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Category: Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
Neighborhood: East Austin
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On a recent 2 day trip to Austin, I ate migas and only migas. Suffice it to say, I'm very picky. Cisco's passes my test and I would definitely add it to my list of standards. I ordered the migas with a tortilla and a biscuit. When the plate came out I was a little disappointed at first because I couldn't see any chiles mixed in with the eggs - there were chips, cheddar cheese, and some tomatoes/onions but overall the eggs looked greyish. They tasted much better than they looked and the ranchero sauce had a nice slow heat. The tortilla was perfect - freshly made and steaming hot. The biscuit was one of the best I've ever had, a warm flaky pillow of deliciousness.
And to top it all off, the meal which included refried beans and a small sausage patty will only run you about $6-7. You can also order individual tacos for $2-3 per.
Next time you just can't settle on a breakfast place, check out Cinco's.
So more lunch time adventures at East Side joints!
My friend had been trying to take me here but couldn't remember the name of the place. We went this week for lunch.
They have AWESOME biscuits. We did have to ask for them so maybe they don't serve them automatically. ASK FOR THEM! They were (sadly) the highlight of my meal. The table has squeeze bottles of butter and honey and it was like a little bit of heaven when you put some on the warm biscuit. (sigh)
After checking the menu, I decided to order the Monday lunch special (as it was Monday). Monday is carne guisada lunch for $6.50. That price did include carne guisada, beans, rice, tortillas AND an ice tea. So they get points for good price. Now, I'm not exactly an expert on carne guisada but I thought it was kind of bland.
My friend ordered the steak plate for $6.99. That came with a steak, potato wedge, rice and beans. Her steak was tastier than my CG.
It sounds like I might've missed out by not ordering breakfast (I wasn't sure if you could... but I didn't really ask). If I go back, it's because of those hot doughy biscuits.
I've never been so underwhelmed! Ok, well I'm sure there have been other times...but geez...
After trying to go various places in the hood to no success or bigger lines, we opted to try Cisco's.
I went for the migas plate which came with 2 tortillas or 2 biscuits or 1 of each. I opted for 1 of each with a side of gravy. The gravy was terrible. The biscuits were big and yummy...The migas were decent and the beans were alright, but the gravy was a huge disappointment.
The service wasn't too great, had to get up and get more silverware, etc, and one of us got our food and was pretty much done with it by the time the other 2 did.
Austin's love affair with migas (and breakfast tacos, and queso) has always seemed amusing to me. Where I am from (personally speaking, maybe not true for everyone) migas are something you make at home, not typically something worth going out for. Most restaurants coat their eggs with way too much cheese and using tortilla chips is cheating. But what Cisco's has that my kitchen does not are fresh, super-soft biscuits and a surprisingly delicious hot sauce that sets these migas apart.
The restaurant itself is a treat too. The front cafeteria-style room is right next to the kitchen so it's like 120 degrees. Not a place to escape the heat outside. But the back dining room, which feels like a Legion hall from the 1950s, is cool and cozy.
I suppose the fact that Cisco's has been around for half a century implies that it must be good. Most "institutions" end up wildly overrated and undeserving of their status. Yet, in atypical Austin fashion, Cisco's has remained simple and decidedly un-hip, which may be its saving grace.
Classic east side Austin at its breakfast finest. Cisco's has been around for as long as I can remember being in Austin. Typical east side hold in the wall. This place can get pretty packed, but they do have a lot of seating, so you usually won't have to wait for a table. Very limited and simple menu - I always get the migas and fajitas. Simple and consistenly good, and you never know who you might see in this place.
I will never return to Cisco's again. It is right by my University, so I used to eat breakfast there several times a week before or between classes. The food is good and the servers are friendly.
However, this morning the owner ranted about "that fagot" who dropped some food off outside instead of bringing it inside and just gave him a "fagot grin on his fagot face" when asked to bring it inside out of the rain.
I informed the server that my gay friends (and allies!) have been beaten and harassed because of who they are and that I would not ever be returning to a place that perpetuated their oppression.
If you are LGBTQ or care about supporting your LGBTQ brothers and sisters, I would suggest NOT patronizing Cisco's.
East Side Mexican Breakfast and Lunch and Chicken Fried Steak.
Migas were very good, order with half tortillas and half biscuits and you can try probably your first ever Migas Breakfast Biscuit. Suffice it to say it kicks the shit out of Mickey D's breakfast sandwhich.
Well priced, and fast efficient service. The seemingly Mexican approach to paying at the front proves to be very awesome if you want to enjoy a few more cups of their strong coffee and not be pestered by waitstaff. The check is there waiting for you whenever you so choose to leave.
Favorite thing about the decor: a sign in the back room that says the Worship Seat. Props to anyone who steals this and hangs it above their toilet, the most universal place of worship....
Greasy. Warm. Wood paneling. Kitchen out in the front. Can I get an amen? I did the unforgivable and walked in on a Saturday afternoon at 2pm. They close at 2:30. It was July 4th. Sorry, but this lady needed some tacos. However, the owner insisted we come on in! No problem! So we did.
There's nothing like a lack of A/C, orange vinyl seats, old colored tile, and photos on the wall to harken you back to better times. Plus, apparently the owner is always hanging around. A very good sign.
The soft tacos with chicken ($6) were fabulous and enough for two (tiny) people. I'm pretty sure the tacos were homemade, as they had that "freshly risen" taste. Definitely have to come back for a low-profile breakfast, as it seems like a place you can sit for hours and sip on weak coffee.
A quintessential Austin place that has managed to survive over time.
Have only been able to go a few times since I lived on the other side of town - but the special trip was always worth it as their migas are the BEST I've ever had. I seriously talk about them all the time, craving them. "yes these breakfast tacos are great right now, but I wish I had migas..." sigh.
Bonus points for the family atmosphere (pictures of family strewn all over the place), negative points for the limited parking.
BEST MIGAS in AUSTIN!!! One of my best places to eat breakfast.
I took a friend here for lunch recently because she works nearby, and since I keep hearing it described as a can't-miss Austin institution, I figured we couldn't go wrong.
Not so much.
Now, I did completely expect the divey, old Mexican cafeteria vibe, and that I actually found a little endearing. I liked the separate dining areas, the mismatch, the greasy heat-filled rooms. Don't get me wrong.
But I also completely expected that the food would be fantastic, because how else does a place like this survive for over 50 years? Sadly, I was unimpressed. Big time.
The lunch menu was awfully limited, but I reasoned that surely it was only because they're so good at making a few staple items, they don't bother with anything else. I ordered nachos and my friend ordered enchiladas.
The nachos had to have been the least impressive thing I've ever ordered. Circle tortilla chips, greasy microwaved cheddar cheese...they reminded me a little too much of the nachos I used to make all by myself when I was 8. Not something I'd expect from a traditional Mexican restaurant. Or any restaurant for that matter.
My friend said the enchiladas were pretty good, but she wasn't exactly raving. They looked to me like a big greasy brown heap of blah.
I know this place is really known for their breakfast, so maaaaybe I'll give it another chance and check it out one morning. But unless someone else is just begging me to go, it probably won't happen.
You have to walk through the kitchen to seat yourself at a table here in the back room. Once you've seated yourself you see that there is a gun rack made out of deer hoofs holding a shotgun over the ladies bathroom. This is one of the saddest things I've ever seen. But, even with how sad it made me I wouldn't leave Cisco's because their food is so worth it.
They'll make you a mean miga taco or a plate of scrambled eggs with chorizo and serve it with tortillas or biscuits the size of your head. And all of it will be delicious.
On the way out make sure read the hand drawn comics by the register. My favorite is about Amish pranksters with flashlights.
The Migas keep you coming back for more.
The decor and the menu probably have not changed since the 50's.
If it ain't broke....................
This place is a gem. Super friendly service, even though we stupidly asked for split checks on a Saturday. Delicious migas. In fact, I'll say it, best migas I've had in Austin so far (let me know if you have suggestions). Having lived in San Antonio my whole life, I can judge well. Not quite up to par with Mom's migas (always my gold standard), but good enough that I will be taking her to breakfast there when she comes up from SA.
I'll give them a bonus stars for the mismatched chairs and closing at 2:30. Reminded me of tacquerias back home. I want to eat my migas at place that doesn't give a f*** what the tables and chairs look like, you know?
Also, the coffee was standard, reliable, plain diner coffee. Always the best hangover cure.
My friend Emily calls again, she only has an hour, where to go for lunch? I recommended Cisco's. We arrived around 11:45 and just beat the lunch crowd.
My gf and I rode our bikes from our condo down the street and locked them up outside on the fence. No one messed with them and they were still there when we were done with lunch. Wish they had a bike rack....
The best thing I love about this place is the fresh bowl of charro beans they give you alongside with chips and hot sauce before you even order.
Lunch was very inexpensive. I had 1 enchilada, 1 hard taco, with beans and rice for $6. My gf had 3 beef enchiladas with rice and beans for $7, and my friend Em had the lunch special of 2 hard tacos rice and beans for $6.60. With a tea,diet coke. and water.Total cost $22 with tax.
We got the flour tortillas with our order but they forgot the freebie biscuits. So we ordered 1 and split it. Mmmm, with grape jelly, it really hit the spot.
Check out the classic pictures of Cisco (Mr. Cisneros) himself with LBJ, Jody Conradt (Hook 'em Horns), etc...people have been coming from Downtown to this secret place for years.
Lastly, don't forget they close daily at 2:30 p.m. Great, speedy service and my friend made it back to work in time!
It's all true: the Willie Nelson associations (snap shots of him abound), the kitschy adornments and decorating touches (they're everywhere), the easy-by-way-of-diner-esque approach to breakfast and lunch here. It's a full-on Austin quirkfest in here, from the homemade cartoons that dot the area leading to the cash register up front (basic theme: someone eats at Cisco's and things go well, someone does not eat at Cisco's and no one comes to this birthday party...that kinda thing). It is not a dull establishment.
It'll a happy if shambled place, and you sort of have to walk through part of the kitchen to get to about half of the seating. But once you're there, the fun begins, and my triple breakfast taco breakfast (fajita, bacon & egg, carne guisada) really hit the mark on a cold morning..especially the carne guisada. But don't take my word for it...I get the feeling that this place still has plenty of stories left to tell, all your own.
As other reviewers have mentioned, the old school diner vibe is quite charming, and the fact that the owner is always at the counter is comforting, but that's where most of Cisco's allure lies for me.
The ingredients within the migas and chorizo plates were barely recognizable. It seemed that everything had been chopped to hell with the griddle spatula as to annihilate all evidence of tortilla strips, or tomatoes. That kinda turned me off. I like big, juicy hunks of ingredients staring me down in a scrambled platter.
The biscuits = YUM. Slightly salty and flaky. The tortillas = YUM. Tasted homemade.
Lastly, the service was great, I felt, for 11am on a Saturday morning.
On second thought . . . while the migas are great, the service inconsistent to say the least. For some reason my bean and cheese taco took longer to make than my 7 companions lunch plates, as well as, the table of eight behind us who sat down after us. Once my food finally arrived, I was happy with my tacos, although a bit on the salty side.
The prices have gone up since I last visited. Still a fun place to take visitors and tell them about the history of Austin, but I can't say the food is that much better than a lot of other Mexican spots in Austin.
That salsa is hot! But so good.
Went in for lunch, and was pleased to be served a cup of beans…
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Delicious miga taco, check.
Delicious chorizo taco, check.
Lots of delicious hot sauce with chips, check.
Amazing ambience, check.
Hidden dining area, check.
I'm really writing this review so I won't forget to back next time I'm in Austin. I loved this place. I thought the food was delightful and I'm a sucker for places with unique seating, dining, or decorating experiences. I feel Cisco's lives up to this. I give this place my stamp of approval. Done and done.
I read some outstanding reviews of Cisco's and wanted it to be 4+ stars, but in the end my experience came up just mediocre. It wasn't bad, it wasn't great, but it could have been better.
You start out w/ chips and salsa (really?). The chips were light, crispy, fresh, and similar to Chuy's or Pappasitos but slightly better because they're not oily or salty. The salsa was pretty good too - had some kick w/ a hint of garlic. Coffee was okay - not too strong, not too light. I read that the migas here were outstanding so I ordered (what I thought was) a $6.50 Migas dish. She asked if I wanted sausage or fajita meat, so I said "fajita" (the sausage didn't look appetizing), but I didn't know that it was going to bump me up to $9.50. My friend ordered the chorizo plate, and both of us get a choice of 2 biscuits or 2 tortillas (or one of each).
Our plates arrived, my fajita steak was a well prepared piece of flank (or skirt) steak and it tasted great. The migas didn't look appetizing and were just average. To be honest, I think Kerby Lane has better looking (and tasting) migas. My friend said her chorizo plate tasted okay and was nothing special - - not too spicy but it didn't rock her boat. The downer for both of our plates was the warm salsa that came with it (poured generously all over the plate). We thought it was the same salsa we had earlier w/ our chips - but unfortunately that wasn't the case. It tasted like a cheap picante that came from the large plastic jug. My friend thought it tasted old, and I didn't like it at all.
But there was a highlight to our breakfast here - the BISCUITS! OMG! They were so DAMN GOOD! They're large like marge and I was definitely impressed. I asked if they made them from scratch - the waitress said "hell yes!". I swear these will be the best biscuits you will ever have - no joke - buttery and flakey w/ a little chew in them. And believe me - you can't have just one - so screw the tortillas and just get two BISCUITS w/ your meal!
There's ample seating in the back as they seem to have a lot of repeat business. Oh yeah - don't get your hand too dirty because the bathroom was out of soap and the paper towel dispenser didn't work. Yeah, another downer, but all I gotta say is HOW 'BOUT THEM BISCUITS!
I care nothing for my health.
I like to sit in smokey bars.
I like to drink like a 60 year old with a wilted liver
I like to eat anything with lard as a cooking base.
Cisco's, though no longer a smoking establishment, and though it does not offer my whiskey breakfast, it does keep my body from getting too comfortable with health or fitness.
I appreciate the unaware, meandering service, it makes me feel continental and also allows my slow, hungover thought process to decide, once again, to get the migas.
While I wish that it was still a safe haven for the obese and fearless, I don't mind at least having some hipsters to mock, while I wallow in my shame circle with some weak coffee and warm salsa, lovingly touted as ranchero sauce.
Some day I hope to work up the courage to find out what exactly is in those mustard containers. Because, no my friends, that is not butter but it does taste great on their biscuits.
After living in Austin for a year and a half, I finally gave Cisco's a try thanks to various friends telling me how great their breakfast was. I did like the run down feel of the place, especially as "old Austin" continues to get swallowed up by new condos and McMansions.
We went on a Saturday morning, and the service was fantastic. Within moments of sitting down I had a cup of coffee and some chips & salsa. Of course, I ordered the migas, which were quite good. I still prefer Kirby Lane's migas for some reason, but Cisco's were still tasty, especially with a side of biscuits. Biscuits with honey just taste so good when nursing a bit of a hangover.
Is it the best breakfast on the planet? No. But would I go there again? When you combine the good service, unique atmosphere and tasty breakfast, I would happily return for another round of migas and biscuits!
I really hate to do this, but I really don't see why so many love this place. Maybe it's the history and the funky location? I dunno, but I've been to this place 3 times now. Once for breakfast, and twice for lunch.
The food is really just average Mexican fare. The staff are great, and it's a GREAT place to people watch. But the food? I dunno... just not really all that great if you ask me.
Love the Migas with Beef Fajita. Great fluffy biscuits with honey. Friendly staff. Can be warm inside when the temperature gets to 100 outside. Try the Wolf Omelette and the chicken soft tacos too. This is not a fancy place, but it has its charms.
Okay, I'm writing this after my first-ever visit to Cisco's...the reason I mention that is because I have a feeling it's the type of place that grows on you...that after, say, the 10th or 20th visit, you have a completely different perspective about the place.
First off, I have to give bonus points to whomever the guy was who showed us to our table. Not because he was smiling and friendly (he was), not because he laughed at me when he pointed at my wife and said "Is that her?", and I said "No, I don't think so..." (she had been seated before us and her back was to us, it was kind of dark, the walk through the hot kitchen had disoriented me...whoops.). Nope. Homeboy was wearing a shirt that said something along the lines of: LAKERS - 2009 CHAMPIONS!!! Hello, friend.
But I was there for breakfast, not to hold hands and dance in circles with fellow Lakers fans (which we do often...it's a weird cult-like thing...froget that I mentioned it). Naturally, I went with the migas...that or breakfast tacos being my breakfast order of choice, and somewhat of a standard measuring stick for breakfast joints. Here's my take on the migas - they were good, no complaints...but the rest of the plate was a bit odd (for me). The migas took up about half of the plate...on one side, a thin layer of beans took up maybe a 3rd of that half of the plate (tasted fine), and the other 2/3 was a thin layer of what was (again, for me) mediocre salsa. On the edge of that side was a little circle of sausage...standard breakfast sausage, overcooked and really not very good. And while the migas were probably served in a sensible portion, it didn't really fill me up. The kids both had good-sized bacon, egg and cheese tacos, and were happy.
The waitress had asked if we wanted tortillas or biscuits (tortillas, thank you), and when they arrived there were two tortillas and two biscuits. Ummm, okay...4 tortillas (or more) would have been better since that's what we asked for, but the waitress was nice and friendly, and the kids enjoyed the biscuits a bit, so no bigee.
I enjoyed the ambiance of the place...a lot of history on the walls...old photos, Texas and Austin-themed stuff, bumper stickers and what not, mis-matched chairs, etc. However, it was rather hot and cramped...both bothered wifey a bit more than me...and though I really prefer not be sweating while I eat, I suppose I should just be grateful that I wasn't eating in that front room/kitchen, which was pretty damn hot. I wanted the place to be awesome, and while I would totally go back and explore the menu a bit more...try some huevos rancheros, get busy with some tacos...really, it was a 3 star experience. More good than bad, less great than good. Nothing wrong with that.
No one loves breakfast like I love breakfast. I challenge you to love it more! *slaps you with a glove* Very well, then. A duel with the breakfast authority it is.
I champion Cisco's bakery, king of migas and biscuits, eastside. The legend of their biscuits has been sung far and wide. Topped with the fake liquid butter and honey offerings on the tables, they are incomparable. All other biscuits - snake oil, fakery and jest. They. Make. Me. LAUGH. hah-ha!
A steaming mound of migas, perfectly cooked and spic'd, will revive you from your Friday and/or Saturday night revelry and carousal. Your bacchanal will be, quite literally, sopped up from your stomach by the tortillas. And if you're feeling ambitious, you may choose to use the extra tortillas to make miga tacos with your side of beans and rice.
Your coffee here, black like the forest, and there will be no Splenda or Stevia on your table. Your waitress or waiter, cheerful and attentive. Your bill, a pittance - especially in comparison to other breakfast taverns in town. The ambiance, authentic as only a Mexican-American cafe caught in a 1950's - 1970's time warp can be.
So my tale ends, fellow breakfast-lovers. I shall see you on the battlefield at dawn.
I don't like migas. I know, it's strictly un-Texan to not like migas in the morning. Luckily I wanted to try Cisco's out, regardless of missing out on migas I would not be putting into my mouth.
Seriously, this place is divine. I mistakenly asked for biscuits and gravy, not knowing your breakfast comes with biscuits and tortillas. No problem, we finished all the biscuits presented to us. I had the scrambled eggs chorizo. Amazingly good. The chorizo was not greasy, or orange-colored. It was the perfect combination of sausage mixed in with a large helping of scrambled eggs. The ranchero sauce was too hot for my morning tummy, but I bet it would taste great over enchiladas.
My mate had the wolf omelet, which was the size of a large rodent. He scarfed it down with no complaints and a satisfied look. The husband had the migas and fajitas meat I believe. He was very happy with his meal and also cleaned his plate.
I really liked the honey and jam at the table. It was a great way to top those remaining biscuits. It was a bit cold inside and I did smell like a Mexican diner afterwards. It was so bad I had to shower off the stink when I got home. No complaints though. Our food was cheap and we missed the breakfast morning crowd.
The Willie Nelson art on the wall makes for good eye candy.
It's Cisco's 70th Anniversary and in honor of this event, a coupon has been running in the XL that offers 2 for 1 Migas or Huevos Rancheros. So we took them up on the offer and four of us headed east for brunch this week. Chips and salsa came with our meal and while we waited, we consumed a basket and a half and two bowls of their fresh salsa.
Each of us had the Migas served with refried beans, ranchero sauce, biscuits and homemade tortillas. Three words about the biscuits: small fluffy hubcaps. On the table you will find containers of fake melted butter and honey to dress them up. The serving of migas is huge and delicious with the perfect balance of ingredients. And just to be sure we had enough food, we added an order of their famous picadillo served in bolillos for the table--muy bueno.
Rudy Cisneros ("Cisco") died about 15 years ago and his son Clovis took over the business. Nothing has changed. I'm quite happy about that and I thank Clovis for keeping his father's sense of humor and flair alive. Cisco's serves the same good food in the same location with the same decor on the walls. I swear I sat in a chair today that I sat in 20 years ago. The walls are abundant with photos of Willie Nelson, LBJ, football players, articles about the restaurant, jokes and funny posters.
Cisco's was my "go to" place for a Bloody Mary and breakfast back in the day. Now, there are so many choices that I don't get here that often anymore. It is still a fun place to be the morning before a UT football game. That special game day tradition will never change.
Taken from our post at http://eastaustinite.c...
We hear that Cisco's is somewhat famous around these parts so we had to try it for ourselves. According to 10best, it used to be the spot for breakfasting politicians. Supposedly the homemade biscuits and the spicy migas will keep you coming back day after day. But we must admit, we thought it was absolutely horrible. Maybe it's the fact that my pancakes where literally microwaveable pancakes that were probably bought from H-E-B. When asked for butter, we were expecting a pat of butter but instead we were given a squirt bottle with butter. Seriously folks, the breakfast we were given must have been made by 12 year olds. Here is another thing that really perplexes us. Why in the world are you only open until 2:30 pm!? Seriously, do you have to close up shop early to catch Judge Joe Brown?
Their only saving grace is their homemade biscuits. Other then that...I say skip it and head over to Juan in a Million for some breakfast tacos.
You know what's awesome? No...no, I'm asking for a specific answer. I don't want to hear how awesome you think Def Leppard is. Or your signed album cover of Tesla's "Time's Makin Changes". I don't even think those people were in Tesla.
No, the answer to my query was obviously migas. I realize up until this point you could not have accurately guessed the answer to that, but that is why I am writing you this review. To introduce you to migas...specifically, the migas at Cisco's.
They say a good migas is hard to find. That's certainly true. You can't find this deliciousness easily...and when you do, you've gotta hold onto it with both hands and not let go. Even when the waitress is insisting you let go of your empty plate you are feverishly licking in a migas-fueled haze.
Go there. Try them. You will very likely not regret your decision.
Cisco's makes the best migas I've found anywhere, and the migas and fajitas are a breakfast that I crave every time I'm in Austin.
Another item not to miss are the homemade biscuits. They're light, fluffy, and delicious, and the butter and honey they're served with makes for an addicting combination.
Cisco's is a funky little place that's been there forever (LBJ used to hold court there every morning in his days in the Legislature) and if anything, it's gotten even better over the years. If you've not tried this Austin landmark, you're missing out.
Full of Austin politicos, history & best of all MIGAS & BISCUITS. The red sauce on the migas is grade A, super power enabling, space crack.
If you can eat only one breakfast for the rest of your life-- this would be the place to order that breakfast & you'd live happily the rest of your days with the memory.
Mexican food is a thing to be reckoned with in my family - my dad is the ultimate critic of all things breakfast. When I read they serve migas CON fajita, it sounded like a hit or miss type deal, so I was a little nervous taking him here based on what I've read.
Dad caught me off guard and didn't order his usual migas, but two breakfast tacos. He seemed to be content with them, but I had to render his tastes amazed so I offered him a piece of fajita with my migas. I witnessed fire shooting through his eyes and steam blasting out his ears. It takes a lot to impress this critic, so after a 'Wow' and a hearty Mexican-yelp-laugh [ayy-hai-yai-yai] we had it in the bag.
Just goes to show: its damn near impossible to be lead astray by your reviews, my dear Yelpers. Here's looking at you.
O.K. my husband LOOOOOOVES(he loves the idea of squirt butter and honey on the table) this place. The breakfast tacos are hearty sized, their biscuits are awesome, the decor...spot on for my weekend morning fare. Check out Dolly Parton by the register. I embrace the idea of keeping this place going, too many places get closed for new hotels or shopping centers. This place has history! Try their crisp taco plate.,..my favorite hang over food. Love you CISCO'S - Get your shirt on the way out.
I was craving migas last weekend and thought I'd give Cisco's a shot. It was disappointing!
I got the migas with fajita at the behest of the other reviewers here. Maybe I had it on an off day, but the fajita meat was NOT GOOD. It was a relatively large, very thin piece of very tough skirt steak that tasted bad -- like it came off a dirty grill. I ate less than 20% of it.
The migas themselves were just OK. The tortilla strips were pretty mushy and the migas didn't have the more complex taste of, say, Las Manitas. Just basically tasted like eggs.
On the plus side: the food came out EXTREMELY hot. Like burn-your-fingers hot. The tortillas were delicious, and also came out so hot I couldn't pick them up. They also give you tabasco sauce here, which many Tex-Mex places do not even stock. As a tabasco freak that is worth something to me. Finally, the salsa was really good, and extremely spicy (in a good way) -- but not good enough to make up for the migas and fajita.
If you haven't tried Cisco's, you cannot call yourself an Austinite. The migas are really good, salsa makes me happy, the "walk through the kitchen to the biggest hack-job of a back room ever" back room makes me smile... although I feel like I'm a kid again in a smoke-filled AA meeting with my dad. Really the only difference besides the missing smoke is that the coffee is better at Ciscos and people aren't standing up saying, "Hi, my name is Don and I'm addicted to queso."
Great mix of celebrities (saw some famous golf guy last time we were there... Tom Kite or Ben Crenshaw or someone), sorority girls, and blue hairs. Wish there were more little people there.
Thanks to all who noticed I was away and asked "where have you been." I'm back... write me a message :)
I've only been to Cisco's a few times, but it's definitely one of my all-time favorite restaurants.
I'm no migas expert -- we don't have it in Denver -- but I've tried it at a few places on my visits to Austin. (Which reminds me: Is migas an "it" or a "them?") Cisco's is my favorite by far. The boyfriend loves their tacos, too.
I agree with other descriptions of the place. The front room is nice and open, like a deli. The back room is dark and comforting and old-school, like the smoky diners I remember from childhood. The first time I went, some local politicians were laughing it up at the counter, giving each other shit. One was wearing a ten-gallon hat and everything.
We took a business card with us last year -- "Cisco Cisneros: the man that made migas and huevos rancheros famous" -- and posted it prominently on our fridge. Cisco's cartoon visage has gazed upon us ever since.
And now we're on our way to SXSW again. I'm dreaming of our first breakfast at Cisco's next Wednesday ...
PS: Thanks, locals, for the tip-off about migas with fajita. I'm definitely trying that next week!
I find Ciscos to represent the old Austin style. Walk in, seat yourself. The waitress is right on time. The coffee is always fresh and the service ouststanding. The breakfast tacos are some of the best in Austin. They also make an awesome avacado tomato and onion omlette. The biscuits are delicious and the complimentary beans are always just a few feet away.
Gotta be the best Sunday breakfast/lunch in town!! We used to stop at Ciscos after Church on Sunday mornings. That was before they had menus--you just knew what to order.
The Huevos Rancheros are AWESOME!!!
The only thing I miss are the cookies that they used to sell.
Best migas in the entire country. Not just Austin. Not just Texas. The entire country.
The rest of their food is tasty, but go for the migas. I lament the plain fact that I only ate here a handful of times during my years in Austin. If you are looking for cheap, quality food to cure that hangover from the previous night, I highly suggest Cisco's.
Neighborhood: East Austin
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: East Austin
Category: Restaurants
Neighborhood: East Austin
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: East Austin
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: East Austin
Category: Restaurants
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