Austin, Texas is home to the live music capital of the world, but also some pretty good queso. Growing up in Austin has made me somewhat of a queso snob, and I’m always on the hunt for good queso. So here is my best attempt at listing some of the best queso places in Austin based on 21 years of experience.
Disclaimer it was too hard to rank these queso hotspots, so they are in no particular order.
1. Torchy’s Tacos
Torchy’s saying is “Damn Good Tacos,” but it also has damn good queso. Their queso is so loaded and thick that you feel like the chip might break with every scoop, but in the best way. Their queso is also kinda spicy, and it has a nice kick of flavor with every bite. Overall? Delicious.
2. Matt’s El Rancho
When you go to Matt’s El Rancho make sure that you get a large Bob queso. This queso is named after Bob Armstrong, the former Texas Land Commissioner, who raved about this dip so much since Matt’s first opened that they started calling it the Bob dip. A Bob queso is their regular queso heaped with fresh guacamole and taco meat.
3. Magnolia Cafe
Magnolia Cafe, better known to locals as “Mags,” is known for its 24-hour service and its queso. Their regular queso is something to talk about, but the real gem is their “mag mud.” Mag mud is queso, black beans, avocado, and pico de gallo. They have many other options for queso, but mag mud is for sure a top contender.
4. Muadie’s
Maudie’s has several locations in Austin, making it easy to get their queso. Maudie’s queso, a feel good kind of queso, makes it hard to slow your roll once you have started eating it. Every time I go there I find myself taking the last of the chips to clean the bowl of queso. It is your classic true yellow queso.
5. Taco Deli
Taco Deli’s queso is a less thick, but just as good. Their queso is a good, smooth white queso. You can taste all of the seasonings that are put into this queso with every bite.
6. Kerbey Lane Cafe
Kerbey is known for its great breakfast options, but have you ever had queso for breakfast? I recommend their queso at all times of the day.
7. Mi Madre’s
Mi Madre’s is probably one of Austin’s best kept secrets. This place has a thinner queso that is best without guacamole, yet still packs some spiciness to it.
Austin has some dank queso places that you need to try pronto. I’m sure there are many queso places out there that I need to try, so if your favorite queso place isn’t on here, that just means I haven’t gotten to try it yet!