mexican - The Austinot

Family and Interior Mexican Cuisine Are Heart and Soul of Licha’s Cantina

January 12, 2018 by Amanda Gagnon Leave a Comment

Licha’s Cantina’s colorful exterior welcomes you to the heart of East Sixth Street

I tend to be drawn to people and places that radiate a positive energy. Add delicious food to that, and I’m a loyal and devoted regular.

When you first walk into the old bungalow that is Licha’s Cantina, you don’t feel like you’re in a restaurant at all. You feel as though you’re in someone’s home. The interior is cozy and dimly lit, and there’s music playing in the background. There is heart and soul, and the energy makes you feel good.

Somehow you know you’re about to sit down to a delicious and comforting meal, like you’re at a family dinner. [Read more…]

Austin’s Top Chefs: Reyna Vasquez of Veracruz All Natural

November 28, 2017 by Yulia Dyukova Leave a Comment

Reyna Vasquez inside her Austin food truck, Veracruz All Natural

If we call Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue the king of Austin’s barbecue world, then can we all agree Reyna Vasquez of Veracruz All Natural is the queen of Austin’s taco world? Her name means queen, after all.

Veracruz All Natural has grown to four locations and an half-hour waiting line at the original trailer, and its migas taco is on Food Network’s list of the five best breakfast tacos in the country. The first trailer nearly a decade ago, which makes it easy to think the fame, devoted following, and lines have always been there.

In reality, Vasquez’ path to the top has been as challenging as it could possibly be for an undocumented immigrant with no money to spare, striving to bring the food of her native town of Veracruz, Mexico, to the saturated Austin market. [Read more…]

Tamale House East Bridges Old and New Austin on the East Side

November 17, 2017 by Jonas White Leave a Comment

Feast to remember at Tamale House East

Having moved to Austin about a year ago, I have trouble pining for the “old Austin” in the same way a longtime resident might. “I remember the good old days,” I commiserate. “When there were only two condos going up on my street, not four.”

As a transplant from the northeast, I’m admittedly contributing to the immense development and change this city has undergone in recent years. That’s not to say, however, that I don’t know an authentic Austin restaurant when I see it. With this idea in mind, I make my way past the new apartment buildings, the construction zones and closed-off sidewalks of East Sixth Street. When I want the taste and feel of old Austin, I go to Tamale House East. [Read more…]

One More Chance to Savor the Flavors of Mexico at Alcomar

November 7, 2017 by Samantha Saenz Leave a Comment

Flavors of Mexico Dinner Series at Alcomar

Alcomar takes us beyond tacos and margaritas with dinner series, Flavors of Mexico (Credit: Alcomar Facebook)

Tacos, tamales, moles, and tequila— that’s just the beginning of what’s on the menu at Alcomar’s three-part dinner series, Flavors of Mexico. Chefs Jeff Martinez andAlma Alcocer’s elaborate dinners feature five courses made with local ingredients. Each course is paired with handcrafted cocktails and spirits, to complement the fare and transport you deep into the regions of Mexico.

I spent an enchanting evening at Alcomar on Halloween for the second part of the series, Mezcales & Moles. Here are the highlights to whet your appetite for the final installment on Dec. 5, 2017. [Read more…]

Tradition Revisited During Sunday Cena at La Condesa

August 17, 2015 by Edgar Barguiarena Leave a Comment

Sunday meals in Austin are evolving. Whether its mid-day brunch to kick off Sunday Funday, or the “Sunday Supper” meals that seem to be popping up at our favorite restaurants around town, food on Sunday tends to take on a special significance.

At La Condesa, you get the best of both worlds with the Sunday Cena family-style seasonal menu from 5-10 PM, to complement their already stellar Sunday brunch. [Read more…]

Alcomar Takes You to Mexican Seaside with South 1st Eatery

May 29, 2015 by Erin May 1 Comment

Editor’s Note: To the community’s surprise and disappointment, Alcomar closed at the end of May 2018 due to a rental dispute.

A teal octopus swims across the facade of Alcomar on South 1st Street

Back to my old haunt: South 1st Street. When I wrote my neighborhood guide to this rich area, two painters had a ladder propped against what used to be El Chile. With a sinking feeling, I watched as they painted a giant white octopus on the newly-blue building.

Fortunately, however, El Chile has not disappeared—not exactly, anyway. The South 1st location now houses their newest concept: Alcomar. The menu is full of tapas, featuring primarily seafood, and each dish is delicately crafted with interesting and varied ingredients. [Read more…]

Taste of Mexico: Authentic Cinco De Mayo Event in Austin

April 20, 2015 by Edgar Barguiarena Leave a Comment

May 5, 1862. Mexican forces overtake a significantly better equipped French army at the Battle of Puebla in an unlikely victory. It was a symbolic victory more than anything else, but when Mexican miners working in California heard the news they were so overjoyed they spontaneously fired off rifles and fireworks.

And so began Cinco de Mayo celebrations. They became especially popular in the United States around the 1980’s, once marketing companies took hold of the holiday and gave us all another reason to drink.

Cinco de Mayo festivities in Austin range from community parties in local parks to block parties downtown. This year, the Mexic-Arte Museum throws its sombrero back in the ring with the return of one of its premier events, Taste of Mexico. [Read more…]

4 Favorite Spots for the Best Guacamole in Austin

March 27, 2015 by Erin May 3 Comments

It’s a constant search. Many dinners have started out in disappointment when the guacamole appetizer was not up to par. Many servers have looked at me in confusion when I ask what’s in their guac. Usually, that’s a tell-tale sign their guacamole is nothing too special.

Fortunately, I’ve cultivated a short list of guacamole you can depend on in Austin. It’s a work in progress, as there are always rumors to pursue about even better guacamole. But rest assured, the places in my list all have outstanding avocado dishes you can be sure will satisfy your craving.

Enjoy the best guacamole in Austin I’ve discovered so far!

#1 Guacamole Twins at Tacorrido and Takoba

Pair Tacorrido guacamole with Takoba’s molcajete salsa for a spicy, ingredient-packed dip

Editor’s Note: As of January 2018, Takoba has shut down to retool its menu.

It was purely through guacamole that I discovered Tacorrido and Takoba are owned by the same person—Austin resident Jose de Loera. [Read more…]

5 Places to Find Authentic Mexican Food in Austin

March 25, 2015 by Natalie Parra-Novosad 17 Comments

Tacos de lengua y pastor at Taco More in Austin

Many people come to Austin to partake in the food scene. A big part of what draws outsiders in and keeps them coming back for more is the influence of Mexican food, or more aptly stated, Tex Mex. Austin food has gained fame thanks to the likes of Torchy’s, Chuy’s and Trudy’s. Breakfast tacos seem to grow on trees.

But as we indulge in mountains of chips, queso and cheese-smothered enchiladas with frozen margaritas to wash it all down, we tend to forget about the real Mexican food that inspired Tex Mex to begin with.

So what makes authentic Mexican food authentic? Mexico is a large and gastronomically diverse country with flavors and modes of preparation varying greatly from the mountains of Monterrey to the Southern tip of Chiapas, so it can be difficult to pinpoint one or two ingredients that make up the real thing.

Nonetheless, the difference can be determined by the tastes that result from the combination of [Read more…]