Why You Should Try El Naranjo, a Mexican Restaurant in Austin I Love

El Naranjo is a gem restaurant in Austin! They serve traditional Mexican food and their strong flavors make their dishes noteworthy. Keep reading to learn more about this restaurant in South Austin.

Traditional Mexican Restaurant in Austin

What is traditional Mexican food? If you say tacos, you’re partly there, but there is much more to the cuisine, especially when you consider different regions and how the cuisine has evolved in Texas. The differences in flavor and ingredients makes El Naranjo a delightful adventure. While Tex-Mex has a popular place in Austin’s food scene, restaurants like El Naranjo give us the opportunity to discover an unfamiliar side of Mexican food, and it does it excellently.

In 2010, Chef Iliana de la Vega and her husband Ernesto moved to Austin after selling a successful restaurant in Oxaca. El Naranjo, the food trailer, began their restaurant journey in Austin, as many other restaurants have done. The restaurant became a brick-and-mortar on Rainey Street in 2012 and today operates at South Lamar, which opened in 2019.

The restaurant is a bright and lively place, with a wrap-around bar and colorful decor. From their skillful wait staff to how Chef de la Vega visits each table, the experience is more than good food, though that is certainly one of the most important factors. Dining at El Naranjo feels like enjoying a meal in a home kitchen, which to me, is one of the most intimate and fulfilling.

Chef de la Vega recently added a new honor to her name – the Best Chef, Texas award from the James Beard Foundation! A big honor and we in Austin are honored to have Chef sharing her talents at El Naranjo. (The annual James Beard awards are the most notable culinary awards in the U.S.)

Dining at El Naranjo

I have a hard time not ordering the same thing when I visit El Naranjo. The dishes are consistently satisfying, yet I know they have plenty of exceptional dishes. Whether it’s seafood, vegetables, or red meat, there’s a dish for you.

Salsa and Bread – A complimentary snack includes a trio of salsa macha (rich chile oil), orange zest butter, and escabeche (marinated vegetables).

Housemade Tortillas – No ordinary tortillas, these are made with heirloom corn and stone ground in-house. Sharp focus on the quality of their ingredients takes their dishes a step further.

Queso Oaxaca Fundido – It seems so simple, this melted cheese, and it reminds me that simple can be just as rewarding.

Ceviche de la Semana – I love starting a meal with a ceviche or crudo and this one is tasty! The fish selection is based on what is available.

Costillas de Res a Las Dos Chiles – The braised boneless beef shortrib is tender and flavorful while the goat cheese mashed potatoes is another one of my must-haves when dining here.

Mole Negro de Oaxaca with Duck Breast – One of their most popular dishes is this one. Moles take time and an astounding number of ingredients to make. This one has more than 30 ingredients making up its complex and rich flavor. It’s paired with perfectly cooked duck breast.