I tried Elon Musk's favorite Mexican restaurant in Austin to see what the big deal was. I left impressed and feeling like an A-lister.

Katherine Stinson Nov 16, 2022, 16:48 IST

The author at Fonda San MiguelKatherine Stinson/Insider

Financial Times recently shared that Fonda San Miguel is Elon Musk's favorite Mexican restaurant.
The spot in Austin, Texas, serves authentic Mexican cuisine and opened in 1975.

A Financial Times writer recently dined with Elon Musk at Fonda San Miguel in Austin, Texas. The writer cited it as Musk's favorite Mexican restaurant, so I decided to give it a try.

I dined at Elon Musk’s favorite Mexican restaurant in Austin.Katherine Stinson/Business Insider

Source: FT

A Financial Times writer recently dined with Elon Musk at Fonda San Miguel in Austin, Texas. The writer cited it as Musk's favorite Mexican restaurant, so I decided to give it a try.

Fonda San Miguel was started in 1975 by business partners Tom Gilliland and Miguel Ravago.

Fonda San Miguel is still housed in the same building Gilliland and Ravago found in 1975.Katherine Stinson/Business Insider

Gilliland told Insider the pair moved Fonda San Miguel from its original location in Houston to Austin after stumbling upon the abandoned building that once housed another restaurant.

The entrance to Fonda San Miguel is tucked away in North Central Austin.Katherine Stinson/Business Insider

Gilliland told Insider the pair moved Fonda San Miguel from its original location in Houston to Austin after stumbling upon the abandoned building that once housed another restaurant.

Gilliland said he and Ravago met while attending a foreign trade school in Phoenix, Arizona, and Ravago's family essentially adopted him.

The atrium is the first thing you see entering the restaurant.Katherine Stinson/Business Insider

The authentic Mexican cuisine that Ravago's grandmother cooked is what inspired Gilliland. Ravago, the restaurant's namesake, has since died.

Fonda San Miguel is definitely worth a visit.Katherine Stinson/Insider

I arrived about 20 minutes before the restaurant opened at 5 p.m. on a Wednesday. I was surprised guests were allowed inside before opening, but it added to the restaurant's cozy atmosphere.

You can sit in the central atrium or one of the side tables in the back for more privacy.Katherine Stinson/Insider

I arrived about 20 minutes before the restaurant opened at 5 p.m. on a Wednesday. I was surprised guests were allowed inside before opening, but it added to the restaurant's cozy atmosphere.

The two front-of-house hostesses told me I was welcome to sit anywhere in the atrium. The atrium had bar seating for walk-ins who still wanted to enjoy the full menu.

A four seater in the atrium area.Katherine Stinson/Insider

The two front-of-house hostesses told me I was welcome to sit anywhere in the atrium. The atrium had bar seating for walk-ins who still wanted to enjoy the full menu.

The two hostesses warned me to grab a spot quickly before the restaurant opened. The moment 5 p.m. hit, guests started to flood in.

An entryway to one of Fonda San Miguel’s main dining areas.Katherine Stinson/Business Insider

Don't be fooled by how small Fonda San Miguel appears on the outside: The restaurant interior is spacious and filled with multiple dining rooms for guests.

There really isn’t a bad seat in the house at Fonda San Miguel.Katherine Stinson/Insider

The restaurant was packed within 10 minutes. If you can't arrive right when it opens, you can make a reservation.

The greenery in Fonda San Miguel’s dining rooms was a nice touch.Katherine Stinson/Business insider

Service was incredibly fast. Soon after I sat down, I was provided free chips and salsa as a starter.

Katherine Stinson/Insider

Gilliland said this is an Americanized tradition and not standard in Mexican restaurants — it was the only compromise he made when attempting to keep Fonda San Miguel as authentic as possible based on customer feedback.

There's something so comforting about free chips and salsa.Katherine Stinson/Insider

Gilliland said this is an Americanized tradition and not standard in Mexican restaurants — it was the only compromise he made when attempting to keep Fonda San Miguel as authentic as possible based on customer feedback.

Musk ordered the house frozen margarita in the Financial Times article (he called it a "slushy with alcohol"). Since it was happy hour when I arrived, every tequila-based drink was $1 off.

The Silver Coin tasted like tart alcoholic watermelon juice. I preferred the traditional house margarita, which was a bit sweeter.Katherine Stinson/Insider

Musk ordered the house frozen margarita in the Financial Times article (he called it a "slushy with alcohol"). Since it was happy hour when I arrived, every tequila-based drink was $1 off.

I was intrigued by the Silver Coin, a watermelon-based tequila margarita served straight up, so I ordered one for comparison. I preferred Musk's drink of choice.

Katherine Stinson/Insider

For an appetizer, I tried one of the dishes Musk ordered: the Cordero (the Spanish word for "lamb") lamb chops, which cost $24.95.

The Cordero lamb chops (if you can’t handle spice, the salsa is not for you!).Katherine Stinson/Insider

Traditionally, a Cordero dish is prepared during festivals and celebrations, where a whole lamb is slowly roasted over an open flame.

Katherine Stinson/Insider

The side of salsa de morita (a red salsa based around the flavor profile of a morita chile pepper) wasn't even necessary. Each bite of the Cordero chops was bursting with a rich and buttery flavor profile that felt like a perfect marriage of the garlic, herbs, and lemon that are used in the dish.

The flavors added to the Cordero enhanced the meat’s natural flavor.Katherine Stinson/Insider

The side of salsa de morita (a red salsa based around the flavor profile of a morita chile pepper) wasn't even necessary. Each bite of the Cordero chops was bursting with a rich and buttery flavor profile that felt like a perfect marriage of the garlic, herbs, and lemon that are used in the dish.

One of the other options Musk ordered was the "Angels on Horseback" — three bacon-wrapped shrimp with white cheese and jalapeno served with a housemade escabeche sauce (a citrusy marinade seasoned with spices like paprika). I couldn't eat this dish due to allergies, but other diners told me the sauce reminded them of the escabeche their abuelas used to make.

Another dish Musk tried was the mixiote — slow-cooked, seasoned lamb served in a papillote that costs $38.95. I was told by other patrons that the dish had the same savory, melt-in-your mouth sensation I had with the Cordero.

I was impressed there was also a plant-based section of the menu. Gilliland hired a sous chef from the holistic spa hotel Miraval Austin to carefully curate this section. I ordered the $18 vegan enchiladas de hongos y coliflor plate to compare to the meat dishes.

The vegan enchiladas de hongos y coliflor.Katherine Stinson/Insider

I was impressed there was also a plant-based section of the menu. Gilliland hired a sous chef from the holistic spa hotel Miraval Austin to carefully curate this section. I ordered the $18 vegan enchiladas de hongos y coliflor plate to compare to the meat dishes.

The meatless mixture in the enchiladas de hongos y coliflor was a satisfying blend of mushrooms, walnuts, garlic, and onions. The creamy salsa verde on top really wrapped the flavors together with a spicy kick that wasn't overwhelming.

The vegan creamy salsa verde was the perfect plate dressing.Katherine Stinson/Insider

The meatless mixture in the enchiladas de hongos y coliflor was a satisfying blend of mushrooms, walnuts, garlic, and onions. The creamy salsa verde on top really wrapped the flavors together with a spicy kick that wasn't overwhelming.

While I enjoyed the vegan enchiladas, the main meat dishes I tried were the real stars of the show, particularly the $29.95 tacos al carbon — wagyu steak served with tortillas, a nopal paddle, grilled onions, and salsa albanil.

Katherine Stinson/Insider

While I enjoyed the vegan enchiladas, the main meat dishes I tried were the real stars of the show, particularly the $29.95 tacos al carbon — wagyu steak served with tortillas, a nopal paddle, grilled onions, and salsa albanil.

This was my favorite meat-based dish. However, both this and Musk's favorite had incredibly tender bites of meat that were cooked to perfection.

Tacos al carbon (Tortillas not pictured).Katherine Stinson/Insider

Another dish Musk ordered was the chile en nogada, which currently isn't available on the menu. According to the restaurant's Instagram page, the dish is one of the most important meals in Mexico, as it contains the colors of the Mexican flag and is traditionally eaten on September 16 — Mexican Independence Day.

As I waited for my dessert, I checked out the bathroom, which was super clean and vibrant.

The ladies restroom.Katherine Stinson/Insider

For dessert, I ordered the postres de la tierra — a vegan bread pudding that costs $14. (There's also an assortment of nonvegan desserts.) My server noticed it took half an hour for my dessert to come out, so she brought me a second plate free of charge.

Katherine Stinson/Insider

For dessert, I ordered the postres de la tierra — a vegan bread pudding that costs $14. (There's also an assortment of nonvegan desserts.) My server noticed it took half an hour for my dessert to come out, so she brought me a second plate free of charge.

The salty popcorn balanced out the sweetness of the vegan caramel and chocolate glaze drizzled over the soft piece of bread in the plate's center. (The menu said it had banana as well, but I never tasted that flavor in the dish.)

The postres de la tierra is dairy and egg free.Katherine Stinson/Insider

The salty popcorn balanced out the sweetness of the vegan caramel and chocolate glaze drizzled over the soft piece of bread in the plate's center. (The menu said it had banana as well, but I never tasted that flavor in the dish.)

Gilliland said he and Ravago decided they would leave their celebrity guests alone when they chose to dine at Fonda San Miguel, and the servers are trained never to ask for autographs.

The bar at Fonda San Miguel.Katherine Stinson/Insider

Gilliland said he and Ravago decided they would leave their celebrity guests alone when they chose to dine at Fonda San Miguel, and the servers are trained never to ask for autographs.

Gilliland wants every single customer to feel like a celebrity. If great customer service and stellar food from start to finish equaled a celebrity experience, then call me an A-lister.

You can be your own paparazzi in the ladies restroom.Katherine Stinson/Insider

Gilliland wants every single customer to feel like a celebrity. If great customer service and stellar food from start to finish equaled a celebrity experience, then call me an A-lister.

While there's nothing wrong with cheaper Tex-Mex spots, Fonda San Miguel truly delivered on an elevated dining experience dedicated to details, from the beautiful interior design to the flavorful, authentic Mexican menu.

The restaurant was still packed hours after I first arrived.Katherine Stinson/Insider

While there's nothing wrong with cheaper Tex-Mex spots, Fonda San Miguel truly delivered on an elevated dining experience dedicated to details, from the beautiful interior design to the flavorful, authentic Mexican menu.

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I tried Elon Musk's favorite Mexican restaurant in Austin to see what the big deal was. I left impressed and feeling like an A-lister.

A Financial Times writer recently dined with Elon Musk at Fonda San Miguel in Austin, Texas. The writer cited it as Musk's favorite Mexican restaurant, so I decided to give it a try.

Fonda San Miguel was started in 1975 by business partners Tom Gilliland and Miguel Ravago.

Gilliland told Insider the pair moved Fonda San Miguel from its original location in Houston to Austin after stumbling upon the abandoned building that once housed another restaurant.

Gilliland said he and Ravago met while attending a foreign trade school in Phoenix, Arizona, and Ravago's family essentially adopted him.

The authentic Mexican cuisine that Ravago's grandmother cooked is what inspired Gilliland. Ravago, the restaurant's namesake, has since died.

I arrived about 20 minutes before the restaurant opened at 5 p.m. on a Wednesday. I was surprised guests were allowed inside before opening, but it added to the restaurant's cozy atmosphere.

The two front-of-house hostesses told me I was welcome to sit anywhere in the atrium. The atrium had bar seating for walk-ins who still wanted to enjoy the full menu.

The two hostesses warned me to grab a spot quickly before the restaurant opened. The moment 5 p.m. hit, guests started to flood in.

Don't be fooled by how small Fonda San Miguel appears on the outside: The restaurant interior is spacious and filled with multiple dining rooms for guests.

The restaurant was packed within 10 minutes. If you can't arrive right when it opens, you can make a reservation.

Service was incredibly fast. Soon after I sat down, I was provided free chips and salsa as a starter.

Gilliland said this is an Americanized tradition and not standard in Mexican restaurants — it was the only compromise he made when attempting to keep Fonda San Miguel as authentic as possible based on customer feedback.

Musk ordered the house frozen margarita in the Financial Times article (he called it a "slushy with alcohol"). Since it was happy hour when I arrived, every tequila-based drink was $1 off.

I was intrigued by the Silver Coin, a watermelon-based tequila margarita served straight up, so I ordered one for comparison. I preferred Musk's drink of choice.

For an appetizer, I tried one of the dishes Musk ordered: the Cordero (the Spanish word for "lamb") lamb chops, which cost $24.95.

Traditionally, a Cordero dish is prepared during festivals and celebrations, where a whole lamb is slowly roasted over an open flame.

The side of salsa de morita (a red salsa based around the flavor profile of a morita chile pepper) wasn't even necessary. Each bite of the Cordero chops was bursting with a rich and buttery flavor profile that felt like a perfect marriage of the garlic, herbs, and lemon that are used in the dish.

Another dish Musk tried was the mixiote — slow-cooked, seasoned lamb served in a papillote that costs $38.95. I was told by other patrons that the dish had the same savory, melt-in-your mouth sensation I had with the Cordero.

I was impressed there was also a plant-based section of the menu. Gilliland hired a sous chef from the holistic spa hotel Miraval Austin to carefully curate this section. I ordered the $18 vegan enchiladas de hongos y coliflor plate to compare to the meat dishes.

The meatless mixture in the enchiladas de hongos y coliflor was a satisfying blend of mushrooms, walnuts, garlic, and onions. The creamy salsa verde on top really wrapped the flavors together with a spicy kick that wasn't overwhelming.

While I enjoyed the vegan enchiladas, the main meat dishes I tried were the real stars of the show, particularly the $29.95 tacos al carbon — wagyu steak served with tortillas, a nopal paddle, grilled onions, and salsa albanil.

This was my favorite meat-based dish. However, both this and Musk's favorite had incredibly tender bites of meat that were cooked to perfection.

As I waited for my dessert, I checked out the bathroom, which was super clean and vibrant.

For dessert, I ordered the postres de la tierra — a vegan bread pudding that costs $14. (There's also an assortment of nonvegan desserts.) My server noticed it took half an hour for my dessert to come out, so she brought me a second plate free of charge.

The salty popcorn balanced out the sweetness of the vegan caramel and chocolate glaze drizzled over the soft piece of bread in the plate's center. (The menu said it had banana as well, but I never tasted that flavor in the dish.)

Gilliland said he and Ravago decided they would leave their celebrity guests alone when they chose to dine at Fonda San Miguel, and the servers are trained never to ask for autographs.

Gilliland wants every single customer to feel like a celebrity. If great customer service and stellar food from start to finish equaled a celebrity experience, then call me an A-lister.

While there's nothing wrong with cheaper Tex-Mex spots, Fonda San Miguel truly delivered on an elevated dining experience dedicated to details, from the beautiful interior design to the flavorful, authentic Mexican menu.