This place is super cute. I ordered the Mexican Torta that had green chile chicken and it was delicious. There was delicious chicken, tomatoes, jalapenos, beans, avocados, and cheese. It was all I could have hoped for in a torta! Also, I have rarely had such delicious fresh-tasting Mexican rice, which is really hard to find. If you have a Go Local card, you get a free agua fresca. I had the horchata and it was delicious. I ate inside because it seemed a little warm outside, but the patio looked really cute with the trellises and green chairs. I highly recommend this place.
(4)
Rhiannon T.
Love everything about Zocalo! Let's not forget Clarksville is so welcoming and such a lovely neighborhood. Some nights are busier than others and you should be prepared to wait a little bit; but busy business is a good sign of the quality Zocalo delivers. Food is so yummy! We love the Chilaquiles, tacos and the oh so good and unique queso. And do not forget to get a Sangria margarita (swirl is so good)! All around a wonderful place on a weeknight and a chosen favorite for visitors in town for a hip and intimate lunch or dinner. Must try!
(5)
seela m.
Feeling lazy. Here's my review- Cons: Looks like an IKEA show room. Food is often lukewarm teeny corn tortillas a touch pricey Pros: Friendly meats - (add green chili chicken to a tostada salad...very nice.) perfectly cooked/spiced black beans avocado comes with almost everything plenty of parking I'm not going bananas over this place, but I bought 2 Groupons last week - $20 for $40 worth of food. Not a bad place for half price. The queso is good, too...but I've now broken up with queso for emotional reasons. This would be a nice place to take parents, relatives from out of town, a hipster on a first date, or an adventurous grandma.
(3)
Darla A.
Galaxie Cafe had a Taqueria named Zocalo Ee i ee i oh! And in the Taqueria they made their own tortillas (yum) Ee i ee i oh! Try the corn with the Carnitas here And the wheat with the Mahi Mahi (del Mar) there Here a corn taco with the fajita, Everywhere a unique salsa, pico, saucey thing to pour on them Galaxie Cafe had a Taqueria named Zocalo Ee i ee i oh! And in that Taqueria they had some Queso Mixta Ee i ee i oh! With some guac and pico de gallo mixta here And some fajita beef mixta in there Here a "tub" o' chips Everywhere a chip dipped in the mixta Galaxie Cafe had a Taqueria named Zocalo Ee i ee i oh! And in that Taqueria they had some frozen sangria Ee i ee i oh! With a scary, tight, it will dent your car parking lot here And a walk up and order counter there Here a really good prices Everywhere... the noise level carries Galaxie Cafe had a Taqueria named Zocalo Ee i ee i oh! And in that Taqueria they had a to-go menu Ee i ee i oh! With a strange not quite modern atmosphere here And the Virgin Mary staring at me there Here a screaming kid There a to-go order for great tacos in peace without the nursery and The Virgin stares (take a breath here) Galaxie Cafe had a Taqueria named Zocalo Ee i ee i oh! ----------------------------------------------- Food 4 stars Ambiance 2 stars If you eat in - it's 3 stars, if you take it to-go it's 4 stars
(3)
Roxann C.
I really love this place and it's one of my favorite places to visit when I go to Austin. I like that's it's owned by the same owners as Galaxy Cafe because they are all great guys and really care about the quality of their food. First off, the guacamole. I love the way the guacamole is served with the tomatoes, onions, cliantro and lime wedges on the side. The guacamole always tastes very fresh and I like that I can mix in the fixings myself. The chips are always served warm and for a bonus, so is the salsa! They serve two different kinds of salsa (Salsa Roja & Salsa Verde) and although I have been to Zocalo many times, I still can't decide which salsa I like better since they are both so good. As far as a main dish, my favorites are Tacos del Barrio, Tacos de Carnitas and the Quesadilla. I always get the tacos on flour tortillas but the corn tortillas are delicious as well! I love that I choose ground turkey as a filling for the Tacos Del Barrio because I prefer turkey to beef and the turkey here is always cooked perfectly. And the carnitas....yummmmm! Always very tender and juicy and you can tell they simmer that for a long time. For dessert, I can't ever decide between the Churros or Tres Leches cake. I do have to say that I think they have one of the best Tres Leches cake in the city! Just the right amount of moistness (is that a word?) and the perfect amount of sweetness. For me it's a pretty big serving so I usually end up sharing it. Or if you don't have enough room after eating, I recommend at least taking one to go! As far as their drinks, they have an okay selection of beer but if I'm going to drink, I usually end up getting a Zocarita! And I don't even like frozen ritas that much but the ones here are delicious. They also serve Aguas Frescas if you're fan of those. Now the only reason Zocalo cafe is getting 4 stars instead of 5 from me is because of their horchata. I love horchata but the few times that I've tried it here, it's always tasted kind of weird to me. I don't know what it is in their mixture of it but I just really don't ever like it there. Also , the parking. Ugh...the parking! Very small parking lot and there aren't very many options if you end up going when both Zocalo and Galaxy Cafe are very crowded. Yeah yeah, I know it's Austin and it's Clarksville blah blah but still. My review, right?
(4)
Eve R.
We went in with a Groupon, and the atmosphere was nice, although I get rattled when I have to order at a register rather than having time to review the menu at a table. We ordered Tacos Del Mar (.75 extra per shrimp taco because of the gulf spill, which comes to .25 per shrimp, so we ordered one of them with mahi mahi) and the Tacos Del Barrio with ground turkey (crispy tacos). Chips and salsa were an extra $2, but we wanted chips, so we got them. I like that kind of hard-fried chip, even though the chips at the bottom of the basket were a bit greasy. The rojo and verde salsas were both warm, which is not my favorite. But they were ok. The jicama salad I got instead of rice and beans was really nice, and the tacos, though very small, were pretty good (just 3 little grilled shrimp on a tiny corn tortilla, nothing else to it). The watermelon and mango salsa was quite spicy, so not as refreshing as I was expecting. I think I liked the mahi mahi taco better, with the creamy sauce on it. The turkey tacos were ok too, a little dry but not terrible. The rice and beans were nothing special, but fine. The tres leches cake was colossal, one of the biggest things I've ever seen, and really good with the strawberry sliced on top. I can't imagine how one person could finish it, we had trouble even with two. So, overall, a nice meal, nothing extraordinary, but nothing terrible. We enjoyed ourselves. I'd go back with another Groupon.
(3)
Stacy W.
Horchata colada. Need I say more? Fresh, tasty, fast, and a great menu for the kiddos as well as the 'rents. Again, so sad I live a thousand miles away. Will definitely return!
(4)
Anna K.
Fresh Mex with vibrant ingredients is how I would describe the food here. They have a nice selection of tacos, salads, soups and a few entrees, and you won't find any greasy ground beef or sticky orange queso. Don't get me wrong; Tex Mex is excellent, but this place definitely speaks to the lighter side of Mexican food. I went for a work lunch and ordered the grilled Mahi Mahi tacos. All taco orders come with 3 petite tacos (though piled high with ingredients) and a choice of rice and beans or substitute a jicama salad or fruit cup at no extra charge (love that). The plate was beautiful and the tacos were delicious. Topped with fresh carrot and red cabbage slaw and a chunky mango watermelon salsa, these tacos packed a lot of flavor. I walked away extremely happy, but if I had to give one complaint, it would be that the fish was a tad dry. We also ordered the chips and salsa (not complimentary, one red and one green). Nothing really special to say about them. I'm not a fan of the thick tostada chip though. Overall, I highly recommend checking it out. You can tell that the owner/chef truly put thought into the menu and ingredient selection. Oh and Wednesdays are "Muy Loco," a.k.a. $2 ritas and sangria. I can dig it.
(4)
Sarah W.
Excellent! Try the fresh queso and tacos del mar with shrimp!
(5)
Maryam B.
Great spot serving healthy (ish) food. The restaurant has a fun patio and the food is fresh and delicious. Lots of vegetarian options.
(5)
Yiwen X.
Extremely cute. Fresh flowers at every table, candles, floor to cieling windows. I love the decor! The food is decent, too. Will definitely bring close girl friends to this place and maybe first dates.
Patio is nice and the Drinks do the trick, but the food is eh for the price. The horchata colada was horrid. Sent it back after one sip. Was hoping for more....I'll get drunk on the patio and pick up some tacos elsewhere.
(2)
Sam B.
Foods not bad, drinks are good, and love the vibe.
(3)
Lee M.
Sat outside. Corn tortilla pulled pork tacos. Awesome. Dogs allowed.
(5)
Brian E.
Best chicken tortilla soup I have yet to find in Austin. Yum.
(4)
Jan M.
Good food & drink selection. Quick service. Very cute atmosphere. My second visit to Zocalo only confirmed that this is one of my favorite places in Austin, especially when there's a long wait for a table at Jeffrey's happy hour. I have to say their cheap bottle of Melbec was surprisingly a great bottle! It went very well with the Tacos de Verdura, Tortilla Soup & Campechana we ordered. That was definitely a good combination for dinner! To finish off, we had the Churros & Tres Leches, which were both delicious. We also arrived close to closing time & Zocalo treated us with nothing but niceness, so we will definitely come back!
(4)
Pam S.
When I think of Mexican food, I normally think of dark places, lots of tequila, maybe a pinata or two, and food that is covered in greasy cheese and sauces. Basically what amounts to heaven. And then there's Zocalo- light and clean, with high ceilings, lots of windows, a patio, weird egg chairs in the entrance, and good food. I got the burrito with beef, pinto beans and verde sauce and the tour guide got empanadas. I know he liked his food, because his plate was clean. I also was impressed with my burrito, which was the perfect late-afternoon meal. We both had sangria (just for kicks), and it was some of the best I've ever tried. Definitely fresca, definitely a place to return to. Someday...
(4)
Deji M.
This update is really just a note to self. Self: get the black bean soup every time. You wont regret it. Also, if you get the tacos de carnitas - the CHICKEN. Not the pork. The pork is not as good. You're confused about this every time but I guarantee you it's the chicken you want. And even though you don't love corn tortillas, theirs are good. Remember they also have fewer calories than flour. Also there's parking to the right of the restaurant because that tiny joke of a parking lot on the left is impossible to get out of. Now I wave my magic fingers and it's all committed to memory for next time.
(4)
Dana D.
Let's face it, Zocalo is "Mexican" food for people who hate real Mexican food. It is bland, and downright wrong. The "stacked enchilada" is nothing more than some crap on top of a tostada. What's with the misdirection and mislabeling? Just call it a damn tostada. I wasn't terribly impressed with the menu so I just opted for a shrimp quesadilla. It's not hard to mess that up, except they did. It reminded me of something off the lunch line in high school. It was bland, overly cheesy, and slightly burnt. It is also a pay at the counter kind of place with an overly crowded dining area, i.e. too many tables for the space. It was very sterile. Even though it was 100 degrees, we opted to sit outside to avoid the obnoxious children running around inside. It is also way overpriced. The one thing I did enjoy was the frozen sangria. It was pretty yummy and refreshing. Zocalo clearly caters to the tastes and wallets of the surrounding yuppy neighborhood. Sorry Clarksville, but you know I'm right. Go else where for the food. Drinks were ok.
(2)
Cassie S.
Pretty good food. This place was recommended based on how fresh their ingredients were and that appeared to be true in my beef enchiladas. I'm a bit picky about sauces, but once I was able to dig around that, the rest of the food was really tasty. Their sangria is amazing and really strong -- definitely recommend. The place itself is super cute. The inside seating is nice and has soft lighting, which was great for a late night meal. Outdoor space was also very quaint and inviting -- many people were chatting and enjoying the outdoors long after they had finished their food. We did have some troubles with our order (the printer lost/never entered our ticket), but the staff was incredibly helpful and apologetic.
(3)
Kris C.
Zocalo Cafe has my third favorite queso in town (maybe 2nd... I'm only clear about my #1 which is Torchy's). They are a local business and I believe the owners participate in Go Local. Zocalo's is the sister cafe to Galaxy, and I know for sure that Galaxy is a Go Local participant. I've only had positive experiences with my food orders. I've gotten their flautas, tostada salad with grilled chicken, beef fajita tacos, and of course their queso. I enjoy the subtle spice of their meats, and of course I love their queso. You can order queso mixta with ground beef, guacamole, and pico mixed in. Food is ordered before you sit, but I truly don't mind that. A drink is included with your meal and you have a choice of water melon water, horchata (watered down), tea, or water. They also keep a candy bowl right next to the drinks. Happy hour specials are great. You can get a carafe of sangria, margaritas, or pina coladas for $12 between 5-7 pm. If you go on Wednesdays you can get one for $8! That's a steal. It's a cute place and the food is pretty good. It is definitely more modern than your average Tex Mex place so don't go in with traditional Tex Mex expectations. For example, chips and salsa don't just come at your table for endless consumption. That's fine with me every once in awhile (and definitely fine with my waistline). I haven't checked on their brunch yet, but that's next on my list.
(4)
Luli B.
Over priced... but oh my gosh YUMM. Delicious margaritas and empanadas. Try it.
(4)
Allie S.
$3 frozen drinks before 6pm! Very modern space. Order up front at the counter and they deliver the food to your table. Nice outdoor patio (dog friendly)
(4)
James W.
My wife and I stopped in here for dinner not knowing what to expect, and were pleasantly surprised! Found a spot in the TINY parking lot, and were greeted by a pleasant and helpful gentleman behind the counter. I got the Chilaquiles and my wife got the tacos. Food took a while to come out, even thought the restaurant was slow. My dish was good, although I wish it had come with tortillas or something of the like. The tacos were run-of-the-mill fajita tacos. (could have made them at home) but the different tortilla options was a nice touch! Corn, flour, or whole wheat options. They offer some really good horchata as well. All-in-all, Zocalo Cafe is a very nice place to stop in for an informal bite to eat. Outdoor seating as well! B+
(4)
Susan P.
Nice outdoor seating available with a cool breeze this evening made for easy summer dining! I like best that this place has lots of fresh vegetables and fruits in their menu items. The concept is clean and tasty mexican-inspired dishes, prompt service. I appreciate the ability to order both hearty full meals as well as small snacks--this menu doesn't force you into minimum price points. If you want to order a cup of soup and nothing else, that is just fine. Tonight, we had a Zocalo salad with chicken, chips and salsas, jicama side salad, a cup of tortilla soup, and quesadillas. Each dish was very good. The chips were fresh and warm, salsas very fresh, salads good without heavy dressings, the tortillas soup was hearty with shredded chicken, quesadillas are excellent. Our group will be back.
(4)
Austin F.
Tasteless, bland, and soul-less food. My wife and I ordered two vegetarian dishes and neither had any real flavor or memorable taste to them. She didn't even want to eat more than five bites and I don't blame her, it wasn't good. I wish I could say something more, but it just wasn't good.
(1)
Matt T.
Great, coloda is great. Stacked enchiladas are my favorite. Very unique menu. Many thinks on it you probably have not seen before. Great atmosphere.
(5)
Dena M.
Watermelon agua fresca w free refills? I went back for seconds, thirds, fourths... didn't even have a chance to try the horchata (orange pineapple was good too). The pulled pork tacos were delicious. Instead of rice and beans I chose the jicama salad which was good but didn't particularly stand out. The indoor area has lots of light and counter service makesordering and paying easy. The outdoor area is shaded and is a good patio option for be groups but don't plan on everyone being able to park - there are lots on both sides of the restaurant but they are small. ALSO you can get pitchers of mimosas and bellinis (why settle on a glass when you can get a pitcher!)
(4)
James F.
Great counter-order Mexican restaurant. I came for brunch; their menu is delicious and they had the standard assortment of good drinks. Bellinis are on special for $1.50 on Sunday's, but they also have frozen drinks and mimosas. Casual, but great service and great food.
(5)
Karla N.
YASS! GUYS.. I'm OBSESSED! They have the best flautas and some amazing frozen drinks! Try the sangria and the colada swirled! SO DELICIOUS. (Go in on Wednesdays and the whole pitcher is $8!!!) You won't be disappointed! I PROMISE! :) CHEERS!!
(5)
Cara S.
What a cute, little neighborhood restaurant! It has a nice outdoor seating area, and the food is delicious. The Zocalo Plate (chilaquiles, mine with the chicken on the side) is fabulous. I really loved the two salads we tried, the Zocalo Salad and the Jicama Salad (very light and refreshing). The Black Bean Soup was also yummy. The tacos we tried were good, but not outstanding. I like the fact that they use local products, and their boxes for leftovers are eco-friendly. They also recycle their used vegetable oil into biodiesel. This is the kind of business I like to support. I will definitely be back. Can't wait to try other items on their menu.
(4)
Jenny K.
The food and drinks during were great as well as the service! Very friendly staff and helpful. I had the breakfast taco plate and others had the huevos rancheros, eggs Benedict and pancake plate. Everyone enjoyed the food. We all agreed that the churros were not as good as other places, as they weren't crispy enough or flavorful despite the tons of sugar and cinnamon dumped on them. Overall, though, we had a great brunch!
(4)
Lizzy K.
Why do you not have ice for the drinks?? It seems like a simple thing to have. Important especially in the heat of Texas. Also the churros don't taste good, not fried enough and they have a bland taste. I've had better and more authentic churros at COSTCO!
(3)
Paige J.
Fresh food. A little pricey, but they probably have high rent. Staff is usually young, and it's counter service, but they are always nice. Can sit inside or outside and is causal but nice there. Good for a date or for going with a small group. I usually go to Zocalo a couple times a year.
(5)
Sophie D.
Friendly service, good HH margaritas, and yummy salads!
(4)
Cindy C.
Coming from a Hispanic family I feel like my taste buds are very picky when it comes to any type of Mexican/ Texmex .. I will say this place was great! I know it gets mixed reviews but Overall I do not regret paying this restaurant a visit.. The cafe is on a corner so be ready to struggle to find parking during lunch time- big mistake on my part. The wait to get to the cashier to order was pretty ridiculous.. With only one cashier taking orders it took quite a bit of time to order my food, but once ordered it promptly came out. I ordered the chicken stacked enchiladas and They were seasoned perfectly! The salsa verde was just spicy enough.. And overall the beans and rice were cooked just like my mother would. I will definitely come back and try their chilaquiles!
(4)
Morgan D.
Migas Sunday was SO YUMMY today! After having about 3 weeks of somewhat bland migas, we hit a great spot- Zocalo Cafe! They have a bit of a different spin on migas called chilaquiles, and they were incredibly flavorful and unique to anything we've had so far. Their chips and salsa were outstanding as well. We really enjoyed the food and the location and will definitely be back again soon! Happy Sunday!
We just had an amazing wedding and party for 70 at Sanctuary Yoga in south Austin. Zocalo catered.....and the food was fantastic as usual. Much thanks to Kelly. Meredith and Pepe. Perfect !!
(5)
Kay G.
Great, low-key date night location. Margaritas and sangria by the carafe and delicious food. I've never had a bad meal here and their menu makes it easy to find vegetarian of gluten free options, they are willing to swap things out so you're meal fits with your food needs.
(5)
Anna M.
Just moved to the area and my boyfriend and I were craving chips and queso so we walked over to this place. The girl at the counter was super sweet and we chatted a little, order a couple beers and their queso bowl. Sat outside and the queso was delivered within 5 minutes. IT WAS DANGEROUSLY DELICIOUS. We will definitely be back here. It was a really relaxed vibe, and almost empty, but I would think this place is pretty busy on a weekend (we went about 30 minutes before close on a weekday).
(4)
Deez N.
Sorry, but this restaurant is incredibly mediocre. I'd love to like this place, as the location and setting are nice, but they put so little effort into preparing their food that I just can't. It's a shame that this place takes up precious space in Clarksville.
(1)
Rachel I.
Never had a bad meal! Their zocaritas are perfect, just strong enough! The servers are always so helpful and polite. You can order additional drinks or food from them at the table instead of going back up to the register. It's the perfect balance of efficiency and leisurely dining. And the queso--addictive! Inside is lively and busy, outside is shaded by trees and trellis, there are space heaters and/or fans (depending on our erratic weather), and dog bowls for your 4-legged companions. Great atmosphere!
(5)
Amanda G.
Tasty food, good drinks, great outdoors space to catch some soccer games. A little bit on the expensive side for East Austin tacos, but they were pretty delicious after all.
(4)
James A.
I eat here often for lunch and while the parking may be a pain, the food is worth it! Great stacked enchiladas and retried beans. I also enjoy the guacamole and chips!!
(4)
Danielle W.
This place is adorable. It's counter service, which has its benefits- service is much faster. The staff were all extremely helpful and friendly. Great drink prices for Sunday brunch. I ordered the eggs benedict, which come served on a jalapeno corn muffin, and it is dee-licious! The eggs were perfectly poached, the hollandaise was good, and the side of fruit was fresh and ripe. The inside is modern and bright, the patio is cozy and sits on the sidewalk of West Lynn, great for people watching. This is a great place for a casual brunch, in the best neighborhood of Austin!
(4)
Tiffany P.
Just not that great. Fresh and colorful yes, flavorful, no. It's like you get your food and you're like, ok I can definitely eat this, I just don't really want to. I've been here a few times for brunch and once for dinner and I feel like I've ordered a broad scope of the menu. Probably my favorite thing is the carafes of mimosas. Like others have mentioned, getting refills on drinks is a real pain in the ass. I hate standing in line, even for alcohol. It's really hard to order and then carry all of your silverware, your table number, napkins, water glass, and drinks with you to the table. Also, I love queso and this is probably the only queso I've ever had and actually hated. It was grainy and the texture was all wrong, and had zero flavor. I've never had vegan queso but I imagine it tastes like that. I like the patio a lot and the place is clean and bright but not very comfortable. There's nothing really bad or wrong about this place, but they aren't really "winning" at anything either. 3 star.
(3)
Thomas B.
I crave their freshly made tortilla chips dipped in their one-of-a-kind "Queso Mixta," which is their to-die-for Chile Con Queso Blanco mixed with seasoned ground beef, creamy guacamole, and tangy pico de gallo ($8.75). If you want to go nuts-crazy, try this appetizer!
(5)
Taylor D.
The ambiance of this place makes you want to stay and just eat for hours. This chips and salsa we had to start our lunch were such high quality chips!! I had a vegetarian burrito that was stuffed with veggies and delicious black beans. Their mango and watermelon bellinis for $1.50 were such a steal!! I wish I could of come back for their weekend brunch and their great deals on Wednesdays!
(5)
Richelle O.
I went here on a sugar fast, so sadly I don't think I was able to enjoy this cute little cafe to the fullest. (My table mates, however, downed the pitchers of frozen margs and sangria rather quickly, so I think it's safe to assume they are delicious... and affordable - only $8 on Wed!) My (sugar-free) fish tacos were a 3-star experience. Good, but not quite flavorful enough to merit a higher rating. Oddly enough, the beans were my favorite part of the meal. I'm giving this place 4 stars because the atmosphere is great, and you can't beat $2 frozen drinks for happy hour. I'll be back when I'm consuming sugar again.
(4)
Courtney B.
On a visit to Austin 2 years ago a friend brought me to this adorable restaurant. I instantly loved the modern lime green, white & grey decor. I tend to stick to my favorites when I pop into Zocalo. I never seem to feel adventures if I'm craving a salad this is my spot. lunch favorite: tostado salad w/ the pulled chicken brunch favorite: eggs benedict. I think the place is a little over priced but it doesn't keep me from coming back. $12 for a nice size salad, about $10 for a taco platter. The staff are always friendly. On a brunch outing my eggs benedict was a little runny -the manager was quick & kind to give me a new fresh plate [with no runny eggs]. I alway eat inside, even though I love their patio area so very much. The long hanging plants tend to shield the 'oh so hot' texas sun on warm summer days. It's too bad I dislike the crackles so much or I'd always sit outside.
(3)
Jessica L.
Cute atmosphere, but the food wasn't really that good. My friend had their burrito, and I ordered one of the plates the worker recommended. My friend and I tried both plates, and agreed it was just so so.
(2)
Leila R.
Surprisingly one of better brunch places in Austin! Which I found out by happy accident! So first off, I absolutely love this place because it reminds me of one of my favorite cafes in Guadalajara, Mexico. It is so contemporary in it's decor with a lot of natural light and bright colors that there is just a very vibrant atmosphere throughout this small and cozy setup. Seating can be a bit limited and sometimes get crowded depending on when you go. The line can also be long and parking is very, very sparse (beware that street parking can be limited and make sure that you can actually park there because there are restrictions). But, with all that said and done, this place is worth the effort. The brunch here is fantastic! I get the same thing every time, so I honestly can't speak to a lot of other menu options. But, seriously, after trying the jalapeño cornbread eggs benedict, there really isn't reason to stray...the other thing I always get is the horchata! This stuff is the real deal! I also always get their tres leches when they have it because it too, is legit! I have actually never been here for lunch because I just can't get enough of their brunch!
(4)
Paul M.
This is the spot to go to on Wednesdays with their "Muy Loco Wednesday Drink Specials". For &8 you get a carafe of frozen sangria, margaritas, or horchata and other beer specials too. I get the zocalo plate everytime, it's always delicious and I always wish I had more. Their guacamole, ceviche, queso, and salsas are also great. I've never had a friend not love what they ordered. Wednesdays are the best but still a great choice any other night as well!
(5)
Kelly S.
(Cue most overused phrase on Yelp...) "I want to like this place. I really do!" I've been to Zocalo too many times now to chalk something up to a one-time experience. It's not bad -- it's just not good. It's not "don't ever go here" -- it's just "only as a last resort." Sure it's pretty but as we've learned with some pretty girls (haven't we??) that doesn't necessarily mean there's anything of value there. The food is consistently mediocre. I tried a quesadilla yesterday that was straight taco cabana. The so called stacked enchiladas seem to me to be an attempt to avoid having to make actual enchiladas, instead just creating an "easy to reheat" casserole version that's sub-delicious. Oh and if you want that food, you best be ready to stand in line for it. One register behind the counter for all things -- ordered food, to go food and drinks. Heaven forfend you require an additional (WINE) margarita or you'll be standing there for 15 - 30 minutes (as I was) while chevron-and-turquoise uniformed Clarksvillers peruse the menu. The result of this was an eventual resignation and apology when I reneged on my offer of refills. There's one bathroom, which you will also stand in line for. I have to assume that the reason they do well is because people with a lot more money than I have can walk to it. Otherwise, there is too much damn good mexican food around this city to settle for this.
(2)
Isabel S.
I always want to love this place because I love the space; Nice outdoor patio and light-filled indoor seating. Yet, I've never had a dish I loved there. Just meh.
(2)
Meredith R.
I'm disappointed in the food this visit. I remember the flavors and quality being better. The presentation is still great and the chips are good, the salsa good. Unfortunately the queso was pasty and the quesadilla had fajita beef and greasy cheeese, each lacking taste. The waitress said they didn't have their usual cream cheese for the queso, but will work out any kinks. We received a coupon for a small queso to try again in the future. I hope their queso gets back to the goodness that I remember.
(3)
Kristie F.
Nice brunch at zocalo today. The highlight is the pretty patio. The food is okay, I felt like my meal could have been a bit hotter, temperature wise. It's not super convenient having to like up for food and getting your own code refills, plenty of spots in Austin offer better quality meals and better service.
(3)
Anna s.
This place is freaking great. Wtf why are there any bad reviews. You can get healthier options than most Mexican joints, the place is cute as shit, you can bring your dogs on the patio, the patio is way cute, too. Seriously. The queso is interesting and awesome. I think they mix in sour cream? Horchata is awesome and free refills! Not an expensive place, whatsoever. I could go on. WHAT MORE DO YOU PEOPLE WANT? I think some people have the Yelpower go to their heads. (I just made that up). Quit that shit.
(5)
Brenda D.
Food is awesome,great atmosphere, their aguas frescas are really good,place looks really clean..I would deff come back.
(4)
Lauren P.
omg y'all- frozen sangria is only $2 on wednesdays aka my new favorite day of the week ;)
(4)
Kate C.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Austin. I actually like that you order at the counter and then sit down. The chips and queso are some of the best in Austin. I also really loved the Zocalo Plate and the Tostada Salad. The outdoor area is fun for drinks.
(5)
Jessica M.
Clarksville is so hip. I love it. I also love Zocalo. Not really for dinner IMO, but brunch? Happy hour? Heck yes. Their ceviche is great. The prices are amazing. $1.50 mimosas and bellinis on Sundays? Don't mind if I do. Seriously, I've been here four or five times now and I have never had bad food. AND my boyfriend liked it too and he is way pickier than I am. Winning? I think so. It is kind of a pain to not have a server and order at a counter. Especially when there is a line. Also, there are LOTS of birds, that will steal your food. Even while you are eating. I'm not sure if Zocalo can do anything about this, but it is sort of a problem. If you're looking for a new cheap brunch spot, I would totally check this place out. Or happy hour. Or a light snack. Just give it a chance ok?!
(4)
Sarah P.
In a word, underwhelming. I like Galaxy Cafe, Zocalo's sister restaurant, so I thought I'd give Zocalo a try when brainstorming a casual spot for a girls' weeknight dinner. The vibe is a little weird...the windowless front doors make you feel like you might be entering the wrong way, the dim lighting veers toward depressing rather than sexy, and the cushions that line the banquette seating look a little worse for wear. On the upside, the guy who took our order was friendly and the menu was varied. Unfortunately, my tortilla soup was murky and one-note. I made my way through the fresh avocado garnish, but left more than half my bowl untouched. My friend did enjoy her tostada salad with grilled shrimp. Maybe I misordered?
(2)
Viana V.
Great food! Awesome sevice and you can get margaritas to go! The stacked enchiladas are to die for and so is the appetizer sampler platter!
(5)
Annie-Lee T.
You'd think that a place that has Muy Loco Wednesdays with Drinks Specials All Day would be great! You may be right, but this place isn't. The entire place was dark. Not romantic lighting dark, dark dark. Can barely see dark. The drinks were the machine kind and were way too sweet. And the complimentary nacho bar? More like complimentary chips. What I thought would be a fun evening out turned out to be sort of a bust and while I haven't been there for an actual meal, I don't know that I will anytime soon after that fiasco. The well designed posters and advertising brought me in, everything else drove me away.
(2)
Angela O.
Love this restaurant! Wonderful food in a hip area. The prices were amazing for the quality and presentation. We will definitely dine here again.
(5)
johnny b.
Good neighborhood spot. Nothing to come out of the way for. Location in half of it but food is solid. I'd definitely recommend to at least check out once
(3)
Brett M.
This is a really nice simple mexican restaurant. I'm a big Galaxy Cafe fan and Zocalo reminds me a lot of Galaxy. Ordering is done at the front and your meal is brought to your table. The salads, soups, and the tacos are all gluten free. They are all prepared fresh and my family has enjoyed the meal on each occasion. I'm more of a on the rocks fan, but I was very surprised at how good the frozen Margaritas are at this restaurant. It looks like they have limited drink options, but what they have looks pretty good. They have ample indoor and outdoor seating. Mostly modern look inside. They also have a brunch on Saturday and Sunday which I have not tried. If you haven't eaten in the West Lynn/Clarksville area, it has a really cool vibe and Zocalo fits right in.
(3)
Harold Y.
Well-run restaurant. healthy, fresh food and a fantastic attitude in each employee. Get the pork posole soup, you won't regret it
(5)
Cindy C.
I've really enjoyed eating here every time I come. I've never come at peak hours but it's always fresh tasting amazing food. Unfortunately I didn't think to review when it was still fresh in my head, but since I keep forgetting the name I wanted to make sure to have it in my reviews!
(5)
Joe C.
Chilaquiles (Zocalo Plate) was delish. Nice and spicey. Luckily the restroom was located close so I could eliminate the resulting sniffles. The crowd is tame which is great for folks looking for a date night.
(4)
Ana HI P.
Free refills on aguas frescas - horchata and watermelon Great home made chips Juicy pork Expensive ''guacamole''
(3)
Traci C.
I ordered the Burrito, my husband ordered Empanadas ... Both plates had an amazing presentation, but even more...the food was amazingly delicious! We also enjoyed a couple of margaritas... Okay, a carafe! Yes, they too were delicious!! The inside decor was really simple with pretty fresh cut flowers on each table, against a stark white environment. Prices were very reasonable! One suggestion... Instead of ordering at the counter, it would have been nice to have a waiter. We really liked Zocala, and will definitely be back!!
(4)
Amber D.
I went in for the first time in a long time recently, and despite the wonderfully clean and bright decor, I just didn't love the food. The campechana was okay, but far too small, and a little too "cocktail saucy." All of the other flavors were overwhelmed by the tangy red stuff. I loved that the full menu was offered in addition to brunch, and the $1.50 bellinis, but would have liked to see their mimosas offered in the same price range. My overall take is that the staff is nice, ambiance cheerful, and the food is alright. They do a "Muy Loco Wednesday" deal after 10 p.m. with free nachos, drink specials (mostly on sangria), and a live d.j. It's good for a quick lunch if you're in Clarksville.
(3)
Samantha R.
I had the Zócalo plate, which is just chilaquiles and is their signature dish. It was quite scrumptious. The tortilla strips were perfectly bite-sized and crunchy and the chicken and beans well-cooked. I washed it down with a frozen sangria, which was also very good. The real star here, though, is the Tres Leches Cake. OH. MY. GOSH. IT. WAS. DELICIOUS. It didn't arrive with my plate, but they really have the timing down to a science, because I literally finished eating my main course and my dessert was at the table not two minutes later. If you visit this place and hate everything about it (doubtful, but just in case) I promise you will not hate the Tres Leches cake. Go on with ya bad self and get you some!
(5)
Steve N.
It's just fine. If this were in my Austin neighborhood, Hyde Park, it would get another star for charm, but whether it's worth a journey is up for a discussion. Here are the deets: $51.22 for three, before tip. Chips were chips. I had ribs, that night's special; they were 3-star; $10. The queso was a little underwhelming, $6. The girls each had an entree that was about $9. TIP: Happy Hour ended at 6 PM the Friday I was there TIP: Counter service BONUS: charming, comfortable outdoor seating
My wife and I like to walk over to Zocalo and enjoy the outdoor seating and casual atmosphere that fits in with the Clarksville atmosphere perfectly. Its so nice to have a cafe that offers counter service and affordable food in the middle of our community. I'm a fan of the Zocalo plate, ceviche, and frozen margarita and my wife usually goes for the stacked enchiladas and the frozen sangria. Wednesday nights are awesome with $2 frozen drinks. We often see our neighbors there--they also walk to Zocalo. Any time we haven't planned a meal or just want a break from cooking Zocalo is one of our top choices.
(4)
Michael B.
Edit: We gave Zocalo's another try at the insistence of a friend, and the food was much better the second time around. I'm unsure what was wrong the first time, perhaps the chef was drunk and forgot to use spices. Completely different experience the second time, and the food is actually quite good. I'm still a little disappointed at the counter style, single line service - the line can get quite long, which makes going back for a second drink a serious commitment - but I'm generally happy - 4/5 stars. Edit 2: Further tries and regular takeout from Zocalos have proved my initial impression a false one. Maybe a chef was hungover and really phoning it in that day. But I'm now pretty happy with the quality of food and the service. I reviewed Zocalo's about a year ago. I gave them a 1 star review as the food was genuinely awful. I come back a year later, and I find that review is gone. I had heard rumors that Yelp removes bad reviews for money. It's quite the scandal, as you'll see if you google around a little bit. Now I know it's true. Zocalo's deserves a far, far worse rating than it's current score would suggest. Avoid this place (and maybe look for a more honest review site while you're at it).
(4)
Meredith B.
Great place for fresh tasting Tex-Mex! I think this is one of the few places you can get good Mexican food that's not covered in grease. Even though the food isn't greasy, it is still delicious. I've been here a couple of times and it never seems too busy which is nice. They also have brunch on the weekends and it was a lot less chaotic than a lot of other brunch spots!
(4)
David m.
So I used to live down the street from here. Do I miss the neighborhood...yes but I have a bigger house now and I own it. Not gonna happen in this area. I had gone her before and gotten the stacked enchiladas. Not so much. Pretty much a bunch of chalupas stacked. Very hard to eat. Healthy...probably...but not what I wanted. The last time I went here I got the quesadillas. Yum! it came with side of rice and beans which I coundn't care less about...but the quesadillas themselves were cooked perfectly with my choice of filling. My choice is the key word. Then a side of guac and sour cream. So divine. We sip it down with a piture of Margaritas that were perfect!
(4)
Taylor M.
I live so close to Zocalo that I go there pretty often despite not being in love with the food. They have good drinks and ok tacos, but to me the mainstay of any Mexican food joint is queso and I just really don't like theirs! It tastes like cream cheese and has a texture like hummus which just isn't palatable to me. If you haven't been eating Tex-Mex your whole life, maybe you'll enjoy the food more than I do. In my opinion you should skip the food and hit up Zocalo on a Wednesday night when they turn off the lights and bring in a DJ. It gets packed with people guzzling pitchers of margaritas and raiding the free nacho bar; it's a drunken good time.
(3)
Emily B.
As others have said, this place rocks. My husband and I especially love to call in a take-out order, which they get ready in about 10-15 minutes. Their queso is the best in town, in my opinion, matched with their homemade (delicious!) chips... soooo good. I'm also a fan of their flautas and their apple empanadas, though honestly everything we've tried here is good. When dining in I love sitting on the patio. Great place!
(5)
Monica G.
Even if I hated the food, I would still come here to drink $2 margaritas on Wednesday and be surrounded by religious, Mexican art. I LOVED this place from the second I walked in. I felt like I was part of an HGTV show, and some really upbeat lady was about to come out from the kitchen and tell me I'm on a new show and she's gonna go home with me and decorate my house, too. Obviously that didn't happen, but I'll keep both Zocalo and Galaxy in mind when I eventually own a home and have to decorate (side note - my boyfriend said the decor was "cool," but he felt like he was at church. So take my love for it with a grain of salt). Both the restaurant itself and the food are trendy - a modern take on Mexican food. I had the stacked enchiladas, loverboy had the Zocalo special, whatever it is. The enchiladas are really chalupa shells stacked on top of each other. It was good, but hard to eat. Totally not cute date food, spilling beans and shit everywhere. I also came here once by myself and had the chicken tortilla soup, and it was fairly good. Way too much cheese, but I liked the fresh avocado. I could put avocado on anything and be happy. Would I come here with my dad, a man that lived in the valley up until his relocation to the Hill Country? No, because he would be weirded out. I would, however, take my mom, because she loves HGTV too, and I'd probably take friends here as well since it's a fun place. Also, I feel like Wednesday is really the only good day to come because otherwise the margaritas are definitely overpriced for their small size.
(4)
Paul S.
fresh! that is how everything here tastes. and comfortable I become on the patio. this place always makes us happy, the kids love the freedom of hte patio and they also love the food. the zocalo plate, the tacos and salads and soups... all taste like they were made just for us, not days in advance. their sangria and margaritas are a bit sweet, but when it is really hot outside, they can be refreshing. and don't miss the freshly made churros at the end of your meal.
(4)
Megan C.
I was a first time flyer - snagged a Groupon and figured I'd give it a try. The food's off the chain and Hannah is a great server. She recommended the stuffed avocado and it was awesome, super lite and not fried in lard like most places do. My boyfriend got the steak salad and it was so good he refused to share. He loves me. The ambience and music is a little geriatric but they sell cold beer, so I guess it's a good place to cure a hangover. All in all, healthy, flavorful, filling food. Definitely going back.
(4)
Lisa S.
Came here this weekend for brunch and really enjoyed the chilaquiles that I ordered! They were super tasty with some hot sauce on the side. My friend really enjoyed the breakfast tacos that she got...she was able to make them gluten-free which was a huge plus! And another one of my friends got the poached eggs on the sweet potato/jalapeño biscuit, but he was a little underwhelmed. The biscuit ended up being more like an english muffin, which takes away from some of the fun. I also was not a fan of the watermelon bellini...just way too sweet. So then switched it up to a mimosa, which was good, but ultimately went with a Dos XX (yes, we had a few rounds there). While the outdoor patio seating was awesome, there needs to be waiter service out there, after you receive your food. We kept having to go into the restaurant to order more rounds of drinks, which was just kind of strange. It would be easier to order from a waiter outside, which is seems like they have the staff to do it since they are serving your food to you. Overall, it was a good brunch experience that led to a great Sunday Funday!
(4)
AJ H.
Zocalo Cafe (or just "Zocalo") is one of my hidden favorites. I really dig the relaxed atmosphere, and while it can get a little busy on a weekday lunch, it is well worth it. Truth be told, I have not explored all sections of the menu but only because I am so pleased with the Mahi-Mahi fish tacos, green chile chicken taco's, ceviche, and Zocarita's. Even the chips and salsa is wonderful. The staff is very friendly, and service is usually fairly quick. The only negative thing I can find about this place is the parking situation. I still need to figure out the secret to that as their lot is small, and the surrounding neighborhood makes it difficult to find a spot. No worries though, I'll walk if I have to.
(5)
Chris M.
I must say I was pleasantly surprised on my first visit to Zocalo Cafe. I have been to this location several years ago, but I believe it was the old Galaxy Cafe. Some nice changes to the ambiance, it's lighter, lots of white, loved the decore, open space, dark floor, cool retro seating, and friendly staff too. We had a groupon, expires today, so we ordered a few items: Guacamole w/ chips and salsa, Fish Tacos that comes w/ a side, we chose a cup of Chicken Tortilla soup. And to finish it all off we ordered their award winning Tres Leches and a Watermelon drink to wash it all down. The guac dish came out first, you mix up the ingredients yourself. It was good, the chips were crispy, fresh, and a thicker cut. The 3 fish tacos come next, on wheat tortilla with watermelon salsa - - very refreshing and light, the salsa was really good. The watermelon drink has juice + water + sugar, it's so refreshing and you can has all your heart desires - - yay!! The Chicken Tortilla soup was really good, thick tortilla strips and 3 nice slices of advocado - - left us wanting more. But the highlight had to have been the Tres Leches. They told us it was "award winning", and I'm noTres Leches expert, but this was really damn good. It wasn't too sweet at all, melted in your mouth, and looked fabulous. I would give it an award if I had an award to give it, but I don't, let me work on that. Service was spot-on friendly and nice. The cash register person helped me pick out some items, she was very patient and helpful. The server was very attentive to our needs, she cleaned up our dishes and brought out the remaining orders in a jiffy. I'd say this was a pleasant experience thanks to Groupon, and I will definitely go back for more of that Watermelon drink and the awesome Tres Leches!
(4)
Lora T.
I had no idea this place existed? But when my H suggested we go based on a friend of our's positive experiences, we decided to try it out. We went for an early dinner on a Friday afternoon. I was pleasantly surprised by the Happy Hour Sangritas, which were only $3 and quite tasty! We sat outside on the porch to enjoy the amazing weather and pretty hanging baskets of flowers. The chips and queso we ordered were pretty good and not like other queso I have had before, it almost reminded me of a vegan queso from its consistency. I'm curious what they put in it. My H ordered the Friday special of Ribs for $10 and he really enjoyed them. I had the zocolo plate which was tortilla strips and chicken tossed in a verde sauce over black beans. It was similar to a salad, minus the green leafy stuff. We both liked the rice they plated. And since I had flashed my GoLocal card, we got free Apple Empanadas which were derrricious! Keep it up, Z!
(4)
Cassi P.
Wednesdays= $2 frozen margaritas, sangrias and coladas. Um.. yes, please! For a whopping $6 I got 2 glasses of frozen sangria and chips with two different salsas. Everything else aside, that's pretty fucking awesome. But the restaurant itself is super cute, lends itself well to a nice girls night out. Doesn't get a fifth star because counter service is super annoying. Totally interrupts your experience. I recommend getting pitchers.
(4)
Aasiyah B.
I love this place. It's my go to for tex mex when I want a fresher spin on the classic dishes. Everything is just delicious. The portions might be a bit small and always leave me craving more! But I definitely leave feeling satisfied :)
(5)
Amanda F.
Green chile chicken enchiladas were great black beans and rice were good also! Will def go back
(5)
Chris J.
Really enjoyed it. Beef fajitas with 'unrefried' beans were delicious; my wife's shrimp tacos were excellent as well. Plates not huge, but just right for us. We also split a tres leches-yummie. Great find off the beaten path.
(4)
Joshua G.
No criticism. Just read and order this next time you're there! Don't ask questions!!! 1. White queso (Mix in their red salsa & lemon - HEAVEN) 2. Pork carnita tacos 3. Chicken quesadillas 4. Tortilla soup (spicy goodness in your mouth) 5. The fish entree served atop a tostada is my FAVORITE thing on menu. 6. Tres leches or churros - Make a fat joke and I'll kill you! 7. Buy a go local card and eat here all the time! Moving back to this area partly to be close to this restaurant again. They deliver through Eat Out In!
(5)
Claudia W.
Went back two days after my first trip, this time with the boyfriend. Yum, Yum, and Yum. I had to get the tacos de fajita again with the tortilla soup since it was so good when I went the first time. I was so glad my boyfriend ordered the Loco Platter so I could sample more of their menu items. It was all delicious and service was with a nice smile. Definitely going to go back to try their Brunch. All this place needs for a fifth star is some HOT salsa.
(4)
Allison W.
I adore this place! I got the carnitas tacos and subbed a jicima salad for the rice/beans side option. This was a great idea. The jicima salad comes with orange, carrots, and jicima with some refreshing lemon dressing. Delicious. The carnitas tacos on corn tortillas were juicy and delicious. Pico and salsa came on the side and the pico had pineapple in it. I think the tortillas were homemade. They were awesome. Even if the food tasted bad (which is far from the truth), the interior would make this place a fun place to come! It's modern, bright, and fun. They also have a patio outside which is perfect for warm weather. Ahhh such a perfect weekend place! I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Samuel C.
Pricey for the amount of food they give you--well, I ordered the Crispy Stacked Enchiladas, and man, that was a tiny meal. At least the lime chicken was flavorful. I'll probably be back to try other dishes, but maybe I'll have to start asking the cashiers how big each dish is before I order. I tend to eat a lot when I'm hungry.
(3)
Margie W.
I've been visiting Zocalo for a couple of years now - it's a quick drive for lunch from downtown. The quality varies, and my last two visits have been disappointing. The chicken/green chili empanadas were maybe three bites each (3 for $10.00) - not worth the price. No green chilis that I could discern, but served with a tomatillo sauce. I requested fruit instead of the beans and rice on the side, and again, the portion was so small I left feeling that the food there is just not worth the price. Go for the drinks, but not the food.
(2)
Phyllis K.
Cute and chic, Zocalo may be the younger sister to Galaxy Cafe, but she's got to be the parent's favorite. This place is have delicious Tex-Mex fare that's light and fresh and doesn't bury flavor beneath mounds of cheese and jalapenos. I'm a total sucker for their chicken tortilla soup and their shrimp tacos. And a beer and some great outdoor seating, and I'm in what I call "Happyland." My one gripe, and kind of a big one, would be the warm salsa they serve with the chips. It's really warm and makes me feel like I'm dipping my chips into soup.
(4)
Natalie A.
A friend invited us out to brunch at Zocalo one fine Sunday afternoon. We had never been there before so in to Google Maps the address went. When we arrived, I immediately loved how bright the place was. The atmosphere was bustling but not too crowded and there was a small line to order but nothing deterring. Mostly everyone at our table ordered the chilaquiles and after the first bite, we all nodded our heads in approval. Delish! I've been back a few times since then. Once was for their Muy Loco Wednesday night shindig which, personally, was not really my kind of thing. It was dark, REALLY noisy, and boasted a younger crowd with pitchers stacked upon pitchers of margaritas (which are delicious by the way). As the night grew older, the place got louder and more crowded. I suppose if I were a college student, I'd be taking advantage of a free taco bar and $2 margaritas too but seeing as how I am not, I'd rather pay full price and keep my ear drums.
(4)
Tabitha H.
Pretty good food. Nothin spectacular. They serve their salsas warm which I find unusual. Still has a good taste tho. Delicious chips.
(3)
Kristen F.
I loved the service and the interior design. We sat on the patio and it was beautiful. The food though, was just okay. I had a "traditional Mexican vegetarian sandwich" and it was fine, but fine. I had high hopes for the frozen sangria, but I guess I expected it to taste more fruity and less just like a red wine slurpee. It was fine. My husband had carnitas tacos. He says they were good, but wished they were a little bigger. The papel picado, (check out the photo I uploaded) lovely green patio and nice staff will probably lead me back again for another try. Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing.
(3)
Mallory H.
I just love this location! The employees are incredibly helpful and friendly. The food is consistently delicious and fresh! I love the stuffed avocado with chicken, tacos all pastor is my boyfriend's fave and the tortilla soup is yummy (fair warning, I'm a yankee so I like things mild.). Lastly, the ambience is mellow and pretty making for a relaxing experience and if you need to order and run, you can get a sangria to go. You heard me.
(5)
Jason R.
Good not great. Food is pretty average, horchata is worth ordering. Conveniently located in a posh neighborhood where real Mexican food is severely lacking, so this does the trick for a quick fix of whatever you're looking for.
(3)
Thien-Y H.
Maaannn I love Zocalo. Their Wednesday nights are where it's at. $8 carafes of frozen marg or sangria or a blend of both (I recommend the blend, Zocarita i think it's called? Or something like that). And a FREE. NACHO BAR. At 10PM. And those chips are freaking great. And that white cheese. Oh yes. It's mostly college kids but the yuppies can still hang. Their outdoor seating is ideal on a nice night but gets a little crowded. They've got some pretty good DJs. I see potential for it to become a dance floor.. clear out them tables! But I guess it might be weird to make Zocalo THAT sort of destination. Since its location is kind of not near much else. All in all, Zocalo rocks.
(4)
Jonathan A.
Healthy food and modern interior. The portions are fair but the food is a bit flavorless. We had the tacos del Mar and the Zocalo special. The outdoor seating is the best, almost defeating the purpose of the modern interior. It seems that only people who live directly around this area eat here. I really wanted this place to have great food, but it did not deliver.
(3)
Samantha M.
My boyfriend and I just tried Zocalo Cafe for the first time and we were beyond impressed! Counter service, which we don't normally do, but couldn't believe how amazing the service was! We ordered the Campechana for our appetizer, it came out almost immediately after we sat down AND it was DELICIOUS!! Will definitely order again... ALSO, we were lucky enough to go there on a Wednesday: $2 Ritas, Sangria, and Dos XX!! Everything we ordered was amazing and the staff was very friendly and efficient....and if you get a chance to talk to Holly (manager), she's super nice and helpful. :) Great patio and all-around atmosphere, Zocalo Cafe is now one our new favorite places!!
(5)
Walker F.
The Zocalo margarita absolutely made my day. It's a standard frozen marg swirled with frozen sangria. And not some sticky sweet pink sangria mix - but REAL sangria.at least, that's what it tasted like. I felt awfully guilty drinking during the work day, but after one of these babies I felt just fine. and the second one meant I probably shouldn't have gone back to work. The mix-your-own guacamole was a cute idea and tasty a-ok, just nothing special. The chips however - or tostadas if you will - are wroth a mention. They are the really thick kind which I love! No breaking off mid scoop! I ordered the Chilaquiles which I didn't realize was not a breakfast item. I have rarely even seen these on a menu, let alone available during the day. It's basically a clever Mexican way to use up leftovers - they take the leftover tortilla/tostada chips, cut em into pieces, then mix it up with shreded meat (here, it was chicken) and sauce. The chips were so thick to begin with they remained a bit crispy in the Chilaquiles - awesome! Usually they get soggy which is pretty grody. The inside is most all white Ikea-lstyle and a little sterile, but the patio is pretty cute with lots of greenery. Sat outside to enjoy our second round and thought about never going back to work. Unfortunately there were flies which was the only negative. I had a $20 groupon but I still spent $26 bucks, boo. But alcohol wasn't included so that's what did it. At $5 a pop those marg were definitely worth it, and on Wednedays they have a special. the happy hour looks pretty decent too so I will be back. It's only few days later and I'm already craving that marg.
(4)
S R.
Good food, friendly staff, and excellent service! Only if they could lower the interior noise (it get's loud), level the outdoor patio... and, keep the birds away! Love the watermelon drink!
(4)
O G.
My wife and I heard about this place through Groupon. We purchased their coupon and dined there for dinner. My burrito wasn't too bad but my wife had their fish tacos. They hardly had any fish in them and the little it had, was burnt, Also, I experienced the worse michelada ever.
(2)
Sharon T.
Nacho bar on Wednesdays after 10, cheap drink specials, and watermelon agua fresca before 10, provided you don't mind the grouping of scenic cutoffs and that you enjoy listening to the latest alternative rock hits after 10pm (read: 101X in Austin). Not a bad place to hang out after dark, but I'd imagine the food during the day when actual normal people come out and eat is pretty good.
(4)
Lauren E.
I want to like Zocalo's. I do. But I can't. I have been a number of times, and every time the food comes out barely warm. It is good food - I will give them that. But after five minutes into the meal, I'm stuck with cold black beans and a sad taco.
(2)
Meredith H.
My roommate convinced me to go to Zocalo's with her a few nights ago for a late dinner. It's not too far from our apartment and most of the meals are under $10 which is always a plus. With the low prices, I was expecting a low quality. I decided to play it safe and order the chicken flautas and they were DELICIOUS, but that's where the yummy factor stops. I tried my roommates tacos and her friend's empanadas and I wasn't a big fan of either of them. The rice and beans were mediocre at best and my margarita was tiny and not very good. The worker asked if I wanted salt and I said yes. After she filled my glass with the margarita, she dipped her fingers in the salt and spread it around half of the rim. Okay.... Overall I'd say this place is okay. It's not going to be a restaurant that I go to regularly, but I'd give it another chance.
(3)
Paul N.
Not sure how a place can tout themselves as being 'environmentally friendly' when they're serving GMO ingredient foods......which, unfortunately, are not too tasty anyway....great location, though.....and service is usually ok.....
(2)
Kamni G.
I do not know how to say this to you, stop stalking me! I left you for a reason, you just don't do it for me. I work hard all week, busting my arse at the gym and when I come see you...well you feed me the same stuff over and over. I want foreplay, I want to be excited... I know...I am not just that much into you so please stop getting my friends to try you. I might see you again because Groupon bribed my friends into buying invites to your place... But just so we are clear. I don't hate you..I am just not into you
(3)
Meg R.
I..don't know what to say. Ok, ok, I know what to say, but I don't necessarily want to say it. I was disappointed. The bf and I go to Galaxy (Zocalo's "sister") almost every weekend for breakfast (because we love it!) Zocalo has the same ordering system and excellent service, but is lacking in the food department. I will start with the pros: Amazingly different and bold decor. The space is white, bright, and cheery. Also, the drinks (non-alcoholic) were delightful and refreshing. Cons: Both of our meals were "EH." I hate to even complain about HOW FAST our food came out, but it was timed strangely. We ordered queso and chips, which came out a couple of minutes later. It was lumpy and was accompanied by extremely greasy chips. The portion was extremely overwhelming and I'd be surprised if we finished a quarter of the portion. If we had wanted to, however, it would have been awk since our entrees came out a few minutes after our queso. Timing people, TIMING! I can get down with bad timing as long as the food's good. I don't know what it was, but my Tacos de Verdura made me feel ill immediately. It simply didn't taste flavorful or fresh. Two bites in and I found myself back to the greasy chips and lumpy queso. Not because I liked it, but because I was hungry and my entree was unappetizing. Wish I could have enjoyed myself more. I really don't see myself coming back to Zocalo.
(2)
Rebecca R.
We have been going to Zocalo for several years now and I really like it. I love the happy hour!! But even during regular hours, I can always count on the pork tacos (I like them with a side of sliced avocado). I am not a big fan of sangria but I know a lot of ppl who love the sangria at Zocalo!
(4)
Samantha C.
Probably one of my favorite Mexican restaurants to eat at. Their chips and Queso is no doubt the most delicious out of anywhere and totally different from the rest. My friends are really big fans of the churros so I definitely recommend trying those out.
(4)
Stephen T.
I've been coming here for a couple years and usually wind up here at least once every time I'm back in Austin (my friend lives down the street). They have delicious food, served fresh and hot, and very promptly. I recommend the burrito - delicious! They also have delicious frozen sangria, and delicious salsas.
(3)
Ronnizia B.
We love galaxy so I wanted to love Zocalo too but the menu choices are just ok. Went once and loved the special - I think it was an avocado stuffed with cochinita pibil so I went back and tried the chilaquiles. They were good but nothing to write home about. Was hoping to like it more.
(3)
Brittany L.
I've been to zocalo a few times, mostly with coworkers for lunch. I've typically enjoyed my meal there, with the exception of last night. Last night, I decided to try the Zocalo salad. I consider myself a salad addict. I usually have a salad every day, and I have a favorite salad at just about every restaurant I venture in Austin. After reading the Zocalo salad's description, I was impressed and practically salivating thinking about the veggie goodness I was soon to encounter. I ordered the salad and added fresh avocado. I sat down with friends, and my salad soon showed up. Beautiful presentation, but it did not meet my expectations on taste level. The description on the menu stated, "grilled pineapple". The pineapple on my salad was fresh...but definitely not grilled. I love grilled pineapple, the sweetness of the pineapple is more evident (at least to me) when grilled. If you've never had it, you've got to try it...grill some pineapple at home. Back to my original topic.... The bed of mixed leaf lettuce included: jicama, red pepper slices, pineapple slices, the added avocado and a small ball of goat cheese covered in tortilla chip crusting. The salad was lacking in taste. The dressing did not stand up against the leafy lettuce, and there was just something missing. I ended up going home and cooking something else to eat because the salad left me hungry and annoyed. For 7.49 plus the cost of the added avocado, I would have expected a bit more substance to the salad. Perhaps black beans, cotija cheese, tomatoes...something. I gave Zocalo three stars because the service is fantastic, the atmosphere is warm & inviting and I've good food before- just not this time.
(3)
Laura A.
This place is really good, it reminds me of ZuZu--fresh Mex, and you go up and order and they bring your plate to you. They had yummy strawberry hibiscus tea (I think it was hibiscus?). We shared the queso blanco, while it was good it wasn't great, and probably something I wouldn't order again. I got a salad, which had black beans, avocado, and some other goodies and added mahi mahi. Very good and I felt like I was being healthy! Hubby got the burrito, he really liked it but said next time he would get queso on top instead of the ranchero sauce. Very good restaurant, I think we would go here often if it was closer to the casa.
(4)
John K.
The stacked enchiladas were awesome! I'm not a big fan of sour cream so i substituted pico de gallo where the sour cream should have been. They also have very good frozen agave wine margaritas.
(5)
Shelly K.
I had a staple In my food.
(1)
Tara H.
Zocalo, the spicy latin cousin of Galaxy Cafe, is located on West Lynn and took over the space formerly inhabited by an vegetarian Indian restaurant. It looks a lot different and the interior design of Doug Frey has a lot to do with it. (I think I'm right!) I grabbed a happy hour special - margarita and a sampler plate (taquitos, empenadas, guacamole, queso, etc.). The empanadas were delicious - the pork was juicier than the chicken. The taquitos were delicious except the chicken was a bit dry and I found a three inch long chicken bone in one of them. With my mouth. The queso, which incidentally resembles hummus, was spot on. Your meal is best when you combine queso and the warm Verde sauce. Mmmm. Overall, I feel a bit mixed. I love the patio with all the hanging plants and the tropical/Latin feel with the bright whites and flashy green but I was disappointed with the machine made margarita and the underwhelming food.
(3)
Kendra L.
Wonderful queso, horchata and apple dumplings! My three favorite things at Zocalo. It's always fresh food, tasty and quick service. I do wish their menu was a smidge more varied, but it is delicious. Lovely outdoor seating as well when the weather is cooperative.
(4)
Hayden B.
The food here is pretty darn average, but the patio is especially nice and gets crazy on Wednesday nights because of the margarita deals and free chips & queso. Tons of young and pretty people enjoying the summer nights keep me coming back.
(3)
Jon L.
Solid and tasty but not mind-blowing. The stacked chicken enchiladas are pretty good, as are the nachos. I also recommend the churros.
(3)
Jaime O.
Middle of the road interior Mexican food; there are better places in the area with tastier offerings than this place. This place is just average, but the reason for the 2 stars is the queso blanco. My fiancee and I ordered the queso with high hopes. When it arrived, we enjoyed the flavor, but knew something was a little off regarding the texture and consistency. When we just couldn't figure out how it was made, we asked the manager who informed it was mostly melted cream cheese and pepper-jack. Maybe my reaction's a little strong but a bowl full of melted cream cheese as a dipping sauce just isn't that appetizing. For my meal I had the crispy stacked enchiladas (super authentic interior), which were just "ok". The components were just crispy tortillas, white meat, shredded chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, and tomatillo salsa, which didn't have that much flavor. It just wasn't really an impressive meal for an establishment I think has a lot of potential. Come here for a relaxed meal, but don't expect great Mexican food.
(2)
Kerissa B.
Considering I eat here more than twice a month, I thought I'd let you know how I feel. I really love the flautas here. There are a couple of other dishes I have tried and not really enjoyed, but I love the flautas. If you find something you like here, keep coming back. It's really fresh food and doesn't make me feel like I need 12 naps afterward like some Mexican places around town. Wednesday is all day happy hour with $8 carafes of frozen margs and/or sangria. Super delicious. Love the decor. Love the atmosphere. Love sitting outside on warm spring days.
(4)
Jens B.
What a nice surprise! After catching the World Cup at the Tavern our friends suggested we go and eat an early dinner at Zocalo. I have past the location many times, but never dropped in. Found a killer parking space and walked into the restaurant. It was bright and airy. It does have the counter service concept so we waited in line and then ordered our dinners. The restaurant is appointed with really nice fixtures and it reminds me of eating in a green house. We selected the ceviche, new wifey got the Snapper and me an order of tacos. The best part was the Pitcher of Frozen Sangria... AWESOME.. Everything we had was really top notch. The Ceviche was fresh and had not been made the night before. It had the right about of lime juice and bite. Suz raved about her snapper, I knicked a bite or two from her plate and it was quite tasty and filling. My tacos were fresh and had great spice and flavor to them. This place was a great find.. how come I didn't drop by sooner... The only odd thing is the counter order thing and knowing how to tip.. so I would prefer to sit and have wait service, but this in now way will keep me from coming back very soon. Brunch seems like it would be really nice outside early in the am with paper and a nice cup of JO. And No Lori K, I will not unite with you to not go to Zocalo..that's just daft.. we had a great time..Especially since this Sunday for Brunch we are going back and get a shot at those Mango Bellini's I spied.
(4)
Zach M.
I heard I had to check this place out, especially for their brunch drink specials. Lucky for me there was a groupon out for this place the other day and I snagged it up. I took my lady out for a brunch date here and I gotta say that I was impressed. It's a very hipster looking place and very Austin feel to it. Lots of plants, lots of contrasting design which actually works to make it look very unique. Checked out the menu and I was sold on the first thing I saw, $1.50 Bellinis. Awesome. Not because I'm a fan of fruity brunch drinks, but that I appreciate a brunch that fosters the morning need for food after a rough night of drinking, and bellinis coupled with Mexican food are capable of doing just that. I got the Zocalo Plate and Blanco queso. I wont say its the best plate of Mexican food in Austin, but it was pretty legit. I'm usually never a fan of Verde sauce but it worked well with everything else on the plate. Overall, not to shabby... not to shabby at all.
(4)
Barrett M.
This is my new favorite restaurant in Austin. A stone throw's away from campus, I am weeping that I only ate here for the first time today. I graduate in 3 weeks! Oh the time that could have been spent here if only I had known about it years ago. From the moment you walk in you notice the really cool decor. Modern, I guess. I'm not really sure how to describe it other than it looks like it belongs in Austin. Hop in line and and start eyeing that orange-pineapple juice they serve. (I went during Sunday brunch, not sure if it's always there). I knew I had to get a glass. Plus it was free refills! I also tried the Horchata, which was also excellent. After ordering and filling up my glass we picked a table by the window because we wanted to feel like we were outside (the outdoor seating was already full). Shortly thereafter our food was delivered and I was already savoring what I saw with my eyes. I ordered the Mexican Torta with pulled pork. The delicious sandwich was served on a white roll and was packed with pork, roasted jalapeno, avocado, lettuce and black beans. It was an incredible meal. I also tried my girlfriend's carnitas tacos. The pork in her tacos and my sandwich was flawless. Not overly greasy and contained the perfect amount of.. "moisture," if you will. Melted in my mouth. We will definitely be coming back. I want to try everything on the menu!
(5)
Jessica S.
I bet Zocalo is glad they just had a groupon. I mean, why else would I be back? When my mom said she "had a groupon for some place on West Lynn," I kinda sighed and said, "Not Zocalo, is it?" I talked myself into going, noting it had been several years since I had first tried it. (and mom would be paying and we had a groupon for it) I saw several people walk in with their groupon tickets. Surely the only reason they were there. I didn't remember not liking the queso and should have said no to ordering it (note to self: read own review of place before returning). It's still very blah. Like a weird sort of cheese. The ceviche was pretty good. But only 2 packages of saltines for a table of 3? Really? The salsas were okay. I like the chips. There! I had the Calabacita stew this time. It was pretty oily. It was okay. Nothing I'd want to order again (who are we kidding? I won't be going back). Mom had some sort of salad. It looked pretty ordinary, and I don't think she was extraordinarily pleased. My step-dad ordered the stacked enchiladas and he seemed to like them. Zocalo excels in mediocrity. PS The inside makes me sad. Can we please have a moment of silence for West Lynn Cafe? (And, no, I can't let go of the past!)
(2)
Jason E.
I love this place! The food is great and the flan is the best I've had. Staff is awesome too! Don't miss the $2 frozen sangria on wednesday.
Zocalo is ok. Zocalo wanted to be five star. Before Galaxy Cafe gods decided to give birth to it, when it was being conceived...when it was just a germ of yet-another-taco-joint-in-Austin. But when the place was forged and hammered out into existence, thrust from the nexus wherein all choice restaurants are contained, it got scrunged. Yep I just made that word up. The result doesn't confuse me nearly as much as The Oasis (see that review for details on confusion), but there's definitely something not lined up here. Don't get me wrong. The all-white interior is nice enough, open and airy, which in the barbecue pit of Austin summer, is a very good thing. The outside patio was not just an afterthought; it's got foliage and they allow dogs out there. But really, it just looks to be about 90% regular furniture, and regular ceilings, made out of regular wood, and regular white paint. Sure, there are some funky lamps over the tables that could be from Ikea, and there's a green partition when you walk in that is also sorta Galaxy Cafe-ish and some art. But Barbarella (the film) it is not. Seems like a bunch of people expected it to be. (I didn't expect anything, but folks seem disappointed). However... Zocalo is ok. food: ok. service: walkup like Galaxy Cafe, somebody brings it to you. Ok. tacos: ok jicama salad.: ok frozen sangria: ok waitstaff: There's a space for tipping on the receipt, but I'm not really sure who you'd be tipping in this situation since the watistaff doesn't really wait on you. Ok? lcd screen inside the door in a non-strategic location: not ok flies by the window seats: not ok tshirts: aztec? mayan-y? logo + "hecho en Clarksville." super ok. Zocalo is certainly ok - but wanted to be a lot more in the womb.
(3)
Laura F.
I really enjoy going to Zocalo, especially when I can sit out on the patio with my pup. This is a casual Mexican joint with high quality ingredients. You order up front, get a number and then someone brings your food. They don't have a liquor license but they serve beer, wine and fake margaritas made with wine. I love getting the queso- it's different than most queso in Austin- I think it has cream cheese or something? Anyway it's really tasty. I also love the tostada salad- so fresh and yummy. I've tried the stacked enchiladas as well. Everything I've had has been yummy and i like the laid back but classy atmosphere. They have lots of vegetarian options as well so that's always nice. I've also been here for brunch which is yummy and the churros are a great sweet treat to end your meal.
(4)
David D.
Brought my one year old daughter here because the salads looked good. The tables and high chairs were very clean and there was a real changing table in the men's bathroom. Very kid friendly and the tostada salad was tasty if a little light on tomatoes. A good pick if you're in the neighborhood and want some good inexpensive eats and a chill place to talk.
(4)
Lenah K.
So I had really loaded up on Indian buffet for lunch, and wasn't hungry for dinner, but my friend and my husband were hungry. We tried to figure out somewhere to go to eat that would have some light dishes for me. My friend mentioned that this place was kind of a "healthy Mexican food" place, so I thought that might work. Well, not really. I guess my mistake was not ordering the tortilla soup. I just feel like I'm eating it too often (like once a week), and wanted to try something else. The only other thing on the small menu that seemed as if it might be light, given that I don't enjoy salads, was the chicken flautas. Yes, I know flautas are fried, but they are usually in a small portion, and I thought "maybe at a healthy restaurant ...." I had some cava (sparkling wine) to drink. I guess they don't sell much of it, because the counterfolks weren't sure how to open it. It was pretty good, quite dry. My husband had a horchata and a Negra Modelo, and my friend had a sangria margarita. So far so good. My husband ordered the Tacos del Barrio, and my friend ordered the Tacos del Mar. My friend and I got the un-refried beans, and my husband got the black beans. All of our meals also came with rice. The rice and beans reminded me a lot of Vivo's, which is actually a good thing coming from me since I love Vivo. My friend also ordered some queso and wanted us to share it. She'd said that she thought it had a different texture that made her think there was cauliflower or something in it, but I didn't get that ... it just tasted like mediocre queso to me. The chips were interesting ... I think they were flour rather than corn ... still pretty greasy. I really liked the green salsa, and thought the red salsa was okay. My friend and my husband liked their food. Mine was okay. It was a much bigger portion that I expected: four fat flautas, good sized mounds of rice and beans, and some sour cream. I also paid extra for a side of guacamole ... good but of course stupidly presented on lettuce as usual. Two of the flautas had apparently been punctured somehow before or during cooking, which meant that grease got up inside them rather than just on the outside, so those definitely weren't light or healthy. I'd go back, but would go back with an appetite and order something else. At least the place was fairly cheap.
(3)
Amber D.
"Great Wednesday hangout" Zocalo is a fantastic little find in Austin. Hidden off 12th and West Lynn across from Caffe Medici. Small indoor area where you wait in a short line to order (not so short Wednesday evenings), and a great outdoor patio that is pet friendly. Wednesday is the best day to go out there due to the "All day" Happy Hour. Yes you heard me right, drink specials all day long. Their $18 "Zocarita" Carafe is only $8. $2 instead of $5 on the margaritas by the glass. They also have a "Horchata Colada" (which is really just a very strong Pina Colada. I would recommend only getting that by the glass, not the carafe, especially if you're the only one drinking it. Definitely packs a punch! They have this fantastic sampler appetizer that has flautas, mini empanadas, quacamole, verde salsa, this amazing shrimp dip, and the addicting white queso that I'm sure is made of heavy cream because it's mouth watering. I would highly suggest this platter if you have a group of friends with you. It's a great way to try a few different things at once, plus you get a feel of how good their homemade chips and dough for the empanadas are. Overall this is a great "kick back and relax", Austin-retro kind of restaurant. Food is all made from scratch and drinks are superb!
(4)
jana n.
Real fresh ingredients. Yummy watermelon drink. Very small portions but they are really yummy! Great tortilla soup. The salsas were fresh and tasty. I would go again if I am ever in the neighborhood.
(4)
Michael P.
Great tacos. I had mine with ground turkey instead of beef. Good menu and friendly staff. Nice outdoor seating area. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Allison B.
A friend and I decided to check out Zocalo last night because they have a dog-friendly patio and $2 margaritas on Wednesdays. As soon as we got there, the friendly waitstaff greeted the humans, played with the dog, and brought him a water bowl. My puppy seemed very comfortable because of the positive attention he was getting, which is a huge plus for me. We tried the margaritas, the flautas, and chips and salsa. Margaritas were delicious and packed a punch. Flautas were stuffed full of chicken and fried crisp and tasty. The chips were thick and crunchy and there were two kinds of salsa: a tomato-based and a tomatillo-based. Both were flavorful and just a bit spicy. I will definitely return to Zocalo for more food, drinks, and puppy love!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Claire R.
This place is super cute. I ordered the Mexican Torta that had green chile chicken and it was delicious. There was delicious chicken, tomatoes, jalapenos, beans, avocados, and cheese. It was all I could have hoped for in a torta! Also, I have rarely had such delicious fresh-tasting Mexican rice, which is really hard to find. If you have a Go Local card, you get a free agua fresca. I had the horchata and it was delicious. I ate inside because it seemed a little warm outside, but the patio looked really cute with the trellises and green chairs. I highly recommend this place.
(4)Rhiannon T.
Love everything about Zocalo! Let's not forget Clarksville is so welcoming and such a lovely neighborhood. Some nights are busier than others and you should be prepared to wait a little bit; but busy business is a good sign of the quality Zocalo delivers. Food is so yummy! We love the Chilaquiles, tacos and the oh so good and unique queso. And do not forget to get a Sangria margarita (swirl is so good)! All around a wonderful place on a weeknight and a chosen favorite for visitors in town for a hip and intimate lunch or dinner. Must try!
(5)seela m.
Feeling lazy. Here's my review- Cons: Looks like an IKEA show room. Food is often lukewarm teeny corn tortillas a touch pricey Pros: Friendly meats - (add green chili chicken to a tostada salad...very nice.) perfectly cooked/spiced black beans avocado comes with almost everything plenty of parking I'm not going bananas over this place, but I bought 2 Groupons last week - $20 for $40 worth of food. Not a bad place for half price. The queso is good, too...but I've now broken up with queso for emotional reasons. This would be a nice place to take parents, relatives from out of town, a hipster on a first date, or an adventurous grandma.
(3)Darla A.
Galaxie Cafe had a Taqueria named Zocalo Ee i ee i oh! And in the Taqueria they made their own tortillas (yum) Ee i ee i oh! Try the corn with the Carnitas here And the wheat with the Mahi Mahi (del Mar) there Here a corn taco with the fajita, Everywhere a unique salsa, pico, saucey thing to pour on them Galaxie Cafe had a Taqueria named Zocalo Ee i ee i oh! And in that Taqueria they had some Queso Mixta Ee i ee i oh! With some guac and pico de gallo mixta here And some fajita beef mixta in there Here a "tub" o' chips Everywhere a chip dipped in the mixta Galaxie Cafe had a Taqueria named Zocalo Ee i ee i oh! And in that Taqueria they had some frozen sangria Ee i ee i oh! With a scary, tight, it will dent your car parking lot here And a walk up and order counter there Here a really good prices Everywhere... the noise level carries Galaxie Cafe had a Taqueria named Zocalo Ee i ee i oh! And in that Taqueria they had a to-go menu Ee i ee i oh! With a strange not quite modern atmosphere here And the Virgin Mary staring at me there Here a screaming kid There a to-go order for great tacos in peace without the nursery and The Virgin stares (take a breath here) Galaxie Cafe had a Taqueria named Zocalo Ee i ee i oh! ----------------------------------------------- Food 4 stars Ambiance 2 stars If you eat in - it's 3 stars, if you take it to-go it's 4 stars
(3)Roxann C.
I really love this place and it's one of my favorite places to visit when I go to Austin. I like that's it's owned by the same owners as Galaxy Cafe because they are all great guys and really care about the quality of their food. First off, the guacamole. I love the way the guacamole is served with the tomatoes, onions, cliantro and lime wedges on the side. The guacamole always tastes very fresh and I like that I can mix in the fixings myself. The chips are always served warm and for a bonus, so is the salsa! They serve two different kinds of salsa (Salsa Roja & Salsa Verde) and although I have been to Zocalo many times, I still can't decide which salsa I like better since they are both so good. As far as a main dish, my favorites are Tacos del Barrio, Tacos de Carnitas and the Quesadilla. I always get the tacos on flour tortillas but the corn tortillas are delicious as well! I love that I choose ground turkey as a filling for the Tacos Del Barrio because I prefer turkey to beef and the turkey here is always cooked perfectly. And the carnitas....yummmmm! Always very tender and juicy and you can tell they simmer that for a long time. For dessert, I can't ever decide between the Churros or Tres Leches cake. I do have to say that I think they have one of the best Tres Leches cake in the city! Just the right amount of moistness (is that a word?) and the perfect amount of sweetness. For me it's a pretty big serving so I usually end up sharing it. Or if you don't have enough room after eating, I recommend at least taking one to go! As far as their drinks, they have an okay selection of beer but if I'm going to drink, I usually end up getting a Zocarita! And I don't even like frozen ritas that much but the ones here are delicious. They also serve Aguas Frescas if you're fan of those. Now the only reason Zocalo cafe is getting 4 stars instead of 5 from me is because of their horchata. I love horchata but the few times that I've tried it here, it's always tasted kind of weird to me. I don't know what it is in their mixture of it but I just really don't ever like it there. Also , the parking. Ugh...the parking! Very small parking lot and there aren't very many options if you end up going when both Zocalo and Galaxy Cafe are very crowded. Yeah yeah, I know it's Austin and it's Clarksville blah blah but still. My review, right?
(4)Eve R.
We went in with a Groupon, and the atmosphere was nice, although I get rattled when I have to order at a register rather than having time to review the menu at a table. We ordered Tacos Del Mar (.75 extra per shrimp taco because of the gulf spill, which comes to .25 per shrimp, so we ordered one of them with mahi mahi) and the Tacos Del Barrio with ground turkey (crispy tacos). Chips and salsa were an extra $2, but we wanted chips, so we got them. I like that kind of hard-fried chip, even though the chips at the bottom of the basket were a bit greasy. The rojo and verde salsas were both warm, which is not my favorite. But they were ok. The jicama salad I got instead of rice and beans was really nice, and the tacos, though very small, were pretty good (just 3 little grilled shrimp on a tiny corn tortilla, nothing else to it). The watermelon and mango salsa was quite spicy, so not as refreshing as I was expecting. I think I liked the mahi mahi taco better, with the creamy sauce on it. The turkey tacos were ok too, a little dry but not terrible. The rice and beans were nothing special, but fine. The tres leches cake was colossal, one of the biggest things I've ever seen, and really good with the strawberry sliced on top. I can't imagine how one person could finish it, we had trouble even with two. So, overall, a nice meal, nothing extraordinary, but nothing terrible. We enjoyed ourselves. I'd go back with another Groupon.
(3)Stacy W.
Horchata colada. Need I say more? Fresh, tasty, fast, and a great menu for the kiddos as well as the 'rents. Again, so sad I live a thousand miles away. Will definitely return!
(4)Anna K.
Fresh Mex with vibrant ingredients is how I would describe the food here. They have a nice selection of tacos, salads, soups and a few entrees, and you won't find any greasy ground beef or sticky orange queso. Don't get me wrong; Tex Mex is excellent, but this place definitely speaks to the lighter side of Mexican food. I went for a work lunch and ordered the grilled Mahi Mahi tacos. All taco orders come with 3 petite tacos (though piled high with ingredients) and a choice of rice and beans or substitute a jicama salad or fruit cup at no extra charge (love that). The plate was beautiful and the tacos were delicious. Topped with fresh carrot and red cabbage slaw and a chunky mango watermelon salsa, these tacos packed a lot of flavor. I walked away extremely happy, but if I had to give one complaint, it would be that the fish was a tad dry. We also ordered the chips and salsa (not complimentary, one red and one green). Nothing really special to say about them. I'm not a fan of the thick tostada chip though. Overall, I highly recommend checking it out. You can tell that the owner/chef truly put thought into the menu and ingredient selection. Oh and Wednesdays are "Muy Loco," a.k.a. $2 ritas and sangria. I can dig it.
(4)Sarah W.
Excellent! Try the fresh queso and tacos del mar with shrimp!
(5)Maryam B.
Great spot serving healthy (ish) food. The restaurant has a fun patio and the food is fresh and delicious. Lots of vegetarian options.
(5)Yiwen X.
Extremely cute. Fresh flowers at every table, candles, floor to cieling windows. I love the decor! The food is decent, too. Will definitely bring close girl friends to this place and maybe first dates.
(4)Holly A.
I elle oh v eeeeeeeeee this place. And what's not to love? Beautiful, cute and comfy atmosphere; cozy as hell, inside or out. I find this to be one of the most casually romantic places that exist in Austin. The menu is diverse enough and can be a bit surprising - you don't really expect Tex-mexy considering the décor. But I adore that uniqueness ... the green retro/urban/mod ambiance with food and service that is most definitely very, very good. It does have a bit of a trendy feel (which I normally do not like) and yet still Zocalo leaves the snotty somewhere down the street. Zocalo so captures my heart.
(5)Inda H.
Patio is nice and the Drinks do the trick, but the food is eh for the price. The horchata colada was horrid. Sent it back after one sip. Was hoping for more....I'll get drunk on the patio and pick up some tacos elsewhere.
(2)Sam B.
Foods not bad, drinks are good, and love the vibe.
(3)Lee M.
Sat outside. Corn tortilla pulled pork tacos. Awesome. Dogs allowed.
(5)Brian E.
Best chicken tortilla soup I have yet to find in Austin. Yum.
(4)Jan M.
Good food & drink selection. Quick service. Very cute atmosphere. My second visit to Zocalo only confirmed that this is one of my favorite places in Austin, especially when there's a long wait for a table at Jeffrey's happy hour. I have to say their cheap bottle of Melbec was surprisingly a great bottle! It went very well with the Tacos de Verdura, Tortilla Soup & Campechana we ordered. That was definitely a good combination for dinner! To finish off, we had the Churros & Tres Leches, which were both delicious. We also arrived close to closing time & Zocalo treated us with nothing but niceness, so we will definitely come back!
(4)Pam S.
When I think of Mexican food, I normally think of dark places, lots of tequila, maybe a pinata or two, and food that is covered in greasy cheese and sauces. Basically what amounts to heaven. And then there's Zocalo- light and clean, with high ceilings, lots of windows, a patio, weird egg chairs in the entrance, and good food. I got the burrito with beef, pinto beans and verde sauce and the tour guide got empanadas. I know he liked his food, because his plate was clean. I also was impressed with my burrito, which was the perfect late-afternoon meal. We both had sangria (just for kicks), and it was some of the best I've ever tried. Definitely fresca, definitely a place to return to. Someday...
(4)Deji M.
This update is really just a note to self. Self: get the black bean soup every time. You wont regret it. Also, if you get the tacos de carnitas - the CHICKEN. Not the pork. The pork is not as good. You're confused about this every time but I guarantee you it's the chicken you want. And even though you don't love corn tortillas, theirs are good. Remember they also have fewer calories than flour. Also there's parking to the right of the restaurant because that tiny joke of a parking lot on the left is impossible to get out of. Now I wave my magic fingers and it's all committed to memory for next time.
(4)Dana D.
Let's face it, Zocalo is "Mexican" food for people who hate real Mexican food. It is bland, and downright wrong. The "stacked enchilada" is nothing more than some crap on top of a tostada. What's with the misdirection and mislabeling? Just call it a damn tostada. I wasn't terribly impressed with the menu so I just opted for a shrimp quesadilla. It's not hard to mess that up, except they did. It reminded me of something off the lunch line in high school. It was bland, overly cheesy, and slightly burnt. It is also a pay at the counter kind of place with an overly crowded dining area, i.e. too many tables for the space. It was very sterile. Even though it was 100 degrees, we opted to sit outside to avoid the obnoxious children running around inside. It is also way overpriced. The one thing I did enjoy was the frozen sangria. It was pretty yummy and refreshing. Zocalo clearly caters to the tastes and wallets of the surrounding yuppy neighborhood. Sorry Clarksville, but you know I'm right. Go else where for the food. Drinks were ok.
(2)Cassie S.
Pretty good food. This place was recommended based on how fresh their ingredients were and that appeared to be true in my beef enchiladas. I'm a bit picky about sauces, but once I was able to dig around that, the rest of the food was really tasty. Their sangria is amazing and really strong -- definitely recommend. The place itself is super cute. The inside seating is nice and has soft lighting, which was great for a late night meal. Outdoor space was also very quaint and inviting -- many people were chatting and enjoying the outdoors long after they had finished their food. We did have some troubles with our order (the printer lost/never entered our ticket), but the staff was incredibly helpful and apologetic.
(3)Kris C.
Zocalo Cafe has my third favorite queso in town (maybe 2nd... I'm only clear about my #1 which is Torchy's). They are a local business and I believe the owners participate in Go Local. Zocalo's is the sister cafe to Galaxy, and I know for sure that Galaxy is a Go Local participant. I've only had positive experiences with my food orders. I've gotten their flautas, tostada salad with grilled chicken, beef fajita tacos, and of course their queso. I enjoy the subtle spice of their meats, and of course I love their queso. You can order queso mixta with ground beef, guacamole, and pico mixed in. Food is ordered before you sit, but I truly don't mind that. A drink is included with your meal and you have a choice of water melon water, horchata (watered down), tea, or water. They also keep a candy bowl right next to the drinks. Happy hour specials are great. You can get a carafe of sangria, margaritas, or pina coladas for $12 between 5-7 pm. If you go on Wednesdays you can get one for $8! That's a steal. It's a cute place and the food is pretty good. It is definitely more modern than your average Tex Mex place so don't go in with traditional Tex Mex expectations. For example, chips and salsa don't just come at your table for endless consumption. That's fine with me every once in awhile (and definitely fine with my waistline). I haven't checked on their brunch yet, but that's next on my list.
(4)Luli B.
Over priced... but oh my gosh YUMM. Delicious margaritas and empanadas. Try it.
(4)Allie S.
$3 frozen drinks before 6pm! Very modern space. Order up front at the counter and they deliver the food to your table. Nice outdoor patio (dog friendly)
(4)James W.
My wife and I stopped in here for dinner not knowing what to expect, and were pleasantly surprised! Found a spot in the TINY parking lot, and were greeted by a pleasant and helpful gentleman behind the counter. I got the Chilaquiles and my wife got the tacos. Food took a while to come out, even thought the restaurant was slow. My dish was good, although I wish it had come with tortillas or something of the like. The tacos were run-of-the-mill fajita tacos. (could have made them at home) but the different tortilla options was a nice touch! Corn, flour, or whole wheat options. They offer some really good horchata as well. All-in-all, Zocalo Cafe is a very nice place to stop in for an informal bite to eat. Outdoor seating as well! B+
(4)Susan P.
Nice outdoor seating available with a cool breeze this evening made for easy summer dining! I like best that this place has lots of fresh vegetables and fruits in their menu items. The concept is clean and tasty mexican-inspired dishes, prompt service. I appreciate the ability to order both hearty full meals as well as small snacks--this menu doesn't force you into minimum price points. If you want to order a cup of soup and nothing else, that is just fine. Tonight, we had a Zocalo salad with chicken, chips and salsas, jicama side salad, a cup of tortilla soup, and quesadillas. Each dish was very good. The chips were fresh and warm, salsas very fresh, salads good without heavy dressings, the tortillas soup was hearty with shredded chicken, quesadillas are excellent. Our group will be back.
(4)Austin F.
Tasteless, bland, and soul-less food. My wife and I ordered two vegetarian dishes and neither had any real flavor or memorable taste to them. She didn't even want to eat more than five bites and I don't blame her, it wasn't good. I wish I could say something more, but it just wasn't good.
(1)Matt T.
Great, coloda is great. Stacked enchiladas are my favorite. Very unique menu. Many thinks on it you probably have not seen before. Great atmosphere.
(5)Dena M.
Watermelon agua fresca w free refills? I went back for seconds, thirds, fourths... didn't even have a chance to try the horchata (orange pineapple was good too). The pulled pork tacos were delicious. Instead of rice and beans I chose the jicama salad which was good but didn't particularly stand out. The indoor area has lots of light and counter service makesordering and paying easy. The outdoor area is shaded and is a good patio option for be groups but don't plan on everyone being able to park - there are lots on both sides of the restaurant but they are small. ALSO you can get pitchers of mimosas and bellinis (why settle on a glass when you can get a pitcher!)
(4)James F.
Great counter-order Mexican restaurant. I came for brunch; their menu is delicious and they had the standard assortment of good drinks. Bellinis are on special for $1.50 on Sunday's, but they also have frozen drinks and mimosas. Casual, but great service and great food.
(5)Karla N.
YASS! GUYS.. I'm OBSESSED! They have the best flautas and some amazing frozen drinks! Try the sangria and the colada swirled! SO DELICIOUS. (Go in on Wednesdays and the whole pitcher is $8!!!) You won't be disappointed! I PROMISE! :) CHEERS!!
(5)Cara S.
What a cute, little neighborhood restaurant! It has a nice outdoor seating area, and the food is delicious. The Zocalo Plate (chilaquiles, mine with the chicken on the side) is fabulous. I really loved the two salads we tried, the Zocalo Salad and the Jicama Salad (very light and refreshing). The Black Bean Soup was also yummy. The tacos we tried were good, but not outstanding. I like the fact that they use local products, and their boxes for leftovers are eco-friendly. They also recycle their used vegetable oil into biodiesel. This is the kind of business I like to support. I will definitely be back. Can't wait to try other items on their menu.
(4)Jenny K.
The food and drinks during were great as well as the service! Very friendly staff and helpful. I had the breakfast taco plate and others had the huevos rancheros, eggs Benedict and pancake plate. Everyone enjoyed the food. We all agreed that the churros were not as good as other places, as they weren't crispy enough or flavorful despite the tons of sugar and cinnamon dumped on them. Overall, though, we had a great brunch!
(4)Lizzy K.
Why do you not have ice for the drinks?? It seems like a simple thing to have. Important especially in the heat of Texas. Also the churros don't taste good, not fried enough and they have a bland taste. I've had better and more authentic churros at COSTCO!
(3)Paige J.
Fresh food. A little pricey, but they probably have high rent. Staff is usually young, and it's counter service, but they are always nice. Can sit inside or outside and is causal but nice there. Good for a date or for going with a small group. I usually go to Zocalo a couple times a year.
(5)Sophie D.
Friendly service, good HH margaritas, and yummy salads!
(4)Cindy C.
Coming from a Hispanic family I feel like my taste buds are very picky when it comes to any type of Mexican/ Texmex .. I will say this place was great! I know it gets mixed reviews but Overall I do not regret paying this restaurant a visit.. The cafe is on a corner so be ready to struggle to find parking during lunch time- big mistake on my part. The wait to get to the cashier to order was pretty ridiculous.. With only one cashier taking orders it took quite a bit of time to order my food, but once ordered it promptly came out. I ordered the chicken stacked enchiladas and They were seasoned perfectly! The salsa verde was just spicy enough.. And overall the beans and rice were cooked just like my mother would. I will definitely come back and try their chilaquiles!
(4)Morgan D.
Migas Sunday was SO YUMMY today! After having about 3 weeks of somewhat bland migas, we hit a great spot- Zocalo Cafe! They have a bit of a different spin on migas called chilaquiles, and they were incredibly flavorful and unique to anything we've had so far. Their chips and salsa were outstanding as well. We really enjoyed the food and the location and will definitely be back again soon! Happy Sunday!
(5)Wayne N.
To sum it up: hipster, cute place with average food. In yelp terms: 3 stars for the food +1 star for ambience -1 star for the really really loud atmosphere that makes it near impossible to hear the person across from you. So 3 stars. Paying is simple: you do it all up front at the cashier. Yay for groupons too . I got the mahi mahi tacos and my friend got the fajita ones - both with fruit. The fruit is fresh, tough a bit underripe. The tacos were win some lose some - dry tortillas but sized just right with some bright slaw and explosively flavor pieces of fish. I really wish I could get more fish but then it would have made some seriously disproportional tacos. Tortillas were a bit dry though. Parking is a royal pain in this area, so I tend to park a few streets away in the neighborhoods and walk over to the restaurant. The sister restaurant, Galaxy Café, is really close by too if you're ever in the neighborhood.
(3)Stephanie C.
I would say that if you like Galaxy Café, then you will like Zocalo. Considering the two restaurants are related, you know that going into your meal you will have fresh, enjoyable food in a fun, relaxing atmosphere. I've been here twice, and I have ordered the Shrimp Tacos, and the Tacos de Verduras. The shrimp tacos, albeit flavorful and well cooked, were tiny. So, if you don't have a huge appetite or want more of a snacky, mini meal, I'd say order that. The vegetable tacos had a bit more heft, and were a bit more filling and equally as delicious. The jicama salad, and ceviche were great as well. I love the lighting and the decorations in this place... it's cute, romantic (each table comes with a tiny tea light candle), and just like Galaxy Café, you pay before you eat and are not interrupted by waiters and staff. Good place to go if you want a quiet meal.
(4)Mark F.
We just had an amazing wedding and party for 70 at Sanctuary Yoga in south Austin. Zocalo catered.....and the food was fantastic as usual. Much thanks to Kelly. Meredith and Pepe. Perfect !!
(5)Kay G.
Great, low-key date night location. Margaritas and sangria by the carafe and delicious food. I've never had a bad meal here and their menu makes it easy to find vegetarian of gluten free options, they are willing to swap things out so you're meal fits with your food needs.
(5)Anna M.
Just moved to the area and my boyfriend and I were craving chips and queso so we walked over to this place. The girl at the counter was super sweet and we chatted a little, order a couple beers and their queso bowl. Sat outside and the queso was delivered within 5 minutes. IT WAS DANGEROUSLY DELICIOUS. We will definitely be back here. It was a really relaxed vibe, and almost empty, but I would think this place is pretty busy on a weekend (we went about 30 minutes before close on a weekday).
(4)Deez N.
Sorry, but this restaurant is incredibly mediocre. I'd love to like this place, as the location and setting are nice, but they put so little effort into preparing their food that I just can't. It's a shame that this place takes up precious space in Clarksville.
(1)Rachel I.
Never had a bad meal! Their zocaritas are perfect, just strong enough! The servers are always so helpful and polite. You can order additional drinks or food from them at the table instead of going back up to the register. It's the perfect balance of efficiency and leisurely dining. And the queso--addictive! Inside is lively and busy, outside is shaded by trees and trellis, there are space heaters and/or fans (depending on our erratic weather), and dog bowls for your 4-legged companions. Great atmosphere!
(5)Amanda G.
Tasty food, good drinks, great outdoors space to catch some soccer games. A little bit on the expensive side for East Austin tacos, but they were pretty delicious after all.
(4)James A.
I eat here often for lunch and while the parking may be a pain, the food is worth it! Great stacked enchiladas and retried beans. I also enjoy the guacamole and chips!!
(4)Danielle W.
This place is adorable. It's counter service, which has its benefits- service is much faster. The staff were all extremely helpful and friendly. Great drink prices for Sunday brunch. I ordered the eggs benedict, which come served on a jalapeno corn muffin, and it is dee-licious! The eggs were perfectly poached, the hollandaise was good, and the side of fruit was fresh and ripe. The inside is modern and bright, the patio is cozy and sits on the sidewalk of West Lynn, great for people watching. This is a great place for a casual brunch, in the best neighborhood of Austin!
(4)Tiffany P.
Just not that great. Fresh and colorful yes, flavorful, no. It's like you get your food and you're like, ok I can definitely eat this, I just don't really want to. I've been here a few times for brunch and once for dinner and I feel like I've ordered a broad scope of the menu. Probably my favorite thing is the carafes of mimosas. Like others have mentioned, getting refills on drinks is a real pain in the ass. I hate standing in line, even for alcohol. It's really hard to order and then carry all of your silverware, your table number, napkins, water glass, and drinks with you to the table. Also, I love queso and this is probably the only queso I've ever had and actually hated. It was grainy and the texture was all wrong, and had zero flavor. I've never had vegan queso but I imagine it tastes like that. I like the patio a lot and the place is clean and bright but not very comfortable. There's nothing really bad or wrong about this place, but they aren't really "winning" at anything either. 3 star.
(3)Thomas B.
I crave their freshly made tortilla chips dipped in their one-of-a-kind "Queso Mixta," which is their to-die-for Chile Con Queso Blanco mixed with seasoned ground beef, creamy guacamole, and tangy pico de gallo ($8.75). If you want to go nuts-crazy, try this appetizer!
(5)Taylor D.
The ambiance of this place makes you want to stay and just eat for hours. This chips and salsa we had to start our lunch were such high quality chips!! I had a vegetarian burrito that was stuffed with veggies and delicious black beans. Their mango and watermelon bellinis for $1.50 were such a steal!! I wish I could of come back for their weekend brunch and their great deals on Wednesdays!
(5)Richelle O.
I went here on a sugar fast, so sadly I don't think I was able to enjoy this cute little cafe to the fullest. (My table mates, however, downed the pitchers of frozen margs and sangria rather quickly, so I think it's safe to assume they are delicious... and affordable - only $8 on Wed!) My (sugar-free) fish tacos were a 3-star experience. Good, but not quite flavorful enough to merit a higher rating. Oddly enough, the beans were my favorite part of the meal. I'm giving this place 4 stars because the atmosphere is great, and you can't beat $2 frozen drinks for happy hour. I'll be back when I'm consuming sugar again.
(4)Courtney B.
On a visit to Austin 2 years ago a friend brought me to this adorable restaurant. I instantly loved the modern lime green, white & grey decor. I tend to stick to my favorites when I pop into Zocalo. I never seem to feel adventures if I'm craving a salad this is my spot. lunch favorite: tostado salad w/ the pulled chicken brunch favorite: eggs benedict. I think the place is a little over priced but it doesn't keep me from coming back. $12 for a nice size salad, about $10 for a taco platter. The staff are always friendly. On a brunch outing my eggs benedict was a little runny -the manager was quick & kind to give me a new fresh plate [with no runny eggs]. I alway eat inside, even though I love their patio area so very much. The long hanging plants tend to shield the 'oh so hot' texas sun on warm summer days. It's too bad I dislike the crackles so much or I'd always sit outside.
(3)Jessica L.
Cute atmosphere, but the food wasn't really that good. My friend had their burrito, and I ordered one of the plates the worker recommended. My friend and I tried both plates, and agreed it was just so so.
(2)Leila R.
Surprisingly one of better brunch places in Austin! Which I found out by happy accident! So first off, I absolutely love this place because it reminds me of one of my favorite cafes in Guadalajara, Mexico. It is so contemporary in it's decor with a lot of natural light and bright colors that there is just a very vibrant atmosphere throughout this small and cozy setup. Seating can be a bit limited and sometimes get crowded depending on when you go. The line can also be long and parking is very, very sparse (beware that street parking can be limited and make sure that you can actually park there because there are restrictions). But, with all that said and done, this place is worth the effort. The brunch here is fantastic! I get the same thing every time, so I honestly can't speak to a lot of other menu options. But, seriously, after trying the jalapeño cornbread eggs benedict, there really isn't reason to stray...the other thing I always get is the horchata! This stuff is the real deal! I also always get their tres leches when they have it because it too, is legit! I have actually never been here for lunch because I just can't get enough of their brunch!
(4)Paul M.
This is the spot to go to on Wednesdays with their "Muy Loco Wednesday Drink Specials". For &8 you get a carafe of frozen sangria, margaritas, or horchata and other beer specials too. I get the zocalo plate everytime, it's always delicious and I always wish I had more. Their guacamole, ceviche, queso, and salsas are also great. I've never had a friend not love what they ordered. Wednesdays are the best but still a great choice any other night as well!
(5)Kelly S.
(Cue most overused phrase on Yelp...) "I want to like this place. I really do!" I've been to Zocalo too many times now to chalk something up to a one-time experience. It's not bad -- it's just not good. It's not "don't ever go here" -- it's just "only as a last resort." Sure it's pretty but as we've learned with some pretty girls (haven't we??) that doesn't necessarily mean there's anything of value there. The food is consistently mediocre. I tried a quesadilla yesterday that was straight taco cabana. The so called stacked enchiladas seem to me to be an attempt to avoid having to make actual enchiladas, instead just creating an "easy to reheat" casserole version that's sub-delicious. Oh and if you want that food, you best be ready to stand in line for it. One register behind the counter for all things -- ordered food, to go food and drinks. Heaven forfend you require an additional (WINE) margarita or you'll be standing there for 15 - 30 minutes (as I was) while chevron-and-turquoise uniformed Clarksvillers peruse the menu. The result of this was an eventual resignation and apology when I reneged on my offer of refills. There's one bathroom, which you will also stand in line for. I have to assume that the reason they do well is because people with a lot more money than I have can walk to it. Otherwise, there is too much damn good mexican food around this city to settle for this.
(2)Isabel S.
I always want to love this place because I love the space; Nice outdoor patio and light-filled indoor seating. Yet, I've never had a dish I loved there. Just meh.
(2)Meredith R.
I'm disappointed in the food this visit. I remember the flavors and quality being better. The presentation is still great and the chips are good, the salsa good. Unfortunately the queso was pasty and the quesadilla had fajita beef and greasy cheeese, each lacking taste. The waitress said they didn't have their usual cream cheese for the queso, but will work out any kinks. We received a coupon for a small queso to try again in the future. I hope their queso gets back to the goodness that I remember.
(3)Kristie F.
Nice brunch at zocalo today. The highlight is the pretty patio. The food is okay, I felt like my meal could have been a bit hotter, temperature wise. It's not super convenient having to like up for food and getting your own code refills, plenty of spots in Austin offer better quality meals and better service.
(3)Anna s.
This place is freaking great. Wtf why are there any bad reviews. You can get healthier options than most Mexican joints, the place is cute as shit, you can bring your dogs on the patio, the patio is way cute, too. Seriously. The queso is interesting and awesome. I think they mix in sour cream? Horchata is awesome and free refills! Not an expensive place, whatsoever. I could go on. WHAT MORE DO YOU PEOPLE WANT? I think some people have the Yelpower go to their heads. (I just made that up). Quit that shit.
(5)Brenda D.
Food is awesome,great atmosphere, their aguas frescas are really good,place looks really clean..I would deff come back.
(4)Lauren P.
omg y'all- frozen sangria is only $2 on wednesdays aka my new favorite day of the week ;)
(4)Kate C.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Austin. I actually like that you order at the counter and then sit down. The chips and queso are some of the best in Austin. I also really loved the Zocalo Plate and the Tostada Salad. The outdoor area is fun for drinks.
(5)Jessica M.
Clarksville is so hip. I love it. I also love Zocalo. Not really for dinner IMO, but brunch? Happy hour? Heck yes. Their ceviche is great. The prices are amazing. $1.50 mimosas and bellinis on Sundays? Don't mind if I do. Seriously, I've been here four or five times now and I have never had bad food. AND my boyfriend liked it too and he is way pickier than I am. Winning? I think so. It is kind of a pain to not have a server and order at a counter. Especially when there is a line. Also, there are LOTS of birds, that will steal your food. Even while you are eating. I'm not sure if Zocalo can do anything about this, but it is sort of a problem. If you're looking for a new cheap brunch spot, I would totally check this place out. Or happy hour. Or a light snack. Just give it a chance ok?!
(4)Sarah P.
In a word, underwhelming. I like Galaxy Cafe, Zocalo's sister restaurant, so I thought I'd give Zocalo a try when brainstorming a casual spot for a girls' weeknight dinner. The vibe is a little weird...the windowless front doors make you feel like you might be entering the wrong way, the dim lighting veers toward depressing rather than sexy, and the cushions that line the banquette seating look a little worse for wear. On the upside, the guy who took our order was friendly and the menu was varied. Unfortunately, my tortilla soup was murky and one-note. I made my way through the fresh avocado garnish, but left more than half my bowl untouched. My friend did enjoy her tostada salad with grilled shrimp. Maybe I misordered?
(2)Viana V.
Great food! Awesome sevice and you can get margaritas to go! The stacked enchiladas are to die for and so is the appetizer sampler platter!
(5)Annie-Lee T.
You'd think that a place that has Muy Loco Wednesdays with Drinks Specials All Day would be great! You may be right, but this place isn't. The entire place was dark. Not romantic lighting dark, dark dark. Can barely see dark. The drinks were the machine kind and were way too sweet. And the complimentary nacho bar? More like complimentary chips. What I thought would be a fun evening out turned out to be sort of a bust and while I haven't been there for an actual meal, I don't know that I will anytime soon after that fiasco. The well designed posters and advertising brought me in, everything else drove me away.
(2)Angela O.
Love this restaurant! Wonderful food in a hip area. The prices were amazing for the quality and presentation. We will definitely dine here again.
(5)johnny b.
Good neighborhood spot. Nothing to come out of the way for. Location in half of it but food is solid. I'd definitely recommend to at least check out once
(3)Brett M.
This is a really nice simple mexican restaurant. I'm a big Galaxy Cafe fan and Zocalo reminds me a lot of Galaxy. Ordering is done at the front and your meal is brought to your table. The salads, soups, and the tacos are all gluten free. They are all prepared fresh and my family has enjoyed the meal on each occasion. I'm more of a on the rocks fan, but I was very surprised at how good the frozen Margaritas are at this restaurant. It looks like they have limited drink options, but what they have looks pretty good. They have ample indoor and outdoor seating. Mostly modern look inside. They also have a brunch on Saturday and Sunday which I have not tried. If you haven't eaten in the West Lynn/Clarksville area, it has a really cool vibe and Zocalo fits right in.
(3)Harold Y.
Well-run restaurant. healthy, fresh food and a fantastic attitude in each employee. Get the pork posole soup, you won't regret it
(5)Cindy C.
I've really enjoyed eating here every time I come. I've never come at peak hours but it's always fresh tasting amazing food. Unfortunately I didn't think to review when it was still fresh in my head, but since I keep forgetting the name I wanted to make sure to have it in my reviews!
(5)Joe C.
Chilaquiles (Zocalo Plate) was delish. Nice and spicey. Luckily the restroom was located close so I could eliminate the resulting sniffles. The crowd is tame which is great for folks looking for a date night.
(4)Ana HI P.
Free refills on aguas frescas - horchata and watermelon Great home made chips Juicy pork Expensive ''guacamole''
(3)Traci C.
I ordered the Burrito, my husband ordered Empanadas ... Both plates had an amazing presentation, but even more...the food was amazingly delicious! We also enjoyed a couple of margaritas... Okay, a carafe! Yes, they too were delicious!! The inside decor was really simple with pretty fresh cut flowers on each table, against a stark white environment. Prices were very reasonable! One suggestion... Instead of ordering at the counter, it would have been nice to have a waiter. We really liked Zocala, and will definitely be back!!
(4)Amber D.
I went in for the first time in a long time recently, and despite the wonderfully clean and bright decor, I just didn't love the food. The campechana was okay, but far too small, and a little too "cocktail saucy." All of the other flavors were overwhelmed by the tangy red stuff. I loved that the full menu was offered in addition to brunch, and the $1.50 bellinis, but would have liked to see their mimosas offered in the same price range. My overall take is that the staff is nice, ambiance cheerful, and the food is alright. They do a "Muy Loco Wednesday" deal after 10 p.m. with free nachos, drink specials (mostly on sangria), and a live d.j. It's good for a quick lunch if you're in Clarksville.
(3)Samantha R.
I had the Zócalo plate, which is just chilaquiles and is their signature dish. It was quite scrumptious. The tortilla strips were perfectly bite-sized and crunchy and the chicken and beans well-cooked. I washed it down with a frozen sangria, which was also very good. The real star here, though, is the Tres Leches Cake. OH. MY. GOSH. IT. WAS. DELICIOUS. It didn't arrive with my plate, but they really have the timing down to a science, because I literally finished eating my main course and my dessert was at the table not two minutes later. If you visit this place and hate everything about it (doubtful, but just in case) I promise you will not hate the Tres Leches cake. Go on with ya bad self and get you some!
(5)Steve N.
It's just fine. If this were in my Austin neighborhood, Hyde Park, it would get another star for charm, but whether it's worth a journey is up for a discussion. Here are the deets: $51.22 for three, before tip. Chips were chips. I had ribs, that night's special; they were 3-star; $10. The queso was a little underwhelming, $6. The girls each had an entree that was about $9. TIP: Happy Hour ended at 6 PM the Friday I was there TIP: Counter service BONUS: charming, comfortable outdoor seating
(3)Katy E.
Zocalo Café - owned by its neighboring Galaxy Café - is a tasty treat in the middle of Clarksville. I live nearby, so my beau and I walked there on Sunday for brunch. In fact, we've been there on numerous occasions because this place is close, and it never takes very long to get our food. I've always been satisfied with brunch here, and given the choice, I'd come here instead of waiting forever to get into over-hyped restaurants in the downtown area. The frozen sangria is sweet, tart, and light (just don't drink it too fast). I've ordered a variety of items off the brunch menu but found the Zocalo breakfast the best. It's basically migas with a drizzle of sour cream and a potato medley, and it was good. My boyfriend got the breakfast burrito and enjoyed it. We've sampled most of their breakfast/brunch items and a few more traditional Tex-Mex lunch/dinner selections. The only thing I've had here that wasn't satisfactory was a run-of-the-mill salad. But who comes to a Tex-Mex place and orders a salad, anyway? This is one of few brunch places that serves other non-alcoholic beverages, like horchata, aguas frescas, and watermelon juice, and that's a plus in my book. Zocalo is never too crowded or loud. Its ambiance is pleasant and relaxed. During the cooler months, I like sitting outside and people watching.
(4)Rick P.
My wife and I like to walk over to Zocalo and enjoy the outdoor seating and casual atmosphere that fits in with the Clarksville atmosphere perfectly. Its so nice to have a cafe that offers counter service and affordable food in the middle of our community. I'm a fan of the Zocalo plate, ceviche, and frozen margarita and my wife usually goes for the stacked enchiladas and the frozen sangria. Wednesday nights are awesome with $2 frozen drinks. We often see our neighbors there--they also walk to Zocalo. Any time we haven't planned a meal or just want a break from cooking Zocalo is one of our top choices.
(4)Michael B.
Edit: We gave Zocalo's another try at the insistence of a friend, and the food was much better the second time around. I'm unsure what was wrong the first time, perhaps the chef was drunk and forgot to use spices. Completely different experience the second time, and the food is actually quite good. I'm still a little disappointed at the counter style, single line service - the line can get quite long, which makes going back for a second drink a serious commitment - but I'm generally happy - 4/5 stars. Edit 2: Further tries and regular takeout from Zocalos have proved my initial impression a false one. Maybe a chef was hungover and really phoning it in that day. But I'm now pretty happy with the quality of food and the service. I reviewed Zocalo's about a year ago. I gave them a 1 star review as the food was genuinely awful. I come back a year later, and I find that review is gone. I had heard rumors that Yelp removes bad reviews for money. It's quite the scandal, as you'll see if you google around a little bit. Now I know it's true. Zocalo's deserves a far, far worse rating than it's current score would suggest. Avoid this place (and maybe look for a more honest review site while you're at it).
(4)Meredith B.
Great place for fresh tasting Tex-Mex! I think this is one of the few places you can get good Mexican food that's not covered in grease. Even though the food isn't greasy, it is still delicious. I've been here a couple of times and it never seems too busy which is nice. They also have brunch on the weekends and it was a lot less chaotic than a lot of other brunch spots!
(4)David m.
So I used to live down the street from here. Do I miss the neighborhood...yes but I have a bigger house now and I own it. Not gonna happen in this area. I had gone her before and gotten the stacked enchiladas. Not so much. Pretty much a bunch of chalupas stacked. Very hard to eat. Healthy...probably...but not what I wanted. The last time I went here I got the quesadillas. Yum! it came with side of rice and beans which I coundn't care less about...but the quesadillas themselves were cooked perfectly with my choice of filling. My choice is the key word. Then a side of guac and sour cream. So divine. We sip it down with a piture of Margaritas that were perfect!
(4)Taylor M.
I live so close to Zocalo that I go there pretty often despite not being in love with the food. They have good drinks and ok tacos, but to me the mainstay of any Mexican food joint is queso and I just really don't like theirs! It tastes like cream cheese and has a texture like hummus which just isn't palatable to me. If you haven't been eating Tex-Mex your whole life, maybe you'll enjoy the food more than I do. In my opinion you should skip the food and hit up Zocalo on a Wednesday night when they turn off the lights and bring in a DJ. It gets packed with people guzzling pitchers of margaritas and raiding the free nacho bar; it's a drunken good time.
(3)Emily B.
As others have said, this place rocks. My husband and I especially love to call in a take-out order, which they get ready in about 10-15 minutes. Their queso is the best in town, in my opinion, matched with their homemade (delicious!) chips... soooo good. I'm also a fan of their flautas and their apple empanadas, though honestly everything we've tried here is good. When dining in I love sitting on the patio. Great place!
(5)Monica G.
Even if I hated the food, I would still come here to drink $2 margaritas on Wednesday and be surrounded by religious, Mexican art. I LOVED this place from the second I walked in. I felt like I was part of an HGTV show, and some really upbeat lady was about to come out from the kitchen and tell me I'm on a new show and she's gonna go home with me and decorate my house, too. Obviously that didn't happen, but I'll keep both Zocalo and Galaxy in mind when I eventually own a home and have to decorate (side note - my boyfriend said the decor was "cool," but he felt like he was at church. So take my love for it with a grain of salt). Both the restaurant itself and the food are trendy - a modern take on Mexican food. I had the stacked enchiladas, loverboy had the Zocalo special, whatever it is. The enchiladas are really chalupa shells stacked on top of each other. It was good, but hard to eat. Totally not cute date food, spilling beans and shit everywhere. I also came here once by myself and had the chicken tortilla soup, and it was fairly good. Way too much cheese, but I liked the fresh avocado. I could put avocado on anything and be happy. Would I come here with my dad, a man that lived in the valley up until his relocation to the Hill Country? No, because he would be weirded out. I would, however, take my mom, because she loves HGTV too, and I'd probably take friends here as well since it's a fun place. Also, I feel like Wednesday is really the only good day to come because otherwise the margaritas are definitely overpriced for their small size.
(4)Paul S.
fresh! that is how everything here tastes. and comfortable I become on the patio. this place always makes us happy, the kids love the freedom of hte patio and they also love the food. the zocalo plate, the tacos and salads and soups... all taste like they were made just for us, not days in advance. their sangria and margaritas are a bit sweet, but when it is really hot outside, they can be refreshing. and don't miss the freshly made churros at the end of your meal.
(4)Megan C.
I was a first time flyer - snagged a Groupon and figured I'd give it a try. The food's off the chain and Hannah is a great server. She recommended the stuffed avocado and it was awesome, super lite and not fried in lard like most places do. My boyfriend got the steak salad and it was so good he refused to share. He loves me. The ambience and music is a little geriatric but they sell cold beer, so I guess it's a good place to cure a hangover. All in all, healthy, flavorful, filling food. Definitely going back.
(4)Lisa S.
Came here this weekend for brunch and really enjoyed the chilaquiles that I ordered! They were super tasty with some hot sauce on the side. My friend really enjoyed the breakfast tacos that she got...she was able to make them gluten-free which was a huge plus! And another one of my friends got the poached eggs on the sweet potato/jalapeño biscuit, but he was a little underwhelmed. The biscuit ended up being more like an english muffin, which takes away from some of the fun. I also was not a fan of the watermelon bellini...just way too sweet. So then switched it up to a mimosa, which was good, but ultimately went with a Dos XX (yes, we had a few rounds there). While the outdoor patio seating was awesome, there needs to be waiter service out there, after you receive your food. We kept having to go into the restaurant to order more rounds of drinks, which was just kind of strange. It would be easier to order from a waiter outside, which is seems like they have the staff to do it since they are serving your food to you. Overall, it was a good brunch experience that led to a great Sunday Funday!
(4)AJ H.
Zocalo Cafe (or just "Zocalo") is one of my hidden favorites. I really dig the relaxed atmosphere, and while it can get a little busy on a weekday lunch, it is well worth it. Truth be told, I have not explored all sections of the menu but only because I am so pleased with the Mahi-Mahi fish tacos, green chile chicken taco's, ceviche, and Zocarita's. Even the chips and salsa is wonderful. The staff is very friendly, and service is usually fairly quick. The only negative thing I can find about this place is the parking situation. I still need to figure out the secret to that as their lot is small, and the surrounding neighborhood makes it difficult to find a spot. No worries though, I'll walk if I have to.
(5)Chris M.
I must say I was pleasantly surprised on my first visit to Zocalo Cafe. I have been to this location several years ago, but I believe it was the old Galaxy Cafe. Some nice changes to the ambiance, it's lighter, lots of white, loved the decore, open space, dark floor, cool retro seating, and friendly staff too. We had a groupon, expires today, so we ordered a few items: Guacamole w/ chips and salsa, Fish Tacos that comes w/ a side, we chose a cup of Chicken Tortilla soup. And to finish it all off we ordered their award winning Tres Leches and a Watermelon drink to wash it all down. The guac dish came out first, you mix up the ingredients yourself. It was good, the chips were crispy, fresh, and a thicker cut. The 3 fish tacos come next, on wheat tortilla with watermelon salsa - - very refreshing and light, the salsa was really good. The watermelon drink has juice + water + sugar, it's so refreshing and you can has all your heart desires - - yay!! The Chicken Tortilla soup was really good, thick tortilla strips and 3 nice slices of advocado - - left us wanting more. But the highlight had to have been the Tres Leches. They told us it was "award winning", and I'm noTres Leches expert, but this was really damn good. It wasn't too sweet at all, melted in your mouth, and looked fabulous. I would give it an award if I had an award to give it, but I don't, let me work on that. Service was spot-on friendly and nice. The cash register person helped me pick out some items, she was very patient and helpful. The server was very attentive to our needs, she cleaned up our dishes and brought out the remaining orders in a jiffy. I'd say this was a pleasant experience thanks to Groupon, and I will definitely go back for more of that Watermelon drink and the awesome Tres Leches!
(4)Lora T.
I had no idea this place existed? But when my H suggested we go based on a friend of our's positive experiences, we decided to try it out. We went for an early dinner on a Friday afternoon. I was pleasantly surprised by the Happy Hour Sangritas, which were only $3 and quite tasty! We sat outside on the porch to enjoy the amazing weather and pretty hanging baskets of flowers. The chips and queso we ordered were pretty good and not like other queso I have had before, it almost reminded me of a vegan queso from its consistency. I'm curious what they put in it. My H ordered the Friday special of Ribs for $10 and he really enjoyed them. I had the zocolo plate which was tortilla strips and chicken tossed in a verde sauce over black beans. It was similar to a salad, minus the green leafy stuff. We both liked the rice they plated. And since I had flashed my GoLocal card, we got free Apple Empanadas which were derrricious! Keep it up, Z!
(4)Cassi P.
Wednesdays= $2 frozen margaritas, sangrias and coladas. Um.. yes, please! For a whopping $6 I got 2 glasses of frozen sangria and chips with two different salsas. Everything else aside, that's pretty fucking awesome. But the restaurant itself is super cute, lends itself well to a nice girls night out. Doesn't get a fifth star because counter service is super annoying. Totally interrupts your experience. I recommend getting pitchers.
(4)Aasiyah B.
I love this place. It's my go to for tex mex when I want a fresher spin on the classic dishes. Everything is just delicious. The portions might be a bit small and always leave me craving more! But I definitely leave feeling satisfied :)
(5)Amanda F.
Green chile chicken enchiladas were great black beans and rice were good also! Will def go back
(5)Chris J.
Really enjoyed it. Beef fajitas with 'unrefried' beans were delicious; my wife's shrimp tacos were excellent as well. Plates not huge, but just right for us. We also split a tres leches-yummie. Great find off the beaten path.
(4)Joshua G.
No criticism. Just read and order this next time you're there! Don't ask questions!!! 1. White queso (Mix in their red salsa & lemon - HEAVEN) 2. Pork carnita tacos 3. Chicken quesadillas 4. Tortilla soup (spicy goodness in your mouth) 5. The fish entree served atop a tostada is my FAVORITE thing on menu. 6. Tres leches or churros - Make a fat joke and I'll kill you! 7. Buy a go local card and eat here all the time! Moving back to this area partly to be close to this restaurant again. They deliver through Eat Out In!
(5)Claudia W.
Went back two days after my first trip, this time with the boyfriend. Yum, Yum, and Yum. I had to get the tacos de fajita again with the tortilla soup since it was so good when I went the first time. I was so glad my boyfriend ordered the Loco Platter so I could sample more of their menu items. It was all delicious and service was with a nice smile. Definitely going to go back to try their Brunch. All this place needs for a fifth star is some HOT salsa.
(4)Allison W.
I adore this place! I got the carnitas tacos and subbed a jicima salad for the rice/beans side option. This was a great idea. The jicima salad comes with orange, carrots, and jicima with some refreshing lemon dressing. Delicious. The carnitas tacos on corn tortillas were juicy and delicious. Pico and salsa came on the side and the pico had pineapple in it. I think the tortillas were homemade. They were awesome. Even if the food tasted bad (which is far from the truth), the interior would make this place a fun place to come! It's modern, bright, and fun. They also have a patio outside which is perfect for warm weather. Ahhh such a perfect weekend place! I can't wait to go back!
(5)Samuel C.
Pricey for the amount of food they give you--well, I ordered the Crispy Stacked Enchiladas, and man, that was a tiny meal. At least the lime chicken was flavorful. I'll probably be back to try other dishes, but maybe I'll have to start asking the cashiers how big each dish is before I order. I tend to eat a lot when I'm hungry.
(3)Margie W.
I've been visiting Zocalo for a couple of years now - it's a quick drive for lunch from downtown. The quality varies, and my last two visits have been disappointing. The chicken/green chili empanadas were maybe three bites each (3 for $10.00) - not worth the price. No green chilis that I could discern, but served with a tomatillo sauce. I requested fruit instead of the beans and rice on the side, and again, the portion was so small I left feeling that the food there is just not worth the price. Go for the drinks, but not the food.
(2)Phyllis K.
Cute and chic, Zocalo may be the younger sister to Galaxy Cafe, but she's got to be the parent's favorite. This place is have delicious Tex-Mex fare that's light and fresh and doesn't bury flavor beneath mounds of cheese and jalapenos. I'm a total sucker for their chicken tortilla soup and their shrimp tacos. And a beer and some great outdoor seating, and I'm in what I call "Happyland." My one gripe, and kind of a big one, would be the warm salsa they serve with the chips. It's really warm and makes me feel like I'm dipping my chips into soup.
(4)Natalie A.
A friend invited us out to brunch at Zocalo one fine Sunday afternoon. We had never been there before so in to Google Maps the address went. When we arrived, I immediately loved how bright the place was. The atmosphere was bustling but not too crowded and there was a small line to order but nothing deterring. Mostly everyone at our table ordered the chilaquiles and after the first bite, we all nodded our heads in approval. Delish! I've been back a few times since then. Once was for their Muy Loco Wednesday night shindig which, personally, was not really my kind of thing. It was dark, REALLY noisy, and boasted a younger crowd with pitchers stacked upon pitchers of margaritas (which are delicious by the way). As the night grew older, the place got louder and more crowded. I suppose if I were a college student, I'd be taking advantage of a free taco bar and $2 margaritas too but seeing as how I am not, I'd rather pay full price and keep my ear drums.
(4)Tabitha H.
Pretty good food. Nothin spectacular. They serve their salsas warm which I find unusual. Still has a good taste tho. Delicious chips.
(3)Kristen F.
I loved the service and the interior design. We sat on the patio and it was beautiful. The food though, was just okay. I had a "traditional Mexican vegetarian sandwich" and it was fine, but fine. I had high hopes for the frozen sangria, but I guess I expected it to taste more fruity and less just like a red wine slurpee. It was fine. My husband had carnitas tacos. He says they were good, but wished they were a little bigger. The papel picado, (check out the photo I uploaded) lovely green patio and nice staff will probably lead me back again for another try. Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing.
(3)Mallory H.
I just love this location! The employees are incredibly helpful and friendly. The food is consistently delicious and fresh! I love the stuffed avocado with chicken, tacos all pastor is my boyfriend's fave and the tortilla soup is yummy (fair warning, I'm a yankee so I like things mild.). Lastly, the ambience is mellow and pretty making for a relaxing experience and if you need to order and run, you can get a sangria to go. You heard me.
(5)Jason R.
Good not great. Food is pretty average, horchata is worth ordering. Conveniently located in a posh neighborhood where real Mexican food is severely lacking, so this does the trick for a quick fix of whatever you're looking for.
(3)Thien-Y H.
Maaannn I love Zocalo. Their Wednesday nights are where it's at. $8 carafes of frozen marg or sangria or a blend of both (I recommend the blend, Zocarita i think it's called? Or something like that). And a FREE. NACHO BAR. At 10PM. And those chips are freaking great. And that white cheese. Oh yes. It's mostly college kids but the yuppies can still hang. Their outdoor seating is ideal on a nice night but gets a little crowded. They've got some pretty good DJs. I see potential for it to become a dance floor.. clear out them tables! But I guess it might be weird to make Zocalo THAT sort of destination. Since its location is kind of not near much else. All in all, Zocalo rocks.
(4)Jonathan A.
Healthy food and modern interior. The portions are fair but the food is a bit flavorless. We had the tacos del Mar and the Zocalo special. The outdoor seating is the best, almost defeating the purpose of the modern interior. It seems that only people who live directly around this area eat here. I really wanted this place to have great food, but it did not deliver.
(3)Samantha M.
My boyfriend and I just tried Zocalo Cafe for the first time and we were beyond impressed! Counter service, which we don't normally do, but couldn't believe how amazing the service was! We ordered the Campechana for our appetizer, it came out almost immediately after we sat down AND it was DELICIOUS!! Will definitely order again... ALSO, we were lucky enough to go there on a Wednesday: $2 Ritas, Sangria, and Dos XX!! Everything we ordered was amazing and the staff was very friendly and efficient....and if you get a chance to talk to Holly (manager), she's super nice and helpful. :) Great patio and all-around atmosphere, Zocalo Cafe is now one our new favorite places!!
(5)Walker F.
The Zocalo margarita absolutely made my day. It's a standard frozen marg swirled with frozen sangria. And not some sticky sweet pink sangria mix - but REAL sangria.at least, that's what it tasted like. I felt awfully guilty drinking during the work day, but after one of these babies I felt just fine. and the second one meant I probably shouldn't have gone back to work. The mix-your-own guacamole was a cute idea and tasty a-ok, just nothing special. The chips however - or tostadas if you will - are wroth a mention. They are the really thick kind which I love! No breaking off mid scoop! I ordered the Chilaquiles which I didn't realize was not a breakfast item. I have rarely even seen these on a menu, let alone available during the day. It's basically a clever Mexican way to use up leftovers - they take the leftover tortilla/tostada chips, cut em into pieces, then mix it up with shreded meat (here, it was chicken) and sauce. The chips were so thick to begin with they remained a bit crispy in the Chilaquiles - awesome! Usually they get soggy which is pretty grody. The inside is most all white Ikea-lstyle and a little sterile, but the patio is pretty cute with lots of greenery. Sat outside to enjoy our second round and thought about never going back to work. Unfortunately there were flies which was the only negative. I had a $20 groupon but I still spent $26 bucks, boo. But alcohol wasn't included so that's what did it. At $5 a pop those marg were definitely worth it, and on Wednedays they have a special. the happy hour looks pretty decent too so I will be back. It's only few days later and I'm already craving that marg.
(4)S R.
Good food, friendly staff, and excellent service! Only if they could lower the interior noise (it get's loud), level the outdoor patio... and, keep the birds away! Love the watermelon drink!
(4)O G.
My wife and I heard about this place through Groupon. We purchased their coupon and dined there for dinner. My burrito wasn't too bad but my wife had their fish tacos. They hardly had any fish in them and the little it had, was burnt, Also, I experienced the worse michelada ever.
(2)Sharon T.
Nacho bar on Wednesdays after 10, cheap drink specials, and watermelon agua fresca before 10, provided you don't mind the grouping of scenic cutoffs and that you enjoy listening to the latest alternative rock hits after 10pm (read: 101X in Austin). Not a bad place to hang out after dark, but I'd imagine the food during the day when actual normal people come out and eat is pretty good.
(4)Lauren E.
I want to like Zocalo's. I do. But I can't. I have been a number of times, and every time the food comes out barely warm. It is good food - I will give them that. But after five minutes into the meal, I'm stuck with cold black beans and a sad taco.
(2)Meredith H.
My roommate convinced me to go to Zocalo's with her a few nights ago for a late dinner. It's not too far from our apartment and most of the meals are under $10 which is always a plus. With the low prices, I was expecting a low quality. I decided to play it safe and order the chicken flautas and they were DELICIOUS, but that's where the yummy factor stops. I tried my roommates tacos and her friend's empanadas and I wasn't a big fan of either of them. The rice and beans were mediocre at best and my margarita was tiny and not very good. The worker asked if I wanted salt and I said yes. After she filled my glass with the margarita, she dipped her fingers in the salt and spread it around half of the rim. Okay.... Overall I'd say this place is okay. It's not going to be a restaurant that I go to regularly, but I'd give it another chance.
(3)Paul N.
Not sure how a place can tout themselves as being 'environmentally friendly' when they're serving GMO ingredient foods......which, unfortunately, are not too tasty anyway....great location, though.....and service is usually ok.....
(2)Kamni G.
I do not know how to say this to you, stop stalking me! I left you for a reason, you just don't do it for me. I work hard all week, busting my arse at the gym and when I come see you...well you feed me the same stuff over and over. I want foreplay, I want to be excited... I know...I am not just that much into you so please stop getting my friends to try you. I might see you again because Groupon bribed my friends into buying invites to your place... But just so we are clear. I don't hate you..I am just not into you
(3)Meg R.
I..don't know what to say. Ok, ok, I know what to say, but I don't necessarily want to say it. I was disappointed. The bf and I go to Galaxy (Zocalo's "sister") almost every weekend for breakfast (because we love it!) Zocalo has the same ordering system and excellent service, but is lacking in the food department. I will start with the pros: Amazingly different and bold decor. The space is white, bright, and cheery. Also, the drinks (non-alcoholic) were delightful and refreshing. Cons: Both of our meals were "EH." I hate to even complain about HOW FAST our food came out, but it was timed strangely. We ordered queso and chips, which came out a couple of minutes later. It was lumpy and was accompanied by extremely greasy chips. The portion was extremely overwhelming and I'd be surprised if we finished a quarter of the portion. If we had wanted to, however, it would have been awk since our entrees came out a few minutes after our queso. Timing people, TIMING! I can get down with bad timing as long as the food's good. I don't know what it was, but my Tacos de Verdura made me feel ill immediately. It simply didn't taste flavorful or fresh. Two bites in and I found myself back to the greasy chips and lumpy queso. Not because I liked it, but because I was hungry and my entree was unappetizing. Wish I could have enjoyed myself more. I really don't see myself coming back to Zocalo.
(2)Rebecca R.
We have been going to Zocalo for several years now and I really like it. I love the happy hour!! But even during regular hours, I can always count on the pork tacos (I like them with a side of sliced avocado). I am not a big fan of sangria but I know a lot of ppl who love the sangria at Zocalo!
(4)Samantha C.
Probably one of my favorite Mexican restaurants to eat at. Their chips and Queso is no doubt the most delicious out of anywhere and totally different from the rest. My friends are really big fans of the churros so I definitely recommend trying those out.
(4)Stephen T.
I've been coming here for a couple years and usually wind up here at least once every time I'm back in Austin (my friend lives down the street). They have delicious food, served fresh and hot, and very promptly. I recommend the burrito - delicious! They also have delicious frozen sangria, and delicious salsas.
(3)Ronnizia B.
We love galaxy so I wanted to love Zocalo too but the menu choices are just ok. Went once and loved the special - I think it was an avocado stuffed with cochinita pibil so I went back and tried the chilaquiles. They were good but nothing to write home about. Was hoping to like it more.
(3)Brittany L.
I've been to zocalo a few times, mostly with coworkers for lunch. I've typically enjoyed my meal there, with the exception of last night. Last night, I decided to try the Zocalo salad. I consider myself a salad addict. I usually have a salad every day, and I have a favorite salad at just about every restaurant I venture in Austin. After reading the Zocalo salad's description, I was impressed and practically salivating thinking about the veggie goodness I was soon to encounter. I ordered the salad and added fresh avocado. I sat down with friends, and my salad soon showed up. Beautiful presentation, but it did not meet my expectations on taste level. The description on the menu stated, "grilled pineapple". The pineapple on my salad was fresh...but definitely not grilled. I love grilled pineapple, the sweetness of the pineapple is more evident (at least to me) when grilled. If you've never had it, you've got to try it...grill some pineapple at home. Back to my original topic.... The bed of mixed leaf lettuce included: jicama, red pepper slices, pineapple slices, the added avocado and a small ball of goat cheese covered in tortilla chip crusting. The salad was lacking in taste. The dressing did not stand up against the leafy lettuce, and there was just something missing. I ended up going home and cooking something else to eat because the salad left me hungry and annoyed. For 7.49 plus the cost of the added avocado, I would have expected a bit more substance to the salad. Perhaps black beans, cotija cheese, tomatoes...something. I gave Zocalo three stars because the service is fantastic, the atmosphere is warm & inviting and I've good food before- just not this time.
(3)Laura A.
This place is really good, it reminds me of ZuZu--fresh Mex, and you go up and order and they bring your plate to you. They had yummy strawberry hibiscus tea (I think it was hibiscus?). We shared the queso blanco, while it was good it wasn't great, and probably something I wouldn't order again. I got a salad, which had black beans, avocado, and some other goodies and added mahi mahi. Very good and I felt like I was being healthy! Hubby got the burrito, he really liked it but said next time he would get queso on top instead of the ranchero sauce. Very good restaurant, I think we would go here often if it was closer to the casa.
(4)John K.
The stacked enchiladas were awesome! I'm not a big fan of sour cream so i substituted pico de gallo where the sour cream should have been. They also have very good frozen agave wine margaritas.
(5)Shelly K.
I had a staple In my food.
(1)Tara H.
Zocalo, the spicy latin cousin of Galaxy Cafe, is located on West Lynn and took over the space formerly inhabited by an vegetarian Indian restaurant. It looks a lot different and the interior design of Doug Frey has a lot to do with it. (I think I'm right!) I grabbed a happy hour special - margarita and a sampler plate (taquitos, empenadas, guacamole, queso, etc.). The empanadas were delicious - the pork was juicier than the chicken. The taquitos were delicious except the chicken was a bit dry and I found a three inch long chicken bone in one of them. With my mouth. The queso, which incidentally resembles hummus, was spot on. Your meal is best when you combine queso and the warm Verde sauce. Mmmm. Overall, I feel a bit mixed. I love the patio with all the hanging plants and the tropical/Latin feel with the bright whites and flashy green but I was disappointed with the machine made margarita and the underwhelming food.
(3)Kendra L.
Wonderful queso, horchata and apple dumplings! My three favorite things at Zocalo. It's always fresh food, tasty and quick service. I do wish their menu was a smidge more varied, but it is delicious. Lovely outdoor seating as well when the weather is cooperative.
(4)Hayden B.
The food here is pretty darn average, but the patio is especially nice and gets crazy on Wednesday nights because of the margarita deals and free chips & queso. Tons of young and pretty people enjoying the summer nights keep me coming back.
(3)Jon L.
Solid and tasty but not mind-blowing. The stacked chicken enchiladas are pretty good, as are the nachos. I also recommend the churros.
(3)Jaime O.
Middle of the road interior Mexican food; there are better places in the area with tastier offerings than this place. This place is just average, but the reason for the 2 stars is the queso blanco. My fiancee and I ordered the queso with high hopes. When it arrived, we enjoyed the flavor, but knew something was a little off regarding the texture and consistency. When we just couldn't figure out how it was made, we asked the manager who informed it was mostly melted cream cheese and pepper-jack. Maybe my reaction's a little strong but a bowl full of melted cream cheese as a dipping sauce just isn't that appetizing. For my meal I had the crispy stacked enchiladas (super authentic interior), which were just "ok". The components were just crispy tortillas, white meat, shredded chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, and tomatillo salsa, which didn't have that much flavor. It just wasn't really an impressive meal for an establishment I think has a lot of potential. Come here for a relaxed meal, but don't expect great Mexican food.
(2)Kerissa B.
Considering I eat here more than twice a month, I thought I'd let you know how I feel. I really love the flautas here. There are a couple of other dishes I have tried and not really enjoyed, but I love the flautas. If you find something you like here, keep coming back. It's really fresh food and doesn't make me feel like I need 12 naps afterward like some Mexican places around town. Wednesday is all day happy hour with $8 carafes of frozen margs and/or sangria. Super delicious. Love the decor. Love the atmosphere. Love sitting outside on warm spring days.
(4)Jens B.
What a nice surprise! After catching the World Cup at the Tavern our friends suggested we go and eat an early dinner at Zocalo. I have past the location many times, but never dropped in. Found a killer parking space and walked into the restaurant. It was bright and airy. It does have the counter service concept so we waited in line and then ordered our dinners. The restaurant is appointed with really nice fixtures and it reminds me of eating in a green house. We selected the ceviche, new wifey got the Snapper and me an order of tacos. The best part was the Pitcher of Frozen Sangria... AWESOME.. Everything we had was really top notch. The Ceviche was fresh and had not been made the night before. It had the right about of lime juice and bite. Suz raved about her snapper, I knicked a bite or two from her plate and it was quite tasty and filling. My tacos were fresh and had great spice and flavor to them. This place was a great find.. how come I didn't drop by sooner... The only odd thing is the counter order thing and knowing how to tip.. so I would prefer to sit and have wait service, but this in now way will keep me from coming back very soon. Brunch seems like it would be really nice outside early in the am with paper and a nice cup of JO. And No Lori K, I will not unite with you to not go to Zocalo..that's just daft.. we had a great time..Especially since this Sunday for Brunch we are going back and get a shot at those Mango Bellini's I spied.
(4)Zach M.
I heard I had to check this place out, especially for their brunch drink specials. Lucky for me there was a groupon out for this place the other day and I snagged it up. I took my lady out for a brunch date here and I gotta say that I was impressed. It's a very hipster looking place and very Austin feel to it. Lots of plants, lots of contrasting design which actually works to make it look very unique. Checked out the menu and I was sold on the first thing I saw, $1.50 Bellinis. Awesome. Not because I'm a fan of fruity brunch drinks, but that I appreciate a brunch that fosters the morning need for food after a rough night of drinking, and bellinis coupled with Mexican food are capable of doing just that. I got the Zocalo Plate and Blanco queso. I wont say its the best plate of Mexican food in Austin, but it was pretty legit. I'm usually never a fan of Verde sauce but it worked well with everything else on the plate. Overall, not to shabby... not to shabby at all.
(4)Barrett M.
This is my new favorite restaurant in Austin. A stone throw's away from campus, I am weeping that I only ate here for the first time today. I graduate in 3 weeks! Oh the time that could have been spent here if only I had known about it years ago. From the moment you walk in you notice the really cool decor. Modern, I guess. I'm not really sure how to describe it other than it looks like it belongs in Austin. Hop in line and and start eyeing that orange-pineapple juice they serve. (I went during Sunday brunch, not sure if it's always there). I knew I had to get a glass. Plus it was free refills! I also tried the Horchata, which was also excellent. After ordering and filling up my glass we picked a table by the window because we wanted to feel like we were outside (the outdoor seating was already full). Shortly thereafter our food was delivered and I was already savoring what I saw with my eyes. I ordered the Mexican Torta with pulled pork. The delicious sandwich was served on a white roll and was packed with pork, roasted jalapeno, avocado, lettuce and black beans. It was an incredible meal. I also tried my girlfriend's carnitas tacos. The pork in her tacos and my sandwich was flawless. Not overly greasy and contained the perfect amount of.. "moisture," if you will. Melted in my mouth. We will definitely be coming back. I want to try everything on the menu!
(5)Jessica S.
I bet Zocalo is glad they just had a groupon. I mean, why else would I be back? When my mom said she "had a groupon for some place on West Lynn," I kinda sighed and said, "Not Zocalo, is it?" I talked myself into going, noting it had been several years since I had first tried it. (and mom would be paying and we had a groupon for it) I saw several people walk in with their groupon tickets. Surely the only reason they were there. I didn't remember not liking the queso and should have said no to ordering it (note to self: read own review of place before returning). It's still very blah. Like a weird sort of cheese. The ceviche was pretty good. But only 2 packages of saltines for a table of 3? Really? The salsas were okay. I like the chips. There! I had the Calabacita stew this time. It was pretty oily. It was okay. Nothing I'd want to order again (who are we kidding? I won't be going back). Mom had some sort of salad. It looked pretty ordinary, and I don't think she was extraordinarily pleased. My step-dad ordered the stacked enchiladas and he seemed to like them. Zocalo excels in mediocrity. PS The inside makes me sad. Can we please have a moment of silence for West Lynn Cafe? (And, no, I can't let go of the past!)
(2)Jason E.
I love this place! The food is great and the flan is the best I've had. Staff is awesome too! Don't miss the $2 frozen sangria on wednesday.
(5)E C.
My family has loved Galaxy Café for years, and about a year ago we tried Zocalo and have loved it ever since! Wednesdays are the best days to go, in my opinion, for the extended happy hour- $3 margaritas and a unique, favorite drink of mine, the horchata colada. Food-wise, we're always happy with the queso blanco and their house specialty, the Zocalo plate! It's been hard to branch out from our favorites, but I've heard they have a killer stuffed avocado on their secret menu, which I'm now excited to try! The staff is always friendly, attentive, and helpful, and the restaurant has a relaxed, quiet vibe, much like it's sister, Galaxy Café. We will be life-long patrons, for sure!
(5)Melissa A.
I don't typically care for restaurants that do not offer table service and Zocalo Café is no exception to this rule. I always think the restaurant, while saving the hassle of employing waiters, they potentially lose out on the subsequent orders you may want to make, for another drink, or dessert, or what have you. One interesting thing that I noticed at Zocalo was, despite the lack of waiters, they sure did have a lot of people itching to clear our plates that were still half full of food and take our water glasses that we were still drinking from them. Even one of my dining companions chided me for saying "No" to one of the plate-vultures in a loud tone and not saying "No, thank you". In my defense, their resident DJ was really blasting the dub-step and I wanted to make sure the plate-vulture heard me before absconding with the last half of my crispy enchiladas. Not to mention, I find it rather rude that someone who has been clearing other people's plates would put their dirty thumb on my plate without asking me first. Ew. Despite the weirdness with the walk up ordering and the crazy chips and salsa line and the plate-vultures, the food and experience were quiet delightful. We were in a group of 6, which is actually the only time I would recommend walk-up order restaurants since there is no added gratuity, no having to do math with your friends at the end of the meal, and no check-napping. On Wednesdays, Zocalo has Loco Wednesdays and believe me, the youngsters were out in droves to this place at 10 PM. With the dark lighting, multiple lines for ordering and getting chips and salsas, and dub-step blaring, it was like being in a club. Loco Wednesday features $2 margaritas and sangrias (both frozen but not overly sweet like most frozen but low on the alcohol like most frozens, and served in teeny wine glasses), $8 carafes of said frozen treats and $2 Dos Equis and $8 pitchers. Next time, we'll get pitchers of beer since the frozen stuff was so weak. As is typical with the Zocalo/Galaxy Café chain, the food is simple and healthily prepared, which, for a girl from South Texas, often equals bland. The crispy enchiladas are basically green chili chicken stacked between mini chalupa chips with a teninesy amount of some kind of cheese sauce on top, and some lettuce and tomatoes for good measure. I added about half a tub of the red salsa to this and it was quiet tasty. The Spanish rice was pretty good: fluffy and tomatoey but did not have enough (any?) cumin and you could tell that they did not brown the rice with garlic and onion beforehand. Eh. They tried. The refried beans were okay, but again, leaning towards being heart healthy, it was obvious the charro beans they were made from had not been hanging out with any ham or bacon, leaving the refried been lacking in some on those traditional flavors. Overall, I am glad that someone in this town is trying to make healthier versions of our favorite foods--they just need more seasoning. Just because you throw some stuff in a tortilla, does not make it a taco. That is why I will never understand the obsession with Taco Deli. But that is a review for another day.
(4)Edison C.
Zocalo is ok. Zocalo wanted to be five star. Before Galaxy Cafe gods decided to give birth to it, when it was being conceived...when it was just a germ of yet-another-taco-joint-in-Austin. But when the place was forged and hammered out into existence, thrust from the nexus wherein all choice restaurants are contained, it got scrunged. Yep I just made that word up. The result doesn't confuse me nearly as much as The Oasis (see that review for details on confusion), but there's definitely something not lined up here. Don't get me wrong. The all-white interior is nice enough, open and airy, which in the barbecue pit of Austin summer, is a very good thing. The outside patio was not just an afterthought; it's got foliage and they allow dogs out there. But really, it just looks to be about 90% regular furniture, and regular ceilings, made out of regular wood, and regular white paint. Sure, there are some funky lamps over the tables that could be from Ikea, and there's a green partition when you walk in that is also sorta Galaxy Cafe-ish and some art. But Barbarella (the film) it is not. Seems like a bunch of people expected it to be. (I didn't expect anything, but folks seem disappointed). However... Zocalo is ok. food: ok. service: walkup like Galaxy Cafe, somebody brings it to you. Ok. tacos: ok jicama salad.: ok frozen sangria: ok waitstaff: There's a space for tipping on the receipt, but I'm not really sure who you'd be tipping in this situation since the watistaff doesn't really wait on you. Ok? lcd screen inside the door in a non-strategic location: not ok flies by the window seats: not ok tshirts: aztec? mayan-y? logo + "hecho en Clarksville." super ok. Zocalo is certainly ok - but wanted to be a lot more in the womb.
(3)Laura F.
I really enjoy going to Zocalo, especially when I can sit out on the patio with my pup. This is a casual Mexican joint with high quality ingredients. You order up front, get a number and then someone brings your food. They don't have a liquor license but they serve beer, wine and fake margaritas made with wine. I love getting the queso- it's different than most queso in Austin- I think it has cream cheese or something? Anyway it's really tasty. I also love the tostada salad- so fresh and yummy. I've tried the stacked enchiladas as well. Everything I've had has been yummy and i like the laid back but classy atmosphere. They have lots of vegetarian options as well so that's always nice. I've also been here for brunch which is yummy and the churros are a great sweet treat to end your meal.
(4)David D.
Brought my one year old daughter here because the salads looked good. The tables and high chairs were very clean and there was a real changing table in the men's bathroom. Very kid friendly and the tostada salad was tasty if a little light on tomatoes. A good pick if you're in the neighborhood and want some good inexpensive eats and a chill place to talk.
(4)Lenah K.
So I had really loaded up on Indian buffet for lunch, and wasn't hungry for dinner, but my friend and my husband were hungry. We tried to figure out somewhere to go to eat that would have some light dishes for me. My friend mentioned that this place was kind of a "healthy Mexican food" place, so I thought that might work. Well, not really. I guess my mistake was not ordering the tortilla soup. I just feel like I'm eating it too often (like once a week), and wanted to try something else. The only other thing on the small menu that seemed as if it might be light, given that I don't enjoy salads, was the chicken flautas. Yes, I know flautas are fried, but they are usually in a small portion, and I thought "maybe at a healthy restaurant ...." I had some cava (sparkling wine) to drink. I guess they don't sell much of it, because the counterfolks weren't sure how to open it. It was pretty good, quite dry. My husband had a horchata and a Negra Modelo, and my friend had a sangria margarita. So far so good. My husband ordered the Tacos del Barrio, and my friend ordered the Tacos del Mar. My friend and I got the un-refried beans, and my husband got the black beans. All of our meals also came with rice. The rice and beans reminded me a lot of Vivo's, which is actually a good thing coming from me since I love Vivo. My friend also ordered some queso and wanted us to share it. She'd said that she thought it had a different texture that made her think there was cauliflower or something in it, but I didn't get that ... it just tasted like mediocre queso to me. The chips were interesting ... I think they were flour rather than corn ... still pretty greasy. I really liked the green salsa, and thought the red salsa was okay. My friend and my husband liked their food. Mine was okay. It was a much bigger portion that I expected: four fat flautas, good sized mounds of rice and beans, and some sour cream. I also paid extra for a side of guacamole ... good but of course stupidly presented on lettuce as usual. Two of the flautas had apparently been punctured somehow before or during cooking, which meant that grease got up inside them rather than just on the outside, so those definitely weren't light or healthy. I'd go back, but would go back with an appetite and order something else. At least the place was fairly cheap.
(3)Amber D.
"Great Wednesday hangout" Zocalo is a fantastic little find in Austin. Hidden off 12th and West Lynn across from Caffe Medici. Small indoor area where you wait in a short line to order (not so short Wednesday evenings), and a great outdoor patio that is pet friendly. Wednesday is the best day to go out there due to the "All day" Happy Hour. Yes you heard me right, drink specials all day long. Their $18 "Zocarita" Carafe is only $8. $2 instead of $5 on the margaritas by the glass. They also have a "Horchata Colada" (which is really just a very strong Pina Colada. I would recommend only getting that by the glass, not the carafe, especially if you're the only one drinking it. Definitely packs a punch! They have this fantastic sampler appetizer that has flautas, mini empanadas, quacamole, verde salsa, this amazing shrimp dip, and the addicting white queso that I'm sure is made of heavy cream because it's mouth watering. I would highly suggest this platter if you have a group of friends with you. It's a great way to try a few different things at once, plus you get a feel of how good their homemade chips and dough for the empanadas are. Overall this is a great "kick back and relax", Austin-retro kind of restaurant. Food is all made from scratch and drinks are superb!
(4)jana n.
Real fresh ingredients. Yummy watermelon drink. Very small portions but they are really yummy! Great tortilla soup. The salsas were fresh and tasty. I would go again if I am ever in the neighborhood.
(4)Michael P.
Great tacos. I had mine with ground turkey instead of beef. Good menu and friendly staff. Nice outdoor seating area. I will definitely be back.
(5)Allison B.
A friend and I decided to check out Zocalo last night because they have a dog-friendly patio and $2 margaritas on Wednesdays. As soon as we got there, the friendly waitstaff greeted the humans, played with the dog, and brought him a water bowl. My puppy seemed very comfortable because of the positive attention he was getting, which is a huge plus for me. We tried the margaritas, the flautas, and chips and salsa. Margaritas were delicious and packed a punch. Flautas were stuffed full of chicken and fried crisp and tasty. The chips were thick and crunchy and there were two kinds of salsa: a tomato-based and a tomatillo-based. Both were flavorful and just a bit spicy. I will definitely return to Zocalo for more food, drinks, and puppy love!
(4)