Changos is offering a damn good deal on lunch these days.   I got a 2 taco plate with rice and beans (refried per request) and Horchata- my favorite drink in the world- for $6.95.

As I’m writing this I can’t stop thinking of how fucking good that Horchata is . Its self-serve too.  I love to mix the horchata either the watermelon or cantaloupe agua frescas.  Oh man, I might go there again today just to get that drink.

The 2 tacos were Chicken Tinga tacos served on corn tortillas with shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes – VERY TASTY.

I usually never order corn tortillas but i dont think i had a choice this time. I could be wrong about that. But either way, even with 2 corn tortillas supporting all that lovely stuffing, the bottoms were still soggy enough to fall out and thus force me to eat them with a fork and knife. Bernie hates this. I also cant stand when someone makes me a sandwhich that has so much shit on it that it just falls apart. That is not a fkg sammy, that is a plate of fail. However, in this case it was ok because the Tinga sauce was excellent and the chicken melted in my mouth.

Tinga Taco Lunch $6.95

Rice and beans are really tough to talk about because its so tough to tell any difference really. I mean, with the rice, all im looking for is that its flavored correctly, is fluffy, and doesnt have any crunchies in it that indicates someone burnt some of it. And for the beans, especially refried, im just looking to make sure there are no toenails or band-aids in it. That said, both rice and beans were WIN.

When i was leaving i asked the very friendly chiquita that was jockin the register what was in the Tinga sauce and she just simply replied that it was “a chipotle-based sauce with onions and other spices.”  Good enough for me.

I will definitely go back and have this same lunch special again…if not just for that crack juice they call Horchata.

-bernie

CHANGOS Taqueria
3005 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704
menu here >

editors note: For those of you that don’t know Joby: he’s the mastermind behind Joby’s Hot Sauce Contest and a long time taco lover. His first job was at a Mexican restaurant.  He’s tasted tacos from Ohio to Amsterdam.  In short – Taco Town has mucho confidence in Joby’s ability to tell good Mexican food from bad…enjoy. – Cabeza

The corner of William Cannon and Manchaca is home to over ten restaurants, all battling it out for your hard earned peso-  Chinese, Church’s Chicken, pizza, barbecue and burgers-  but for hardcore taco lovers, there is only one place that can satisfy- the way you want, the way you need, the way YOU DESERVE. That’s Casa Garcia’s.

9 different kinds of MIGAS!

One of the best aspects about Garcia’s is the sports bar.  The right side of the restaurant is dedicated to sports fans and alcoholics, with four televisions tuned into all the big games and super strong Bloody Mary’s available at before noon. Its a great way to separate the after church crowd from the after party crowd.  This morning there are a mix of college kids, thirty-somethings and couples in the bar, with the older peeps and families safe in the dining area.

I feel breakfast is the strong point of Garcia’s and anyone who has had their migas would agree. With nine different options for migas alone, everyone should be happy.

But today I will have the plate that bears Casa G’s name. The Casa G’s Deluxe (no relation to Grego).  You won’t find a more packed plate of food for $8. Two eggs topped with ranchero sauce, carne guisada, chorizo and eggs, potatoes and refried beans.. Served with flour or corn tortillas, made by authentic Mexican women- I checked em’ myself.

Casa G's Deluxe

Now this plate is not for the faint of heart.  It’s designed for fat Americans who eat five servings of food for breakfast- People like me. If you are counting calories, this plate is not for you.

Today I got the eggs sunny side up and found myself in gooey goodness while making my tacos with a little of everything in them.. Although I can’t finish it most days, I felt obligated today because of Taco Town- I wanted to make the boys proud.

The service is always friendly and quick.  There’s even one person designated to hand out chips & salsa all day. Now that’s good service !!!!! Are you listening Polvo’s ?!?!?  And let me tell you something, this guy is always busy refilling the salsa cups and chip baskets.  The chips are hot and crispy and the salsa had a spicy kick that reminds me of my home town Mexican restaurant back in Goliad, TX.

Overall, I give the place very high marks for great food, great service, and their fair prices. The fact that I can watch basketball and drink a tequila sunrise at the same time only adds to the overall quality.

-Joby

Casa Garcia
http://casagarcias.net/
1901 W. William Cannon
Austin, TX 78748.

La Posada, or loosely translated, “the portopotty”, started out with a salsa that, while definitely spicy enough with jalepeno or serrano peppers, had way to much black pepper in it that was noticeable as soon as it hit the tongue.

We all got variations of tacos except for Taco-Tara, who rolled with their “Famous Enchiladas”. I think they were made famous in a Wal Mart parking lot trailor stand in Nebraska in the early 90′s when they actually cared about their food. Taco-Tara didnt complain too much about them but we’re pretty sure she was just being nice.

I had the 2 taco lunch special #1 which consisted of a shitty crispy beef bag of fail and a soggy pink chickened bag of fail. These atrocities were accompanied by the worst refried beans ive had since the Bears won their last Superbowl. They had obviously burnt the shit out of the giant metal bucket they cooked these things in because they tasted like burnt ass. I would have rather ate a flaming bag of poop as it would have tasted exactly the same and wouldve made for a better story.

We finished up with the FLAAAAAAAAAN. Im pretty sure that it was congealed giraffe semen accompanied by a sauce of pure sugar and vanillla. Fail. This was the worst Mexican i’ve had in Austin in since i can remember. Cabeza made the correct comment “This was the kind of place that we should’ve sent one person in to test the waters so that all 4 of us didnt have to have our lunch ruined at the same time.”

Nuff said.

Cabeza adds this:  it was the worst tortilla soup i’ve EVER had. tasted like a chicken taco drenched in bongwater. Never again.

pics after the break > Read the rest of this entry »

the benny compound

this is a great place to eat if you need a haircut.. Benny runs Barber Bennys Beauty, the unassuming barber shop that located next to his taco trailer on South Congress..  We were a bit miffed that Benny was out of Al Pastor, but we managed.. and got Beef Fajita, Carne Guisada, and Picadillo tacos.. the beef fajita was cooked right there in front of us and it turned out to be the highlight of our otherwise lackluster snack..

hot spot

now this is where its at!  classic taco trailer with all the usual items.. the al pastor was bold and flavorful, with plenty of pineapple.. Cabeza got the barbacoa and it was equally authentic and delicious.. the prices were reasonable and the service friendly.. this is a good stop for anyone wanting to try true mexican taco trailer food.. no sign of gringo compromises..

We arrived in San Marcos with our bellies empty and not much time to sit down and grub.  The venue we were playing at happened to be right next to this place called Cancun Rob’s.  Personally, it looked right up my alley.. what with all the fishnet, christmas lights, and caribbean decor.  I was sold but Chappy, TacoBlob, and Beako De Gallo were definitely not.  So Beako de Gallo went to hit up some advice from the gas station right next door.  Because you know, the people at gas stations are always so adept at restaurant suggestions.  Well, right away the lady in there told Beako that this Cancun Rob’s place was simply bombastic;  “best fajitas and tacos in town”, she says. Read the rest of this entry »

Put that anywhere.

A mainstay on Barton Springs Road, The Green Mesquite has always been perfect for a cold beer and some tasty BBQ.  Show up on weekends and there’s bound to be some good bluegrass music outside on the cozy, shady patio.  The meat is always smoked tender, never over-cooked and you gotta love the iced tea with sonic ice.

» This jerkstore liked it so much – he took it upon himself to greenlight construction of a new drive-thru window.  Seemed like a good idea.  That is, until management discovered the crash had knocked a napkin dispenser into the beer tap – causing an entire keg of Blue Moon pour out on the floor…He is now awaiting execution on Texas Death Row.

Did we mention Green mesquite has TACO’S ?

Chop beef Bubba taco

Cheese Steak Taco Basket (7.99) 2 Big tortillas STUFFED full of juicy flank steak, topped with fresh lettuce, tomato, jalapenos and an above average BBQ sauce.  Delicious. Comes with 2 sides – Cabeza reccommends the pinto beans & a side salad.

Bubba Taco Basket (7.99) 2 tacos and 2 sides.  Choose between Turkey, Chop beef, Brisket, Chicken, or Pulled Pork.  Cabeza tried the Turkey – very generous cuts of moist and flavorful white meat; and the chop beef- high quality chop and full of flavor.

Turkey Bubba Taco

Be sure to drizzle on the house-made Picante Salsa – it took home First Place in the Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Fest way back in 1993. Not bad.

All in all – a great place for lunch and a perfect place to take your out-of-town friends- The menu is big, prices are reasonable (all you can eat BBQ for $11), the atmosphere is warm (they’ve got all kinds of old posters on the wall from extinct concert venues like the Armadillo) and the service is great too.  But no drive-thru, sorry.

Cabeza says GO THERE!
Rating: 75%

More info & pics after the break » Read the rest of this entry »

Tio Rolfo is a fiarly new stand that has shown up on along our morning work commute.. Its in the parking lot of the Shell station at South Congress and Crocket st (north of Oltorf).. Lucky for us, its actually a great stop for morning tacos.. $1.50 for 3 ingredients.. of which we have tried Chorizo, Egg, and Cheese.. and Bean, Bacon, Egg.. The salsa’s are outstanding.. especially the tomatillo verde, with a hefty jalapeno kick.. This place is definitely worth a try.

We visited the newest Torchy’s location today and I have to say the new digs have a lot of potential.. You can find the new spot just south of the original location on S. 1st St and also houses a new burger trailer called Shuggies.  

Formerly an auto shop and used car lot.. they’ve managed to repurpose the shop into a covered eating patio that overlooks bouldin creek, quite nice.  Other renovations were still in progress..  Read the rest of this entry »

UPDATE: We made a return visit today.  the tortillas are amazing…worth the price of admission alone.  Also, get the mango/cucumber pico at all costs…really refreshing and tasty.  I recommend the pork and fajita beef tacos.  Would NOT recommend the fish- low quality me thinks. And the Dublin sodas seal the deal – Cabo Bob’s is a winner.   –Cabeza

Cabo Bob’s just opened in Austin.. its locally owned and this is the first location.. Its laid out kinda like a Chipotle or a Freebirds! where you build your own tacos,burritos, or bowls as you are sent through a cafeteria line.

The kicker that sets Cabo Bob’s apart from its competition is that they make their own tortillas right before your eyes.. there are four varieties- flour buttermilk, ancho chile, cheddar, and cilatro/tomatillo – and they are all tasty.. You can choose from 4 different meats – shredded pork, chicken , fajita beef, cripsy fried fish.. also mixed grilled veggies..

The fountain drink station also features old school Dublin Dr. Pepper and some other interesting soft drink varieties with real cane sugar (if you’re into that). Overall, it was a nice experience and I will return for sure..info after the jump

Read the rest of this entry »

The first casualties of low blood sugar- Decision making and creative thinking/ you ever wait too long to take that lunch break and you end up pacing south congress like a zombie in search of any meat-based meal that’ll quench the pangs? yeah, maybe we should bring snacks to work or somethin…tacosnax…

Well, said pangs led me reluctantly to that mediocre stripmallueria they called Garibaldi’s on South Congress (just south of Ben white). BUT I was overjoyed to see that Baldi’s had been replaced by a shiny new Taqueria Chapala- IMO the best of all ATX Jalisco-style restaurants.

Chapala is sure to challenge the Tapatia family’s stranglehold on Ben White- much more class and quality (though to be fair- Tapatia has bigger portions than anyone).

At Chapala the decor is bright and simple, the service is lightning fast, the prices are dirt cheap, and the food is outstanding.

I ordered the old faithful – Combination Plate with all Beef Fajita (which i recommend to all virgin jalisco diners). I also took a chance on the barbacoa Adobado Taco – a grilled taco stuffed with juicy, spiced up bbq beef cheek meat…the best barbacoa I’ve tried in some time. (pictured at right: the Barbacoa Adobado Dinner)

Not to be outdone- Chapala’s fresh red table salsa is SO GOOD…whips Arandas ass… Read the rest of this entry »