Ah, Manuel's -- a neighborhood restaurant in my neighborhood that is not so neighborly. The food is not terrible, but at these prices the service is what knocks it down to one star. After many, many... More

Ah, Manuel's -- a neighborhood restaurant in my neighborhood that is not so neighborly. The food is not terrible, but at these prices the service is what knocks it down to one star. After many, many visits all I can conclude is that the general manager is either a Mormon or generally opposed to alcohol, as the wait staff appear to be instructed to not oblige patrons' desire to consume alcohol. As noted in other reviews below, you have to either hunt down the wait staff to get a drink or seek out the bar on your own. Ten to thirty minutes between visits to your table is not uncommon. Worse still, the GM recently had us cut off after five Mimosas at a Sunday brunch, which is probably the most insulting experience I've ever had in a restaurant. It was largely laughable since the entire party was comprised of men who can throw back a six pack and not even flinch. The bartender informed us that it we were being cut off by the GM and it was fairly common when people are "drinking during the day." The food is inconsistent, but decent. Nonetheless, I'd steer clear. The wait staff is intolerable and the GM may just decide you've had enough. The guy is either a prohibitionist or a moralist. Either way, I won't be revisiting my neighborhood Manuel's any time soon... Pros: Food is not bad Cons: Service, service, service
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This place has the best margaritas I've ever had (house rita on the rocks with salt). Also, they have happy hour every day from 4-6, when all appetizers are half price (in addition to drink... More

This place has the best margaritas I've ever had (house rita on the rocks with salt). Also, they have happy hour every day from 4-6, when all appetizers are half price (in addition to drink discounts). Three apps between two people is a meal. So great food, great drinks, and a good price. If you do want something off of their regular dinner menu, nothing on it has ever disappointed - the Relleno del Mar is an exceptional treat. Pros: Best happy hour in town, Best margaritas in Austin
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the food was just ok. I had two small tostadas for $10.50. The best I can say was the lettuce was beautiful. We received our check, paid the bill, left cash for a tip. When I checked my bank... More

the food was just ok. I had two small tostadas for $10.50. The best I can say was the lettuce was beautiful. We received our check, paid the bill, left cash for a tip. When I checked my bank account later, I found out they had added a tip without our agreeing to it. i would not go back to Manuel's nor would I recommend it to anyone else. VERY overpriced for the food. Pros: pretty plants Cons: WAY overpriced
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Manuel's has happy hour from 4 to 6 every day! The appetizers are 1/2 price and they aren't smaller portions than what they regularly serve! It's the best deal ever! I can't believe that anyone... More

Manuel's has happy hour from 4 to 6 every day! The appetizers are 1/2 price and they aren't smaller portions than what they regularly serve! It's the best deal ever! I can't believe that anyone would go anywhere else. My friends and I are making it our regular Friday happy hour spot. Pros: Happy Hour! Cons: I don't have a big enough stomach
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I freakin' love this place! The drinks rock, the food is delicious, the servers are a hoot and the patio is kickin'! If you haven't tried this place, check it out. It's right next door to the movie... More

I freakin' love this place! The drinks rock, the food is delicious, the servers are a hoot and the patio is kickin'! If you haven't tried this place, check it out. It's right next door to the movie theater so you can stop by after seeing a movie or to have dinner beforehand. Pros: Next to movie theater, good food, great drinks Cons: You may not want to leave
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WORST OWNERS TO WORK FOR!!!!!!!!!! Please be extremely careful when reading the reviews for Manuels. The owners under the threat of termination have instructed each server to write a positive... More

WORST OWNERS TO WORK FOR!!!!!!!!!! Please be extremely careful when reading the reviews for Manuels. The owners under the threat of termination have instructed each server to write a positive review in order to increase sales. First of all Jennifer, who just happened to marry the original owner Greg, is in charge of the marketing department. Enough said!!!!!!! It's obvious to anyone who has come in contact with her that she's not exactly the sharpest tool in shed. Actually, her IQ probably isn't greater than a peanut. The owners Jennifer and Greg, and their two sidekicks, treat their employees and in-house management in a manner that can only be described as being "horrible". The owners constantly dress-down their employees and management in front of customers and have instructed staff to cut costs by demanding that chips be re-used; meaning taking a full basket of chips from one table when the customer has left and placing it on the table of a new customer. This also includes the salsa. This is just to give you an idea of how far the owners have gone to save money with little or no regards to the well-being of their customers......................!
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I have been to Manuels many times. Until last time. The staff is 1) rude and 2) not-organized. Not only I made reservations which they didn't have when I arrived but the lady hostess (long hair good... More

I have been to Manuels many times. Until last time. The staff is 1) rude and 2) not-organized. Not only I made reservations which they didn't have when I arrived but the lady hostess (long hair good looking mexican in her 30-40s) was extremely, extremely rude when she took us to the table. Not the kind of treatment we were looking for. So, 1 minute after seating, we stood up and left. I hesitated but told the manager who tried to "buy me". Screw that. It is not about money, it is about the experience you stupid.
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I went to manuels at the arboritum and i tryed the best mexican cucumber martini in the world the waiter was very attentive and sugested for me to get the relleno with seafood in it and it was... More

I went to manuels at the arboritum and i tryed the best mexican cucumber martini in the world the waiter was very attentive and sugested for me to get the relleno with seafood in it and it was amazing after that we tryed the flan and it was absolutly the best flan I ever had this is going to be my favorite mexican restaurant for now on Pros: food very authentic Cons: there's only 2 of them
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My husband and I shared a night out last Sunday and our dinner experience was incredible. The atmosphere was so nice and not too crowded for a Sunday night. Our waiter, Mike, suggested two jumpo... More

My husband and I shared a night out last Sunday and our dinner experience was incredible. The atmosphere was so nice and not too crowded for a Sunday night. Our waiter, Mike, suggested two jumpo shrimp dishes and we both tried them. Immediately, my husband and I fell in love with the sauces and mouth watering flavor. Then Mike suggested a dessert wine and the chocolate bread pudding...this was too good to be true. It's truly and experience you have to try for yourself! Oh, and ask for Mike...best recommendations in town!!! Adios! Pros: atmosphere, wait staff, seafood Cons: none
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My husband and I drive by Manuel?s all the time and always notice how crowded the place is, so we of course were excited to try it out for dinner on a recent Friday night. After a 45 minute wait... More

My husband and I drive by Manuel?s all the time and always notice how crowded the place is, so we of course were excited to try it out for dinner on a recent Friday night. After a 45 minute wait (which is not a problem at all for a good restaurant in Austin), we were extremely disappointed with our first encounter of what this restaurant calls ?queso dip?. If you think a block of microwaved cheese is considered good queso dip, then this place is for you. We, on the other hand, were not impressed and sat there wondering if something were wrong with our taste buds considering the waitress actually suggested this as an appetizer. When the chips and salsa were brought to our table at the same time, we thought they might have poured the salsa out of the Tostitos jar and the chips from the Tostitos bag ? both of which reminded us of our college days when we didn?t appreciate or know of home made chips and salsa. We then ordered the steak and chicken fajitas and thought that had to be one of the better items on the menu since other people in the restaurant were also eating fajitas. The fajitas were ok, but nothing spectacular. They were the best part of the meal, other than the beers and martini?s. I don?t understand how anyone would go here instead of Iron Cactus ? when the prices are similar and Iron Cactus chips and salsa, main course, and service are all 100 times better. Pros: good martini Cons: food, service
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