The happy hour at Manuel’s is a champion of its kind. The South Congress staple exceeds any other with 8 Austin Chronicle “Best Happy Hour” nods since 2000, and earlier this year was voted “The Best Place to Take Your Parents.” Learning this after my first happy hour visit was so superb, I returned with my mother the next day. A bit overindulgent it seems, but once you see the list of 16 appetizer courses for half-price, you’ll be back too. There is one item, however, that is permanently on my happy hour diet; and that is the Jumbo Lump Blue Crab Nachos. Who says crab has to be expensive when Manuel’s offers this delicacy for only $8.50?
Fortunately for me, my mother isn’t keen to shellfish so I had my favorite dish all to myself. Although I am equally as satisfied when I share my buttery crab nachos with a friend, as long as they are accompanied by a large bowl of guacamole and salsa. The combination is heavenly, and for only $3.50, I go for the value size.
Before you get too ambitious with the salsa, remember that it’s happy hour and for $4 you can order yourself one of Manuel’s award winning house-margaritas. And for $1 more, you can flavor your rita with mango, prickly pear, strawberry, pomegranate, or watermelon. Mango is my all time favorite, but points to the prickly pear for creativity and its beautiful pink color.
Recently, the team at Manuel’s has made the switch to using only organic and sustainable protein products. All beef dishes, including the Beef Tenderloin and Beef Fajitas, are now certified Premium Black Angus Beef. Director of Communications Jennifer McNevin tells me this “Premium Gold” meat comes from cows who are fed a vegetarian diet in yards certified for humane treatment and along with the poultry and pork, are never given artificial growth hormones. All of Manuel’s seafood items such as the Black Drum and Yellow Fin Tuna are harvested in the Texas Gulf by sustainable fisheries and even though these items are “substantially higher” in price, Jennifer explains, “we are not raising menu prices.”
The staff at Manuel’s has won over critics with their consideration for quality at a low price; and their deliciously fresh cocktails and generously priced appetizers have made Manuel’s a reoccurring happy hour of my own. So students next time your parents come to town, or for your next first-date, treat them to Manuel’s for a quality and authentic taste of Austin.
Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant
Downtown -310 Congress Ave.
Arboretum -10201 Jollyville Rd.
