Iron Cactus Mexican Grill & Margarita Bar
Austin, TX 78759
Phone: (512) 794-8778
- Price:
- $
- Hours:
- Sun-Wed 11am-12am, Thu-Sat 11am-2am
Editorial Review for Iron Cactus Mexican Grill & Margarita Bar – by James Scott Bankston
In Short
The building mixes Luis Barragan and "Miami Vice"--bold Latin colors, glass blocks, black granite tables and etched panels--with a Los Angeles attitude. At night, the exterior glows with blue lights like an airport runway. The crowd includes young professionals, families, singles and wedding rehearsal/bachelorette parties. Starters include smoked duck quesadillas and tortilla soup with sun-dried tomatoes. Entrees feature pollo relleno with jalapeno cream sauce and camarones a la parilla--seared shrimp stuffed with cheese and jalapenos.
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Insider Tips
When to GoStop in on Sunday from 10am to 3pm and enjoy their fabulous brunch.
Know Before You GoIron Cactus also has a location on Sixth Street.
Private RoomsIn addition to the main dining room, there's a pepper-red private dining room, a separate elevated area that resembles a church apse and the Agave Room--a vast and elegant bar with an impressive tequila selection that opens up to a romantic patio.
User Reviews for Iron Cactus Mexican Grill & Margarita Bar
05/27/2008 Posted by shaft28
My wife said this used to be "the" place back 10 years ago, it looks it with the 1990 decor. We decided to give it a shot... We walk in and the smoke from the bar is wafting out the door and into the restaurant. Not a great start but we're seated far away (only later did the smell permeate all the way across to us). The chips and salsa were great. I mean the cold salsa was good, the warm salsa fantastic. We loved it. Margarita was very good as well. The chicken poblano was about the driest chicken I've ever seen come out of a kitchen. I mean it was way overcooked. Flavor was ok, but not good enough to overlook. The fajitas were pretty good. Probably the first time ever I've been given too many tortillas with fajitas (I think I counted 8!). The meat was flavored well but a tad overcooked too. All in all not bad, service was sweet but inconsistant here and there. Very young servers all around which is never good in a place like this. Not sure we'll go again, but we may give it another shot.
02/08/2008 Posted by emeraldead
I've been to the 6th St and N Austin location once. I'll focus this review on the N Austin with some comparison. Parking was bad- but it was a Friday night during prime dinner time. Our reservations were ready and the ambiance was delightful with glowy lighting and a very modern fountain in the center of the room. Our waitress was quite attentive with multiple check-ins but not interrupting the flow of the food. I also love when a server actually takes an interest in their cuisine and can offer suggestions. It's hard to choose between their two salsas- the cool crisp pico type is the perfect blend between chunky and brothy, and the smoky warm chile type is biting but smooth. Luckily, they give you both! In both trips I chose shrimp with my entree and both times I was amazed. Shrimp was cooked perfectly, and with amazing popping flavor. The butter they bring with it is also flavorful and adds a perfect compliment. Better than a seafood restaurant often is! On the downside, my steak kabobs were completely overcooked and underseasoned. I very nearly asked for them to send new meat out but they were just chunks and we were near the end of the meal already. But a big disappointment, specially considering this is Texas where you NEVER get badly cooked cow. It came with cilantro lime rice with corn and cheese. The flavors mixed together wonderfully, but was just too cheesy for my own tastes. Almost casserole like. The ambiance is definitely trendy, but warm. A bit pricier than typical Austin fare, but with the right dish completely worth it. Still casual enough to become an Austin regular.
Pros: Salsa, service, shrimp
Cons: Parking, steak
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