Jovita's Mexican Restaurant

09/14/2008 Posted by alex384

In response to all of the bad reviews from the past years: The executive and sous chef are new and they're doing a great job reinventing the menu and turning around the restaurant's past reputation. When my friends and I went, we had the drink special of the day which was a hibiscus margarita. I like to try new things but I was skeptical... and proved wrong. The drink was amazing and I've been back several times and never been disappointed. The queso is an amazing way to start the meal. I've been several times and recommend getting the special every time. The chile relleno and fajitas are really good, but I can't resist stealing bites off of the plate of whoever ordered the special. I finally got smart and started ordering it for myself. The tres leches cake is absolute heaven and our table of 7 devoured 2 (huge) pieces. The chefs are passionate and innovative and they enjoy feedback on the new dishes they create. So, before you take past reviews into account, give the new Jovita's a chance.

08/23/2008 Posted by fnl181

I had a wonderful dinner tonight at Jovita's. The new chef (nice guy - seemed young to be the chef) greeted us at the door and invited us to try his new recipe for sopapillas- my bite-sized sampling was delicious - served with a carmel sauce instead of the traditional honey. For an appetizer, we ordered queso for our chips. It was smooth and yummy. I only wanted something light so I ordered the tortilla soup. It was the best I have ever had! My friends ordered the tres leches cake and I just HAD to have a bite - and then another, and another because it was so good - different than I had tasted before - not so drenched -just lots of flavor. I plan on going back when I am more hungry so that I can try some of the rest of the menu.

07/11/2008 Posted by kacm

my parents and i ate at jovita's tonight for the first time and will NEVER return. being true austinites, we enjoy supporting local restaurants, but we were more than disappointed in our experience at jovita's. upon arrival, our gut instinct told us to turn around and walk out, but we decided to stay and try the food anyway. the tacos were greasy and tasteless, the taquitos were chewy and lacking chicken and the lettuce and pico de gallo were both brown and nasty. our waiter was inattentive, the manager looked slimy and walked around chewing on a straw- truly revolting, and the head chef clearly lacks talent (he can sell t-shirts and strut around in his apron, but he cannot cook). this meal was by far the biggest waste of $26. and take down your political signs. you run a "restaurant", not campaign headquarters for a flaming left wing politician.

04/11/2008 Posted by dachoker

This was my first time to go to Jovita's and it was for my Wife's birthday. The food was horrible, I would take Taco Cabana over going to Jovita's ever again. First off they charge $2.50 for chips and salsa and you don't even get refills on them. The food was bland and overall low quality. Pretty much no one in my 10 person party liked their food. To top it off the service was horribly slow which wasn't the waitress' fault because they were seriously under staffed. Overall, not a good experience.

Pros: not much...ambiance

Cons: food, price, quality, service

08/16/2006 Posted by edbo

The food has always been bad at Jovita's. Not really Tex-Mex or Mexican, just bad. Slow service too! As of late even the music is going down hill............lots of no names that don't fit in the Austin live music line up. Come on Jovita's you can do better.

Pros: Location

Cons: Food, Service, Quality

04/20/2006 Posted by siinna

I've been in South Austin my entire life, and have loved Jovita's. Ever since Freddie'e oepend up next door the attitude and Jovita's has gotten really bad...so much so I was yelled at because the owner THOUGHT I was trying to park in his parking lot, to then secretly scurry over to Freddie's. The owner has gotten rude, and so has the staff. They've forgotten the South Austin charm - attitude.

Pros: music

Cons: food, service

10/06/2005 Posted by bubba_jones

Co-workers and I went for a casual lunch with a new employee. The service was execptionally slow and usually had errors in taking our order. The food left much to be desired. There are too many good places to go for lunch that we will not return. The atmosphere looks like it would be a good place after work.

08/18/2005 Posted by borderline

I went and saw Bill Kirchen here and he was great as always. But the food was awful, close to inedible. We had some nachos with beef and they were just gristle and grease. Ugh. If I hadn't been starving and coming down from a few drinks I don't think I would have even touched them. Good thing that place is dark or else I would be having nightmares about the sight of those nachos... Service was wanting... But the crowd and atmosphere was to my liking: not to small or large a venue, full but not crowded. My advice, go for the band, get a drink, EAT AT HOME!!!

Pros: the music, location

Cons: the food, service

06/28/2005 Posted by hodnad

The food is great and the music is Texas. You will see children dancing with grandparents!

06/05/2005 Posted by sarah_beara23

Im big on Mexican food and when it came down to throw a dinner party i decided on this place b/c i love the food. Enchiladas are great and so are the rice and beans and fajitas. To my knowledge they replaced the cook so for the old reviews, i think the food is great. Great atmosphere. I am under 21 (20) and was told the drinks at the bar were a little pricey.