Mama Betty's was one of my favorite restaurants in town. I was floored the first couple of times I went there. They have gone downhill IMO. My past three to-go orders have all been wrong, the beef fajitas have been poorly cooked, and the chile con carne enchilada sauce is not the classic Tex-Mex style I was expecting. Unfortunately, I just don't think it's worth the premium piece they charge anymore. Going to just stick with Lupe when craving fajitas from now on

I went to Mama Betty's with family last summer and was not impressed. It was on referrals from poster on this forum. I use Papacitos as a comparable since I also lived in Houston 40 years ago.

It was meh. If I had young kids the play area would be nice but don't need that now.

We go to Burros in RR now. It's one step above a dive but they are close, never too busy, my wife likes their quesadillas and I like the tamales. Just a local easy place for us. I would not take guests I want to impress. Probably La Margarita.

I am not a Mama Betty's fan either. I used to like Santiago's but it's fallen off as well. Need a good Mexican place in that brushy creek area. Burros may not pass the sanitary check for the wife.

Probably not. There is at least a 20% chance you run into at least one employee that does not speak English.

But I'm old enough to know I used to eat dirt.

Maudie's is Aggie-owned.

What's best in the Bee Cave / Lakeway area? Moving to the area very soon.

Please tell me that there is at least something on par with my local go-to Tex Mex here in west London (owned by a native Texan who had to get creative with the recipes but has done a hell of a job)

Saw there was a Lupe down at 2244 & 360. Used to live in Houston for many years so used to gold standard mix of El Tiempo, Ninfa's, Sylvia's, Escalante, Lupe, Papasito's, Tony's, etc…. I'm prepared to be thoroughly disappointed in what 2025 Austin has to offer.

We used to eat at Flores out there after boating and there were several Flores locations close to places we worked, South and North. Just standard TexMex, decent lunch specials and Rita's.

It was definitely better early on, I haven't had any bad experiences there though. Agreed it's a bit pricey.

chilimuybueno said:

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Maudie's is Aggie-owned.

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This is news to me. I used to go there a lot pre-COVID

Joe Draker is owner. I believe he was Class of '78, maybe '79.

We do Santa Catarina in Cedar Park pretty often, it's solid and nice for something a bit different than traditional TexMex.

Sucks if Rosie's Tamale House closes down. I stop in there often to eat but also get tamales to go all the time

fig96 said:

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We do Santa Catarina in Cedar Park pretty often, it's solid and nice for something a bit different than traditional TexMex.

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Agreed on Santa Catarina. Atmosphere is not as good as Fonda San Miguel, but I can get some of the same dishes for less $.

59 South said:

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What's best in the Bee Cave / Lakeway area? Moving to the area very soon.

Please tell me that there is at least something on par with my local go-to Tex Mex here in west London (owned by a native Texan who had to get creative with the recipes but has done a hell of a job)

Saw there was a Lupe down at 2244 & 360. Used to live in Houston for many years so used to gold standard mix of El Tiempo, Ninfa's, Sylvia's, Escalante, Lupe, Papasito's, Tony's, etc…. I'm prepared to be thoroughly disappointed in what 2025 Austin has to offer.

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Maudie's or Rosie's.

BurnetAggie99 said:

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Sucks if Rosie's Tamale House closes down. I stop in there often to eat but also get tamales to go all the time

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We are there weekly. I don't think it's closing down. They were ABOUT to sell last fall, but the deal fell thru.

They are closed on Tuesdays ... so I suspect some go there on Tuesday and then assume the worst.

Surpised that no one has mentioned Tres Amigos on 360. It's a straight drive from the airport, has been there for years, and I have found it to be very consistent over time.

In Lakeway, Santa Catarina is great for happy hour. The breaks on the appetizers are substantial, and you can create a meal out of 2 or 3 selections. I especially like the Cazuela Con Pollo (Chicken in mole sauce), and the wife is fond of the Coctel de Camarones (Huge Mexican Shrimp Cocktail)

Drink specials are great as well. I'm fond of the Mexican Martini (Dirty).

jrdaustin said:

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Surpised that no one has mentioned Tres Amigos on 360. It's a straight drive from the airport, has been there for years, and I have found it to be very consistent over time.

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Tres Amigos on 360 closed over 10 years ago. It's now Vaqueros owned by Steiner Family

Still a Tres Amigos off 290 & 183

Yes, that one is still there. A good spot for consistent tex-mex..just really not convenient unless you're in the area.

Cowboy Curtis said:

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jrdaustin said:

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Surpised that no one has mentioned Tres Amigos on 360. It's a straight drive from the airport, has been there for years, and I have found it to be very consistent over time.

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Tres Amigos on 360 closed over 10 years ago. It's now Vaqueros owned by Steiner Family

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Hit Vaqueros once when we lived over there, if I recall it was fine but not especially memorable.

Haven't notice Carnitas El Guero mentioned. Curious since they are renting a house on our street. Pretty good Mexico City to Austin through hard work story. I'll have to try them.

New entry that's worth a stop if you're in the area, La Dosis in Cedar Park (from the Taco Flats folks). It's a coffee shop and breakfast place that also has a dinner menu and bar, enjoyed the mole enchiladas and everything we've tried for breakfast has been good. Coffee is also solid and they've got a few unique drinks, I had a flan latte that was pretty good and not too sweet.