I’ve been here for brunch before and was not impressed but recently went for dinner and was blown away by the duck enmoladas! I also tried a couple of their frozen margaritas: avocado and coconut, but both were liquidy and felt like I was drinking cottage cheese. They need to use more ice or fix their margarita maker.
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Duck Enmoladas
Andre Matsushima Teixeira
A bit too noisy for us
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lauren S.
Some comedy and dinner at one of Barton Creek's legendary gems. Always helps to have a reservation these days... our table was ready and waiting. A fun and energetic hum with lots of people dining and waiting for dinner. Host and server were friendly and welcoming. Started with some Queso Fundido (added poblanos, mushrooms and onions)... who doesn't love melted cheese and fresh tortillas? Shrimp and Crab Rellenos were perfection. Silky smooth sauce and I love rellenos that hasn't been deep fried or stuffed with rice. Swapped out the beans for some slaw and corn pudding topped it off. My friend had the duck enchiladas, and she enjoyed every bite. We swapped some tasters and agreed everything was delicious from beginning to end.
N. H.
Based on number of reviews and pictures, I definitely wanted to try this place out as I was in the area. We didn't reserve ahead of time, as it was a last minute idea. 45-minute wait on a Saturday evening at 6pm, which I didn't mind at the time because I had high expectations and persuaded the others to stay. Restaurant parking, good luck. Very limited spaces on an incline. Reminds me of San Francisco, except it's not parallel parking. We were seated outdoors on the patio with a semi-view of downtown. That was lovely as the weather was perfect for it. Complimentary chips and salsa were great--we were hungry! The red salsa had a nice kick to it! We devoured the chips before our food came out and the refill of chips didn't come out until after our food already came out. Ordered Carne Asada + Gringas, Shrimp and Crab Rellenos, Tinga de Pollo + Mole Verde Enchiladas for a variety of tastes and textures. The food was decent. Unfortunately, not as amazing as I was hoping it would be. But, the corn bread that came with the rellenos was sweetly delicious! Sad to say, but flavor-wise I only enjoyed the red salsa and the corn bread. If you have a reservation, yes--give it a try. If you're a walk-in and have to wait more than 15 min--pass.
Josiah Biggs
There's just so much better Tex-Mex/Mexican in Austin. Idk why you'd want to come here.I went fancy with a Duck Chili Relleno, and it was... eh. Not worth the price.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
TERONICA BLAIR
Love the rooftop dining, and the food was amazing. I can't get enough of the lamb chops
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa, Jalapeno Crab Queso, Carne Asada
Erica M.
I have been to El Alma so many times and I don't know why I'm just now reviewing it. It is absolutely one of my go-to restaurants in ATX, and it's always fabulous. A few tips: 1) even though there's always a wait for the upstairs patio, it's worth it for the cool stone stairs and that view, even in deepest Summer. (Beware the uneven steps on the way down, though, after a couple of drinks!) 2) Trust me on this and try the duck tacos - they are amazing (no they would not normally be my first choice either), 3) Pretty much anything with pumpkin seeds in it is gonna be good - I think they spray them with crack cocaine, 4) CEVICHE!!! Yassss. They make their own tortilla chips to go with it. And, on top of all of that, they have fun, inventive cocktails made with fresh with Mexican ingredients. All around, this place is always a win, unless it's SXSW-crowded.
Cathy Winfrey
The food was excellent.The service was timely, diligent and flawless.The noise was so great I could not hear what my dining companion was saying unless he shouted directly into my ear.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marcus Harris
Nice little roof top fast casual restaurant. Food was delicious.
Long waiting time on a sunday afternoon, we waited 30 mins to get our seats and another 30 mins for the meals to be served. The food was great but small portions, slightly on the expensive side.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christopher Graham
Good vegan options. I got the veggie enchilada and subbed the queso with guacamole and a mole verde sauce.Vegetarian options: Have to make modifications for vegan options, but there are plenty of vegetarian options. I wish they had a vegan menu though so it would make it easier to us to order.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sam R.
Bartender is so rude didn't even greet us just looked at us and as soon as we would try to get their attention they would look a way. Lost some good money u idiots.
Chuck Calhoun
Omg. Our service was incredible. A lovely young woman with killer eye makeup named Chyna who really knows how to provide a great customer experience. I would hire her for any job. She will be successful regardless of career path. And…. The food is amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joe Vega
Lovely stylish restaurant in the heart of Austin. This place is worth the wait. The view from the rooftop was also nice. Great service. Nice quality chips and guac. The arranchera was just okay. Missing a flavor unfortunately but it was cooked well. The fish was nice.
Small portions but good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’ve been here for brunch before and was not impressed but recently went for dinner and was blown away by the duck enmoladas! I also tried a couple of their frozen margaritas: avocado and coconut, but both were liquidy and felt like I was drinking cottage cheese. They need to use more ice or fix their margarita maker.
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Duck Enmoladas
A bit too noisy for us
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Some comedy and dinner at one of Barton Creek's legendary gems. Always helps to have a reservation these days... our table was ready and waiting. A fun and energetic hum with lots of people dining and waiting for dinner. Host and server were friendly and welcoming. Started with some Queso Fundido (added poblanos, mushrooms and onions)... who doesn't love melted cheese and fresh tortillas? Shrimp and Crab Rellenos were perfection. Silky smooth sauce and I love rellenos that hasn't been deep fried or stuffed with rice. Swapped out the beans for some slaw and corn pudding topped it off. My friend had the duck enchiladas, and she enjoyed every bite. We swapped some tasters and agreed everything was delicious from beginning to end.
Based on number of reviews and pictures, I definitely wanted to try this place out as I was in the area. We didn't reserve ahead of time, as it was a last minute idea. 45-minute wait on a Saturday evening at 6pm, which I didn't mind at the time because I had high expectations and persuaded the others to stay. Restaurant parking, good luck. Very limited spaces on an incline. Reminds me of San Francisco, except it's not parallel parking. We were seated outdoors on the patio with a semi-view of downtown. That was lovely as the weather was perfect for it. Complimentary chips and salsa were great--we were hungry! The red salsa had a nice kick to it! We devoured the chips before our food came out and the refill of chips didn't come out until after our food already came out. Ordered Carne Asada + Gringas, Shrimp and Crab Rellenos, Tinga de Pollo + Mole Verde Enchiladas for a variety of tastes and textures. The food was decent. Unfortunately, not as amazing as I was hoping it would be. But, the corn bread that came with the rellenos was sweetly delicious! Sad to say, but flavor-wise I only enjoyed the red salsa and the corn bread. If you have a reservation, yes--give it a try. If you're a walk-in and have to wait more than 15 min--pass.
There's just so much better Tex-Mex/Mexican in Austin. Idk why you'd want to come here.I went fancy with a Duck Chili Relleno, and it was... eh. Not worth the price.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Love the rooftop dining, and the food was amazing. I can't get enough of the lamb chops
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa, Jalapeno Crab Queso, Carne Asada
I have been to El Alma so many times and I don't know why I'm just now reviewing it. It is absolutely one of my go-to restaurants in ATX, and it's always fabulous. A few tips: 1) even though there's always a wait for the upstairs patio, it's worth it for the cool stone stairs and that view, even in deepest Summer. (Beware the uneven steps on the way down, though, after a couple of drinks!) 2) Trust me on this and try the duck tacos - they are amazing (no they would not normally be my first choice either), 3) Pretty much anything with pumpkin seeds in it is gonna be good - I think they spray them with crack cocaine, 4) CEVICHE!!! Yassss. They make their own tortilla chips to go with it. And, on top of all of that, they have fun, inventive cocktails made with fresh with Mexican ingredients. All around, this place is always a win, unless it's SXSW-crowded.
The food was excellent.The service was timely, diligent and flawless.The noise was so great I could not hear what my dining companion was saying unless he shouted directly into my ear.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice little roof top fast casual restaurant. Food was delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pastor
Restaurantji Recommends
Long waiting time on a sunday afternoon, we waited 30 mins to get our seats and another 30 mins for the meals to be served. The food was great but small portions, slightly on the expensive side.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good vegan options. I got the veggie enchilada and subbed the queso with guacamole and a mole verde sauce.Vegetarian options: Have to make modifications for vegan options, but there are plenty of vegetarian options. I wish they had a vegan menu though so it would make it easier to us to order.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bartender is so rude didn't even greet us just looked at us and as soon as we would try to get their attention they would look a way. Lost some good money u idiots.
Omg. Our service was incredible. A lovely young woman with killer eye makeup named Chyna who really knows how to provide a great customer experience. I would hire her for any job. She will be successful regardless of career path. And…. The food is amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lovely stylish restaurant in the heart of Austin. This place is worth the wait. The view from the rooftop was also nice. Great service. Nice quality chips and guac. The arranchera was just okay. Missing a flavor unfortunately but it was cooked well. The fish was nice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5