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Guacamole with chips

Guacamole How To

Guacamole is a staple component of any Mexican meal and if you are looking for a “Guacamole How To” – you have come to the right place!

Guacamole was invented in Mexico in the 1500s by the Aztecs. It was first created by mashing avocados in a mortar and pestle. Research shows that the word comes from the Aztec Nahuatl words āhuacatl (avocado) and mōlli (sauce). This literally translates to “avocado sauce.”

Guacamole is a great addition to any meal. We also love it served as an appetizer with fresh chips! Did you know it even has its own day? September 16 is now celebrated as National Guacamole Day!

If you want to try making your own, read on for our favorite recipe!

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 ripe Avocados
  • Diced Tomatoes
  • Diced Onions
  • Diced Jalapeños
  • Chopped Fresh Cilantro
  • Salt & Pepper
  • 1 Lime
  • 1 Orange

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Prepare all ingredients and set-up your station.
  2. In a medium-sized bowl, add fresh squeezed lime juice from one lime.
  3. To add a little sweetness, we also like to squeeze ½ of a fresh orange.
  4. Add a little bit of salt and pepper to the juice and mix that around in the bowl.
  5. Slice & scoop out fresh avocado into the bowl.
  6. Mush the avocado with a fork and mix with the juices and salt and pepper.
  7. Add mix-ins (tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, cilantro) per your liking.
  8. Mix all ingredients in the bowl and fold it over each other gently.

If you are craving some fresh guacamole, but not interested in making your own with our Guacamole How To – we can help with that! Iron Cactus is proud to offer Tableside Guacamole made by hand and tossed at the table according to your likes. It is one of our most popular items!

Steak Fajitas River Walk

Best Fajitas Near Me

It is August 18 – also known as National Fajita Day! Once again, you search for the “Best Fajitas Near Me” and come up with a huge list of restaurants. But where do you start the celebration?

Look no further than Iron Cactus! Our two Texas locations offer bold, unique and flavorful Mexican dishes combined with amazing views, beautiful patios and historic locations. In Austin, we are in downtown on historic 6th Street and our San Antonio’s location is on the famous River Walk.

Our menu is the culmination of years of dedication and passion by our renowned chefs. One of our more popular items just happens to be our Sizzling Fajitas! We offer a variety of fajitas to please everyone’s taste. We have Certified Angus Beef® Skirt Steak, Tequila-Marinated Chicken Breast, Tequila Adobo-Marinated Shrimp, Combination Steak and Chicken, or Herb-Grilled Vegetables.

Our fajitas can be ordered for one person or for two! They come on a sizzling hot platter with both Mexican rice and beans. You will also receive shredded lettuce, cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole and sour cream. Plus, warm flour or corn tortillas of course!

While you are savoring your fajitas, make sure you complete your meal with a hand-crafted cocktail from our extensive menu. Tequila is our most popular spirit and we are proud to feature over 100 premium tequilas. You can even create your own margarita from any tequila, mixed with either Cointreau, Naranja Orange Liqueur or Gran Gala.

We also have over 20 specialty tequila cocktails if you are looking for a tried-and-true option! The exclusive Iron Cactus Double Barrel is made with Herradura Double Barrel Reposado, Cointreau, fresh lime, and agave. It is the perfect complement to any meal!

The next time you want to look for the “Best Fajitas Near Me” – skip the search and head to Iron Cactus! We will save you a seat.

riverwalk dining

Private Dining in San Antonio

Take your event to the next level with Private Dining in San Antonio at Iron Cactus. We have experience hosting all types of events – from birthday parties to anniversary celebrations or even wedding rehearsals.

Iron Cactus offers three unique spaces suitable for private or semi-private events. Our most popular choices are the Cactus and Agave Rooms. These rooms offer the best in private dining in San Antonio! The rooms both display a similar theme as the Mexican restaurant and are available as separate or combined areas. They even each have their own private bar available!

When combined, the Cactus and Agave Rooms can seat up to 120 people for a sit-down event. If your event is a cocktail-style one, it can accommodate up to 168 people! Smaller events are also no problem. The Cactus Room is perfect for groups up to 42 people and the Agave Room will handle up to 72 people.

If you are looking for a space that is more casual, our upper dining area offers semi-private dining as well. This space offers floor to ceiling windows overlooking the patio. The space is large enough to fit up to 70 people for a cocktail-style event, and up to 40 people for a seated event.

No matter what space you choose, we have everything to meet your needs! All events include white table linens and black napkins to complement your event. Enjoy unique and flavorful dishes from our contemporary Mexican food menu. Plus, complete your meal with our premium tequilas and hand-crafted cocktails. Not to mention, our location on the River Walk provides instant ambiance with live music, river boats and San Antonio’s year-round Fiesta!

Are you ready to get started? Fill out the event request form to start the process of securing private dining in San Antonio.

Mango Habanero Marg

Cocktail Bars in Austin

It may be known for its live music, but did you know there are hundreds of Cocktail Bars in Austin? If you are feeling overwhelmed – start with the Iron Cactus! A local favorite since 1996 and located in the heart of Downtown Austin.

Named one of the top 10 tequila bars in the country, Iron Cactus offers over 100 premium tequilas on its menu. From silver tequila to añejo tequila, cristalino and we even have mezcal! Enjoy your favorite tequila in a flight, a hand-crafted cocktail or mixed into one of our famous margaritas.

Not sure where to start? Choose from one of over 20 tequila cocktails on the menu, including our specialty Cactus Exclusive drinks. A favorite is our Iron Cactus Double Barrel margarita made with Herradura Double Barrel Reposado, Cointreau, fresh lime and agave. Or try our newest Cactus Exclusive drink made with Cristalino tequila! The Cristanlino Barrel Reserve features Maestro Dobel Barrel Reserve, Cointreau, fresh lime and agave.

If Tequila is not your liquor of choice – we also have you covered. Our signature cocktails feature a variety of vodka, bourbon, rum and whiskey liquor. There is truly something for everyone at Iron Cactus!

When the weather heats up, a frozen cocktail is always welcome! Enjoy an Original Margarita as it comes or make it your own with a custom swirl or top off! For only $2 extra you can swirl your frozen margarita with strawberry, mango, prickly pear or peach. Then you can top it off with Cointreau, Magdala Orange Liqueur or Chambord for an extra $3. For your non-tequila lovers, we also offer a frozen Piña Colada or Frośe.

The next time you are looking for Cocktail Bars in Austin, make sure you plan to visit the Iron Cactus. Our bar is open daily until 11pm. We also offer great Happy Hour deals on weekdays from 3PM-6PM!

House Margarita

Margaritas

Margaritas were made for summer and Iron Cactus was made for margaritas! Enjoy your margarita on the rocks or try it frozen on a sunny day! With over 100 types of tequila on hand, we have something for everyone!

If you are not sure where to start, look to one the Cactus Exclusive margaritas handcrafted by highly trained bartenders. By and large the Iron Cactus Double Barrel is always a popular choice! It features Herradura Double Barrel Reposado tequila, Cointreau, fresh lime, and agave. Or try our newest exclusive drink – the Cristalino Barrel Reserve. It features Maestro Dobel Barrel Reserve, Cointreau, fresh lime and agave.

Want a spin on a traditional margarita? To that end, try our Mezcal Margarita, made with Palomo Joven, Naranja Orange Liqueur, fresh lime, and agave. You can also create your own margarita from any of the over 100 types of tequila offered! Start with your favorite tequila or mezcal and add your choice of Cointreau, Naranja Orange Liqueur or Gran Gala.

At any rate, if frosty drinks are more you speed –  we have those as well! Enjoy an original frozen margarita made with Torado Silver tequila and triple sec. Looking to cut calories? Try a top shelf skinny made with Tromba Blanco, sugar free triple sec, fresh lime and agave.

Take your frozen drink a step further by customizing it! For $2, add a swirl of strawberry, mango, peach or prickly pear. What’s more, you can even top off your frozen margarita with Cointreau, Magdala Orange Liqueur or Chambord for just $3. Check out the full drink menu here.

Even better? If you stop by during happy hour on weekdays from 3PM-6PM, you can sip on our house margaritas at a discounted price! No matter what you choose, in any event you will be sure to have a good time at Iron Cactus. It is no wonder that Iron Cactus is known for its margaritas in Austin and San Antonio.

Main room2 Holiday Event Space in San Antonio

Book An Event in San Antonio

Are you looking for the perfect spot to book an event in San Antonio? Look no further than the Iron Cactus! Located directly on the River Walk in San Antonio, Iron Cactus is the perfect place for your next birthday party, corporate event, or wedding rehearsal dinner!

Enjoy contemporary Mexican cuisine and specialty cocktails in one of our three different and unique spaces. The Cactus Room and Agave Room are private rooms with their own bars that can be used together or separately. Individually, the Cactus Room seats up to 48 people and the Agave Room seats up to 72. When combined, you will be able to accommodate up to 120 people sitting down or 168 people for a cocktail-style event when combined. The space also comes with A/V capabilities, including wireless microphone, DVD player and a flat screen TV.

For smaller events, our Upper Dining area is the perfect location. It is a semi-private space with floor to ceiling windows that look out to the patio and River Walk. Not to mention, the view is incredible! This area holds up to 40 people seated, or 70 people cocktail-style. If you are need of something a bit larger, you can even rent out the entire restaurant! With seating for up to 500 people and 3 private bars – it will be a night to remember.

The best part of having an event at Iron Cactus is not only the great location, but the Mexican dishes and cocktails that go above and beyond. Enjoy classic favorites from sizzling fajitas to enchiladas or some of our specialty items like our Stuffed Avocado, Mexican Meatloaf or Stacked Pork Enchiladas. What’s more, no meal is complete without one of our hand-crafted tequila or specialty cocktail from our extensive drink menu.

To learn more and book an event in San Antonio, submit the event request form on our website. Our team will get back to you and help you kick-off your celebration at Iron Cactus!

margaritas

Full-Service Catering in Austin

Event planning can be stressful! From picking a date to finding a venue, your to-do list is probably a mile long. Let Iron Cactus take one thing off your list with our full-service catering in Austin.

Iron Cactus has years of experience in handling a wide range of catered events and we have worked with many popular venues across Austin. We have catered all types of personal events, from graduation parties to wedding reception, birthday parties and more! We also cater for office luncheons, training, or corporate events.

Our full-service catering packages include buffet setup, buffet table linens, a service station and two hours of buffet service. When an event is in your space, it is all about the infusion of flavors and pleasing your guests. Your guests can dine on our bold, unique, and flavorful Mexican dishes – from Pollo Relleno and Pescado del Mar to Southwest Paella.

In addition to food, our catering service experts can also help you arrange additional services to enhance your event. We can help with china and silverware, rentals for tables, chair or tents, bar and cocktail service, linens, and cake-cutting service.

If you have everything already covered for your event, we also offer delivery-only packages as well. No matter what option you choose, we pay attention to details and are committed to making your event a success!

Start the process today by completing our off-site catering request form. All you need to provide is the date, venue and expected number of guests to get started. From there, our experts will work with you to assemble the perfect menu for your event. Just know that when you choose Iron Cactus for your full-service catering in Austin, you and your event will be in great hands!

Steak Fajitas River Walk

San Antonio River Parade

Celebrate Fiesta San Antonio with Iron Cactus! With our prime spot on the River Walk, there’s no better place to witness the San Antonio River Parade. Enjoy the sights and sounds of decorated floats going by while dining from the special Fiesta Parade menu.

This year, Fiesta returns to San Antonio from April 18 through April 28. Fiesta has grown over the years to become a 10-day celebration with over 100 events. Enjoy music, food, sports, pageantry, exhibits and of course, parades!

The Texas Cavaliers River Parade is a popular event with over 250,00 people lining the banks to enjoy the event. Save yourself the struggle and reserve yourself a seat and a delicious meal at Iron Cactus. Reserve your spot here. You can choose from two seating options. Patio Dining includes a 2nd row seat for the parade. Main Dining includes a seat on the 1st row of the parade.

The special Fiesta Parade Menu includes Chicken and Steak Fajitas, Mexican Rice, Refried Beans, Chile Con Queso, Chips and Salsa. Plus – Mexican Donuts for dessert! You can also enjoy one of our premium tequilas or hand-crafted cocktails to complement your meal. Kids can order from the kids’ menu that includes a scoop of ice cream.

Make sure to mark your calendars for Fiesta this April, so you don’t miss the San Antonio River Parade! Join Iron Cactus on this occasion to celebrate Fiesta San Antonio alongside delicious food, tequila drinks, and an amazing view.

Waffles Iron Cactus Sunday Brunch

Sunday Brunch Near Me

The weekend is just around the corner and when you search for Sunday Brunch near me – be sure to pick Iron Cactus! Iron Cactus serves à la carte brunch every Sunday starting at 11am at both of our locations. With brunch running in Austin till 3pm and San Antonio until 2pm, you will have ample time to join us with your crew! Whether you are an early bird to brunch or you prefer to sleep in late, let the day happen at a leisurely place at Iron Cactus.

No matter what time you arrive, you will find your favorite brunch staples and Mexican classics. Whether you are you craving something sweet or savory for brunch – our brunch menu has options for both! If you want something sweet go with the Belgian Waffle or Pancakes. Both come with bacon or sausage and a fresh fruit cup on the side.

If you are looking for something more savory – try the Mexican Eggs Benedict, Iron Omelet, or the Breakfast Relleno. The migas is another popular choice! Made with scrambled eggs, tortilla strips, pico de gallo and mixed cheese served with corn tortillas. You also get refried beans and fried seasoned potatoes on the side.

What is brunch without a cocktail to complete your meal? Start with our classic Mimosa made with Champagne and Orange Juice. Plus – you can get up to three $1 mimosa refills. What a great deal! Or try one of our other classic brunch drinks like a Texas Bloody Mary or a Bloody Maria. The Mexican Coffee is another favorite! It is the perfect combination of freshly brewed coffee, Blanco Tequila, agave, cinnamon, and topped with fresh crème.

The next time you ask yourself, “where can I find a great Sunday brunch near me,” let your taste buds guide you to Iron Cactus Grab your friends, bring your appetite and get ready to relax and enjoy a brunch worth your time and money.

Mezzanine room Brunch on Iron Cactus

Private Event Venues in Austin

Planning a party in Austin? It can be a struggle to find Private event venues in Austin. Save yourself time and frustration and start at Iron Cactus!

At Iron Cactus, you will find spaces to accommodate parties of virtually any size or type! We can handle all sorts of private events – from wedding rehearsals to graduation parties, birthday parties to corporate events and more!

The Mezzanine level of the restaurant is the perfect size to support an intimate gathering of friends and family. The casual style of the room makes it the perfect setting for a cocktail function, and it can comfortably seat 40 guests for dining.

Looking for something for a larger party? Consider the Cactus Room that can seat up to 90 people or up to 120 people for a cocktail party. The room maintains the same industrialized nineteenth century décor as the restaurant. Plus – did we mention it also has a private bar?

If you need even more space than our private dining rooms offer, you can always rent out our entire restaurant! The Iron Cactus can accommodate up to 500 guests with the best views of Sixth Street and historic Downtown Austin.

Contact our event staff today to learn why Iron Cactus is one of the best Private Event Venues in Austin. Fill out our online event request form to get things started.