Guero's Taco Bar

10/20/09

Cool Location and Atmosphere, Mediocre Food and Service

by Rich81 at Citysearch

Guero's is in a cool old building, right on Congress in a very interesting part of Austin. The food is ok, about a C+ compared to other Austin places. (Note to people from California, Arizona and New Mexico, Tex-Mex is definitely on the bland side, you will not be impressed by any "Mexican" restaurant in Austin. Even the Queso they swear by is about as hot as taco bell)

Guero's is a perfect place to get a patio table, have a few margaritas, eat some queso, and watch the people and cars on Congress.

A somewhat downside, it seems Guero's gets it's crew from the same place as Thundercloud. I like an eccentric crew as much as anyone, but it's not cool when your waiter looks like he hangs out under I-35, and can't remember a beer order for longer than 38 seconds.

• Pros: Atmosphere is Awesome
• Cons: Stoner Burnout Wait-staff

01/20/09

"Not Tex-Mex" equals not "good service"

by AASFoodCritique at Citysearch

I decided to do a condensed review here that will be submitted to the Austin American Statesman.

I was expecting pure Tex-Mex, hence the the title "taco-bar." I was told by my "server" Jason, that "this is NOT Tex-Mex." Wow...I am in So-Co and NOT Mexico. Anyway, the food being cooked by the people "south of the border" here was fantastic. However, all of the servers were eating their own food while trying to serve with really bad attitudes!

Jason was my server. His arrogance preceded his serving abilities. He could care less about customer satisfaction. He didn't need the stink-in job! He was way too good take care of customers. Wow...not just him but almost all of the wait staff had the same attitude! Why? Because they are in So-Co. Hmmm...not So-Ho?

I mentioned it to the manager and maybe he WILL do something about these bad attitudes.

If you do decide to eat the good "non Tex-Mex" here, please make sure you take the upper hand on the wait staff or they will run all over you.

Tip accordingly!!!

• Pros: Food
• Cons: Service-Cocky

06/09/08

good atmosphere

by txmadame72 at Citysearch

I really liked the atmosphere here. I think the best tasting plate at our table was the pancakes. The flour tortillas had to have been bagged. The migas were loaded with vegetables, big, crunchy, raw vegetables. Oh yeah, the service was sub-par. I don't know, it just wasn't what I'd expected after reading so many good reviews. When in Austin, I'll find another place.

• Pros: atmosphere, pancakes
• Cons: everything else

03/07/08

Really a place for those that do not know good Tex-Mex

by marvin_zindler_the_ii at Citysearch

I can't agrue about the location and fun atmosphere. It really is tough to beat.

But how about the food and the staff? There are about a dozen Tex-Mex restuarants in the general area that are way better than this tourist trap. If you look at their menu there is really nothing on it that stands out. On of the great things about living Texas is the Tex-Mex and the food here is simply average. Nothing to write home about, thats for sure. And the staff, well I forget that most are looking to be 'discovered in ultra cool SoCo', please its South Congress. Most of them need to get off their high horse and do what they are paid to do. Server the customer.

Try it out and buy youself a T-shirt, I'm sure they sell them.

• Pros: Location
• Cons: Food and Staff

12/04/07

Overhyped and overrated. Food is sub-par at best.

by rachellauren at Citysearch

Guero's was one of the first restaurants we ate at when we moved to Austin a few years ago. It was recommended by several people, but sadly we were dissapointed. We decided to give it another try since it's been almost three years, and the food was even worse than we remembered. The meat in our tacos looks like dog food; the fish tacos were bits of fish smothered in mayonaise and corn. So gross. If you want authentic Mexican, go to Polvo's. Even Hula Hut is better than this place. We won't be going back.

• Pros: south congress location, people watching
• Cons: food is terrible

09/04/06

Where are the good reviews coming from?

by shearne at Citysearch

I've been here many times in my 10 years in Austin. The has always ranged from average to way below average. Both the waiters and the management seem to have a bad attitude. The food is way below average and, in my opinion, overpriced. The drinks are pretty good though...I'd recommend the margarita.

The main thing this restaurant has going for it is its very visible location right in the middle of the South Congress shopping/restaurant area. I also really like the outdoor music area/stage that they've put in...It's a really nice thing for Austin.

• Pros: Location, outdoor music area, margaritas
• Cons: Minimum value for money, medoicre mexican food, bad attitude

02/21/05

Totally Overrated

by smithme at Citysearch

This is supposedly one of Austins hot spots but the wait is always too long, the margaritas are too small, too expensive and not strong enough. The food is OK and overpriced.

• Pros: people watching
• Cons: wait, parking, food/drinks expensive

12/17/04

Why bother?

by whoisadriana at Citysearch

When I first moved to Austin it seemed like everyone told me to check out Guero's for some good mexican food... and when I finally did I had no idea what all the fuss is about. The food is below average if that and the drinks are terrible! (my margarita tasted like water mixed with margarita mix)I think the only thing keeping this place going is their cute decor and the location. If you don't believe my rating go ahead and try it for yourself because I believe once you do you will not be back. I love mexican food and my margaritas but this place was a huge dissapointment. * Also I would like to add that I have given this place a few chances to change my mind ( being with groups of people who wanted to go) but they get a grade of an F each time.

• Pros: cool decor, nice trendy location, live music sometimes
• Cons: , bad food, bad drinks

04/15/03

Ripped Off!!!

by gpineda at Citysearch

I admit, I miscalculated my tip and shorted the waiter 3% on a $9 bill. That doesn't excuse the fact I found $2 added to the bill AFTER I signed and paid the bill (I used checkcard. Looked online and $2 more was charged). There is NO excuse for this action! Either than that bit of thievery, the food was only average and we actually had to PAY for our chips and salsa!! The place is overpriced anyway. Get your tacos at Taco Express or eat at a real Taqueria where the wait staff only speaks Spanish (Taqueria Arandinas).

• Pros: Good atmosphere
• Cons: Average quality food, Pricey.

10/21/02

Over-rated

by wondertrev at Citysearch

They charge 13$ for tacos that cost 3$ in Laredo.