08/18/09

Delicious

by CSMobileUser

delicious

Drive-up taco stand perfectly suits its more formal self.

by Alexandra Richmond

Opening multiple locations is a classic move for successful Austin restauranteurs. This is probably the closest offspring from the original; they're on the same street, serving virtually identical menus. This location is super casual, with a fishbowl-esque kitchen and what can be called partially indoor seating (There's a roof but only screened-in walls.) Guests watch tomatoes roasting, for smoky salsa, and tortillas warming on huge grills. Salads, stuffed burritos, and perfect tacos are perpetually in demand and keep the flow of traffic in and out of this stand brisk.

02/12/09

Good stuff

by timothompson

I'm excited that we finally got an El Chilito in downtown Austin. There's a dearth of good, cheap lunch places here, especially since we lost the Torchy's on 6th street. I love having breakfast taco and a Mexican Coke with a side of black beans. The employees are really friendly as well.

• Pros: Quick and cheap tacos
• Cons: Sometimes crowded

10/08/08

Good Puffy Tacos

by Ksinz

good food and really good puffy tacos. Just make sure not to put the bag on your lap otherwise you WILL have a grease spot on you. Only had two problems ever. One the sangrias are never strong enough, just get a large beer insted. Two, the last time I went they were outa puffy taco's which would have been ok, but they did not tell me until after taking my order and money while they did offer to change my order I didnt want anything else and just need my cash back and I got shorted a few bucks. I didnt notice till I got home, still I probably go back as I assume it was just a mistake.

05/18/08

great fish tacos

by rperez52

they our one of my top picks in austin for fish tacos, if i want the the best i need to drive to TJ antoney in san antonio. make sure that you order corn tortillas with your fish tacos.

02/23/08

Good latte, great taco...

by tuesdaythursday

Stop by El Chilito for some cheese-y Austin charm--heavy on BOTH cheese (as in the dairy product, not Celine Dion) AND the bewitchery of local Austin at its finest.

Keep in mind you may wait in line forever, to order and to eat, HOWEVER, you will also experience sheer ecstasy upon your very FIRST bite of the migas breakfast taco, coated in salt and their unique fire roasted salsa.

Live on the wild side and sample the soy latte--a great addition to any Monday morning.

01/16/08

Do you know where my order is????

by cm73634

El Chilito has service all wrong. I got my food and waited 10 minutes for my drinks that never came then I finally had to ask. They just kind of throw the tacos out the window and good luck. The food is not that great and the fish tacos have no flavor. I'm from central america and I love black beans but I have to say they taste like goya in the can. The only good thing I can say is they are open late and they have parking. So good luck.

• Pros: Parking and hours
• Cons: Food and service

03/19/07

El Chile or El Chilito?

by uberduber

May I humbly suggest that seahorse777 may have been dining at El Chile instead of little sister El Chilito? They are down the street from one another. El Chile is more of a full service restaurant.

• Pros: great location, better than other fast food
• Cons: none

02/09/07

Am I the only one who was dissapointed?

by seahorse777

My boyfriend and I decided to eat here after reading the reviews here. We had pretty high expectations! We were horribly dissapointed. Our waitress was pretty rude, to start with. We ordered the queso as an apetizer. It took her forever to bring it to us and it was to little for to much. Unlike any queso I have ever had! I ordered a dish that had carne asada and a couple of enchiladas. Neither had any sauce on them and my carne asada was overcooked. The enchiladas were terrible. My boyfriend's dinner came with an "avacado salad" which consisted of a pile of shredded lettuce and a few small slivers of avacado. The glasses were very small, which isnt to much of a problem as long as you have a waitress that will refill them when need be. To bad ours didnt.

We thought this place would be a little bit more low key, more laid-back. It seemed pretty trendy and it really wanst that cheap. I've been to other resteraunts with the same prices or cheaper (Juan in a Million, Olmeca's) that are ten times better and alot more cozy. Everyone who has left a review seems to love this place, so maybe we just had a bad experience but we definately won't go back. It was terrible.

• Pros: very nicely decorated
• Cons: everything else

02/05/07

I Actually Like This Place

by scientist314

When I get home late from work, I usually take the 21/22 bus. On the horizon as I walk to my up-and-coming trendy college "hood," I see El Chilito. It isn't normal that I get a warm fuzzy feeling for a small shack with funny lights, but for some reason it happens with El Chilito.

I walk up and either get the carne guisada tacos, which I usually have to repeat a couple times because I have a spanish accent. They are fabulous. I even tried the white rice and black beans, and it just completes me. The good thing is that sometimes when I long for breakfast food from home, I can get a chorizo & egg plate even after work.

El Chilito has a special place in my heart..not only because there are actual Mexicans cooking, but I can watch them cook, and feel pride that my people have a job in this crazy city.

So, in the end, I recommend this place for the quick fix, really laid-back night, or just really lazy night.

Oh, and get the lemonade, they try to be cute and call it "leh-moh-nada." Oh you guys!..trying really hard to be authentic. It's cool, I'll let it slide, since you feed me.

• Pros: Everything