Food never is served within 30 min of order and is subpar. The tamales are the only thing I'd recommend. Salsa is served hot which I didn't prefer. read more

Great service By our server Kyle. He was super attentive and very helpful with the menu. AMAZING queso, chips and salsa. You can always tell a good Mexican restaurant by its chips and salsa. I ordered the shrimp tacos which were fresh and delicious . My mom ordered the relleno platter with an enchilada, (Rosa platter) also great. My son loved the kids fajita meal. Not too spicy for him. We are Mexican food snobs from California so I am happy we found a new place to become regulars at since we just moved. Delicious! read more

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I am mystified by how popular this restaurant is. It simply smells bad. That's unappetizing. However, I have friends who love the place, so I go with them. Maybe they can't smell or have allergies. I wonder what that smell is anyway and why they can't air it out. Oh well. Service is fine, people are nice, drinks and servings are ridiculously large. read more

Wait service and atmosphere were great. No vegan or veggie options on the menu so we ordered fajitas with no meat. They were very good! Came with a side of rice and beans that were WAY to salty. read more

My favorite Tex-Mex restaurant for many years and I have visited other locations in Houston too. Very consistent! I love the fajitas and the chips-n-salsa are super fresh and the servings are large enough for a couple to share. Great atmosphere and the wait staff are very attentive. read more

Very slow to be seated 45 to 1 hour not sure why there was so many empty tables. Hostess safe of 7 seen to have attitude like they are above everyone. Did not feel welcome. But stayed because the other couple we were with picked the place. We found a place to wait at the bar. No one came to ask if we wanted a drink. Not till the busboy offered us chips and salsa while we wait. Finaly got seat about 1hour15 min from when we arrived. We waited again to be order drinks and the guacamole to be made at table not worth it the young lady made it way to salty. And mind u it also too about 10 min to get our drinks and the guacamole. My friend husband order a whiskey on the rock and it came with no rocks my watermelon margaritas was not very well made. And then we Finaly order and or order came good was well made expect the homemade tortias the came to the table raw I ask a waiter if he could replace them and the look he gave me was undrescrible he made me feel to uncomfortable for bothering him. He replaced then but I just wanted to get out of there. I will stop here let's just say it was not a quality for 90+ bill and that was just for me and my husband. It's not about the money it's about the experience. I wish there was a way to give a negitve Mark. read more

Pappasito's Cantina - Tex-Mex Near Me - Austin, Texas

After a long day in Austin we were starving, so we stopped here. This is our fourth time eating at a Pappasito's, second time here. We first walk in Friday night to a women and man standing at a table singing, more like screaming. After we are seated we are brought crumbs that are called chips, soaked in oil. Then my water comes out with the requested lemon. I squeezed the lemon in , started to take a drink , boom, there's a dead fly in it. Waitress takes it away brings back water that I KNOW wasn't replaced simply because I could still see the lemon seed at the bottom of the cup. Then the women and man who was scream singing comes two tables away from us. Were they wearing a microphone or what?! Now we are yelling at each other trying to decide what we were ordering, our heads pounding with a headache, exhausted from the day, and so hungry. After looking over the menu we ask ourselves " were we stupid enough in the past to pay these prices or did they go up ?" $30 for 3 enchiladas, rice, beans were the cheapest meal on menu. I remember food being average, so no thank you. And given the crumb oil soaked chips, dead fly water and being screamed at would never be worth us walking through the door again . We motioned for waitress and excused ourselves. Pappasito's, get over yourself, seriously read more

So this was my second time here in the last six weeks or so. The food is good, but not outstanding, and for the prices they charge, the food should be a little better. ($100 for my wife and I for three drinks total, a bowl of queso, and two entrees.) You're better off going to Maudie's or Trudy's. The service was about the same: fair, not great. It's your typical chain restaurant - inexperienced servers and decent food. read more

Visiting Austin for work and went to Pappasitos for late lunch and loved it! We were heading to chilis next door but thought we would take a risk. So glad we did! The atmosphere was super fun but our server Robert really made the experience. He was super welcoming and knowledge able about the menu. A manager stopped by our table to check in on us and was equally as helpful and welcoming. One of the best service experiences I have seen in while! Loved the chips and salsa and had the Mexico city style soup. Really good fajitas also and next time will try the Margaritas. read more

I give it 4 STARS because the Fajitas were so AMAZING! I felt for a moment like I was in Cozumel.

Defintily will do a return trip. Great atmosphere,Full bar and plenty..... of great service. Excellent choices on the Menu. Service was so great That the waitress was willing to make an item for me that wasnt even On the Menu. Now how great is that?..." I ask" So if your craving some good'ol Mexican food Pappasitos Cantina I highly recommend. read more

Yes, it's a chain restaurant but the food is some of the best Tex-Mex in Austin. Pro's: Good food and an acceptable price. Con's: Never ending chain of happy birthday songs, weak and expensive mixed drinks. I like the food here. It's some of the best Tex-Mex in town and one plate is really enough for two height/weight proportionate people. The ingredients taste fresh and the food doesn't appear to have been prepared hours in advance and placed under a hot light until rewarming in an oven once an order comes in. The rice isn't hard, the lettuce is green and crisp without any brown rust and the beans are made with more ingredients than simple water, salt and pepper. I would've given them more stars, but there are some problems. For example, their mixed drinks are colorful, served in large glasses and are almost devoid of any alcohol. I'm an infrequent and light-weight drinker and ordinarily it doesn't take more than one for me to feel it. Three full priced mixed drinks at this restaurant only results in a sugar rush. If you're looking for a mild mellow then something in a bottle will probably do more than a tray full of their margaritas. The other problem is found at most any chain restaurant. It's the never ending wailing of birthday songs. It's hard to enjoy your meal with so many interruptions by reluctant waiters and waitresses to hammer out a birthday song while someone sits embarrassed in a chair wearing a giant aquamarine colored sombrero with sparkles all over the brim. Unless you're an 8 year old, a simple candle in a complimentary desert serves to make the event just a little special and is much less disruptive to everyone else in the room. At my last visit, we had to listen to it five times in the span of 40 minutes. Because of the crowds, the birthday wailing and the concrete floors, the ambient sound level is off the charts. It's not the best place to eat if you like to engage in conversation with other people at your table. However, if you can put up with the racket and you don't want to order anything from the bar, you probably won't be disappointed in the the food. read more

Pappasito's Cantina - Tex-Mex Near Me - Austin, Texas

place was recommended by a friend at work, went on a saturday around 3:00, it was packed. The place was too noisy, very small tables and not much space between tables. The salsa is bland, pretty much tomato sauce with onions, had better from a jar, chips were decent. I loved the food, fajitas were tender, both chicken and beef, loved their tortillas, very good for machine made. I had to ask for some roasted jalapenos since I like spicy food and the salsa made no justice to the food. I would have given it 4 stars except for the ambiance and bland salsa but I would definitely recommend getting the food to go and make your own salsa at home. The refried beans were better than most places. read more

The Filet Mignon Fajitas are great. They have a sauce that is amazing for chips that has sour cream, guacamoli, and chilis. read more

my first visit place in austin. I love this place! because~ Good service! Good taste! Friendly staff! Go !! read more

I so want to give this place a 5 but the price hikes over the last year or so make this highway robbery, even if the food is amazing. I've been to numerous locations across TX and this is one of the best in terms of food quality but seriously...I remember a few short years ago when a Beef Fajita plate was $12 and now it is almost $20!! I will also say the wait staff here is also pretty...aloof? Not rude or anything but they just sort of wander around like nothing is going on. I had this experience on multiple occasions. Anyways, the food is amazing. If you have money burning a hole through your pocket & time to kill, this place is awesome. But if you are trying to get bang for your buck & good service, I regretfully say go elsewhere. read more

This place rocks the bartenders Eric chris and Oscar are the best we will definitely come back because of them

I guess I don't understand the restaurant business. Walked in here at 5:00 pm and it was about 25% full. The hostess told us there'd be about a 15 minute wait. What?, there's plenty of open tables. We asked about sitting on the patio. No, we're not sitting anyone out there as there were 2 tables with patrons already sitting on the patio. Okay, whatever. We were finally seated after about a 10 minute wait. Luckily it was 1/2 price fajita night. The fajitas were fantastic, we had plenty left over to take home. The server was very good also. Overall a nice experience and I'd eat here again. read more

This is the worst place ever! Even with the reservations several days in advance we waited for nearly 45 minutes just to be seated and no one really helped us. I would never recommend going to this place unless you have two hours to wait even though you schedule the reservation read more

My favorite restaurant anywhere in the world. The shrimp brochette is maybe the best food in the world. Jump shrimp wrapped in bacon, stuffed with cheese and jalapeño. Then, they bring out drawn butter to dip it in. Try and stop yourself from closing your eyes in pure ecstasy as you take the first bite of this. Good luck! Such an amazing restaurant! The chips and salsa, beef fajitas, and so much more are all the things of dreams. You will not be disappointed. Enjoy! read more

I made reservations for Father's Day and even received a text verifying my reservation the day before. We arrived and it was closed. The least you can do is let those that have reservations know! Thanks for ruining Father's Day! read more

Great place! Amazing food. Margaritas and the service was absolutely spectacular. Nathan was our server and he had a drink in my girls' hands before they were done. On a Friday night which was crazy and numerous large parties. Great job and thank you again! read more

Got to say every time we go it's always busy and the food is normally good. But the service is pretty below par, place is never clean (bar smells) and the staff is not always the friendliest (might be because they are ALWAYS understaffed). read more

Food was good and our server was pretty good. The second time we ordered drinks it took a little too long to get them, maybe 15 or 20 minutes. I went to the men's restroom and there was a server in there, I think his name tag said Nathan, who still had his apron on, which is disgusting after using the restroom without taking it off. And also, while I was washing my hands he was washing his entire face and head all over the sink like he was taking a shower at home. Food was good but probably wouldn't return due to the cleanliness of their servers. read more

My husband and I had lunch here on 10-31-17 ... the wait to get a table was very quick... our waiter"s name was Stephen and he was awesome.. refilled our drinks , brought more salsa,they give u a big basket of chips ... the food was very good ... then of course had to use restroom and let me tell you that was the cleanest bathroom that I"ve been in .. this was our first time here and we will definitely b back... read more

Fajitas are awesome! I'm a big fan of their fajita wine butter, the portion is huge so bring a friend. They also support the Military with an awesome discount! Thank you Pappasitos! read more

Unfortunately a chain outside of Austin, but the best Tex-Mex in Austin. The Guadalajara plate is huge but the best. The service is right on with runners and servers. A warm salsa is a plus when adding it to already hot food. The only lacking point is the cheese they use for their queso, sets up too quickly and doesn't meld with the extras if you order them. read more

HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE!!!!! Don't go here! The food was burned, the waiter tried to rip me off for 20 bucks and the manager didn't care. This place USED to be great. No more. read more

Legit Tex mex. This was recommended by someone to us and it did not disappoint! The portions are huge and service was friendly.

Pappasito's Cantina (Austin, TX) Just received the worst customer service ever . Just got here for my niece graduation dinner in which we reserved and were going to pay for meals for 30 people in a private room . Only 15 showed up thus we asked to only pay for dinner for 15 and stay in a private room . They said no, sent us out to wait for a regular table with my niece cake and all . They told us they have a two hour wait and we have to wait for regular table . So rude ! My poor niece , there is knowone in the private room . Very poor customer service . She is here in her cap and gown with her Cake #WortCustomerService !!!!! read more

Was told we had a 30 minute wait time, hour and a half later we had complained 3 times and were barely being seated. Never asked for drinks while eating, waitress never showed up to see how we were doing. Horrible service. Never again... read more

I went to this place with my family, and we were so happy with the outcome! We used to live in California, and went to Anchos all the time. We learned that it was based off this place, so we gave it a shot. This place is a carbon copy. I was able to get a cherry coke, and the food was amazing. We got family fajitas, and the steak was moist and the chicken was seasoned amazingly. Our server was such a nice and accommodating man, and I would recommend this place to anyone I meet. 5/5, want it right now. read more

This my fav restaurant of all time.....no other place I'd rather eat!.....iv been going to this place since I was young and it's still my fav!.....can be pricey but well worth it! Def 5 stars! read more

Considering that I have been here no less than several dozen times for multiple occasions I may as well review this lovely chain. One of my good friends had her wedding rehearsal dinner here for a TON of people. The service was as always excellent and the food tasted the best it has ever tasted for me. This is definitely a great place to have an event as they cater to your every need and give you a private room or area. At times when my family comes into town we seem to ALWAYS get together here due to the fact that its quite in between for everyone, very central and the drinks are always flowing here. Patio space is nice but the highway can get a bit loud. More recently I went here on a business luncheon for work. Service was excellent for our large party, which was separate from the rest of the restaurant. One of my co-workers drank 4 glasses of tea and ate 3 bowls of salsa over the course of 2 hours...they continuously refilled everything graciously. However, I should have learned by now that the enchiladas are just meh, the rice & beans also meh. They have a very interesting take on their frijoles because they were semi refried yet semi charro tasting. The cheese was no good and don't get the meat sauce for the enchiladas, OR the chicken because it was some very dry white chicken. Its a good space for some drinks & close to downtown. read more

Let me preface my review by saying I made a yelp account only to leave a negative review about this specific location, the manager being the issue. My husband and I have been to both Houston locations and had nothing but pleasant visits each and every time. After relocating to Austin, we were excited to have some familiar Tex-Mex with friends. Our French friend was visiting us from out of the country. The manager refused to serve her alcohol based solely on her personality. I've never experience biased or racisim before. Especially in Austin, Texas. Needless to say, I'll never return nor recommend it and I'd hope others would think the same with the restaurant under the same management. read more

I long to write a 4- or 5-star review, as I have more than enough 3-star reviews, but Pappasito's just didn't ring my bell Saturday when I ate dinner there. I'd eaten at the one in Dallas a couple of times, like, twelve years ago, and I ate at this one once about five years ago. The one in Dallas is simply awesome. At least, it was in 1997. I remember thinking the one here was just okay last time, but I wasn't paying for it so I gave them a more charitable opinion. This time I ordered the Guadalajara meal. It comes with two cheese enchiladas, a pork tamale, and a beef taco. The enchiladas weren't too bad, but I've definitely had better (hello, Camino Real). The tamale was actually better than Camino Real's pork tamale. See, I had the exact same meal at Camino Real recently, so I can quite easily and boisterously compare the two. Pappasito's beef taco was a cry for help. The meat had onions and jalapenos within it, which I didn't like, so I concentrated on eating the upper part (cheese, lettuce) of the taco, which was no better than Taco Bell's offerings. Camino Real's beef taco was not a godsend, but it was definitely more palatable than the one I masticated (heh... she said "masticated"!) at Pappasito's. So see, Camino Real wins on two of the three items on the plate. Oh, and my forgetful waiter specifically asked me if I wanted onions atop my enchiladas. I said yes, but I didn't get any. I also didn't get the refried beans that were supposed to come with it. I'm pretty sure I got charro beans instead, which were disappointing. Speaking of my waiter, Drew... I ordered a Coors Light when I first sat down. Pappasito's offers three choices of Coors Light: a bottle, or two different draft sizes. I wanted the small draft size, but I decided to test my waiter by simply ordering "Coors Light". The butthead never asked me what size I wanted, and gave me a bottle. Fine, whatever. I didn't quite finish the bottle anyway, but it would have been nice to have been asked. On the plus side, Drew read my mind and brought me a glass of water. He needs to smile more, though. I couldn't tell if he wanted to wait on me or wanted me to go to hell. Perhaps he just has a reserved personality. Or, perhaps, he wanted to go home. The world will never know. Oh, and their salsa is like a suicide attempt: worth trying only once, only if you're really really miserable. I didn't so much mind it being very watery in consistency, but it completely lacked flavor and spice. The tortilla chips practically crumbled before entering the Lake of Salsa Hell because they instinctively knew how unappealing it was. I know this sounds more like a 2-star review, but the food wasn't quite as bad as "Meh". They get a third star for being better than Chuy's. I don't get you people and Chuy's. What is your fascination with that place?! The food tastes better on the way out... if you're lucky enough to induce vomiting, that is! I don't expect I'll go back to Pappasito's unless someone else is paying. I'll stick to Camino Real, my neighborhood hole-in-the-wall to-die-for Messycan restaurant. read more

Arrived to a busy restaurant at 3pm on a Saturday. Our venture out to Hop Doddy was disappointing when we saw a line out the door, so we stopped by here on our way home. We sat down and got chips with 2 kinds of salsa and some avocado-looking sauce. One salsa was warm and had no flavor. The other just had no flavor. Neither were spicy whatsoever. The avocado-y sauce was bland as well. We took this as a bad sign (along with the really high prices) and left. We went to Chuy's and had a delicious meal. read more

The tortilla for the taco was good other than that, no bueno. Got the "superior" which had a few items. The enchiladas tasted like soggy paper (yes I put soggy paper in my mouth once) and nothing had any flavor. I had two spoons of the beans because canned Rosarita beans have more flavor. Probably won't be coming back. (Oh and my server did a good job.) read more

While we not only go there for the great food, yesterday was a step above. We dined there with our 4 1/2 year old son. While getting ready to leave, our son tried to push his own chair out and a chair leg caught, thus flipping him and the chair over backwards (simple accident, no cause of the restaurant), but causing his head to hit the floor. However, between the patrons of this place and the multiple employees who came and checked on our son, including a server who was not ours, who came and asked if he could get ice for our son's head and took it into the men's restroom for my husband and son (wish I had gotten his name but THANK YOU), the manager who came over and checked on us and offered names if we needed anything (again female manager in black chefs whites, didn't catch your name ...i was in a bit of a tizzy) and others who asked on our way out of the restaurant if he was okay.....kudos! We'll be back not only for the great food but also for the hospitality! read more

Ok not sure what to think of my experience there. I am not the Mexican food connoisseur, but can state that in this case they are absolutely the most expensive Mexican food I have ever paid for, and in all honesty, when I want Mexican food, I am not thinking of breaking the bank in the process. So I pass by Pappasito's and think why not? Price is why. Holy shit! Was it expensive. So I am looking at the menu like one of those cartoons where the eyes pop out of your head trying to determine what to eat, not so much due to the selection, but for the outrageous prices. So I start off with a coke, which they got wrong, and I cannot blame the waiter as I am sure he got the right one, but they accidentally switched the spigots from Coke to Diet Coke. he waiter was cool though and swapped it out with a Dr. Pepper which was ok, but preparedness I will have to take a star away from the restaurant. 2nd star was for price. What a ripoff. The food was literally no better than any other Mexican food that I have had. Also the fact that they let groups of people migrate into the middle of the building is just degrading for the rest of the people that are sitting down and trying to have a normal meal without feeling intrusive. The layout of the place is no better than a BBQ style free for all. -1 star for that. The charro beans from what my wife stated (Who BTW is an expert) said that they tasted like ass as well as generally all the beans did. -1 star for that. The rest of the food was actually very good. +1 star. Overall it was not a very good experience and would NEVER recommend this experience to anyone else unless they severely dropped their prices. There was NOTHING in that restaurant that would warrant the outrageous prices that they were charging. read more