El Mercado Restaurant

Appetizers

Nachos

Tex-Mex beans or black beans, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole & jalapenos. Gluten-free.
$9.75
Ground Beef Nachos

Tex-Mex beans or black beans, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole & jalapenos. Gluten-free.
$10.75
Pork Nachos

Tex-Mex beans or black beans, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole & jalapenos. Gluten-free.
$10.75
Fajita Beef Nachos

Tex-Mex beans or black beans, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole & jalapenos. Gluten-free.
$11.75
Chicken Nachos

Tex-Mex beans or black beans, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole & jalapenos. Gluten-free.
$11.75
Brisket Nachos

Tex-Mex beans or black beans, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole & jalapenos. Gluten-free.
$11.75
Pastor Poncho Nachos

8 tostadas with beans, pastor pork, pineapple & cheese, with guacamole, sour cream & jalapenos. Gluten-free.
$11.25
Fajita Beef Pastor Poncho Nachos

8 tostadas with beans, pastor pork, pineapple & cheese, with guacamole, sour cream & jalapenos. Gluten-free.
$11.75
Chicken Pastor Poncho Nachos

8 tostadas with beans, pastor pork, pineapple & cheese, with guacamole, sour cream & jalapenos. Gluten-free.
$11.75
Brisket Pastor Poncho Nachos

8 tostadas with beans, pastor pork, pineapple & cheese, with guacamole, sour cream & jalapenos. Gluten-free.
$11.75
Chile Con Queso

Gluten-free, with chip and salas
$8.75
Phillip's Special Queso

Queso with choice of taco meat, chicken or pork, guacamole, jalapenos & onions. Gluten-free, with chip and salas
$11.25
Hot Latin Kisses

6 jalapenos stuffed with shrimp & cheese, then bacon wrapped & grilled, with a cilantro sour cream sauce. Spicy. Gluten-free.
$12.25
Trailer Park Tacos

4 mini brisket tacos on corn tortilla served with Jack cheese, pickled red onions & pico. Gluten-free.
$12.25
Quesadillas

Onions, bell pepper, tomatoes & cheese, with guacamole, sour cream & pico.
$11.75
Mushrooms & Spinach Quesadillas

Onions, bell pepper, tomatoes & cheese, with guacamole, sour cream & pico.
$11.75
Ground Beef Quesadillas

Onions, bell pepper, tomatoes & cheese, with guacamole, sour cream & pico.
$13.75
Pork Quesadillas

Onions, bell pepper, tomatoes & cheese, with guacamole, sour cream & pico.
$13.75
Fajita Beef Quesadillas

Onions, bell pepper, tomatoes & cheese, with guacamole, sour cream & pico.
$15.25
Chicken Fajita Quesadillas

Onions, bell pepper, tomatoes & cheese, with guacamole, sour cream & pico.
$15.25
Brisket Quesadillas

Onions, bell pepper, tomatoes & cheese, with guacamole, sour cream & pico.
$15.25
Mini Chimis

Mini chimichangas with beef, chicken or pork, pico & cheese, fried, served with chipotle, Verde & garlic sour cream sauce.
$8.00
Smoked Carnitas en Verde

Smoked braised pork in a mild roasted poblano green sauce, topped with Jack cheese, with flour tortillas.
$11.75
Botana

Bean, cheese & sour cream nachos, cheese quesadillas & chicken flaquitas, served with queso & guacamole.
$12.50
Chips and Salsa

Dip made from tomatoes and onions.
$4.25

Soup and Salads

Tortilla Soup

Chicken soup, with tortillas strips, cheese, & avocado, with rice. Gluten-free.
$9.25
Sopa

Homestyle chicken & vegetable soup, with cheese, pico & rice. Gluten-free.
$9.25
Taco Salad

Beef, pork or chicken, with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, black beans, guacamole & sour cream.
$12.25
Fajita Beef Taco Salad

Cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, black beans, guacamole & sour cream.
$15.25
Fajita Chicken Taco Salad

Cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, black beans, guacamole & sour cream.
$15.25
Guacamole Salad

Gluten-free.
$9.25
Dinner Salad

Gluten-free.
$4.50

Enchilada Dinners

Enchilada Dinner

Choice beef, chicken, pork or cheese topped with cheese & choice of sauce.
$14.75
Spinach & Mushroom Enchiladas Dinner

Enchiladas stuffed with sauteed mushrooms & spinach topped with salsa ranchera & white cheese served with black beans & rice. Gluten-free. Vegetarian.
$14.75
Brisket Enchiladas Dinner

Brisket slow-smoked to perfection, topped with ranchera sauce & cheese, served with pico, guacamole. Gluten-free.
$16.25
Beef Fajita Enchiladas Dinner

Beef fajita enchiladas, topped with Tex-Mex chili meat sauce & cheese, served with sour cream, pico de gallo, guacamole.
$16.25
Shrimp Enchiladas Dinner

Cheese enchiladas, topped with shrimp, tomatoes, onions garlic sour cream sauce & cheese.
$16.25

Mexican Dinners

Mercado Plate Dinner

Chile con queso, one crispy taco, guacamole salad, two enchiladas, rice & your choice of beans.
$17.25
Combo Plate Dinner

1 crispy taco, 1 beef or cheese enchilada, guacamole salad.
$14.75
El Plato Bandera Dinner

3 enchiladas stuffed with beef, chicken, pork or cheese, topped with a garlic sour cream sauce, green Verde sauce, salsa ranchera & cheese, served with queso, a guacamole salad.
$17.25
Fresca Plate Dinner

Guacamole salad, one black bean & cheese taco, one cheese 2nchilada with your choice of Verde, ranchera or chipotle sauce, with black beans & rice. Vegetarian.
$14.75
The "CJ" Plate Dinner

1 brisket taco & 1 beef or cheese enchilada, served with chile con queso.
$17.25
The "Tootsie" Plate Dinner

Our delicious chicken tortilla soup, with cheese, avocado, 1 chicken taco & guacamole salad.
$17.25
Super Platillo Dinner

1 beef, chicken, pork or cheese Chile Relleno, 1 taco, 1 cheese enchilada, and 1 chalupa.
$14.00
Flaco Plate Dinner

Chile con queso, 1 crispy beef or chicken taco, guacamole salad. Gluten-free.
$14.75
Baja Plate Dinner

2 enchiladas topped with shrimp, tomatoes, onions, garlic sour cream sauce & cheese, 1 grilled or fried tilapia taco, served with chipotle ranch, fresh limes, guacamole salad, charro beans & rice.
$17.25

Burgers and Sandwiches

Elmer Burger

1/2 lb. burger with cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles & onions. Add bacon for an additional charge.
$10.50
Tony Burger

1/2 lb. burger with a fried egg, bacon, Jack cheese & chipotle mayo.
$11.50
Nacho Chili Cheese Burger

1/2 lb. burger with queso, beef chili, tortilla strips, jalapenos, guacamole, and sour cream.
$11.50
Poblano Burger

1/2 lb. burger with roasted poblano chiles, Jack cheese, bacon, guacamole, red onions & tomato.
$11.50
Poblano Grilled Chicken Breast Burger

1/2 lb. burger with roasted poblano chiles, Jack cheese, bacon, guacamole, red onions & tomato.
$11.50

Kid's Menu

1. Kid's 1 Crispy Beef Taco & 1 Cheese Enchilada
$7.75
2. Kid's 1 Cheese Enchilada with Rice & Beans
$7.75
3. Kid's Chicken Tenders with Fries
$7.75
4. Kid's Bean & Cheese Nachos
$7.75
5. Kid's Cheeseburger with Fries
$6.00
5. Kid's Cheesy Quesadilla with Fries
$7.75

Platos De Tacos

Crispy Tacos Plate

3 tacos filled with ground beef, chicken or pork, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. Gluten Free.
$14.25
Tex-Mex Smoked Brisket Tacos Plate

2 brisket tacos rubbed with our special Tex-Mex spice & slow smoked to perfection for ten hours, with fresh onions, cilantro, guacamole salad.
$16.25
Tacos Al Pastor Plate

2 delicious marinated pork & pineapple tacos served with fresh lime, onions, cilantro & guacamole salad.
$15.25
Smoked Carnitas Tacos Plate

2 smoked braised pork tacos in a mild roasted poblano green sauce, with sour cream, with shredded cabbage & cheese.
$15.25
Fish Tacos Plate

2 grilled or fried tilapia tacos, with shredded cabbage, chipotle ranch, fresh lime.
$15.25
Shrimp Tacos Plate

2 Grilled or fried shrimp, served on flour tortillas, with shredded cabbage, chipotle ranch, fresh lime.
$12.25
Fajita Tacos Plate

2 chicken or beef fajitas served with grilled onions, pico de gallo, cheese, guacamole.
$16.25
Veggie Tacos Plate

2 large whole wheat tortillas, filled with black beans, grilled veggies & white cheese, with rice & a guacamole salad. Vegetarian.
$11.25

Specialty Dinners

Chimichanga Dinner Special

Large flour tortilla stuffed with your choice of beef, chicken, pork or veggies, cheese & pico, lightly fried, with salsa ranchera, sour cream, lettuce & tomatoes, with guacamole, beans & rice.
$13.25
Fajita Beef Chimichanga Dinner Special

Large flour tortilla stuffed with your fajita beef, cheese & pico, lightly fried, with salsa ranchera, sour cream, lettuce & tomatoes, with guacamole, beans & rice.
$15.25
Fajita Chicken Chimichanga Dinner Special

Large flour tortilla stuffed with your fajita chicken, cheese & pico, lightly fried, with salsa ranchera, sour cream, lettuce & tomatoes, with guacamole, beans & rice.
$13.50
Fajita Brisket Chimichanga Dinner Special

Large flour tortilla stuffed with your fajita brisket, cheese & pico, lightly fried, with salsa ranchera, sour cream, lettuce & tomatoes, with guacamole, beans & rice.
$15.25
Burrito Dinner Special

Large flour tortilla stuffed with ground beef and beans, topped with chile con carne & cheese, with rice, lettuce & tomatoes.
$16.25
Fajita Beef Burrito Dinner Special

Large flour tortilla stuffed with ground beef and beans, topped with chile con carne & cheese, with rice, lettuce & tomatoes.
$17.25
Fajita Chicken Burrito Dinner Special

Large flour tortilla stuffed with chicken and beans, topped with chile con carne & cheese, with rice, lettuce & tomatoes.
$17.25
Fajita Brisket Burrito Dinner Special

Large flour tortilla stuffed with brisket and beans, topped with chile con carne & cheese, with rice, lettuce & tomatoes.
$17.25
Chicken Burrito Dinner Special

Large flour tortilla stuffed with shredded chicken, poblano peppers, tomatoes, onions, rice & Jack cheese, topped with garlic sour cream sauce, served with black beans.
$16.25
Vegetarian Black Bean Burrito Dinner Special

Whole wheat tortilla stuffed with black beans & spinach, with your choice of chipotle, garlic sour cream, Verde or salsa ranchera & cheese, with guacamole salad & rice.
$12.50
Chicken Flautas Dinner Special

4 seasoned chicken rolled in corn tortillas, fried crispy, with sour cream, pico de gallo, guacamole, beans, and rice. Gluten-free.
$15.25
Beef Sizzling Fajitas Dinner Special

Grilled peppers & onions, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, cheese & lettuce served with rice & choice of beans. Choice of corn or flour tortillas.
$21.25
Chicken Sizzling Fajitas Dinner Special

Grilled peppers & onions, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, cheese & lettuce served with rice & choice of beans. Choice of corn or flour tortillas.
$19.25
Combo Sizzling Fajitas Dinner Special

Grilled peppers & onions, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, cheese & lettuce served with rice & choice of beans. Choice of corn or flour tortillas.
$21.25
Shrimp Veggies Sizzling Fajitas Dinner Special

Grilled peppers & onions, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, cheese & lettuce served with rice & choice of beans. Choice of corn or flour tortillas.
$20.25
Mixed Grill Sizzling Fajitas Dinner Special

Grilled peppers & onions, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, cheese & lettuce served with rice & choice of beans. Choice of corn or flour tortillas.
$21.25
Grilled Veggie Sizzling Fajitas Dinner Special

Grilled peppers & onions, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, cheese & lettuce served with rice & choice of beans. Choice of corn or flour tortillas.
$14.25
Pollo en Ajo Dinner Special

Chicken breast sauted in white wine with tomatoes, onions, peppers, mushrooms, spinach, fresh ajo (garlic), served over rice, with black beans & dinner salad. Gluten-free.
$14.75
Chicken Mercado Dinner Special

Grilled or breaded & fried chicken breast topped with your choice of chipotle, garlic sour cream, Verde or ranchera & cheese, with a guacamole salad, beans & rice. Gluten-free.
$16.25
Chile Relleno Dinner Special

Roasted poblano pepper stuffed with your choice of beef, chicken, pork or veggies & cheese, topped with salsa ranchera & cheese, served with guacamole salad, beans & rice. Gluten-free.
$13.50
Mushroom and Spinach Chile Relleno Dinner Special

Roasted poblano pepper stuffed with mushroom and spinach and cheese, topped with salsa ranchera & cheese, served with guacamole salad, beans & rice. Vegetarian. Gluten-free.
$13.50
Brisket Chile Relleno Dinner Special

Roasted poblano pepper stuffed with brisket and cheese, topped with salsa ranchera & cheese, served with guacamole salad, beans & rice. Gluten-free.
$15.00
Fajita Beef Chile Relleno Dinner Special

Roasted poblano pepper stuffed with beef and cheese, topped with salsa ranchera & cheese, served with guacamole salad, beans & rice. Gluten-free.
$15.00
Shrimp Chile Relleno Dinner Special

Roasted poblano pepper stuffed with shrimp and cheese, topped with salsa ranchera & cheese, served with guacamole salad, beans & rice. Gluten-free.
$15.00

Desserts

Praline Bread Pudding
$7.25
Sopapillas
$7.25
Flan
$7.25
Tres Leches Cake
$7.25
Churros
$6.00
Cheese Cake
$6.00
Brownie
$6.00
Drizzle Cake
$6.00
Chocolate Ganache Cake
$6.75

Express Lunch Specials

1. Lunch Special

Two cheese enchiladas, topped with tex-mex chili meat sauce & queso, rice & beans.
$8.50
2. Lunch Special

1 crispy beef taco, 1 cheese enchilada topped with queso & meat sauce, rice & beans.
$8.50
3. Lunch Special

2 beef enchiladas, topped with cheese & meat sauce, served with rice & beans.
$8.50
4. Lunch Special

2 chicken fajita or pork tacos with cheese, pico de gallo, rice & beans.
$8.50
5. Lunch Special

2 chicken Verde enchiladas, with sour cream sauce, with beans & rice.
$8.50
6. Lunch Special

Grilled chicken breast over rice, topped with queso & pico served with beans. Gluten-free.
$8.50
7. Lunch Special

A cup of tortilla soup, 1 chicken taco, rice & beans. Gluten-free.
$8.50
8. Lunch Special

Chicken fajita salad with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, black beans & sour cream.
$8.50
9. Lunch Special

3 crispy tacos filled with beef, pork or chicken served with rice & beans. Gluten-free.
$8.50
10. Lunch Special

1 Verde & 1 ranchera smoked pork burritos topped with cheese, rice & beans.
$8.50

Family Pack Dinners

FAJITA FAMILY PACK FOR 4 PPL

Grilled peppers and onions, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, cheese and lettuce served with rice and your choice of beans choice of corn or flour tortillas
$75.00
ENCHILADA DINNER PACK

Your choice beef, chicken, pork or cheese.
$55.00
TACO FAMILY PACK

Served with rice and your choice of beans tex-mex, black or charro, your choice of flour or corn tortillas
$55.00

Beverages

Pepsi
$3.00
Diet Pepsi
$3.00
Sprite
$3.00
Dr. Pepper
$3.00
Lemonade
$3.00
Topo Chico
$4.00
Mexican Coke
$4.00

Kevin S.

★★★★☆

Jan 19, 2025

Love the ambiance of this restaurant. The food that we got was solid, but they seemed to be out of a good bit of items (considering we got their early morning, found that to be odd) and the servers seemed a little new/unsure on a lot of things.

Danielle W.

★★★★☆

Dec 15, 2024

El Mercado is definitely a spot to bring out of towners to show them a night in Austin. They have music throughout the week in their downstairs "Backstage" area where you can sit and hear some of the best musicians in tow while snacking on some Tex mex. Every Sunday they have Gospel Brunch where the tips gathered go to The Central Texas Food Bank. The servers learn your name and preferences, and they are very nice.

Michael H.

★★★★☆

Feb 3, 2024

Had the crunchy tacos for lunch. Just wanted a simple meal. Good, not great, but that's likely because you can't do much study crunchy tacos.Good service. Good atmosphere. Will try again.

Holly O.

★★★★☆

Oct 18, 2023

This Tex Mex spot is conveniently located on S. 1st St., just far enough from downtown and with ample parking. We have never had to wait too long for a table here but they always are busy. They have a lovely back patio and music venue as well as kids play area. They're margaritas and Micheladas are delicious as well as their food. The service is great too and very inviting.

Rhonda B.

★☆☆☆☆

Oct 13, 2024

I had the absolutely worse service and experience at El Mercado yesterday. I came around 4:30 pm with my two year old daughter and was quickly sat in the back patio by the playground. When I arrived only one other couple was outside and it seemed like the experience would be positive. I ordered drinks for my daughter and I and told them Id order shortly. Maybe 15 mins later im told that theres a private party in 15 minutes and I need to relocate away from patio section or go. I had a full Mexican Martini that I could not down in 15 mins not to mention I have a toddler with me who needed to eat and would not leave playground section after seeing it. The server and manager approached me various times, kinda pushing me to move along, and were generally unhelpful in mitigating the situation. I would have thought given there mistakes in seating me there and not telling me of the party they'd waive my drink since I didn't even have time to drink it, or offer us to take food to go, but no, the vibe was get the f out. I left very embarrassed by how I was treated and about the situation and I personally will never bring my business back there.

Courtney B.

★★★★☆

Sep 9, 2022

If you haven't been here, you must do so at least once. It's almost an ATX resident requirement! This review will be short, I promise..The last time I came in, I came with a companion and enjoyed beverages only. The drinks came out quickly and were solid. The waitress who attended to our table was upbeat and prompt. The table chips and salsa are not top tier here, but again, most don't frequent an establishment for the bread nor chips and salsa. #supportlocal #getyourdrinkon

Chuck S.

★★★★★

Sep 5, 2024

Be coming here for years but this was the best. Bellied up to the bar and had a great happy hour dinner and margs. Can't wait to return!

Kay F.

★★★★★

Sep 10, 2024

The food is excellent, have never been disappointed. And the portions are large!The ambiance is great! Lots of tables and chairs and wonderful lighting and the sound is amazing!We go to hear the music on Mondays which is trulywonderful; Barbara Nesbitt and Ben Jones with different guest each week are superb! Cover chargeonly $10. What a deal! (Tips accepted) The service is also great! The wait staff is knowledgable, efficient, and friendly!.

E S.

★★★★★

Feb 8, 2025

Service is always great. It can be super busy on nice days or when they do music. Love the salsa here. All the food is really good. Drinks are also worth it. Nice to have friendly people and good prices in this area.

Frank D.

★★★★★

Dec 11, 2024

People Don't sleep on El Mercado. Great Tex mex in '04. Andrew & Pat behind the bar are .

El Mercado Restaurant

Menu

Appetizers

Nachos

Ground Beef Nachos

Pork Nachos

Fajita Beef Nachos

Chicken Nachos

Brisket Nachos

Pastor Poncho Nachos

Fajita Beef Pastor Poncho Nachos

Chicken Pastor Poncho Nachos

Brisket Pastor Poncho Nachos

Chile Con Queso

Phillip's Special Queso

Hot Latin Kisses

Trailer Park Tacos

Quesadillas

Mushrooms & Spinach Quesadillas

Ground Beef Quesadillas

Pork Quesadillas

Fajita Beef Quesadillas

Chicken Fajita Quesadillas

Brisket Quesadillas

Mini Chimis

Smoked Carnitas en Verde

Botana

Chips and Salsa

Soup and Salads

Tortilla Soup

Sopa

Taco Salad

Fajita Beef Taco Salad

Fajita Chicken Taco Salad

Guacamole Salad

Dinner Salad

Enchilada Dinners

Enchilada Dinner

Spinach & Mushroom Enchiladas Dinner

Brisket Enchiladas Dinner

Beef Fajita Enchiladas Dinner

Shrimp Enchiladas Dinner

Mexican Dinners

Mercado Plate Dinner

Combo Plate Dinner

El Plato Bandera Dinner

Fresca Plate Dinner

The "CJ" Plate Dinner

The "Tootsie" Plate Dinner

Super Platillo Dinner

Flaco Plate Dinner

Baja Plate Dinner

Burgers and Sandwiches

Elmer Burger

Tony Burger

Nacho Chili Cheese Burger

Poblano Burger

Poblano Grilled Chicken Breast Burger

Kid's Menu

1. Kid's 1 Crispy Beef Taco & 1 Cheese Enchilada

2. Kid's 1 Cheese Enchilada with Rice & Beans

3. Kid's Chicken Tenders with Fries

4. Kid's Bean & Cheese Nachos

5. Kid's Cheeseburger with Fries

5. Kid's Cheesy Quesadilla with Fries

Platos De Tacos

Crispy Tacos Plate

Tex-Mex Smoked Brisket Tacos Plate

Tacos Al Pastor Plate

Smoked Carnitas Tacos Plate

Fish Tacos Plate

Shrimp Tacos Plate

Fajita Tacos Plate

Veggie Tacos Plate

Specialty Dinners

Chimichanga Dinner Special

Fajita Beef Chimichanga Dinner Special

Fajita Chicken Chimichanga Dinner Special

Fajita Brisket Chimichanga Dinner Special

Burrito Dinner Special