Pao's Mandarin House has been a regular stop for me since the restaurant relocated to Lakeway from downtown Austin back in the 90s. In all my years of dining in-house as well as ordering meals to-go, I've never received a lackluster plate or anything vaguely resembling poor service. During all those countless visits, I've always been served precisely what I've ordered; that's an impressive, error-free track record.
Pao's menu offers ample choices for both conservative and adventuresome palates, and easily accommodates vegetarian selections. The staff has always been willing to alter dishes to suit individual preference, be it adjusting the level of spice in a given dish, or adding/subtracting/substituting ingredients upon request. In a nutshell: quality coupled with consistency and attentive service makes for a lovely dining experience.
Finally, I'd strongly suggest that the reader disregard the one-star reviews presented here. While no restaurant can guarantee perfection, Pao's comes as close to the mark as any fine establishment in Travis County. Based on my decade-plus of experience with the place, I'm highly skeptical of several of the reviewers' claims.
Pros: Diverse menu, wonderful plates and portions
Cons: Bit of a drive from Austin metro, but totally worth it
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