Serranos Cocina y Cantina — Restaurant in Austin

This place used to be 3-star, 4 on a good day. The service has always been less than hospitable. Now, they've raised prices to pay for their recent renovation, and the service is much worse.

The small bowl of plain queso pictured costs $14.50, $15.70 after tax. It was ok, but fairly watery. Definitely cut to make it go farther. Even by today's inflated standards, this is a total rip off. There are other local places to get a bigger bowl of better queso for $10.

The tortillas included with one of our entrees came out 10 minutes before our food. By the time the food arrived, they were almost cold, and by the time the second tortilla was removed they were totally cold.

The waitperson who took our order also delivered our food. But she didn't remember who ordered anything, even though she only had a couple tables. Normally I wouldn't include this in a review, perhaps she is new, or going through who knows what. But she was very standoffish and generally short, looking and walking away immediately even though we were still talking to her a couple times. Even this I wouldn't normally think twice about. But when the manager came by to presumably check up on how things were, he was speed walking, giving us a thumbs up, and didn't say a word. Then when leaving, we thanked a silent host who continued to remain silent and ignore us. The whole service experience was just disappointing.

To top things off, when we received our bill, we were charged mandatory gratuity for parties of 6 or more, even though we only had a party of 5 and ordered 5 entrees.

For the prices they're charging now, I think we'll drive a little farther for better food, better service, at the same price or even cheaper. El Monumento in Georgetown isn't any more expensive, and is a full notch or two above in all categories.

It's sad what is becoming of hospitality and the service industry in this town. There's plenty of other choices, and no reason to subject yourself to this kind of service for the hard earned money...

Very disappointed in our 5/17/25 Cedar Park visit. We frequent this location at least once monthly and have for the last few years. Last night however likely will be out last due to receiving no service in the 10 minutes we were seated and ultimately just leaving. It was about 5:15 pm when we arrived and they weren't anywhere close to busy. After the somewhat confused hostess seated us on the bar side where only one other table was occupied...that was the last we saw of an employee that actually acknowledged our existence. Multiple employees walked through the area, but gave us a wide berth in fear that they may have to do a job. The perpetually confused hostess walked by once and I would assume saw the empty table with just the menus where we were seated 5 minutes prior, but no acknowledgment or assurances that someone would be right with us...nothing. Another poor bastard was seated after us as we finally decided to leave and go anywhere else....I wished him luck. As we walked out the door...the hostess who seated us 10 minutes before says...."Thanks for coming in!". I'm not big on giving restaurants second chances because there are just too many of them to choose from...and while ultimately most of them end up disappointing me, this has been one of our favorites due to the consistent food quality and service. I guess they are now dead to me just like many others due to bad experiences with the service...exactly like this experience. Not sure if this place has new management or not, but previously there would usually be a manager on the floor on every visit...and I don't recall ever going in to an empty hostess station like we did last night...I guess that should have been our first indication we probably should have left before being seated and not have such a bad taste in our mouth....of course we had no...

final update: i called the store after being IGNORED by the GM after she said she would call me back shortly. but several hours later, nothing. luckily, i talked to Avery and he was VERY helpful, professional and kind!!! thank you Avery for taking responsibility and accountability of your joke of a GM and owner, i’m not your boss but you deserve a raise and/or promotion!!! Avery is the best, thank you!!!

UPDATE- i called to discuss my experience with the general manager and fortunately she picked up the phone but to my dismay, she was very causal and unapologetic of the problems i had at her establishment. i was very surprised by this as one would think the GM of a store would step and take accountability but my answer was: "you should've told me, i was there that day." how should a customer know when the GM is in the store and not in the store?? that answer was completely unprofessional and biased. will not be coming back here again

our waitress forgot about our drinks until i asked about them, as well as the table next to us. i didn’t ask for their drinks lol but they did hear me ask for mine and had told us their drinks were forgotten too! the ground beef nachos were mediocre , it was strange to me having only tomatoes on top but no lettuce or pico de gallo to go along with the nachos. also, the remodel was very underwhelming on the inside, definitely is cleaner but not the same serranos vibe. sorry for the half eaten...