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Serranos Cafe & Cantina Downtown - Symphony Square
Category: Restaurants Tex-Mex Tex-Mex [Edit]
1111 Red River StAustin, TX 78701
Neighborhood: Downtown
(512) 322-9080
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
62 reviews for Serranos Cafe & Cantina Downtown - Symphony Square
Review Highlights
"And an AMAZING happy hour menu."
(in 20 reviews)
"The restaurant features indoor and outdoor seating."
(in 9 reviews)
"Drinks: We had margaritas on the rocks."
(in 10 reviews)
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62 reviews in English
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Review from Sherry M.
Elgin, TX
1/25/2012
I've been to Serrano's twice in the past 3 weeks and I've enjoyed both meals. The first trip was a Sunday lunch before going to Zachery for the afternoon play. I had the grilled talapia on salad and it was delicious. Two of my friends had spinach quesadillas and said they enjoyed them. My third friend had the chicken fajitas and said she loved them. We all shared part of the grilled onions on her sizzling chicken fajita platter. The service was great and the price was reasonable. The top shelf margaritas made with Chef Adams organic mix were fantastic.
I decided to take my sister to Serrano's yesterday since we had such a great experience earlier. We both ordered the Emcie plate which came with a huge taco, a cheese enchilada, and chili con queso. Our server Giovanni was the best. The place was packed . We had to wait 20 minutes for a table, and Giovanni was apologetic about the wait and made sure we were taken care of. I loved the queso and the enchilada. The taco shell was a little tough and I would have liked to have the meat a little more seasoned, but needless to say I ate the whole thing! The salad in the taco was fresh and it had plenty of cheese on it.
The chips they brought to the table at the beginning were still warm and crisp and the salsa was perfect, not too hot but with a nice spicy flavor. We even ordered some chips and salsa to take home.
I like the new decor and the freshly painted restroom. I will continue to go to Serrano's whenever I can. -
Review from Arnel S.
1/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
On my recent trip to Austin, I asked my friend who is a local Austinite where the best fajitas were. He said Serranos. Here's the punchline before the setup: he admitted to me after I went to Serranos that he really doesn't know a good place for fajitas and doesn't usually order fajitas at Serranos. Yeah, so there's that.
Sorry, but I didn't like Serranos. The free chips they served us were bitter and left a weird aftertaste in my mouth.
The queso was mediocre and was served in a small dish--for better queso and more of it go anywhere else like Kerbey Lane or Magnolia Cafe.
The fajitas: I ordered the carnitas and the beef. Well, they were tender. But that's about it. They weren't flavorful at all. I was expecting a lot more.
Next! -
Review from Dawn W.
Austin, TX
10/28/2011
We held a special event here. The event coordinator was very helpful. The venue is beautiful and the symphony square area came in handy for pictures. (If you want to use it, you must contact the business next door)
Food was pleasant and good for the price. -
Review from Jenn R.
Austin, TX
2/5/2012
HORRIBLE service and sub-par food. Don't waste your time or money on this place.
I had never been to Serrano's before this past Friday night, and I will NEVER go back there. If I hadn't been there with family, I would have demanded to see the manager very early on.
We were seated in a small room to the left of the main entrance, where our waitress promptly proceeded to ignore us for long stretches of time. We asked for a few more minutes with the menu when she brought us our drinks, and every single glass at the table had been empty for several minutes before she finally came back to our table. We'd been trying to get her attention for some time as she ran back and forth from a large table, maybe a 10-top, literally bringing their food two dishes at a time. I still don't understand that; does Serrano's not make use of the bussers running around the restaurant to help deliver food like most normal restaurants? When we finally got her attention, she was a little rude, saying, "I promise I'll get your order in a minute." We had been there for nearly half an hour at that point, and the waitress was not in the weeds even remotely.
She finally took our order, turned around and hollered at someone for a pitcher of water, and managed to show a total lack of understanding of how to refill glasses without reaching awkwardly into our table and shoving her elbows into everyone's faces. She ignored the empty soda glass. On top of that, while we were giving her our order, she was fuzzy on menu details like whether or not a dish came with a side.
Then we waited, drank our glasses of water dry again, and watched her run in and out of the room without so much as a glance our way. She showed up with two plates of food for our party of four, did not refill our water, and brought the rest of our order nearly ten minutes later. At that point, she remembered to refill the soda glass, and bringing that back was the last we saw of her at our table. She continued to bounce around the large table, and managed to wedge herself about an inch away from me while taking the order of the table behind us.
We had been done eating a good twenty minutes before we got the check.
And then there's the food. I might have enjoyed my spinach enchiladas if the service hadn't put me in such a foul mood, but that combined with such tiny portions on gigantic, rectangular plates that simply don't fit on the smaller tables, ruined the experience. The food was bland, the presentation over done. If a restaurant is going to go to the trouble of dribbling pretty colored sauces and give the scoop of rice a fancy shape with a garnish, I'm going to expect something that resembles flavor. That sort of presentation also leads to the expectation of quality service, but I've already gone over that at length.
Yeah, I have nothing positive to say about this restaurant. -
Review from shane b.
Austin, TX
1/19/2012
Horrible food, horrible service, and horrible management. Nice location though. Unfortunately, it was the worst meal I have ever had in Austin since I was in college. Do yourself a favor and don't ever eat there.
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Review from Kelly S.
10/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
While I'd love to be considered a foodie, I'm really just someone that loves exploring new awesome local restaurants. That particular desire means that when someone suggests "Serranos" as a place to start the night off, I'm internally groaning, 99.3% sure it's going to suck but holding out with that .07% that maybe I'll be surprised. In this instance, my dreams were crushed.
I hear there's a bunch of free and cheap goodness during happy hour. Unfortunately I was there for a pre-bachelorette party dinner so I experienced none of these potential experience altering offerings. What I did experience was truly terrible food. And I don't say that lightly. Literally if I were offered a taco bell 7 layer burrito or a fajita plate from serranos, the taco bell would already be halfway in my mouth by the time the question was finished being posed. Additionally, their margaritas are actually quite expensive and grossly mix-y, leaving that weird residue in your mouth.
The service was adequate and the server was nice enough to divide our bill in a way that made everything easy. Additionally I was surprised at how large and attractive this space is. Really, if the food quality was improved, it's a great spot for large parties - but in a city in the middle of Texas, there just is no excuse for seriously subpar Mexican food.
If these are corporate recipes, throw them out and head down to the taco trailer down the street and hire those guys. They're most likely cooking up some hot deliciousness in a space that's smaller than the square footage in your bathrooms.Listed in: Waste of Calories
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Review from Trevor B.
Austin, TX
10/25/2011
Serranos, we had a good run but it is time for us to get off the dance floor. Why do I want to part ways you ask, it seems that during peak hours or "special events" Serranos can decide not to have happy hour. What constitutes peak hours, nobody knows. I do know it sure was nice to pay full price for drinks when Serranos might be busy (over 1/2 the tables were empty, inside and outside). Even after talking to the manager, it seems nothing could be done. Why oh why did you become part of the dark side?
Update: I did also email Serranos to complain about the un-announced happy hour. They do realize that having a happy hour during special events is in their best interest and they are working towards alleviating all concerns so they can provide Excellent Service to ALL Guests. -
Review from Sarah H.
Austin, TX
1/22/2012
Having worked at Serrano's and getting to try pretty much everything on the menu I think that my opinion would be very helpful. The fajitas are definitely the best in town. The meat is so tender and juicy and the chicken has a yummy gravy that goes on it. Also, the tortillas are made there and they are sooo good!! Try the fish tacos or one of the chicken platters. I heard they have recently changed the menu but I am sure the items are still similar to the ones before. I love the queso and the drinks are strong. Not to mention this Serrano's is a historical part of Austin which makes the area very cool.
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Review from Quani C.
8/23/2011 5 Check-ins Here
I've never actually eaten in this location, but we order Serrano's at work every couple months or so and walk here to pick it up. From my experiences, perhaps eating in would be the better option. My enchiladas have always been lukewarm (at best) and the sauce already congealed in the 5-10 minutes it takes to get back to work. They do, however, give us lots of chips and lots of salsa, so the people that opt out of ordering still get the goods as well.
Called today to place an order, asking for individual pricing on the items. After a couple of them were read off to me, I asked about a "to go" fee, as the prices were much higher than listed in the menu (printed in June) and (as I later found out) on the website. No, no "to go" fee... they changed their menu and raised their prices TODAY. I placed the order anyway, anticipating the fury of my coworkers and made the trek to the restaurant. It took a while for the food to be brought out to me (it was a big order, though) and the bartender was INCREDIBLY apologetic and annoyed about the price changes, as well. I appreciated his sentiment. Actually, everyone I've ever dealt with here has been very nice and accommodating.
Rushed the food back to work and was, once again, disappointed in my enchilada. Order jalapeno rellenos, too, stuffed with shredded cheese, but I guess the walk (even in the 100 degree weather?!) allowed them to cool enough to un-melt the cheese. Or, maybe they weren't thoroughly prepared in the first place. I'll never know. But, ew.
Overall, though, the queso is good, the flour tortillas are good, the chips and salsa are good. IMO, with the increased prices, I don't think we'll be frequenting Serranos anymore. -
Review from Jason L.
10/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Finally getting around to this review. I did email myself some notes, partially b/c it was kinda bad. To start off, we went prior to the John Legend and Sade concert, so with this in mind, I feel maybe this review could be better if I go back again...
To start off, there were at least 2 tables outside that had been empty upon arrival (20 mins earlier) yet we could not sit at them? And no one was being sat at them, this confused me, but whatever, fine. After 5-10 more mins, I pleaded to the hostess and we were finally let to set there. Sitting there another 5-7 mins we finally get a server, she brings us some water, then we dont see her for another 10 mins. I had to go up and ask a random worker for chips and hot sauce.
At this point, we have a new waiter, who was actually quite nice. We order our food and another set of drinks. 10 mins, no drinks, 5 more mins, no drink. So I go to bar to order them. Standing at the bar was kind of disgusting, there were 2 bartenders, serving a packed bar, and no bar backs. Piles upon piles of glasses were stacked on the counter tops. Not only were customers waiting for drinks, but staff as well. One server actually asked repeatedly for his drink orders for the table (he had been there at least the 8 or so mins i was, plus however long prior to me walking up) she rudely told him if he,the server, asked again he would not get any drinks. This was in front of myself and 2 other customers. Not the best picture to paint for your clients. Anyways, I finally get my drinks, prob 12 or so mins all together. Come back to table, to find no drinks and no food still.
Finally after a while longer, food is brought out. Well, what do you know? We have no silverware, so the food sits for a good 5 mins before we finally flag down our original server, we ask her for silverware, as does the table next to us, and she says "I hate when she does this" I ask who, and she says " the hostess, she sits yall( referring to both tables) and doest do her job" meaning giving us silverware. Again, an employee bashing another in front of customers, def not good.
To end my rant, the food was sub par, drinks were HORRIBLE, they poured them out of milk jugs pre mixed. And the bartenders at the time seemed to not know what they were doing and were over whelmed, not a good combo. Being one of the few places close to Erwin Center to eat and drink, you would assume the management would have a nice team put together to be ready for the crowd. Which was big, but not HUGE, Trudys on a Friday or Sat night are busier. I can tolerate bad food with good drinks, but this place honestly failed in both aspect. I would like to go back when they aren't busy and hopefully bump it a star, which honestly should be 1 1/2 right now, but I wont give a 1, so 2 it is. Overall a pretty bad experience. -
Review from Chris B.
Austin, TX
12/13/2011
I go to Serrano's quite often. I love the location, it is downtown but parking nearby is quite easy. I first started going there in 99, and have been going there at least four or five times a year ever since.
My favorite dish is enchiladas y fajitas. It is essentially cheese enchiladas with fajita meat piled on top, what is not to love? My wife and I have ordered many things on the menu and I have never been disappointed, and we are picky about our Tex Mex.
I usually go during non-peak hours, early or late lunch, mid afternoon on weekends. A restaurant with a location as nice as this is practically guaranteed to be a madhouse during peak times, so I have avoided it during those hours, perhaps that has contributed to the fact that I have had nothing but good experiences here. Reading some of the bad reviews I see many of them seem to be related to large crowds, and/or the happy hour. -
Review from Sarah C.
8/24/2011
The food here is just okay. Better than some of the other locations, but as far as Tex-Mex goes, it is nothing special. If you are used to home-cooked Mexican or Tex-Mex, you will be disappointed, as there is something lacking.
What's special about this location, however, is the atmosphere. I love the patio area as well as the private events area/room toward the back. There is an awesome vibe that feels very Texas - maybe a little San Antonio, while also feeling like a Latin American colonial town.
I attended a private party here, in the late afternoon and the vibe was great - I highly recommend this place for such an event. Their margaritas are also pretty good and their service and attentiveness is awesome! -
Review from Megha K.
4/30/2011
$2.50 margaritas, free nachos bar, $1.50 appetizers, and free parking across the street?? What's not to love?
Seriously, Serrano's has a SOLID Happy Hour Monday-Friday 3-6. And don't be fooled by the quaint yellow sign with the pepper hanging outside - the place inside is actually fairly spacious with patio space and all. Already giddy by the end of my visit, I was even more delighted to discover that while I was completely sated - 3 margaritas and 2 heaping plates of nachos with all the works - I was paying a mere $7.50!
Just a tip - try to get there at the earlier end of HH rather than later. Apparently the later it gets, the harder it is for them to handle the frozen margarita demand! -
Review from Megan M.
4/1/2011
I actually quite enjoyed myself.
I came here with a coworker during lunch & sat outside on the patio. The atmosphere was very nice at that time of the day and there weren't too many people around, hence no wait and we were able to finding parking in the free lot across the street.
We both chose items from their lunch menu- Chicken (for me) and Beef (for her) Enchiladas. The wait time for the food wasn't very long (about 10 minutes). As we waited, chips with salsa were delivered to us. The salsa was a little bit cilantro-y & oniony for my taste, but it was good when paired with chips.
My coworker's dish featured a chili con carne sauce over her enchiladas & she very much enjoyed those. I had verde sauce on mine- which was a bit creamier than most verde sauces I'm used to. My chicken enchiladas did pretty well and had a decent flavor.
Both of our dishes for lunch were $5.99 each, which was a pretty nice price- especially for the amount of food we got.
I did find myself with an empty water glass a few times and it did take some asking around to get it refilled, otherwise the staff was pretty friendly when we did encounter them.
Bottom line is that I'd probably come here again sometime for lunch because they're quick and have good lunch specials during the week.
Just watch out for the grackles. They'll steal your chips. -
Review from Nick P.
Austin, TX
11/4/2011
I love their tortillas - thats about the best thing I can say about this place. Went this last thursday, and they were having a special event. They seated us relatively quickly, but the service was HORRIBLE. We ended up leaving without eating. I had to track down a water person to ask for some tortillas 45 minutes after we got there, and the waiter threw them on the table without even looking at us. I used to really like this place.
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Review from Marjorie A.
Irving, TX
10/9/2011
Despite having grown up in Texas (Dallas) -- well, partly, anyway -- I've never been a huge fan of Tex-Mex. Most Tex-Mex I've have had have been primarily greasy, heavy, remarkably tasteless or nearly so, and unimaginative. Bland vegetables, soggy tortillas, and "hot" salsa that relies more on gimmick than flavor.
I thus entered Serrano's expecting pretty much same-ol'-same-ol'. Fortunately, I was wrong, and I'm happy to admit it.
We dined on a cool Friday evening in mid-autumn and chose to sit al fresco, on the stone patio that overlooks Symphony Square. Service was friendly, quick and attentive, but more important, the food was beyond yummy. The complimentary tortilla chips were hot, fresh and way too tempting, and the accompanying red salsa provided just enough bite without being overwhelming. Be careful -- the waitstaff were a little too quick to replace our empty basket, so watch out that you don't overindulge on this tasty appetizer before your mains come. They're that addictive.
I ordered the beef fajitas with the refried beans, while B. ordered the mushroom enchiladas. Mine arrived sizzling hot, but the big surprise was just how tender and well-marinated the beef was. This isn't your usual tough fajita steak -- the strips were melt-in-your-mouth good, the mesquite-grilled beef rich and flavorful. It arrived on a bed of grilled onions and red pepper and accompanied by a generous helping of thick refried beans and Spanish rice, plus a side of guacamole.
Okay, so the two tortillas were a little soggy, but no matter. Once I piled on the steak, rice and veggies, they made for a memorable, hearty fajita that I will definitely order again the next time I'm in Austin. Keep in mind that I ordered the "For One" option -- if you're not into a heavy Tex-Mex meal, you'll want to split this with your dining companion or be prepared to take home leftovers.
B.'s enchiladas were equally rich and delicious, and just as filling as my fajitas. Smothered in a poblano cream sauce and Monterey Jack cheese, it's a cut above the standard Tex-Mex enchilada fare.
There may be better Tex-Mex options in foodie-drenched Austin, but it's hard to go wrong with Serrano's comprehensive menu. It's in a great location just a block north of the downtown Sheraton hotel, and a few blocks away from 6th Street. -
Review from Jose S.
Austin, TX
9/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Place is a go. Good food nice staff and close to 6th street. Go!
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Review from Wes O.
3/16/2011
Serrano's is one of those places that seems to be the reliable standby when a downtown office wants to do a birthday lunch. They seem to excel at having large rooms available on short notice. That's their strongest point by far.
The food is pretty average, with nothing to write home about. The rice is pretty good, though. The enchiladas are standard pedestrian fare. Overall, the prices are above normal pricing for Tex-Mex, which is a negative when the food is so average.
The service is very friendly but seems to move at a glacial pace. A birthday lunch ended up lasting two hours because of a slow kitchen and a waiter who seemed to have a difficult time getting everyone's bill tallied and paid for.
All in all, a 2 star "Meh, I've experienced better." -
Review from Sasha T.
Austin, TX
7/26/2010
You know...I've never been to Serrano's? Until last week. I met a few friends after work for happy hour. It was quiet--not very many people there. Kinda nice.
I feel very iffy about this place right now. I hope when/if I return I have a better experience. The happy hour is amazing. Really? $1.50 Margs? And an AMAZING happy hour menu..AND a free queso, beans, beef, and chips bar?! Pretty amazing.
The downfall: Service. I've worked in Customer Service for the past 6 years..4 of them face to face and 2 behind the scenes. Both times at large corporations. Customer Service can make or break your business. The very first thing I noticed about our server was eye contact. He would talk to me and stare at the wall behind me. Hmm, maybe he's just shy. The eye contact and social aspect of it was miserable. What really blew things out of the water was when he gave us our check, we asked if he could split it for us. He simply stated "I could, but I don't have time right now. I have all these tables and just don't have time." Really?! Wow. Maybe we just "wont have time" to tip well or ever return again. If he just flat out said no, we don't allow split checks during happy hour, or WHATEVER else he could have said..that would have been fine. But he just ''didn't have time''.
Definitely left a sour taste in our mouths. One that makes me want to dodge him like a bullet. Maybe even Serrano's. -
Review from Mandy S.
Austin, TX
11/7/2010
Eeek, I'm really surprised that this place currently holds three stars. The last time I checked, we lived in the heart of Texas, with no shortage of decent Mexican food do be left desired within a 20 mile radius. A lot of yelpers mention happy hour being the main reason that they go here, so I'll assume that since I went at 1 on a Sunday that I am not in that same happy yelper boat.
The service was very slow, and we had an awkward lingering waiter that would have to stand around 10 seconds after he asked us if our food was okay. I decided to get a Mexican Martini ($8.50! Not a great price but I will do it because their on the rocks margs were a hefty $6.50) and a Taco Salad with fajita chicken (something I assumed could not be messed up- even Taco Cabana can get that right). My husband got a beer and chicken fajitas.
When the food came out, we were totally beyond disappointment. The Mexican Martini tasted like it had been mixed with way too much margarita mix and not enough tequila- and we even had a hunch that the mix was either a)spoiled from being mixed weeks in advance or b)wasn't mixed with a mix at all but with cheap simple syrup instead. Needless to say, I couldn't even drink it. Even my boyfriend couldn't stand the horrid aftertaste of the worst margarita ever.
My husband's fajitas looks sparse- he had about half of a chicken breast diced into various parts of an onion (even the middle parts were left in). He said that his rice and beans were bland and that he felt lucky to only have a tiny amount of chicken to eat because he wouldn't been able to finish a real portion. Now we're wondering if his current stomach ache is due to this last meal.
My taco salad came out in a tiny greasy taco shell, with about half a bowl of bagged lettuce, and tiny spoonful of cheese, and a meager half a chicken breast. So the cheapest thing on the menu cost $9. Great. So we're sitting there, chomping on our half-meals, wondering how it could get any worse, as I decide if I can even finish a third of my margarita (In case you're wondering, I left it abandoned there- more than 3/4 full), when the waiter gives us our check. $35 dollars for the worst Tex Mex in Austin.
It might have the best location in Austin, but that's the only thing that they have going for them and they're banking on it. -
Review from David C.
Austin, TX
8/18/2011
Good for a fajita fix and a drink.
http://thefatartery.bl... -
Review from Riley R.
Round Rock, TX
2/28/2011
I have honestly only come here (recently) during happy hour.
The service is always good, the margaritas are tasty, and the free chip, queso, beef, salsa, and bean bar is awesome. Also, email from Abel informed me that the beans are vegetarian. -
Review from Christina L.
New York, NY
12/13/2010
Yum! This place is fabulous!
We had "flautas de pollo" and it was absolutely the most delicious thing I've ever tasted. I just wanted more and more! I love it.
That is all. :-) -
Review from Stephen F.
Austin, TX
5/19/2010
Yes! I am a four-star fan of this place Today, Tomorrow, and FOREVER!
For any and all Negative-nay-sayers I give you two words: Happy Hour.
Serranos is easily one of my favorite places my friends and I can get responsibly loaded for the least amount of money possible. The prospect of finding another restaurant in the heart of downtown with their quality of food, ambiance and feel is IMPOSSIBLE.
Let's pause for a moment and look at the facts: $1.50 beers...$2.50 ritas, $1.50 bar appetizers, and all the chips and salsa you can pound. For larger groups there's plenty of outdoor seating to accommodate people as they appear. So for someone like myself looking for an open space I can drink with friends and my party is welcomed to grow or shrink at will -this place rocks!
Yes, the staff is less than perfect, yes, sometimes you'll find a piece of grit on your plate (you'll be ok), and yes, you do have to watch out for grackel bombs once in a blue moon, but please, let's not get carried away.
If you and some friends are looking for a place after work to unwind, it's perfect during happy hour. The food themselves are a bit more tex than mex, but fairly good. You can also look for daily specials.Listed in: Places I'd like to Haunt, Bars lacking Fail
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Review from Leandra B.
Austin, TX
6/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
I had never been for Happy Hour but as we were getting our parking sticker across the street some gentlemen asked, "y'all going to Serranos?" Guess I'm always the last to know. It was really a great HH. Lovely patio but as it was 102, we sat inside. Our server, Boyd was super nice and directed us to the nacho bar, which was free but less than great. It was perfect though for bean dip. The apps were a buck fifty and not at all skimpy. Perfect remedy after a long day at the office.
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Review from Keri B.
Updated - 5/9/2009 2 Check-ins Here
I may be a stupid gringa girl, but does Serrano mean accommodating in Spanish?? I mean I know it's a pepper, but is it a gracious, welcoming pepper? Well this Serranos is for sure! I showed up here at 3:30 yesterday and told them I would have a large group from Brack coming for happy hour. How large they asked?? I guestimated about 15 people. They did not even blink. They didn't demand that I wait for most of my party to show up. They didn't insist that we sit outside. Nope, they put two long tables together in the side room and invited me to have a seat. Thanks welcoming pepper!
So there I sat for awhile by myself. Since I get up at the crack of ass to start my shift, I get off work at 2:30. That's another reason for me to love this place. They start happy hour with $2.50 margs at 3 o'clock. The mango and amaretto margs are really good and strong! And as I sat there by myself for about 30 minutes, I was checked on many times by different people. Thanks gracious pepper!
And finally, my group of 15 medical professionals ended up to be about 35 rowdy, loud, tipsy hooligans. Who knew? *Actually we've done this before and I think that's why they put us in the side room when I mentioned Brack.* Then I was Uhmazed to look up and our poor stressed, solitary waiter was handing out individual bills. He was not asked to divvie up, he just did it automatically and did it correctly! This was quite the feat! It meant that hubby and I were charged separately but that was a small thing of no consequence. Thanks accommodating pepper! That's good service in any language! Grassy ass!!Listed in: Me gusto!!, Dirty Deals, Cheap Dates
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/11/2008
Yesterday, me and my grrl went on something of a bar crawl. Can't believe I am up already doing… Read more »
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Review from Sarah G.
5/6/2009
Only came here for their happy hour. Why you ask?? Well for their $2.50 margaritas!!!!! If you are from Los Angeles like I am then this price is just loco! And if you are staying at the Sheraton like we were this place is around the corner and definitely beats the prices of the hotel bar there!
If you don't have a table when you come here it is definitely a pain to get a margarita here--the line at the bar is really long and they only had one bar tender to serve everyone! We barely made the cut off for the happy hour price it took so long! But once we had our margaritas which are of course available in different flavors we found ourselves a spot outside in the outdoor symphony area that connects to this place! It is probably one of the coolest outdoor seating options I've ever seen! And we even managed to get ourselves a basket of chips and salsa for free and we had live entertainment too! Our live entertainment was actually a wedding rehearsal taking place on the stage of the outdoor symphony!!! It was so cute to watch especially with a basket of chips and margaritas in our hands! -
Review from Michelle M.
Austin, TX
1/4/2008
I've lunched here several times over the past few months and here is the scoop:
Great lunch specials:
One entree for 5.99
2 for 6.99
3 for 7.99
The entrees range from a generous bowl of tortilla soup, chicken enchilladas with verde, cheese enchilladas, tacos, etc.. You can choose one or two or three of these and then they come with 2 sides (salad, 2 different types of beans, several types of rice). The salsa they serve with their chips is fresh, spicy and very nice. I love it. A great lunch and pretty easy on the pocketbook. -
Review from Natasha R.
Austin, TX
12/7/2007
I've been her several times over several years.
The location is nice for activities at UT or the Erwin Center or even shows at Stubb's to get a bite to eat before. The last time I went was before a burlesque show at The Mohawk. (BTW, Kitty Kitty Bang Bang are awesome!)
I went for some pre-show drinks & grub. It was a beautiful night so we sat outside on their beautiful patio. The location is nice with a very historical looking building. They have several private rooms that you can rent as well. They also have a stadium seating-type area overlooking Waller Creek which should be utilized more for shows b/c it is lovely if the water was cleaner.
Drinks: We had margaritas on the rocks. Tasty with a good bit of liquor. Raspberry on the rocks was a bit too sweet.
Food: The food is decent. Nothing special but their tortillas are quite good. We had Jalapeno Poppers - too much breading but nicely spiced. I had a cup of tortilla soup which needed some spiciness but had a nice chunk of avocado in it. The chicken quesadillas would have just ordinary if not for the great tasting tortillas. Food is nothing to write home about.
Overall, the location is convenient for downtown shows and they usually have lost of street parking around & a small lot as well. Drinks are good. Food is mediocre. -
Review from Jill M.
Houston, TX
10/4/2008
Serrano's made a pretty good first impression on me. The outdoor seating was pleasantly designed, so we enjoyed the nice weather. We got good chips and salsa and decent entrees served by an efficient, friendly waiter. The food is nothing special though. My crispy beef taco was extremely beefy, but the meat looked pink, like it wasn't cooked all the way. I sent it back and got another one that was still pink. I eat medium steaks and burgers, so I decided eating that taco wasn't going to kill me. It didn't. The meat tasted undercooked, but I suffered no ill effects. The chicken enchilada verde also seemed pretty standard: not unpleasant, but not noteworthy.
I was impressed by the prices at Serrano's. At lunch, you can get an entree and 2 sides for $6, 2 entrees and 2 sides for $7, or 3 entrees and 2 sides for $8. There's plenty to choose from, too.
Though it might not be my first choice, I would not hesitate to eat here again. -
Review from Tara H.
9/2/2009
Dear Greg the Awkward Waiter,
While I appreciate your earnest, yet fickle, attentiveness, I think I'm going to have to call you out on your lingering. That's right, you are a lingerer. You ask a question, an answer is provided and you stand there, blinking, as if the answer is in some strange alien language.
If we are still looking at the menu's it probably means we aren't ready to order. Asking three times won't make us any more ready to order. It isn't as if the place was crazy busy and we were being table commandos. So, lay off, blondie. Go linger over someone else!
Love,
Me
P.S. I love this old building with it's wood floors, high ceilings and rambling rock patio. The food was average and the chips and salsa were delicious. -
Review from Robert S.
Washington, DC
8/10/2010
This is my favorite Serrano's location to dine-in.
I like that there is also outdoor seating by a small creek.
What's more, is that half of the dining area is in what seems to be a converted house. Excellent.
Favorite menu items of mine:
Sopapillas (beignets)
Jalapenos Rellenos (fried jalapenos stuffed with cheese and served with ranch dressing - not hot)
Chimichangas (like a fried burrito)
Chicken Enchiladas -
Review from Natalia B.
Austin, TX
Updated - 3/7/2010 1 Check-in Here
My whole party and I agreed that this was definitely a two star experience. Once again, our service was terrible. Drinks were forgotten, dirty plates and empty drinks were never cleared, etc.
As for the food, I found it semi-tasty but it was nothing to rave about.
Prepare to be disappointed when dining here.Listed in: Sh*t Talkin'
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/31/2009
The women's bathroom here was absolutely unacceptable! I was appalled when I walked in to find one… Read more »
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Review from Mark L.
7/3/2010
I have only been here once when I attended a conference at the Omni, but the dish I had for lunch on my first day was freakin' delicious! I dont even remember what it's called, but it was an awesome chicken dish with this great sauce on it...I know, that's a generic description, but the taste wasn't generic at all. The service was a bit slow, but the food made the wait all worth it.
This place really was a nice place to have my first meal because the scenery when you enter is something that I don't think I've ever seen before. The inside is very meh, but I honestly think the outdoor patio seating is really cool. I dont think I will find another place like this in the downtown area with seating like this. I guess the other reviewers are saying that it's an Austin, TX vibe, but whatever it is, I definitely got the vibe feeling eating here.
So if you want some Tex-Mex in the downtown area, stop by hear before you get drunk a couple blocks down the street. -
Review from Shani S.
7/6/2007
Alright - here's the deal...
Single mom of three looking for a cheap/good place to have Happy Hour with some other single mommies.
*we aren't getting sloshed then driving our babies! Mommies deserve a brief moment of liquored up happiness from time to time, too! ;o) *
Lo and behold! Serrano's HH has great deals and kids eat free Tuesday through Thursday and the happy hour food specials are so awesome we can go any night and feed the kids, have a drink and walk out spending under $10.
You can't beat that.
I wish they would utilize the "river stage" more, though. It's really a pretty place.
The food is not so great, but based on the great deal, I give it three stars! -
Review from Elissa R.
Austin, TX
5/21/2009
I came here for lunch. I was pleased. Let me count the ways:
1. Friendly staff. Nice waiter. *Attentive* waiter.
2. Delicious salsa. The one thing I don't like about my favorite restaurant, Magnolia, is that their salsa is just kinda eh. Serranos salsa, however, was quite tasty.
3. Lunch specials are $5.99. Hearty portions, good variety of food, your choice of beans (and if you ask nicely, you can also have different rice too!).
4. Pretty view. Nice outdoor seating area.
5. Sitting down, eating, gabbing, grabbing the check, all in a little under an hour. Perfect, since I work nearby and can skeedaddle back to my office.
The only drawbacks:
The chairs were a little uncomfortable (metal with no padding whatsoever), and the chicken for my fajitas was a little on the tough side. -
Review from Mitzi Y.
Los Angeles, CA
3/16/2007
It's allright. I guess I've never really been to an authentic Tex-Mex place before so I don't have anything to compare this one to.
I got the fish taco salad. Yeah I know, how can something with that name possibly be good? I like tacos, I like fish and I like salad so I figured "what have I got to lose?" It was allright. A little flavorless with a salad that had no dressing on it but the fish was good and I love me some fried flour tortillas.
Everything was pretty average. Reasonable prices. The service was okay. One thing that stuck out was the look and feel. We sat on the outdoor patio that faced Red River St. It was a beautiful day and it was just perfect. I wouldn't know where you would park though. It looks like they just have street parking, which may be a problem if they ever got really busy. -
Review from Helen C.
Honolulu, HI
5/19/2008
I'm pretty much not sure how much I like this place yet... maybe I need another visit!
The chips and salsa they gave were extremely good, I thought. Chips were seasoned with just the right amount of salt (usually it's either too salty or not salty enough) and a hint of lime. Yummy! And the salsa was spicy -- just the way I like it! So the beginning was good.
But as the night wore on, I had my reservations.
I ordered an iced tea and the chicken fajitas. My fajitas were pretty good -- the chicken was cooked well (although I didn't really taste the seasoning on it), there was plenty of guac and pico and the rice and beans were tasty as well.
But the waitress was oddly stingy about the tortillas. In fact, I asked her for more and she hesitated (ended up not bringing out any at all) and then said there were more in the other containers on the table. Well, that's nice ... but it was a long table and I wasn't going to get up and grab someone else's tortillas! What's up with being stingy with the tortillas?!
And then the waitress told me they ran out of iced tea... which did not make me happy at all. :( She told me I could get soda, but I wasn't too keen on drinking something sugary at that point. Sigh.
Then when we all asked for boxes at the end of the meal, she told me she'd bring me one then skipped me... I had to call after her (and a nice customer at the bar helped me get her attention!) to get my box...
Overall, the food was good but I'd say the service was sub-par. -
Review from Jill P.
Austin, TX
4/22/2011
What a disappointment! I took out of towners here- meaning to impress but walked away disappointed. Serranos at this location has so much potential but fails to please. I give it 2 stars only for the outdoor setting- which can be made 100x better if it had music and landscaping down toward the stage. The food was the biggest letdown....greasy chips, watery salsa (SHAME!), and queso with no flavor. Fish tacos were very bland as well.
Would someoene PLEASE transform this place???? -
Review from Mark G.
Austin, TX
4/21/2007
I went to Serrano's Red River today and I must say it was rather average. The chips were too salty. The frozen Margarita's melted quick, and the meal was average. I had the Mushroom Enchiladas with white wine Pablano cream sauce. The cream sause was really bland as was the rice. Not what I expected. Was really disappointed.
The waiter couldn't get our orders straight, and had to ask me three times what flavor Margarita I'd ordered(the Mango). Then it took 15 minutes to get it, and it wasn't very good. We were only a party of 7 and they weren't very busy.
Not impressed.
