Santa Rita Cantina
American · Mexican · Austin, TX
About
Open daily from 11am, Santa Rita Cantina serves casual Tex-Mex and margaritas in Austin's Capitol neighborhood, a short walk from the University but away from the main drag of gay bars. It's a no-frills spot that leans heavily into a welcoming, mixed gay-straight crowd.
Cheap margaritas and a playlist heavy on 70s hits set the tone. Regulars love the Monday fajita deal: two for $9.95. The restaurant has a bit of a local following, and some suspect it might be gay-owned. The vibe is family-friendly, so you'll see all ages here.
Santa Rita Cantina is located near the University in Austin's Capitol neighborhood, a bit removed from the main concentration of gay bars but easy to reach.
Features
- ✓Cheap margaritas (not too sweet)
- ✓Monday fajitas for two at $9.95
- ✓Plays 70s hits like Abba and ELO
- ✓Great people-watching spot
Cuisine
Good for
Practical
What people say
Rated from 434 reviews. 37 community ratings. View this venue on Yelp
From the community
“oh sooo good!”
The margarita was excellent, not overly sugary. I got the pork and pineapple tacos, which were incredible, and my partner had the fajita tacos, which he finished completely. Crissy served us and was very kind and helpful.
A visitor · Over a year ago
“Superb to the max”
This is easily one of the top dining spots. The food, ambiance, and service are unbeatable. I absolutely love it. The dishes taste very authentic and leave you craving more. Excellent.
A guest · Over a year ago
“Great Food, Cheap Margaritas and ABBA”
I decided to drop in alone after reading the sole review here about a trendy, gay-friendly Tex-Mex spot. My partner was out with coworkers, and I was craving Tex-Mex, so I gave Santa Rita a shot. It was a great experience: tasty food, inexpensive margaritas, a lively crowd, and an excellent server. I ordered the chicken combo plate; they brought out the taco first, then the enchilada, which was perfect since I was hungry. The server was smart and interesting—we had a good chat since I was dining solo. This is a fantastic place for people-watching, very welcoming to gay folks without being exclusively gay. And the striking, stern restaurant manager in all black with a ponytail was quite a sight! You can't complain about a place with good food, cheap drinks, and cheesy 70s tunes like Abba's Dancing Queen and ELO's Sweet Talking Woman. I had a blast and will return next time I'm in the city.
A recent visitor · Over a year ago
“Amazing Mexican!”
I'm a lifelong resident of Austin, and this is one of my top new spots in town. It's an amazing, gay-friendly Mexican restaurant—might even be gay-owned. On Mondays, their fajitas for two are only $9.95 and delicious.
A local visitor · Over a year ago
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours? +
Monday to Wednesday 11am-9pm, Thursday to Saturday 11am-10pm, Sunday 11am-9pm.
Is it family-friendly? +
Yes, the vibe is family-friendly and all-ages are welcome.
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