rim. It had a dry flavor. Main dish was Asadero Tacos. Yum!!! Order this. Asadero Tacos read more

Overall good place for their chips and the table seemed to enjoy their drinks. Otherwise food was too salty and would not return. At the table we had their queso, guacamole, taco salad, tacos, steak plate. They are quite large and busy so understandably service is very slow. Food came out at varying random times. Very large parking lot in the back so you never have to worry about parking. read more

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

Get the Matt's Knockout Martini. You won't regret it, but you may regret the choices you make afterwords. Also 1000% get the bob armstrong dip. You'll be doing a happy dance with every bite. I know I was. read more

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

Heard this was THE place for queso in Austin. Matt's El Rancho did NOT disappoint! We ordered the Spicy Bob which is the original Bob Armstrong queso dip, but with steak fajita meat and roasted jalapeños. Absolutely delicious! The homemade tortilla chips just added to the experience. Huge portions! We will definitely be back next time we are in Austin. Do not miss this place! read more

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

Matt's El Rancho is a classic for a reason. Even though they don't take reservations I don't mind going on the weekend. The restaurant is so big that it never takes long to wait for a table. Plus, where's the harm in sipping on a marg and waiting for a table? None. As far as food, there's really no going wrong, it just depends on what you're in the mood for. If you have dietary restrictions, no problem. read more

This was my first visit to the Austin area and my sister kept me well fed. This was our last stop on the way to the airport and it was fantastic. The flavors were perfect and the portions were great. The service was friendly and the prices reasonable. I love classic places that serve generations of families in their communities and serve them well and this place is a classic example. I couldn't even pick a favorite dish because it was just all so good.See you nexct time I'm in town! read more

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

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I have been dining at Matt's El Rancho for over 40 years. I have celebrated birthdays, holidays and other special occasions along with weekly dining choices. It is great Tex-Mex cuisine and is a wonderful environment and restaurant. The staff is incredible and feels like family. I love the food at Matt's. It is my favorite Mexican food restaurant. Yes, over 40 years. 43 years of dining here, to be exact. read more

Well, I don't know who Bob Armstrong is/was. But his namesake dip is FANTASTIC! As was Christina, our waitress. Great first experience here. Not a local, but will definitely return! read more

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

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1.5 out of 10 stars. Way overprice and honestly, just not good. It is literally just not good food. I would never pay to eat here, and honestly wouldn't take this food if it was free. Super disappointed and would not recommend to my worst enemy. read more

The menu says TEXAS MONTHLY "one of the 120 tacos you must eat before you die" I would say, one of the 12 tacos you must eat before you die. I've lived in California all my life. Mexican food is VERY different in Texas. The Asadero Tacos are Amazing. Thats it. read more

Your traditional Tex Mex. Stopped in midweek without a reservation and was glad to get a table without a wait. The parking lot was packed by the time we left, so anticipate a wait on the weekend. The queso was the best part is the meal but the chips were over fried. The burrito was average as well. read more

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

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Today we tried Matt's for the first time after hearing about it from multiple people. I wish I had gone somewhere else. The rice was so over cooked, the texture was horrible, mushy and inedible. Most of the food was under seasoned. The entree itself (chicken enchiladas) was just okay, nothing wrong with it, just not something to rave about. The beans were the best part of this whole $17 meal. The servers were all nice and friendly, they're fully staffed and everything ran smoothly as far as the service. But paying a $50 + tip tab for two people on food that was not enjoyable was not exactly what I'd call 'worth it'. Just save yourself the money and experience, go somewhere else. read more

Came here with a biiig group, got a long table outside. Margaritas, queso, and guac were excellent, but the rest of the food was sub-par. The house margarita was STRONG and not too sweet. I also had a cactus (prickly pear) margarita, this one was sweeter and had a distinctive taste, pretty fun! I would have been happy munching on chips with queso and guac (house salsa was quite spicy), but everyone was getting entrees so I got the fish tacos. These weren't actually tacos, it was two full-size tortillas rolled around fish with all other accompaniments on the side, including just 2 thin slices of avocado. The fish was bland, just tasted like salt and nothing else. Coleslaw was inedibly spicy even for people with high tolerance. Rice was average. Overall I only ate half the entree and had no desire to finish the rest later. Fun place for drinks and chips but better to stop there! read more

The good: Ample parking Pleasing atmosphere. Lots of light. Helpful friendly staff Spinach poblanitas were good The not so good: Parking spaces are very very narrow. Be skinny and flexible to get out of your car Chips were terrible. No taste. Thick. The taco was actually a tostada on same "chip" Paper Menu item description very tiny font. Be under 40 or use the online menu Matt's special was just okay House margarita in small wine glass over $9 General impression- Okay food with one entree good and one middlin to average. Nice people. Clean place. No hard feelings. No need to visit again read more

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

The wait here is horrible. Two people waiting thirty minutes and more for sub par Mexican food. Next time hit Polvos.

Amazing experience tonight! Was my first time in Austin and was looking for some Tex Mex. The food was delicious and our waiter was the man. He told us awesome stories about how he has been waiting there since he was 16 years old and tales about golf trips. He was the real deal! Wearing all gold rings and watch. A true local legend! He even stars in the upcoming film 'the long game"' with Denis Quaid! Biggest regret was not getting our waiters name! He was the man. Will have to come back next time in town. read more

I stopped in on a Sunday afternoon. The restaurant is huge! It was extremely busy. There was a 35-40 minute wait for inside seating and no wait for outside. We opted outside because we were starving. There were mist fans outside that helped with the insane Texas heat. The patio was shaded generously and where it wasn't so much, the fans blew directly on to people. This made sitting outside tolerable. Very nice outside patio. We were given water, chips and salsa until our waiter could greet us. Nice! I needed that water. Walking through the restaurant to the patio, there was no trash on the floors from all the traffic of people. One of the busiest restaurants I've ever seen. Only outside did I see empty tables. Those tables seemed to turn so much quicker than the ones inside for obvious reasons. PROS: really clean restaurant ( the floors and walk ways) for how busy they were. Our server was quick and checked on us often. I could easily ask any of the waitstaff for anything and they helped even though they weren't our server. The patio had misting fans which helped with the heat. The bathrooms were clean. CONS: the food just wasn't it! The beef fajitas were dry, tough and overcooked. The rice was flavorless. We didn't get enough cheese for the fajitas. The water cups given to us initially were DIRTY!! so we drank water out of cups with dried debris on the inside unknowingly. Our server replaced them immediately but the damage was done. An OVERHYPED Tex mex restaurant for sure. Doesn't deserve to be on the "best Tex mex in Austin" list at all. Maudie's, Lupe Tortilla, Amaya's, Chuy's...much better choices. read more

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

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Such an Austin institution, drinks - super good! Food - yummy , it's Tex mex people so don't expect authentic but it's good! Service- Chris was fantastic, was there this evening in the bar area. Ir was loud and crazy busy, yet he managed to give excellent service. Know what you're in for going here and come out pleasantly surprised! read more

The decor is really cool inside. I especially like the area with an entire tree. We went during lunch and they had great options for really reasonable prices. The proportions are huge and I left feeling really full. The servers were very busy but took time to check in whenever they could. read more

In a city where almost everything is new, this relatively ancient stalwart really stands out and distinguishes itself for it's longevity alone. An aggressively old school Tex-Mex spot that has nonetheless kept up and adjusted with the times. Old school fajitas and HUGE tacos, more often than not ordered on flour tortillas as per local tradition, share the menu with decidedly more Texas leaning items like native Angus ribeye steaks in two sizes served alongside classic enchiladas, and French fries given the fajita treatment mingling with spicy peppers and onions. Of course any table here must include the most famous and historic menu item, the famous Bob Armstrong Dip. Named, I believe for some locally legendary Texas pol of old, its a decadently Texan augmented queso dip made only more unctuous by the ingenious addition of ground beef and the house guac. The massive interior and courtyard spaces are perennially packed. If you want a taste of the classic old Austin that inspired the boom that eventually created the place it is today, for better or worse, this spot must be on the itinerary. read more

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+ (yes - 10 of 5 stars) Matt's is my favorite TexMex of all time, and that is saying a lot since I've been eating TexMex for 45+ years. Everything here is fantastic. There's nothing more to add - #1 all-time!! read more

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

The Chips are really good, they are very huge just one chip is the size of half of the tortilla. The service was good, they were very fast. The only con I can say about this is just it gets too crowded and it's definitely not a quiet place. The wait is very long as well. Almost a 2 hour wait but as soon as we entered they were pretty fast. The salsa is sooo good. 10/10 taste homemade. The queso was good. I ordered the chicken fajitas and beef I wasn't expecting what I received they weren't the typical fajita plate you order. They were more like homemade. I would definitely come back again. read more

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

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Decent tex mex but go for fast service, strong drinks, the asadero (grilled cheese & tenderloin) tacos. This place is huge so it's great for big parties and last minute plans. They also have a very large parking lot. Can't wait to go back and try more things. read more

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Oh my gosh this was the best Mexican food I've had in a long time. The service was great. Our waitress was wonderful. The chips and salsa are to die for. I could have just had that for my meal. I had beef Al carbon with rice and a cheese puff. It was so good I had the lunch portion and I couldn't even finish it. The plates are well portioned. We had plenty to take home for the next day. I would recommend sitting outside. It was so nice. I loved the patio atmosphere. The weather was perfect. read more