Quickie Reviews from Austin360

Posted by chappy | Nov 6, 2006 · Filed under Austin, Reviews

Some quick and dirty reviews from restaurant critic Dale Rice at Austin360..scroll down for the mexican food.  I’m a-gonna check out Garibaldi’s and Dina’s, those 2 have not shown up on my radar until now..
…….(snipped without permission) ………Amaya’s Taco Village. There’s more than the name implies here. Besides great tacos, made from thick, large, golden corn tortillas, Amaya’s serves tender fajitas and tasty carne guisada. Forks up. Cheap. 5405 N. Interstate 35. 458-2531.

Dina’s Mexican Restaurant. Tucked in the back corner of a strip shopping center, this unobtrusive restaurant is worth seeking out. Tasty items included the green salsa, migas, fajitas, enchiladas Mexicanas and the combo with a chile relleno, tamal and enchilada plus sides. Forks up. Cheap. 730 W. Stassney Lane, No. 130. 428-9425.

El Arroyo. An Austin institution (and a chain with three other locations), El Arroyo features good Tex-Mex food in a laid-back setting. For alternatives to the standard fare, try the bacon-wrapped shrimp diablo, the plump spinach enchiladas, the tequila chicken breast and fried ice cream. Forks up. Cheap. 1624 W. Fifth St. 474-1222.

Garibaldi’s. A small Mexican restaurant with a tasty mix of border and interior cuisine, Garibaldi’s has a growing base of fans. It’s easy to see why after trying items such as the carne asada, sopaipillas and a delicious, fiery soup of fish, shrimp and vegetables. Forks up. Cheap. 4201 S. Congress Ave. 326-9788.

Habanero Mexican Cafe. This small Mexican spot owned by Evelyn and Arthur Ibarra uses marinades and a mesquite grill to produce delicious beef and chicken. As a result, the chicken in the quesadillas and enchiladas is among the most flavorful in town. Forks up. Cheap. 501 W. Oltorf St. 416-0443.

Hula Hut. Life in Austin almost seems idyllic when dining here on the deck that juts out over Lake Austin. The Mexican-Polynesian mix includes delicious queso compuesto (with fajita meat and guacamole in the queso), coconut shrimp and tubular tacos, particularly the steak version with green Hatch chile sauce. Forks up. Cheap/moderate. 3826 Lake Austin Blvd. 476-4852.

Julio’s. This small, colorful Mexican eatery in the heart of Hyde Park serves particularly good chicken dishes, including the enchiladas with tomatillo sauce and the roasted chicken, with its crisp, peppery skin over moist, tender meat. Forks up. Cheap. 4230 Duval St. 452-1040.

La Palapa. Even if your neighborhood Mexican restaurants are good, there are still reasons to drive across town: to see how other spots measure up. One good yardstick is La Palapa, the many-sided restaurant near Reagan High School, where you’ll find big portions and high-quality in dishes such as the queso flameado, poblano-and-mushroom enchiladas and the picadillo chile relleno. Forks up. Cheap. 6640 E. U.S. 290. 459-8729.

Taco Sabroso. The sleekest taco joint in town pulls in a disparate crowd, from East Side workers to the governor. They’re going there for a variety of delicious tacos, including the pastor, steak ranchero, fajita and picadillo. There also are tasty Cuban-style sandwiches and Mexican plates. Forks up. Cheap. 5100 E. Seventh St. 247-3333.