Vaqueros Cafe & Cantina

Came here for a work event! There was roughly 300 people that came through and the food was just fantastic! Chicken and Beef Fajitas, taquitos, beans and rice, and all the fixings (sour cream, pico, guac, and more!) Was just delicious! Loved this spot so much! The other food highlight that can’t be missed was the tortillas were just fantastic! Loved them so much especially the corn. The atmosphere here is perfect! I just loved this, so Christmasy this time of year!

Stopped by for dinner with the husband on the way home after work on a Tuesday evening. Was seated right away and Jorge was our waiter. He was extremely attentive. Our drinks stayed fresh - this is huge for me! Jorge was able to accommodate my request to change my enchiladas from corn to flour tortillas - and so worth it! Very filling and delicious. My husband got the trio fajitas and he’s leaving with nothing left on the skillet, so I’m going to guess he loved them! The shrimp were nice and plump. We ended dinner with a sweet treat! We will be back!

The margaritas and food were amazing. We had the tacos al carbon and the tacos des pescados - would order either again in a minute. The portions were easily enough for two meals. Our waiter Jorge was fast, and efficient, professional, and friendly. During future visits we would love to be seated in his section again!

The staff is so lovely!! Carmelo, our waiter, was so kind and really fun to chat with. The food was muy delicioso!! I had cheese and ground beef enchiladas, and they were great. My parents absolutely loved their tres leches, and I am about to have my sopapilla!! The margaritas were also really good. Mychas gracias!

Had an amazing experience at Vaqueros for their $25 all you can eat Tex-Mex Brunch Buffet on Sundays. So many food options. Well worth the price. My wife and I were stuffed. It ended up being the only meal we ate for the day haha. Didn’t have room for any other meals. My favorite items were the stuffed French toast, tres leches pancakes, cowboy migas and broccoli casserole. The servers were extremely friends as well. The facilities were nice too. I wish they had some spicier menu options or spicy salsa. But still a great meal regardless.

Wow! We are regulars here! Pro tip ask for Jorge!!! The Mexican martini is one of my favorite. The beef faquitas are fabulous. They give a sinful garlic butter dipping sauce on the side. And my kids beg to come back for the free icecream and playground!!!!!!!

This is the #1 Tex-mex restaurant in Austin as far as we are concerned. Every time we crave Mexican food this place is the go-to. I bring family and friends here as often as I can for the real experience. I hate to reveal this hidden gem but honestly they deserve the extra business. Every time we come they have no wait, plenty of seating, immediate and attentive service, excellent food with huge portions, friendly staff, awesome drinks and house margaritas. They easily put Lupe and Matt’s to shame. We have been coming here for 5 years and will continue to be regulars as long as we live in Austin. We can’t say enough about this location, truly an exceptional restaurant. We have had many great servers over the years but Jorge really stands out over this last year. Please ask for him and know you will be taken care of. There is nothing like ending a long week with Jorge serving up a tall cold XX. I would recommend any entree they offer but nothing hits like a Plato patron or Plato charro with exceptional variety and all of the staple items from this exceptional Tex-mex giant. Make sure you dip your flautas or quesadillas in the house made spicy ranch!

We have come to love Vaqueros over the many years since they opened. They are professional, attentive to their guests, have the best Mexican food in Austin, and the servers become like family. Jorge is amazing and always gets it right, which we appreciate since our family has multiple food allergies. We feel confident that we will receive exactly what we order. Jorge is fun and makes the bear table side quacamole!! Our grandkids love to play on the playground outside, which is perfect for kids of most all ages. I will also add that we have had Vaqueros provide food at our daughter’s wedding, for which they did a fabulous job!! We also hosted a baby shower and also a wedding shower at Vaqueros- both of which we were very pleased with!! They truly go above and beyond for all their guests, and we love coming as often as possible! Vaqueros does it well!!! We highly recommend them. Peggy Martin

Had an amazing experience tonight at Vaqueros with Jorge. Made us feel very welcome on a hectic Christmas Eve evening. Food was great, drinks tantalizing. Thank you for a great evening Jorge.

I regularly return to Vaqueros Cafe & Cantina where I believe one of the best Mexican restaurants in Austin/West Lake Hills. This time I sat at the bar where smelled like old wood with a great western theme atmosphere. The bartender was nice and friendly. I noticed they have all varieties of Corona beers including a non-alcoholic one and multiple frozen margarita flavors. I ordered off the lunch menu getting the Tacos - 2 crispy shredded chicken with charro beans and rice. It was a big meal being a lunch item and the chicken had great flavor. It was a bit hard to hold so at it like two mini taco bowls. It was very delicious.

Solid first visit to Vaquero's, and appreciate the staff's flexibility hosting a few families with kids of all ages. We were happy to enjoy a table near the back door (where there's plenty of space for kiddos to play outside on the playscape and in the backyard mulch). House margs, both frozen and on the rocks were great! Probably would not order the queso or guacamole on the next visits. All of the food (fajitas, enchiladas, and carne asada) was great and well portioned! Left with a few boxes of leftovers, so hope to enjoy later in the week too. Plenty of parking, and would stop by next time we're in the area.

Had an amazing experience at Vaqueros for their $25 all you can eat Tex-Mex Brunch Buffet on Sundays. So many food options. Well worth the price. My wife and I were stuffed. It ended up being the only meal we ate for the day haha. Didn't have room for any other meals. My favorite items were the stuffed French toast, tres leches pancakes, cowboy migas and broccoli casserole. The servers were extremely friends as well. The facilities were nice too. I wish they had some spicier menu options or spicy salsa. But still a great meal regardless.

Jorge killed it tonight at Vaqueros he was a great server on a very busy Christmas Eve night! Food was great!

Vaqueros Westlake excels in all areas~ from the moment we walk in the door and are greeted like family--to sitting down with our favorite server, Jorge~to the incredible food. The entire experience is fabulous! The Sunday Brunch is incredible and not to be missed!! They have catered multiple events for us, including a weding, and each time everything has been absolutely wonderful!! Our entire family loves Vaqueros!! Peggy and Murray Martin

Jorge is the best! we have him often and he always remembers us and our orders - he's the best!!!

My boyfriend and I finally stopped by Vaqueros Café & Cantina and we're so glad we did! The food was absolutely delicious and fresh, everything was full of flavor. The drinks were great and very reasonably priced, which was a nice surprise! Our waiter, Liston (I believe that was his name), was amazing, super friendly and attentive the entire time. We watched the game at the bar and loved the nice, chill vibes. We've heard Sunday Brunch here is really good too, so we'll definitely be coming back to try that next time. Highly recommend!

My wife and I visited on a recent Austin trip. Service was fast and courteous. The food was delicious! Highly recommended. We'll be back.

We love Vaqueros! When we walked in the hostess was busy seating another family. Jorge immediately greeted us and sat us even though he was busy trying to bring drinks to another table. Jorge made sure to take care of us.

Came here with a group of girlfriends on an ATX trip to celebrate a few occasions. Really, really great spread with a pleasing breadth of options from pasta, meat, vegetables, and more meats. This buffet is definitely for the savory breakfast aficionados! I got a couple frozen margaritas along with multiple trips to the buffet line and was very satisfied at the end of the meal. The service was okay, fairly disorganized but it was busy and it only impacted our drinks. I would definitely come back for a 5-star Tex-mex focused buffet any time I return to Austin.

Top notch visit again...although we would opt out sitting in the Bar "Tables" again just because of the food traffic from employees/bar patrons. Seating in the center near the window is where it's at. The Chips, Queso, Salsa and Ranch are always first to start with us. This is the type of place I have to look at my previous reviews to make sure I don't order the same thing twice...because im going to work my way thru this menu....And the wife?...she plays with her trusted Beef Enchiladas double rice...GD on the other had went with the Carne Guisada with red chile sauce which packed a great flavor...she was warned it was spicy..but for her it really wasn't..."Heat" it still new to her at 14 and did fine. Tortillas that came with it were legit. For me this round I started with a cup of Creamy Chicken Tortilla soup (forgot to order last visit)...and my first with a cream base and it was excellent....As for a main the Carnitas Tacos with Chile rubbed pork shoulder was my choice..Super tender and loaded with flavor...Beans...Good....Rice...Good...Also ordered a side (was suppose to be small) of Chorizo Mac and Cheese...Very Tasty..This joint is up there for us and is easily my GD favorite Mexican/Tex Mex spot.

Such a good deal - they had great specials and the food was exactly what you'd expect for Tex Mex. The carnitas in the tacos was so flavorful. Our server Alicion was really sweet, accommodating and full of recommendations.

A good happy hour for a good Margarita! Food was freash and delicious! Service was friendly! Loved the atmosphere!

Vaqueros always has the friendliest service and their beef fajita tacos are amazing! The environment is great and it has a nice playground for the kids. Jorge was so kind and attentive!

Fantastic Mexican restaurant off 360, close to Westlake & Barton Creek. The food and the service is great. Special thanks to Jorge for taking care of our party. The back patio has a playground for kids and sometimes live music. There is a bonus self serve ice cream machine near the entrance.

Carmelo was so tempted and accommodating to our needs. We had the trio fajita with beef, chicken, and shrimp which was amazing! I love how big the shrimp are and how to the chicken and beef are. You can never go wrong with homemade fresh flour tortillas. Totally recommend for not only lunchtime, but dinner time such a great place.!!

Chips and the jalapeño ranch were great! Chicken fajita Nachos were tasty too! Carmelo was a friendly server and took care of us! Great spot overall

great waiter. very patient w this large group Made sure our water glass was full. Prompt service, polite and nice.

Food was amazing as always. Service 10/10 I love how our server allicion checked on us multiple times checking in, and the atmosphere is fantastic and the amazing part is my children get to play at the playground and stay outta my face while I eat and drink

Alejandro is the kind of waiter you remember long after the meal is over--not just because of his flawless service, but because of the way he makes you feel while you're there. From the moment he greeted us, we knew we were in for something special. He has this rare mix of being hilariously funny and deeply service-oriented, and he balances the two perfectly. He had us laughing throughout the entire evening--smart, quick, lighthearted jokes that made the night feel more like dining with an old friend than simply being served. But what makes Alejandro truly remarkable is that while he kept the mood light and joyful, he never missed a single detail. Our drinks were always topped off, our meals arrived exactly as ordered, and every request was met with genuine enthusiasm and care. You can tell Alejandro loves what he does. He doesn't just drop off plates; he creates an experience. He connects with people, makes them feel valued, and somehow turns a regular dinner into an unforgettable memory. We left with full hearts, full stomachs, and smiles that lasted all the way home. If you're lucky enough to dine here, do yourself a favor and ask for Alejandro. He's not just a waiter--he's the heartbeat of the evening.

Karina was pleasant, helpful and efficient. the restaurant was packed and fun. The food is always good.

The brunch buffet was amazing. The brisket was flavorful and the flan thick and creamy. We didn't have a reservation but were seated promptly. Highly recommend

Great food, great ambience, really nice restaurant. The service was fair, the green salsa was good, red salsa not so much. Maybe a little bit too much garlic and something else that was weird. Tortillas were homemade and all the food was great. I always forget to take pictures because I'm so hungry by the time the food gets there so sorry about that. However, the presentation was very nice. I would recommend coming back and I will be coming back. I happen to get their special which was a steak with a cheese enchilada, rice, and beans with a small amount of shredded lettuce and tomato. Enchilada was topped with a meat sauce and it was excellent. My wife and children both got fajitas. They enjoy it very much however, my wife said the beans were a little sweet like they put cinnamon on top. I did not have that experience with my plate, I don't think there was cinnamon on mine. However, everything was superb, it was a little expensive, but you're paying for a nicer restaurant.

I was craving good ole Mexican food and a quick search bought me here. With the plenty amazing reviews I had to check it out. The parking lot was full but we were seated immediately. We sat down and ordered our queso which is free with Yelp check in. The manager came to look as they said they'd never seen it. They were so kind and inviting! They comp'd the queso. I ordered the combination with sour cream chicken enchiladas, a tamale, a loaded chicken toastada, and rice n beans. EVERYTHING on my plate was delicious!! They use REAL chicken. Succulent and juicy. The sour cream sauce on the enchiladas was fantastic! The tamale was tasty! I want to order a dozen by themselves! The chicken toastada was fully loaded and really hit the spot although the toastada itself was soggy unfortunately. I'll ask for it on a separate plate next time. The rice and refried beans were your good ole staple. Tasty for sure! I tried my husbands plate of bbq ribs, chicken, sausage, and sides. The meats were so good! The chicken is seasoned well. t The creamed corn and cole slaw were terrible. The corn was sour and had way too much sugar. The slaw was bland besides the also sour taste. They've got a long list of cocktails, beer, and wine, as well as a kids menu. Do not skip the creamy salsa they give with the chips. It is SO good I could drink it!! I'll definitely be back for that Tejas Mexican food!

The food is really outstanding! Every meal we had was full of flavor. I really suggest the crispy tacos.Hands down, some of the most delicious Tex Mex food I've eaten lately! Allison was amazing!

We got the combo fajitas and mango margaritas. Everything was perfect. Alicion was amazing and let us know about all of the specials. Overall an incredible experience!

This is our go to Mexican restaurant in Westlake Hills. The food and service are always excellent. Alicion was our waitress this evening and she was magnificent. We love Vaqueros for great Austin Tex Mex!

Everything was super great!! Alejandro did an excellent job! Food was delicious and we had a delightful time!!

I've been there 4 times recently with my wife,friends and with my boss. We are all blown away with the quality and quantity of the food. Steak fajitas melt in your mouth! They make the Queso Flameado on a hot skillet at the table and it is excellent. Flour tortillas are made in-house. Chips are fresh, the salsa and cream salsa are wonderful. I cannot understand the 3.5 stars. We are all coming back individually and together. The folks I have recommended Vaqueros to agree also.

Had a great visit! Fun ambiance, great food. Especially enjoyed the tacos and quesadillas

Service from start to finish was amazing as always!! Nyx was right on point with my order and service, thanks Nyx!!

Sunday brunch was awesome. Service was equally great and the food was amazing. I'm looking forward to my next visit.

Nathalie was great! I never had to ask for a refill once. My order came out quick and hot and the white salsa was yummy!!

My favorite mexican restaurant with different locations all amazing around Austin. Great drinks enchiladas and lunch specials. Carmilo always gives excellent service and the vibe is very welcoming.

Stopped at Vaqueros this afternoon for a margarita and an early dinner. The staff was welcoming and happy! We received excellent service from Nyx who was very gracious and attentive to our needs. The food was fresh, hot and tasty! We eat at Vaqueros fairly frequently as we live in the area. We find the food, service and vibe consistently good!

Nyx was very personable and the food was delicious as always! Huge portions for great prices and free ice cream as you leave!

The food today was exceptional. Karina gave us wonderful quick service. The vibe of the restaurant is great.

The best thing about this place Is the atmosphere! It's fancy but casual. Anyone is welcomed. I ordered the vaquero burger. The bun was awesome but the beans on the burger were interesting. Very messy burger. The service is also really great. Vaquero Burger: Flame Broiled Burger Patty With Melted Jack Cheese, Jalapeños, Refried Beans And Chipotle Crema. Garnished With Romaine Lettuce, Guacamole, Pico De Gallo and Tortilla Strips. Served with Golden Wagon Wheel Fries

Incredible food! And, our waitress Karina was wonderful! Highly recommend!! This place never disappoints.

Love the food and the margs! One of our favorites near home!! So yummy and service is always fantastic.

Second time eating here this week. Great food and atmosphere. Jorge was amazing. Highly recommend

This is the best Mexican restaurant in the westlake area! The service is amazing always, food is delicious. Nachelly is a wonderful bartender very kind and professional! Love this place!

Food was incredibly well made, very delicious, and our server Jorge made sure we were well taken care of. Great food, great atmosphere, great service, would recommend!

Lunch with coworkers. Great service by our waiter Jorge. Food was good too. Will be coming back.

Food and service is great! Perfect spot for lunch or dinner! Our server Jorge was fantastic!

Came here with my 2 daughters and mother for Sunday dinner on February 23rd 2025 WESTLAKE LOCATION .... I usually don't do this but it was overall HORRIBLE ! from the beginning it wasn't busy whatsoever our server told us he did have a bigger party so the food will take a little longer which is completely understandable.... Throughout the hour we waited we ordered a small queso in the time being - THE CHIPS HE BROUGHT TO OUR TABLE WERE SOGGY ... Letting him know they are soggy he quickly apologized and brought out MORE SOGGY CHIPS ! 15 minutes pass by ; no check ups , no drink refills NOTHING TO OUR TABLE but he continued to go up to the other tables he did have ! AFTER WAITING 15 minutes to be greeted to get our drinks - we did PLACE OUR ORDER my mom ordered the cheese enchiladas: I ordered tacos ! Fast forward after dealing with the CHIPS , SLOW SERVICE our food finally comes out .... My moms enchiladas are ground beef enchiladas- my mom lets him know and he looks at her like " you're really not going to eat these " and she said again - " I ordered cheese sorry I don't like those " he took the food back - after eating this MEDIOCRE MEXICAN FOOD - FAJITA BEEF is you're basic fajita NOTHING SPECIAL, rice was bland and refried beans were horrible !!!! The queso was GREAT but then again I couldn't enjoy the queso to the fullest from the SOGGY CHIPS! We tried giving him a chance and what sealed it and made it clear he was very rude and inattentive to our table another table Comes in and is seated directly behind us - HE IMMEDIATELY GREETS THEM BEING NICE ATTENTIVE! This was our first time at this restaurant and LAST ! The food was 5/10 service was HORRIBLE- MY INDICATOR IS that me and my children are AFRICAN AMERICAN and he didn't feel the need to have any respect or regard for us ! HIS TABLES WERE ALL caucasians - AFTER everything we experienced the bill was 60$ SINCE I DO BELIEVE HE WAS RACIST I STILL LEFT HIM 25% tip of 12$ - HE DESERVED 0 HONESTLY AND TRUTHFULLY again I don't write reviews nor NOT TIP ! this experience from the food and service was HORRIBLE .... For the pricing of the food the quality isn't worth it . my children were not loud , running around - the 4 OF US MY MOM 3 year old - 8month old and me 23 years old RESPECTED HIM NEVER ONCE WAS RUDE OR DO ANYTHING IN ANY WAY TO GET THE SERVICE WE DID IT WAS BASIC DISCRIMINATION ! The only reason why he got a tip is BECAUSE WE ARE GOOD PEOPLE WHO TIP NO MATTER WHAT !!!!! Horrible experience I don't recommend the food isn't worth BEING PROFILED by your SERVER ! The only thing positive I can say is - the host was VERY NICE & the restaurant was clean and nicely decorated but WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MATTER ?!

Per my nephew's suggestion, we tried this place Sunday morning for brunch and bottomless mimosas. It was fantastic! The food, ambiance, and staff were spot on! Just so that you know...the bottomless mimosas cost $25 and the buffet is also $25. Also, mimosa sharing is not allowed. My sister took a couple of sips from her daughter's mimosa and was warned that a 3rd sip would mean a $25 charge. So expect to pay quite a bit if you go. Nonetheless, it was a great indulgence. They had a wide variety of food choices...both breakfast fare and lunch items. My favorite part of the whole meal experience was the French toast. It was an OMG moment because it had a cream cheese filling plus they offered banana maple syrup to go with the French toast and tres leches pancakes. Make sure to bring a large appetite. I will definitely come back again!!

One of my favorite places to eat Authentic Mexican food. Any recommendations? All are good . You won't regret! Lot of parking and ice cream machine inside after meals. The staff are friendly and polite. Neat atmosphere. Oh bar is next room with too. Enjoy