Maudie's Cafe

Despite how much the city has changed over the years, Maudie’s is a prime example of an Austin original that has stood the test of time. It’s now a major local chain - with seven restaurants around town - but we still recommend their Lake Austin Blvd. or South Lamar locations for the best overall dining experiences.

Food-wise, it’s all pretty standard Tex-Mex: many different combinations of grease, cheese, beans, rice, and salsa. They also serve breakfast all day. But the bar is a focal point of the Maudie’s experience. Stop by during happy hour to enjoy one or five of their reduced-price margaritas or come after your morning jog on Saturdays and Sundays to ruin your exercise with mimosas and bloody mary’s (for $3.50 each). You can easily sit at a bar drinking and eating chips and salsa all day.

photo credit: Jordan Haro

Maudie’s operates on its own inconsistent frequency: sometimes the food comes out a little cold or your waiter might be a little off their game. Other times it’s the best Tex-Mex experience in town. It’s all a part of its neighborhood charm that has won over so many regulars. Use Maudie’s as a low-key spot to eat your weight in some of the city’s best queso and wash it down with many margaritas, all for very little money.

Food Rundown

Chicken Fajita Nachos

Quietly hiding in the appetizers section, this bastion of reliability and satisfaction serves an individual as an entire entree.

Rockin' Ruthann's

One of the few deviations from traditional Tex-Mex on the Maudie’s menu. Pulled chicken buried inside a kind of enchilada variation with chili con carne (red sauce, in gringo-speak) and cheese laid all over the top.

Diablo Sol Food

Pre-Torchy’s, this was considered to be the best queso in town. This means it’s still in the upper .01% of quesos on the planet.

Joe's Margarita

A dangerously smooth, top shelf beverage. Any house margarita will eventually wear out its welcome by way of over-sugared margarita mix, but you won’t have that problem with this one.