(512) 441-5446
2004 S 1st St
Austin,
TX
78704
30.2455
-97.7572
Neighborhood: Bouldin
Price:
$
Last updated 7.20.11
Category:
Restaurants, Media Related Services
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Breakfast, Family-Friendly Dining, Brunch, Outdoor Dining, People Watching, Lunch Spot, Group Dining, Happy Hour, Cheap Eats, Bar Scene
General Info:
Open 7 Days
Cuisine:
What People Are Saying About Polvos Mexicana & Bar
Featured Review
Anne Herman
Contributor
This place is authentic, fun and very tasty. Though the service leaves something to be desired, the salsa bar keeps your mouth busy while you wait for your food and drinks. They have a array of salsas to choose from, and the chile con queso is delicious. There is an outdoor seating area, shaded from the sun but just as festive as the interior of the restaurant. The drinks are refreshing, the authentic food is served in generous portions for the price-tag, and the overall experience is enjoyable. I can easily see myself frequenting this place.
Editor's Tips
- Save Money:
- Happy hour is 4pm-7pm weekdays and features lime margaritas frozen or on the rocks.
- The Extras:
- Polvo's has plastic bags filled with water delicately hung from posts out on the patio. These are supposed to keep insects away, because "they see their reflection, only bigger, in the water and think it's another bug and go away."
Food OK, but charging me for chips when you bring them
by MarkCV67 at Citysearch
Wow a Mexican restaurant in Texas chargign for chips and salsa that the bus boy brings. Not a good thing. and that is why I probably wont be back. Call me picky. The food was good.I ordered the Migas ( ehh) but the sides that came with it were MUCH better. Can I have an order of beans and potatoes?? I only went in becauase every place around them was crowded adn I was starving.
I truly do not understand why this place is as popular
by mattioi at Citysearch
The place is dilapidated. Their service is the worst that I have ever experienced in a restaurant. The chips and salsa are watery. I only tried this place because my girlfriend insisted how great it was, but I would never eat here again….
So many better options for in Austin for this style food try – Vivo, Gueros, Baby A’s
Anything but this place!
- Pros: Nothing
- Cons: Everything
Salsa Bar Heaven
by Zeus I at Citysearch
All my Latin American friends and clients praise the authenticity of the food and enjoyed their drinks as well.
- Pros: Great Food and Drinks, Reasonable Price
- Cons: Lack of parking.
Got sick after eating at Polvos
by Lunchbox at Citysearch
Both my wife and I got sick after eating there. Several years ago we were regulars and enjoyed their food, but after hugging the toilet today we won't be returning.
Yummy roasted red pepper salsa
by MissFish at Citysearch
Read several reviews about the poor service, and couldn't disagree more. In a town where I've come to count on crappy to nonexistent service (yeah, pretty much everywhere), I feel pretty well cared for here. Water and Margarita refills were regular, more chips were offered, and meals showed fairly promptly considering how busy it was. One of the few places I've been where the appetizer showed up as an appetizer as opposed to with the meal.
The house margaritas are potent, and there are many flavors to choose from if the standard doesn't suit your taste. The queso is fair, and you can dress it up with the sides provided. So far, I've tried the Chilaquiles, chicken fajitas, Entomotades (sp?), and a shrimp/corn/mushroom fajita whose name I do not remember. All were excellent. The roasted pepper salsa (salsa bar is free, perhaps that has changed over time since a previous reviewer said otherwise) is excellent. Prices are reasonable as well.
Enjoy, just expect to have to walk a short distance since the lot is always full.
- Pros: Salsa, margaritas, phenomenal food
- Cons: parking and long-ish waits

