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General Info
El Arroyo is an eating establishment that provides a range of dinner and lunch options for guests. The restaurant serves a selection of appetizers, entrees, burgers, chops, soups and desserts. It offers taco, house and Caesar salads. El Arroyo serves chimichangas, quesadillas, fajitas and tacos, as well as organizes live music shows. The restaurant also serves a selection of red and white wines, including chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and pinot grigio. It offers online reservation options and provides delivery and catering services. In addition, the restaurant hosts private parties and can accommodate up to 75 individuals. El Arroyo maintains a store that offers a variety of merchandise, such as T-shirts and caps.
AKA
- El Arroyo Downtown
Reviews & Recommendations
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Best in Town
Provided by Citysearch
This is hands down my favorite Mexican food in Austin. And it's cheap!!! The location is amazing, and the outdoor patio is so much fun, esp at happy hour. They have a nice indoor area as well, for when weather isn't as nice. (Though you can eat outside year round, as its now covered and heated). The burritos are my favorite, but everything is great.
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Terrible food-Change in mgmt?
Provided by Citysearch
I haven't been there for several months and had an awful experience recently. The beef was very cheap, very chewy, and the service was very slow.
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And it just gets better and better!
Provided by Citysearch
Did you know El Arroyo has a special just about every night of the week?! Below are their listed specials:\r \r Mondays- $1 Tecates 5- close\r 2 for 1 Half Pound, Never Frozen, Black Angus Burgers\r Tuesdays: 2 for 1 Cheese Enchiladas\r Wednesdays- $5 selected martinis and half priced selected appetizers 3-7pm.\r Thursdays- 99 cent margaritas 2 to 6pm, and $1.99 margaritas 6-7pm.\r Saturdays and Sundays: $2.50 Bloody Marys/ Mimosas/ Screwdrivers/ Poinsettias 10am-3pm\r Brunch 10am to 3pm
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Best Tex-Mex
Provided by Citysearch
I have only been in Austin now 11 months and I eat out about 5 times a week. By far I have had the best experiences at El Arroyo on 5th St near Mopac. I Have been going there on Thursdays for their $.99 margaritas. They are good! So far the service has been good. I like to try different things when I go there just as I do at other restaurants. The only thing I don't care for are the refried beans. I love their fajitas. I do recommend them to anyone new to Austin.
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Dissapointed
Provided by Citysearch
I had heard lots of good things about El Arroyo but I was mildly disappointed over their very average Mexican Tex-Mex food. The chips and salsa was obviously from a bag and jar respectively, always a bad sign for any Mexican restaurant. The prices are great but I guess you get what you pay for. The portions were pretty small too which surprised me. The margarita I had, however, was top notch and the bartender was obviously heavy handed in his tequila pour, no complaints from me on that.
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Ask about items not on their menu!!! : )
Provided by Citysearch
I went to eat at the 5th street location with my girlfriend and the server offered us items that aren't on the menu but will be on the new menu coming out soon. They were amazing! I got the stuffed avacado and my girlfriend got the queso flameado as an appetizer. It was delicious! Next time you go, ask what they have that's not on their current menu.
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great patio
Provided by Citysearch
We came in from Houston a couple of weeks ago for the game and had a great time. They used to have one in Houston but i guess not there any longer. The patio is the place to be on a Saturday night. It wasnt crazy busy like we thought. We were seated fast and our margaritas arrived just in time.(...try their fresh mango kind) Had the shrimp in a creamy sauce and my husband the steak plate. Service was good,food was delicious & portions were perfect ! overall a great experience
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Great atmosphere and food
Provided by Citysearch
I recently went back to El Arroyo on 5th St. to try the new menu I have been hearing about. I did like the change from the old menu. I noticed they also have been doing som remodeling which looks a lot better. Anyway, My server was friendly. We decided to try the shrimp cocktail. This was not like any other cocktail. It had some fruity/flavor which was delicious. My girlfriend ordered the Tuna Burger and I ordered the stuffed pork chop. The Tuna Burger was good however she really enjoyed my entree better. We looked at their new drink menu and ordered some new martinis. They were good. The one I ordered was very strong so I could only drink one. Overall it was good. The changes they have made over the years have really made the palce feel cleaner. Seems to be getting fancier on the inside which makes it great for a date. It was nice to see amanger come talk to us. He mentioned the brunch has changed as well. I keep forgetting that brunch is served on the weekends. We will have to try it out sometime. The restaurant has gone from a 1 to a 5 in my book.
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Far West--Great place for Families!
Provided by Citysearch
I have been to many many Austin Mexican restaurants, and this by far has been my best experience. I went to the El Arroyo on Far West with my wife and two kids, the hostess greeted us warmly and took us to our table right away and got a booster seat for my child without even having to ask. The bar had big plasma tvs, so for sure next time I go without my family that's the place I'm headed to first. The server was very amiable and new everything about the food they served which surprised me because normally waiters I've had in the past don't know anything other than what's written in the menu. Our server even knew items that weren't even on the menu yet. This is important to me because my wife is vegan, which makes a challenging order normally. We had to take off a few things and add some more and the server was really cool about it and didn't give us the normal ""Oh, you're a vegan"" look, and then our food came out just as we ordered which surprised me even more. He even knew what oil was used for frying. The manager stopped by our table after we ate out and gave my kids a couple quarters to play with the little machines they have there. My wife loved it, my kids loved it, so naturally I loved it! I strongly suggest this restaurant.
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Try the Patio!
Provided by Citysearch
I just ate El Arroyo on 5th Street on a Thursday. There was no wait like I expected there would be. It seemed busy but the $.99 ritas made it worth it. Our server (Jessica I think...) was friendly, the drinks were pretty strong even though they were only a dollar and the atmosphere was casual and fun. If I could sum up Austin in one restaurant, this would be it. We sat outside on their patio (which is covered thank god!), and I couldn't say at any point I was too hot. The food was fast, and the food was cheap (I had the Cozumel Special for like $7!). I was a firt timer, but I'm DEFINITELY coming back every Thursday.
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Good Mexican Food, Great Happy Hour!
Provided by Citysearch
El Arroyo on 5th street has been a favorite of mine since I was in college! I was originally lured in with their '99 cent ritas on Thursday, and I was pleasantly surprised to find a pretty extensive menu and other great happy hour specials! They have great tex - mex, great burgers, and they even have healthy options like fresh fruit! It is a little rough that their costs are rising, but i guess we are starting to see gas prices affect everywhere... :( The staff is always friendly and attentive and you can bet you will see me there for dollar tecates on Mondays still!
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NEVER eat their Tacos
Provided by Citysearch
I recently purchased breakfast tacos and was completely disgusted when I found an insect in my taco. Obviously they are taking ""The Ditch"" a little too far. Not only are they raising their prices they are adding a little protein to boot. I will never eat there again and I hope that others will follow my lead until they clean up their act.
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An Austin Original
Provided by Citysearch
El Arroyo is definitely an Austin business. From the funny sign they change out front daily to the chandiliers hanging from the oak trees to the mis-matched furniture, this tex-mex restaurant is popular among the locals. The food is good but you come here for the drinks. The frozen margaritas are awesome and priced cheap during happy hour. The patio is the place to sit and if you come for breakfast, the tacos are the thing to get. You won't be disappointed.
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Most Austiny place in Austin
Provided by Citysearch
Since college at UT I have been eating at El Arroyo, also known as ""The Ditch"" to locals. Every year I come back to town I have to stop by and get their world famous brunch on Sunday. Living in Texas my whole life I've had some great migas, but their's top them all. Great margarits, salsa, and live music too!!! Last time I was their the manager was playing in the band!!! See what I mean about most Austiny place in Austin!!! The Ditch is a must for those of you traveling through town, and if you already live there and haven't been... Shame on you!!
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This is what Austin's about
Provided by Citysearch
Although the competition in Austin for mexican food is tough, El Arroyo is what Austin's all about. It's not corporate like most of the others, and you can tell the big difference. The atmosphere is awesome and definately different than any other place you'll find in Austin, it's fun, service is good and straight to the point-- if you want to have a good time, tell them, and they'll show you a great time! The food could be better, but with a great atmosphere, great service, the price is right... El Arroyo is the place to be in Austin (especially after running/walking town lake, after class and work...especially for Brunch!)\r \r By the way- .99 margaritas on Thursdays are AWESOME! So are the 2 for 1 burgers on mondays (although it is a mexican restaurant- they have some of the best burgers in town!) \r \r (Ask for Torie- she's the best server EVER!)
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$1 Thusday Margaritas and Decent Food
Provided by Citysearch
Great place, $1 margaritas on Thursdays, 2-6 PM! Can't miss it! The food is good, while some say Chuy's and other locals may be better. Funny signs everyday. Chris is the best bartender, usually outside on Thursdays.
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Just OK, nothing special
Provided by Citysearch
Went here with a group of friends and dined outside. Service was average, food was bland, we'll go to chuy's next time.
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Great location, service, and atmosphere
Provided by Citysearch
I come here on my routine walks to Zilker, origianally because of the strategic location, but now because of the good food and friendly atmosphere. The food is always good and the staff are always friendly and efficient. I reccomend El Arroyo on 5th to anyone, especially those passing through central Austin and don't want to pay too much.
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David the bartender
Provided by Citysearch
He is very courteous, attentive to all the customers and especially our large group. We frequently have business lunches and business get togethers and we definately want him to be our bartender and server. When we do attend, we will request him and/or his area. Good location and atmosphere a bit different but we will continue to go. Food good also. Drinks were great!!!!
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hodgepodge
Provided by Citysearch
Overall, I think this restaurant is suitable if you are in college, but other than that the place leaves much to be desired. The decor is a total hodgepodge, there is an industrial size noisy fan blowing on the customers outside, and even the inside is incredibly noisy. The food is definitely not spectacular and tastes like it's out of a can.
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