Licha's Cantina Reviews

My husband and I were driving down East Sixth after visiting Encore Records, and decided to stop in on a whim. So glad we did! Now, we're sure we'll be back many times! Licha's has unique and authentic Mexican dishes, all with super fresh ingredients. We were really impressed with the tacos al pastor and sopecitas. The portions are very generous - you could easily share these dishes! Plus, it's worth a trip just for the drinks and chips and salsa! I absolutely loved the seasonal "Lupita" watermelon jalepeno margarita - very refreshing. Not only is the food high quality and delicious, the atmosphere is warm, inviting, and charming both inside the little house and outside on the patio. It makes you feel like you're on vacation!

Went to Licha’s after our friends saw it and thought it looked interesting. They took reservations for us since we had 10 people which a nice option. This is real authentic Mexican food ! The margaritas were tasty and especially the watermelon and jalapeño one. Our table selected the fondido, Ceviche and guacamole for appetizers and all were great. For dinner there was a selection of enchiladas, pork, beef fajitas, tacos and red fish with the red fish being the favorite. Great flavor on all. We sat on the patio which for a hot humid evening wasn’t the best choice but still enjoyable thanks to some big fans. Be prepared for a wait since it was quite popular. We will be back and hopefully when it’s cooler

Great Mexican food with a twist. THings like pumpkin seeds in the quacamole. Love the Margaritas that are mostly fresh lime juice, a splash of agave, and a bunch of tequila. No corn syrup!

The place always busy, it is inside and outside sitting, but it is open space, so if it is hot weather it is hot everywhere at this place, food was very tasty and with some twist on regular mexican menu. It is always noisy, because of a lot of people, so just speak loud also. Service was great, staff are very friendly and helpful with food choices. And food is reasonably priced and very, very tasty.

Daniel Brooks & Claude Benayoun (Vespaio) have taken over the Papi Tino's location & it is now called Licha's Cantina (named after Daniel's mom!). This is some seriously good food. Tops in the interior/Mexico City street food category. These simple yet delicious recipes are straight from Abuela and will make you want to run back for more. Best yet is EVERYTHING is Gluten-Free! No flour is used in the kitchen - not by choice but because that's the traditional way of cooking this cuisine. Vegetarians & carnivores can eat in peace together here. Tons of choices for both. Must-tries are the mole, tuetano, and the amazing baked sweet potatoe (forgot what it's called!) They also have a fantastic bar vibe with great tequilas, margaritas & specialty cocktails. FABULOUS addition to Austin's restaurant scene!

Very tasty Mexican food. They have a delicious cheesy appetizer. The bartender that was our server was particularly attentive. Overall great experience.

I was charmed by the atmosphere and the food. Instead of mains we ordered an assortment of appetizers to share. The huitlacoche tacos were to die for. The margarita, while a bit pricey, was delicious.

Licha;s makes everything from scratch. The blue corn tortillas have wonderful corn flavor and they make all types of fillings for them. I am not a big fan of ceviche. I guess I have never had good ceviche! It was fresh with lime and seasonings and the fish was fresh and delicate. I tried the octopus and to my surprise it wasn't what I thought the texture was going to be like. Definitely not rubbery and grilled perfectly. The Tacos Al Pastor were spicy and sweet and the pork was tender. There are many types of mixed drinks. Have a designated driver or Uber if you plan on having a few. Licha's has revived my hope of good Mexican food. Rather than the typical Tex Mex it delivers great flavors and interesting new dishes. The atmosphere is "Austin" at it's best on the ever popular 6th Street. ENJOY!

We visited on a Saturday and requested to sit outside on their tree-lit front patio/porch. It was about an hour wait, and we said no big deal we'd visit the bar next door. The hostess suggested their back bar and patio and I'm glad she did! The hour wait flew by; we sat in the back in communal seating, and ordered a margarita, spicy margarita, and Paloma drink unsweetened - they were all delicious! The guacamole we ordered wasn't my favorite, but when it came time to be seated, everything we had for dinner was served by a knowledgable and friendly waitstaff and tasted AMAZING. You gave to try the esquite, so good, and then the steak tampiqueno and cochinita pibil were delicious. We will definitely be back! Great place to enjoy dinner, drinks, or drinks with apps.

From the drinks, to the service, to the food, to the amazing black beans. Seriously! Delicious. Come hungry. I was saddened that I couldn't finish everything. I was too full.

Great food and drinks. Always busy. Super funky interior and a large outside covered area. The drinks are fantastic. The service is generally good, although sometimes can have a few issues.

A good place for drinks and eats. Very lively at the weekend and fun in the back garden, the menu is interestingly different to the other places we've looked at or eaten in. We shared a starter and main (we live in London UK so are a bit terrified at the portion sizes) and with a couple of drinks each it was really nice. Interesting flavours and a nice atmosphere.

Licha's Cantina had fabulous food and great service! I ordered the Enchiladas Potosina, and my two friends each ordered something different. We all agreed that everything could be recommended highly! Will definitely go back when I visit Austin!

We had a great double birthday party here for two young professionals and their friends. Great cocktails flowed with bowls of guacamole, ceviche and chili con caso being passed around. The entrees ranged from pork belly to fajita salads to many vegetarian and gluten free selections. The staff was courteous and able to keep up with our large party of over twenty people. It was a lot of fun dining here.

Go to this "cantina" for family type Mexican food, cocktail and beer. The general settings look a bit typical / cheap from the outside but the service is so friendly and plates are full of very tasty preparations...

Our daughter lives in Austin and suggested we try this place for a birthday dinner before going to a UT event. Wow! This place offers so many wonderful/different choices! And the cocktails were amazing! Our waiter was exceptionally knowledgeable about the drinks and suggested some menu items to try. Our tastebuds were impressed! Great, casual atmosphere in a neat little house. Loved everything about this place. Will return again!

Went here a Saturday night and had vegetarian tacos. The food was pretty tasty and the service was good. The place itself is kind of trendy with a rustic charm. Good option if you're looking for Mexican food.

This is a fun, hip place to dine on the East Side of Austin. Their chili con caso includes chorizo sausage, guacamole and several types of cheese served with homemade corn tortillas. Very tasty. My daughter had a posole stew made with lamb. My husband's beef ribs were very tender and the accompanying vegetables were also good. I had some mini tostada cups filled with black beans, cabbage, chicken and creme, which I also enjoyed. We dined outside on the front patio, but there is also a back patio and indoor dining. This is a great place for groups. We'd had our daughter's birthday party here last year. You should enjoy yourself here.

Brilliant food. We went here for lunch and took the taco’s. It was pretty much for lunch but the taste was great. Nice music and nice staff

This is not tex-mex, it's interior Mexican done right. We love their happy hour, one of the best in town.

Delicious authentic Mexican food at a very reasonable price, excellent waiters happy to guide you through their outstanding collection of tequila and mescal cocktails and hearty entrées. Can't wait to go back.

Definitely not Tex Mex! Authentic Mexican food with a flair. Build your own tacos is an unusual presentation and very good. Creative mezcal cocktails along with a nice beer selection can round out a good time.

Genuine Eastside place with a non-traditional menu. Do not come expecting Tex-Mex. Expect ceviche — and a large portion at that. Barbacoa was generous but would have liked a larger portion of guacamole on the side as well as more tortillas. Overall a good choice and worth a return trip next visit.

Stopped in late-night after some Texas Blues because Licha's was open. It was packed and for good reason. What a lucky find. Balanced spices and fresh ingredients added up to the best Mexican food I've sampled. The staff were great too.

We dined on the back patio at Licha's on a Wednesday night around 7:30 and there was no waiting for a table. Everything we ordered, from the margaritas to the entrees was incredible. The ceviche is amazing and highly recommended! For an appetizer, we also had the Champiqueso which was the most unique queso dip we've ever had. The two specials that we had for entrees, one a pork and the other a tuna, were equally delicious. If you're looking for inventive TexMex food, Licha's can't be beat!

Try the hamburger---wow!! Such a creative bun...cooked to perfect temp, wonderful flavors! Excellent service!! Open late, too!

Friendly staff (then again, this *is* Austin, so everybody is friendly), and really *really* good food. Sunday brunch is exceptionally good. Also, if they happen to have any pozole, get it, don't think twice. It really is *that* good

I am on a special allergy diet, and they went out of their way to accommodate me. There was 4 adults, and each one of us said the food was fantastic. The drinks, food, the help, was great.

We had dinner on Saturday December 11, even though they were completely booked. The owner made special arrangements for my best friend SuperDave and we were able to eat on time. The food was amazing, it was delicious, and very tasty. The owner was very attentive and made us feel at home. The margaritas were excellent. Thanks for the tequila shots. We are definitely coming back and I highly recommend this restaurant if you visit Austin. Keep up the good work family!!!

I have been wanting to eat here since it opened. It is in a cute East 6th street cottage with lots of out door seating. Fear not in the winter, walled tents and space heaters make for a comfortable meal. This place is very popular and with good reason. There is a fun feeling about the place and people watching is really prime. The food is pretty good, but not great. We shared a huitlacoche quesadilla on a stone ground blue corn tortilla. The huitlacoche was rather bland and tasteless compared with what I have had in Mexico, but that may be because it was probably canned. The tortilla was hard and tough even for a knife. A standard flour tortilla would be much better. My wife ordered Emmolada de Plato ($15) which was sort of a Mexican version of duck and mole lasagna. It was a large serving and was pretty tasty. My Cazuela de Mariscos ($22) a sort of a Mexican version of the Italian Zuppa di Pesce, but not nearly as good and left me a little disappointed. There are happy hour specials of both food and drink. The happy hour margaritas ($5) are tasty and well made, but awful small. The staff is eager to please and well informed about the food. They seem to share some responsibilities and do a good job. No reservations except for large groups, so it is first come first seated. I look forward to trying other menu items and finding out how to get a adult sized margarita.

The food here was incredible. We went for happy hour and had margaritas and appetizers. Everything we had was amazing and unique!

This cantina was amazing! Authentic Mexican cuisine a bit off the highly trafficked tourist area. I ordered the chilaquiles with chorizo and they were superb! I would recommend this to anyone looking for a wonderful meal.

I have NO IDEA WHY this place has garnered the rep that it has! Must be Millennials and Gen Zers without Taste Buds? Social Media Hype?! I don't have One Positive Word for this place. AVOID!

Great drinks and food. Fun place. Loud. Friendly. Excellent wait staff. They were patient with my questions and very efficient.

We had an 1.15 hour wait on a Friday night. But it was worth the wait. We had some wine and beer while we waited. We had tacos for dinner. Overall a fun atmosphere and good food

Stopped at this place to meet up with friends looking for a tasty margarita. Was not impressed, especially with the tiny glass the drinks were served in at their price. We ordered beer the remainder of the night. The food was very good, service was great. Will definitely go back for the food.

Great food, great company. This place is casual and comfortable. Several people from a group met here to say farewell. It was a nice evening that I will not forget.

I grew up in Austin and this was a great find on a recent visit back to the hometown. Quintessential new-Austin (i.e. not 1960s/70s). A lot of outdoor seating. Nothing fancy. Food was very good with large servings. We had the fish and chicken tacos and chorizo quesadilla. All tasty. Margs were good but expensive. $40/pitcher. Thus the 4 star and not 5. Yes, we would go again.

We arrived at Licha's and were informed we would have a 45 minute wait for a table. Fine we said, we would have a drink at the bar. As soon as we received our drinks we were informed our table was ready. With a very strong margarita and rose wine in hand we headed to our table to peruse the menu. This is not the type of place for a quiet evening. It is loud, you will likely converse with the table beside you and it is a lot of fun. Our menu selections were Mole Con Pollo, Fish Tacos, a tamale to share plus a beer and glass of wine. I know this may sound a bit lame, but wow, these dishes were packed with flavour. And also very generous servings. Total tab was a very modest $56 before tip. Our server Natalie explained all the dishes to us. She was a delight throughout our meal. The bartender came to our table to check on us. They know service here. It may not be fancy but it sure is fun and tasty.

Had to take the time to give props to the staff at Licha’s. I was in town for a bachelor party and needed a space that would work and also had good food and drink, and this place checked all the boxes. Nice space, and the staff was very nice and patient, especially given the state of some of our party! Haha. 5 Stars, thanks for a great dinner.

We found Licha's Cantina in a magazine article about new restaurants in Austin and were eager to try it. We headed there early on a Friday Night and got seated right away (before 7:00) although the restaurant was filling up already. We realized it was still happy hour for a few more minutes so we ordered margaritas quickly for $5. Neither one of us liked them. They were not even slightly sweet and the tequilla tasted kind of harsh. I mentioned it to the waitress who said they "use a different tequilla for the happy hour drinks" which in my mind makes the $5 less of a deal. Then we ordered the sweet potatoes with goat cheese and pepitos as an appetizer. They could not have been less interesting. The sweet potato was a peeled baked sweet potato cut into pieces. The drizzle of sauce didn't touch them. The goat cheese was on the side and tiny. There were about 5 pepitos on the plate. It was so plain I was surprised they would consider that a dish at a restaurant. We also ordered a pulled pork quesadilla and it was better. We went ahead and ordered dinner too. Roast duck mole - it was lukewarm. Nothing is great lukewarm. Also the shredded brisket with tortillas. It was ok - salty. Just ok. Not great. We would not go back. There are many places to eat better mexican food in Austin. And many better places to get a delicious margarita. Our waitress was not interested in my comment that the margarita didn't taste good or that the mole was lukewarm. The building itself is cozy and there is outside seating in good weather.

Visited Austin for a quick getaway in December. On the recommendation of a friend, reserved a spot at Licha's. So happy we did. Seated in a yard (a bit cool that night, but worked out well). Dog friendly place, which we don't mind. Good selection of beer, fair to modest selection of wine. Knew it was to be a long weekend of food, so stuck with the chips and salsa for appetizer. Unique, vinegar based salsas which were very, very spicy. Even the 'mild', so be cautious if you're not a convert. I had the tacos Alambre, which were superb. Wife ordered a redfish special, which she also enjoyed. All in all, a very unique but special experience at Licha's. Highly recommend.

This was the first place we went for dinner while in Austin, and it set the bar really high. Go here for the happy hour! They have food and drink specials for $5. And the food that they include with that price is amazing. I wish this place existed in Los Angeles.

We had a decent experience here. Had a wait on a Saturday evening but we wandered around the area before it was time to eat. The food was pretty good but slightly overpriced (as I'd imagine most places around downtown are).

The first time we tried to eat here we were quoted 2 1/2 hours wait time. I'm not waiting anywhere for 2 1/2 hours to eat anywhere. This did peak our interest though. We came on a Wednesday night about 6:30 & were seated immediately. Both sauces were excellent. My Wife had the Cochinita Pibil - $22 Achiote braised pulled pork served in a clay pot, spicy pickled red onion, guacamole, queso fresco, refried black beans It was very good. The meat was very tender & had a great flavor. The black beans were very good as well. I had the Pulpo y Camarón a la Plancha - $23 Octopus & shrimp a la plancha, charro white beans, chorizo, bacon, charred tomatoes, watercress The shrimp was excellent with a great flavor. The octopus was over-cooked & chewy. They were definitely not served over white beans. The looked & tasted just like Van Camps canned pork & beans. It sure wasn't worth $23. They are very proud of their food & drink prices & maybe they can get it in this area of East 6th street. Glad we checked it out, but you can get twice the flavor across the street at the Artessano Colombian food truck for 1/2 the price. The wait staff was friendly, but a little slow on the refills - chips, sauce & drinks. The chips were good, though not made in-house. Negra Modelo - $5.00 each for a bottled beer. For a $95 meal with drinks ... not worth the hype.

...we accidentally found this place, because of rude service of a competitor down the street & boy are we glad that we did !!! Licha is a house that has been converted into a cozy little restaurant. The service was excellent & the food was even better !! There is a good choice of food on the menu,ranging from tacos to octopus. Everyone in our party ordered something different, so we sampled each others food and everything was great. The have a good drink menu also, with different tequilas, beers, etc....all of this goodness, with average prices !! This will definitely be a place that we visit again !!!

I was here on business, therefore, I parked my rental car across the street from the restaurant. The street parking meter cost me $4. This was my first time here. I was here with five of my business associates for dinner. One of them recommended this place and I am glad she did. It was great. We did not have a dinner reservation, therefore, I enjoyed my spicy margarita at the bar as we waited for our table to become available. We were seated within 10 minutes after our arrival. The restaurant is quite large with a huge eating area in the rear, which is sealed off from the elements. Our young yet knowledgeable server was excellent. She recommended their red snapper, which was one of my best red snapper dinners in a long time. At the end the girls wanted to try some dessert so they ordered their three most popular desserts including a chocolate cake, flan and another item. I did not share in the three desserts. At the end we divided and shared our cost including gratuities, which turned out to be $44 each. I will definitely return here for dinner, margaritas and more red snapper.

Went with another couple. It was pretty crowded but we got a spot outside and had several of the appetizers, which were all good. Tiny space inside though!

A friend recommended this amazing little gem on E 6th and was not disappointed. It was amazing and tasty!! There were so many choices to choose from but managed to narrow it down to the tacos al pastor!! So good! My friend had the quesadilla which was also soooo good! Highly recommended!!

This is a must-see in Austin... Authentic Mexican fare by a cook who is passionate about pleasing his customers with incredibly delicious food. I'm a vegetarian and go for the Sweet Potato Tacos-- they're SOOO fresh and delicious. Enjoy them with a tasty margarita and some of their complimentary chips and spicy salsas!

Stumbled on this restaurant from another Trip Advisor review. Wow!! It was delicious! Reminded me of when I lived in Mexico and Guatemala. Totally NOT a Tex-Mex place. Food was divine. Service was good. Sat outside under the trees and stars. This is now my favorite restaurant in Austin!

I had an early dinner with my wife and small children here recently, we had read several good reviews and decided to give it a try. Despite it being shortly after they opened (they open at 4, we got there right around 5), all the outside tables were already taken. There were a lot of people enjoying the nice weather and not necessarily eating, and a table opened up for us after about 10 minutes. The space is wonderful, there are lots of bar tables out back, several tables inside and a fair amount of outdoor seating as well. Parking is surface parking wherever you can find it, we didn't have any problems but given the all the bars and restaurants in the area parking could be harder to find later in the evening. I was really blown away by the food and the flavors. Even the salsas that came with the chips (a sweeter orange sauce with a slight kick, and a green sauce with a lingering kick) hit me right away. The guacamole was good but not great, but everything else we had was really tasty. I had the alambre tacos, with beef, bacon, onions and cheese, they were mouth-wateringly delicious. My wife had a vegetarian chile relleno, it was stuffed with some seasoned quinoa that almost made me sorry I'm not a vegetarian. They have cheese quesadillas for the kids, my kids ate them up enthusiastically. It's clear that they use very fresh ingredients, but their secret is in the seasoning and the spices they use. I was disappointed that they were out of the chocolate cake on their dessert menu, but I plan on visiting again in the near future so I'll just have to wait until then for their dessert. I wasn't blown away by the service. Everyone was really friendly and our primary server gave us some good tips on questions we had about the menu, but we had multiple people take orders/requests from us during our meal, and a few things got lost or delayed in translation. All in all, we were really impressed with the food, the location and the ambiance, and we will definitely be back again soon.

We read many reviews, very, very positive, which prompted the four of us to try their happy hour. First, the waitress and the manager/owner were very attentive, prompt, and made sure they checked if we needed anything during our time. The drinks were excellent and very much enjoyed. The tapas were very challenging for the taste buds. I'm not saying they weren't prepared well just seemed to be somewhere between mexican and what am I eating. I was also very surprised at how pricey their wine by the glass was with only one white, one red, and one rose, under $10 the rest like $11-$16. The $5 margaritas during happy hour were certainly a bargain.

My husband and I came here to meet up with some other Yelp friends on a Friday afternoon. We weren't hungry at the time so my husband and I ordered drinks while everyone else enjoyed some food and drinks. The food did look really good and I hope to come back in the future. I saw that the menu had gluten free options which would suit one of my food sensitivity. Based on the menu it appears I would have no problem getting my dairy-free accommodations too. Note that Licha's Cantina has $5 happy hour for food and drinks. They make an excellent spicy drink called the Vampiro. This drink has fresh jalapenos in it to give it an extra kick. Score!! My husband enjoyed a few margaritas and said they tasted fresh.

I had an amazing set of the Alambre tacos and the house margarita. These were easily the top five tacos I have ever had. I eat a lot of tacos so yeah, trust me, amazing tacos. The margarita was appropriately margaritaee. You will love it.

This is a great place to go for food that is a little bit different. Don't let the ingredients such as cow's tongue and bone marrow scare you. The food was delicious and it was fun to try something different. We shared a small dish as an appetizer, everyone had something different, the salad was huge and we all loved our food (and drinks!). I loved the old house this restaurant is in and the out door seating is bright and colorful. We had a great time visiting with friends.There is also seating in the back. Some of the seating in back is great for dining and there is seating perfect for having drinks with friends. This place is in East Austin, a short ride from downtown but you can also walk a couple of streets over to take the train over to the convention center (which is about a block or two from 6th street but a mile from the Rainey Street Historic District).

Our son and daughter-in-law suggested dining here on Friday evening. There was a brief wait so we went to the bar on the back patio to order margaritas, which were good. The weather was hot, but the shade and fans mitigated the heat. Before long we were taken to an outdoor table in front. I was concerned about heat, but, again, shade and fans saved the day. Our son and d-I-l shared several dishes. I had the Cochinita Pibil, which a previous poster described well. The Hubs had a Taco Al Pastor. I loved my choice, although the portion was so generous I couldn't finish it. The Hubs was less enthused about his food. Our"kids" come here often and love it. Of course, it is normal in Texas to have flying "visitors" outdoors. We had a gnat and a fly, but nothing too bad. A lady at a nearby table seemed to be directing an orchestra, so mightily was she waving away flying intruders. We felt she either needed to relax or ask to change tables. Overall, I would happily return!

I visited Licha's while in town for SXSW - it is a great unique space. We had drinks on the back patio and then ate dinner at the communal table on the front patio. The food was simple but excellent, served on paper plates is part of its charm. Would go back next time I am in Austin!

From the bartenders to the waitstaff to expediters, everyone is busting yet smiling and helpful. Amy runs a tight yet fun shop and Dan does an amazing job leading the kitchen. Food goes from traditional to creative to meet your tastes, and everything is fresh and cooked to order. What a friendly staff and excellent food!!

Wonderful authentic feeling mexican restaurant. I'm not a fan of Cerviche, but someone at the table ordered it and it was the best I'd ever had. Then I got a pork Quesadilla and it was also great. My entree was a Poblano pepper stuffed with quinoia and it was truly inspired. I was thrilled, and it was reasonably priced, as well. Great atmosphere. (we sat outside)

Unlike 10 years ago, there are now a good number of restaurants in Austin that serve authentic interior Mexican food. This is one of those. What sets Licha's apart, is that everything on the menu is delicious. We had sopes, huaraches, tacos, queso - and a few drinks. Everything was delicious. The Tinga was amazing. The tacos al pastor were not prepared in the traditional way, but they were great anyway. If you like Mexican food, you need to stop by.

Had lovely meal here last night. Great cocktails, great food, great atmosphere. Real fun place. Excellent service, friendly staff and chef.

This.place.is.AMAZING. Food is truly awesome, staff are super nice and really hard workers and ambiance is really fun. Lots of outdoor seating and bar is first come first serve (albeit a little tight on space). Be prepared for a bit of a wait, we went two times in a row and it was packed both times. Most of the menu is gluten free and really, truly amazing. The red snapper was delicious, the camote was unexpected but delicious and the sopecitos are awesome. I just finished dinner there and am already thinking about next meal options.

Went for the first time and was really surprised! This place was great with SOLID food and appetizers. Reminded me of when I was a child, the taste and smell, it was simply a nice experience. We ordered the escargot, queso, tacos al pastor, shrimp mole, and the chips and salsa! Ohhh the green sauce was amazing! A Must have of extra and extra! Also, I am not a vegetarian but this place has a wonderful menu for both meat and non meat. The owner was very nice and helped us with our order. First class service all the way. Gracias!

As the city gets bigger and you lose your favorite folks leaving your favorite haunts, you realize the city isn't as big as you first thought. Walking into Licha's brought back that reminder to me. I realized when we walked in, this was Dan's place. Our first encounter with Dan was a Vespaio. He was incredibly well versed in Wine and a very affable gent. Before he left Vespaio he mentioned he was doing something new and hoped we would see him again. Low and behold, here he was, smiling give us a hug and welcoming us. There were 6 of us and originally were sat outside however that didn't bode well since the sun was brutal. The hostess arranged a quick move to a table inside. When the waitress came over with Dan in tow, I asked if he would mind just bringing out food to us, his choice. Like a chef's table, albeit one small request, no shellfish since Ms. Suz is allergic. Holy Crap, what an excellent idea that was. I just wish I could remember the dishes which were shared. The largest main was a dish of pork, bone in, which was in an awesome savory tomato based stock. Perfect spice and texture. We had a quinoa stuffed relleno, fresh tortillas, salsa's and rita's. All in all great stuff. To top it off when we finished stuffing ourselves, we left and again got to meet Dan's mom and grandmum whom the restaurant was named after. Dan's a whiz in the kitchen and it is obvious his front of the house skills shine with the service which we received was excellent. We look forward to seeing Dan again real soon.

This was the second year in a row that our group of friends enjoyed brunch at Licha's Cantina on the Sunday of ACL Music Festival. I cannot say enough about the atmosphere and the food. I loved the chilaquiles and recommend them for vegetarians. The flavor was amazing! My friends enjoyed the huevos divorciados and pastel azteca.

Our family group of 13 dined at Licha and everyone was happy! The service was terrific - attentive and fast. With a group of 13, we have a range of tastes and food restrictions (including gluten free) and the menu clearly listed gluten free, vegan, and peanut-free dishes. There was a range of meals, satisfying desires for both spicy and mild dishes. Biggest hits were the chile rellenos, mahi mahi, and cochinita pibil. Large selection of tequila and mezcal.

Before leaving Austin for my first trip, I of course wanted more Mexican food! This is a great little find. The atmosphere is unique, in a home.. it doesn't have that "tacky Tex Mex vibe" which was actually very nice. We stopped on a Sunday, so we were offered their Sunday Brunch Menu. I had a delicious Breakfast Margarita, it was so delicious I had two. ( It was a vacation after all..) We ordered a few things to share, the best dish we ordered was the Barbacoa De Chivo- Braised Goat. It was amazing! I wish the serving was a little larger but it was amazing. We also ordered the Choriqueso, It was okay. I can't for the life of me remember the third item but it was very good. I did love the salsa that was given when you sat. The service wasn't anything spectacular but nothing to complain about. I know Austin has a lot of amazing food to offer, but I would recommend checking this out! Cheers! It had a great bar area too!

Charming location and outside seating! Starting out with chips & salsa - the salsa choices were great (and spicy!). Our guide ordered all of the food and everything was delicious. Their cocktails were great as well!

6:30 Tuesday evening. Had called around 4:00 pm and asked to reserve a table and was told they didn't take reservations but it wouldn't be a long wait. We arrived and requested a table for 3 and was told 20 to 30 minutes. After 45 minutes I made some noise and was told we were next. 10 minutes later we were seated at a large community table outside. Not my choice but after waiting so long . I ordered a house margarita and was disappointed in the flavor, another was suggested my our waiter and I got that one , again I didn't care for it . He brought me a third and about choked. Should have just ordered a beer. I felt like I just payed $30 for three glasses of ice. The braised pork shoulder was fantastic. The pork in clay pot was good but could have used a few more tortillas. The wait staff was attentive but the ambiance was lacking. $100. dinner for three, there are several better choices in the area to chose from. This place was suggested and the reviews looked promising. Parking along 6th street is a pain.

Funky place with a fun vibe. Serving up some interesting take on Mexican food. Must be popular because the place was full on a Tuesday night. Don’t expect your typical tacos and nachos here.

The food was delicious, and the service was excellent. The atmosphere was relaxed and unassuming. The menu was unique, offering a variety of options from steak, chicken, and seafood. We ordered the snapper and Arrachera Steak Tampiquena, both of which were excellent.

Funky Mexican spot with excellent food and drinks. The goat dish was delicious with chickpeas, guacamole, and refried beans. We ate outside on the patio and had to wait 1 hour before being officially seated. However, there's plenty of chairs for waiting in the backyard so we didn't mind.

Best Place in Austin for mexican food sp far. The location is very good too.. We will be back on sunday for Brunch :) I highly recommend this place to anyone.

Our last night in Austin we decided to walk down to Licha's for a late light dinner. The atmosphere was so fun and interesting. A house has been transformed to a restaurant and all the different rooms inside are turned into seating areas and they had so many outdoor tables as well. Our server was so friendly and we weren't starving so we ordered light and asked her for recommendations. App - ESQUITE (V) Main - PESCADO Y CAMARÓN PIBIL (fish tacos) Both dishes were so good. The fish tacos came highly recommended by our server and they were the best fish tacos I've ever had. The snapper and shrimp together with the charred veggies were so good. The tacos come out like a fajita skillet and you build your tacos. Loved this! The vibe, the environment, the food, everything was great. We didn't have a reservation and we were there at about 8 pm but I'm not sure if we could have just walked up and gotten a table earlier than that. Make a reservation if you want to ensure you're outside or don't want to wait. Great spot in East Austin!

I was in Austin with a group and we wanted to try Licha's. It was a Friday night and we did not have a reservation but the hostess mentioned a party that did not show for their reservation and we got lucky. We sat outside in the awesome courtyard and Miguel was our server and he was great. There were Mexican beers and some Mezcal drinks, an awesome corn appetizer with chili, butter, cotija cheese and lime. Then around the table there were pollo sopecitas, red snapper tacos, chicken mole and I had a red snapper entre with chorizo papas, avocado and a cactus salad. It was a great dinner in a great atmosphere in a great neighborhood and made even better on a beautiful evening and dining outside. Salud to Licha's!

Licha's is an all-around wonderful place for appetizers, drinks and dinner. I've eaten here several times, and keep coming back for more! The service is attentive and enthusiastic, they really know how to help you choose the dishes that you will love. The chicken sopas, tacos al pastor, and sweet potatoes are all stellar! Plus, the palomas (grapefruit soda and tequila) are refreshing and always a hit! The front patio area is great for watching the people go by, and the back patio is very cute as well. Be aware that Texas summers are HOT, so try to sit in the shade or inside during the summer months. We LOVE Lichas!

Ama omg good served hot fresh inventive menu highlighting Daniel Brooks Mexico City! Incredible flavors go go go

We stopped for a light dinner after an early movie. We ordered three appetizers for three people and it worked out fine. The first was the Lengua or beef tongue with escabeche (pickled vegetables, avocado salsa, queso fresco on a corn cake. The tongue was masked by the other ingredients but was tender if not a prominent flavor. The other components were indeed tasty in their own right. The second was CONCHINITA PIBIL which is achiote braised pork with spicy pickled red onion & mango, guacamole on a corn cake as well. The shredded pork was very juicy and flex of fat to give it an wonderful richness. A star attraction and every drop of the juice was consumed. The third was a HUITLACOCHE (corn smut) quesadilla. The corn smut was tender and earthy flavored and went well with the cheese on the blue corn tortilla. While we waited for our appetizer we has some tortilla chips with the two house salsas. The green salsa was creamy and spicy without any dominant notes. The red was similar in characteristics. We finished the meal with a flan was very firm and egg enriched with pleasant caramel flavor. We sat outside to enjoy the evening but had to share the food with the local flying population. Many of the other dishes on the menu looked interesting and may result in a future visit.

Sat at bar watching bartender mix margaritas two at time. Lost count at 50. Great authentic food, good vibe.

We came back for more. Before I was a little put off by the small size margaritas. They were good but too small for the price. When I mentioned this to our server, she suggested a pitcher for $55. That worked well for our group of three. Appetizer choriqueso ($12) was what it sounds like, chorizo and queso, and pretty good, but was overshadowed by excellent ceviche ($15). My cochinita pibil ($20) was very good and an ample serving. The enmolada pato ($15) was sort of a duck lasagna and good enough for my wife to order it again, and large enough to share. The chocolate cake was good and a large portion.

Great, local vibe, and perfect food and service. Highly recommend if! Super Groovy, very hip, locals-only kinda vibe. Get the seafood tacos - you may not notice them on the menu - we didn't, but the waiter was fabulous and told about it. And it was Fantastic.

One of my favorite places to eat in Austin. One of my favorite dishes here is the lengua sopecitas dish. Do yourself a favor and order some. Might be the best lengua in Austin!

Stopped here on an electric bike tour. Sat outside on a beautiful day. Happy hour prices are great. Good strong rocks margarita. LOVED the sweet potato and goat cheese dish as well as the pork and pineapple tacos. Chips were good too. Different and interesting salsa. Looking forward to returning to try more items on the very interesting menu. No cheese quesadillas or crunchy beef tacos (ala Taco Bell) here ! Only put-off was a few too many flies outside - but I'm more sensitive to that than most people

Fantastic authentic food and great service. Highly recommend dinner outside and order any of the sopecitos especially if you like tamales!

We read a review of this place and decided to seek it out. We were there on a Thursday night. The place itself is fabulous, very old Austin Eastside Funky converted home, sporting interesting decoration with a Mexican lean...there is a small bar and an outside area as well. The outside trees in the patio area were decorated with lights also. At $6 a glass, the house wine was a bargain, and the chips & salsa were welcome, even if the hotter of the two sauces scorched our mouths, the taste was delicious.. However, that's where the happiness ended. The price of the entrees were in the $20-$25 range---YIKES! Our cowboy-hatted server was friendly and helpful with our menu (and other) questions. We decided to go with several appetizers, all under $10, and made a meal out of that. Everything we ate was fantastic, and i would go back for a special occasion, but for everyday dining, it is a bit too rich for my blood. After all, it isn't Fonda San Miguel...

Great place for traditional Mexican fare. Nice outside tables. No frozen Margaraitas :( Don't get there too early: it is easier to get seats on the second service.

Licha’s was a pleasantly discovered gem of a restaurant hidden in Austin near downtown. It is tucked away in a light industrial/blue collar neighborhood. Licha’s lies in a older home converted into.a delightful restaurant with a fairly large outdoor sitting area. The interior is dominated by a large bar area but offers sitting inside as well in a pleasant vaguely Mexican themed decor. The food is excellent. I had a Mole Con Pollo dish that consisted of a flour tortes, light pan fried, with a brilliant mole sauce, two types of cheese consisting of a mild cheddar an a white Mexican cheese. This was topped with chicken, red onion, chile’s and chicken in a poblano sauce. In was a wonderful concoction of flavors consistent from the first to the last bite. The house margarita was made with an honest pour of liquor and no sweet and sour mix but lime juice and agave nectar. It was very good. They serve traditional and improvised and improved Mexican dishes. Prices range, for entrees from $9,00 to $30.00 for sea food and steak dishes. My entree was $12.00 and worth even more. The wait staff is in jeans and Licha’s black tees. They are very attentive and fast as was the kitchen on a moderately busy Tuesday night. I plan to further explore their menu when possible. It is a don’t miss destination.

Tried beef tongue for the first time here, it was so good. Very tender and flavorful. Wouldn’t have even known that’s what it was if I hadn’t been told.

Licha's is a treasure. Incredible food in a fun and funky atmosphere. Our group's drinks, appetizers, and meals were fantastic. Everything that was brought to us tasted very fresh and authentic. We were in Austin on a business trip and, had we stayed longer, we would have returned to this gem.

Licha's Cantina is just a house on E. 6th street, not far from IH35, with tables inside, on the front porch, and in the front yard. It's very laid back and casual, and the food is authentic home style Mexico City food - never to be confused with Tex-Mex food. Both are great and very different from each other. The menu items list what dishes are vegetarian, gluten free, peanut free, or raw, so there is enough variety for everybody's tastes. I can't do it justice here. Go to the website and checkout the food and bar menu.

Tacos served out of a small skillet (like fajitas typically are) are where it is at. I had the el pastor tacos and as good as they were the homemade tortillas were the best tortillas I have ever had. Such a fun restaurant doing tacos so well.

We absolutely loved this restaurant! It's a hole in the wall but the best authentic Mexican food! My husband loved the steak tampiqueno and I got tacos el pastor and it was seriously amazing! The watermelon margarita was to die for !! We sat on the patio and enjoyed the Mexican music

Im sorry but Im Mexican American and I would never go back to this restaurant the for was not good at all. Barterer was so rude the only good thing about this restaurant was the music. You cant even see what you are eating its so dark in there.

This isn't a Tex-Mex joint. Licha's serves authentic Mexican food with items on the menu that will require explanation. In a run-down little home, the owners of Licha's have created a gourmet outpost in the derelict 6th street district. Boy, were we happy to eat there. This restaurant is representative of what makes Austin's food scene so vibrant. It's not about the surroundings, but the food, which is incredible. Margaritas are good, made from scratch. Share some sopecitas before you order your entree. I had the duck mole dish which was phenomenal. My husband had the chile relleno with quinoa, also delicious. Portions are generous, so order accordingly. We wish we lived in Austin, because we would like to patronize Licha's regulary.

We were completely blown away by this place in funky hipster east Austin. With the start - smokey red salsa and tasty green salsa and chips we knew this was going to be good. We had chicken thigh and pulled pork tacos, amazingly fresh creative flavors, best Mexican food we have ever had, bar none! The staff was great and the drinks were excellent.

We had a reservation for a large group and were seated outside promptly. Our server was very good and kept us all in cocktails and whatever was needed without any difficulty. We ordered the queso fundido for an appetizer, but it was brought out with our entrees - not ideal but it was delicious. I had the arrachera steak and loved everything but the steak sadly. The sides were great, but the flavor of the steak just wasn't for me. The portions were generous. My husband had a fish dish and really enjoyed it. The other 8 folks in our group had nothing but good things to say and we all left full and happy. This was a wonderful change from the Americanized Mexican food we are used to in our small town.

I went to Licha's Cantina last night with 6 friends for happy hour. It was wonderful. The food was excellent and our drinks were very good. Their happy hour prices are awesome! The patio looked lovely, but we ate inside due to the possibility of thunderstorms. We all loved the place and decided we will be back again soon. Also, our waitress stayed on top of things, even with 7 of us arbitrarily ordering food and drinks since we arrived at varying times. Big thumbs up!!

On a warm evening, this patio is a great place to eat. We had tacos al pastor and a cold Pacifico-heard to beat.

So damn good. In a city known for it's great Mexican and Tex-Mex, this one stands out. Not to be missed. Highly recommend.

Outdoor seating and shade outside an old house is nice Austin charm. Margaritas seemed small and just ok. Chips solid. Cochinita pibil very greasy; chicken mole - solid flavor on mole itself but not tastiest chicken. Many better options for the price in Austin though.

My husband and I ate here for lunch and the atmosphere was great. I loved the outdoor seating area and the colorful decor. The restaurant was recommended to us for “its authenticity” and it was exactly that. We enjoyed trying a variety of dishes. Our waitress was very friendly and made some great recommendations. Would love to go back one day!

We had some amazing food in Austin, so the bar was set pretty high, and this place just didn't rise to the occasion. My group had a variety of dishes, and not one person was overly impressed. Salsa was bizarre, more marinara sauce than salsa. Guacamole had pumpkin seeds, not horrible but not great. On a positive note, the watermelon jalapeño margarita was delicious, and the overall vibe of the place is good (especially outdoor seating on a warm Austin night). It was busy, so maybe we just hit them on a bad night, but wouldn't recommend if your time is limited.

Maybe the best Mexican food I've ever eaten. Just superb. Funky atmosphere in an old house with nice outdoor spaces. Good service. But the food, as it should be, was the star of the show. Not sure what region of Mexico is featured here, but the owner is from Mexico City. I suspect the menu is driven by a creative chef with a desire to innovate. Split a hibiscus flower quesadilla to start. Thick blue corn tortilla stuffed with cheese, served w/2 sauces. Awesome. Would serve 4 as an app. and I'd go back for it as a main. Huaraches choice was​ mole con pollo served on corn flat bread. Wife had a Plato with braised pork (conchinita pibil). Daughter had the concha burger with roasted potatoes on the side. We shared bites and all dishes were wonderful. Don't go to Licha 's looking for tex-mex or typical americanized Mexican food. Quality, innovative food in a fun atmosphere? Can't miss with this spot.

Came here for drinks earlier in the week .. we asked the guys if they could reserve us a table for dinner . She rang us and we wandered down from our Hotel minutes away.. what service ! Anyhow it’s all about the food and Licha got the thumbs up .. Excellent tacos and superb pork stew .. Nice margs too . What’s not to like .. Comes highly recommended.. Enjoy !

Where else in Austin can you get Mexican food as it's made in Mexico? Few places, actually. Most Mexican food in Texas isn't Mexican at all. It's Tex Mex, which is a whole different animal. Licha's is where I go when I want food like back home: sopes, huaraches, pozole. If you want a crispy taco and yellow cheese, this is not the place, but if you want food like we eat in Mexico, check out Licha. You won't regret it.

They were delicious. chicken thighs a la plancha with morita-orange salsa, Bohemia beer stewed onions & garlic, radish. Served fajita style with warm fresh tortillas. Service was excellent. Atmosphere was funky and fun. Add a bucket of beer and Ole!!

Came here on the recommendation of a local. Servers could not have been nicer, excellent margaritas and a friendly and busy vibe. Food delicious although we only managed a starter between us. Will go back again before we leave.

Came here with a large group for our finally dinner in Austin, what a mess. We arrived promptly for our reservation at 8pm, the hostess instructed us to go to the backyard bar and our table would be ready soon. So we all sat at the bar in 98 degree weather for over 40 minutes until finally being seated. The waitress came by and took our drink order then after another 30 minutes finally took our food order. So all this time we are sitting in a back yard with plywood walls in 98 degree heat. We didn't receive our food till almost 11pm. The food, was average at best, I personally had the skirt steak and the beef tongue which was actually braised short rib. The frustrating part was our poor waitress was running around trying to handle our party of 16 all by herself while her co-worker and even manger sat back by the bar drinking beers and taking shots. No team work whatsoever, at the end I voiced my displeasure to the manager who just kept repeating I'm sorry that you feel this way. This managers solution was to give everyone at the table a shot of Well tequila, gross! This place is being run like summer camp that is self governed by the campers. I've included some pictures and one of them is a pic of the ceiling fan in the bar area. If the manager can't even keep the place clean how do you think the kitchen is kept???? Avoid this place at all costs!

The best food we have had on our visit. Not your standard fare - and even the dishes that resemble something we have had before brought a whole new understanding to how good it can be. Memorable experience!

Eight of us, visiting Austin for work, ended up at Licha's Cantina because a local friend suggested we dine there. We sat at an outdoor table, with a perfect evening weather, a great music selection, and nice lighting. Add to that a few margaritas, good food and great company and you get a very special evening. Why only four stars? Food was very good, but I wouldn't say out of this world. The ceviche was unlike other I've had—and I've had plenty of ceviche —, which it doesn't mean it was bad, but it wasn't great either. The rice with huitlacoche was ok, the corn was good. Overall, food is good to very good, but the ambience and company made it a great night for me.

This is a great little spot to eat in east Austin. Kind of a rustic eclectic ambiance. Lots of room. You can also eat outside, which we did on one visit. And rockin' chicha music in the background... Ah, the food! I loved the Huitlacoche quesadillas, as did my daughter. (Huitlacoche is corn smut, but maybe don't think of it that way, think Mexican truffles, instead.) Everything we've tried has been delicious...the braised pork and various Huaraches (including one with bone marrow) were outstanding. Good service, too. When in east Austin again, we're gonna eat here!

Very unique and great food at reasonable prices. Happy hour from 4-7 pm is a great time to come. Try the watermelon infused tequila and jalapeño margarita. Great on a hot day. The 2 salsas that come with the chips are excellent. I had the duck tacos which were terrific and full of great flavor. My wife had the beef tacos that were also just as excellent. It's hard to decide what you want; it all looks great. The service was excellent and attentive. She knew the menu well and was able to describe everything that we asked about. Great place on the East Side.

It was great to sit out in the sun and enjoy one of their cocktails and nibble on some chips and salsa. The restaurant was busy and had a great atmosphere with Mexican music playing in the background. Very casual and relaxing

We visited as part of a large group ( 50+). Licha's staff did a fabulous job of constantly resupplying our tables as we burned through chips, guacamole, and various queso and taco courses. They served a shrimp dish, and though I don't recall the name, it was the most perfectly prepared shrimp I have ever been served. I would like to tell you how great their desserts were, but I was so stuffed from the previous steak, chicken, and shrimp dishes, I had to pass.

This place had been on my bookmark list for awhile, so I was happy to finally try it out when a friend suggested it to celebrate his recent promotion. It is an intimate little eastside bungalow that could definitely use an upgraded AC as it seemed like it was hotter inside than out (no wonder we couldn't score a seat on the patio!). So our first order was for a cold drink. We both started out with their Mula and that hit the spot. Per the norm for Mexican-style restaurants, chips and salsa were brought to the table and we added on the guac. Both were pretty solid, but since my body physically rejects spicy, I could only tolerate their mildest version of salsa in very small, controlled portions. Their guac was decent and is what I had more of. We ordered and shared the Molé con pollo, Quesadilla, and Pibil. The molé was solid, not the best I've had in Austin, but they know what they're doing. The quesadilla and pibil were solid as well, though I think of the three the only one I might order again was the pibil. The flavor was exceptional! I ordered a Paloma and my friend had a margarita. My Paloma was ok, but I wish I could have actually tasted the exotico reposado tequila that was supposed to be in it. My friend said their marg was also on the weak side. We ordered the tres leches for dessert and it was stellar. It's hard to find a place that gets the texture to soggy ratio right and they do here. We also got what I called a "Chingaso Bueno"- it was a chilled drink made on the spot by the bartender that combined tequila and espresso with creme de cacao and grand marnier. It was amazing and the perfect end to the meal. So why the 3-stars? While our waitress was very nice and as attentive as she could be (it looked like she had quite a few tables), I docked a star because when my charge came back on my credit card it was $3 higher than my receipt. Turns out $7 tip on a $35 check was not good enough because my charge came through as $45. I got the issue resolved w/my credit card company, but I definitely do not appreciate a place (or server, if it was her) that alters a charge after the fact. This is why I keep my receipts until a charge posts because I have found an alarming number of businesses seem to do this. And while $3 might seem negligible, it is indicative of underlying dishonesty and very off-putting for me personally. That being said, not sure if I would be back for that reason alone.

Fabulous Mexican soul food! I am a native New Orleanian and quite the food snob especially when it comes to seafood. The redfish tacos were incredible and the chorizo and queso fundido was made with aged mozzarella imported from Mexico. Best food in Austin!!! Wonderful atmosphere too.

Stopped here for dinner with friends on a hot summer day! The staff was friendly and we were seated quickly! The menu had a variety of unique options! All the food came quickly and was delicious!

Great service and atmosphere. Wait time was a little long for an inside table, but there was outdoor seating complete with fans. Generous tequila in the margaritas which made waiting bearable! All in our party had delicious dinners and we plan to return on this trip.

I chose this restaurant, based on reviews, and it exceeded my expectations. Invited friends and family raved about the taste and authenticity of the food. The atmosphere was on the loud side (hard for us old folks to converse) but very vibrant. Would highly recommend this place.

We really enjoyed Lichas. OWe were taken there by an Austin local after we asked for Mexican food that was more authentic and less Tex-Mex. The standout dishes were the orange-chipotle sopas, the sweet potato starter and the amazing shrimps in mole.

Yes, Licha's has plenty of other good items, BUT the ceviche is absolutely amazing! "when in rome..." Ask the waiter what he recommends, trust me.

Stopped here for dinner and it was delicious. Place is very small but you feel you've stepped into Mexico for a bit. Definitely recommend the scallop/mahi mahi appetizer.

A great find in East Austin It is extremely popular with locals which is a good sign so you will need to book The menu is very different and as a Brit I had to decipher the menu as we just don’t get this type of Mexican food. We sat in the courtyard which was lovely on a hot evening The food was so well cooked and absolutely delicious Staff were super friendly Great to see aguas frescas Worth a visit

Went for dinner and drinks with friend. Dishes are unique- Chicken Thigh Tacos, and Zucchini and Squash quesadillas. Guacamole was amazing and topped with pumpkin seeds. Very popular with locals.

I don't do many restraunt reviews but this Licha's Cantina I went to on Saturday night was everything. We waited maybe 30min for a table. The was actually fun because how lively the atmosphere is. I don't do salsa and normally take salting every chip but I never had to ask for a salt shaker cuz the homemade chips were the most perfect ones. Comparable to Pappasitos. Then the mole came out and I went to heaven and it's for sure my new go to Mexican.

Fun back patio area, ice cold beer, super friendly staff and great food! After a few days of working the TX circuit with the wine industry, this is just what all 40 of us needed. We go there every year - total casual- Down to earth and FUN! Tequila-beer-food-friends!

My husband and I met my cousin for a late dinner and it was everything we could have hoped for upon our arrival to Austin. The ceviche was fantastic as were the two salsas and chips we started with. I had one of their seasonal mezcal cocktails with cinnamon and cocoa bitters...so great. For me the real star was the Chile relleno en nogado! Wow...it was everything hoped for and more, certain I will be dreaming of this dish for the foreseeable future. Service was great as well, prompt and not overbearing as we had a lot of catching up to do. Thank you!

Out of the way for those without a car, this restaurant is in a converted house and is comfortable and inviting. )We were there on a cold night so there was not outside activity.) The food is Mexican and tasty with a varied menu. The service is quick but the overall pace of the restaurant is not at all hurried. Hard to get into so come early.