The FOOD was extremely and Extraordinary however it didn't match the service. ME AND MY GRANDSON walked in and was greeted with a unfriendlieness and not a smile of welcomeness!! My grandson is 9 and he asked what was wrong with her and wanted to leave but I told him she might have a had a bad day! Because the place was empty ! Even when came to table still without a smile and positivity.Yet we ordered anyway!! The food and Margaritas were Extraordinary accept the Service!! Now the COOK was better than the Service She greeted US with a smile and that's the only reason I stayed to eat and she will be the only reason I'll come back!!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Beef Burrito Plate
Lindsey W.
We have been coming here for years, because " El Caribe" hands down has the most consistent and absolutely amazing service and food. The combos are a great value with generous portions. I personally love the mole enchiladas, combo #2, the guisada plate and GTFO Salsa. It's so freakin' good. Oh yeah and the rocks margaritas are strrroooonnngggg AF. Seriously one of Austin's best kept gems.
hasim m.
My fave Mexican in Austin, BUT I hope they bring back the salsa bar... another thing Covid claimed.
Jason Adams
The carne guisada was excellent.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Duncan Robertson
Outstanding restaurant in every respect. Friendly, personable, and attentive to all of my needs. Food inEvery respect. Enchiladas are huge compared to other Mexican restaurants. Food is Great. Carla is wonderful; as is Her mother. Quality in every respect.....
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Al Pastor Taco Plate, Beef Fajitas, Spicy Sour Cream Enchiladas
Tommy G.
The food and the service were excellent. The prices were more than fair. I will be going there in the future.
Sam Griswold
My favorite place for lunch and dinner.Mom (I respectfully call her Doña, although she sure is simply Maria) personally prepares every meal, and daughter "Miss" Karla (she calls me "Mr. Sam", so...), proprietors of El Caribe, a truly supurb, truly home-cooking restaurant for 25 years, serve a loyal clientele a broad offering of, again, homemade, mouth-watering, Mexican cuisine that my late wife, "Miss" Patti, a true connoisseur of Mexican food, ate for lunch and dinner with her many friends, 5 or 6 times weekly since they opened. Mom Maria, cooks everything. Karla runs the front, greeting and serving every diner as dear friends, perfect and efficiently, visiting personally with everyone while providing perfect efficiency, keeping no one waiting. Patti loved their delicious carne guidada so much, that when she passed, they graciously renamed it "Miss Patti's Carne Guisada", which I enjoy often. However, when I dine with her friends there, I have branched out, trying new dishes, all of which I truly enjoy, especially their fajita feast. The servings are ample and I often have leftovers for a meal at home. Their salsa is wonderful as is their best-in-class chili con queso. I have been an aficionado of Austin Mexican restaurants since 1968 - several well known places I like - but since Patti passed, El Caribe is my only place, because I have found my Mexican food home. Sure, others are good, but I have not had better anywhere. I am crazy for Doña Maria's beef fajitas. Great migas on Saturdays before 2. Git a bunch of fish and shrimp dishes. Have had them cater freshly crafted food for evening parties, which was always perfect, and tho I always over order, there are never leftovers, and Mom and Karla deliver it personally and set it up. An uncramped, beautifully decorated 12+ table/ booth place, there is always a table ready as it is ample size. Treating all guests like they are family at home, "Miss" Karla is always legitimally welcoming, full of joyful personality, enthusisam for making everyone feel comfortable and happy they are there. After experiencing every aspect of this truly outstanding El Caribe, I am sure my old places wonder where I have disappeared. It meets my every desire, and I am now there a several times a week happy guest. Patti's lunch pals are still huge fans. I highly recommend you try El Caribe; I think you will be pleased with every aspect of their great restaurant. Plenty of parking. I clearly love this place.Vegetarian options: See menuParking: 30+ and wide. Easy, safe in and outKid-friendliness: Karla loves families. Brought mine for 25 yearsWheelchair accessibility: Reserved parking and open floorplan and every table has easy, comfortable space with lots of space for comfort.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Taco and Guacamole, Al Pastor Taco Plate, Cheese Enchiladas, Chile Relleno, Beef Fajitas, Chicken Enchiladas, Tortillas
Andrew M
Fantastic hole in the wall. My wife claims best mole en Tejas. The pescado plates are outstanding. Margaritas are the best (but kind of sweet this time) and ask for the habanero salsa if you like your scalp to sweat.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Sour Cream Enchiladas
Sam G
My favorite place for lunch and dinner. Mom (I respectfully call her Doña, although she sure is simply Maria) personally prepares every meal, and daughter "Miss" Karla (she calls me "Mr. Sam", so...), proprietors of El Caribe, a truly supurb, truly home-cooking restaurant for 25 years, serve a loyal clientele a broad offering of, again, homemade, mouth-watering, Mexican cuisine that my late wife, "Miss" Patti, a true connoisseur of Mexican food, ate for lunch and dinner with her many friends, 5 or 6 times weekly since they opened. Mom Maria, cooks everything. Karla runs the front, greeting and serving every diner as dear friends, perfect and efficiently, visiting personally with everyone while providing perfect efficiency, keeping no one waiting. Patti loved their delicious carne guidada so much, that when she passed, they graciously renamed it "Miss Patti's Carne Guisada", which I enjoy often. However, when I dine with her friends there, I have branched out, trying new dishes, all of which I truly enjoy, especially their fajita feast. The servings are ample and I often have leftovers for a meal at home. Their salsa is wonderful as is their best-in-class chili con queso. I have been an aficionado of Austin Mexican restaurants since 1968 - several well known places I like - but since Patti passed, El Caribe is my only place, because I have found my Mexican food home. Sure, others are good, but I have not had better anywhere. I am crazy for Doña Maria's beef fajitas. Great migas on Saturdays before 2. Git a bunch of fish and shrimp dishes. Have had them cater freshly crafted food for evening parties, which was always perfect, and tho I always over order, there are never leftovers, and Mom and Karla deliver it personally and set it up. An uncramped, beautifully decorated 12+ table/ booth place, there is always a table ready as it is ample size. Treating all guests like they are family at home, "Miss" Karla is always legitimally welcoming, full of joyful personality, enthusism for making everyone feel comfortable and happy they are there. After experiencing every aspect of this truly outstanding El Caribe, I am sure my old places wonder where I have disappeared. It meets my every desire, and I am now there a several times a week happy guest. Patti's lunch pals are still huge fans. I highly recommend you try El Caribe; I think you will be pleased with every aspect of their great restaurant. Plenty of parking. I clearly love this place.
B Lz
Excellent food as always. Been coming here for over 2 decades, since before marriage and kids and when it was called Salcitas. Same quality. Same cook. Same deliciousness. ? Covid and telework has clearly caused them to downsize their operations. I miss the salsa bar they used to have. The pineapple or mango habanera salsa was the best I've ever had. The same waitress (yes, that same waitress & her mama) since before our 17-year old was born. They always remember us by name. What we order, is the Best! We don't stray from our regular dishes, so I can't speak for the rest, but I don't doubt they're great, too. Still my kids' favorite place for Tex-Mex. Mine and the ex's, too, and we've been to most of the Tex-Mex restaurants & dives in Austin, including the ones many reviewers rave about cuz they have to join the crowd (like that over-hyped bbq place). Simplicity & deliciousness plus reasonable prices - dine in or out!
We stopped by and it was completely dead. 30 minutes before closing so perhaps that was why they were super rude but the waitress there ran up to us, asked us to place our order and drink on one ticket and asked us to hurry up. She said “the menu is in the table hurry it up” and I said we were there to just use the bathroom and she grimaced and said to hurry up. She was running around the restaurant like she was expecting something I’m not sure what. Both cans of cola were $7.05 Very weird and unpleasant experience.
Wini G
The food was delicious ?However, the service was terrible. There was maybe one of two other people when I walked in and the server was off having a convo with someone else, didn't greet me when I walked in, so I just roamed looking at things for a while until finally asking for the RR - which could be updated (at minimum a new toilet seat and sink). Anyhow, once I sat at a table and the server finally decided to come to me after her socializing the first thing she says is "we don't do any refunds on plates, so if you get something and you don't like it you still have to pay" uhhhh ?? AWKWARD - I literally had to ask if the food tastes bad or something for her to randomly say that to me. The entire time her service flat out sucked, at least until I paid with my business card then suddenly she seemed less bothered by my presence and a little more excited ?As I mentioned the food was great like enough to consider going back and testing all the menu like I usually do, but the service was so unwelcoming and bad that I'd rather spend my time, money and energy elsewhere - in environments where my presence doesn't feel burdening to the one person who's supposed to make people feel welcomed.Recommended for pick up, not recommended for dining in unless you're non BIPOC.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Mole Enchiladas
Reggi Villa
We are from San Antonio and BECAREFUL!! Menu on line is from so many years they can’t even update it for out for out of towners we drove across town to come here and get To go and as soon as I drove up the restaurant has so many requirements on door ? first and last time food wasn’t that great either rice is nasty not a true Mexican food place taking my business somewhere else
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Belia B.
Customer favoritism and ridiculous attitude in your face, if you are not a regular. I have had better mexican food and will never return!!!
Jo B.
Everything is excellent and extremely authentic Mexican food is served here. Their tacos are fresh and crunchy, their enchiladas are on par and their Margarita's are above and beyond! The service is extremely friendly and the ambience is amazing.
The FOOD was extremely and Extraordinary however it didn't match the service. ME AND MY GRANDSON walked in and was greeted with a unfriendlieness and not a smile of welcomeness!! My grandson is 9 and he asked what was wrong with her and wanted to leave but I told him she might have a had a bad day! Because the place was empty ! Even when came to table still without a smile and positivity.Yet we ordered anyway!! The food and Margaritas were Extraordinary accept the Service!! Now the COOK was better than the Service She greeted US with a smile and that's the only reason I stayed to eat and she will be the only reason I'll come back!!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Beef Burrito Plate
We have been coming here for years, because " El Caribe" hands down has the most consistent and absolutely amazing service and food. The combos are a great value with generous portions. I personally love the mole enchiladas, combo #2, the guisada plate and GTFO Salsa. It's so freakin' good. Oh yeah and the rocks margaritas are strrroooonnngggg AF. Seriously one of Austin's best kept gems.
My fave Mexican in Austin, BUT I hope they bring back the salsa bar... another thing Covid claimed.
The carne guisada was excellent.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Outstanding restaurant in every respect. Friendly, personable, and attentive to all of my needs. Food inEvery respect. Enchiladas are huge compared to other Mexican restaurants. Food is Great. Carla is wonderful; as is Her mother. Quality in every respect.....
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Al Pastor Taco Plate, Beef Fajitas, Spicy Sour Cream Enchiladas
The food and the service were excellent. The prices were more than fair. I will be going there in the future.
My favorite place for lunch and dinner.Mom (I respectfully call her Doña, although she sure is simply Maria) personally prepares every meal, and daughter "Miss" Karla (she calls me "Mr. Sam", so...), proprietors of El Caribe, a truly supurb, truly home-cooking restaurant for 25 years, serve a loyal clientele a broad offering of, again, homemade, mouth-watering, Mexican cuisine that my late wife, "Miss" Patti, a true connoisseur of Mexican food, ate for lunch and dinner with her many friends, 5 or 6 times weekly since they opened. Mom Maria, cooks everything. Karla runs the front, greeting and serving every diner as dear friends, perfect and efficiently, visiting personally with everyone while providing perfect efficiency, keeping no one waiting. Patti loved their delicious carne guidada so much, that when she passed, they graciously renamed it "Miss Patti's Carne Guisada", which I enjoy often. However, when I dine with her friends there, I have branched out, trying new dishes, all of which I truly enjoy, especially their fajita feast. The servings are ample and I often have leftovers for a meal at home. Their salsa is wonderful as is their best-in-class chili con queso. I have been an aficionado of Austin Mexican restaurants since 1968 - several well known places I like - but since Patti passed, El Caribe is my only place, because I have found my Mexican food home. Sure, others are good, but I have not had better anywhere. I am crazy for Doña Maria's beef fajitas. Great migas on Saturdays before 2. Git a bunch of fish and shrimp dishes. Have had them cater freshly crafted food for evening parties, which was always perfect, and tho I always over order, there are never leftovers, and Mom and Karla deliver it personally and set it up. An uncramped, beautifully decorated 12+ table/ booth place, there is always a table ready as it is ample size. Treating all guests like they are family at home, "Miss" Karla is always legitimally welcoming, full of joyful personality, enthusisam for making everyone feel comfortable and happy they are there. After experiencing every aspect of this truly outstanding El Caribe, I am sure my old places wonder where I have disappeared. It meets my every desire, and I am now there a several times a week happy guest. Patti's lunch pals are still huge fans. I highly recommend you try El Caribe; I think you will be pleased with every aspect of their great restaurant. Plenty of parking. I clearly love this place.Vegetarian options: See menuParking: 30+ and wide. Easy, safe in and outKid-friendliness: Karla loves families. Brought mine for 25 yearsWheelchair accessibility: Reserved parking and open floorplan and every table has easy, comfortable space with lots of space for comfort.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Taco and Guacamole, Al Pastor Taco Plate, Cheese Enchiladas, Chile Relleno, Beef Fajitas, Chicken Enchiladas, Tortillas
Fantastic hole in the wall. My wife claims best mole en Tejas. The pescado plates are outstanding. Margaritas are the best (but kind of sweet this time) and ask for the habanero salsa if you like your scalp to sweat.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Sour Cream Enchiladas
My favorite place for lunch and dinner. Mom (I respectfully call her Doña, although she sure is simply Maria) personally prepares every meal, and daughter "Miss" Karla (she calls me "Mr. Sam", so...), proprietors of El Caribe, a truly supurb, truly home-cooking restaurant for 25 years, serve a loyal clientele a broad offering of, again, homemade, mouth-watering, Mexican cuisine that my late wife, "Miss" Patti, a true connoisseur of Mexican food, ate for lunch and dinner with her many friends, 5 or 6 times weekly since they opened. Mom Maria, cooks everything. Karla runs the front, greeting and serving every diner as dear friends, perfect and efficiently, visiting personally with everyone while providing perfect efficiency, keeping no one waiting. Patti loved their delicious carne guidada so much, that when she passed, they graciously renamed it "Miss Patti's Carne Guisada", which I enjoy often. However, when I dine with her friends there, I have branched out, trying new dishes, all of which I truly enjoy, especially their fajita feast. The servings are ample and I often have leftovers for a meal at home. Their salsa is wonderful as is their best-in-class chili con queso. I have been an aficionado of Austin Mexican restaurants since 1968 - several well known places I like - but since Patti passed, El Caribe is my only place, because I have found my Mexican food home. Sure, others are good, but I have not had better anywhere. I am crazy for Doña Maria's beef fajitas. Great migas on Saturdays before 2. Git a bunch of fish and shrimp dishes. Have had them cater freshly crafted food for evening parties, which was always perfect, and tho I always over order, there are never leftovers, and Mom and Karla deliver it personally and set it up. An uncramped, beautifully decorated 12+ table/ booth place, there is always a table ready as it is ample size. Treating all guests like they are family at home, "Miss" Karla is always legitimally welcoming, full of joyful personality, enthusism for making everyone feel comfortable and happy they are there. After experiencing every aspect of this truly outstanding El Caribe, I am sure my old places wonder where I have disappeared. It meets my every desire, and I am now there a several times a week happy guest. Patti's lunch pals are still huge fans. I highly recommend you try El Caribe; I think you will be pleased with every aspect of their great restaurant. Plenty of parking. I clearly love this place.
Excellent food as always. Been coming here for over 2 decades, since before marriage and kids and when it was called Salcitas. Same quality. Same cook. Same deliciousness. ? Covid and telework has clearly caused them to downsize their operations. I miss the salsa bar they used to have. The pineapple or mango habanera salsa was the best I've ever had. The same waitress (yes, that same waitress & her mama) since before our 17-year old was born. They always remember us by name. What we order, is the Best! We don't stray from our regular dishes, so I can't speak for the rest, but I don't doubt they're great, too. Still my kids' favorite place for Tex-Mex. Mine and the ex's, too, and we've been to most of the Tex-Mex restaurants & dives in Austin, including the ones many reviewers rave about cuz they have to join the crowd (like that over-hyped bbq place). Simplicity & deliciousness plus reasonable prices - dine in or out!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips
Restaurantji Recommends
We stopped by and it was completely dead. 30 minutes before closing so perhaps that was why they were super rude but the waitress there ran up to us, asked us to place our order and drink on one ticket and asked us to hurry up. She said “the menu is in the table hurry it up” and I said we were there to just use the bathroom and she grimaced and said to hurry up. She was running around the restaurant like she was expecting something I’m not sure what. Both cans of cola were $7.05 Very weird and unpleasant experience.
The food was delicious ?However, the service was terrible. There was maybe one of two other people when I walked in and the server was off having a convo with someone else, didn't greet me when I walked in, so I just roamed looking at things for a while until finally asking for the RR - which could be updated (at minimum a new toilet seat and sink). Anyhow, once I sat at a table and the server finally decided to come to me after her socializing the first thing she says is "we don't do any refunds on plates, so if you get something and you don't like it you still have to pay" uhhhh ?? AWKWARD - I literally had to ask if the food tastes bad or something for her to randomly say that to me. The entire time her service flat out sucked, at least until I paid with my business card then suddenly she seemed less bothered by my presence and a little more excited ?As I mentioned the food was great like enough to consider going back and testing all the menu like I usually do, but the service was so unwelcoming and bad that I'd rather spend my time, money and energy elsewhere - in environments where my presence doesn't feel burdening to the one person who's supposed to make people feel welcomed.Recommended for pick up, not recommended for dining in unless you're non BIPOC.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Mole Enchiladas
We are from San Antonio and BECAREFUL!! Menu on line is from so many years they can’t even update it for out for out of towners we drove across town to come here and get To go and as soon as I drove up the restaurant has so many requirements on door ? first and last time food wasn’t that great either rice is nasty not a true Mexican food place taking my business somewhere else
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Customer favoritism and ridiculous attitude in your face, if you are not a regular. I have had better mexican food and will never return!!!
Everything is excellent and extremely authentic Mexican food is served here. Their tacos are fresh and crunchy, their enchiladas are on par and their Margarita's are above and beyond! The service is extremely friendly and the ambience is amazing.