Gueros Taco Bar ~ Austin, TX

**This is a Mini Review while working in Austin, TX this summer**

Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Address: 1412 South Congress   Austin, Texas 78704 (512) 447-7688.

Links: Gueros Taco Bar Website

Atmosphere: Gueros is a large restaurant located in the heart of South Congress Street.  It is a large space that is both long and wide, with a bar area located toward the middle/back of the restaurant.  The decor is nothing fancy but they do offer both booths and tables.  Outside is where you will find the Garden Under the Oaks, which I will describe below.

Neon Sign @ Gueros Taco Bar ~ Austin, TX

Inside Gueros Taco Bar ~ Austin, TX
The Garden Under the Oaks is located right next door to Gueros, with many picnic tables around the property.  In the back corner is the stage where you will find Live Music every Thurs-Sunday.  This is a great shady place to have a drink while waiting for a table on a busy weekend evening.

Gueros Garden under the Oaks ~ Austin, TX

There is also an outdoor bar serving a full line-up of cocktails, beer and wine.

Gueros Outdoor Bar ~ Austin, TX

What we ordered: We started with the complimentary Chips and Salsa.  Gueros has a salsa bar where servers (and customers?) can easily access any of the salsas, pico de gallo, jalapenos and limes.  The salsas were all pretty good, I especially liked the salsa verde because it was a little spicier.

Salsa Bar @ Gueros ~ Austin, TX

I also ordered a Frozen Margarita.  Gueros offers an entire menu of just margaritas but I was happy with the House ‘Rita.  I usually prefer my margaritas on the rocks but since most of the Mexican restaurants in Austin have frozen margarita machines and because it is so HOT outside, frozen margs have turned into my preferred drink of the summer.

Margarita, Chips & Salsa @ Gueros Taco Bar ~ Austin, TX

I ordered a combination plate that came with Guacamole and Queso and chips for dipping.  It also came with a tamale that I never even tried because I was given so much food! (See the rest of my combination plate in next photo)

Tamale, Queso and Guacamole @ Gueros Taco Bar ~ Austin, TX

I had a combo meal that consisted of a steak taco, fish taco, and cheese enchilada with ranchero sauce.  I will start with the cheese enchilada because that was the item I liked the most.  I had my choice of sauces but chose the ranchero sauce with tomato, green chilies and onions.  Very good! The fish taco was decent, but nothing special.  It was served with corn and shredded cabbage and a chipotle tequila mayonnaise.  It didn’t have a ton of flavor and fell apart very easily.  The steak taco was the biggest disappointment.  The meat was tender enough but it just didn’t taste like it had any seasoning or marinade at all.  Even the guacamole I added was boring and didn’t do much for it.  Next time I would stick with the enchiladas.

Taco and Enchilada Combo @ Gueros Taco Bar ~ Austin, TX

My companion ordered the Santa Fe Enchiladas, which are made with tortillas that are stuffed with meat  and then stacked instead of rolled, with a fried egg on top and then covered with sauce.  Looked delicious!  Served with charro beans and Mexican rice.

Santa Fe Enchiladas @ Gueros Taco Bar ~ Austin, TX

My companions and I shared the Classic Vanilla Flan.  Very creamy and rich.  Topped with a caramelized vanilla and sugar glaze.  The portion size was just right for three full people!

Flan @ Gueros Taco Bar ~ Austin, TX

Overall Impression: The atmosphere is kind of fun, especially the Garden under the Oaks.  Gueros is a very popular place and you can expect a very long wait on the weekends, so service is kind of slow.  The food was decent, I would suggest enchiladas over the tacos.  Wide selection of margaritas!