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    Papalote Taco House

    4.3 (687 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Open 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    PAPALOTE TACO HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Papalote Taco House

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    Tinamarie R.

    Stopped in for some dinner after a UT football game. We were the only ones in the place. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant itself was very clean.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The young lady taking our order was nice and answered our questions about the menu. We ordered 5 different tacos and the chilaquiles. The tacos were okay. The fried avocado taco was really good but the others weee average. The chilaquiles were not what I was expecting. The eggs came out scrambled instead of fried and the green sauce wasn't the best. Don't think I'll be visiting here again.

    Pastor Classic, Alambres Taco, Tostada De Rajas
    Michelle B.

    Wanted some fresh tacos. I got them. I personally felt the need to add the sauces due to not overly much flavor. I liked the pastor the most of the three items I got. The napas was good on my tostadas. I felt looking at the costs it wasn't too badly priced. The service was a a bit messed up. My friends ordered a torta. She had a conversation about not the special yet was rang out for the special and got the wrong order at first. Overall once that was corrected along with drinks settled, we didn't mind it. I'd have preferred homemade tortillas but for the cost I get it. Overall it was a simple spot. Decent amount of seating and parking on the front and back.

    Fried avocado taco, no cheese
    Hannah K.

    Hindsight is 20/20 but I deeply regret all the time I've spent driving down South Lamar and not stopping at Papalote. It has all the elements of a fantastic everyday kinda meal: Affordable, unpretentious, quick, homey, satisfying, and healthyish (if you want). Vegan options are slim but solid. Best of all, staff are very knowledgeable about the menu and can help when in doubt. You can't go wrong with the hongos y espazote tacos because seriously, mushrooms topped with avocado in tender corn tortillas? Say no more. The fried avocado taco (minus cheese) though, that's a real prize. Crispy on the outside and buttery inside, they're perfectly cooked and properly seasoned. In a town of many tacos, these are worthy contenders. Don't make my same mistake; stop in early and often.

    Idk. But it was delicious
    Sabriya W.

    I really enjoyed my meal here. The food was hot and fresh and the frozen margarita was on point. Definitely giving an elevated lime experience.

    Fried avocado and carinatas tacos.
    Laura P.

    Good but not great. More of a traditional Mexican street taco taste and vibe, but I've had better in California. The carinatas was very tender but also very oily.

    Sausage, egg, and potato
    Michael H.

    Hadn't been here in a while and wanted to check out out again. Two ingredient (plus egg included) breakfast tacos here at Papalote Taco House for about $3 per. Good size. Good price. I did chorizo and pablano plus egg and sausage and potato plus egg on flour. Flour tortillas are OK. They need to be crisped up a bit more before serving. Good flavor. A bit thick. I love pablano, but I can't advise eating here. It isn't cooked enough and the waxy skin still it on. They need to char them, remove the skins, then put longer (softer) strips inside. Chorizo was fine, but the bad pablano semi ruined that one for me. The sausage and potato was a surprise winner. Nice chunks of sausage. Eggs are well cooked. Winner. Salsa Roja has a nice kick. Salsa Verde is mild, but fine. Pretty good spot. Will try again.

    Chile queso, not spicy enough
    Jodi H.

    Mm mm mm! Papalote is just as good as I remember! But what?! Did they get a facelift? I miss the old Papalote. I visited Papalote after 3 years, and it was in the same spot, but the store itself has gotten more spacious and they actually have walls and an interior. With 2 bathrooms! Gasp. I kind of miss the old Papalote with their crazy small kitchen, long line out the door, and tiny eating space. It just felt more home-y and like you were eating directly in an abuelita's kitchen! I'm glad they still have their trademark orange and green sauces (GREEN IS STILL MY FAVE) in the fridge, so don't forget to dress up your tacos. I got their Turkey torta (the Thursday daily special) and my favorite torta de coliflor AKA cauliflower taco. Their cauliflower taco still hits! Corn tortilla all day baybee. The torta was not my favorite, the bread was too dry and the mole was flavorful...but the bread threw me off. I thought I was eating part of a paper wrapping part way through. The name of the Papalote game is definitely their tacos. I do love that their daily specials come with an agua fresca, and I enjoyed the tamarindo flavor. The hibiscus also looked really good, but the gal at the service desk said their tamarind was the most popular one. The interior is truly really beautiful. There are so many tables for various group sizes, and they have clean bathrooms. Score! Lots of parking too. Will definitely be back to Papalote, but I'll be reminiscing of the good ole times.

    Esquite

    Went to try out their esquite. It was alright for the amount of corn no matter how much mixing not enough mayo cheese or sauce for a whole cup.

    Fish taco and mushroom taco
    Amjad A.

    Ambiance: Clean. Modern. One other person was eating. So don't expect a busy bustling type of place. Service: good Food: disappointing. Nothing interesting going one here. If a place has average food with average ingredients they should at least be a good value and I should leave hungry. Thats exactly what I did after eating to small street tacos and some rice and beans.... For $13. It's actually a 3.5 star restaurant. I'm just unhappy...and hungry.

    Al Pastor Classic
    Brenda G.

    We ordered bfast tacos here via Yelp/grub hub at around 10 am on a Saturday. The wait was short. We got a migas taco and two Al pastor tacos plus an horchata. The horchata was huge! Well worth the price. The tacos were not as big as I was expecting. I am a light eater and felt as I needed two. The Yelp/grub hub status said it would take around 30-45 minutes, but it was much faster than that so I would disregard the time in the status.

    Taco Tortas de Coliflor Taco
    Nancy M.

    This is my favorite location!! This is one of my favorite tacos, it reminds me of my grandmas cooking with the tortitas de coliflor I've tried and like the huaraches, tlacoyos, most of their tacos and desserts and aguas frescas are pretty good too! Place is clean, chill and staff is friendly and efficient. Nice neighborhood spot

    Eric G.

    Stopped by on a weekend for takeout the other day, and so glad we did! We've passed it maaaany times and finally decided we should try it. After ordering the food was ready in about ten minutes. Torta Cubano: soooo good and soooo filling! Honestly could probably feed two. Mole taco (forgot the exact name): would absolutely get again. Breakfast taco: perfection! Basically couldn't ask for much more.. generous portion sizes of well cooked, well seasoned, delicious tacos and tortas!

    Al Pastor Classic and Chorizo Classic

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    10 months ago

    Great breakfast taco spot, order ahead and they will be ready when you arrive! Delicious and a great staff!

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    Arriba Abajo

    Arriba Abajo

    4.3
    (321 reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$$

    We went here for the first time for dinner. The atmosphere was so welcoming and calming. Staff was…read morevery friendly and helpful from the moment we walked through the door. We was undecisive about what to order.But with the help of our waiter Statin and the Runner Q answering our questions and explaining in details what certain menu items were, we were able to make a excellent choice. My daughter went with me chicken quesadilla pizza starter, and I went with the caesar salad and added chicken.Food was very delicious and packed with tons of flavor. We will definitely be back again

    Came here for lunch on a weekday. So the place was very quiet. Only a few other tables were…read moreoccupied. Arriba Abajo as you walked in just gave me all the vibes of a happening place when you want to hang out with friends and have a great time. We ordered the braised ribs rolled tacos for appetizers. It was so fresh and kicking' with all kinds of flavors. I wish I had ordered another one. The avocado sauce layered on the bottom was just enough to keep wanting more. For lunch I ordered the Carneasada Fajitas with chimichurri and my husband ordered the Carneasada Taqueria. With my fajitas came a side of frijoles, green rice & flour tortillas. Corn flour was the other option. Both meals came in pipin' hot & the smell coming from both was very aromatic, zesty & spice. Amazing taste, flavors, just the right amount of marinade on the Carneasada with a hint of lime. It was so delicious while enjoying the ambiance. Our server was a delight and took very good care of us. We didn't order any of their alcoholic beverages since we were both working, but definitely we will be back to enjoy more food and try out their beverages.

    Photos
    Private Dining Area
    Private Dining Area
    Wagyu Barbacoa Taquitos.
    Wagyu Barbacoa Taquitos.
    Spicy Margaritas & Large   Format Cocktails by the Patio Fireplace

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    Spicy Margaritas & Large Format Cocktails by the Patio Fireplace
    Licha's Cantina

    Licha's Cantina

    4.1
    (845 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$

    Another fun place in Austin! Great Mexican food, great and…read morefast service and the mood here was so cozy and inviting- we really enjoyed our food here. So we were thinking of tacos or Mexican food and my daughter suggested this spot as she had come here with some friends and really enjoyed their sopecitos. I had never had a sopecito! What is that! So we had to try... We were lucky to arrive at the right time (9 pm!) where we got their last table!! Make reservations or something because this is another one of those places that fills up! So- we were taken care of immediately: chips and some very hot salsas were set on the table while we chose. They menu is in QR code format, but we asked and got paper menus as well. Well I got the chicken sopecitos , my daughter got the pork ones and my partner got the meat tacos. Everything was delicious, the food arrived promptly, the portion size was perfect and bountiful and everything was super enjoyable. I really enjoyed trying some New Mexican favorites. Next time I will try some other delicacies since I always get tacos tacos burritos or quesadillas: time for some new items on the menu! Enjoy!

    Could have been much better. Many of their dishes are very…read moresweet, instead of savory. Salsa was the best thing. Music was so loud in the back room areas that you could not even have a conversation with others at your table. When I asked to have the music turned down, I was ignored. Dishes were on the pricer side. We won't be back.

    Photos
    Inside view
    Inside view
    Cochinita Pibil
    Cochinita Pibil
    Side seating area

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    Side seating area
    Fonda San Miguel

    Fonda San Miguel

    4.1
    (1.4k reviews)
    6.1 mi
    $$$

    As a Texas native & Austinite, my boyfriend has been going to Fonda for years (they've been around…read moresince 1975 after all). I've only been once and it's definitely not gonna be the last time. In fact, we've got an upcoming reservation that's been on the books for quite sometime. They've managed to remain delicious, relevant and in demand 50 years! That's saying something. I'll tell you what that says...it says they rule! Reservations can be tricky to get but oh so worth it. The bar & atrium are fantastic and they boast a generous happy hour. The restaurant area and entire space are decorated wonderfully. Amazing artwork adorns the walls, they've got extensive art all about, vaulted ceilings and more. It's kind of like being in a hacienda. It feels like you're in Mexico. Truly. The restaurant and food are upscale without being pretentious. How refreshing! Speaking of refreshing...they've got cocktails and mocktails that will knock your socks off. I'm a big fan of the Nojito. My boyfriend loves the Mexican martini (it's primo). Let's talk about food. Wow-wee is it everything and then some. This is the kind of Tex-Mex flavor that sends your tastebuds into a tailspin of goodness! On our visit we did a salsa flight (we did 3 salsas), the queso (melted muenster and Oaxacan), Wagyu beef tacos, and chicken verde enchiladas. We did a spread like that in order to share everything. Food so good I'd give ten stars if I could. I can't put my finger on it but there's just something so special about the food, the taste of it, and the quality. It's just incredible flavor explosion bite after bite. If I had to guess, I'd say the food has been made with love, skill, and attention to detail all these years. Hence, their amazing reputation. Service is beyond compare. Hands down some of the best I've experienced in all of my worldly travels. Fonda San Miguel (Tzintzuntzan) is a dream come true! A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PS: They offer complimentary valet service-be sure to tip!

    First time visit. Food was amazing. Atmosphere a bit loud,…read morebut understandable. Had to ask for utensils after we got our chips & salsa. Server was good but had to serve over 15 tables with like 50 people. He did good.

    Photos
    Bar
    Bar
    Cochinita Pibil
    Cochinita Pibil
    Frozen guava margarita

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    Frozen guava margarita

    Papalote Taco House - mexican - Updated July 2026

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