La Terraza Grill and Bar

If you're looking around for a delicious Tex Mex meal in a nice and comfy setting, head on over to La Terraza Grill and Bar. It's hard to miss at its convenient location at the corner of I-35 and Oltorf-- right next to La Quinta Inn.

My boyfriend and I love Tex Mex food and were in the mood to try a new restaurant. We were greeted by a friendly hostess who seated us and got our drinks right away. While we waited for our waitress I looked around and was surprised at how elegant, refined, and stately the decor was. Part of the restaurant had polished hardwood floors, rich mahogany tables and chairs, and a gold and maroon-toned fireplace. The other part of the restaurant had a beige stone floor and was decorated with rich shades of maroon, goldenrod, and navy blue, with rustic accents and antique mirrors on the walls.

When our waitress came, I ordered the Enchiladas de Espinaca, and Steve requested the Crispy Taco Dinner. The description of my plate sounded so delicious, and I couldn't wait for it to arrive. Fortunately, we didn't have to wait long at all. Our food was delivered steaming hot in less than fifteen minutes, and we dug in right away.

The Enchiladas de Espinaca was spectacular. I had three enchiladas stuffed with spinach, mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes. They were topped with a creamy, bubbling sour cream and cheese sauce, with rice and beans on the side. It even looked gorgeous-- if the spinach from my childhood was as green and savory as it was in my dish, maybe I would have eaten it more! Everything, from the precision cut tomatoes and onions, to the flavorful rice, and even to the way the cheese sauce was spread across the enchiladas, was nicely presented on the plate. Tex Mex doesn't have to always be messy!

Steve's taco plate sounded like every other Tex Mex staple: three crispy tacos (ground beef and/or chicken) topped with lettuce, tomato, and cheese, with rice and beans on the side. But when it arrived, the tacos were heaping with cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes, and like my plate, managed to look neat and pretty without sacrificing meat and flavor.

In addition to its delicious food, La Terraza serves a variety of beer, wine, and liquor at special prices during Happy Hour from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. every day. Margaritas and Swirls are only $3.95, domestic beers are $2.00, and imports are $2.50. They even throw in complimentary bean and cheese nachos and quesadillas on Wednesdays and Fridays. Not bad!

Next time I visit Austin's best kept little Tex Mex secret, I will probably order the Grilled Tilapia with bell peppers and onions, or maybe even the El Patron-- an 8 ounce rib-eye steak with four shrimp diablos and chile con carne. Make and effort to visit La Terraza, and you'll be rewarded with friendly service, elegant surroundings, affordable prices, and most of all, delightful and satisfying food.