I don’t like their margaritas, it tastes like they use a concentrate for the lime juice (is it even lime juice they are using? I swear it is sour mix…)
They fall victim to the common issue with mediocre TexMex, the food never really looks good. We know you enjoyed that meal, but it doesn’t really look that appetizing. Beige, yellow, and brown on a white plate with a splash of red/green on the corner.
The taste is… What I expect from a mediocre TexMex place. It isn’t great. It could be great if they used actual seasoning beyond a dash of garlic salt and showing some powdered cumin to the grill. Your cross section yields what appears to be an entire additional tortilla inside your american cheese smothered burrito. I find that an apt description of the food/quality.
Do they add liquid smoke to their dishes? I swear I taste “flame grilled” on dishes that are obviously not “flame grilled”.
I like the grilled serranos.
Pleroo
Food first family fun a sure thing
RedRedBettie
Ive tried it twice and both times were meh
GreenAguacate
Ok Tex MEX food. Kills the hunger
evilbutler
It’s reliably decent. Nothing more.
-a-theist
Haven’t been in a long time, but I always thought their salsa was some of the best around.
robertluke
It’s old school Austin so I’m sure everyone who moved here hates it.
bit_pusher
I’d rather have Chuy’s and my opinion on Chuy’s is there’s easily a dozen other places I’d rather go.
LookingforBlueSky
I love Serranos. Pollo Perfecto, every time.
eogreen
Mediocre at best. Lots of cheat side beans & rice not great actual mains.
RVelts
Went to the old downtown location twice back between 2014-2016ish.
1. Brunch buffet, ordered the bottomless mimosas. They ran out of orange juice after we had one or two, and they offered the bottomless palmoas instead. But then they charged for both bottomless packages. I have no memory of the food, which means it wasn’t particularly great or bad. 2. Went for Brunch again, my parents were in town staying at a hotel nearby, so they went over and got a table, and I picked up a friend and headed there. When I was almost there, they called me and said to just pick them up outside, they had been seated for 30 minutes, and a waiter had come by to take drink orders, never returned with the drinks, and nobody was serving food to any tables. So they just left.
Never felt compelled to go back. And then the downtown one closed. For cheap tex-mex, I could just go to Maudie’s
compstomp66
It’s been meh for the two decades I’ve lived here.
LovesMeSomeRedhead
They’re ok, but not my favorite. My mom and some of my kids really like them, so we eat there occasionally. For me, there’s better Tex-Mex options in the same area and similar prices I’d rather go to. We have no shortage of good Tex-Mex in the area so personally I wouldn’t go to Serranos.
NomDeLuise
Serrano’s was a regular go-to for me in the 90s, but Austin has so many better options now, I haven’t been in 20 years. I remember the tortilla soup being pretty reliable though.
super_gay_llama
It’s decent. Crispy tacos are actually pretty great. Enchiladas hit the spot. Both of those options are way better than Chuy’s.
TidalWaveform
I’d give it one step above average, depending on what you order. The shrimp tejanos are awesome, as are the fajitas. The tacos are average, but certainly edible. The chicken thigh dish (alambre?) is also really good, as is the tortilla soup.
This is all based on the Southpark location, where we eat 2-3 times/month.
AgentAlinaPark
It’s old white person Tex Mex. Take a look at where their locations are at. I would say it is very average Tex Mex. Somewhere I would take someone’s grandma from Iowa visiting.
On that, I like that kind of food occasionally but just go to better places for it. La Margarita in Round Rock is really good. Flores and Mesa Rosa are ok on 620. Mesa Rosa has good Margaritas a massive patio with a backyard with swings, etc. for kids to play. Notice these type places are in the suburbs also. I live right Mopac and Spicewood Springs so way too many great places to be going to Serrano’s.
mattypants
There used to be a legit burrito place in San Antonio named Serrano’s. This is not that place.
fan_of_will
In my opinion one of the best salsas and beef fajitas in town. They started making mole which is very good.
texaslegrefugee
IIRC the folks who started Serrano’s were originally from San Juan, down in the Valley. So in the early years the food was pretty darn good. They did a grilled red snapper that was to die for. But over the past six or seven years, it’s become completely mediocre and the menu has changed from creative to undistinguished. Kind of sad, really.
ChangMinny
🤮
maxxpowerr
I’m not a fan of their tex-mex standards, but their grilled items, bacon wrapped shrimp, and sides of squash and grilled veggies are all good for what they are. It’s just not someplace I would choose for enchiladas, tacos, and margaritas.
SendingToTheMoon
the bean and cheese burritos are very cheap, very filling, and taste great with the chipotle sauce
tigresueno
“Are you a basic b*tch? Come on down to Serrano’s and git yer some sloppy Tex Mex that is guaranteed to taste like lazy nostalgia!” jk jk but not really
elibutton
They used to be respectable – back around 2008 to 2012 time frame. I had their enchiladas and they were solid but I haven’t been there since 2012ish and from the comments sounds like they’ve gone downhill – like a lot of places. Same with Chuys
hauntedyew
Honestly it’s relatively cheap and decent texmex.
It’s not my favorite by any means, but if I’m passing through the Cedar Park area and feel the need for a burrito and marg, I know they’ve got me covered.
Corgiboros
That looks disgusting to me, but others will love it. For those who love it: That’s awesome and I’m glad this spot brings you joy.
R0naldMcdonald0
Not great, serranos and Trudy’s are on similar tiers in my mind. Almost never go, just too many other better options to choose from
pathfindermp
It’s the Texas version of California’s Del Taco, in other words, blech.
SinjinTiger
Uhhhhhhhh 😬
gregaustex
Hard to make tortillas, meat, cheese, beans, jalapenos, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and salsa *bad*.
TexasPenny
We really like it. I get the pollo loco plate and like that it’s not drowning in cheese and sauce. It’s always enough for 2 meals. We love their tortillas. We get take out once or twice a month.
We used to get Chuys all the time, but like 8 years ago they changed their tortillas, and now they just taste floury.
Madmack
I’m a big fan of their beef fajitas. They use a different cut than most places in town, and they start with a raw commodity product. To me they eat like steak, and it’s a nice change from all the places that are buying something already marinated/pumped with a sodium solution.
Outside of that, it’s decent basic Tex-Mex.
AllieSylum
Mediocre Mexican food. Try Texican Cafe in Manchaca.
icesa
I feel like everyone in this sub hates it. Been going there for years. Used to go there literally every Friday night for dinner with my family when I was growing up and followed them to new locations. After leaving Austin would always have to get my fix when back in town. Love their salsa…queso..jalapeño poppers…Chile rellenos…their chicken dishes…enchiladas.
ElbowSteve
i really enjoy serranos! yummy drinks, yummy food, and it’s fast and inexpensive
Historical_Jump9902
Tortilla soup is good.
Socalstoner1995
Never been there but wow that plate looks unappetizing
SXSWEggrolls
Serrano’s at Symphony Square used to be a great experience. The Pollo con Queso was simple and hit the spot. It’s a very decent mid-tier casual Tex-Mex restaurant.
Alternatives like Trudy’s and Chuy’s still exist, tho.
And El Dorado seems to be the new hotness.
Keep in mind that Mid is good! It’s not awful. It means it won’t be packed. It won’t be full of food influencers. If you find the value in their pricing like I do, I am happy it exists for those quick family dining out jaunts that won’t suck my wallet or time.
41 Comments
Was great in 06′
But with vivo, el Dorado etc no need to go
Serrano’s crispy tacos are the bomb!
Meh?
I don’t like their margaritas, it tastes like they use a concentrate for the lime juice (is it even lime juice they are using? I swear it is sour mix…)
They fall victim to the common issue with mediocre TexMex, the food never really looks good. We know you enjoyed that meal, but it doesn’t really look that appetizing. Beige, yellow, and brown on a white plate with a splash of red/green on the corner.
The taste is… What I expect from a mediocre TexMex place. It isn’t great. It could be great if they used actual seasoning beyond a dash of garlic salt and showing some powdered cumin to the grill. Your cross section yields what appears to be an entire additional tortilla inside your american cheese smothered burrito. I find that an apt description of the food/quality.
Do they add liquid smoke to their dishes? I swear I taste “flame grilled” on dishes that are obviously not “flame grilled”.
I like the grilled serranos.
Food first family fun a sure thing
Ive tried it twice and both times were meh
Ok Tex MEX food. Kills the hunger
It’s reliably decent. Nothing more.
Haven’t been in a long time, but I always thought their salsa was some of the best around.
It’s old school Austin so I’m sure everyone who moved here hates it.
I’d rather have Chuy’s and my opinion on Chuy’s is there’s easily a dozen other places I’d rather go.
I love Serranos. Pollo Perfecto, every time.
Mediocre at best. Lots of cheat side beans & rice not great actual mains.
Went to the old downtown location twice back between 2014-2016ish.
1. Brunch buffet, ordered the bottomless mimosas. They ran out of orange juice after we had one or two, and they offered the bottomless palmoas instead. But then they charged for both bottomless packages. I have no memory of the food, which means it wasn’t particularly great or bad.
2. Went for Brunch again, my parents were in town staying at a hotel nearby, so they went over and got a table, and I picked up a friend and headed there. When I was almost there, they called me and said to just pick them up outside, they had been seated for 30 minutes, and a waiter had come by to take drink orders, never returned with the drinks, and nobody was serving food to any tables. So they just left.
Never felt compelled to go back. And then the downtown one closed. For cheap tex-mex, I could just go to Maudie’s
It’s been meh for the two decades I’ve lived here.
They’re ok, but not my favorite. My mom and some of my kids really like them, so we eat there occasionally. For me, there’s better Tex-Mex options in the same area and similar prices I’d rather go to. We have no shortage of good Tex-Mex in the area so personally I wouldn’t go to Serranos.
Serrano’s was a regular go-to for me in the 90s, but Austin has so many better options now, I haven’t been in 20 years. I remember the tortilla soup being pretty reliable though.
It’s decent. Crispy tacos are actually pretty great. Enchiladas hit the spot. Both of those options are way better than Chuy’s.
I’d give it one step above average, depending on what you order. The shrimp tejanos are awesome, as are the fajitas. The tacos are average, but certainly edible. The chicken thigh dish (alambre?) is also really good, as is the tortilla soup.
This is all based on the Southpark location, where we eat 2-3 times/month.
It’s old white person Tex Mex. Take a look at where their locations are at. I would say it is very average Tex Mex. Somewhere I would take someone’s grandma from Iowa visiting.
On that, I like that kind of food occasionally but just go to better places for it. La Margarita in Round Rock is really good. Flores and Mesa Rosa are ok on 620. Mesa Rosa has good Margaritas a massive patio with a backyard with swings, etc. for kids to play. Notice these type places are in the suburbs also. I live right Mopac and Spicewood Springs so way too many great places to be going to Serrano’s.
There used to be a legit burrito place in San Antonio named Serrano’s. This is not that place.
In my opinion one of the best salsas and beef fajitas in town. They started making mole which is very good.
IIRC the folks who started Serrano’s were originally from San Juan, down in the Valley. So in the early years the food was pretty darn good. They did a grilled red snapper that was to die for. But over the past six or seven years, it’s become completely mediocre and the menu has changed from creative to undistinguished. Kind of sad, really.
🤮
I’m not a fan of their tex-mex standards, but their grilled items, bacon wrapped shrimp, and sides of squash and grilled veggies are all good for what they are. It’s just not someplace I would choose for enchiladas, tacos, and margaritas.
the bean and cheese burritos are very cheap, very filling, and taste great with the chipotle sauce
“Are you a basic b*tch? Come on down to Serrano’s and git yer some sloppy Tex Mex that is guaranteed to taste like lazy nostalgia!” jk jk but not really
They used to be respectable – back around 2008 to 2012 time frame. I had their enchiladas and they were solid but I haven’t been there since 2012ish and from the comments sounds like they’ve gone downhill – like a lot of places. Same with Chuys
Honestly it’s relatively cheap and decent texmex.
It’s not my favorite by any means, but if I’m passing through the Cedar Park area and feel the need for a burrito and marg, I know they’ve got me covered.
That looks disgusting to me, but others will love it. For those who love it: That’s awesome and I’m glad this spot brings you joy.
Not great, serranos and Trudy’s are on similar tiers in my mind. Almost never go, just too many other better options to choose from
It’s the Texas version of California’s Del Taco, in other words, blech.
Uhhhhhhhh 😬
Hard to make tortillas, meat, cheese, beans, jalapenos, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and salsa *bad*.
We really like it. I get the pollo loco plate and like that it’s not drowning in cheese and sauce. It’s always enough for 2 meals. We love their tortillas. We get take out once or twice a month.
We used to get Chuys all the time, but like 8 years ago they changed their tortillas, and now they just taste floury.
I’m a big fan of their beef fajitas. They use a different cut than most places in town, and they start with a raw commodity product. To me they eat like steak, and it’s a nice change from all the places that are buying something already marinated/pumped with a sodium solution.
Outside of that, it’s decent basic Tex-Mex.
Mediocre Mexican food. Try Texican Cafe in Manchaca.
I feel like everyone in this sub hates it. Been going there for years. Used to go there literally every Friday night for dinner with my family when I was growing up and followed them to new locations. After leaving Austin would always have to get my fix when back in town. Love their salsa…queso..jalapeño poppers…Chile rellenos…their chicken dishes…enchiladas.
i really enjoy serranos! yummy drinks, yummy food, and it’s fast and inexpensive
Tortilla soup is good.
Never been there but wow that plate looks unappetizing
Serrano’s at Symphony Square used to be a great experience. The Pollo con Queso was simple and hit the spot. It’s a very decent mid-tier casual Tex-Mex restaurant.
Alternatives like Trudy’s and Chuy’s still exist, tho.
And El Dorado seems to be the new hotness.
Keep in mind that Mid is good! It’s not awful. It means it won’t be packed. It won’t be full of food influencers. If you find the value in their pricing like I do, I am happy it exists for those quick family dining out jaunts that won’t suck my wallet or time.