Top 5 Quesos in Austin

As soon as I arrived in Austin I heard rumor the town loved queso as much as I do.  I knew we would get along. I quickly explored all of the top queso spots recommended by every blog, Austin local, and Yelper. During the 6 months I lived in Austin (Jan – June 2015), I devoured all the cheese you can imagine to fully satisfy my cravings and mark down the best in town to share. Since this was an extra cheesy time in my life, I made sure to complete a full tasting analysis down to the type of chip/tortilla offered alongside each delicious bowl of yumminess. If you love queso as much as I do, check out these Top 5 Queso Spots in Austin, Texas (several listed can be found outside TX as well, check their sites for specific locations):

1. Torchy’s Tacos – Green Chile Queso: One of those love at first sight stories. Your love will continue to grow deeper with every chip that dips into this combination of perfectly blended spice, cilantro, guacamole, and green chile con queso. Note: Goes well with the Trailer Park extra trashy taco, though all tacos here are 5* in my book. http://torchystacos.com

2. Kerbey Lane Café – Kerbey Queso: This is a diner that serves up beyond scrumptious queso blanco topped with pico de gallo and guacamole.  Each bite will surely have you running back for more. Note: Open 24/7 and great for brunch (yummy pancakes) or a late night bite. Also served with yummy salsa on the side. https://www.kerbeylanecafe.com

3. Chi’lantro – Chips + Queso: Not many people talk about this one, but it quickly became a go to queso for me. Many fall in love with the Original Kimchi Fries here, which are excellent, but this post is about their queso: spicy, thick, and underrated; definitely recommend a taste! Note: They don’t currently serve the queso at the truck locations, so be sure to head to the restaurant to order. http://www.chilantrobbq.com

4. Hopdoddy Burger Bar – Green Chili Queso with Truffle Fries: If you’re looking to taste a little bit of heaven, order this appetizer to enjoy life while you wait for your customized burger. A straight up simple and straightforward kind of queso, it’s not splashy or spicy, it’s just plain good. Make sure you order with the truffle fries for dipping. http://www.hopdoddy.com

5. Matt’s El Rancho – Bob Armstrong Dip: Named after the creator, Bob’s dip has taco meat, guacamole, and sour cream all ready to be mixed within the chile con queso. Stir up the ingredients right away or taste the queso on its own first. This was one of the first queso’s I tried in the city and is a favorite among locals, especially UT grads. The ambiance reminded me of a chain like Chili’s, but it’s family-friendly with a large space filled with booths and tables galore. http://mattselrancho.com