Habanero Cafe — Restaurant in Austin

this place is the last true bastion of old school Austin style Tex-Mex. It ticks all the right boxes. Absolutely delicious food that is still reasonably priced in a bustling, cozy converted house filled with awesome smells and sounds of happy humans delivering and devouring the very best in ATX-Mex. Every time we go I wonder why it's been so long (we do sorta live across town, but I have been known to drive great distances for food). Sure, it's a tight fit, with tables packed in to seat as many hungry diners as possible. Sure, it's noisy, the kitchen din blending with greetings from staff and the roar and babble of families eating and waiting to eat. And yes, there can be a wait, but it is so well worth it. My daughter and I went on Sunday and magically, there was a parking spot right out front and no wait to be seated. Wow! Moments later the waiting area was full. Clearly, we were meant to be there. I ordered a gordita with chicken and my daughter got the chicken quesadilla, and an order of chips and salsa. I'd forgotten how good the salsa is. Fresh and thick with a building heat. Oir food arrived very quickly and we dug in. Now, you have to know that both of us are extremely challenged when it comes to eating meat, because we have a debilitating fear of "squidgy bits". We need not worry at Habanero. Our chicken was perfectly trimmed, expertly seasoned and generously portioned. The gordita shell was crunchy-chewy as it should be without a trace of grease. The beans inside were smokey and the onions with the chicken chunks well caramelized. The quesadilla was fat and well browned and also grease-free. A perfect example of a dish often written off as unimportant but one that, when done well, is just about the best thing ever to hit a plate. We ate as much as we could and took the rest, vowing that next time we were getting the sizzling fajitas, which we always say, and for alme reason never do. Go while you can, folks, because real Austin is disappearing faster than free beer at an in-store. And this place is...

Best tacos in town!!! I have been coming here for over 13 years now for lunch or breakfast! Their service is the best, such great service that they treat us like VIPs when we walk into the restaurant. It's all family owned, everyone here is always filled with joy to serve you great tasting food. They will talk to you, make you laugh, stuff that you rarely see now days from the food industry period.

The ambiance about this place is unique and not what you think of a hole in a wall place. Because this place isn't a hole in a wall of kind place. It's unique to itself compared to other Mexican restaurants in the area. My opinion this the best place for Mexican or Tex-Mex food.

This place really has it going for Mexican food. One for the price you get some great quality at an affordable price. They have some very nice lunch specials. All I know was by the time I left this place I was full. Their flour tortillas are delicious. Their breakfast tacos or just tacos in general are the best in town! If you are visiting or living in or around the Austin, TX you have to try their tacos. Al Pastor with pico de gallo on flour are the best. Their tripa tacos are really great to include their shrimp or chicken tacos. But make sure that you ask for pico on your tacos.

Now for the menudo quality I am very impressed. One a lot places don't drain the water from the meat on the initial boil and well it gives it that nasty smell and taste that great menudo doesn't have. This by far the best menudo in town besides my own menudo that I make myself at home. LOL

This place it was definitely worth trying. As for parking space it was pretty tight parking in back but you can park on the street. You definitely need to get her 20 minutes prior the lunch rush. Weekends can be busy with a line out the door. But if you have to wait the wait is damn well worth it folks!

They also accept Apple or Google pay!

Overall, this is one great tasting Mexican food place! Again, best TACOS IN...

I used to come eat here with my family but do to the limited hours of operation and a far commute we stopped coming. Today I decided to call in an order and I was left on hold for over 10 minutes, so I hung up. I continued to drive to the restaurant and order in since I was already going to have to wait so I asked for a table even if it’s outside, I was told there were about to close at 2pm, which online is states 3pm. I was denied dine in service and ordered 3 tacos of steak fajita Togo. I witnessed 3 other customers walk in and greeted and asked if they are dining in. The first couple walked right in to a table. From what it seemed the “white” customers are treated way differently. I can’t believe the type of racism I experienced from other Latin women just because I was not “white”. I have not got to the depressing tacos I received. I ate 1 and gave the other one to my dog and she did not eat it but smelled it and step away. The texture of the meat was so dry and disgusting and had a weird rancid smell. The tortilla tasted so generic and rubbery. This is definitely not the place we once used to enjoy. If you are looking for good customer service you better be “white” and leaving a tip! The staff here have definitely taken service to a whole other level of disrespect.

To the cashier that made the rude remark “oh you want pico” pico consist of onion, cilantro, tomatoes, jalapeños, lime and a hint of garlic salt. I asked for 3 ingredients. I am including the pictures to show that the meat is clearly not fajita cut but some other type of protein.

I hope that the owner makes adjustments to their staff and inspect their food processing better. Completely dissatisfied and disappointed. This was a gem back then. This contributes to the New and ruined Austin, Texas...