I typically go here for their knockout margaritas so I had yet to get enough to review. I'm not a huge fan of their quesadillas (essentially just their queso in between a double layered tortilla) but I got the traditional tacos this time and they were great. Crispy on the outside but delicious flavor on the inside. Obviously their knockout is a great way to get a night started, but I find that their other drinks are a little overpriced for not the best drinks. I got a skinny margarita and there was a pile of salt in the bottom of the cup and very little agave. I've had other experiences with good drinks so I'm willing to give them a pass. All in all- go here to pregame but don't expect the best food. It's a fun environment and definitely an Austin staple (with a wait to match) and they definitely know how to run a restaurant. read more

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

El Rancho is my favorite Mexican food restaurant and it has been since I can remember!! My parents have been coming here since before I was born. It's an Austin classic!! We always start with the Bob Armstrong Dip as an appetizer. It is taco meat and guacamole add to a bowl of queso. It's SO delicious and is always part of every meal we have at El Rancho. For my main dish I love to get the Asadero Tacos. They were named by TEXAS MONTHLY as "one of the 120 Tacos you must eat before you die!" They are two Beef Tenderloin Tacos with Grilled Asadero Cheese, Onions and Rajas in Corn Tortillas. They are a served with Frijoles a la Charra and Guacamole Salad. I cannot recommend El Rancho enough! read more

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This place is huge! We sat at outside under their patio cover so I didn't feel completely outside. We were served chips and salsa right away. It was off to a good start until we were ready order. We had to go find our server chatting it up at the bar area. She took our order and at the end when we were done again couldn't be found. Finally she came by we asked for boxes and the check. For some reason she had an attitude. Iliana- having an attitude with the customer is not good business. I was generous to give you 20% tip on the food. Regarding the food- it was good the flautas were over fried but had good brisket inside. Beans and rice were good. The queso hardened quickly. read more

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

My husband and I have been regulars at Matt's for 25 years, often going several times a week. We recently went on a Sunday evening to sit in the bar and watch an NBA final game while having drinks and dinner. The restaurant was not crowded and we didn't have a wait for our table. When we sat down we ordered one drink each (a beer and a margarita) and tortillas from the waitress. When she returned to take our food order we said that we would like to have one more round of drinks before ordering any more food. To our astonishment, she refused to place a second drink order unless we ordered entrees. One of the owners who has known us for years, was in the bar and my husband asked if she was going to endorse this--to our shock she actually said yes! We left and took our business elsewhere. It blows my mind that the owner of a business can have such little respect for 25 year loyal customers who have made her thousands of dollars. She was unable to use common sense and discretion in the situation. I think Matt would be ashamed. I understand having guidelines that are in place to help turn tables when the restaurant is overcrowded with college kids, but that was not the case this night; we had zero wait time for a table and it was not crowded at all. Unfortunately, we have decided to take our business elsewhere where we will be appreciated. If anyone has good Tex-Mex restaurant recs, drop them below! read more

There was something powerful about sitting down for a meal at Matt's El Rancho on the 4th of July--a holiday that, for many of us in the Latinx community, can feel fraught in a country still wrestling with white supremacy and the lingering ugliness of Trump-era politics. While flags waved outside, inside I celebrated my identity with chips, salsa, and something far more meaningful: food that felt like home. The air inside was a bit stuffy--crowded, loud, and warm--but it didn't matter. I ordered the Deluxe Dinner, which turned out to be the perfect way to explore the full range of what Matt's has to offer. From the rich, earthy tamale to the crisp taco and smooth chile con queso, every item on the plate spoke to a deep respect for tradition. This wasn't flashy food--it was food with roots, prepared with care and balance. And then there was Mathieu, our server. He was phenomenal--gracious, attentive, and intuitive, the kind of presence that elevates the entire experience without ever making it about himself. In a country where so much can feel hostile, Matt's was a warm, defiant reminder of who we are, and the power of simply being seen, fed, and welcomed. read more

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

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Anyone who's anyone in austin knows. They know this is without question the best Mexican restaurant in the city. The food is great. The service always stellar and the atmosphere is always vibrant and alive. This is the place you take out of towners. A must. read more

The place is huge so you get seated super fast even if you're 15th on the list. The food was outstanding. The salsa they serve with the chips is super hot. read more

Matt's is always good. Great food and great margaritas! My favorite Mexican food restaurant!!!

What is there to say about this iconic establishment that hasn't already been said a million times over? They are literally always busy like jam-packed and it doesn't seem to affect the efficiency or quality of service. Fantastic! The legendary Bob Armstrong queso is enough to put you in a tailspin of gooey cheese goodness like that you've never known. Great restaurant design and layout, big with lots of seating inside and out. The entrees are always pure perfection just like the cocktails! read more

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I love Matt's el rancho. A lot of people say it isn't the best tex mex but I'd argue it is one of my favorites and I grew up in Texas with a Mexican food obsession. Their Bobs queso's are freaking amazing. Sitting outside after a long week drinking a knockout martini soothes my soul. I've tried quite a few dishes but my favorite is the mahi mahi fish tacos with sauce. Hits the spot every time. read more

Got here on a Saturday afternoon around 4 PM and I'm glad that we were there at that time because not long afterwards the place became extremely busy. Four of us were seated promptly, and from there it kind of went downhill in terms of service as we just come in at the shift change and the first server seemed very tired, rude, and indifferent. The second server for the next shift had a hearing problem as the place was very loud with more and more people starting to show up. I had ordered the smoked brisket tacos and he heard that I ordered a brisket salad. Not sure how he got that mixed up, but it got straightened out. Fish tacos weren't too bad. The guacamole was quite good and the queso wasn't too bad. It was a nice dinner with family, however, the service could've been much much better. With so many other places to try while I'm in Austin, I'm not sure I would come back here soon. read more

I don't know how I did not know about this place. I always passed by them, lived so close to this restaurant and always assumed they have nothing for me as a vegan. Oh boy, was I so wrong. this place definitely has a vibe, a charm of a Texas Mexican restaurant. I love it. It gave me a cross between El Alma, Fonda San Miguel, which are my other favorite Tex-Mex restaurants. you cannot make reservations to this place online so you have to wait and while you're waiting, you can get one of their house margs - this place can get extremely crowded. You might have to wait for 45 minutes. Don't show up if you are a very hungry, but the wait is worth it. They do have vegan options and vegetarian options. I got their salad, which was very filling, I could not even finish half of it . MARGS really good, very strong. I think they should have a limit on how much people should drink Because two of their drinks will get you completely wasted so be careful overall lot of young Austin crowd. Apparently this place gets really full on Sundays for brunch, so plan accordingly. read more

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Lovely restaurant, colorful and very full of people. Plenty of staff. However, we were there for dinner, and added up the menu prices, after the fact, and found that we were overcharged at least $22.00 for our group. We added the tax and tip and the total that the server charged us was way over what it should have been. We asked for a receipt but she disappeared and after waiting at least 15-18 minutes, we gave up and left. So dissapointing that we were ripped off. I wonder if she added the extra money to the tip. We tipped 25 percent, so she should have been happy. You would think. read more

Food is good, service also good. But, we sat inside the restaurant, not on the patio, and it was HOT. Being uncomfortable diminishes the experience, almost completely. I read a review that said the same thing and it suggested the a/c might be out. But having the same experience myself, I think it's a business decision to keep thermostat up.... in July, in Texas. read more

When in Texas, we do TexMex! This a massive restaurant where reservations are recommended on weekends, especially at night. We asked the locals for a suggestion and Matt's El Rancho was at the top of their list. We started with queso and guacamole for the complimentary basket of tortilla chips. I ordered the taco salad with ground beef. I love that it came with a petite scoop of guacamole atop. This is a traditional taco salad as you can see from my picture...just the way I like it! We visited as a party of four, but this place struck me as a great spot for large groups or families. It's loud, but not in an obnoxious way...just happy, hungry people gathering over great food. Valet parking is offered or you can self-park in the lot behind the restaurant. read more

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

Literally THE BEST EVER!!!!!!! Margaritas are amazing-Bob Armstrong Dip sensational and every item on the menu is phenomenal! Gets a Huge Booyah on every visit!!! David T Sine AKA Coach read more

Always love Matt's!! Never disappoints. Food and service are both a special experience for those who love TexMex.

Came here on a busy sunday brunch. We were promptly seated for a group of 8. The servers were kind and friendly. They were quick to get us what we needed and we never felt rushed. The inside was massive but didn't feel overwhellming. There was ample space for multiple large groups of people. The food was above average. I wouldnt say it was in my top 5 of Mexican-American food, but overall it was good. If you have a large party, looking for quick seating and enjoy good quality Mexican food, this place is a good option. read more

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Food was delicious and wonderful as usual. However, I asked to be seated indoors because it was hot outside. It turned out to be just as hot inside. Seriously, I was sweating INDOORS. I scarfed the food down and asked for the ticket early so I could leave ASAP and sit in my car w/AC on high for a few minutes. Matt's is always busy-they should be able to afford an appropriate HVAC. I feel sorry for the waitstaff in their black pants having to work under those conditions. read more

When I was told they wouldn't sit an incomplete party of TWO (?!?!), I should have left but I stuck it out. The food was tasty, but the bar area was ridiculously loud. Nothing that exciting on the 2 TVs, but I had a hard time hearing my companion at my table (so loud the water lady brought me a sprite when i asked for ice). The Mezcal drinks were interesting because they no longer carried the mezcal that was shown in their bar menu and the waitress had no idea what mezcal was now being served. $18 for 2 tacos is a bit much in a town that offers 2 millions places to eat. If you want loud, this is your place. But try elsewhere unless you enjoy shouting at folks you are dining with. read more

Matt's El Rancho I really want to say something nice about Matt's but in full honesty, I have never been so disappointed :(. I'll start with the good - the service is amazing! The waitress we had was so kind. The queso that was recommended was also very good. The table side salad was also very good. Now, the entrees me and my friend had were actually bad. The flavor did not exist - the rice was mushy and the beans were bland. The "taco" that came with the Matt's Soecial was bad - lettuce was gross and again, no flavor. The enchiladas were also flavorless . I love the atmosphere and the spectacle of it all, but the product is very poor. read more

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The bad: we had a party of two meeting us in 25 minutes, we could not be seated, as partial party, even to order drink & appetizer, and the bar had no service, or stools to wait on; that was inconvenient. We were sat as two for drink service, and then closed out and moved with our remaining party when they arrived. Food, service, and drinks were very good. read more

Matt's El Rancho boasts about having the most restaurant seating in the city of Austin-- a claim that, as we were led to our seat on the patio, had some real merit. This place gives UT's Royal Texas Memorial Stadium a run for its money when it comes to seating, with about 12 different rooms each with 20+ tables each. On the same vein of cool things, our server was also nice, and everything came out fairly fast. That's where the good ends. My brother ordered the $42 sizzling fajitas (a luxury he could only afford because his girlfriend said she was paying) while I got the enchiladas and his girlfriend the flautas. Both dishes were good, but not great. The $42 fajitas however, much to the horror of our table, came out cold and unsizzling. Even the server seemed embarrassed to give them to us. There was a moment of awkwardness as we all stared at the cold fajitas before my brother made the acute observation to our server that they weren't, in fact, sizzling. Server mumbles something and brings them back in the kitchen, after which they came back a few minutes later hot and sizzling (a microwave may or not have been involved). Considering the price we found the quality of the food pretty lackluster, and I doubt we'll be going again. That said, it was nice to try it, if only to say we've been. read more

Matt's El Rancho - Patrick with his sizzling fajitas! - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

First timer and loved this place for the food! Came here for dinner with friends...they had been before and loved it. Chips and salsa arrived at the table a few minutes after we were seated; salsa is a little spicy but tasted great. My friends both ordered the tacos al carbon...not street taco size; 2 large flour tortillas stuffed with meat and all the additional toppings are served on the side. They both said the meat is seasoned very well. I ordered the shrimp enchiladas with refried black beans and OMG they were were delicious. Things to be mindful of: -No online reservations or sign up in advance to get in line (45 min estimated wait time) -Plan to wait to be seated; you can order drinks from the bar and sit in the lobby -it is very loud on the inside so plan to speak loudly with your guests -Service is pretty fast and everyone who stopped by our table was very friendly Definitely a must go to in Austin! read more

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

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Best Mexican food in Austin. We got the queso with beef and it was so delicious. I had a Prickly pear knockout margarita and it was also WOW (very strong!). My table split 1.5 pounds of fajitas and it was the perfect amount. The meat was seasoned so well. Busy place but for good reason! Our server was fast as well read more

Come here if you love mexican food! honestly, it's a very good all around choice for honest, hardworking tex mex. is it the most insane tex mex i have ever had? no. but does it get the job done? everytime! the sangria swirl margaritas went down way too easy they tasted so good. and i love a spicy salsa! their house salsa has a kick to it so do not come here if you are sensitive to heat. I had their famous asadero tacos and the steak on them was more tender than i expected. all in all, a super solid choice in ATX, I will come back. read more

People either love Matt's El Rancho or they hate it. I'm with the latter half. I've been to Matt's El Rancho a few times and I really tried hard to give it a chance. It's one of those "Austin favorites" that you want to like, but like dating, you just can't force it. Every time I've been, the food and service are pretty mediocre. I've had the Matt's Special, which comes with two enchiladas, a taco, and the fixings (rice, queso, and beans). The flavors were pretty mid and lacked authenticity. The highlight here is definitely Matt's Knockout Martini ($20), which comes with its own shaker and two servings-- an amazing deal especially in this economy! NOTE: Not dog friendly! read more

Went with one of my work teams to dinner at Matt's El Rancho last night, and it was great. We ordered some of the Bob Armstrong Dip and guacamole for the table, which were delicious. I also had the prickly pear frozen margarita, which was pretty good. I personally ordered the chicken taco salad and a cup of chicken tortilla soup, and both were tasty. Our server was friendly, and it didn't take long for them to seat our group of 9. I had made a reservation with Paul via email several weeks in advance. Would return here again sometime when I'm in town and would recommend to my other teams and co-workers in Austin. read more

An Austin staple! This place is delicious. One of the first things I noticed was how people in the restaurant knew each other - & didn't plan to see each other, same with staff! There is such a sense of community at this restaurant & it's beautiful to see. Our server was kind & food came out hot & fast. I see why this place is so talked about & we definitely will be back!! read more

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

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Craved for some Tex-Mex and overall was a great experience! The restaurant is very spacious with plenty of parking. We waited a short period as we had a large party and they would only seat you when everyone is present. The atmosphere was welcoming with friendly staff that made us feel right at home. We started with the Bob Armstrong queso dip, which had taco meat and avacados mixed in. It was delicious and liked by the whole table. For the main dish, I opted for the Asadero Tacos, which is advertised by Texas Monthly as "one of the 120 Tacos you must eat before you die!" It was a healthy portion of tenderloin beef and asadero cheese topped with grilled vegetables. It was delicious and glad to have tried it. I'll definitely be back to try more items from the menu. If you're craving some solid Tex-Mex while in Austin, this place is definitely worth a visit! Enjoy! read more

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Food was okay. There's a lot of seating inside and outdoors on the patio. The service really ruined it for me. My waitress was friendly but the hostess team seemed like they did not want to be at work and irritated. My drink was strong so that's a plus. read more

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

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As far as Tex mex goes, this is pretty damn good. I'm a huge fan of steak tampiquena, and they do it a little different here but no complaints, definitely very tasty! The queso, u gotta try it!! Drinks were great!! Lovely outdoor patio, perfect for a nice late lunch or early dinner. Our waiter was great, there when we needed him, but gave us time when we needed it. read more

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Matt's El Rancho came up a few times in my research of the best places to eat in Austin. My boyfriend and I stopped by on a Wednesday evening around 6ish and there was no wait for a table. I was impressed by how big the space was (recommend sitting outside.) Chips and salsa were quickly brought to our table and I was surprised that the salsa had good spice. We then shared a tortilla soup which was just okay. For entrees, we ordered the pecan smoked brisket flautas and the Matt's special. Again, they were just alright not terrible not great. The best part of the meal was probably the frozen prickly pear margarita. If I go back to Austin I would be interested in trying other Tex-Mex locations over Matt's. read more

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

The famous Matt's El Rancho! A renowned Tex-Mex spot, and for good reason! The restaurant has been around for over 70 years, and despite a huge setting with multiple dining rooms, a bar area, and outside patio... you can expect a wait (no reservations take either). The production of this place is worth a visit in itself. Perfect for an outing with friends! The service at Matt's was fantastic. My waiter was not overbearing, but ensured I never had an empty glass or plate. Very helpful in aiding me to discern the menu. Food came out quicker than I could eat, which is never a bad thing! I ordered the Matt's Especial with their own sparkling water. To be honest, the food itself was kind of bland, not a lot of flavor on its own (though I think that's just what Tex-mex is). The highlight of the meal is the Bob's Dip. Their famous queso with a scoop of guacamole and a scoop of ground beef. I was skeptical of such a simple recipe, and the appearance of it was rather lackluster... the taste? PHENOMENAL! read more

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

I'll admit that my expectations didn't start high, due to the nature of this being a local favorite that is nearing "fast food" type quality. The Bob Armstrong dip was underwhelming, yet we ate it. We also ordered the gulf shrimp fajitas to share, and while there wasn't a whole show of them sizzling on the cast iron en route to our table they were satisfying, and the brisket fajitas were just okay. I was impressed by the ranch water using Desert Door Sotol (local)! Service is fast-paced. A small wait of 15 min on a Wednesday night, sat down, put in our order, got our food and endless resupply of chips in a snap, and were out of there in no time. read more

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

We went Saturday evening and it was extremely crowded and overstimulating. We did get seated surprisingly quick (2 people) and food came quick as well. The service was 10/10. The queso was sooo and the portion was huge. The Tex Mex burrito was basically a big enchilada. Enchiladas were good but overall preferred the Tex mex burrito. read more

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Tried the Chili Relleno the other night, OMG - it was fantastic!!! Don't know why I have never tried it before. Delicious!! Chips were great, salsa great and margarita fantastic!! read more

The Bob Armstrong dip was the star of the meal!!! We all attacked that dip like there was no tomorrow. I ordered the fish tacos to share, they were flavorful and came with two different sauces. The meal was good and service was attentive for how busy they were. read more

Food was really good! Service was great as well. This is a very fast paced restaurant. You will get your appetizer and then your food 4 minutes later. read more

Matt's El Rancho - Ribeye Steak tacos. Arguably one of the best tacos on the menu. - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

It's been years since we've been to Austin and it's changed dramatically. Most of the local spots we used to visit were closed. Soooooooo, we found an old school Mexican restaurant that's been around since the 50's. Super cool old sign out front. And unfortunately that was the best part besides a good server. The food, super dated and you can tell they just pump it out to the masses. The margaritas, which they say are famous" are served in a shitty old small milk glass and hardly anything special. It's a giant restaurant packed with a mixed crowd. But the feeling of the place was a combo of tons of loud large families and tons of college age kids trying to get drunk. Our waiter at the bar was fantastic. That was the only plus. The place was dirty as well. Huge pass. Sorry. read more