Matt's El Rancho Mexican Restaurant

Matt's El Rancho starts off with a great first impression -- their old Spanish style hacienda surrounded by large oak trees and lush landscaping. ... more

Very good service and the waiters/waitresses are very knowledgeable on what they're serving from the tequilla menu to the food they were great. 2nd time I've been to Matt's and the 2nd time I've been to Austin.\r Definitely a must do in my opinion. Pros: Very good service Cons: Closed on Tuesdays more

We visited Matt's because it was recommended here and we were shocked. The food was inedible. Their margarita was ok, but neither my date or I could eat our food. The tacos were cold and the meat was sour. Will not be back. Cons: food was terrible more

Hoo Hum, taste - as if our meal came straight from the can! Salsa was HOT & SPICY - you could remove dried paint from your driveway with that stuff. Atmosphere was crowded & Noisy. Not sure why because most of the FOOD was tasteless. Their reputation needs to be redeemed. This place lost its touch when Matt passed away. Pros: Good location Cons: Tasteless food. more

OK, this is one of the few places I have ben to several times since moving to Austin. My first time here I ordered the prickley pear margarita on a friend's reccomendation and was shocked when it came out fuschia! I was only slightly less shocked when it was delicious! My friend and I started out with the shrimp avocado ceviche which was uber tasty. I had some soup and an a la cart taco, both of which left me very happy. My most recent visit was even more wonderful, I practically had to be rolled out of there! I got the chicken fajitas with the grilled veggies mixed in and I am in love! It will take a miracle to get me to order anything else, it was SO good. The service there has always been good. My waiter the last time was very helpful and accomodating. Over all I give this place an A+. It was my choice for my birthday dinner and to take out my special friend who helped me move. PS-sit outside, its lovely! Pros: margaritas, grilled veggies, to-die-for patio Cons: i want more cheese more

Since my first terrible dinner at Matt's El Rancho over six years ago, I have never been back for any more food...it was that bad. The food ranged from below mediocre to awful, but the truly disappointing part was the way we were treated. The waitstaff was busy closing down portions of the restaurant and acted like we were putting them out because we wanted to order, like we had walked in at the last minute, even though we arrived at 8:00 pm, TWO HOURS before their posted closing time. As part of their closing procedures, they had placed tables and chairs in front of the doors to the restroom, and were upset when I walked around the tables and squeezed my way through the bathroom door--I guess they had already cleaned the restroom, and didn't want anybody to use it. Altogether a miserable, teeth-grinding experience.\r \r On the other hand, I have gone back a couple of times for happy hour margaritas. Their patio is relaxing, the margaritas are passable to good, and you can avoid having any of that terrible, greasy food. And don't get me wrong--I like greasy--I always order queso flameado with chorizo if it's on the menu (which is basically melted cheese and Mexican sausage--doesn't get much greasier!)--but the food I got at Matt's was swimming in pools of tasteless grease. Go for the happy hour, avoid the food. Pros: drinks good, patio charming, prices right Cons: rude/uncaring staff, poor business practices, terrible food more

Matt's El Rancho is a great place to choose when going out with friends. The atmosphere is a little loud but always fun, and the place is always packed - which says something! The food is good, true tex-mex, the Armstrong dip is a favorite of many, and the margaritas are good and strong. In fact, their strawberry margaritas are the best I've ever had - delicious! Just be sure to have a designated driver if you plan on having more than one! Sure you'll have to wait pretty much anytime in the evenings or on weekends, but I think it's worth the wait. :) more

I grew up with Matt and family... As a native Austinite, this is something that is a right of passage. The standard is the standard. God Bless the Martinez family for carrying on a great tradition. Get there early(or late) on the weekends. This place is a MUST stop while in Austin. Pros: It's Matt's El Rancho- Austin... The Crowd Cons: The Crowd more

We were very disappointed the past few times we ate here and are finally giving up. The food tasted like it came off of a Cisco truck yet we know it is their menu. Strange. \r \r This was one of our favorite restuarants for years but not anymore. We know other old regular customers that refuse to eat there anymore, too. Matt would be so disappointed, God rest his Soul. Oh well, we have good memories. Adios Joe and Mo. See ya around town! Pros: Good Memories. Cons: Food has fallen off the wagon. more

An Austin institution. It may not be the absolute best food ever, but the atmosphere and tradition helps.... more

An Austin institution. It may not be the absolute best food ever, but the atmosphere and tradition helps. The food is pretty good and from what I h... more

Very good food, I think the previous reviewer is crazy. I had a good, extremely strong margarita that left me pretty giggly. Nice queso and salsa, and my whole group enjoyed our food. The sorbet for dessert was quite nice too! Pros: inexpensive, not crowded, friendly service Cons: you might gain weight here! more

If you're a fan of Luby's this place is really for you and yours. Loud, assembly line mexican that is about a step or two above Taco Bell. Matt, when you left us so did the quality. Rest in Peace. Pros: Fast Food Cons: Fast Food-Luby's style more

In all fairness, the guacamole was good, but that was all that was good. The rest was tasteless and hidden beneath thick layers of sauces and cheese which all tasted the same. Definitely not the place it used to be. If you like high fat Tex Mex, this place is for you. This is not the fine Tex Mex the restaurant it still advertises itself to be. I could see the grease floating on top of all the cheese and chili. The butter they brought me for the tortillas was warm and came from another table. My husband ordered the the beef enchiladas and paid the price the rest of the night. I ordered the green enchiladas and two days later I'm still paying the price. There are much better Mexican restaurants in town that don't cover their greasy food with heaps of cheese, chile and fake sour cream. Try one of the many other Tex Mex restaurants in town. Your body will thank you. Pros: Friendly service Cons: Lousy food and slow service more

This place has the best Tex-Mex food in Austin. The best staff. If you like it hot go to Matt's and chill. more

This used to be a favorite place when I fist started spending a lot of time in Austin. But, the last few times were far from impressive, the last visit being - well, my last visit. We were there for lunch, and I got the luncheon relleno. It came with Ranchero sauce, but I asked for verde sauce instead. Well, I got the verde sauce, but they also included the raisins and pecans that normally came with the Ranchero. I think any decent restaurant would know better than that, or at least have the snap to have the waiter clarify the order. I might have gone back, but too many other favorites have pushed Matts out of the competition. Too bad, too, because I really liked going there. Pros: Nice place Cons: Average food more

Loud and too busy. We had to shout to hear others at our table. The place has gotten too big and the food has become bland and gone downhill over the years since Matt Sr. ran the place. It's a shame. My wife said the bathroom is usually pretty trashed out from all the bar patrons. We had to wait an hour and a half for a table recently while customers just sat and drank at tables. Seems more people go there to drink rather than to dine. There are better places these days to get Tex Mex, relaxed atmosphere and friendly customer service. Pros: Traditional Mexican decor Cons: Loud and tasteless more

I have been going to Matt's for many years. To Toroneg, the review that based his or her experience on the food 6 years ago, I highly suggest you go back. Sounds like you might have had a bad experience then, but Matt's has been under new management for 5 years and the food is outstanding tex mex. I recommend that you try it out again instead of basing your opinion on something that happened over half a decade ago. I go there many nights and NEVER experience the things that you describe with the waitstaff, service, food, etc. Long live Matt's, an Austin icon! Pros: Great food, drinks, and service Cons: Can be busy, loud, and might have to wait on weekends more

Unless you time travelled straight from the 1950's, you've got to know this isn't real Mexican food. It's a pity, because the decor is authentic and beautiful. Pros: pretty place Cons: fake cheese, bland, greasy more

The beef flautas with green sauce are the best!!!!!! To whoever posted regarding American cheese, that is traditionally used in TexMex!!!!!! :) I love their chips. The main drawback is it's loud, and the silverware is the cheapest stuff around. It almost hurts when cutting your food! more