Matt's El Rancho Mexican Restaurant

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2613 S Lamar Blvd (at South Austin)
Austin, TX 78704

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(512) 462-9333
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Matt's El Rancho Mexican Restaurant - Austin, TX
Matt's El Rancho Mexican Restaurant - Austin, TX
Reviews
( 15 )
( 19 )
( 4 )
( 3 )
( 17 )

Best

My wife and I went to Matt's El Rancho for a date night. Our waitress was fantastic. We really enjoyed the laid back atmosphere. The menu was extensive, prices were reasonable, ...

Worst

Over rated; living off ""name"". Food was VERY ordinary, I have had better Mexican TV Dinners. Wait staff was curt and unattentive. Very noisy, very rushed. Too many other GOOD Me...

Out of town Love affair 3/24/2006

I live in NY and my kids live in Austin. Not a visit goes by that we dont go to Matts. The food is AAA+ and the service to match. Thanks for an awesome dining experience ! Pros: Outdoor patio, Value for money, Great food more
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great price, BUT YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR 8/1/2005

ok to start I read many of the other reviews and thought this was a good idea. I was wrong, I had brisket tacos, and the BOB dip. Both were bland, cold, and NOT recommended. Also the house margaritas are terrible. My girlfriend had nachos and said they were good. For a mexican food restaurant in texas I wonder how they stay in business, it must be by name alone. I have had better food from taco bell. You may have some good luck here but I was very dissapointed. So so food with so so drinks. The only postive is that its not very expensive for what it is. Pros: price Cons: brisket tacos, margaritas, service more
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Not for tourists 6/16/2005

I was denied a drink (margarita) since my passport didn't count as a valid form of identification when I first came to Austin to visit, I've been in Austin for about 4 years now and I've told all my friends not to go there unless they have a ""texas driver's license"" they wouldn't let you drink without one!!! This place sucks!!! more
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overall-feels like home 5/11/2005

matts is a tradidition and all the regulars will agree. like any restaurant, there is always room for improvement. the chicken in the flautas is chicken, not turkey. so, what ever they were trying---who knows. the food is always consistent for tex mex-awesome fajitas, tacos al carbon, bob armstrong, and anything with shrimp. the best part of matts is you feel at home--you know what you are getting. yes, it does get crowded but if you are in a hurry-there is asonic across the street, right. with plenty of parking and a lively atmosphere, it is a must go.the satisfied greatly outweigh the dissatisfied. Pros: home, good drinks, consistent Cons: loud more
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My Favorite Restaurant in Austin 2/20/2005

I litterally eat here one time a week! Their margs are the ABSOLUTE BEST I have ever had- 2 and I am done! Strong and delicious! Great food- I've tried almost everything on the menu- Bob Armstrong Dip is a must, great salsa, must try the enchiladas and the mexican pizza. My friends say the fish is really good. Fajitas are most def the best in town. Abolutely heavenly Pros: Best Margs, Bob Armstrong Dip, Lots of Parking Cons: crowded sometimes more
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Best Mexican Food in the World 9/14/2004

Mine and my wife's favorite tex-mex place anywhere! Best fajitas I have ever had! Also love their chips (extra crispy) although my wife thinks they are too hard. Bob Armstrong dip (queso, beef and guacamole)is phenominal. Margaritas are excellent and very potent! You won't be dissapointed! more
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not ""good for kids""? hmmm 6/11/2004

The overall review says that Matt's isn't good for kids -- I disagree. As long as you go in before the lunch or dinner crowds get too dense, the servers are very accomodating of families' needs. Matt's is like TexMex comfort food to me - not sophisticated, but pretty consistent. My kids like it a lot, and I don't mind that it is ususally the place they ask to go when it is their choice of where to eat out. Pros: lots of parking, good kid's menu more
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One of our favorites! 5/21/2004

Great food and drinks. The fajitas are out of this world. Under new management over the past 2 years as well and you can tell the difference. One of our favorite places to eat and drink! more
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No Chimichangas, but otherwise great! 2/12/2003

The back patio is absolutely the best place in Austin to enjoy a pitcher of margaritas... Inside can get a bit crowded with lots of kids crying, but if you have some aspirin or a little patience, you will still have a good time. The servers are prompt, don't make mistakes with your orders, and will help you out with some napkins or extra guacamole even in the busiest hours. Pros: patio, food Cons: parking, noisy more
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Wonderful 1/31/2003

I have enjoyed Matt,s for over 30 years. First started eating at Matt's when they were located on 1st street. Never have I had a bad meal or poor service #1 on my list of Mexican food restraunts in Austin Pros: Food, Service, Cleanliness Cons: Too far South more
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GREAT FOOD... Service, not so good 1/10/2003

Besides Papasito's these are my favorite fajitas in town, well seasoned, definitely carefully prepared!! I love the food in the restaurant, the outdoor atmosphere is also great. The only thing that needs improvement is the service. Everytime I go I expect to wait at least 10 minutes to just get my drink order in and have to literally shake someone to get a refill!! Oh well, the food makes it worth it. Pros: good food, good atmosphere Cons: horrible service more
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TV Dinner Fare 11/9/2002

Over rated; living off ""name"". Food was VERY ordinary, I have had better Mexican TV Dinners. Wait staff was curt and unattentive. Very noisy, very rushed. Too many other GOOD Mexican restaurants in town to spend time and money here. Pros: ambience nice, good parking, crowded Cons: mediocre food, too small portions, hurried, surly waiter more
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Deliciouso 11/8/2002

This is one of the best restaurants in town. I love mexican food!! Pros: Inexpensive Cons: crowded more
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overrated and overpriced 11/7/2002

Though Matt's is a long-time favorite, it is hard to understand why. The food is good, but not noteworthy. The portions are small and way overpriced. more
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Used to be good 11/6/2002

Matt's when I first came here (about 12 years ago) used to have GREAT tex-mex food...but then something happened...since then, they have horrible tasting food and their prices are unreasonable for the food you get. The worst part is when I ordered chicken flautas and they had turkey in them. They tried to tell me it wasn't, but EVERYONE at my table took a small piece and said there was no way that was chicken! more
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Over-rated UT hangout 10/1/2002

Matt's is a place people go to because it's a UT tradition, not because of the food. Loud, slow service and um-imagitive food. more
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American Cheese, UGH! 9/12/2002

The service was terrible. Our waiter ignored us. He was more interested in flirting with the Hostess than in waiting on his customers. American cheese in Mexican food, ugh! more
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Fajitas are the best 5/14/2002

I love dining in the courtyard out back. The fajitas are the best in town. They use a soy-based brown sauce to season the meat. The margaritas are ok, but I've had better and less expensive. Pros: Ample Parking, Great Fajitas, Great service Cons: Enchiladas too plain more
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Menu for Matt's El Rancho Mexican Restaurant


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Editorial

  • Great Tex-Mex at this Austin institution! Kids who dont like Mexican food can choose from American stand-bys on the kids menu, but most...

  • 4/12/2013 Provided by KidScore
Additional information
  • Hours: Sun-Mon and Wed-Thurs 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11am-11pm
  • Payments: Visa, American Express, Discover, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: South Lamar
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