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

Came for my husbands birthday. Food was great and our waitress was great as well. The asadero tacos and bob Armstrong dip was so flavorful! Be warned the place gets packed and we waited about 30-45 mins on a Friday night which we expected but if you are coming from out of town, you have been warned! Also, if you have a party with multiple families, they do not split checks. We did not know this prior but ultimately it worked out ok because I covered the meal and we split it on Venmo. Wish we were told prior but not the biggest deal for such great food! read more

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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

Iconic dining. This is my go to Mexican restaurant while in Austin. Delicious, good serving sizes and friendly staff. The outside patio has a pretty koi fish fountain. Always crowded, fresh food and wonderful atmosphere. A+ read more

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

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Visited Matt's over Thanksgiving weekend after wandering around downtown. It was already packed by 6pm, but our party of three was seated in under 15 minutes. There's plenty of seating up front while you wait, which was nice. Once we were seated, the dining area felt a bit congested. The tables are close together, and I felt for the servers navigating such tight spaces. We were pretty close to the tables next to and behind us, so just keep that in mind if you prefer more elbow room. As for the food, it was okay for me, but I'm not a big Tex-Mex fan, so take that with a grain of salt. A bit too much cheese, and the guacamole tasted a little off to me. That said, lots of people around us seemed to be loving their meals. My partner really enjoyed his veggie fajitas, which came out sizzling hot. I ordered the chicken flautas; they were a bit soggy for my taste, but the refried beans, rice, and the fresh salsa were great. The salsa in particular had a perfect kick. Service was excellent. It was fast, friendly, and attentive. It's a large restaurant but gets very busy, so expect a lively, crowded atmosphere during peak times. read more

Always one of my favorite spots in Austin when I'm in town. When you're walking in, it looks like your average rustic spot, but, when you walk in, first thing I notice is how colorful the inside is, and then how friendly the staff is. The staff welcome you no matter how busy the place is, and once you're seated, all the wait staff are very attentive. My favorite queso in the world is the Rancho queso which they can make vegetarian, and if you're just there for drinks, you'll be more than satisfied with one of these for every 2-3 people. The poblano peppers and fajitas are similarly out of this world. I walk in with high expectations and I'm never let down. read more

Finally decided to try Matt's El Rancho after hearing so much hype and constant claims that it's the best Tex-Mex in Austin. I'm Mexican, so I didn't go in expecting authentic Mexican food, but I still didn't expect to be this disappointed. I ordered Matt's Special, and the taco ended up being more like a tostada -- not a huge deal, but definitely odd. The green chicken enchiladas were topped with "queso" that tasted like cheap yellow cheese, and the chicken was mostly dark meat with an unpleasant taste and smell. On a more positive note, our server was excellent and my margarita was pretty decent. I'm glad I finally tried it so I could see what the hype was about, but unfortunately it just wasn't for me, and I won't be going back. read more

Matt's El Rancho - Chicken Enchiladas - 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

Bruh. Texas Monthly lied to me, I most definitely did not need to try the Asadero taco before I died. Everything was wet?? The asadero taco itself had some sort of soy sauce taste, which is fine, but not what I expected. It was very rich to where I couldn't eat the next one. The brisket tacos were pretty good and the queso was your standard Tex Mex. Table salsa was delicious and loved the size of the tortilla chips. read more

Solid Tex-Mex!! Some fun to come here on a trip back to Austin. It's been years! They have an impressive menu of Tex-Mex items. They've even got quite a few things that aren't typical around here. My friend had quail. She loved it! I had the Asodero Tacos, something I've never tried before--delicious. We also started off with an order of Matt's fries, which are essentially french fries drenched in fajita meat and sautéed onions. Delicious! The chips are also spot on. So fresh! And the salsa is not wimpy. Service was good. Yes they are very busy. Always very very busy. We did have to wait a few minutes on a Wednesday night, but they actually seated us relatively quickly. Parking was challenging, but we did find a spot in the far back of the lot. They have several dining rooms. We were seated in the main one, I believe it was the original one. It's noisy. Seriously noisy. It's not a place that you want to go to catch up with an old friend unless you can both read lips. But it's a fun atmosphere. I'll be back. I always do. read more

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

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This place is always packed. It's become an Austin monument, and at one time made simple but fresh and tasty classic Tex Mex grub. Aside from the impossibly thin and crispy totopos, everything I have ordered over two visits in the last year has been mediocre at best, and physically inedible in effect. The "El Rancho Salad" features a little of almost everything: taco, enchilada, guac, queso. lettuce. tomato. Aside from the single enchilada served on a separate plate, the "salad" was more like a trifle. It was literally impossible to distinguish one item from another. The "taco" was a lone, bare corn tortilla, with its intended picadillo filling (cold and obviously not made that day) located inches away under a pile of iceberg lettuce. It took me a few minutes to realize that the broken corn chip shingle with a miniscule amount of melted Velveeta was supposed to be the "queso." The guacamole was there-somewhere. I only located it because of its distinctly green color. I was there at 6:00 PM on a random Wednesday. The service was polite but rushed and the waitstaff seemed to be under a lot of pressure. I had to tell a member of that staff three times that, no, I'm not finished eating and please don't remove my plate. It was a stressfully unpleasant experience, and as previously mentioned, almost impossible to consume what was served without treating it like a stew. The El Rancho salad was unappetizing, and none of the subtle flavors I remember were there. It was not prepared with care. and the sloppy presentation told me all I needed to know about quality control at Matt's these days. I've had better at Taco Bell, a place I've only been out of dire necessity. I'm truly glad that this place is successful as it is, but I long for the days when dining at Matt's was enjoyable. read more

Came here for a quick lunch after a business meeting. Didn't expect much from a Tex mex restaurant called Matt's and I was impressed. Service was friendly and fast. Inside is very cozy and warm. They have patio seating in the back. Chips and salsa hit the spot. Waitress recommended the Asadero tacos and boy am I ever glad I went with it. It was so tender and flavorful that I didn't add the fixings that came with the food. $20 for two tacos which is pricey but well worth it. read more

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Obviously as iconic as it gets, decor and interior very pretty. But food was very below average. Queso is just pure cheese with no other flavor at all, and it solidified pretty quickly. Quesadilla was average. Sopapillas were bad. The prices are pretty high too, and i get that you're paying for the experience but for the quality of the food the prices are too high. Glad i tried it once but no reason to ever return read more

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Yummy food. This place was recommended by the conference organizer. The food was good and they allowed us to each get our own bill. This is probably annoying for establishments but makes the customers life a little easier. Just an fyi- they do not accept American Express. read more

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

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Matt's is iconic. Have eaten there for decades. Service was great and the atmosphere just as it should be. L had a green pork dish and I had a chicken fried steak. Yes! At Matt's. Also had a great Mexican Martini. And of course, pralines at the end. read more

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The worst experience I have had at Matt's El Rancho, and I just want to say and clarify that this was only on this occasion because of the waiter named JOE R. Matt's is one of my favorite places with excellent service and delicious food, but this time I left with a bad taste in my mouth and a very unpleasant experience. It's also worth mentioning that we were celebrating Mother's Day, which made the situation even more unpleasant. La peor experiencia que he teninido en Matt's el Rancho y solo hablo y aclaro que fue en esta ocasión por el mesero de nombre JOE R. Matt's es de mis lugares favoritos con excelente servido y comida deliciosa pero esta vez me fui con un mal sabor en la boca y una experiencia muy desagradable. Cabe mencionar que estábamos festejando el día de las madres y pues aún más desagradable la situación. read more

Great service, friendly workers, and very hot temperature food. Nice ambience and quick wait times. However, I did not really care for the food much at all. The enchiladas just didn't really taste that good to me, almost peppery or some sort of weird spice. The tortillas, which I think were corn, were possibly the worst tortillas I've eaten ever. I took two bites and didn't touch the rest. Soft, floppy, and not a flavorable taste. Overall, I would say this place is overhyped. How I understand it is that this is an Austin staple and institution if you will, that's been around forever, so perhaps there's some nostalgia for those who have lived here their whole lives. But I probably wouldn't go back due to the food not really tasting that great in my opinion. But I will emphasize again: the workers were all very friendly, the service was fast and attentive, and they refilled my drink, chips, and salsa before I could ask, each time. So in that regard, it's a great service experience. read more

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I have to be honest, but the food was def very mid at best. The serving size is huge and the service was great. Very lively atmosphere with a lot of seating, def great for huge groups trying to find somewhere for a quick bite. Overall still enjoyed my time here but will not be revisiting read more

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It was, well fine for a Tex-Mex place. The chips and salsa were really good. Salsa had some heat. I had the Carne Gruisada, which was a bit dry on the meat and really lacking flavor. The rice, while seasoned correctly with cumin, was dry. No beans came with this plate. The flour tortillas were fine, and only two. It also came with an ice cream scoop of guacamole on a bed of shredded lettuce. Service was good and I got seated quickly even though the place was busy. The venue is very tex-mex restaurant. read more

This is a staple in Austin, Texas! You have to try the queso! Everything we ordered was great! read more

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

Tried this place while on a trip to Austin. Lived up to its hype. There is normally always a wait line and its a hugeee line. But good part is they have alot of space so line goes by fast! Their Food is legit!! We tried their faijtas and they were absolute delight! MUST TRY!! Great ambiance great service and really busy. read more

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

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Have lived here several years and finally got around to trying Matt's. Warning: they do not take reservations and there is almost always a long wait! They do have a bar with drinks while you wait however, and a large parking lot but I'd definitely recommend ubering. We arrived at 5pm on a weekend night and were able to get a table within 10-15 minutes for a large party which was great. Once we got settled we ordered the ground beef queso and some drinks. The queso was your typical mega Tex mex American cheese looking queso which was just what we needed. We got spicy margaritas that were good but super spicy, I kept swallowing jalapeño seeds which wasn't ideal but good flavor overall. For my main I had the taco salad which was decent but nothing special. Most people liked their entrees. Felt like a standard Tex mex Austin experience which is what most visitors and folks want so if that's the case you are in good hands! The restaurant itself was really pretty inside with some traditional murals and decor inside. It felt like an old Hispanic villa which was beautiful. read more

Not sure if the air conditioning was out or what but it was so so hot inside the restaurant. I thought it was weird that the water didn't have ice which didn't help the hot atmosphere. Server Jack was very attentive and helpful. Food was yummy read more

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

Great spot. The ambiance is everything, it is so lively and fun. Definitely expect a wait on a weekend but it went by quickly, and we got a Marg beforehand. The drinks were so good, the salsa was so spicy and yummy, and I loved my tacos! All was right in the world on the beautiful patio in Austin! Loved it read more

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Matt's El Rancho for lunch is the best! We went on a Friday for lunch, and service was fast. Liz was our server and she was friendly, attentive, and helpful! We ordered a margarita in the rocks, grilled tacos, the queso with meat and guac, and Arsado tacos(I think that's how they're spelt). The food was great and we had a bunch leftover. I loved sitting on the patio as well as I know for dinner they usually have like a 2 hour wait. I'd recommend going for lunch during the week and sitting with Liz!!! read more

Matt's El Rancho - Classic grilled beef tacos - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

Don't waste your time trying to figure out where to go in this town in trying to avoid "a wait" that you think you have at Matt's El Rancho. I don't care how busy it looks or appears from the outside (or inside!) just stay here and add your name to the list. We had out of town friends come in during a wild UT game weekend and although Austin had many of the opposing team guests and visitors in town who decided to come to Matt's on the day we did - it didn't matter! We had a wonderful experience and were seated very quickly despite how swollen the waiting area seemed to be. There is plenty of seating here and the building, from outside, is deceiving to the eye. So don't leave or go anywhere else because you will regret it. Food and service is always 100% here. We are consistently checked on as we dine here and the staff really care about you having a positive experience. Pricing here is super decent for the portion of food you get. Margs here are a staple in Austin so yes get more than one or one of the top shelf margs. It rounds out your experience and tasty Tex-Mex meal. There is always plenty of parking so be patient and drive around if you don't notice anything right up in the front. All of their parking lots, even their overflow, is all paved and easy to walk from car to the front door. read more

Matt's El Rancho - Beautiful Virgen de Guadalupe altar in the waiting area. Many local bands, such as Spoon, have taken album pics in front of this. - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

Great as always. Got the flautas and they were a 5/5! It's always loud and busy in there so just keep that in mind. Also, the watermelon mezcalita was very good! My boyfriend loved the tacos too. The chips and salsa are very good, but the queso is where it's at! Not sure which one we got but there was guacamole and meat in it. Soooooo good!!! read more

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

Prepare to wait a while for a table. Once you're seated, though, the service is very quick with getting your order and food. Matt's has a cute ambience, especially if you are seated outside. It's a lot less loud once you're seated and away from that front entrance! The food itself is okay. I ordered the Tacos Al Carbon and Tortilla Soup. Both were good but definitely not anything to write home about. This is THE place to go to simply for the quintessential South Austin vibe, especially if you've got out-of-town friends visiting. But the food doesn't separate itself from other similar Tex Mex restaurants. read more

Didn't have to wait too long for seating for 6. sat outside with plenty of heaters around. service was fast. food was hot and fast. queso was amazing!!! my tacos were fantastic. everyone was happy. patio is very accommodating and fairly quiet. perfect place b4 show at 04 Center. widh they'd bring back froglegs!!! read more

I was ready to come and leave a review about how this place is overhype but no... the wait was worth every second! Starting with the drinks, which they have so many different options and are delicious and wrapping up with the food. Probably the best Tex-Mex I have had. The service was super fast and friendly. Highly recommend the patio if it's not too hot. read more

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

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Service was great they just changed to having online reservations with open table to to avoid the long wait try that first. The menu is labeled for gluten free and vegetarian. One of my favorites in Austin been coming here since I was a kid. read more

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This old Austin institution is closing in on almost 2000 reviews. Not too many businesses on this road have been open this long except for the Broken Spoke a few blocks away. I have to admit, I've not set foot in this place in ages, so I decided to read quite a few reviews before arriving. Some key points that others have stated are the fact that they are not open on Tuesdays, tons of seating, bar seating, plenty of parking, no reservations taken, flies will join you on the patio and it's likely the business owner will respond to your review. Once seated, there's no fancy menu here just the 9 x 14" piece of menu paper which doubles as your place mat. I did like their red salsa which had plenty of heat as well as the warm chips, however, the chips are not very thin. Their margaritas are disappointingly small for the money and they have no craft or draft beer. If you're not a fan of refried beans, they do offer black and charro beans as a substitute. I recommend that you also ask for some of their fresh hot tortillas as well. I was surprised we were not charged extra for the tortillas or the bean sub. Everything comes out on facsimile Fiesta Ware (called Tuxton). I had the beef enchiladas and my friend had the Asadero tacos. For the money, both of these items are as good as any Tex-Mex you'll find in town. Service was on point, but we could've used some more salsa. Definitely a place I would bring friends from out of town to. When it's time to settle up, they'll bring the bill to you first and then later the handheld device with those predetermined tips. Check out our bill and the informative photos. read more

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Went in today for a couple of margaritas and famous queso. It was 2 pm and slow except the bar was full, so I got a table. Unfortunately, I only had 1 marg. I was told I needed to order an entree to get a 2nd. This is despite ordering a $9 queso. This does not seem to the policy at the bar btw or previously at tables. Been a customer for 30 years. It was a good run I guess. read more

I love to try enchiladas from the restaurants. This is one of the best ive had. I actually went a few times back to back. Good atmosphere, food, drinks. Waiting to go back. Only downfall is that it gets crazy busy so not enough handicap parking. read more

One of my favorite restaurants! Been going since I was a kid. 50 years later I still love it. Service is alway great and food is always delicious! read more

This is a big busy place. The outdoor patio is the best on a nice day buy the inside of the restaurant is spacious. This time a group of us at inside in the front room off to the left. That was a first for me we came early so the wait was short to get a table. They wanted to sit inside. Our service was slow but our waitress was busy and she made up for the delays as best as she could. It's a perfect brunch spot but also for other times like this one. Chips and salsa was available to nibble on and water. They have a full bar moderate price. I missed getting pics of everyone's food before they dug in but it all looked tasty. The fajitas came out sizzling and the portions are a good size. Matt's is one of the few places that have been in Austin for years and they are doing it right still. It's a great place for groups, families or a date. Bring your friends and stay awhile. read more

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

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Fun vibe but the food is mid at best! Ambiance & Service: Charming interior with a lively bar. Waited 25 minutes on a Sunday night. The host staff was a bit disorganized, but our server was friendly and attentive. Food arrived piping hot and fast! Food & Drink: The Cactus Pryor: way too sour, not enough sweetness--would skip. Guacamole: fresh with a nice lime kick, salsa was spicy and flavorful. Spinach Poblanitas Enchiladas: decent but nothing special. Filling was good, and the sides were well seasoned. TL;DR: Great vibe, friendly service, but the food doesn't quite live up to it. read more

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Love this place! We chose to sit at the small bar. Ordered Bob Armstrong' dip, a margarita and bottle beer. The margarita was yummy! Dip was great! I look forward to visiting again! read more

Matt's El Rancho - Bob Armstrong's dip, small order finished! Margarita with strawberry? Delicious! Salsa was spicy! Bar staff were very nice. - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

Amazing Tex Mex! Super busy but they managed it really well. Seating outside and inside is really cute. And the food is amazing! They label gluten free options which is super important. Definitely good I would go back. read more

Matt's El Rancho - Beef or Cheese Enchiladas, Chile con Queso - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas