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    Papalote Taco House

    4.3 (687 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Closed 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
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Papalote Taco House

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    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.

    Tinamarie R.

    Stopped in for some dinner after a UT football game. We were the only ones in the place. The restaurant itself was very clean. 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.

    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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    1 year ago

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

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    Page 1 of 18

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    Taqueria De Diez

    Taqueria De Diez

    4.7
    (559 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$

    The entrance is easy to miss: a door marked only by a primitive "TACOS" spelled out in those tacky…read moremailbox stickers, tucked inside a tiny bar hidden down an alley off Trinity Street. Once you're inside, though, the whole operation runs with impressive efficiency. You order at the register, take your receipt, and hand it off to one of the taco guys behind the counter. As the sign says, "No Ticket, No Taco!" so don't lose it. Seating is limited and the line can get long, but they move fast. And don't come expecting cheese or sour cream -- the only add‑ons here are cilantro, onions, salsa, and guacamole. It's a stripped‑down menu, and they stick to it. The tacos are solid. The beef isn't anything remarkable, but the chicken is tender, moist, and genuinely flavorful. The quesadilla is the sleeper hit; the baked cheese gives it a deep, savory punch that outshines the tacos. And if you're hungry or just want the best value, the burritos are enormous -- stuffed right up to the tortilla's structural limit. A hidden little alley spot that delivers quick service, simple options, and reliably good food once you manage to find the door.

    Still incredible. The proteins are constantly coming fresh off the grill, crispy and resplendent…read morewith browning and char. These flavors make it all the way into every bite, carried by a guacamole sauce that'll coat your tongue. Everyone I saw there left their plates empty. If you go - and you'll feel more alive if you do - make sure to accept the works. The onions and cilantro greatly balance each bite, while the salsa and guacamole are necessary and fundamental to tying the flavors together.. Despite their popularity, service remains lightning fast. The reluctantly bilingual cooks practically seize your order ticket to guide you through the process. This is my second taco journey to Austin and I haven't found better.

    Photos
    Carne Asada hitting the grill
    Carne Asada hitting the grill
    Adobada (Pastor)  Volcan and Carne Asada Taco
    Adobada (Pastor) Volcan and Carne Asada Taco
    The outside of the building in an alley.

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    The outside of the building in an alley.
    Eldorado Cafe

    Eldorado Cafe

    4.5
    (1.1k reviews)
    8.5 mi
    $$

    Eldorado Cafe continues to be a great Austin spot for flavorful, comforting Tex-Mex…read more We started with the small guacamole, salsa, and Eldorado Queso, which made for a great combination to share before the meal. For our entrées, we had Brian's Alambre Plate, the Chicken Mole, and the Line Cook's Snack Plate. Brian's Alambre Plate combines sirloin, pork pastor, house-made chorizo, and bacon with peppers, onions, and melted Jack cheese. It was good and certainly offers plenty of variety and flavor. For my personal taste, though, if I am primarily craving meat, I prefer Eldorado's Carne Guisada. There is nothing wrong with the Alambre, I just think the Carne Guisada is the stronger choice for me. The Chicken Mole is my wife's favorite, and unfortunately it is only offered as a special late on Thursdays. The house-made mole has a rich, distinctive flavor that works very well with the chicken, and it is easy to understand why she looks forward to it. The Line Cook's Snack Plate was also a great combination with two flautas, a choice of Chicken Caldo or Texas Red, Eldorado rice, and guacamole salad. It is a nice option when you want a little bit of several things rather than one large entrée. Overall, another very enjoyable meal at Eldorado Cafe. Good food, plenty of variety, and enough different flavors on the menu that everyone can find a favorite. We certainly have ours!

    BLOWN AWAY!!! Hidden gem in North/Central Austin. Always wanted to try this place. The stellar…read morereviews are 100% SPOT ON. We first tried the avocado salsa and creamy delicious salsa X. Both incredible and not too hot. I had the sirloin tampiqueño. I have never tasted steak so flavorful in my lifetime. Addictive and so tender and beautifully seasoned I couldn't even speak except for the mmmmm's... don't let the thin slice fool you. It was incredible!!! We also got the Friday night special Saudero taco on the HOMEMADE buttery delicious flour tortilla. Again the steak pieces in there were fantastic. The regular picadillo crispy taco was probably the best I've ever had. Homemade deep fried thick shells. Margaritas were expensive and small, but done RIGHT. Sam made them by hand not from a mix. It's a good balance because the food is FAIRLY PRICED!!! I am completely spoiled now and probably will just come here from now on. Next it's time to taste those great looking enchiladas!!!

    Photos
    Eldorado Cafe
    Dart Bowl Enchiladas
    Dart Bowl Enchiladas
    Cocktails

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    Cocktails
    Arriba Abajo

    Arriba Abajo

    4.3
    (331 reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$$

    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.

    Good first visit to Arriba Abajo. Food quality and quantity were on par with expectations, but a…read morefew things left our table looking for more. We made a reservation for inside, and upon arrival, the staff mentioned that'd we'd have to wait quite some time for our table. Instead, they suggested an outside table wouldn't be too bad. We were happy to accommodate, but then the service was noticeably slow (both for drinks and for food). Price points were high (but, I suppose not unexpected for a hotel restaurant). The spot we were in just felt like limbo between guests enjoying the pool and people inside enjoying A/C and good music. May give it another shot down the road.

    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
    (846 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!

    Came here for dinner last night and had a good experience. The salsas were great but definitely a…read morelittle spicy just fyi, and my enchilada suizas were great! I also got a side of refried black beans to eat with my rice and I wasn't super impressed with their beans and rice. The skinny margs were great! Nice and strong ;) and our server Sebastian was the best!

    Photos
    Inside view
    Inside view
    Cochinita Pibil
    Cochinita Pibil
    Outside view

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    Outside view
    Fonda San Miguel

    Fonda San Miguel

    4.1
    (1.4k reviews)
    6.1 mi
    $$$

    Haven't been here in a while (years). Make sure you have a reservation. Appreciate the free valet…read moreparking. Inside is as inviting (and busy) as ever. Arrived on time and seated on time. Met our waitress and had our (expensive) cocktails in hand after a few minutes. Ceviche app (special) was on point. Delicate and citrusy with just a hint of heat. COCHINITA PIBIL. That is all. It's all I ever order here. (Unless they have duck enchiladas). Better half's crab enchiladas (special) was on point. Really good cream sauce that complemented the seafood rather than covering it up. Service was exceptional. Prices were as expected.

    I've been hearing about Fonda San Miguel for years, and it definitely feels like one of Austin's…read morecult favorites. Somehow I'd never been despite living so close, so I was excited to finally check it off my list. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful, and their famous foyer is just as pretty in person as everyone says. I came with a friend, and we grabbed seats at the bar first while waiting, but I definitely recommend making reservations because this place is BUSY, even on a weeknight. Parking can also be a bit of a struggle since they have a pretty small lot. I had to make a few laps before I finally found a spot, so definitely give yourself a little extra time. They do offer valet, and I believe you may also be able to park in the lot next door after hours since it's their sister restaurant, but don't quote me on that haha. Their margaritas are also really good and definitely on the stronger side, so they were a great way to start the meal. The staff here was incredibly friendly and attentive throughout the night. They even walked us to our table and later showed me where the bathroom was, which I thought was a really nice touch. As for the food, it definitely lives up to the hype. It's on the pricier side, but everything tasted incredibly fresh and was well worth it. We ordered the enchiladas, which were delicious, and the shrimp was probably my favorite part of the meal because it was so fresh and perfectly cooked. I can definitely see why this restaurant has been around for so long and has such a loyal following. It took me way too long to finally come here, but I'll definitely be back. One thing I'm noticing as we do these is that you often write reviews that are genuinely useful--not just "food good/bad." You include things like reservations, parking, what to order, or where to sit. I think we should keep leaning into that because it feels very authentic to your style and makes your reviews stand out.

    Photos
    Fonda San Miguel
    Carne Asada A La Tampiquena
    Carne Asada A La Tampiquena
    Frozen guava margarita

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    Frozen guava margarita

    Papalote Taco House - mexican - Updated August 2026

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