Guero’s Taco Bar in Austin Texas is one place you might want to hang out if you’re looking for famous people visiting August. The location is central to downtown and the trendy South Congress retail and condo district, making this a popular watering hole for people like Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, Quentin Taratino, and Bill Clinton. Guero’s Taco Bar has been used by many music and movie theaters since the South by Sunset Film Festival (SXSW) in March each year. When he’s in town, Bill Clinton’s favorite, El Presidente, includes a plate joint chicken taco when he’s in town, he usually commands; one beef taco, tamale, and guacamole.
I first came to Guero in 1986, when I opened a small place with 10 tables in the dreamy neighborhood of South Austin. At that time she was self-serving and the best place to have breakfast on a Sunday morning was within walking distance of our house. In 1995, at the old Congress of feeding and seed building in the sedification of the South. There are still really good things to say about Guero, even though they have grown too big and popular to have a five-star reputation. I think it’s still a good way to go if you want to sit outside on the patio, sip the best cocktails, and listen to Live Music from different local artists. . Every Thursday, the locals have a street of arts and crafts in the grassy area next to Guero that they also sometimes use private options.
As for food, Guero is best known for its salsas and their fish tacos. Both are very good. My favorite thing to eat at Guero is the tabos al pastor plate ($7.69). My exact order is pork tacos al pastor, with cheese, avocado, in tortillas, tortillas, with refried beans and rice . The Mexican cook uses white cheese, and their cooked corn and flour tortillas are to die for. They also make a really good tasting flameado ($6.10) with gooey cheese, mushrooms, beef or chicken fajita meat. The tortilla soup ($4.29) is about as good as it gets.
Guero’s Taco Bar also has a nice selection of vegetarian dishes like spinach and mushroom enchiladas ($9.15) and grilled veggie alambre ($8.40). Grilled mixed vegetables on a bed of rice, with black beans, avocado and homemade tortillas. The kids menu is reasonably priced and includes the usual favorites for the little ones. If you’re not all about your crunchy chips stuffed with 6 kinds of sauces, toppings and flour, Guero’s Vanilla Flan makes a pretty decent mid-course meal ($2.59).
Sunday mornings are always good at Guero’s. These serve a very good breakfast Tacos (1.79), Migas ($4.95), Huevos Rancheros ($3.85) and the Gringo Omlette ($4.95). I like to order a Café Guero ($4.95) with my breakfast that has either Kahlua or Drambuie in it. I’m also sure to grab some freshly squeezed orange juice ($3.10 per lg) and smoothies ($3.30). For your enjoyment, there is live music on the patio, and plenty of newspapers passed around to check other local while you dine.
I wonder what makes the popular water hole their long selection of drinks from the canteen area. They have an excellent selection of import and domestic beer, including a local favorite, Shiner Bock, brewed near Austin. Their specialty drinks ($5.00-$7.00) include over a dozen varieties of margaritas, wine coolers, and fresh juice drinks. If you’re celebrating a special occasion or playing really hard, you can order one of the Guero 22 Cointreau floats ($5.25-$6.50). You can try Three Generations ($5.75) if you have a family birthday a> or celebrating a wedding anniversary in one of the large private event rooms used for private parties.
The decor in Guero is very interesting and now considered historical, sporting autographed pictures of famous men and pictures of old places. There are also pictures of the Mexican Revolution on the walls. It’s noisy, crowded, and sometimes the service is very slow. The owners are very friendly, but sometimes the staff is in a bad mood This can happen because too many people are burnt out, even in small rooms, drinking too many drinks. . I tend to get impatient with one of those Hornito Perfectos (Sauza Hornitos, Cointreau and freshly squeezed lime juice; made with 100% Blue Agave).
Despite the lack, I still frequent Guero’s Taco Bar if I want to party hard, enjoy the great weather on the outdoor patio, or look for stargazing at famous people.
Guero’s Taco Bar at 1412 South Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas. (512) 447-7688
