Hula Hut: There's such a thing as Mexican seafood?
Written: Jul 31 '00 (Updated Aug 01 '00)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: shrimp tacos are awesome
Cons: wait can get long on the weekends, queso is hit or miss
|
|
|
| stract's Full Review: Austin Restaurants |
Yes there is, and I'm about to tell you all about it. Traditionally, when people think about Mexican food, they think tacos, enchiladas, salsa, and tamales. But this restaurant will introduce you to a side of Mexican food you might not have known even existed outside of Mexico.
I am, of course referring to Chuy's Hula Hut. If you've never heard of this place, there is something wrong with you, especially if you've lived in Austin for any length of time. It's down Lake Austin Blvd. next to the Mozart's Coffee Shop, right past Red Bud Tr. and the dam that signifies the end of Lake Austin and the beginning of Town Lake.
Where a restaurant always starts: the parking lot
I won't beat around the bush here, the parking at Hula Hut leaves a lot to be desired. It's made for compact cars, with tight turns and not much room to actually park, which is quite strange considering the restaurant's proximity to Westlake (also known as the land of SUVs and suburbans). There is more parking across the street, next to an office building (I think it's a bank, but I've never paid that much attention to really care...), and valet parking is also offered by the lovely people at Hula Hut (for a fee), so it's not a lost cause.
What's the view like, you ask?
Well, as I think I already mentioned, Hula Hut is located next to the dam, but lucky for us restaurant goers, it's on the nice side of the dam (aka the Lake Austin side). There is a fairly extensive deck out back, with lots of tables, to eat outside and enjoy the view.
This part of Lake Austin is lined with trees, and you'll see an occasional dock or house along the edge (Westlake Beach is not in view, it's around a bend in the river). My brother and some friends once hopped on a boat to go over to Hula Hut; there are some docks for those who spend the day out on the lake and then feel like eating some good food.
What, no live music?
I've never seen live music at Hula Hut, but that isn't to say there is NEVER live music. If there is, it isn't very often. Plus, there's practically no room to do that sort of thing. Nonetheless, the atmosphere is still typical Austin (sans the live music).
People in shorts and t-shirts, people dressed up, parties going on, everyone with a cell phone or pager, lots of stuff going on, but not too loud. The din is low enough so that you can have a normal conversation with the rest of your group without having to shout.
The Food
Now, I guess we'll get on to the food, which is the main calling card for any restaurant....: )
Mexican Seafood, with a Caribbean flair. That's right folks, and it's good, surprisingly good. Offered at this fine eating establishment are such choices as fish tacos, tubular enchiladas, shrimp fajitas, mahi mahi cooked different ways, and my all time favorite, the shrimp tacos. Now this is by no means the only stuff that is offered; on the contrary this listing is a minor glimpse at the menu in question.
The Montego Bay Shrimp Tacos are, in my humble opinion, the best thing on the menu. 5 lightly battered shrimp, lettuce and cabbage, a special jalapeno sauce, wrapped in some thicker-than-normal tortillas, and you have perfection. Just squirt on a little lemon juice and away you go to euphoria. Sides include rice and beans, just like any Mexican food restaurant.
The various choices of enchiladas are also wonderful, and the salsa is interesting to say the least. It's not your traditional salsa; instead this mix of veggies and juices has more of a Caribbean flair to it. The taste is hard to describe, but for the most part the salsa is usually good. Not to hot, not too mild. The queso can be hit or miss. Sometimes it is too mild to really taste anything at all, sometimes it has a little bite to it.
Can't really tell you too much about the desserts, because I've always been too full to eat them, but they look good (if that's any consolation).
Drinks
There are 2 bars, one inside, and one out on the deck, for maximum drinking pleasure. The offering of drinks on the menu is the typical offering for any restaurant. I always get the tea, but that's me.
Know when to go
If you go on a Friday or Saturday night, expect upwards of a one hour wait, unless you go early. That's how popular this place is. When it gets busy, it gets busy. This, however does not compromise speed or quality of service too much. Just as in any restaurant that gets busy, the food will take a little longer to come out, but it'll be well worth the wait.
The waiters and waitresses are always perusing the restaurant to make sure you have a never ending basket-o-chips to go with your salsa/queso, and your glass turns into the bottomless drink, with plenty of refills for all.
Prices
For the amount of food you get, the quality of the food, and all that stuff that matters to the typical restaurant goer, the prices are quite reasonable. Comparable to the Chuy's (since this place is owned by Chuy's). Entrees run from the $8 range to the $10 range unless you are getting something exotic and the appetizers taste good and are fairly cheap as well.
You got a big party? Have no fear!
Hula Hut is fairly good at accommodating larger parties, if you call and warn them in advance. One time my family went, and it was a party of 12. No problem. Of course, with parties over 5, they automatically add the 15% gratuity, but the waiters and waitresses seem to do a good job of handling a large number of people at the same table.
They're open all the time, usually open late, especially on the weekend, and they do lunch as well. Whenever I go home I always try to hit Hula Hut at least once, to satisfy my shrimp taco craving. If you are looking for traditional Mexican food, this is not the place to go (try Guero's instead).
As always, if you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to shoot me an e-mail or leave a note in the comment section.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
stract
|
|
Location: Valdosta, GA
Reviews written: 58
Trusted by: 56 members
About Me:
Austin, TX is God's gift to humanity
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.