Texican Café Lakeline

Texican Café Lakeline

Written by Deb Arnold Saturday, 07 April 2007

Texican Café aims to stand out from the chains

I am not sure if it was the vibrant exterior, the brilliant bouquet of spices, peppers and aromatic dishes, or the festive artwork on the stucco walls that first got my attention, but I knew right away that our dinner party was in for an enjoyable dining experience at the Texican Café.

The original Texican Café opened in South Austin in 1988. The second location, Texican Café Lakeline, opened in Cedar Park four years ago when owner Mourad Belkacem found that there weren’t many locally-owned restaurants in the area.

“We live in a sea of chain restaurants and we wanted to bring something unique to this area,” Belkacem said.

The restaurant is famous for its El Paso-style Mexican food, described as a fusion of southern New Mexico ingredients with a traditional Mexican style of cooking. The food has been recognized for excellence in numerous publications including being named Best Cabrito by Texas Monthly.

We munched on a fantastic salsa roja – a refreshing tomato-cilantro blend with just the right amount of spiceness. Their most popular appetizer is the jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese fried in a potato batter and served with a homemade jalapeno jelly. ($5.25)

The Texican Dinner ($9.95) arrived piping hot and filled the plate with a crispy taco, homemade tamale, and a well-seasoned beef enchilada along with traditional sides of refried beans, Mexican rice, guacamole and Pico de Gallo.

The Cabrito (young goat) was slow-roasted in a marinade of herbs, spices and chiles topped with tomato and bell pepper slices ($14.95). The result was a delicious, falling-off-the-bone tender meal.

“Cabrito is something very few restaurants do and do well,” Belkacem said.

The House Special Chicken Enchilada plate ($7.95) oozed with melted cheese mixed with shredded chicken tucked inside a tortilla and covered with a mild sour cream sauce.

For dessert we chose the smooth and delicate vanilla flan with a warm, carmelized sugar base. ($3.25)

The fluffy sopapillas dusted with cinnamon and drizzled with honey had just the right amount of sweetness to complete our meal. ($1.25 for two)

In addition to offering a unique combination of ingredients and cooking styles, the Texican Café provides the perfect combination of ambience, prompt and friendly service and authentic, flavorful food.

“We are confident our customers will not be disappointed,” Belkacem said. “We guarantee their satisfaction.”

Awards:

• Best Cabrito: Texas Monthly magazine
• Best Queso: Austin Chronicle
• Best Enchiladas: Austin American-Statesman

Banquet facility and outside catering available

Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Texican Café Lakeline, 11066 Pecan Park Blvd. • Cedar Park, 506-9900 • www.texicancafe.com

Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.