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A bowl of melted cheese dip.
Queso from Torchy’s Tacos.
Torchy’s Tacos

15 Amazing Melty Queso Spots in Austin

Oh so cheesy dips

by Nadia Chaudhury Updated
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Queso from Torchy’s Tacos.
| Torchy’s Tacos
by Nadia Chaudhury Updated

Queso, aka chile con queso, is the Tex-Mex fuel that Austinites need to survive. It’s the winning combination of gooey, melted cheeses and chopped peppers, along with potential other additions like ground beef, chorizo, guacamole, or beans, all served with a side of tortilla chips.

This map of the best queso found in Austin spans from the most popular spots like Torchy’s Tacos and Kerbey Lane Cafe to classic gems like Fonda San Miguel and Magnolia Cafe to newer (in the grand scheme of things) iterations from Better Half and others.

For more like-dishes, scope out Austin’s tacos (best and breakfast), Tex-Mex restaurants, and cheese and wine spots.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Eldorado Cafe

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Of course, the North Shoal Creek Mexican comfort food restaurant has queso. There’s the regular queso with optional beef picadillo, and the amped-up Supa queso, full of black beans, pico de gallo, and guacamole. And then there’s a vegan iteration. Takeout orders can be placed online or over the phone; there are DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Favor deliveries; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

3300 W Anderson Ln #303, Austin, TX 78757
(512) 420-2222
(512) 420-2222

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OneTaco [Brentwood]

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The Austin Mexican restaurant chain’s got a delightful queso blanco on its menu, all the better to pair with some of its tacos. There are multiple locations, including this one in Brentwood. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online or in person; there are typically indoor dine-in areas.

5425 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas 78756

Fonda San Miguel

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For classy queso, head to the iconic Allandale Mexican restaurant. The queso fundido is served with corn or flour tortillas, with options like rajas (strips of chile peppers), chorizo verde, or both mixed together. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2330 W N Loop Blvd, Austin, TX 78756
(512) 459-4121
(512) 459-4121

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Kerbey Lane Café

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Austin loves the diner chain’s quesos. First, there’s the regular queso. Then there’s the house queso with guacamole and pico de gallo. And then, for a heartier take, try the Cowboy, mixed with black beans plus guacamole and pico de gallo. There’s also a vegan option made with cashew cheese. All come with optional veggie or pork chorizo. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are outdoor and indoor dine-in services.

3704 Kerbey Ln, Austin, TX 78731
(512) 451-1436
(512) 451-1436
A bowl of queso in a tray of chips.
Kerbey Lane Cafe’s queso.
Kerbey Lane Cafe

Posse East

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The campus bar’s queso and chips are on point and come with optional taco-styled meat. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

2900 Duval St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 477-2111
(512) 477-2111

Mi Madre's Restaurant

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The Cherrywood Tex-Mex restaurant’s queso is another classic spiced one, with all sort of optional mix-ins from sour creams to meats like stewed chicken and beef fajitas. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2201 Manor Rd (at Coleto St.), Austin, TX 78722
(512) 322-9721
(512) 322-9721

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Maudie's Cafe

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The Tex-Mex chain restaurant offers classic chile con queso and the Diablo Sol Food, a version with taco beef and pico de gallo (with the option to add guacamole). There are multiple locations across the city, including this one in West Austin. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

2608 W 7th St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 473-3740
(512) 473-3740

Better Half Coffee & Cocktails

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This all-day Clarksville-adjacent cafe bucks the cheese trend by offering queso with steak, avocado, crema, cheese crumbles, pickled onions, and beet powder. There’s also a standard cheesy version and a vegan option. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are outdoor and indoor dine-in services.

406 Walsh St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 645-0786
(512) 645-0786

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Veracruz All Natural [Webberville]

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It’s well established that tacos and queso pair well together, and this taco mini-chain’s got a great array of the cheese dip. There’s the mildly spicy molcajete with roasted jalapenos and tomatoes; the spicer verde with jalapenos; the way-more-spicy roja with arbol chiles; and then a vegan iteration made with cashews. There’s this location in East Austin, plus food trucks and physical restaurants throughout the city. Takeout orders can be placed online or in person; all food trucks feature outdoor dine-in areas and all restaurants feature indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

2501 and 2505 Webberville Road, Austin, Texas 78702

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El Alma

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Make a meal out of the Mexican restaurant’s queso fundido, served with tortillas and optional poblano strips, onions, mushrooms, grilled chicken, or pork pastor. There’s also a queso blanco y rojo with arbol salsa, poblanos, with corn tostadas; and then the richer jalapeno crab queso with ancho butter and grilled jalapenos. There’s this location in Barton Springs and a second down in Westgate. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1025 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 609-8923
(512) 609-8923

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Tacodeli

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The one-two hit of breakfast tacos and morning queso is a good way to wake up from the Austin-born taco chain. There are so many locations across town, including this original one in Barton Hills. Takeout orders can be placed online; most locations include outdoor and indoor dine-in areas.

1500 Spyglass Dr Suite B, Austin, TX 78746
(512) 732-0303
(512) 732-0303

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Torchy's Tacos

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Everyone still loves the queso at this Austin-born taco chain. One Eater reader called it the queso “the one I crave, all the time.” The green chile queso comes with guacamole, queso fresco, cilantro, and its diablo hot sauce; and there’s a version with chorizo. There are many locations across the city, including this one in Bouldin Creek. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online; most locations offer indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1822 South Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78704
(512) 494-8226
(512) 494-8226

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Matt's Famous El Rancho

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The iconic meaty dish is an institution at this South Lamar Tex-Mex restaurant for good reason: the Bob Armstrong Dip, named after the late politician, comes with a mix of queso, guacamole, and taco meat, making it stand above the cheesy fray. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2613 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 462-9333
(512) 462-9333
A pair of hands holding onto a bowl of yellow cheese dip with dollops of ground meat and guacamole on top of a placemat that notes information about Matt’s El Rancho.
Queso at Matt’s El Rancho.
Robert J. Lerma/Eater Austin

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Magnolia Cafe

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The longtime Bouldin Creek cafe’s Mag Mud queso works miracles at any hour of the day. The secret is black beans. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1920 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 445-0000
(512) 445-0000

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Curra's Grill

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The Travis Heights Mexican restaurant is upfront with what makes its Kelly’s queso so good: Land O’ Lakes’ extra-melt American cheese. There are also other quesos, ranging from chile con queso to the queso flameado. There’s a second location up in Hyde Park. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

614 E Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-0012
(512) 444-0012

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Eldorado Cafe

3300 W Anderson Ln #303, Austin, TX 78757

Of course, the North Shoal Creek Mexican comfort food restaurant has queso. There’s the regular queso with optional beef picadillo, and the amped-up Supa queso, full of black beans, pico de gallo, and guacamole. And then there’s a vegan iteration. Takeout orders can be placed online or over the phone; there are DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Favor deliveries; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

3300 W Anderson Ln #303, Austin, TX 78757
(512) 420-2222
(512) 420-2222

OneTaco [Brentwood]

5425 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas 78756

The Austin Mexican restaurant chain’s got a delightful queso blanco on its menu, all the better to pair with some of its tacos. There are multiple locations, including this one in Brentwood. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online or in person; there are typically indoor dine-in areas.

5425 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas 78756

Fonda San Miguel

2330 W N Loop Blvd, Austin, TX 78756

For classy queso, head to the iconic Allandale Mexican restaurant. The queso fundido is served with corn or flour tortillas, with options like rajas (strips of chile peppers), chorizo verde, or both mixed together. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2330 W N Loop Blvd, Austin, TX 78756
(512) 459-4121
(512) 459-4121

Kerbey Lane Café

3704 Kerbey Ln, Austin, TX 78731

Austin loves the diner chain’s quesos. First, there’s the regular queso. Then there’s the house queso with guacamole and pico de gallo. And then, for a heartier take, try the Cowboy, mixed with black beans plus guacamole and pico de gallo. There’s also a vegan option made with cashew cheese. All come with optional veggie or pork chorizo. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are outdoor and indoor dine-in services.

3704 Kerbey Ln, Austin, TX 78731
(512) 451-1436
(512) 451-1436
A bowl of queso in a tray of chips.
Kerbey Lane Cafe’s queso.
Kerbey Lane Cafe

Posse East

2900 Duval St, Austin, TX 78705

The campus bar’s queso and chips are on point and come with optional taco-styled meat. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

2900 Duval St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 477-2111
(512) 477-2111

Mi Madre's Restaurant

2201 Manor Rd (at Coleto St.), Austin, TX 78722

The Cherrywood Tex-Mex restaurant’s queso is another classic spiced one, with all sort of optional mix-ins from sour creams to meats like stewed chicken and beef fajitas. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2201 Manor Rd (at Coleto St.), Austin, TX 78722
(512) 322-9721
(512) 322-9721

Maudie's Cafe

2608 W 7th St, Austin, TX 78703

The Tex-Mex chain restaurant offers classic chile con queso and the Diablo Sol Food, a version with taco beef and pico de gallo (with the option to add guacamole). There are multiple locations across the city, including this one in West Austin. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

2608 W 7th St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 473-3740
(512) 473-3740

Better Half Coffee & Cocktails

406 Walsh St, Austin, TX 78703

This all-day Clarksville-adjacent cafe bucks the cheese trend by offering queso with steak, avocado, crema, cheese crumbles, pickled onions, and beet powder. There’s also a standard cheesy version and a vegan option. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are outdoor and indoor dine-in services.

406 Walsh St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 645-0786
(512) 645-0786

Veracruz All Natural [Webberville]

2501 and 2505 Webberville Road, Austin, Texas 78702

It’s well established that tacos and queso pair well together, and this taco mini-chain’s got a great array of the cheese dip. There’s the mildly spicy molcajete with roasted jalapenos and tomatoes; the spicer verde with jalapenos; the way-more-spicy roja with arbol chiles; and then a vegan iteration made with cashews. There’s this location in East Austin, plus food trucks and physical restaurants throughout the city. Takeout orders can be placed online or in person; all food trucks feature outdoor dine-in areas and all restaurants feature indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

2501 and 2505 Webberville Road, Austin, Texas 78702

El Alma

1025 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704

Make a meal out of the Mexican restaurant’s queso fundido, served with tortillas and optional poblano strips, onions, mushrooms, grilled chicken, or pork pastor. There’s also a queso blanco y rojo with arbol salsa, poblanos, with corn tostadas; and then the richer jalapeno crab queso with ancho butter and grilled jalapenos. There’s this location in Barton Springs and a second down in Westgate. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1025 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 609-8923
(512) 609-8923

Tacodeli

1500 Spyglass Dr Suite B, Austin, TX 78746

The one-two hit of breakfast tacos and morning queso is a good way to wake up from the Austin-born taco chain. There are so many locations across town, including this original one in Barton Hills. Takeout orders can be placed online; most locations include outdoor and indoor dine-in areas.

1500 Spyglass Dr Suite B, Austin, TX 78746
(512) 732-0303
(512) 732-0303

Torchy's Tacos

1822 South Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78704

Everyone still loves the queso at this Austin-born taco chain. One Eater reader called it the queso “the one I crave, all the time.” The green chile queso comes with guacamole, queso fresco, cilantro, and its diablo hot sauce; and there’s a version with chorizo. There are many locations across the city, including this one in Bouldin Creek. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online; most locations offer indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1822 South Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78704
(512) 494-8226
(512) 494-8226

Matt's Famous El Rancho

2613 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

The iconic meaty dish is an institution at this South Lamar Tex-Mex restaurant for good reason: the Bob Armstrong Dip, named after the late politician, comes with a mix of queso, guacamole, and taco meat, making it stand above the cheesy fray. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2613 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 462-9333
(512) 462-9333
A pair of hands holding onto a bowl of yellow cheese dip with dollops of ground meat and guacamole on top of a placemat that notes information about Matt’s El Rancho.
Queso at Matt’s El Rancho.
Robert J. Lerma/Eater Austin

Magnolia Cafe

1920 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

The longtime Bouldin Creek cafe’s Mag Mud queso works miracles at any hour of the day. The secret is black beans. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1920 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 445-0000
(512) 445-0000

Curra's Grill

614 E Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704

The Travis Heights Mexican restaurant is upfront with what makes its Kelly’s queso so good: Land O’ Lakes’ extra-melt American cheese. There are also other quesos, ranging from chile con queso to the queso flameado. There’s a second location up in Hyde Park. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

614 E Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-0012
(512) 444-0012

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