We have been to the Rio numerous times in the past.. The atmosphere and drinks – always good.. but the food- usually hit and miss.. Well, with the help of new management and an exciting new menu, it looks like they’ve stepped up their game and are ready to challenge the other downtown metro-mexuals like Garrido’s, La Condesa, Maria Maria, Manuels. In addition to a variety of tasty margaritas, the food blogging elite in attendance were treated to samples of Mahi Mahi tacos, Steak tacos, Grilled 9-pepper Shrimp, and fresh-made guacamole.. Everything we tasted was outstandingly fresh and prepared with an attention to detail and flavor that truly impressed us. Props to the new management at Rio Grande.. we will be back for a full meal soon.
Amaya’s Taco Village is a mainstay of the i-35 taco scene.. Not much has changed in years… expect to find the place packed at lunch time. The highlight of the (otherwise lackluster) menu are the Village Tacos.. Served in thick yellow corn fried shells that are a combination of chewy, crunchy, and greasy.. with processed yellow cheese, lettuce and tomato.. then your choice of ground beef, shredded chicken, or beef fajita. Though you can get as many as 3 tacos to a plate, with rice and beans, 2 is more than enough to keep your belly full for the rest of the day.
For me, its the combination of the greasy, chewy shell and the half-melted yellow cheese that make these tacos taste so damn good.. sometimes you just have wipe that ’south austin – holier than thou – organic – whole food ‘ look off your face and enjoy the beauty of processed cheese… at least i do. The ground beef is ok, but i would reccommend the fajita beef at a small extra charge.. it adds to the amazing texture of these tacos.. Amaya’s tacos have a weight/mass to them that is unrivaled.. a true gut-bomb if there ever was one.
Posted by Cabeza De Taco »
Jan 5, 2009
» Filed under Austin, Downtown, News
Generic Mexican?
After 5 years in the same downtown location, Emilia Hurtado Doña Emilia’s mgmt must’ve realized,
“Well, shit…a 250 seat Columbian restaurant may not be working here…and Austinites DO love their tacos- so, if I cant beat em- I’ll JOIN em’!”
On January 8th, the restauant will re-open at the same location as Latin Café – how’s that for generic? Apparently, “Latin” includes Tex-Mex, South American & Caribbean options- check out the new menu here…One interesting item is the breakfast taco with coffee crusted carne asada beef & pico.
While I can’t say I’m optimistic about the new direction (do i smell the lingering stench of a doomed location?nope – that’s just my upper lip apparently- matt’s el rancho started there over 50 yrs ago- cabeza=pwned) look for a review very soon.
- cabeza
Latin Café · 101 San Jacinto Blvd · 512.478.2520 · donaemilias.com
Corazón at Castle Hill 1101 W 5th St Austin, TX 78703 | Map | Menu | Website | Photos
Beef Carne Asada with Pablano Cream sauce
After 22 years of owning and operating one of Austin’s original fine dining favorites, Castle Hill Cafe, David and Cathe Dailey have translated their experience living in San Miguel de Allende into their new neighborhood restaurant & bar, Corazon. The executive chef is now Michael Taddeo. The building and some of the classic CH dishes still remain. But they’ve updated the interior design and added a small but inviting Full Bar. here’s a quick run-down of Taco Town’s lunch trip to Corazon:
Service
ice-tea fillups every 30seconds, waiter gave good recomendations, and even brought out the secret habby sauce for us. great service for a lunch/ Chappy says: snooty undertones. copious ice tea refills
hand painted signage facing 5th st.
Atmosphere
I thought the brooding castle theme was kinda gay for a daytime lunch…Clientel was fur-coat silver spoon housewive sluts…Hey, great location, though. Chappy said “it wasn’t too fu fu…tho grego would prolly not approve.” Bernie said “the bathrooms are fuckin freezing” all 4 times he went in there to “washup”…He also noted the fact that their baffroom trash bin is a cloth bag that can just be washed, thus saving the Hefties. Good work, GREENIES.
Quality
Overall great freshness and presentation- I dig the banana leaf garnish & jello-mold rice servings Chappy says: creative sauces and combinations
Chips/Salsa
The chips were thin, warm and fresh, ass. Red Tomatillo Salsa was pretty good, tangy (7/10)
the Habanero/Mango sauce was awesome – very sweet and hot. We had to order by special request, and the waiter warned us it was really hot. We told him “pah-leez…why don’t you just step aside, pal”. This salsa was simply delectable. Chappy was craving more, but had to stop for health reasons. (8.5/10) Read the rest of this entry »
There’s a brand new El Chile Restaurant in Northwest Austin- in the old Mesa Hills Cafe building. The reviews so far are mixed at best. Look for a TT writeup soon. El Chile | 3435 Greystone Drive | Map | Menu | Reviews
We also got a “numero dos”, downtown version of El Chile’s kid brother taco/coffee shop, El Chilito. They’re open weekdays 7am-3pm.
El Chilito | 918 Congress Ave. | Map | Menu | Reviews
Rating:
Stacey’s birthday dinner last night – at the former MTV real world house turned mexi-fine dining eatery called RIO GRANDE.. There was about 20 of us, and yes, we were drinking heavily.. I had the distinguished pleasure to sit down at the end of the table with Cara and John, Azar and Julianna, Jake and Billy….Yes, my crew is entirely comprised of happy couples…surprised i had an appetite with all the newly-wed pottery barn talk flying around – you guys make me sick. i think me and jimbo were the only single jerks at the 20 person table, and even jimmy got some action from azar. Read the rest of this entry »
Rating: 
