Mama Betty's Tex-Mex - Parmer ln — Restaurant in Austin

Since we found Mama Betty's Tex-Mex y Catina a few weeks ago. We have dined in at least three times a week. Cannot say enough good about this place.

Food - Wonderful Tex-Mex flavors (remember this is not authentic Mexican Cuisine). The food is delicious and flavors really jump out at you. Review of the food -

Tortilla Soup - #1 pick for both my wife and I. Chicken with tomatoes, zucchinis, roasted poblano peppers and served with rice (we chose cilantro rice), jack cheese, avocados, cilantro and lime juice.

El Rancho Bowl - This was one of my top three favorite meals. I chose refried beans, cilantro rice, with chicken. Came with cheese, avocados and spicy verde salsa.

Chile Relleno - Carne Molida stuffed roasted poblano peper with jack cheese and fried. Loved this, it was served with cilantro rice and charro beans. This was my wife's #2 favorite meal here.

Nachos de la Casa with Fajitas - Bean and cheese is delicious! The fajitas flavor was good but the meat for me was a bit chewy.

Nachos - Bean and cheese were delicious and great pairing with the sour cream and jalapenos.

Flautas De Pollo - Yum! Chicken corn tortillas and crispy with sour cream and their salsa, it was a great appetizer.

Quesadilla Veggie - Yummy! Monterey cheese with bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, and spinach. This was a large portion had half for lunch and half for dinner.

Pozole Verde - Carnitas with hominy and was yummy with shredded cabbage, radishes, and lime. I do not eat pork but the wife does and she loved it. I tried the soup flavor and it was amazing!

Carnitas tacos - Perfect. Large portions served with rice and beans. Wife chose charro beans and the cilantro rice. Homemade tortillas are the best.

Cheese Enchiladas (Tejas) with chicken and chile con carne sauce. This is a great tex mex classic.

Crispy tacos - Carne molida is simple, not oily, great flavor and cant go wrong with this meal.

BRUNCH -

Huevos Rancheros - classic dish and well made. Had the salsa verde and crispy bacon. Loved this plate.

Desayuno Clasico - Pancakes and egg are well made. Alot of food for a great price.

COCKTAILS -

Mimosa Flight - Love! Four flavors with orange, pineapple, strawberry, and raspberry.

Orange Juice Mimosa is the favorite for brunch.

The SPICY SKINNY is great made with tequila, fresh lime juice, agave, jalapeno and cant go wrong with tajin.

MamaRita Rocks - Great signature house drink and paired it with chilled Patron shot with tajin and lime.

Postres (Dessert)

Sopapillas Aliyah - we love and a classic!

Fried Chocolate Banana - Our favorite dessert paired with whip cream, caramel, and chocolate and cinnamon ice cream. This was the best.

Atmosphere - Exquisite attention to details. The paintings are lovely and of their matriarch, Mama Betty. The details on the lighting fixtures with the parrots is gorgeous. The music we were told by manager that it was hand selected by the owner, son of Mama Betty. Kudos that is a great play list! Huge TVs and playing a lot of great videos from the past from Selena to Menudo.

Sat outside in late September 2023 90 degrees and did not feel bad. Lots of fans outside.

Staff - Friendly. Bartender Sophia was great. Managers Joe and Garret are wonderful. Garret is a fellow Bobcat Alumni and both are super friendly. Thank you to all for the wonderful service and friendly smiles. ALWAYS appreciate the warm greetings.

Overall, love this place and our local favorite. With all that good food and drinks don't forget folks to get active and continue to...

I want to love this place so much. Like the fajitas are a straight copy of El Tiempo because I guess the owners mom is the El Tiempo lady, and so they’re just so good. Charred caramelized onions and peppers underneath juicy, premium cuts of meat , with slathers of butters to enhance everything . If this is all I ever ordered , I’d ignore the service (miserable people) , and I’d ignore everything else and give it 5 stars. Other than the rice , which has come frozen cold to the table 3/3 times I’ve been here. It’s also terrible.

I was personally perturbed by the value of this place as this is the third time I’ve been here, I noticed that the price of the appetizers does not equate to quantity but I guess for quality. The best example of this is the guacamole. Which boast being hand mixed and lime-y. It IS good, but not the best and it looks like you get a mounded full 8oz. In the cup they give you for $9, but it’s literally a small scoop (maybe an ounce) on 7oz. Of lettuce. A common cheap Tex Mex strategy to scam you out of your money.

My other example is the half and half. A margarita that is half frozen and half not-frozen. It’s so good too, but like other cheap Tex-Mex places around Austin, this place cheapens out on the tequila and replaces it with everclear , making it an insidious drink that can take you over the limit of you aren’t a seasoned alcoholic . A dangerous game.

Lastly the service people are largely miserable. Forcing their smiles through to keep the tempo of the atmosphere. I don’t know what goes on behind the scenes, but the only continuous servers I’ve ever seen here have been the bartenders, everyone else reminds me of the Trudy’s server quality, an endless turnover circus of miserable people who rush to get you out of their seat. I don’t know if it has to do with the people who camp out of their table ordering nothing while their children run around like animals, or management is a bunch of jerks , but it ruins the atmosphere here and sometimes the experience of getting to just enjoy yourself.

It’s not all bad. Very few dishes have been anything other than absolutely delicious, and it keeps me coming back, but some of these things I’ve noticed has made my returns less, and has directed what I’d order rather strictly . I try to tip the staff as best as I can, to hopefully make their time here worth it. I’ll never order the guac or queso or the half and half again . But those fajitas will keep me coming back .

6/10 would recommend but only to a handful of families and...

Mama Betty’s Tex-Mex Cantina is a vibrant dining establishment that specializes in authentic Tex-Mex cuisine. Located in a lively area, it offers a welcoming atmosphere that attracts both locals and visitors alike. The restaurant is particularly known for its delicious enchiladas, flavorful fajitas, and refreshing margaritas, making it a go-to spot for anyone craving a taste of Texas and Mexico.

The menu at Mama Betty’s features a variety of classic Tex-Mex dishes, with the enchiladas standing out as a customer favorite. Made with fresh ingredients and traditional recipes, these enchiladas are often praised for their rich flavors and generous portions. The fajitas are another highlight; they are served sizzling hot with an array of toppings that allow diners to customize their meal to their liking. Additionally, the margaritas are well-crafted, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness that complements the spicy flavors of the food.

One of the key aspects that sets Mama Betty’s apart is its exceptional customer service. The staff is known for being friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. They create an inviting environment where guests feel valued and appreciated. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a regular patron, you can expect prompt service and helpful recommendations.

The ambiance at Mama Betty’s is casual yet lively. The option to sit outside on the patio enhances the dining experience, especially during pleasant weather. The patio is equipped with fans to keep guests cool during warmer months and heaters for comfort when temperatures drop. This thoughtful design allows diners to enjoy their meals in an outdoor setting while still feeling comfortable.

While there may be a wait to be seated during peak hours, this is often seen as a positive indicator of the restaurant’s popularity and quality. A bustling atmosphere typically suggests that many patrons appreciate what Mama Betty’s has to offer. For those willing to wait, the experience is well worth it.

Overall, Mama Betty’s Tex-Mex Cantina delivers on all fronts—delicious food, outstanding service, and a pleasant dining environment make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to enjoy Tex-Mex cuisine. With its stellar offerings and inviting atmosphere, I would confidently rate this...