El Mercado Restaurant
7414 Burnet Rd
Austin, TX 78757 (512) 454-2500
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Alcohol: Full Bar
16 Reviews for El Mercado Restaurant
The rice is nice and garlick-y. There are way more vegetarian options than other Tex-Mex places, and they don't depend as much on heavy cheese. I really love the adobo sauce.
The margaritas taste like real lime juice, instead of a sweet-and-sour mix.
I'm confused as to why so many people have written bad reviews about this place!
I gave El Mercado three stars (even though they deserve two to two and a half at most) for a couple reasons: one, their charro beans are pretty good. And two, what kind of lunatic would I be to have eaten at a two star place on so many occasions? Three stars just makes me feel better about myself. And if you're worried about my self-esteem, it's okay, EM and I broke up about two years ago. I'm over it now.
Like a lot of middlin' Mexican restaurants that cater to white people, everything is too expensive for what you get. The food ranges from passable (Tacos Pastor) to sub-par (fajitas), though it never jumps off the edge into inedible. The staff always seem preoccupied, like they've got their own problems to worry about thankyouverymuch and here you are, wanting more chips and water all the time.
The Mexican martinis and margaritas are, like the food, not exactly *bad*. But a short drive will bring you to Elsi's, where they make a wonderful, far less expensive house margarita (though EM does have some Happy Hour specials).
I've eaten at the other location off 15th plenty of times as well (though I have a much better excuse for that) and it was equally...god, I can't even produce enough energy to continue to describe it. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
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El Mercado is one of those places I've passed a hundred time and thought "One day I should eat there"..... well I finally did eat there and I was pleasantly surprised with my meal. It wasn't the best Mexican food in town, but if you live north and don't want to drive to downtown it's a good choice.
I will be visiting again!
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I don't like Tex Mex.
There are some exceptions to this rule.
El Mercado is not one of them.
I was there recently with some friends and ordered the shrimp tacos and a frozen strawberry margarita. The tacos were OK. The shrimp were really small and I'd say there's about a 99% chance that they arrived at El Mercado already peeled and frozen in a big bag. They were battered and fried, because Tex Mex rules require one to consume as many carbs as humanly possible in one sitting. The tortillas similarly had that "fresh from the bag" taste. I will say that I did get a pretty large portion of the tiny shrimp with my tacos, and I liked the chipotle ranch that came with them. I did sort of wish the sauce hadn't been served in a plastic to go cup, though. The tacos came with charro beans (meh) and rice (meh) and cost $8.50.
My small 'rita was $4.99 and didn't give me the slightest buzz. Either all the Yelp DYL events have increased my tolerance, or these babies are _weak_.
I did like the chips and salsa fine, as evidenced by the fact that I ate so many that I felt like I had a brick in my stomach after my meal (sexy, eh?). That said, it's hard for me to resist salty, crunchy, spicy anything when I'm sitting around starving, waiting for my food.
Decor is of the gaudy, colorful, Ameri-Mex variety. There is tons of seating and a large patio, so it easily accommodates large groups.
Personally, I can think of about 1000 other restaurants in Austin I'd rather eat at than El Mercado, including Taqueria Arandas and Elsi's, both of which are a stone's throw away.
My vote: skip it.
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Gross. This is why I say Austin has no good tex mex. I've been taken here twice in 8 years and led to believe both times that this would really hit the spot. Nope. Sorry. Gross!!!! Peeps need to venture out of Allandale sometime, y'know??
The food here is decent for the price. Just remember, when you go in, this is TEX MEX food, not Mexican. Free chips and salsa. The salsa is nice and hot! I recommend any of the enchiladas. Sometimes they overcook their Spanish rice.
I don't think I've ever had a bad Margarita here. The wait service is friendly, sometimes a little slow. Oddly, I haven't ever seen a female worker here. What's up with that?
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This place has become a bit of a Friday night tradition for us... and we love it!
If, like us, you live in Crestview, Brentwood, or Allandale, then this place may very be within walking distance for you, and it's well worth paying a visit.
When we first started going here we'd go on a Wednesday or a Thursday night, but it turns out that our love for cheap, great tasting, strong margaritas (which El Mercado has in abundance) made for an exceedingly painful workday the next day... so be careful, because they are quite strong.
So, now El Mercado has become our "kick the weekend off" location of choice. I don't know if this is a good thing, or a bad thing, but the (very friendly) wait staff know to bring us 2 large margaritas, on the rocks, no salt, and a Philip's Special (very nice queso with all the trimmings) along with the obligatory complimentary water, and chips and salsa. I suppose it's a good thing... at least while my liver is still functional. ;)
I'm not sure why the food here doesn't get more love, because there is some quite good food served here. If you want some flavor, I'm very partial to the Tacos Al Pastor (pork and pineapple), BBQ Tacos, or my favorite Prescado A La Chef (I'm not sure if that should be 'Pescado', but that's what the menu says!). The fajita meat is also nice and tender, for those that like something with a little "sizzle".
Portion size is big, and they're usually pretty good about substituting things. For example, I usually prefer to have black beans instead of charra beans, or often I'll have an entree with two different stuff from separate entrees (YMMV).
The decor inside is pretty funky, and colorful and I've also noticed that whoever controls the background music likes the 80s... so if you haven't any Kajagoogoo in a while, this may well be the place for you. They also have a couple of strategically placed TVs, so if you've been dragged there and are afraid of missing the game, they'll either have it on, or if you ask nicely, they'll most likely turn it over for you.
Parking tip : If you drive by and the parking lot looks full, you can park next door on both sides (outside business hours, of course).
Friday nights is the busiest time, but the most we've ever had to wait for a table is 10 minutes, and usually you'll be seated immediately.
In conclusion, if you're like us, and want a friendly atmosphere which serves a great margarita (none of that sickly sweet stuff I keep on getting elsewhere), and some decent food, then head "Mid-Town" to El Mercado and let Salvador, Edgar, Nancy, Ryan, et al take care of you! We always have a good time there, and we hope you do, too.
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I have always had a great time here! I think that their Monday Mexican Martini special ( $5 each I think) is what gets me.
The food is always delicious, especially the cheese enchiladas.
My kids can have enough fun coloring and eating chips in the outside gated in area.
Occassionaly smokers will fog up the area..(but we could always sit inside, I know.)
A pal will walk into the parking lot and smoke while still visiting with us in that gated area...which is rad!
One warning. I always , always get too full there... you know "hurt me full."
So asking for a To Go Box might please your belly ,if it is like mine! The servings are big!
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OK, it's not the best food in the world but it is decent, standard tex-mex.
I go there at least twice a week.
This place has a patio, which is one of the main reasons to go. There's something about sipping drinks on a patio on a hot Texas day which makes me seek these places out.
...But the real reason you go to El Mercado is the margaritas.
Tuesday and Thursday nights they have $2.99 margarita night. YAY! Get the rocks ones, not the frozen. Rocks = stronger at El Mercado.
The taco plate's a little overpriced for just two tacos, but you can get three mini-tacos for $2.99. They're not on the menu, you have to ask.
The Phillip's Special queso is great, as mentioned by another Yelper.
The Chimichanga is the best thing I've had on the menu. The fish tacos are actually quite good, though I'm still not so sure about the whole Mexican seafood thing.
The rice is pretty bland, but the charro beans make up for it...just mix the two together and problem solved.
Damn you Yelp, now I have to go there for nachos and margaritas after work today.
Ah, that's not so bad.
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DISCLAIMER: 4 stars IF you live nearby - otherwise 3 stars
El Mercado is within easy walking distance to my house. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday they have $2.99 margaritas. To be honest, I had written off this restaurant due to an extremely mediocre experience when we first moved nearby. However, one Sunday night I was strong-armed into coming here, because "its so close to the house".
I was quite pleasantly surprised. Margaritas were $2.99 and the Veggie Nachos are actually really good. I've also had the Queso Fresca, which isn't the best in town but its pretty tasty. I don't usually order an entree when I come here - just appetizers and drinks. In general the food isn't the best Mexican you'll get in Austin (or even the neighborhood), but the appetizers are good for splitting with friends over cheap margaritas.
Also, they have salty chips, which I like but just wanted to warn those that do not.
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I was a bit surprised when I read the other reviews for this restaurant. My meal there on a recent Thursday lunch hour was simply the worst TexMex food that I have ever had. The substance in the cheese enchiladas had the taste and texture of warmed-up CheeseWhiz and the carne sauce tasted like Wolf brand chili from a can. The rice had a very strange flavor that conjured up fears about food poisoning. The refried beans were okay. I would rather eat a million Banquet TV dinners that ever eat there again.
There is also an absolutely horrible, old mop water odor that permeates the entire restaurant, which would make it hard to even enjoy good food. Atmosphere was bland and the service was impersonal. I give it one star simply because it was, technically, food.
They make pretty good drinks at El Mercado and their prices really aren't too bad. The food is merely okay, though. I really like the Hot Latin Kisses (Jalapenos stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon), but other than that, everything on the menu is pretty bland. It's a pretty nice and comfortable place to get together with friends, though.
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Full disclosure: The most appealing feature of this El Mercado's location is that my wife and I can walk there, eat, drink, and walk back half or more tipsy without incident.
BUT, this convenience does not detract from El Mercado's many other outstanding features. For example, they have attractive door handles and air conditioning. Just kidding . . .
Probably the best thing about El Mercado is the big portions. I saw one slim lady come in last week, and she came out 30 minutes later as a 350 lb. tubby dude. Wow! That must be good queso!
In addition to a very extensive menu of traditional tasty Tex-Mex offerings, they also have a nice assort of vegetarian and seafood options (and I don't just mean cheese enchiladas). Try the spinach/mushroom variety, fish tacos, and several shrimp dishes.
It's a funky joint with a parrot theme. If you don't like exotic birds or loud talking funny people, stay at home with the Lean Cuisine. The waitstaff is reliably kind, competent, and jocular, and I frankly look forward to rapping with them. The ambience is oddly "South Austin" even though it is located squarely in Crestview. I've never been disappointed with the entertaining, even shocking conversations I manage to overhear there. Yes, Dorothy, there are weirdos in North Austin, too.
El Mercado also offers a great selection of domestic and Mexican beers, as well as much-lauded margaritas. I tend to stick to Corona, so I can't speak to the frozen drink selection.
One final note: They prepare the food PRONTO! One time, I could've sworn they brought out my order before I told them what I wanted. Damn psychic waiters.
El Mercado: Un buen lugar.
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I used to work really close to here, and this was a good option for us frequently, because they could get us in and out in an hour, and our bosses were real sticklers for not being even a second late.
I would get the black bean tacos and they were okay. A lot of the servers were forgetful on refills and bringing me a knife (I know, I'm weird, but I like to eat their tacos with a fork and knife), but the guy who does chips and salsa refills is always on his game, hardcore. Also, a lot of the time, you could hear the music playing in the kitchen, which would make a cacophony with the music they pipe into the dining area, so that was kind of distracting, but not a biggie.
Overall, average.
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The margaritas are refreshing and cheap during happy hour, and the chips and salsa are free and flowing, which keeps my friends going back and spending their tip money. I haven't tried any of the food on the menu but the melted cheese on the enchilada plate my friend ordered looked processed, which grosses me out.
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When I want Tex-Mex in my hometown, I skip the long lines at the ever popular Chuy's and Trudy's and head straight here. You can't beat the chicken fajitas and the prices.
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