El Alma South

El Alma is comfort food for me. I came here after my mom's funeral, I've come here for girls nights, and I love popping in for lunch dates with my husband. I can't explain it but this place is casual, but still feels "nice." I love the Barton Springs location- you can't beat that view BUT I hate the parking there. This south location is in the west gate shopping center, and the lot is huge. Zero issues parking, making this the El Alma I will drop in to more often. This spot feels more family friendly, you can actually fit a stroller through here without feeling like you're impeding on anyone else's meal or space. The food maintains the great taste of the original location. I can't come here without ordering the crispy papitas- they are seasoned to perfection and the dipping sauce is some sort of creamy jalapeño- so good! My husband had the enchiladas and cleaned his plate off. I always forget how generous the portions are so I got the chicken tinga taco and a barbacoa taco. I left very satisfied and uncomfortably full, In the best way. The drinks are good here, the servers are friendly, the parking is easy- will always come back.

Gave 4 start because of the great tasting food. Otherwise I'd given a 3 star because of service. Good margaritas, the queso is very good. Creamy and not super spicy, great flavor with the poblanos. Roasted salsa was flavorful and ate a bunch of it. I ordered the Crispy Barbacoa Relleno. Fantastic dish. The crunch with the pepper and the sauce along with the beef barbacoa was so good. Service was average but expected a bit more for the caliber of the restaurant and price of meals . Service wasn't very attentive. Some examples were not being attentive to keeping table cleared of empty plates and not well at keeping drinks full. Not asking if we wanted desert or boxes. Not friendly. Had to ask for everything. Saw this from another reviewer. Didn't even see this on the menu. What the heck is a Wellness Charge. Sorry, you don't do the best at service doesn't deserve an automatic fee.Some noise in the restaurant, but overall good for groups and holding conversation.

This was my first visit to El Alma and I was a little disappointed. Service is really the big reason for 3 stars!I was meeting a friend for dinner and she got there before me but water wasn't even brought to the table until I got there (and I was at least 10 minutes late). Then the waitress just wasn't attentive. Again I was more so disappointed because my friend actually liked this location.Also there were specials- we only found out the special when we went to the bathroom ‍Food:I got a salad and added beef- not the prettiest thing BUT it was yummy. I definitely do not regret that pic! My friend got a soup and she was also satisfied!We got the blanca sangria and again a great choice.

This place was great. The atmosphere and options for food as well as drinks really stoodout (vegatarian options are wide) . Our waitress Courtney was on point and very pleasant the entire time. 5/5We ordered: A vanilla latte- it was good nice and creamy I'm not sure if it was the coffee or the vanilla but something taste a tad bit off- couldn't pin point it .4/5 The enchiladas juevos- interesting combo but it worked! Egg and cheese enchiladas with tamatillo sauce! It could have has a little more cheese but they were still delicious as were the refried back beans. 4.5/5 The breakfast croissant- nice and flaky- could have been toasted more , the tomato came served as 3 large wedges - a bit hard to eat and you didn't really get all the flavors so we opted to cut it smaller. We noticed the ratio of tomatoes to avocados was way more tomato heavy. 3.5/5 for how it was served but 4.5/5 for taste! Definitely a cute spot and will be be back if in the area!

Parking is convenient, thanks to the spacious lot. Service was prompt and efficient.The espresso martini I ordered was fantastic, though the brunch dish I tried didn't quite hit the mark for me.As a big fan of eggs Benedict, I had high hopes for the huevos franceses. However, I wasn't expecting the corn pudding to replace the traditional English muffin, and unfortunately, it wasn't to my taste.

Nestled in the heart of South Austin, El Alma is a lively eatery that has become a beloved staple for those craving a vibrant blend of traditional Mexican flavors with a modern twist. Serving Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Known for its colorful ambiance, delectable cuisine, and impressive catering services, El Alma is a versatile destination for dining and unique events.Ambiance:Walking into El Alma feels like stepping into a celebration of Mexican culture. The interior is adorned with vibrant murals and wooden furniture, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere and two private rooms for any occasion. The outdoor patio is equally charming, with lush greenery providing a cozy, festive setting for enjoying a meal al fresco.Food:El Alma's menu is a feast for the senses. Their tacos are a highlight, featuring creative fillings like smoked brisket and crispy fish; all served with various flavorful salsas. The elite, or Mexican street corn, is another must-try, offering a deliciously smoky and tangy twist on this classic favorite.The menu also includes standout options for vegetarians and those with dietary restrictions. Enchiladas are rich and flavorful, and the ceviche is fresh and zesty, showcasing the restaurant's commitment to quality ingredients and balanced flavors.Drinks:The drink menu at El Alma complements the food beautifully. Their famous margaritas have been nominated as one of the best in Austin. They boast a variety of inventive flavors and the perfect mix of tangy and sweet. Their house-made aquas frescas are a hit for a refreshing, non-alcoholic option. The tequila and mezcal selection is also noteworthy, offering a range of options for enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike.Service:El Alma's Service is consistently attentive and friendly. The staff are knowledgeable about the menu and eager to provide recommendations, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable dining experience. You'll likely feel well cared for whether you're a regular or a first-time visitor.Catering:El Alma's catering services are an excellent choice for those looking to bring a taste of their vibrant cuisine to special events. Whether you're planning a casual get-together or a more formal celebration, their catering menu offers a range of options that can be tailored to suit your needs. From flavorful tacos and enchiladas to fresh ceviche and delectable appetizers, El Alma's catering ensures your guests will enjoy the same high-quality, delicious food you experience in their restaurant.Overall:El Alma in South Austin is more than just a restaurant--it's a destination that combines delicious food, a lively atmosphere, and exceptional catering services. Whether you're dining in or planning a special event, El Alma offers a memorable experience with its flavorful dishes, creative drinks, and warm service. For anyone in the area, El Alma is a top choice for enjoying vibrant Mexican cuisine and making any occasion memorable.If you're in South Austin, let's not forget the original El Alma on Barton Springs Road. Whether looking for a great meal or planning an event, El Alma is worth considering for its exceptional food and catering options!Brilliant Dining

I love the Barton Springs location and was excited to learn that El Alma now has a south location with ample parking! Although a little sad to see Hyde Park Grill gone, I was excited to give El Alma's happy hour a try and the food was okay. As I stated, we went during happy hour on a Thursday. We got the Queso Blanco Y Rojo (3/5), Nachitos (4/5), Flautas de barbacoa (5/5), and Ceviche Clasico (3/5). For the most part the food was just okay, with the exception of the flautas, which were so flavorful and delicious. Drinkwise, we got the avocadorita (5/5), mezcal margarita (4/5), and 4521 Ranch (1/5). I definitely did not like the cucumber puree in the 4521 Ranch Water. The taste was very overwhelming to me and did not feel refreshing.Service-wise the experience was also okay. We didn't have the most attentive server and did have to look around for her and flag her down. At times, we could not find our main server and luckily she was training someone and her trainee was eager to help.The ambiance has definitely been updated from the Hyde Park days. There is ample seating and overall we had a great experience. The space had a lot of natural light flooding in from the windows and new light fixtures throughout the restaurant. I think I would definitely be back to try the lunch, brunch, and/or dinner menu.

I'm so glad a south location opened. It has much better parking and the inside is much more spacious than the original one. The El Dorado Margaritas and espresso martinis are always tasty. I haven't had anything I didn't like here. The red sauce that comes with the chips is a bit too spicy for me which is a bummer because the flavor itself is good but the green one is perfect. I like their guacamole, chicken quesadillas, several of the taco options and their queso. For the month of December they have a tasty cocktail called the Horchata Holidaze with Anejo tequila, Bailey's Churro, Licor 43 and horchata. Not too sweet and not too milky. It was a nice holiday dessert drink! It is a bit noisy in there, maybe one day they'll figure out a way to fix the acoustics. Service is fast and friendly and it's super clean. Prices are a bit steep so keep that in mind. The noise level and prices are enough to take off a star but I still recommend it!

Really enjoyed my Sunday lunch here. Very spacious. I had the crispy barbacoa relleno on the server's recommendation. It was crispy, delicious and rested on delicious red sauce. The black beans were flavorful and clearly cooked in lard as it should be. They even have a mock tail for those of us who don't indulge - I had the jalapeño mojito paired perfectly with my food. Spicy red and green salsa that will clear your sinuses. Do mind the 3% wellness charge, that was my first time seeing that and I adjusted my tip accordingly. It's pretty pricey, my relleno and drink were $40 with tip but hey as a once in a while splurge, I'm in. Nice to have some different Mexican cuisine to go with the tex mex in the area.

We were in the area with our dogs and wanted a yummy breakfast. After looking up their menu it looked great so we decided to order to go. They don't have outdoor sitting which is a bummer. We were able to order on their site and took about 20-25 min for the food to get ready.Unless they were missing items i would say it's not all that great at least not for to go. We ordered breakfast enchilada which it came with just a little bit of beans and the breakfast torta.The enchilada sauce was flavorful but a little salsa or something on the side would have been nice or rice. The torta was very basic, bread, bean egg and avocado. Again a side of salsa or something would have make it bit more flavorful. Overall, we were a bit disappointed but will probably try it next time to get seated and maybe dine in experience will be bit different.