Manuel's Downtown

05/20/2008 Posted by pwebb76

I am shocked to see that this restaurant does not have even more poor reviews than what it has received. My husband and I gave it a try yesterday as he works downtown and we wanted to give it a try. What's funny is everyone at his workplace had warned us that Manuel's was not that great, but we wanted to try it and see for ourselves. I have lived in Austin now for 9 years and I dare say this is the worst Mexican food I've ever encountered. The salsa is essentially tasteless. We had to giggle, because the chips actually tasted like crayons. How we remember the taste of crayons is beyond me, but evidently we both tried eating one as a child... and they tasted just like Manuel's chips! That is not good. My salad, which was baby spinach had grilled chicken on it was edible, but way overpriced for what it was. The service was lazy, so not even that could make up for the food. I usually only log on to Citysearch to praise my favorite local places, but I was so disappointed in this experience that I wanted to leave a review here letting people know that the only thing this place has going for it is the location. If you have an opportunity to eat in this area, pick some place else. You've been warned.

Pros: Location

Cons: Everything else. The food is overpriced, lacks taste, and the margaritas are weak. The service is flat out lazy.

01/19/2008 Posted by phutch1980

I was expecting something out of the ordinary, something I couldn't get at Papasito's or Chuy's, but on the cuisine front, was somewhat dissapointed. Sure the location was great, and the decor was hip and fun, but the food was just so-so. I had the house specialty mole, which was good but not great. At 16 bucks for enciladas I was expecting something more. So go for the hip scene, get a specialty margarita at the bar, but try one of the million other tex-mex gems in Austin for the food, this place is just average at best.

Pros: location, hip scene

Cons: average food, overpriced for value

12/27/2007 Posted by m0nkeyb0y

The food is generally decent Mexican fare. Nothing to write home about, but most items are reasonably priced and are good enough. The biggest problem is the wait, and the wait, and the wait. Manuel's is coveniently located in the heart of downtown, so it's very popular with working folks after 5:00, and with revelers starting a night on the town. Rather than turn potential customers away or give realistic wait times, the host/hostess usually tells everyone coming in that a table will be coming right up. Don't believe it. Have a drink or three at the bar. By the time a table is ready, you will be famished and tipsy.

Pros: Very popular, convenient downtown location

Cons: Very popular, convenient downtown location. Expect a LONG wait for a table.

10/10/2007 Posted by cacahuate

This is a customer service review since that was what stood out most during my recent visit to Manuel's with my boyfriend and another couple. The service and food were both very good. However, one of the people I was with objected to the preparation of one of his dishes and let the waitress know in the rudest way possible. The tone and content of his complaint was intended to make himself out to be an expert on mexican food (which he most certainly is *not*) and to make the waitress out to be someone who doesn't know her job. I was too stunned to say anything to him at the time (pretty sure it wouldn't have helped and might have made it worse). To her great credit, the waitress was very gracious and accommodating. So not only are the food and wine very good, the service is beyond professional and gracious.

09/25/2007 Posted by simi81

My husband and I went to Manuel's on a Sunday night. We were promptly seated, served water and asked for drink order. The server was back with our drink orders soon and we gave him the order for entrees. My mango daiquiri was really good. Our entrees were out within 15-20 mins of placing the order. I had enchiladas de mole and my husband had chili relleno, both entrees were really good. Overall we had a wonderful experience at Manuel's.

Pros: Food

02/01/2007 Posted by kd12l

Very good Tex-Mex, solid margatias, excellent Mole'. Like many buildings downtown that have become resturants, there wasn't any consideration to the nosie level when things get busy. High ceilings and old brick wals are great for ambience but be prepared to shout to be heard.

Pros: Very Good Food

Cons: Service and Noise can be a Problem

01/12/2007 Posted by omnipadme

I was very impressed with the atmosphere. It's very relaxed, but urban. I ordered the enchiladas de mole. I've never had mole before, and I would have to say that it was just average. The black beans and rice were delish. I also thought their margaritas were average. The thing I found most impressive about Manuel's was the menu. Each dish was something I had never seen before, an original chef masterpiece. I felt like i was eating from Iron chef or something. try it out.

Pros: unique selection

Cons: taste was average

08/19/2006 Posted by whiteballa

If you sit in the back room, you will have much more quiet. I took my g/f here for her birthday and we both loved it. It is a bit pricey but the atmosphere and food are definately worth it. I especially enjoyed the house margaritas and fajitas. Also close enough (walking distance) to the fourth and 6th street bars. You may as well spend as much time as possible downtown after paying $10 to park. I would have given a 10 but thought the salsa could have been better!

03/29/2006 Posted by swma

Great regional Mexican food! Not pretentious or overpriced like a couple of other places in town. An interesting and varied menu. There's no other place like it in Austin. On my last visit I kept it simple by going for the standard beef fajitas and was extremely pleased with my choice. I think they may be the best in town!

03/10/2006 Posted by jenn1964

I moved here frome the West coast, and have lived in several different cities. I love good food, and dine out frequently with friends. One of the best things about living in Austin is Manuel's. It is the best Mexican restaurant in Texas. The flavors are amazing, the ingredients are fresh, and the quality is consistent. My favorite dishes are the seafood specialties - Campechana, the lump crab enchilladas, and the Tuna. The Mario's Marracca is a fantastic tequilla martini.

Pros: great seafood, very fresh, great margaritas