The Oasis On Lake Travis - Review - West Austin - Austin - The Infatuation

"There are plenty of reasons to visit The Oasis on Lake Travis. The drive is scenic and the views are incredible, particularly at sunset when the low sun casts a golden glow across the kitschy decor. And the large garage makes parking easy, even during peak hours. Food, however, is not one of those reasons. The Oasis may be one of the prettiest restaurants in Austin, but their Tex-Mex cooking falls somewhere between an airport Applebee’s and the frozen fish you popped into the air fryer last night. photo credit: Richard Casteel The Oasis doesn’t take reservations, so you’ll need to get there early to secure a seat on the patio overlooking the water, particularly on weekends. (If you’re sitting inside, you’ve missed the point.) Service is slow and inattentive, except for the photographer who will inevitably stop by to snap a picture of your table and return later with a framed copy for sale like you’re at Six Flags. Eventually, your server might check in on your empty drink. Dishes arrive whenever they feel like it, and there’s a good chance your appetizers will show up at the end of your meal. This is a restaurant that relies solely on good looks, and they seem well aware of it. It doesn’t matter that the fajitas and enchiladas at The Oasis are bland—this place will still be packed to the brim with out-of-towners and families who want a dramatic view and a photo to post online later. If you're looking for a decent meal, head to Oasis Texas Brewing next door, where you can enjoy the same scenery with solid wings that don’t feel quite so sad. photo credit: Richard Casteel photo credit: Richard Casteel photo credit: Richard Casteel photo credit: Richard Casteel photo credit: Richard Casteel Pause Unmute Food Rundown Cocktails We’re not convinced that most of these have any alcohol in them, but for legal reasons, we can’t say they’re kid-friendly. They generally lean sweet and juice-forward, like a Hi-C in a specialty glass that you can take home if you really want to remember your evening. photo credit: Richard Casteel Oasis Sampler This gets you most of the “hits” on the appetizer menu—jalapeño poppers, fried pickle spears, lollipop chicken, and queso. We’re pretty sure everything came straight out of a freezer bag. But the queso is surprisingly decent—consider making a meal out of it. photo credit: Richard Casteel Enchiladas These are a disservice to enchiladas everywhere. The tortilla is thick and doughy, the ground beef is dry, and the refried beans served on the side are bland. A small sprinkle of melted cheese is the only saving grace. photo credit: Richard Casteel Grilled Salmon The salmon has an extremely fishy taste—but very little flavor or seasoning otherwise—and we’re pretty sure the vegetable of the day is “Hill Country Fare vegetable medley” steamed without any salt. photo credit: Richard Casteel Fajitas The chicken fajitas are moist and tender, if heavily underseasoned. Consider using some of your leftover queso to add more flavor. At least the sizzling skillet they arrive on provides a little entertainment. photo credit: Richard Casteel" - Nicolai McCrary