I know….it’s weird. Biscuits at a 70-year-old Mexican restaurant still throws me off, too. But they’re here, they’re awesome, and I love me some biscuits from Cisco’s.
As I’ve been visiting a bunch of old, classic Austin restaurants lately, I’ve noticed a trend: lots of them are working really hard to to find new ways to stay relevant to Austin’s food scene while still staying true to their roots and heritage. Most classic restaurants have switched owners at least a few times. Some have shut down and re-opened as new concepts (Mattie’s, Jeffrey’s). And many are changing their hours, adding brunch, and introducing liquor licenses to keep up with the times.
Cisco’s Restaurant and Bakery, an east Austin breakfast/lunch staple since 1950, recently switched owners; it’s now owned by four men who know the restaurant scene in Austin really well. One of them is Matt Cisneros, the grandson of Rudy “Cisco” Cisneros, the guy who started this place. You’ll see the iconic caricature of Rudy’s face on the front door.
Here’s what you should know about Cisco’s:
- It’s one of the oldest (and best) Mexican restaurants and bakeries in town. They’ve been here since 1950.
- Cisco’s is famous for their biscuits! I know I mentioned that before, but it’s just so unique that it bears repeating. The biscuits are homemade in the kitchen every morning and super good.
- You should also try: their famous migas and huevos rancheros with homemade ranchero sauce.
- Pretty much any famous Austin politician has eaten breakfast here. You’ll see their names, photos, and signatures plastered all over the walls in the back dining room.
- Cisco’s owns the building and the land it’s sitting on, so this restaurant isn’t going anywhere. Cisco’s is Austin, and vice versa.
- It’s just a breakfast and lunch place, open every day 7:30-2.
Cisco’s reached out to me and asked if they could treat me to breakfast. As a rule in life, I don’t say no to free food, so I happily stopped in on a cloudy, warm Monday morning. I chatted with the new GM Michael “Boca” as we enjoyed plate after plate of delicious Mexican food. He seems really on fire for this restaurant, telling me some of the changes he’s been implementing (like getting their new liquor license, and hiring better food distributors so they can get even better, fresher ingredients delivered to the restaurant.) He told me about the dedicated group of people he has working there with him…some of the kitchen staff have been there for 17 years!
We ate, and talked, and ate some more. Boca got out his phone to show me pictures of his adorable 2-year-old son. At the end, I was completely stuffed, but he still handed me a couple biscuits wrapped up in a brown paper bag to bring home.
I managed to snap a few pictures before the food got cold so I could show this place to you, too! If you live in Austin and haven’t been to Cisco’s yet, add this place to your bucket list. If you’re visiting and want an authentically-Austin Tex Mex breakfast restaurant, Cisco’s is your place.
Cisco’s is now serving cocktails!
- Margarita
- Michelada
- Bloody Mary
- Screwdriver
- Mimosa
TRY THIS ->
Their huevos rancheros are served with homemade ranchero sauce. These are some of the best you can find in Austin!
TRY THIS ->
Cisco’s “nachos” are served on big corn tostadas and are perfect for dunking in their homemade guacamole. Pictured below is the kid’s size. The regular size is 4 nachos.
MUST-TRY ITEM:
These biscuits. Cisco’s has been making the same biscuits, homemade every morning, for 70 years. Austin loves ’em! I think they’re best with a lot of butter and a little bit of honey.
Cisco’s Restaurant & Bakery, facebook.com/CiscosRestaurant
1511 E 6th St
Open daily, 7:30 am – 2 pm
