El Faro Taco & Cafe

Este lugar es súper delicioso! José Luis and José Luis Jr are so kind and friendly, they made my partner and I feel like we were among family. Jose Luis’ dad has a crazy «sazón», seriously those chilaquiles are so good, they knocked it out of the park! Also their cafécito de olla is no joke either. Lastly they have an habanero salsa that is super good, spicy though! I will definitely be back.

Great service. The owners were extremely friendly and warm but, we did not enjoy our food. I ordered beef enchiladas suezas. While the sauce was good, I found the overall flavor to be bland. The saving grace of most Mexican inspired restaurants is the rice but, theirs left much to be desired. It was almost like they got it right out of an heb steam bag. We’ll try it again another time but, it won’t be soon.

I give this place a solid 3 stars. We went for breakfast last weekend — my fiancé had the nachos and I had the machacado plate.
The good: tortillas tasted homemade, my plate could’ve fed 2, the nachos had a bunch of sneak-​attack delicious veggies in them.
The okay: the machacado was decent, but not anything to write home about.
The bad: the regular coffee (I chose wrong!) was terrible, and the meal wasn’t terribly cheap. We ended up paying $ 30 for an appetizer (nachos), entrée (machacado), agua fresca and undrinkable coffee.
For the price, we probably won’t be back. I love a good hole-​in-​the-​wall Mexican food shop that does machacado and chilaquiles, but this place just didn’t hit the spot.

All I can say is lunch is true authentic Mexican or Spanish food! Very nice service and great food! Well worth the trip!

We ordered lunch to pick up and everyone was really nice and our order was ready super quick. My husband loved the breakfast tacos and I had the tacos and they were ok. We will try it again for dinner!

In my opinion the best Mexican restaurant in Austin. They have authentic Mexican food. The Enchiladas Suizas are to die for! They also have a spicy creamy tomatillo salsa that is unbelievable. The Torres family that owns the restaurant is very friendly and cordial.

Amazing amazing amazing breakfast tacos! Seriously there is nothing more to say about this place! Just go try it!

Flour tortillas are good, not too thick. Salsas were good and flavorful. Chorizo was good.
I wish the potatoes were fried not boiled.
I will go back for breakfast plates.

The owners are very nice the food is pretty good but this last time I was there the beans and chicken didn’t taste as fresh as the time before I was there and that was a more then a couple years back I remember the buffet menu used be a bit better place is pretty small for a big guy like me and disable people … Price is good for the buffet.

They have the best breakfast! I love the breakfast tacos too. Good variety at lunch. Authentic!

The breakfast tacos here are amazing and surprisingly large for the cost. If you don’t eat a lot then 2 of the breakfast tacos is enough food.
I highly recommend egg cheese and bacon on one.

El Faro continues to impress. I have never felt so at home when walking into a restaurant– eating here feels like I’ve come home to my parents. Wonderful people, great service and excellent food. I have been coming here since I was pregnant with my son, he is now 2 and eats here with me all the time. We absolutely adore this place, and will continue to eat here as long as we’re in Austin! 5 stars isn’t enough for this place!

I found El Faro when I first moved to Austin a few months back and was not disappointed. The family here welcomes you as their own and greets you as soon as you walk in.
It’s a small family owned Mexican Restaurant with many options that I’m sure anyone would be pleased with. Keep an eye out for Don Pepes specials (which are displayed on the wall). They serve anything from chorizo breakfast to enchiladas for lunch.
Ask for the Mexican Coffee or Café de olla this is a must have when you visit but only available on the weekends!
Don’t forget to get here early because they are only open from 8 am to 2 pm.
Enjoy!

Was in town for the week and didn’t notice them across the street from me. I’ve been to torchy’s, chuy’s and several others around town so far and these guys are up there with the best of them. I had the buffet which is well worth the $ 10.
There’s a small town ambience to it but the owners are very nice and keep an eye out for empty drinks… what more can you ask for than delicious food and great service!

The food was good, but the price was wrong.
Went in for lunch and the lunch buffet was $ 8.99. ($ 11 after tax and tip). Walked away feeling that for the money I could have had much better mexican food. Good service, but a low value.

For what this is, it exceeds expectations, thus the 5 stars. El Faro is one of those great little hole in the wall dives that we are all constantly looking to add to our rotation. El Faro boasts a variety of authentic mexican dishes, and adds to thier appeal by offering such amerian favorites as bacon cheese french fries and a breakfast plate of pancakes, eggs to order, and bacon.
The owners Aricelle and Jose are as cheerful and welcoming as the mexican coffee is on a cold weekend morning. Speaking of, the mexican coffee is so dark, that even 2 creams cannot significantly lighten the color. I haven’t asked what’s in it, but you can definitely taste notes of cinnamon, and either brown sugar or molasses.
Things I’ve had so far that are incredible include the Chilequiles, Migas, Machaca, caldo, caldo de pollo, pancakes, and they were all excellent.
They have 4 or 5 flavors of salsa, and they are all incredible.
If you are a fan of authentic Mexican food and incredible service, you’ve got to try this place. And, I’ve got to make it by for the lunch buffet some day.

This is really a great find on Wells Branch right near where I work. Cute little friendly Mexican restaurant. I love their potato and egg breakfast tacos and the Horchato (rice milk). Come early — they close at 2.

Great hole in the wall spot. The couple that own this place are also the staff, very attentive and friendly. Always willing to make what you want how you want no matter the request. The place is small, and maybe not the cleanest lol, but food is always good.
My usual order: Tortilla soup, this is by far the best tortilla soup in Austin. The serving size is in a 40oz cup (I always order to go). If you’re feeling under the weather, have one of these and it will get rid of whatever sickness you have.
I have had the breakfast tacos here as well, fresh ingredients and pretty tasty.
Only thing I would suggest as an improvement is the hours. Closing at 2, sucks when I’m craving a tortilla soup on a cold night and cannot get one!

Wonderful food and wonderful service. Breakfast tacos are awesome. Carne Guisada are my favorite. Highly recommend for people who enjoy small mom and pop places with good food.

Nice hole in the wall Mexican dinner buffet. Not the best Mexican food I’ve ever had, but really good and best of all is it has a home cooked quality and taste to it. Plus the owners are super sweet.
Have been there twice; the first time was packed and the second was pretty slow. Based on the first time though I would advise getting there early. Other people have mentioned the buffet being small, but I don’t mind it at all for 2 reasons: one, all they have is good and two, the smaller amount/​portions allows for fresher food with quicker turn over rather than stuff that has been sitting there all day.
I would like to try other dishes on the menu like their mole, but the buffet is hard to pass up and is a great deal. I also love giving business to good people.