Camino Real has some of the tastiest greasy spoon TexMex in Austin. It's not a fancy restaurant and you shouldn't expect some complimentary Hamachi shots or anything. However, what you will get is some really tasty TexMex. Pretty much this is like the Hillbert's or Dan's of TexMex. Almost everything is tasty, but you should like shredded American cheese on your Tacos. If the only TexMex Restaurant you would go to is El Chile, you might not be too fond of Camino Real, excluding the drinks, which are cheap and satisfying. On the other hand if you like El Caribe, Amaya's Taco Village and/or Matt's El Rancho, you will not be disappointed here.\r
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Personally I love the Special Plate (#31). Also the Fajita Burrito is very tasty with its queso and choice of sauce all wrapped in a fresh tortilla. El Camino has great salsa and they keep it coming, it's on the spicy side. As for the beans, nice plain refried beans with black pepper (probably chicken stock as well); they are somewhat soupy, but I would not call them watery as they have a rich flavor which compliments the rice and entree.\r
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Also its a damn good hangover helper restaurant.\r
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Camino Real a little funky, but its real and the food is delicious and reliable. Honestly I would rather it be funky, especially up in North Austin where cookie-cutter corporate restaurants with antiseptic smiles abound.
Pros: Tasty, reliable, great salsa, good value, down home vibe
Cons: Closes early on Sunday and Monday
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