Modern Mexican in Austin
ATX Cocina one of the restaurants we were most excited to try in Austin, mostly because we were intrigued by the concept. The restaurant sources its own heirloom corn varieties and everything on the menu is 100% gluten free.
We started with a margarita from their extensive tequila list. It was delicious, and was a good indication of the the rest of our experience. We loved the fresh flavors of the tostadas, with jumbo lump crab, corn, avocado, tomato, tomatillo salsa and herbs (luckily we got the last order!). The sope with cocinita pibil, bean purée, and habanero-onion salsa were just the right amount of spicy. For small plates, the restaurant also offers a crudo menu, and the fish are beautifully displayed on ice.
If you’re looking for basic entree platters like three enchiladas or fish tacos, this is not the place for you. Generously portioned entrees include ribeye steak, grilled shrimp, and our chili roasted chicken with white mole, bacon braised cabbage, and beans. We paired this with the esquites — a side of sweet butter poached corn, smoked aioli, queso fresco, lime, and cilantro.
Remember, ATX Cocina is 100% gluten free, so for dessert we tried the sweet potato churros with agave dipping sauce. These were good, but not our favorite thing we tried all evening. They seemed to taste a little too healthy for dessert, but if you were actively avoiding gluten we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.
Our tips if you’re in Austin and planning to get dinner at ATX Cocina: make sure to get a reservation, and don’t hesitate to go on the later side. The lively atmosphere is party of what makes the experience so fun. Get more of our Austin recommendations and BBQ tips here.
Thank you to Alaska Airlines for sponsoring this story.
