Jalisco's Restaurant and Bar

I recently attended a friend's birthday dinner at Jalisco's Restaurant and overall, it was a pleasant experience. Making a reservation was easy--I called earlier in the week, and they had everything set up for us. However, they waited to seat us until half the party arrived.One thing to note is that they don't typically split checks for large groups, but since the restaurant wasn't too busy that night, they made an exception, which we really appreciated. As for the food, the large shrimp cocktail was okay. The shrimp was tasty, but the sauce was ok. The fajitas, on the other hand, were good, and the kids loved the fries. Service was also good, and the staff was attentive throughout the evening. Nothing stood out that would make me go out of my way to return. It wasn't a bad experience, but it also wasn't memorable enough to make it a must-visit spot.

Great chips and salsa. Queso compuesto is much better than the plain queso. Al pastor tacos are delicious. Good rice and beans!We enjoy coming for lunch. Much less of a crowd, always quick and friendly service. Kids menu is good too & our servers always bring the kids food out the second it's done!

Absolutely loved the food I ordered. I think it was the carne asada plate. I loved the nopales, onions, red bell peppers. There was so much food, I couldn't finish it all. My kid loved the carne asada tacos. Didn't like the mandatory 20% tip for being part of a large party, but will definitely return.

Pretty good Tex Mex. Service was friendly. The food was tasty and had good textures. Good portions sizes. Will stop by again when I'm the area. Lots of seating.

(Note: I write Facebook reviews for residents of Turner's Crossing, a new development in Buda, as we all learn about good places to dine in Austin.) -------------Karen and I figured it was another great day for a late lunch/early dinner to take the place of two usual daily meals. So, after my dentist put away his instruments of torture and assured me that it was safe to eat on my repaired tooth, Jalisco's was our choice.Jalisco's is probably only 10 minutes from Turner's Crossing and is one of the best authentic and Tex-Mex eateries that we have found anywhere. That's why we have been there about 10 times in the nine months we have lived in Buda.If you have not tried this convenient place yet, I urge you to check it out. It is in the shadow of Cabela's, in the restaurant-filled strip off Main Street near I-35. Jalisco's only has two locations in the Austin area, and last year opened Taco Clem in Buda, a very good, fast-food place that I will review another time.One thing in its favor when we decide on a combo afternoon meal is that lunch specials are in effect until 4 p. m. A revamped menu lists an extensive selection of lunches, all with generous portions and extremely reasonable prices. Unless somebody proves otherwise, I think most are dinner-size meals at reduced prices.Jalisco's is a spacious, comfortable place with plenty of booths and tables, surrounded by attractive, low-key, Mexican-motif decorations and paintings. Table service is also available at a roomy patio. The wait staff is friendly and efficient. We always appreciate the fact that the noise level seems to be minimal for conversation, unlike some large restaurants.I spotted something on the new menu that was just perfect. It's a lunch portion of chicken fajitas ($12), which comes with two warm tortillas, a mound of guacamole salad, and the usual refried beans and Mexican rice. The typical fajitas at other places are usually meant for dinner or two to share and come with three tortillas and a larger serving of chicken or beef, peppers and onions and the usual fajita accoutrements. It's just too much for one person, says the man now on a diet.The tortillas were fluffier than usual, a welcome change from the usual flat and stiff tortillas at most places, making them easier to stuff and fold. The chicken was surprisingly juicy and tender. I'll have to try the lunch portion of beef fajitas ($16) another time.Karen ordered something she had tried before and enjoyed very much. It was the appetizer sampler ($14), a platter loaded with two chicken flautas, two stuffed jalapeños, two fajita nachos, one cheese quesadilla, queso dip, guacamole and sour cream. She brought enough home for another meal.-------------Following are notes from previous visits to Jalisco's:------------- It was time for a return lunch visit to this slightly upscale, Tex-Mex eatery. It was every bit as good as the first time about a month ago.Karen was pleased that she could order tacos à la cart. All she wanted was a shrimp taco, very reasonably priced. it came packed with five jumbo shrimp. Karen said it was probably the best bargain on the menu. Certainly one of the tastiest. She also wanted to try the tres leches dessert, and we split that. I had a nice-sized burrito, stuffed with tender chunks of lean beef and topped with cheese and gravy. Of course, the sides were refried beans and Maxican rice. The bowl of salsa that came with the complementary chips at our table was some of the best we ever had. Great flavor, and not too spicy. -------------Went to Jalisco's again today for an early dinner. Lunch specials were still in effect. Choice of great TexMex or authentic Mexican food, listed separately on the menu.I had a huge burrito stuffed with beef, chicken, rice and beans. Cheese sauce over the top. It was on the lunch menu. Brought a chunk of it home. Karen had a half order of shrimp quesadilla and brought half of that home.-------------For dinner today, it was back to Jalisco's in Buda, which has become one of our favorite Mexican eateries. Karen went with the shrimp enchiladas, complemented by creamy, refried beans and tasty Mexican rice. When she ordered, it sounded so good that I went with the same thing. I have never made a mistake getting what she does, and was again very happy with the choice. The shrimp enchiladas were magnifico.-------------Mexican appetizers. It's what's for dinner. Karen saw this plate of assorted appetizers and figured that would make a great dinner. There wasn't a thing that she didn't enjoy. Quesadilla. Chicken flautas. Two small chili relllenos. Guacamole. Two large nachos with fajita meat. Half came home with her. I finished my pork tamales.

We ate lunch today at Jaliscos. Queso, nachos, ceviche, and kids meals. Everything had a good flavor. The quality and portion sizes are very small, for the price. The skinny margarita was very good. Our server was very nice and attentive.

This was my first time and, as a creature of habit, my go-to is always the flautas or the fajitas. I wanted to try something new, and our waitress recommended the enchiladas poblanas. Skeptical at first, but our waitress brought the poblano sauce to sample, and I was sold. I highly recommend that dish and promise you won't be disappointed. My boyfriend ordered the Mexican plate with 2 enchiladas and carne guisada. The meat was tender and the gravy on the carne guisada was so yummy that you'll soak that up with their homemade tortillas.

I was really rooting for Jalisco's, as the few times I've been here, the service has been the definition of southern hospitality. The servers are always the sweetest and give you what you need before you ask. The pricing for food is about on average, but the actual taste of the meal itself... yikes. Like most patrons have concluded, the food is bland. I've ordered from both the breakfast (by the way, served all day) and lunch menus, but no matter how you spin it, there is no seasoning or salt/pepper added in either. The food taste like mush and there are too many options to choose from. Jalisco really needs to focus on a few items and expand from there for improvement.

Service was horrible. Highly don't suggest coming here. Everyone was rude. Waiter told me i couldn't get more than one alcoholic drink. Waiter said i had to pay for a drink I no longer wanted because of the horrible service. Waiter was very distracted. Manager was very biased to me being an african american girl.

The menu options were substandard, 2 of us couldn't find one meal with the mexican food we like in combination. Service was very slow, margaritas were half the size we are served in other mexican restaurants