Vaqueros Cafe And Cantina

"Mexican Food " or more specifically "Tex-Mex" can have huge variations in style and quality. My wife says this reminds her of the best of a Dallas style of Tex-Mex, with an umami richness and flavor she finds lacking in the Austin style (Matt's). She is right, of course, as if I'd know. It makes sense. I still love Matt's, but this place has had really consistently good food, good drinks, friendly service and never a wait. The tamales alone are worth a visit.

December 2023: It was time to give Vaqueros Cafe & Cantina a try where my wife and I were hungry plus traffic was starting to back up on Loop 360 to a standstill. The outside was nicely decorated for this holidays and as I walked in was greeted not by an employee but a customer who noticed I was gazing at a life-sized bull who was wearing a top hat. This place was very friendly from the start. The inside was also nice decorated for the holidays and was seated at a booth with a view of nice mural outside disputing a Texas landscape with cowboys (vaqueros). It definitely had great Mexican atmosphere. I ordered the Chicken Fajitas off the lunch menu along with a house margarita on the rocks. I could see they made their own tortillas and a nice tequila collection at the bar. Chips with two types of salsas were placed on our table. I tried them both and the chips were nice and crispy and the salsas were tasty. It was good stuff. Next my order was ready and was actually expecting two or three prepared fajita tacos since it was just the lunch special, but I was actually give the premium experience. Multiple plates were placed down in front of me to build my own tacos. The chicken was sizzling and smelled good. The other plates had grilled peppers and onions, guacamole, pico de Gallo, cheese, and rice and beans. I was impressed and they definitely outdid their competition for lunch specials. The chicken had tremendous flavor, the beans had a smokey taste to it and all wrapped in warm soft flour tortillas. As a bonus a huge crispy jalepeño was included where cut it and stuffed it in my tacos. It was the best fajitas I had in a long time. And the margaritas were very good too. I was extremely impressed with the service and food, and suggested it to my supervisor where now going to have our company lunch here

The best thing about this place Is the atmosphere! It’s fancy but casual. Anyone is welcomed. I ordered the vaquero burger. The bun was awesome but the beans on the burger were interesting. Very messy burger. The service is also really great. Vaquero Burger: Flame Broiled Burger Patty With Melted Jack Cheese, Jalapeños, Refried Beans And Chipotle Crema. Garnished With Romaine Lettuce, Guacamole, Pico De Gallo and Tortilla Strips. Served with Golden Wagon Wheel Fries

Food was excellent. Beef fajitas were tasty and was quality meat. I really enjoyed the table guacamole. Would come back again. Server was nice. A suggestion for the restaurant is do not move tables or chairs while guest are eating, it was lots of loud uncomfortable squeaks and clanky chairs being moved, we could not have a conversation. I believe they were preparing for their Sunday brunch which sounded pretty good. All else was great aside of the furniture moving. Will also try their lunch menu soon since I'm down here once a week.

Vaqueros is a very solid TexMex eatery operated by the fine folks behind the Steiner Ranch Steakhouse. If you are in the right mindset, it is very easy to transport yourself to another time and space at this place. The atmosphere can feel like you are at a real ranchero on the border. The food is solid and the portions are huge. The flavors and style are classic tex-mex with plenty of cheese, chips and salsa are also on-point classics. They also have a nice outdoor seating area as well as a good bar area. Add Vaqueros to your list next time you have a hankering for classic tex-mex. House margaritas were very drinkable.