Matt's El Rancho

10/06/2008 Posted by CoryS

Tasteless food, deafening and definitely not worth waiting for a table. To top it off, my stomach paid the price, too. High greasy/fat Tex Mex. Have had better fast food Mexican food. The place is definitely not what I remembered from 10+ years ago.

Pros: Know not to go there again.

Cons: Food, wait, up all night going to the bathroom.

03/27/2008 Posted by tdl123

We waited over an hour for a table for four on a Thursday night. They didn't appear to be that busy. The waiter was clearly not interested in us as we waited 20 minutes for him to take and receive our drink order (which was tea and water). We ordered and the food was cold and tasteless. I will never recommend Matt's to anyone. Go someplace else!

Pros: Close to my house

Cons: Food, service, ambience (too loud), parking, un-friendly waitstaff

03/16/2008 Posted by jm1773

We went as a group of 6 for my friends birthday and it took literally 20 min to get our drinks and the place was not even busy. The waiter was friendly but talked to us like we were 12 and i still couldnt figure out why. After waiting over 45 min for our food it wasnt even very tasty. This place was highly recommended to us, but i surely wont be recommending this place to ANYONE. Pick Casa Garcia, Little Mexico or La Feria over this place ANY DAY

Pros: tasty margaritas

Cons: poor service, expensive food

12/05/2007 Posted by jlbaker

Very good service and the waiters/waitresses are very knowledgeable on what they're serving from the tequilla menu to the food they were great. 2nd time I've been to Matt's and the 2nd time I've been to Austin. Definitely a must do in my opinion.

Pros: Very good service

Cons: Closed on Tuesdays

11/12/2007 Posted by lilly97

We visited Matt's because it was recommended here and we were shocked. The food was inedible. Their margarita was ok, but neither my date or I could eat our food. The tacos were cold and the meat was sour. Will not be back.

Cons: food was terrible

10/25/2007 Posted by joee22

Hoo Hum, taste - as if our meal came straight from the can! Salsa was HOT & SPICY - you could remove dried paint from your driveway with that stuff. Atmosphere was crowded & Noisy. Not sure why because most of the FOOD was tasteless. Their reputation needs to be redeemed. This place lost its touch when Matt passed away.

Pros: Good location

Cons: Tasteless food.

09/12/2007 Posted by youknowrae

OK, this is one of the few places I have ben to several times since moving to Austin. My first time here I ordered the prickley pear margarita on a friend's reccomendation and was shocked when it came out fuschia! I was only slightly less shocked when it was delicious! My friend and I started out with the shrimp avocado ceviche which was uber tasty. I had some soup and an a la cart taco, both of which left me very happy. My most recent visit was even more wonderful, I practically had to be rolled out of there! I got the chicken fajitas with the grilled veggies mixed in and I am in love! It will take a miracle to get me to order anything else, it was SO good. The service there has always been good. My waiter the last time was very helpful and accomodating. Over all I give this place an A+. It was my choice for my birthday dinner and to take out my special friend who helped me move. PS-sit outside, its lovely!

Pros: margaritas, grilled veggies, to-die-for patio

Cons: i want more cheese

07/24/2007 Posted by toroneg

Since my first terrible dinner at Matt's El Rancho over six years ago, I have never been back for any more food...it was that bad. The food ranged from below mediocre to awful, but the truly disappointing part was the way we were treated. The waitstaff was busy closing down portions of the restaurant and acted like we were putting them out because we wanted to order, like we had walked in at the last minute, even though we arrived at 8:00 pm, TWO HOURS before their posted closing time. As part of their closing procedures, they had placed tables and chairs in front of the doors to the restroom, and were upset when I walked around the tables and squeezed my way through the bathroom door--I guess they had already cleaned the restroom, and didn't want anybody to use it. Altogether a miserable, teeth-grinding experience. On the other hand, I have gone back a couple of times for happy hour margaritas. Their patio is relaxing, the margaritas are passable to good, and you can avoid having any of that terrible, greasy food. And don't get me wrong--I like greasy--I always order queso flameado with chorizo if it's on the menu (which is basically melted cheese and Mexican sausage--doesn't get much greasier!)--but the food I got at Matt's was swimming in pools of tasteless grease. Go for the happy hour, avoid the food.

Pros: drinks good, patio charming, prices right

Cons: rude/uncaring staff, poor business practices, terrible food

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

07/10/2007 Posted by sharasmile

Matt's El Rancho is a great place to choose when going out with friends. The atmosphere is a little loud but always fun, and the place is always packed - which says something! The food is good, true tex-mex, the Armstrong dip is a favorite of many, and the margaritas are good and strong. In fact, their strawberry margaritas are the best I've ever had - delicious! Just be sure to have a designated driver if you plan on having more than one! Sure you'll have to wait pretty much anytime in the evenings or on weekends, but I think it's worth the wait. :)

07/01/2007 Posted by native_austinite

I grew up with Matt and family... As a native Austinite, this is something that is a right of passage. The standard is the standard. God Bless the Martinez family for carrying on a great tradition. Get there early(or late) on the weekends. This place is a MUST stop while in Austin.

Pros: It's Matt's El Rancho- Austin... The Crowd

Cons: The Crowd