Serranos Cocina y Cantina — Restaurant in Austin

A group of us chooses a different restaurant each month to try. We love trying new places and try to give objective reviews. We visited Serrano's on Sat, March 23 for dinner (7 p.m.). I made reservations, however, it's a large restaurant so I'm sure they take walk-ins.

Pros: *Upon arrival, I was seated immediately (didn't need entire group to be seated like in some restaurants). *Good location, easy to find. *The drinks were delicious. *Server was knowledgeable about the drink menu. *Food arrived quickly, and hot. *Good for large groups. *Plenty of parking space

To be improved: *The server was a bit slow and forgetful. I ordered salt on the rim of my drink, it came with none. He was going to get me some, I never received it. My friend wanted to take a pic of the bottle of the liqueur used in his drink, the server offered to get it but forgot to bring it. *Overall, three of four people in the group rated the food bland. The chips and salsa were good, however, the salsa was very spicy (no other options available-I think this is a Texas thing). Another server offered to ask the cook if he could make some less spicy. I declined but appreciated the offer. *Female bathroom is like an ice box. *When leaving, the hostess was at the counter with her head down, like she was tired, bored or hungover. Shows poor management...

Exceptional Food, Outstanding Service, and a Manager Who Truly Sets the Standard

I had an absolutely fantastic experience at this restaurant. The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared — everything you’d hope for in a great Mexican meal. From the appetizers to the main courses, each dish was clearly made with care and attention to detail. The atmosphere was vibrant yet comfortable, making it a great spot for both casual dinners and special occasions.

But what truly made this visit stand out was the exceptional service, particularly from Stephan, the manager. In all my dining experiences, I’ve never encountered someone so genuinely attentive, personable, and passionate about hospitality. Stephan went out of his way to make sure every guest felt welcome and well taken care of — not just at our table, but at every table around us. He brings a level of energy and professionalism that you rarely see, and it’s clear he leads by example.

It’s not often you leave a restaurant raving about both the meal and the management, but this was one of those rare occasions. Stephan is a true asset to the restaurant — warm, engaging, and effortlessly good at what he does. His presence elevated the entire experience.

Highly recommended. I’ll definitely be returning — and...

You know when you're in the mood for something specific & you've gotta have it but it's gotta be damn good? I don't treat myself to some good ol' mexican enchiladas with rice & beans much but the craving struck. After reading some reviews I thought I'd give it a try. Some said it takes a while to sit & get a water. That was true. Took far too long for a host and a waiter. Wasn't even busy. By the time the waiter came I was ready to order. However, the food came fast! The guacamole was good. Could've done without the lump of lettuce at the bottom as "filler" (hate when restaurants do that) the beef was delish but that chicken enchilada was the best! I tasted the chicken by itself and it was moist & very flavorful. The verde sauce over it was perfection! So good! The rice & beans were on point. The plate was huge and overall so good. I did read others say the salsa was hot (so I waited until my water came, just in case! lol) my spice tolerance isn't high at all. Their salsa was less than medium I'd say. It was actually a lil watery which is fine bc I didn't come here for it. I really enjoyed my enchiladas. They were worth it. Next up: taste testing their DAILY Happy Hour from 3-7p the drinks look & sound...