El Alma South (Westgate)

I ate a carne asada, a pollo asado, and a crispy shrimp taco. 🌮 🌯 Everything was really good! I like this restaurant. For dessert, a Tres Leches Cake is perfect.

+5

I’m trying find something I didn’t love about this new spot and I can’t! The food was really good and I cannot wait to go back. Check this place out if you’re in the mood for a solid margarita and nachos. The chips and salsas were also amazing. Price was affordable too - we got 1 margarita, 1 app, and 2 entrees for $50ish (before tip). Their happy hour looks great too - I’ll be trying that out next time fasho. P.S. Homemade corn tortillas 😍

+1

(Always experience restaurants for yourself rather than judging it right away for their reviews) First time at El Alma, went after work & made it during happy hour 3-6PM! I got the mango margarita, gotta say I wasn’t expecting to taste the tequila but it is there! Just so you know “HH” means “Happy hour”, anything with that is included during that time. I ordered the tinga mole verde enchiladas, with the chayote slaw salad, at first I was thinking the white rice should have more flavor( it has subtle flavor). My bf & I thought it’s a good idea that it’s made that way bc you get to really enjoy/taste the flavor of the main dish. We’re the type to go to our favorite little Mexican restaurant, but El Alma has changed the way we think about cuisine! The flavors are vibrant/bold. Our waiter was so kind I don’t know his name, but if you go & get someone that makes you feel like you’re in heaven singing “aahh” when you’re order comes out you won’t be disappointed. Also, ordered the arroz con leche limited time desert which was tasty! Especially the blueberry sauce. We’ll be go back to try the brunch menu soon!

We were seated quickly. Chips & salsa very tasty. Their guacamole was chunky with a delicious crema , tomatoes, and roasted sunflower seeds.We had enchiladas pollo with mole verde-chicken was moist with enough kick to let you know they used fresh peppers! The mole was so full of flavor! We splurged on Tres Leches to share for dessert. Our server was top notch.

+1

Came here for brunch and dinner and both times the food absolutely SLAPPED! 👋🏾👋🏾👋🏾 Jared took great care of us at dinner and was a hoot to boot! 6 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🤩

Let me paint you a picture: Imagine you’re walking into a restaurant where the vibe says, “Kick back, relax, and prepare to be seriously wowed.” That’s exactly what happened when I strolled into El Alma, a Mexican gem that’s about to make you rethink all your taco Tuesday plans. Let’s start with the queso because, well, it’s queso, and it’s practically the gold standard by which all Tex-Mex joints are judged. El Alma’s version is a gooey, cheesy dream that will have you questioning if you should even bother with the rest of the menu (spoiler: you absolutely should). It’s the kind of queso that makes you consider licking the bowl when no one’s looking. Next up, the enchiladas. These bad boys are not just “good.” No, they’re the kind of good that makes you close your eyes and take a deep breath after the first bite. The sauce? Perfection. The filling? Heaven-sent. I’m talking about an experience so divine, I might need to go to church afterward just to say thank you. And let’s not forget the tacos. Now, I’ve had my fair share of tacos—some that made me wish I hadn’t, and others that brought me joy. But the tacos at El Alma? They’re in a league of their own. The tortillas are fresh, the fillings are bursting with flavor, and each bite is a little fiesta in your mouth. Then came the shrimp. Oh, the shrimp. They were so perfectly cooked that I’m pretty sure Poseidon himself sent them from the depths of the sea just for my plate. Juicy, tender, and seasoned to perfection, these little morsels were the surprise highlight of the night. But you know what really stole the show? The service. The folks at El Alma know how to treat their guests. It’s like they’ve been trained in the fine art of making you feel like the most important person in the room. Attentive without hovering, friendly without being overbearing, and knowledgeable without coming off as snobby—they’ve mastered the trifecta of service excellence. So, will I be back? You bet your bottom dollar I will. El Alma isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a destination. Whether you’re looking for a killer queso, life-changing enchiladas, or tacos that make you weak in the knees, El Alma delivers on every front. Do yourself a favor and get there soon—you can thank me later.

+6

My daughter and I had one of the most incredible meals at El Alma South. We recently visited Austin, El Alma South was recommended to us by a yoga teacher we took a class with of Mexican heritage, as we shared that we would like to eat good Mexican Food. She told with us that her parents enjoy this restaurant. I could not have been happier and will remember this meal for a long time to come.

I used to deliver seafood to El Alma on Barton Springs in downtown Austin but never stopped in for lunch. I just happened to be nearby and decided to stop in. The green aji verde sauce is very spicy and the red salsa is less spicy when served with the house chips. The Adobo Grilled Shrimp on a Jack Cheese Enchilada was really good and the portion was the perfect size for lunch without feeling too full in the middle of the day which is what I prefer in a good meal! Flavorful yet not over spiced or salted which may be more of what some people’s palette might call for if this helps define the flavors at El Alma. Service/staff was great and friendly here. Look forward to coming back to try more of the menu here.

+1

Yes, go here. This is the best Mexican restaurant I’ve ever been to. The food, staff, and atmosphere are as close to perfect as I can imagine. You are served by the absolute nicest staff imaginable, in a beautiful, bright, and colorful interior, and then they bring you the most original and delicious tasting chips and salsa. As you enjoy that you look over the menu of fantastic options. The enchiladas are my go to but everything I’ve tried is wonderful. When things are done so well they’re hard to describe, just go here.

We love this restaurant. It is a go to of ours. Great food, great variety, something for everyone. Love the specials and happy hour. The staff is great. This is an easy choice when you are looking for great food, great service, clean space and easy to get to location. Writing a review because they went above and beyond yesterday to make sure we had a great experience. Always so nice to be treated like family. Thank you to the manager, Aries, for the extra steps to make sure we were beyond happy.

You won't be disappointed @ El Alma! 5 people in our party and no one was disappointed! The bar delivered perfect margaritas as well!

This is the best El Alma to visit. Skip the other one and come here. The drinks are made to perfection, the food is finger licking and service is top tier. Shout out to Jared for his 10 Star service!!!!!

El Alma serves delicious food and drinks, and has a wonderful Happy Hour. This place has outdoor seating and friendly servers. However, the Barton Springs location will always be more fun simply because it's on Barton Springs. But more El Alma's is definitely a GOOD THING! Their mango-rita is probably one of my favorite drinks in Austin. The rajas con crema and veggie taco were very good. And the nachos with the melted cheese and pickled veggies offer a delicous combo of creamy, rich and pickle-y flavors.

Stopped in for lunch and had some great tacos. Full of flavor, plenty of meat and the sauce(s) were great. The place is small downstairs, so it filled up quick. There’s an upstairs, but I didn’t go up there. Nice little find with great food and decent service. I’ll have to go back for happy hour/dinner to try their margaritas.

Our first time here and everything was amazing! The food was fresh and flavorful, the drinks were delicious, and our server, Jared, was excellent!

I enjoyed the service, atmosphere and food! I’m a sucker for green enchiladas and this was a success for my first time at El Alma. Plan on returning soon :)

Run don't walk go here! Margaritas, salsa, guacamole, mango habanero shrimp special appetizer so good, no it was amazing! Everything was just so mouth watering good! Peachy Fuego wasn't to our liking but am positive those that like Mezecal would love it!

Our server was awesome. Her recommendations were incredible. The food was unique and so delicious. Drinks were strong and very enjoyable.

I was so happy to see an El Alma closer to my house. I was every happier to see they had a brunch menu! We had the Steak and Eggs and the Salsa Verde Pork & Eggs. We liked both dishes, but the pork was my favorite. I also highly recommend the avocado margarita if you haven't tried one before. It's delicious and suuuuper smooth. Our server was super friendly and gave great recommendations as well. Give this place a try!

Another fabulous place opened in South Austin and we are thrilled it’s El Alma! We’ve always loved the one on Barton Springs, so we’re very happy to have one closer. We sat at the bar, which was a decent size making for enough room to sit immediately. There was a wait to sit in the main dining area, but we actually prefer the bar. I started with the Jacked Sangria. Delicious. Chips and salsa were a little delayed in arriving but the salsa is worth the wait. Our food actually came quicker than expected. My verde enchiladas were perfect. Some of the better Spanish rice you can find in Austin. Hubby ordered the pork chop, which was stunning and colorful. It was a little dry but tasted ok, he said, and was thankful for all the mole sauce. Didn’t stop him from eating it down to the bone. Overall a great dining experience and we will be returning.

Totally fun date night spot. We sat at the bar and had a great evening. I cannot recommend the duck enchiladas and the chipotle sauce enough. Also, get the crab queso. Fantastic margaritas too. We both had mangoritas and they were excellent.

Nicole “Coleyworld” H

Another fabulous place opened in South Austin and we are thrilled it’s El Alma! We’ve always loved the one on Barton Springs, so we’re very happy to have one closer. We sat at the bar, which was a decent size making for enough room to sit immediately. There was a wait to sit in the main dining area, but we actually prefer the bar. I started with the Jacked Sangria. Delicious. Chips and salsa were a little delayed in arriving but the salsa is worth the wait. Our food actually came quicker than expected. My verde enchiladas were perfect. Some of the better Spanish rice you can find in Austin. Hubby ordered the pork chop, which was stunning and colorful. It was a little dry but tasted ok, he said, and was thankful for all the mole sauce. Didn’t stop him from eating it down to the bone. Overall a great dining experience and we will be returning.

Breanne Brock

I’m trying find something I didn’t love about this new spot and I can’t! The food was really good and I cannot wait to go back. Check this place out if you’re in the mood for a solid margarita and nachos. The chips and salsas were also amazing. Price was affordable too - we got 1 margarita, 1 app, and 2 entrees for $50ish (before tip). Their happy hour looks great too - I’ll be trying that out next time fasho. P.S. Homemade corn tortillas 😍

Amanda Weilenmann

El Alma serves delicious food and drinks, and has a wonderful Happy Hour. This place has outdoor seating and friendly servers. However, the Barton Springs location will always be more fun simply because it's on Barton Springs. But more El Alma's is definitely a GOOD THING! Their mango-rita is probably one of my favorite drinks in Austin. The rajas con crema and veggie taco were very good. And the nachos with the melted cheese and pickled veggies offer a delicous combo of creamy, rich and pickle-y flavors.

Bud Spikes

Stopped in for lunch and had some great tacos. Full of flavor, plenty of meat and the sauce(s) were great. The place is small downstairs, so it filled up quick. There’s an upstairs, but I didn’t go up there. Nice little find with great food and decent service. I’ll have to go back for happy hour/dinner to try their margaritas.

Sarah

Our first time here and everything was amazing! The food was fresh and flavorful, the drinks were delicious, and our server, Jared, was excellent!

Glory Cassagnol

I enjoyed the service, atmosphere and food! I’m a sucker for green enchiladas and this was a success for my first time at El Alma. Plan on returning soon :)

MKing

Run don't walk go here! Margaritas, salsa, guacamole, mango habanero shrimp special appetizer so good, no it was amazing! Everything was just so mouth watering good! Peachy Fuego wasn't to our liking but am positive those that like Mezecal would love it!

Robert A Jones

I used to deliver seafood to El Alma on Barton Springs in downtown Austin but never stopped in for lunch. I just happened to be nearby and decided to stop in. The green aji verde sauce is very spicy and the red salsa is less spicy when served with the house chips. The Adobo Grilled Shrimp on a Jack Cheese Enchilada was really good and the portion was the perfect size for lunch without feeling too full in the middle of the day which is what I prefer in a good meal! Flavorful yet not over spiced or salted which may be more of what some people’s palette might call for if this helps define the flavors at El Alma. Service/staff was great and friendly here. Look forward to coming back to try more of the menu here.

Daniel Harrell

Our server was awesome. Her recommendations were incredible. The food was unique and so delicious. Drinks were strong and very enjoyable.

Frana Baruch

My daughter and I had one of the most incredible meals at El Alma South. We recently visited Austin, El Alma South was recommended to us by a yoga teacher we took a class with of Mexican heritage, as we shared that we would like to eat good Mexican Food. She told with us that her parents enjoy this restaurant. I could not have been happier and will remember this meal for a long time to come.

Brittany Enfield

I was so happy to see an El Alma closer to my house. I was every happier to see they had a brunch menu! We had the Steak and Eggs and the Salsa Verde Pork & Eggs. We liked both dishes, but the pork was my favorite. I also highly recommend the avocado margarita if you haven't tried one before. It's delicious and suuuuper smooth. Our server was super friendly and gave great recommendations as well. Give this place a try!

Last night I went with a friend to the El Alma location in Sunset Valley, and we had a really great experience. I’ve been here a couple of times before, but this visit we sat at the bar and tried a few cocktails along with two appetizers. Our bartender/server, Amaru, was awesome — super friendly, attentive, and really passionate about the restaurant. He gave us some great suggestions on what to try. The music and atmosphere were on point. The chips and salsa were a perfect start, and both the ceviche and flautas tasted really fresh with great flavors. Overall, it’s nice having a trendy spot like this in the South Austin area. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick bite or meeting friends for dinner, I’d definitely recommend this location.

What a great place to stop for lunch! The restaurant is spacious and airy with lots of light. Service was excellent, food was great and the salsas were some of the most delicious I've ever tried. Good coffee too! I will make a point of stopping here every time I'm in the area from here on.

Paul Marriott

What a great place to stop for lunch! The restaurant is spacious and airy with lots of light. Service was excellent, food was great and the salsas were some of the most delicious I've ever tried. Good coffee too! I will make a point of stopping here every time I'm in the area from here on.

Joey Zamora

Last night I went with a friend to the El Alma location in Sunset Valley, and we had a really great experience. I’ve been here a couple of times before, but this visit we sat at the bar and tried a few cocktails along with two appetizers. Our bartender/server, Amaru, was awesome — super friendly, attentive, and really passionate about the restaurant. He gave us some great suggestions on what to try. The music and atmosphere were on point. The chips and salsa were a perfect start, and both the ceviche and flautas tasted really fresh with great flavors. Overall, it’s nice having a trendy spot like this in the South Austin area. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick bite or meeting friends for dinner, I’d definitely recommend this location.

The enchiladas were perfectly cooked! The variety of queso dips were great and are spicy! Service was quick and friendly. Great clean restaurant setting. I did also enjoy the decor and wall paintings.

Everything was pretty tasty. Unfortunately, my poached egg was over cooked, I just added extra salsa. The avocado and tomato garnish? was...mmmm odd, maybe potatoes would be better. The lemon mango tart was yummy.

+3

The cocktails were very strong, a little too strong for us. chips were very good and my husband thought the salsa was fantastic. The queso was okay. His chicken dish was not good, he felt the chicken might be off. I'm not sure of this. I'm just saying he did not think the chicken was great. I had the duck taco and it was pretty good. The desserts were fantastic.

Service was average but expected a bit more for the caliber of the restaurant and price of meals . Gave 4 start because of the great tasting food. Otherwise I'd given a 3 star because of service. Good margaritas, the queso is very good. Creamy and not super spicy, great flavor with the poblanos. Roasted salsa was flavorful and ate a bunch of it. I ordered the Crispy Barbacoa Relleno. Fantastic dish. The crunch with the pepper and the sauce along with the beef barbacoa was so good. Service wasn't very attentive. Some examples were not being attentive to keeping table cleared of empty plates and not well at keeping drinks full. Not asking if we wanted desert or boxes. Not friendly. Had to ask for everything. Some noise in the restaurant, but overall good for groups and holding conversation.

Love the ambiance and particularly the private dining space in the back corner. Food was flavorful and huge variety. We went around noon on a Sunday. Recommend making reservations. Loved everything I ate. Service was a bit off. Waitress was not attentive. Otherwise highly recommend.

We have been here for happy hour once and popped back on for lunch today with an out of town guest! The salsas are so flavorful. I got the Mezcaloma and it was incredible 🍹🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼 The elote corn was also very tasty. Our server was not the best and didn’t seem to want to be there. The drink I ordered arrived 30 mins late and my husband had to ask a different server about it. Other than the service —- the experience was great.

Kim Reid

The cocktails were very strong, a little too strong for us. chips were very good and my husband thought the salsa was fantastic. The queso was okay. His chicken dish was not good, he felt the chicken might be off. I'm not sure of this. I'm just saying he did not think the chicken was great. I had the duck taco and it was pretty good. The desserts were fantastic.

James WA

Service was average but expected a bit more for the caliber of the restaurant and price of meals . Gave 4 start because of the great tasting food. Otherwise I'd given a 3 star because of service. Good margaritas, the queso is very good. Creamy and not super spicy, great flavor with the poblanos. Roasted salsa was flavorful and ate a bunch of it. I ordered the Crispy Barbacoa Relleno. Fantastic dish. The crunch with the pepper and the sauce along with the beef barbacoa was so good. Service wasn't very attentive. Some examples were not being attentive to keeping table cleared of empty plates and not well at keeping drinks full. Not asking if we wanted desert or boxes. Not friendly. Had to ask for everything. Some noise in the restaurant, but overall good for groups and holding conversation.

Julie WA

Love the ambiance and particularly the private dining space in the back corner. Food was flavorful and huge variety. We went around noon on a Sunday. Recommend making reservations. Loved everything I ate. Service was a bit off. Waitress was not attentive. Otherwise highly recommend.

I really love El Alma and believe this experience doesn’t represent the restaurant as a whole…the food is fantastic. Unfortunately, our service was disappointing enough that I felt I should share my feelings. Our server, Timber, seemed very rushed and made us feel somewhat unwelcome from the start. We were there for less than an hour before he prompted us with the bill, even though we were still enjoying our drinks—my cocktail was only half gone. At one point, he took my plate without asking if I was finished. During the meal, he also cleared unused place settings for friends who hadn’t arrived yet, which disrupted our experience. What was most upsetting was how forcefully he cleared the table. Without checking if we were done, he took our chips and salsa, stacked the salsa dishes in the middle of the chip basket right in front of my drink, and pushed them down so hard that the chips broke and spilled. It didn't feel nice. Fortunately, nothing ended up in my drink, but it wasn't easy to witness. It seemed like he was trying to speed things up. I don’t like leaving negative reviews, especially for a place I usually enjoy. I even accidentally booked this location instead of Barton Springs, which was my mistake, but I expected the same warm hospitality El Alma is known for. Sadly, this experience didn’t meet those expectations. This isn’t about the restaurant in general; it’s about a need for better service etiquette from this particular server. For anyone wondering, this had nothing to do with tipping. In fact, when he briefly showed me the screen, the tip was already set at 25%. He moved so quickly that I had to ask him to bring the monitor back so I could even review the bill, which felt just as rushed and strange as the rest of the experience. I ultimately tipped him more than 25%—not because the service deserved it, but because I believe in sending good energy even when it isn’t received. I didn’t want his negative energy landing on me. My intention in writing this isn’t to be cruel. I hope Timber, or anyone in management who reads this, understands that when we dine out, we are paying for an experience as much as we are for a meal. This restaurant even includes a wellness fee, which I am happy to support, because I believe in giving as much as I’m receiving. I arrived with a good attitude, excited to share a lovely evening with friends, and I want my dining experiences to feel relaxed and enjoyable, not rushed or transactional. I hope this is received as an opportunity for growth, not simply criticism.

The food and staff are really good! Loved the sweet potato Relleno. The spiced jalapeño cauliflower was okay. Our server recommended the mole sauce on our veggie enchiladas but it was okay for us. Really enjoyed eating Grilled corn on the cob, the sauce was amazing 🙌🏻

Amy Chance

I really love El Alma and believe this experience doesn’t represent the restaurant as a whole…the food is fantastic. Unfortunately, our service was disappointing enough that I felt I should share my feelings. Our server, Timber, seemed very rushed and made us feel somewhat unwelcome from the start. We were there for less than an hour before he prompted us with the bill, even though we were still enjoying our drinks—my cocktail was only half gone. At one point, he took my plate without asking if I was finished. During the meal, he also cleared unused place settings for friends who hadn’t arrived yet, which disrupted our experience. What was most upsetting was how forcefully he cleared the table. Without checking if we were done, he took our chips and salsa, stacked the salsa dishes in the middle of the chip basket right in front of my drink, and pushed them down so hard that the chips broke and spilled. It didn't feel nice. Fortunately, nothing ended up in my drink, but it wasn't easy to witness. It seemed like he was trying to speed things up. I don’t like leaving negative reviews, especially for a place I usually enjoy. I even accidentally booked this location instead of Barton Springs, which was my mistake, but I expected the same warm hospitality El Alma is known for. Sadly, this experience didn’t meet those expectations. This isn’t about the restaurant in general; it’s about a need for better service etiquette from this particular server. For anyone wondering, this had nothing to do with tipping. In fact, when he briefly showed me the screen, the tip was already set at 25%. He moved so quickly that I had to ask him to bring the monitor back so I could even review the bill, which felt just as rushed and strange as the rest of the experience. I ultimately tipped him more than 25%—not because the service deserved it, but because I believe in sending good energy even when it isn’t received. I didn’t want his negative energy landing on me. My intention in writing this isn’t to be cruel. I hope Timber, or anyone in management who reads this, understands that when we dine out, we are paying for an experience as much as we are for a meal. This restaurant even includes a wellness fee, which I am happy to support, because I believe in giving as much as I’m receiving. I arrived with a good attitude, excited to share a lovely evening with friends, and I want my dining experiences to feel relaxed and enjoyable, not rushed or transactional. I hope this is received as an opportunity for growth, not simply criticism.

Food quality mediocre, table in front of us 2 men and 1 woman, she was vaping continuously and the staff members didn't notice or didn't care. Staff demotivated, bad vibes, bad training, seams like nobody was payng attention to the tables, only a woman that was working in the kitchen noticed us and smiling. Not going back there.

Brunch was Mid, had the “spicy chilaquiles” (Red) it was not spicy at all, salsa lacked flavor and salt. Black beans were bland, they need to add cheese on top. Ordered coffee, they didn’t bring sugar or creamer I had to ask. They also forgot the chorizo I asked to go with my chilaquiles. The restaurant itself looks nice but I wouldn’t come back or recommend.

This was my first visit to El Alma and I was a little disappointed. Service is really the big reason for 3 stars! I was meeting a friend for dinner and she got there before me but water wasn’t even brought to the table until I got there (and I was at least 10 minutes late). Then the waitress just wasn’t attentive. Again I was more so disappointed because my friend actually liked this location. Also there were specials- we only found out the special when we went to the bathroom 🤦🏾‍♀️ Food: I got a salad and added beef- not the prettiest thing BUT it was yummy. I definitely do not regret that pic! My friend got a soup and she was also satisfied! We got the blanca sangria and again a great choice.

Mili A

This was my first visit to El Alma and I was a little disappointed. Service is really the big reason for 3 stars! I was meeting a friend for dinner and she got there before me but water wasn’t even brought to the table until I got there (and I was at least 10 minutes late). Then the waitress just wasn’t attentive. Again I was more so disappointed because my friend actually liked this location. Also there were specials- we only found out the special when we went to the bathroom 🤦🏾‍♀️ Food: I got a salad and added beef- not the prettiest thing BUT it was yummy. I definitely do not regret that pic! My friend got a soup and she was also satisfied! We got the blanca sangria and again a great choice.

Had dinner on a Friday night. The staff is always friendly & very pleasant. The enchiladas and Azteca soup were good, but the al pastor tacos were so greasy that my partner only had 1 bite.

My dining companion had the garlic shrimp which came with 5 shrimp,rice and slaw which he found flavorful but perhaps overpriced. I tried the el pastor and carnitas tacos - I enjoyed the el pastor which was moist and flavorful, the carnitas was not. The beef was seared with a pink blush it was cut too large hence tough to chew. Unfortunately, when I mentioned it to our waiter at the end of our meal hoping for a quiet mention to the kitchen staff his look of disdain, to the half eaten taco, back to me, back to the plate communicated he took my feedback differently. Ah well. The chips were crisp, whole grained, and flavorful as were the two salsas they came with, a robust spicy red and a green tomatillo that was fresh and piquantly on point. My partner was pleased to have a Mexican Coca Cola, my draft Modelo Negro with lime fell short (maybe I've had my taste buds adjusted from the bottled version), a fellow diner's espresso martini gave him the impression it was more caffeine than he needed (for many I don't think that would deter). The large dining room was bustling but comfortable.

Kristine Kennedy

My dining companion had the garlic shrimp which came with 5 shrimp,rice and slaw which he found flavorful but perhaps overpriced. I tried the el pastor and carnitas tacos - I enjoyed the el pastor which was moist and flavorful, the carnitas was not. The beef was seared with a pink blush it was cut too large hence tough to chew. Unfortunately, when I mentioned it to our waiter at the end of our meal hoping for a quiet mention to the kitchen staff his look of disdain, to the half eaten taco, back to me, back to the plate communicated he took my feedback differently. Ah well. The chips were crisp, whole grained, and flavorful as were the two salsas they came with, a robust spicy red and a green tomatillo that was fresh and piquantly on point. My partner was pleased to have a Mexican Coca Cola, my draft Modelo Negro with lime fell short (maybe I've had my taste buds adjusted from the bottled version), a fellow diner's espresso martini gave him the impression it was more caffeine than he needed (for many I don't think that would deter). The large dining room was bustling but comfortable.

We were placed at the smallest table available even though the place was empty. Our plates did not fit the table. Green ink stained off onto the table rubbing off the menu. Our waiter was pushy. They charge a 3% "wellness" charge which if you missed on the menu you would never know because the waiter doesn't show you the itemized bill, just tells you what the total is and hands you the tablet on the spot, watching you as you select 20% as the minimum suggested tip on top of the 3%. I wouldn't even know if I got charged properly for happy hour pricing because - no bill. Shady stuff. Do not recommend.

Beware of double-tipping here. Ask to see the bill. The food was only okay. The thing that really turned me off was fighting all the flies at the table. Not going to be on my rotation. Not as good as the Barton Springs location and no views to look at here other than flies. Pricey for what you got even at lunch. Jack Allen's kitchen is a much better choice and cheaper too!

We got there around 3ish had drinks ate some food and around 5:30pm were asked to leave to vacate the table for incoming diners. We were about to leave but when our server asked, it rubbed me the wrong way!! I waited tables for 25 years of my life and would NEVER ask a table to leave - especially when the table paid out and were obviously going to be leaving soon!! My first time at this location (we live close by) and will NEVER go back!!! How rude!! The restaurant was literally empty!! The nerve! I could understand had it been Friday or Saturday evening and they had reservations coming in but a Tuesday late afternoon?!? Now I am angry we tipped that waiter so well. Never again. The food isn’t that good.

This was my first time at El Alma South. We arrived just before a busier time on a Sunday afternoon. The wait staff seemed helpful and attentive enough and I have no problem with them at all. The food on the other had has some serious issues. We were 3 people not really knowing what to expect but based on the prices I was expecting plenty more than was delivered. I ordered the Crispy Barbocoa Relleno. Having eaten plenty of Relleno dishes in other restaurants I did have some idea of what to expect however my expectations were destroyed the moment I first cut into the Relleno. The Panko crust was way too thick and utterly tasteless, the stuffed poblano should have had Jack Cheese and I suppose it did make a cameo appearance within my Relleno but that's about it. As for the Barbocoa, it was just as flavorless as the Panko crust. Not even salt could have helped this dish. I was able to mostly finish (it really wasn't that much to eat) but to be honest, I was hungry and for $24 I didn't want to waste it, though I might have been happier if I had. The next dish on our order was the Pato Con Mole Verde. The dish arrived at our table with 2 hind quarters which seemed very generous, but from the moment I laid eyes on it, I knew it was trouble. The "Crispy Braised Duck" looked a bit dry on the crispy skin. There was no shine of moisture at all on the skin and if you've eaten duck before, you know it's a very oily meet and that oil is important for the moisture and flavor. Unfortunately, the dryness of the meet continued to the bone. It wasn't my dish, but my wife couldn't finish so my curiosity took over, and I sampled it to see how bad it could be. It was horrible. The meat was dry and lacking flavor, probably due to it having not a sign of any remaining duck fat. Obviously, it wasn't cooked to order. This tasted like it was cooked a few days before and reheated. I've eaten plenty of duck in my life and I'm guessing this was in the refrigerator for 2 days drying out and absorbing that bad refrigerator taste of leftovers that have been left too long. The last dish on our order was Roasted Shredded Duck Relleno. The person who ordered it couldn't finish it. She said it couldn't possibly be duck. She said it must be beef. So, I tried it. The menu said Chipotle tomato salsa but there was no flavor of chipotle, the meat had a flavor but for the life of me I can't figure out what that flavor was. It certainly wasn't duck flavor. There's no beef relleno on the menu except for the Barbocoa and this was not Barbocoa, so it's not like it was a mistake where she was served the wrong dish. Following the pattern of the other dishes it was also dry. It did however have flavor, but we just couldn't figure out what it was. As I looked around the restaurant, which was now much busier than when we arrived, I asked myself what they could possibly be eating, and seemed to be enjoying. It couldn't seem possible that after what we just suffered through that there would be anything. Having decided we were finished and ready to go our waiter asked if we wanted boxes to take the leftovers. Two of us in unison just said "no". After paying, we were invited to come back again which resulted in the three of us spontaneously laughing out loud with a "No thank you." We immediately drove to another restaurant for dessert.

Suzanne Wynn

We got there around 3ish had drinks ate some food and around 5:30pm were asked to leave to vacate the table for incoming diners. We were about to leave but when our server asked, it rubbed me the wrong way!! I waited tables for 25 years of my life and would NEVER ask a table to leave - especially when the table paid out and were obviously going to be leaving soon!! My first time at this location (we live close by) and will NEVER go back!!! How rude!! The restaurant was literally empty!! The nerve! I could understand had it been Friday or Saturday evening and they had reservations coming in but a Tuesday late afternoon?!? Now I am angry we tipped that waiter so well. Never again. The food isn’t that good.