I eat at both locations and am never disappointed. Enchiladas. Ceviche. Mex Martinis. Pescado Mojo de Ajo. LOVE to pick out extra garlic cloves from the Escabeche at the salsa bar!!! (Shhhhh!!!! it's my secret) read more

Just NO. Worst management I have ever experienced. Our phones were about to die so instead of using the QR code for the menus we picked from physical menus. Somehow we got physical menus that didn't yet have the old prices blacked out. Fajitas Rancheros were listed at $16. We handed the menus back to the waiter when we ordered. When the check came they charged $28 for the same dish. I asked the front of house and waiter, and they both seemed hesitant to ask the manager. The manager really didn't seem to care, saying, "the QR codes are the new menu, there is nothing I can do." I brought him our menus to show him the price and he still refused. I want to support local business but the complete and utter disregard were disturbing. Had we known the fajitas were $28 we never would have ordered. They were good but not $28 good, I mean we were sitting on patio chairs outside eating, c'Mon. This was a really poor business strategy. I paid and left. I'd rather go to Taco Cabana. Never coming back. read more

Polvos South - Receipt of overpriced and wrongly priced fajitas - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Loved it! Once in my life, I want to try a dessert at a Mexican place. It's always the same culprits...Chips and Salsa. I eat so many of them, that I can't even finish the entree. With really good selection of salsas at the salsa bar, I am sure that I will never be able to eat a dessert here. The food was good. Surprised to see a few vegetarian options. Their Caliente sauce was amazing...I think I can eat cardboard if it is lathered with that delicious sauce. Great service, amazing food. read more

Polvos South - Poblano enchiladas with caliente salsa are amazing - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

Food had promise but badly overcooked, plus found alien plastic piece in my fajita dish. Waiter was not too great/- too busy jiving, went by our table 4 times before taking drink order. After all that it was expensive, $30.00 for guajio fajita dish read more

I've been frequenting this place since we moved to Austin back in '05, and it was legit my favorite Mexican place. The food was delicious, fajitas that you can't get anywhere else, and a great salsa bar. The wait service was always a bit of hit-or-miss, but the food and atmosphere was so good that we kept going back. Later on, we moved out to the country, but we'd still make the trip there sometimes when we were in town. It became kind of a tradition that when I came back from a business trip, we'd stop there after the family picked me up at the airport. We had quite a few birthday meals there. Then came Covid, and we didn't stop by for a while. We finally made a visit, looking forward to getting some of that food. There weren't any menus and my phone was dead, but we know the menu pretty well. We just ordered and enjoyed our food, and yes, the service was kind of bad that day. Nobody came to ask if we wanted our drinks refilled, but the food was as delicious as it always was. Then the bill came, and I thought that maybe they gave it to the wrong table. It was around 2x higher than what I expected it to be. Partially my fault, since I didn't look at a menu, but $30 is way too high for a plate of fajitas that was less than $20 the last time I was there. I remember when they were $10. I get that prices are going to increase, but honestly, when I pay for a $30 plate of fajitas, I'm expecting something spectacular - and more than two tortillas wrapped in foil. I also expect a waiter to come and check the table once in a while when you spend $100 on a dinner for two people. The food is indeed good, but not worth these prices. There are a lot of options in Austin for great Mexican food, at a much lower cost. read more

Been going here for years cause I live in the neighborhood. The food is tasty if you order the right thing, but it's normal Mexican food. Their prices have Sky rocketed and don't seem to match the product. $11 for a bowl of cheese, and $4.50 added to your bill for Salsa bar. The exterior has plastic tables and blue encampment looking tarps as a roof. Sorry Polvos, but I feel you have the attitude that No matter what you present and serve, people will come anyway just cause it's AUSTIN There are many other places In Austin I rather eat at. read more

Fajita is a must here! Meat are so tender and juicy, and it made a fantastic combo with the caramelized onion and the melted cheese. Tortillas are freshly out of the oven, and you can get as many as you want from the tortilla bar. What caught my attention the most is the salsa. Man, oh man. The salsa here was one of the best I've had. Portion size was huge. I was only able to finish half of the beef fajita. But that may be because I stuffed myself with chips and salsa beforehand. The restaurant itself is spacious with a lot of tables available. Both indoor and outdoor seatings are offered. Surprisingly, I was able to get a table of four as soon as I got there even if it was for a Sunday brunch. Food are super delicious here. Service is great. I highly recommend this place! read more

Polvos South - Beef Fajita - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

Love this spot! In my opinion, they have the best steak fajitas hands down. When you order them for takeout, it comes out on the biggest tray. I have never finished an order myself and each time I can split the fajitas with 2-3 people. Love this place read more

EDIT UPDATE: OMG POLVOS WHAT IN TARNATION?! y'all please come to the 21st century and SPLIT CHECKS FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. I know Austin hates splitting checks, but just, like, update the system. UPDATE Y'ALLS SYSTEM. YOUR GUESTS SHOULD NOT BE DOING YOUR JOB. Not acceptable. I KNOW THERE IS OTHER SOFTWARE AVAILABLE. It's time to evolve. Also.....you may be understaffed? I KNOW y'all make enough $$ POLVOS! You are so delicious. Your handmade tortillas melt in my mouth; they're some if not the best in town. Your EVERCLEAR margaritas fuck me up. Shrimp fajitas = A REVELATION. However....your outside tables make you look a little janky....and there are always flies inside! I don't care THAT much because you have carrot pickles and queso. But maybe think about the table thing. read more

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Polvos is not the place to dine at if you want an authentic Mexican or Tex-Mex experience. You come here for the chill atmosphere, fun vibe, all you can eat salsa bar, and CHEAP margaritas. The menu is basically what you'd expect: large, diverse, and offering you all types of tortillas drenched in cheese. The portions are enormous, so either come really hungry or be willing to share. I had the fajitas al guajillo and it was actually pretty good! They don't hold back on the spice so if you're sensitive, be careful. For me, the spicier the better so I was happy. This dish is basically a twist on your typical fajita because it has nuts and raisins. I also got to sample the fish fajitas and though the fish was decent, the vegetables were amazing. Service is good, prices are super cheap, and if you're down to kill a bunch of $4 margs, this is your spot. read more

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We had high hopes for this restaurant. Sadly it did not live up to the hype- I was offered the choice- if I would like my tacos on corn or flour and was given FLOUR and when I commented to the server that they were flour and I specifically requested corn and she was insisting they were corn and left. * IF YOUR restaurant OFFERS A CHOICE- GIVE the Customer WHAT They ORDER. The server came to fill our waters and she put the pitcher of water directly IN MY PLATE!!! While filling the glasses. RUDE. I wasn't at all impressed with the store bought tortilla chips and lackluster service. read more

While this is a pretty place the food here at Barton Creek POLVOS is super different from the S First location. The food at S First has spice and flavor and stays true to their Mexican roots. We had lunch today at Barton Creek POLVOS and the food has been Caucasian-ized. They will fall right in well with the people that eat at Vaqueros down the street. Our server was nice and very accommodating, but we regret our meal. We will drive the extra couple of exits to get the Real POLVOS. read more

Over priced is an understatement! This place is so shady they don't even have the prices on the menu. We spent 124$ on a party of three - no alcohol and everyone got waters! The food was mid, and the service was okay. read more

I've been going to Polvo's on and off for the last 12 years and I wish I could say the food has been consistently good, but I sadly cannot. I went last week and the food was such a disappointment. We had the queso, flautas, and tacos and each item was lacking in flavor. The service, however, was great. Our server was kind and attentive despite the large parties he was balancing. My hope for Polvo's is that they are able to improve the quality of their food and continue to be a fixture in Austin. I really want them to succeed, but it's going to take a lot for me to return. read more

We love this place! Homemade corn tortillas and agua frescas. I'm a big fan of their fish tacos. We usually have bf tacos and they are all soooo good. I live that their food isn't greasy. Service is always great! read more

Local staple to Austin never disappoints. Margaritas and excellent Mexican cuisine you just can't go wrong with any of the locations. Two thumbs up! read more

I can't give them five stars because they are sorta dive-y BUT they are a five star dive all day long! Food is amazing, staff is friendly, They have a great salsa bar with pickled veggies that are to die for! Fantastic cocktails. Def a Texican experience to be had while in Austin! read more

Polvo's is awesome! Puntas de filete, big chips w. escabeche. Very satisfying before heading off to the spring. Great service as always. read more

Polvos South - We love you too, Polvo's! - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

Caution: the pitchers are delicious and dangerous. Rule: you have to sit outside. I recommend anything on the menu. You can't go wrong. The servers are always friendly and helpful. I love the salsa bar inside. I've never had to wait for a table more than 2 minutes. Someone will just pull up a table from thin air and boom we are seated lol. That's all I have to say really. Try it! read more

Polvos South - Cinco de Mayo celebrations - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

I come to this restaurant every time I'm in Austin! I would recommend making a reservation. Love the salsa bar!

I used to champion Polvo's, and would send out-of-town guest there often to get a sample of "old school" Austin; I'd recommend the ceviche and fish fajitas. Went back there for the first time since 2020; found out that expensive dishes had almost doubled in price - from $16-$18 to $30 for fajitas. Service had declined; and unfortunately the ceviche was now so bad I didn't even finish eating it. We've lost another bit of Austin. Won't be going back :/ read more

Stopped in for a quick lunch.. The prices have doubled and they changed me for the salsa bar, never been changed before. The service was slow with 4 tables..and the food wasn't that good. I know this is an Austin local business but Austin has so many other local spots that are so much better.. read more

I think this place is definitely worth a try. The food is pretty good; somewhere between Habaneros and Matts El Rancho. Prices are okay, though pricier than the aforementioned places (they charge for salsa). The vibe is unique; it's very very loud on the inside and a fairly small space. They have a decently sized outdoor space though that is awesome when the weather is nice. Either way, don't expect this place for peace and quiet. Pretty good selection of vegetarian fares. The line though can be extremely long, recommend going off hours or at least calling in to check on the wait first. read more

Disappointed. I used to love this spot as my local cantina - best margaritas in town but they've more than doubled their prices for smaller, pretty mediocre, dishes. My bill for 2 people - 4 margs and 2 entries was over $80 not including 20% tip. I know times are hard and I try to support the local businesses but this is just unacceptable for a casual taqueria. The staff are good - not overly friendly but do help with suggestions on the menu and work hard to get food and beverages out in a timely manner. Sadly I won't be returning. read more

The Good: The fajitas are really good! The standard beef fajitas are easily big enough to share and inexpensive considering the portion size. Pair it with the homemade tortillas that are so fluffy and you have something truly delicious. The service is also stellar, with very friendly staff to help you out. The Bad: The guacamole is not worth your time. It's priced pretty steep, especially considering the amazing fajitas, and it just isn't well seasoned. It ends up kind of just being mashed avocado (really needs some salt, maybe some lime). The chips are also disappointing. Don't waste your time with those especially considering there are such great tortillas in the corner. The Bottom Line: Some of the best Mexican food I have had. I love the tortillas and the fajitas and would definitely come back. read more

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Modern Tex-Mex joint with a great outdoor patio right on the greenbelt. Salsa bar is a nice touch and the food is fresh. My group went with the Queso and Guacamole to start: the guac is the much better choice. The queso was a bit watery. I guess I should also mention we washed everything down with a better than average margarita - definitely recommend. Overall, I'd go back for dinner, a date or relaxed day/night out. read more

Very good food here. I had the compuesta burrito. The service was a little slow. Affordable options as well.

As a self-proclaimed queso connoisseur, I was excited to try a new place in Austin. I live right by Polvo's and until now had never stopped in mainly because I know it's a little bit pricier than other options close by. I ordered the chili con queso and enchiladas de la casa. The flavor and taste of my meal was amazing. The queso was yellow/white and had cilantro, guacamole, jalapeños and ground beef. Great. The enchiladas, first of all, were enough food for 2 people! The taste was excellent. My only improvement would be to somehow improve the rice, it was the only part of my entree lacking flavor. If you feel like splurging a little on good authentic Mexican food, I would recommend Polvo's. read more

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Went here with my wife last night. The place's parking lot was full (always a sign of a good place) so we parked down the side road. We elected to eat outside instead of waiting for a table inside. They had a fan which made it very enjoyable. Atmosphere was good. You have three salsas to choose from to go with your complimentary chips. We liked mixing all three together. The food is decently priced but healthy portions! Drinks are good as well. read more

Polvos South - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Great tasting food and will not leave hungry. Service was good and a relaxing atmosphere.

I would like to start off with the good things about this place. -Great food -Nice servers -Hardly any wait for a table I think these qualities are incredible however the hygiene of this establishment is undeniably horrible. Dinner entertainment is nice, but not when it's flies and ants battling it out on the window sill next to my food. The bathroom..it was bad. I think this place has a lot of potential, but they should pay more attention to the cleanliness of the restaurant. read more

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Amazing Food!!!!Yum and nice decorations with the music and amazing smoothies!I would definitely go here all the time!!

If I could leave zero stars I would. Overpriced Mediocre food. RUDE STAFF. the worst service.

I have heard a lot of things about this about this establishment and how it is the best mexican food in town. I will start there. The food was delicious. Probably some of the best I have ever had. Everything else, absolutely the worst. I am surprised this establishment is still open with the way it is run. Service, waiting, cleanliness. Just all terrible. I saw my waiter sitting on his phone most the night we were there. We were literally ignored most of the night. I recommend Curras, or even Taco Bell. Probably be treated better and have a delicious meal without all the other waste of time crap. read more

Quite possibly my favorite Mexican restaurant in Austin. Strong, delicious frozen margaritas that are not too sweet or too sour- get them by the pitcher! The breakfast tacos are a big portion for around $4 each, queso is great with all the fixings. We love their interior-style Mexican fajitas with peanuts! Great selection on the salsa bar, favorites being the mole and the red. I dream about the homemade tortillas with whipped butter. The ultimate cheat meal is at polvos! Go! read more

Polvos South - Congo Margarita and Bloody Mary - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

Excellent TexMex. Spicy sauce was on point. Great vibe, strong drinks, great staff. Beware it's noisy, and not a date night place. BUT stay for some great tasting food. Portions are very large. read more

Definitely a good drop in place to pregame and munch! Got there at 8 -wait wasn't so bad- ate my body weight in chips and a variety of salsas (cause who doesn't do that at Mexican restaurants!?) ordered a pitcher of margs for the table and downed it with fajita plates! PRO-TIP: order your pitcher half house half frozen! No ice! That way when the frozen margarita starts melting it only enhances... not waters down! Ya feels me!? read more

Polvos South - Fajitas and margs! - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

Pretty Avg Mexican Spot but the queso and salsa are delicious. The service was great, a tad on the pricey side but you get a ton of food! I can't remember the name of the kind of quesadilla I got but, it was stuffed with cabbage, zucchini, squish,corn, mushroom and onions. It was HUGE and delicious. We also ordered the steak fajitas, queso and got the salsa bar for free since we ordered the large queso. read more

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Food was okay, the margaritas don't have much tequila in them and are small for the price you pay for them. The girl we had as our waitress was very curt and slow at getting things when they weren't even busy. We sat outside on the patio and a lot of the servers like to hide behind the wall and be on their phones infront if customers. Fine if you want to be on your phone at work, it's 2019 but not in plain sight! Will probably try the one downtown, I heard it was better. read more

Polvos South - Plain sight on his phone. Cool if you aren't busy but not infront if everyone... - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas

I had not been here in about a year and decided to eat lunch here this week. The food is tasty and plate portions are a good size but two things took me by surprise....they bring you chips for free but the salsa costs 3.99, unless you order an appetizer. I ordered the guacamole from the appetizer menu to get the salsa for free, but noticed that unlike the other appetizers, it didn't show a price. I ordered it anyway thinking for the small portion that was served, it couldn't cost more than 5 or 6 dollars. When the bill came, My jaw dropped when I saw that the guacamole cost $15. I felt like an idiot paying that much and not asking for the price first. The salsa was delicious but thank goodness I got it for free. This is the Polvos downtown location. Next time I'll just go where the chips and salsa are free. read more

Polvos South - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Texas