Cafe Hornitos

I got the enchilada plate. The food was warm and the margarita was delicious! It is a bit on the higher side but it is facing the growth and expansion of 35 trying to push them out! Great way to support local business. Great atmosphere and service. 4/5

The restaurant is easy to get to right off the freeway and has free parking. This restaurant serves delicious TexMex food with a large menu and full bar. It also offers vegetarian options and three types of beans : refried, borracho and black. There are lunch specials and a happy hour menu with both food and drink offerings. The dining room is a little small but the food is good. The service can be hit or miss but even when it’s slow it’s not that bad. The prices are very reasonable and the food is good. Can’t really ask for more

Good tasting and strong drinks, and food is cheap and good as well. Service is quick, and there’s a happy hour 3-7 every weekday, a great little spot near campus.

We pulled into the back parking lot and were not impressed with the place initially. However, once going inside and being seated, we were treated with outstanding service and delicious food. In our party, we ordered the fajitas, the chile relleno, and the chimi. Everything was so good. It turned out to the be best meal we enjoyed while in Austin. You have to try this place--you won't be sorry.

Cafe Hornitos has a really welcoming vibe—friendly staff, cozy atmosphere, and excellent food. Literally anything off the menu will be incredible, but the breakfast specifically tacos are always amazing and the drinks always hit the spot. It’s a solid place to study, catch up with friends, or just take a break during the day. Highly recommend!

Great food!! Even better happy hour margaritas!! Our server was friendly & efficient. He was the only person waiting tables & making the drinks. But it didn’t slow him down & we never felt abandoned. Loved the authentic atmosphere!

Delicious, Authentic, and excellent service!! Best enchiladas con huevo!!! Great margaritas, chips and salsa too! Extensive menu options to satisfy all of your Tex-Mex cravings!! Must visit!!

I've driven past this place 1000 times and finally came upon it by accident looking for breakfast. Everything was amazing! Our waiter was very attentive and very friendly, and the food is incredible. The beans have a beautiful flavor, the tortillas look made in house, salsa with a nice kick...so much great flavor, it's all delicious. Can't believe I've never been here. I'll definitely be coming back.

Love the food and the people that work there. Family owned businesses love eating here and hanging out . Good times!

They recently changed their hours. Okay, no problem. We went there well after the new "open" time -- doors locked, lights dark. TWICE !! They obviously don't want our business and now they don't have to worry about getting it. I saw some other potential customers try the doors, too; same result -- they walked away.

I feel super guilty leaving a bad review because they seemed nice and it feels like a small family owned business but god damn was this gross Kind of reminded me of my elementary school cafeteria taco Tuesday. Bland, unoriginal, over cooked, mysterious and last but not least diarrhea inducing.

To go order review--walked in around lunch time to order my food. I ordered my food and received my food pretty quickly; I probably had my food less than 10 minutes of ordering. They have lunch specials that are reasonably priced. My enchiladas and beans were mediocre--they weren't anything to rave about. The Spanish rice was decent (probably the best thing on my plate).

Good unpretentious, tasty, filling breakfast. Very reasonable priced. Neighborhood joint.

Loved the Rita's! Great pre-game location. Service is always amazing. Don't be fooled by the rustic appearance.

Amazing tex mex food. I've been searching for good enchiladas everywhere in Austin as someone from SA I have some standards lol and this is the place i've been looking for. The server was really nice , the food came out pretty quick, it wasn't really packed but they have music playing . 10/10 definitely coming back

I finally CAME BACK!!!!!! I was so excited to come back to one of my favorite restaurants. It's still as delicious, there's a new waitress and she's the sweetest. I ordered the barbacoa tacos and it was DELICIOUS! The barbacoa was spot on. Took our order, kept checking up on us, refilled our drinks. I love it and I can't wait to be back. Hidden Jem if you ask me , definitely check it out

Great prices, 3 different meals there were excellent and a reasonable proportion. Good happy hour price!

Great food & service! Nice price point and more importantly great margaritas! They even stayed late for us because we were visiting from out of town and extremely hungry!

Great food! My friend and I come to this establishment at least twice a week. The staff is super friendly, food comes out quickly, and every item that I've tried on the menu is authentic and incredibly delicious. Prices are great for the quality of their food. I recommend this place over any other Mexican restaurant in Austin!

I went back and was told happy hour food prices only count if one gets a drink. Bummer.

What you see is what you get. Cafe Hornitos don't look so good. * * * Cafe Hornitos is a grungy Mexican restaurant On the grungiest section of I-35 - The part between Manor and 38th. Other businesses in the area are a porn shop and a Latina themed topless bar. The building is built cheap and needs maintenance. There are various plywood doors cut into walls that lead to random places. There is graffiti in front near the roof. The upper deck of I-35 overhangs everything. The outdoor ambience? Loud and dirty. * * * I had a taco salad with the standard ground beef filling - to go. I was kind of nauseous when I was done. The ground beef was fine and so was the salad part. I was surprised they were able to fit a taco salad bowl into the little white box. But they did. That part worked fine. The source of all evil was the taco salad shell. That shell tasted funny from the very beginning. I have no idea how a taco salad shell can be off Other than being somewhat stale. But it was off for whatever reason - and it ruined the party. * * * Other items here might be okay. However, the location seems so generally repellent That I am not super eager to repeat the experiment.

Cafe Hornitos... Hmmm definitely did not wow me. Let's continue with the bad since we've already started off there. Arrived during Happy Hour.. Margaritas were weak as hell. I am not sure if they are premixed/made but they are the equivalent of the Applebees Margaritas. Not strong at all. Ok that's probably the only thing I can legitimately remember right now but it was enough to upset me. LOL However, I do like the prices during Happy Hour. They have a Happy Hour Menu. The portions are small - too small for some I would say. They were ok for me and my friend. Just a snack. I would definitely give it another shot.. in hopes that it is a little better. Service was pretty decent overall.

Small, unassuming but it's always delightfully cozy inside. The food is always affordable and the proportions are great! Takeout is fast and the waiters are really nice if you decide to dine indoors. I got the El Jay last time I went which came with two separate dishes basically (pictured). Both were good. I usually end up ordering the burritos with a Margarita because nothing beats the comfort food-alchohol combo on a midweek night.

The food is good and I live around the corner, so I will definitely be back. The service was also friendly. The happy hour menu is affordable, which is rare in Austin. A fair warning, though: you may want to be very specific when you're ordering take out for their specials. I called in for the $5 a la carte chimichanga from the happy hour menu, and ended up being charged $15 for the regular chimichanga entree. The difference between the $5 a la carte and $15 entree is only some refried beans and lettuce+sour cream, so that was pretty disappointing. :( But again, the food and service is good! I'm going to keep exploring the (lunch specials and happy hour) menu. And, if you order the right things, it's a lot of bang for your buck. Overall, I am satisfied.

This spot has good food. During COVID they have spaced out the tables for dine in if you'd like. However, people were sitting at the bar. Employees wear a mask the entire time. Food came out quick and HOT. Came during Happy Hour but ordered from the regular menu. Decent prices. Complimentary salsa (with a kick!) and chips.

This is going to be our new favorite spot. The margaritas are fantastic and the service is really good! Take a shot or two while you're there.

We were in desperate need of a place to eat and we found this place last minute with a party of 10... service was very nice however they were understaffed so we waited about 45 minutes to be seated even though they were not very busy. Food was average but did the job!

Old school Tex Mex right here! The place feels like a time machine that takes you back to a simpler era of Tex Mex cooking, with a focus on the basics. I've ordered combo plates here several times and the food has always been simple and solid. The interior harks back to the 1980s - the building appears to have been a restaurant space for a long time, and that nostalgia appeals to me. The small dining room includes a full bar and is accented with the typical kitschy, colorful decor. Everything is well-worn but clean. Looks like they have happy hour specials, though I've never been. I live in the neighborhood and mostly get takeout. Beyond Tex Mex, the menu offers some more authentic dishes like pollo en mole and barbacoa. And for those who want a burger or a chicken sandwich, they've got those, too. It's is easy to overlook in its location in the shadow of I-35's upper deck, but Cafe Hornitos fills a niche with its no-frills, moderately priced fare. Pro tip: If you're coming from the neighborhood west of I-35, use 38th street to avoid the busy, one-way access road.

Love this place. Food is excellent. Bartenders are very personable and friendly. I come here regularly now. Only complaint is that the music is usually too loud. Makes conversation difficult.

These michiladas are very tasty. They have just the right amount of sting, having you come back for more. Food is good and moderately priced.

Such a great hidden gem!! Michael is the best server and the food is always amazing and consistent. Great margaritas and atmosphere. Highly recommend for brunch/lunch.

Hornitos never disappoints. Great food, kind service, authentic Tex Mex. People complaining about the ambiance or interior design should go back to The Cheesecake Factory.

This is the best and cleanest place to get a great hamburger, salad, breakfast and tacos!

Great food that is consistently good and reasonably priced. The wait staff is efficient and friendly

My wife and I came here the other night for the first time and was extremely happy that we did! We live walking distance and will defiantly be coming back. We started with a Hornitos Marg that was delicious and strong! My wife order the combo fajitas and I ordered the taco enchilada plate. Both dishes had a lot of flavor; my favorite were the cheese enchiladas! Our server was a very sweet lady and the service was awesome! Don't let this little gem fool you being on the frontage road.

Continuing the fam bam tradition of getting Tex Mex on Fridays, and since we like to try new places, we ended up here. Cafe Hornitos is close to home, and we've probably driven by it hundreds of times, so it was high time to give it a try. This place is interesting in that for every really great thing about it, there's an equally opposite complaint. For example, we love that when you walk in, the decor is completely no frills: plastic tablecloths, six-pack containers as wallpaper, furniture from the 70s. It feels like you're in abuela's basement...aaaaaaand it also smells like urine. Like, the whole restaurant just smelled vaguely septic. You get used to it. Spicy salsa, powerful margaritas, an earnest young millennial server eager to please his customers (but clearly the restaurant business is not his calling): check, check, check. We enjoyed the queso flameado that we started with since it's the more "traditional" version with (real-ish) cheese served all melty on a hotplate. Our daughter got her typical quesadilla, and we have to say that it was pretty soggy. The two of us split gorditos and the pescado caliente. Both were...OK. Everything was unexciting, even the sides. So overall a mixed review, but we genuinely like this place and how under the radar it is. We can see ourselves going back at some point or another, but the Friday Tex-Mex tradition will move on to spicier pastures for now.

We happened to be in the area, spotted this little gem alongside the I-35 access road and decided to give it a try. Boy, I am glad we did as I am a huge fan of hole in the wall Mexican food restaurants. My wife enjoyed a Margarita which was made from hand squeeze limes as well as her enchilada with a crispy taco and queso. My beef enchiladas with Verde sauce was also delicious. We both also enjoyed the crispy tacos. The chips and hot sauce as well as the food all seem to be housemate and very delicious. We will definitely come here again.

Went last night. This was good. The chips and salsa were good. Liked the salsa, it was more medium than mild. We also tried the chili con queso. That was alright. It was hot (temperature). We ordered the enchiladas suizas and the vegetarian enchiladas. Both were good. Loved the refried beans. We'll be back. Will also want to try out their breakfast.

The food wasn't bad but not amazing. The restaurant was clean but pretty run down. The wait staff was nice but had difficulty getting our orders correct.

Great food, and even better service! The servers are very attentive. The restaurant is always clean. The owners are very friendly and welcoming. My favorite dish is the chicken flautas with black beans & rice. You will not be disappointed with this place.

I love this spot. The food is definitely priced on the cheaper side, my meal is always solid, and the service is the happiest, most pleasant service I think I've ever received. Honestly, the servers/bartenders are my main reason for coming back. I've worked in restaurants my entire career and i can see how it would be easy to fall into a grumpy slump working at a Texmex spot by the highway, but man. Nothing but smiles and positive attitudes here! Love to see it. Will return again and again. Only negative is the tables are weirdly small. But not that big of a deal.

(#83)Very solid find with this place. Service was outstanding start to finish!...Chips and salsa awesome...Salsa had a nice kick too it...what really cool?..the wife has become a salsa fan!!!...she never realized how different each one is..queso was creamy and really good with a splash of the salsa in it!!!...wife had beef enchiladas w/double rice..the "standard" gravy was tasty..beef had a good flavor on its own..myself...combo plate!!..one beef, one chicken and one cheese..ALL with a different sauce!!..Loved it All!!...chicken tender with a nice tasty green sauce..beef Good!!!...and the cheese one was packed with creamy goodness !!!..rice was fluffy an fresh, we both liked that ...I had the black beans on the side..very good !!!..we will for sure be back!!!..lots more to try on the menu!!!..and by the look of other reviews..they have a killer breakfast !!

Terrible service. They tried to memorize our order 3 different times instead of just writing it down. Waited 2 hours for food just to find out they never placed our order in the kitchen. Then a piece of fish came when we ordered a chicken quesadilla so we packed up and left

Jorge and Noe literally made my trip. Best drinks, best people ... Really gave me a "Cheers" vibe. Coming back for sure!!! Love these d00dz.

A no frills Mexican place with great Margs and friendly staff. I probably drive by this place a few hundred times and didn't know what I was missing. Definitely worth pulling off the service street for some food and drink.

This morning, I wanted Brussel sprouts. I checked my fridge, and NO. Jack and shit. Meat Eater wanted, well, meat. Hey, lets go to Fiesta! And grab breakfast on the way! Cafe Hornitos is right across the street, lets go there! Walked in to an empty ass restaurant. No one, but the server. The host said, "table for two?" Yes, thanks. "Please sit anywhere you like." Do you have any tables open? ...Confusion. Crickets chirp. We sit at a booth. Check menu, Meat Eater orders Carne Guisada. I see nothing vegan friendly, so I just go ahead and say, "Veggie taco, please. No egg or cheese, just veggies, like whatever you have." Oh, sure, we can do that. Breakfast comes out. Meat Eater liked it, he said it wasn't the best, but it was still tasty. Veggie taco, super! Spinach, onion, mushroom, tomato and some other crap all sautéed together to make a great breakfast. And a buck fifty. Even better. Salsa was nice, chips were nice, "decor" was totally weird and unfortunate. Breakfast was good, and I would totally go back. I'm not sure if anyone ever goes here, but they should. It's good and simple, and just order a veggie taco, the one that's not on the menu. If you sit by the windows, you'll have a great view of Chicas Bonitas, right across 35. They weren't open yet, but if you go at the right time, you might just be able to enjoy a massive train wreck with your tacos.

Hidden gem! Authentic and delicious food, family owned too! Everything is good but the Migas taco is the best migas taco I've ever had.

This and the 24hr Mexican spot on Cesar Chavez are clutch go to restaurants in town. A bunch of vegetarian option on the menu and everyone that works there are personalities.

Good spot for decently priced mexican food. You definitely get what you pay for and for a good price. I had the enchiladas de Cameron and they were good. Nothing spectacular but good and I finished every last bite. The server was very on top of it all as well. Would return.

My first visit here was good. I had the chicken mole enchiladas, rice and beans and plenty of chips and salsa. Everything was good and the mole sauce was tasty. I left full and happy with my meal and the very reasonable price I paid. However, on a subsequent return, I ordered the 3 large taco plate (beef). The 3 tacos were large, as advertised, but frankly the meat inside was tasteless. So much so that I found it difficult to finish the meal. The chips and salsa, again, were very good, in fact, their salsa is some of the best I've ever experienced in Austin. The restaurant is right off I35 at 38th street on the West side of 35. It's easy to get to, plenty of parking and both times I was there for lunch there was ample seating. Maybe I got them on a bad day. I'll go back for another try sometime in the future and maybe the third time will be the tie breaker. I did see a beef burrito on the menu, so I guess I could give that a shot.

I didnt know what to expect since there was only one vehicle parked out. Ordered the carne asada. And just let me tell ypu they had authentic nopales none of that canned stuff. And the carne asada was actually asada. Best flavor in austin so far.

We stumbled across this place while taking a stroll underneath the freeway. We were pleasantly greeted my Jorge who gave us drinks and chips. The chips are fresh and delicious. Service was fantastic. Will come back to this establishment just to see Jorge and Noe!!

The service is the only good thing here. The food is absolutely disgusting. Bland, crappy and awful. It's WAY overpriced. I'll go to Los Altos right on the other side of the highway. The family got the special (enchilada, taco, rice and beans) and the food was just so bland and so awful... We also got the carne guisada and it was more like a thick stew with too much pepper and overcooked bland meat.

How did I not know this place was here? went for a work lunch, was able to sit right down, wasnt busy. I was worried at first. very good. servers kept chips and salsa and drinks refilled. small parking lot. perhaps carpool . About 10 bucks a plate

I want to support local businesses but have to be honest. Their lack of Covid awareness is concerning . We were only there for take out. I witnessed waitress talk to customers at packed bar with mask below her chin for 20 minutes. Some of food was very good (grilled veggies and flautas were tasty). Rest was fine but nothing memorable. Not comfortable going back inside

Honestly I was very disappointed. Tonight was my first time at this restaurant and at first glance it looks very authentic and humbling which typically is a good thing. They didn't bring out our appetizer until our food came out, my husbands plate was totally forgotten about so we had to wait another 15 minutes for them to make it. My cousin ordered RICE AND BEANS as a side when our food came out , 20 minutes later he reminded the waiter about the sides and he had forgotten about it so he went in the back to get it. I'm not sure if this is the kitchens fault ... or the waiter ... My husband asked for a canned sprite TWICE, didn't get it . And to top it off the WAITER WHO WAITED ON US , charged both of our parties for the same queso and appetizer. Sir please write it down , if you can't remember you can refer back to your notes. And if it's going to be difficult to split a check at the end please ask if there's going to be separate receipts. Bad 1st impression. Oh and it was a VERY slow night , probably 3 tables with no more than 4 ppl to one.

I love this place. My wife and I have been going there for at least 10 years. 5 times a year-ish. Awesome texmex. 2 brothers and one more dude are the waitstaff. It's so friendly and quiet. It's on the service road downtown. Suiza enchiladas are great.

Just discovered this place about a month ago. I highly recommend you order a top shelf margarita with hornitos tequila for $8. So far, I have eaten the enchiladas, cheese burger, queso flameado, and chips and queso and have 0 complaints.