about
Matt’s El Rancho is more than a restaurant — it’s a Texas story that began nearly a century ago. In 1923, at the age of six,
Matt Martinez sold tamales from a wooden pushcart by the Texas Capitol. Nearly three decades later, in 1952, Matt and
his wife Janie opened the first El Rancho on East 1st Street in downtown Austin. With just 10 tables, Matt welcomed
every guest with warmth while Janie cooked everything from scratch using her own recipes. Word spread quickly, and
soon El Rancho became a beloved gathering place.
Over the years, the restaurant grew in size and reputation.
In 1986, Matt’s El Rancho opened its current South Lamar location, where it continues to serve hundreds of guests daily. Today, the Martinez family still carries forward Matt and Janie’s legacy. Daughters Gloria, Cecilia, and Cathy, along with daughter-in-law Estella, remain dedicated to making every tortilla, chip, and plate of enchiladas the same way Janie always did—by hand, from scratch, and with pride.
Matt’s El Rancho has been a favorite of everyone from University of Texas sports fans to President Lyndon Johnson, who once had our chile rellenos flown to Washington D.C. Our innovations—like fresh-squeezed lime juice margaritas, Mexican seafood dishes, and Bob Armstrong Dip—have become Tex-Mex staples across the country.
Though times have changed, our philosophy has not: real food, real hospitality, and family at the heart of it all. Whether
it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, we look forward to welcoming you to Matt’s El Rancho.
