El Chile Cafe y Cantina
Austin, TX 78731
Phone: (512) 284-7863
- Price:
- $
- Hours:
- Mon-Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-9pm
Editorial Review for El Chile Cafe y Cantina – by Andrea Loera
In Short
Fans of the first location along owner Carlos Rivero's Manor Road restaurant row will recognize the updated Tex-Mex menu and signature El Chile décor in the transformed Mesa Hills Café space. The patio (which is slightly smaller here but every bit as charming) provides extra seating, as does the ample bar. Menu favorites include Alma's tortilla soup, fresh-tasting tilapia seviche, enchiladas with Oaxacan-style red mole sauce, arrachera steak with melted Chihuahua cheese and plenty of daily specials.
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Insider Tips
What to DrinkTry the unusual and tasty prickly pear margarita in an oversized glass from the sit-down bar.
Look GoodChips and salsa is served with a mini carafe of extra salsa, so no need to ask for more when your bowl is empty.
User Reviews for El Chile Cafe y Cantina
08/27/2008 Posted by rwschroeder
Went to El Chile for the first time last Sunday. We were greeted and seated right away. Our waitress was very friendly and fast with our orders. Please, try the soup! It was amazing. The next time I may get just that. We each had a small bowl and shared the shrimp fajitas and it was plenty. The drinks weren't too expensive, and they were strong! If you are going to have a margarita, you may want to bring a designated driver. All in all, a great experience. We will definitely be back for more.
Pros: Great food, strong drinks, good service
Cons: None whatsoever
07/06/2008 Posted by JAFesquire
While not necessarily the best location for an interior Mexican restaurant, El Chile has a suprisingly pleasant atmosphere with a wonderful front patio. The decor is well put together and upscale, making it easy to enjoy the incredibly flavorful food. The service was impeccable, the entire staff was extremely friendly, everything was fast, fresh, hot, and perfectly cooked. To top it all off, the salsa was delicious (once we added just a little salt). I will definitely be returning to explore their unique menu!
