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Arturo's Bakery & Cafe
Categories: Food Bakeries Restaurants Bakeries, Restaurants [Edit]
314 W 17th StAustin, TX 78701
Neighborhood: Downtown
(512) 469-0380
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 7 am - 2:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
51 reviews for Arturo's Bakery & Cafe
Review Highlights
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"I especially love their breakfast tacos." In 16 reviews -
"The adobo chicken quesadillas are muy delicioso." In 6 reviews -
"I'm particularly fond of the black bean tacos." In 4 reviews
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51 reviews in English
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Review from Yoni L.
Austin, TX
5/6/2012
Went today for lunch. Not too busy, and very quick service. By quick I mean 6-8 minutes. Got the mushroom quesadillas and their delicious chicken salad sandwich. Drank two big glasses of their iced tea/lemonade mix which you can help yourself to anytime.
Quesadillas came with sour cream and a salsa that was nice and spicy. How did I not know this was here?? Great find and I will definitely be going back. -
Review from Solomon W.
Austin, TX
2/23/2012
I am going to spit a little bit of reflection here. Bear with me... I will get to my very limited food survey afterward. Over the past few months, I have been eating a lot of small food items in the ATX. I have gained much insight in terms of food profiting/food costs.
So, I ordered up a Peace Maker taco. potato, spinach, egg, and mushrooms: $2.75. What did I gain from this? So, a few potato chunks, approximately 2 mushrooms, a sprinkling of spinach leaves. This produce was wonderfully sauteed. All with a flour tortilla.
If you just eat the veggies, you will probably ingest upwards of 75 calories. I calculated the food cost of these ingredients to run about $0.25. The tortilla alone probably provides 150 units that it costs to heat up 1 g of water by 1 degree Celcius. This rounds out to $0.10, or so. What is cool to count is the calorie to cent comparison with these ingredients. The veggies offer a 3 kcal to $0.01 ratio, and the tortillas offer a 15 kcal to $0.01 ratio. What other foods can you think of that provide a Kcal-money ratio comparable to tortillas? Consider this, as you go forward with your own nutrition. Produce is so much healthier, but processed foods are so much cheaper.
Um, so, to the taco. The filling was well executed. The tortilla was well heated.
Arturo's is a cool little spot tucked on a small street just north of downtown. It is not too busy, and they have a really good spread of breakfast tacos and sandwiches. The vibe is just awesome. -
Review from Chad S.
Austin, TX
1/20/2012
It really doesn't get better than Arturo's. I live very close by and I finally one day decided to try it. It is very tiny and easy to miss from the outside, but once inside, there is a lot of seating. For lunch, I like how they have the same selections across sandwiches, tacos and quesadillas. The Adobo chicken is my favorite, but you can't go wrong with any selection. The sandwiches are served on different types of bread, depending on which one you order and come with a pickle and perfect sized amount of chips. The tacos are all amazing and have the freshest ingredients. The quesadillas come with black beans and rice and is what I get when I am a little more hungry than the other days.
For breakfast, their tacos also go beyond expectations. All of them are delicious! Their homemade salsa is really great too and depending on the batch of peppers, sometimes spicier than other times.
It's all very reasonable priced and the ingredients are all fresh and delicious. They look to have a large selection of coffee, but I don't drink coffee, so I can't comment. There are always people in there to pick up coffee though, so it must be good. I have brought many friends here for lunch that have never tried it and everyone leaves excited about discovering a new delicious place!
Make sure to note they are only open from 7a.m. to 2:30 p.m. M-F, so be sure to go early to get your fix! -
Review from CHRYSTIE N.
Austin, TX
5/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Went here for lunch several times over the last few weeks -- very tasty selections -- good portions, outdoor seating, quick service. Great neighborhood eatery!
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Review from Megan S.
Houston, TX
3/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is awesome. I got two black bean and cheese tacos. They were super nice and I was totally confused when I walked in. Then the underground dining area was Sooo laid back and relaxing. Will SO go back.
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Review from Samantha M.
Burleson, TX
10/13/2011
This place is pretty awesome. I only wish that they were open on the weekends.
I work close to here, so during the week, I sometimes go there to pick up breakfast. I had a Migas Breakfast taco this morning and it was incredible. In my head I was fist pumping and yelling "Eff yeah!". Seriously delicious. You can't go wrong with breakfast at Arturo's. -
Review from Sasha T.
Austin, TX
Updated - 10/28/2010
I just...I can't go without praising them. I'm a huge, huge, huge fan of black beans. Must be my Guatemalan roots. ;)
It's hard to find a place that prepares beans the right way. In fact, if on the menu I refrain from ordering black beans most of the time when dining out, just cause it's never great. But this morning I stopped by here and was really craving a black bean and cheese taco. So glad I stopped by and gave Arturo's a shot. I HAVE to go back and ask how it was prepared..*gasps* what if it's from a can?!?!!! *sigh* if it is indeed from a can, I gotta find out what brand it is. Tasting those beans made me feel like I was in Guatemala again. :)
****update on my update****
I called Aruturo's to inquire about their black beans. They're homemade. I knew that taste was so genuine. GO HERE NOW! :)1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/12/2010
Breakfast tacos are my weakness! Like...seriously. The fastest way to my heart is breakfast. I've… Read more »
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Review from Lucky D.
Austin, TX
12/22/2010 1 Check-in Here
Arturo's is great. The BREAKFAST TACOS are really really great! The salsa is actually hot and always fresh. They guys working are really down to earth and fun to talk to (and good looking). They use Owl Tree coffee, which I love...they brew it a little weak though :(
I've had lunch here a couple of times and wasn't all that impressed. But, the breakfast will keep me coming back! -
Review from Rebecca L.
Austin, TX
9/22/2010
I walked past this place this morning and thought it looked interesting so I looked it up and saw they had pretty good reviews. I decided to go check it out for lunch. I was kind of in a hurry, so when I saw a bunch of people inside I almost turned around. However, I decided to take my chances. I looked at the menu, and I thought the only options were sandwiches, which looked a little pricey. I ordered the Basil & Parm chicken sandwich to-go and an iced tea. My total was $9. Only afterwards did I notice they also had lunch tacos, which were considerably cheaper. It took them about 5-7 minutes for my sandwich to be ready.
The sandwich itself was very good. I could barely taste the mayo (apparently all their sandwiches have mayo, I noticed this too late. I hate mayo.) The basil was amazing in conjunction with the parmesan, chicken, mushroom, lettuce and tomato. I think for what they're charging, the portions were a little stingy. Especially compared to Fricano's. Their tea was eh.
I will probably be back here for their breakfast/lunch tacos sometime, now that I know that's another option. -
Review from Coral L.
Austin, TX
11/28/2010
I haven't been here in a few years. It must be because I'm a procrastinator...
Back when I was cool and worked DT I would frequent this place often, but for some reason I don't anymore. Anyway, their office club is the best sandwich in Austin. The art downstairs and everything about this place is just as good as that sandwich. I hear wonders about the breakfast tacos too.
My new goal is to go here soon and try something else... If I can steer away from the office club. -
Review from Cody L.
12/30/2010
Arturo's is my favorite type of coffee shop style cafe. Dark, local, and inviting... The kind of place you could study at, or get some work done, but also a place to get some good take out lunch.
I stumbled in here while my wife was getting her hair did at La Petite Rouge next door. I was actually outside about to call for a sub delivery from JJ, but I saw the cafe with the bright colors and the cactus on the roof and decided to try it. I'm a sucker for plants I guess.
The Thai chicken sandwich caught my eye so I got that with a coffee and went next door to eat it. My wife was so jealous of my amazing sandwich that I had to go get her the same one after she was finished up. It had a nice peanut sauce with some cilantro, carrots and lettuce. It was like a rad spring roll inside of bread only with tons of hot chicken.
Both sandwiches where fresh, flavorful and amazingly hot (temperature.) You almost should let it cool down, except it is so good that you don't.
The second time I was in there the staff was reading Yelp from a smart phone and laughing about a 1 star review which was recently made. That showed me they cared about the food and didn't think the bad review was based in any sort of truth. I didn't try the breakfast tacos, but if they were anything like the sandwiches we had, I'm pretty sure they are good. You know, not to mention the other reviews that say they are great tacos, including the Guatemalan girl who probably knows what she is talking about with regard to preparing black beans.
I'm coming back next time I'm in that hood for sure. -
Review from Erika G.
Austin, TX
9/10/2007
This subterranean dining experience for a moment made me wonder whether or not I had missed some obscure conclave of nesting bats that had decided to take up residence somewhere else besides the Congress Bridge, but nay, the only denizens were just local hipsters.
It's probably easy to miss Arturo's if you don't have someone take you there who already knows of its existence, couched as it is on the corner of 17th next door to the Dog & Duck Pub, but perhaps that's the way the owners like to keep it, especially since seating is limited to a couple of outdoor sidewalk tables and two small basement rooms comprised of about 5 tables apiece.
I only gave it 3 stars this time because my lunch, while good, was not outstanding, just kinda middle of the road, and the keg party feel of the tub 'o melted ice/lukewarm water in which sad bottles of neglected soda were floating (there is no soda fountain) was a bit disconcerting.
But, basement dining does have its merits, although that sounds a little contrary to rational thought and a bit sociopathic; it was nice and cool down there, the music was good in a typical we're-within-a-bottle-of-black-hair-dye's-throw-of -campus-ergo-we-must-play-something-anything-that- screams-emo-and-depression-dear-god-i'm -sad sort of way.
As for the food, it was fairly cheap, the breakfast burrito selection looked excellent (must mentally sticky-note it for some hungover morning) as well as interesting (there were a lot of vegetarian selections and even a couple of surprising options like Thai Peanut and Mediterranean, so not just your typical Southwestern fare).
I tried a black bean and spinach soft taco and a spicy chicken soft taco for about $2 and change apiece, both of which were good. The black bean taco was especially tasty, so I hope to come back for some of the more "exotic" fare and add some more stars to this review.
Service was good but the space between the door and the cash register is the size of Paris Hilton's left calf, so any semblance of a lunch line will automatically be relegated to wait outside, which is kind of annoying.
However, if you're in the neighborhood looking for a break from Einstein's or McDonald's, the Bat Signal is waving its hard-to-find searchlight from the corner of 17th.
UPDATE:
Ok, so I should add that I went here for lunch today and this time there was a spankin' new refrigerated soda machine. Apparently aforementioned bucket was the proxy while they were waiting on the real thing. However, because my chicken adobe taco was so slick with grease I practically had to use mechanic's tools, I am keeping the same amount of stars. Oh, and the service was substantially better and quicker this time around.
Or, I could be biased because my waiter/cash register ringer-upper guy looked a lot like Roger Federer, if Federer wore skinny black jeans, quit playing tennis, lost 30 pounds, started smoking weed and grew his hair out shoulder-length. Yeahhhhhh...it's still only getting 3 stars. -
Review from Lara F.
Austin, TX
9/21/2007
BLACKBEANMANIA!!!
So, if you work downtown (near UT/Capitol Complex), you hear about these small, cool, eclectic deli restaurants. BUT you have to search for them or have someone show you where this place is. It's like finding the Holy Grail.
I've been hearing RAVES about Arturo's for many weeks, and I just hadn't ventured out to find it. So, I finally went looking for it with my friend DH. She hadn't been there in ages, so we were both excited. Maybe I was too excited since I love to eat LUNCH.
Anyways, Arturo's is located off of 17th street between Lavaca and Guadalupe. If you blinked, you may miss it..... I didn't see any parking near the place, since I walked from my office. There are a few tables outside. When you walk in, the ordering area is pretty small. So, get their early or stand in line outside. They have an underground area to eat. It's got a few tables and chairs. Most people I know call TO GO.
They have an eclectic menu of tacos, quesadillas, sandwiches, coffee, tea, etc. Yes, sodas are in cans/bottles and there is no soda fountain. I had the shrimp and crab quesadillas. It came with rice (which I wished for more since it was SOOOO good) and some black beans. You get a side of salsa which was delightful. All of this for 6 smackeroos. NOT BAD! Everything tasted fresh and was deliciouso!
I will definitely be going here on a regular basis. I cannot wait to get some breakfast tacos from this place. Fresh food, fresh prices!! Thumbs UP!
EDIT: The grilled cheese is to die for!!Listed in: I heart LUNCH (Downtown…, I heart SANDWICHES
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Review from Holly P.
Austin, TX
7/28/2009
When my colleagues tick me off early in the a.m. (read: my pissy attitude is looking for blame to stick to) with their reality television chatter (I love you, ladies, but who the hell are John and Kate?) I hoof it here (two whole blocks) and enjoy a cup of coffee and National Public Radio piping through this little shop's sound system.
Ahh, reprieve.
Its exterior reminds me of whimsical shops that dot Taos, New Mexico while its interior is lined with smart, politically inspired art.
Food? Inexpensive and very good. Plenty of choices for breakfast or blackbean tacos and a solid deli sandwich. Perfect for a workday breakfast or lunch or that "I've got to get the hell out of this office or I'm going to use that paper cutter like a guillotine" moment when you decide it's time for an early morning or a midafternoon break.
My attitude has yet to fail to improve after a quick jaunt to Arturo's. Just ask my coworkers.Listed in: Downtown
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Review from Crystal A.
Austin, TX
7/24/2010 1 Check-in Here
Great breakfast tacos till 11am. Great fresh coffee. Friendly staff.
I always make sure I grab a salt packet and to-go-cup of salsa so that I can construct that perfect taco. There's a bit of a crunch to their tortilla. At first that bothered me, but now I'm starting to like it.
This place has definitely become my new go-to breakfast taco place when I'm working downtown. I haven't tried their lunch, but perhaps that should be next!Listed in: MexiCan!
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Review from Kelty G.
2/9/2009
Sometimes, when a restaurant is located a little too conveniently close to your home or work or school, it can get booooring. NOT SO AT ARTURO'S! It's like my favorite old friend that who I am always happy to see and can never grow tired of.
They've got breakfast, lunch, coffee, and a friendly, quirky, hard-working staff. who cater to all of the workers and students that are moving through the area during the work-week.
The restaurant itself feels like a speakeasy in the Prohibition era because it's small and underground. The art on the walls and the food on my plate always put me in a good mood.
I'm particularly fond of the black bean tacos. This usually lowly-food has been elevated to exciting new levels with the help of prodigious amounts of garlic - no kissing allowed after one of these. I also heart the quesadillas, which combine a plethora of vegetables, sauces, and meats in yummy combinations. I can rarely deviate from my standards on the menu, but when I have managed to do so, I have always enjoyed their salads and sandwiches.
This is a good place to get you out of a lunch rut and into a good mood. -
Review from Rob C.
Austin, TX
8/8/2010
I've been a breakfast regular at Arturo's for nine years. I love the breakfast tacos which are large and fresh hot off the grill. Topped off with their signature homemade medium hot salsa, makes them my favorite in the city.
This place is a funky Austin original with a great vibe to it. -
Review from Misti W.
Austin, TX
2/25/2009
I enjoy the large, eclectic menu selection and the closeness to my work. I *don't* enjoy fighting for a table. The place is *small*, but I adore its atmosphere and below-ground seating.
The food quality is excellent, and it never takes too long even when the place is slammed. -
Review from Jeff K.
Austin, TX
3/2/2007 2 photos
Underground dining, or so they say. Arturos menu is tex-mex/bakery/cafe, so you can get a cup of coffee, an adobo chicken quesadilla with rice and black beans, their 'big office club' with potato chips, or any one of a variety of salads, as well as muffins, tacos ala-carte, and breakfast stuff if you get there early enough.
Dining is outside on the sidewalk or down in the basement, they have a variety of rotating artwork, but the overall paint scheme reminds me of a Half-Life 2 level. The food's consistently good, the atmosphere is, to put it nicely, eclectic. They don't invest a lot in tables or chairs or what have you, but their prices are reasonable and you'll probably see the same staff every time you go.
We only go for lunch, so that's the only experience I have, but it's a good 'well, can't decide on anywhere else, how about Arturos?' place.
I like their Adobo Chicken Quesadilla, their Big Office Club is good, too. I haven't had any of their salads in a while but they always look nice. Sometimes ordering a-la-carte from the taco menu is cheaper, we've found. -
Review from Catherine V.
Austin, TX
9/23/2010
Note: I've only had their breakfast tacos and coffee.
Thank goodness Arturo's is so close to my work! When I'm starving and need a boost in the morning, I get their delicious breakfast tacos. Mixing and matching ingredients is the best! Their cilantro, egg, and rice tacos rule my world. And the chorizo. Yum! The Peruvian coffee isn't to die for, but the Texan Pecan is. -
Review from Claire N.
Austin, TX
12/12/2008
Adore. That's the word I use. Adore.
As in "I adore having a cute guy serve me my latte and not make fun of me for choosing soy milk."
As in "I adore the laid back non-corporate feel of this tucked-away cafe."
As in "I adore good salsa on my freshly made breakfast taco."
Now, I may be a bit biased because I am lucky enough to live around the corner from this adorable gem. But regardless of the convenience, this place is great on all levels. Great staff, incredible breakfast tacos, and fresh coffee.
The only downside is their hours. They are open till 2pm Mon-Sat, but are closed all day Sunday. I would be there with bells on every Sunday reading my NYT if they were open, but alas! the boys need a break sometime (I guess).
Skip the starbucks and let Arturo's breathe some life into your mornings. -
Review from Stephen M.
Austin, TX
2/12/2010
This place is a great little hangout when you need to get away from the office.
I like this place so much I host my interviews here when we have open positions at work. The atmosphere is great, the food is awesome, and the group of people that work here are always attentive to their customers.
And when it's nice outside you can eat along the sidewalk at one of their 4 or 5 tables outside..
Me and my colleagues at work, eat and do business here on a regular basis! -
Review from Stella F.
Austin, TX
1/30/2009 2 photos
I love this place, and mean to go here more often, especially since it's down the street from my house!
Their breakfast tacos are great, and they're one of the few places that have adequate filling options for vegans (I get loads of mushrooms thrown in there!); their sandwiches are great; their coffee is great; you can sit in the cozy basement or out on the street, which is a great spot for people-watching; clever, Austiny clippings are cartoons abound; the staff are friendly and efficient. It's good but unpretentious. Love it. -
Review from Pete L.
Austin, TX
6/10/2011
The breakfast tacos are probably the best in a five-block radius. But one of the guys who works mornings needs to take his rude hipster act to Williamsburg. Other than that, decent place.
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Review from Greg M.
Austin, TX
I love this place. It's close to work, and the Caesar chicken sandwich is awesome. The quesadillas are all pretty good too. The best thing is just the overall funkiness. It's run by happy hipsters who aren't snobby and pretentious, and the music is always appropriately weird. It's also got a good funky vibe, though the newer portion of the underground dining area is a little too bland.
Still, I usually go there once a week for lunch. Also, skip the soft drink and get the lemonade. Free refills, it's awesome, and no wasted plastic or aluminim.
It's nice to see a business that recycles pretty much everything, as well. -
Review from Leslie S.
Austin, TX
3/10/2010
Mmmm this is one of my favorite taco places in the city! My boyfriend and I usually get a breakfast taco (fantastic) and one of the love tacos 86 the egg. Apparently this is uncommon?? I can't imagine why anyone would really want egg on that taco but let me tell you what--it is AMAZING without it. It's very rich but oh so delicious.
The staff here are incredibly nice and so unpretentious, which, honestly, is kind of what I expected the first time I wandered in here. But no, they are great and the prices here are very reasonable.
Even though they're located downtown, this spot is very quiet and out of the way. I love it. Great coffee too! -
Review from Daniela L.
Austin, TX
7/22/2010
I love this place!
I go to school across the street and this is my go-to place for coffee, breakfast tacos or lunch or sometimes all three.
The guys that work here are all super nice, and the food is delicious. My favorites are the Peace taco for breakfast, and the Thai Grilled Chicken salad for lunch.
I'll be sad when I'm done with school and Arturo's will no longer be a short walk away, but I'll probably still go out of my way to come here, it's that good. -
Review from Jack A.
Austin, TX
8/24/2010
My wife found this place and we decided to take the kids and my mom for a mid-week bunch.
Pancakes were run-of-the-mill. Black beans were slightly undercooked. Everything else was outstanding. Homemade tortillas. Peace taco was great combo. Chorizo and eggs was perfect combination. Salsa was fresh and had just the right kick. Price was fair.
All in all, a great little, funky, Austin place. -
Review from Kaci H.
Austin, TX
6/12/2009
So, here's the deal: The food is good and they have a bunch of vegetarian options. We get breakfast tacos from them every Friday.
My recommendation to you: go order in person. When we order by phone, too often than not, they'll forget something in our order, but still charge us. Definitely check what you've ordered before you leave.
They do have a fair bit of seating - some inside and some outside. They're also pretty quick at getting your order out and most of the time the employees are friendly.
I still hate having my order be wrong AND still get charged for it. -
Review from Jinane S.
Austin, TX
7/2/2009
Love it! I had a potato and cheese taco. It was made fresh, tasted delicious, and there wasn't a long wait. The cafe is totally cute, relaxed, and clean. I love the downstairs seating area. Its a great little cafe, nicely located in the downtown/ UT campus area but you feel tucked away!
Great place! Too bad it is only open on weekdays and closes after lunch :( -
Review from Corey F.
Austin, TX
12/29/2010
YUK! Nice folks, terrible breakfast. Here's why: when I got my taco's they were "black bean and bacon" and a "migas" taco. First the black bean taco was boiled black beans (not refried) with no spices loaded on a soggy doughy tortilla with a 1 scant piece of nearly burnt crumbled bacon on top. The Migas taco was half soggy tortilla chips cooked into eggs with soupy tomatoes and onions, again no flavor. I think the one spice was paprika for color. The tomato and onion in the Migas taco seamed pre-cooked as the onion was thin and translucent like from soup and the entire taco tasted like a bland canned stewed tomato + corn chips.
Now, I could understand getting some thrown together food if Arturos was a hotel and food was something the just did on the side. BUT HOW CAN YOU PUT OUT BAD FOOD WHEN THIS IS ALL YOU DO! If i seam upset it is because I am. I grew up in restaurants and worked in them for many years later and I know it isn't hard to make decent food so when I blow $11 on bland tacos and a rare opportunity for a weekday breakfast with my girlfriend its a real let down.
Aurturos here some advice on how to improve your food that is cost effective:
Beans: Since you are making it in large batches, to start roughly and quickly chop equal amount of onion and tomato and toss it in with your beans that you let soak overnight. Then half that amount of seeded jalapeños and garlic, then half that amount of a spice blend of equal parts cumin and salt and one cheap beer and one handful of cilantro for every onion you put in. Bam! Beans with flavor.
Bacon, get a big oven tray, lay out thick-cut pieces and stick them in the oven. This lets them stay plump, cook all the way and get browned without getting small hard and crumbly. This will also save you tons of labor as you can set a timer and just have one person pop them in and out between doing other work. If you want to make refried bean (which is the only thing you should be putting on tacos) take the bacon drippings and add them to some beans and blend. Nothing wasted.
Migas: NEVER PRECOOK YOUR VEGGIES, prep a mix of seeded and chopped jalapeños (yes you can get a seeding tool at restaurant supply that lets you do this fast [$5] so no excuses) chopped onion, chopped cilantro, sliced mushroom. Get THIN TORTILLA CHIPs like Milagros, they don't get soggy and ON HIGH HEAT put them in the oil first, hit the chips with a season blend of equal parts: salt, garlic powder, cumin, paprika. Then a hand full your veggie mix, brown edges of veggies, then add egg and done.
Anyone still reading this now knows this isn't hard and thus understands why it is so lame to get bland goofed up tacos. Get it together Arturo's and if you wanna send me my $11 back reply to this review and I'll forward you my address. Its the least you could do for the free cooking advice and bummer breakfast. -
Review from Warren C.
Austin, TX
5/28/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This little place has fast become my favorite lunch spot near the Capitol. Although many items on the menu, such as the quesadillas and sandwiches are tasty, it's the Grilled Thai Chicken Salad that keeps me coming back at least once a week. This very casual dining spot has got it all figured out.
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Review from Danielle S.
Austin, TX
11/10/2010
Arturo's Underground Cafe is one of my favourite lunch spots. It is a great escape from campus and there is always a great staff and crowd. They have loads of vegetarian options and I loves the gourmet grilled cheese
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Review from Michelle C.
Austin, TX
2/18/2007
The first time I went to Arturo's, I was really excited. They have excellent, very tasty, unusual sandwiches at decent prices, they're conveniently located right near my office, they've got this cool, subversive, laid-back vibe going on, and they serve free beer with your meal (yes, FREE BEER!) on certain nights of the week.
Several subsequent trips served to significantly dampen my enthusiasm for this place, though. Their hours are totally weird and seemingly unpredictable - although I've been there for dinner a couple of times, a couple of other times I tried to go for dinner and they were inexplicably closed. Then the crowning glory came once when my husband and I got sandwiches there, sat down to eat them, and discovered a few tiny ants on our plates and in our sandwiches. Live ants. I brought them back to complain, and the guy behind the counter was like, "So, do you want me to replace them or something?" Uh, yeah I want you to replace them! Do you think I'm going to eat this ant-infested sandwich? I said something to this effect (much more politely), and he mumbled something about how some people probably wouldn't care if there were ants in their sandwich. Ooooookay. I understand that sometimes stuff happens and you can't avoid having an ant or two around, but serving ant-ful sandwiches with a side of attitude isn't the best way to earn my repeat business. I haven't been back since.
Nevertheless, I coughed up three stars for this place for the reasons I liked it originally. Might be worth another try once I get over the ant incident.
EDIT: I looked online and it appears that their hours no longer include dinner hours. So, if you want to try this place, go at breakfast or lunch time. Also, I'm guessing no more free beer - bummer! -
Review from Jill M.
Houston, TX
9/5/2007
I just got a job downtown and this place is walking distance, so I've been twice in the past 2 weeks. The exterior of the restaurant did not inspire my confidence, but the food has been good and the service is fast. The Thai chicken sandwich was excellent; the adobo chicken quesadilla was good, but not spectacular. They had a variety of hot teas available, as well as lemonade, which I think is nice since I hate soda. The dining area is downstairs, sort of in a basement, but it's colorful and pleasant. The booth seats were in disrepair, so I sat at a regular table. Interestingly, all 4 chairs were different. I think that added to the ambiance though.
Listed in: Places for Lunch Downtown
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Review from James S.
7/28/2010
This is a cool little breakfast/lunch spot near the Capitol. The staff is friendly, the service is quick, and the Adobo Chicken quesadillas were pretty fantastic. A quesadilla + soda will run you around $9.
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Review from Tommy K.
Pflugerville, TX
3/2/2007
Being a creature of habit, all I've ever had here was the chicken & spinach quesadilla. It has been good every time. I wish they'd get a soda fountain instead of selling bottles though.
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Review from Lotty O.
Austin, TX
11/11/2010
Ate here recently and easily added it to my top places to get a breakfast burrito! YUM
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Review from Anthony M.
New York, NY
1/20/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Found this place on my Yelp iPhone app while looking for a "quick lunch" spot in Austin. Man, I'm glad I trusted the reviews. Delicious & affordable food, friendly staff and quirky decor make this place awesome.
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Review from Cara G.
Austin, TX
Updated - 8/18/2009
Repeat after me: Chipotle chicken taco. Delicious. I already raved about the Miga taco for breakfast, right? Well this chipotle chicken taco was *perfection* -- just a sweet sweet heat (i mean, not doubly sweet, but like a "Sweeeet!" kind of sweet :D). You probably won't like it if you don't like some sweetness. And being a mess later. But dude, messy eatings are the best. Two tacos (the other I had was adobo chicken, which was a good sweet mess, but not amazing like I thought the chipotle chicken taco was) were seriously more than enough for me, but of course I chowed through that full feeling. Yums.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/18/2008
Definitely a must for breakfast tacos -- I love food, so I ordered 2 -- wow, so unnecessary. I got… Read more »
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