Garrido’s is Austin’s newest Modern Mexican joint located at street level of the 360 Condominiums. Chef/owner David Garrido has been an Austin restaurant fixture for years now as former executive chef of Jeffrey’s. What does Modern Mexican mean? The category allows Garrido to experiment with his Spanish and Mexican roots of the Basque Region and Mexico City. Prices points are very low considering the location and quality of food, prices top at $11.25. Right now only about 60% of the planned menu is available as additional recipes are being tweaked. To be expected, it literally just opened! But let’s not forget the drinks; wine bottles start at $22 and glasses at $5.50 plus a whole lotta tequila choices. FYI: smoking and dogs are not allowed on the outdoor patio. Open at 11am daily and weekend brunch will start in July.
Oyster Tostadas on yucca root chips w/ honey habanero aioli. Yes, his famous Jeffrey’s appetizer is alive again! Austin thanks you.
To see pictures of Garrido’s:
Storefront at the ground floor of the 360 Condominiums
Gulf crab guacamole & chips
Small ‘Caesar de Arbol’ w/ shrimp
Grilled Mahi Mahi BLT Taco Plate. Because Garrido spent so many years at Jeffrey’s, he has learned the science of pairing food and wine. Sauces are reduced to evaporate the acid, allowing the food to compliment any vino.
Oaxacan Black Bean Soup w/ cotija cheese & plantains
Pastel de Calabaza w/ crema fresca. This is a zucchini cake! delicious, definitely the best vegetable dish of my life. This dessert has been in David Garrido’s family for 50 years. Thank you grandma Garrido for broadening my zucchini horizons and making it sweet.
Patron Cafe XO tres leches w/ whipped cream
Ridiculously relaxing patio, see those boxes on the left? Inside are fans that they will be installing today. Thank god, its 99 degrees out! IM MELTING!
The soothing sounds of a waterfall
The patio overlooks Shoal Creek which keeps the restaurant 10 degrees cooler than other downtown spots because of the cool air traveling up from the water.
The chef himself, David Garrido. Super nice guy who has definitely put his due time in Austin dining. My waiter was very well-versed on the menu and personable.
Relax in the lounge out front while waiting for a table
Garrido’s 360 Nueces St. Austin, TX 78701 www.garridosaustin.com 512-320-8226
College Slacker
Do cheap prices outweigh the placement of Garrido's in a new downtown high rise. Say no to gentrification but okay, fine, yes to good food at cheap prices.
Spoiled Brat
I can walk here from my loft bitches! Great addition to the neighborhood. Anyone who cooks at Jeffrey's is good enough for my palate!
June 12th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Maggie,
it was great to meet you at Cuatros the other night! How does the gulf crab guacamole at Garridos compare to the crab and green apple guac. at La Condesa (which is my favorite!)? Maybe we should have a guac taste-off!
June 15th, 2009 at 8:05 am
I’ve never had the Green Apple Guac at La Condesa, but I’ve had the crab guac there and comparing crab guac to crab guac is pretty easy. Both are delicious and well done with lot’s of creamy smoothness. Crab really does compliment guac because it isn’t an overpowering flavor. Apple in guac seems strange to me, so I’ll definitely have to try it and I’m guessing I’m going to like it.
June 16th, 2009 at 8:14 am
So after seeing Maggie’s post last week, I had to try this new place. This is my kind of Mexican food but who can afford the prices at places like La Condesa and Maria Maria all of the time? I went last night and I was not disappointed. Everything I tried was delicious and the presentation was equally as appealing. I told our fabulous waitress I wanted to drink the salsa it was so good and I was not joking. I loved the outdoor patio – I told my dining partner I felt like was I was sitting at a resturaunte in Mexico not in Austin because of the delightful landscaping and relaxing interior design over looking a creek. A great spot to go grab a reasonably priced dinner before heading downtown!
July 1st, 2009 at 10:03 am
I also had to try Garridos myself. The food was awesome, but the service was terrible. We did have a very large group, but the waiter tried to order for us after we had waited for an hour (with a reservation). This is definitely a place to try…maybe with only 4 and not 11.
August 12th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
What a terrific website. You did such a great job describing Garrido’s that we will be going there on Friday. Your great descriptions and pictures are greatly appreciated. Keep up the good work! Look for a follow up post after we try it for ourselves.
Meanwhile you just earned a new Maggie’s readers! Way to go, girl.