Sue G.
Yelp
Daughter #2 and I had just left Alamo Drafthouse after watching the 4hr. epic Gone with the Wind. We weren't starving as we'd had popcorn during the movie (the biggest bowl of popcorn she'd ever seen, according to her.) But as we had an hour left on our parking pass, a snack and a drink to wrap up mother/daughter day seemed fitting.
We were passing Chupacabra as we headed toward our car. "They have good sangria here," Daughter noted. She's been to Dirty 6th far more than I, so I took her word for it. But before I could even respond, a panhandler offered to give us advice on "where to eat like a local" (which the daughter is. I guess I am too, now, but still learning.) I politely told him we were just getting sangria and we ducked inside.
I'd like to interject here for a moment. Austin has a high homeless and/or professional panhandler population. We've lived in other places that do as well, so we've learned how to tell the difference between those who truly need help and those who ask for money for a living. Please use your own judgement and help those you can.
Thank you for reading this PSA. Back to the review.
Chupacabra is dark inside (I like that.) There is a long bar on one side, high tables on the other and a few tables in the front window. The music is blaring (don't like that.) We decided to sit outdoors on the attached side patio (which was also so loud we had to ask them to turn down the music.)
Signs tell you that you have to order at the bar, but they don't tell you where to get menus. Should you sit and wait for a server to bring one? Go directly to the bar? The place was busy but there appeared to be only two women working the bar, delivering food and clearing dishes. They seemed harried. One passed by and asked and asked if we needed menus as she kept walking. I replied yes, then followed her like a puppy as she delivered food, unsure how to get my menu. Growing frustrated, I gave up, sat at a table outside and let the daughter take over.
The patio borders a side street and we were seated at a table along the fence enclosing the space. Within minutes, we were approached again for money-twice. We moved to a table closer to the building.
It was Happy Hour (everyday at Chupacabra) so we ordered sangrias for $3. I also ordered the chipotle orange taco (sprinkled with pineapple) with habanero sour cream (not nearly as spicy as you would expect), with the "House tortilla", a mix of corn and flour for $5.25. (The menu is in Spanglish, so I wasn't entirely sure what I was getting.) Each were fine, nothing exceptional, but it should be noted that the taco was pretty plentiful, too big for it all too fit in the small shell.
The Happy Hour prices (which also include a margarita for $5 and other alcohol) would be reason enough to return if I ever happen to be on Dirty 6th again from 3-5pm, though I wouldn't make a special trip for it.