Food and Drink Archives

What it is and How to Make Queso

November 10, 2024

You have probably seen it on the menu before, but do you know what it is and how to make queso? A staple food at many Mexican restaurants, by translation, queso is simply Spanish for “cheese”. According to the Merriam Webster, queso is short for “chile con queso.” The definition refers to it as a dipping sauce of melted cheese and chopped chili peppers.

To make it yourself, start with thick and creamy melted cheese as a base. Add in a small amount of milk or cream to thin it out and achieve the desired consistency. Once the cheese is fully melted – this is where it gets fun! Add in some spices to enhance the flavor – a pinch of cumin, garlic, or chili powder really complement the cheese. Then add some toppings: diced tomatoes, green chiles, onions, ground beef or even some chorizo for a heartier variation! If you like it spicy – add some sliced jalapenos and hot sauce to give it a kick.

If you are not looking to make your own and want to enjoy some unique cheesy goodness, head to Iron Cactus. The menu has you covered with 3 different options to choose from. The basic Chile Con Queso is made with hatch green chiles, pico de gallo and roasted jalapenos. Swing by during Happy Hour and you can even get it for a discount!

Looking for something a little heartier, try. The Queso Compuesto that includes your choice of grilled chicken or steak, in addition to the guacamole and pico de gallo. Or try the newest option – the Brisket Queso. One of my personal favorites, it consists of hatch green chiles, pico de galla, roasted jalapenos and smoked brisket.

Whether enjoying as an appetizer with chips or added as a topping for your meal – queso is the ultimate comfort food. No matter if you find it at your favorite Mexican restaurant or learn how to make queso – you and your friends will be fighting over who gets the last bite!

How to Choose the Right Corporate Events in Austin

October 3, 2024

Planning a corporate event in Austin can be a challenging task, especially when you’re trying to impress both clients and employees. Whether it’s a networking event, conference, or team-building retreat, choosing the right type of event and venue can make all the difference. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you book corporate events in Austin that will leave a lasting impression on all attendees.

Understanding the Importance of Corporate Events

Corporate events aren’t just social gatherings—they are vital opportunities for businesses to foster stronger relationships, boost morale, and create memorable experiences. Whether you’re launching a product, celebrating a milestone, or strengthening team dynamics, corporate events in Austin offer the perfect setting to bring your company’s vision to life.

Identifying Your Event Objectives

The first step in planning a successful corporate event is identifying your objectives. Are you looking to improve employee engagement? Or is your goal to network with industry peers and potential clients? Understanding your goals will help you select the right event format and ensure that every element aligns with your company’s vision.

Choosing the Right Venue in Austin

Austin is known for its vibrant culture, making it an ideal city for hosting corporate events. When selecting a venue, consider factors such as location, capacity, and amenities. Venues like Iron Cactus, situated in the heart of downtown Austin, offer a perfect blend of unique ambiance, spacious areas, and first-class service to make any corporate event memorable.

Types of Corporate Events to Consider

There are various types of corporate events to choose from, depending on your objectives:

Team-Building Events: Foster collaboration and strengthen relationships.
Networking Events: Perfect for client or partner interactions.
Corporate Galas: Celebrate achievements with a touch of elegance.
Conferences and Seminars: Share knowledge and insights within your industry.

Budgeting for Your Corporate Event

Creating a budget for your corporate event helps you allocate resources efficiently and avoid overspending. Factor in costs for the venue, catering, entertainment, and any other essential services. Iron Cactus offers flexible event packages to accommodate different budgets, making it easier to plan within your means without compromising on quality.

How to Select the Right Event Planning Team

Choosing the right event planning team is crucial for a seamless experience. Look for planners with experience in hosting corporate events in Austin and who have a good rapport with local vendors. A well-organised planning team can ensure that everything runs smoothly, from the initial booking to the event day.

Popular Event Services and Vendors in Austin

Austin is home to a variety of vendors and services that can elevate your corporate event. From high-quality audiovisual equipment to premium catering services like those offered at Iron Cactus, the right partnerships will ensure your event stands out. Don’t forget to explore entertainment options such as live music, which Austin is famous for.

Maximising Employee and Client Engagement

A successful corporate event isn’t just about location or food; it’s about creating meaningful engagement. Plan interactive activities, breakout sessions, or team-building exercises that encourage participation. Engaging with attendees in a way that aligns with your company values will help maximise the impact of your event.

Corporate Galas and Conferences: What’s the Difference?

While both are large-scale events, corporate galas focus more on celebration and socialising, while conferences are more about knowledge-sharing and industry engagement. Understanding the difference can help you decide which format is best suited for your event.

Austin’s Top Event Venues

Austin offers an array of excellent venues, but finding one that combines accessibility, ambiance, and service is key. Venues like Iron Cactus provide versatile spaces for both intimate and grand events, making them a popular choice for corporate bookings.

How to Align Event Goals with Company Vision

It’s essential that every element of your corporate event aligns with your company’s mission and goals. Whether through the décor, the theme, or the activities, ensuring that your brand is represented will leave a lasting impact on attendees.

Key Considerations for Corporate Event Catering

Food and drink play a crucial role in any corporate event. Partnering with experienced caterers like those at Iron Cactus ensures a culinary experience that suits the tastes of your attendees while adding a local Austin flair to your event.

Entertainment Options for Corporate Events in Austin

Austin is renowned for its live music scene, making it an ideal choice for corporate events that want to include a fun, local touch. Consider hiring live bands or DJs to keep your guests entertained throughout the evening.

Incorporating Technology into Your Event Planning

Leverage technology to enhance your corporate event experience. From online booking systems to live streaming capabilities, integrating tech can make planning and execution smoother, especially for larger events.

Conclusion

Selecting the right corporate event for your company requires careful consideration of your objectives, budget, and venue. By booking with trusted venues like Iron Cactus its can you can ensure a smooth and successful event that meets all your goals.

Ready to book your next corporate event in Austin? Contact Iron Cactus today and let us help you make it unforgettable.

Guacamole How To

August 30, 2024

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:

Prepare all ingredients and set-up your station.
In a medium-sized bowl, add fresh squeezed lime juice from one lime.
To add a little sweetness, we also like to squeeze ½ of a fresh orange.
Add a little bit of salt and pepper to the juice and mix that around in the bowl.
Slice & scoop out fresh avocado into the bowl.
Mush the avocado with a fork and mix with the juices and salt and pepper.
Add mix-ins (tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, cilantro) per your liking.
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!

Best Fajitas

August 18, 2024

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.

Cocktail Bars in Austin

July 14, 2024

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!

Margaritas

June 21, 2024

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.

Time for Happy Hour!

June 11, 2024

Summer means sunshine, hotter weather, and time for happy hour! If you are searching for Happy Hour Near me, look no further than the Iron Cactus. In Austin, we are conveniently located downtown at the corner of 6th Street and Trinity. Or find us on the famous River Walk in San Antonio, right next to the Selena Bridge.

Happy Hour at Iron Cactus runs Monday to Friday from 3pm-6pm at both locations. Enjoy specials on small house margaritas and chile con queso. Our frozen house margarita is made with Torada Silver Tequila and Triple Sec. It is sure to cool you off in the heat! It also goes perfectly with some chips and our tasty chile con queso. This cheesy goodness is made with hatch green chiles, pico de gallo, and roasted jalapenos.

Are you looking for views to go with your Happy Hour? Iron Cactus has you covered there as well! Our Downtown Austin location’s patio overlooks the excitement of 6th Street. Or take in the views of boats and the lights on the River Walk in San Antonio!

Once Happy Hour is over, stay for dinner and enjoy contemporary Mexican cuisine that is as authentic as it is delicious. Enjoy traditional classics like our Cheese Enchiladas, Chicken Fajitas, or Baja Fish Tacos. Feeling adventurous? Try one or our house favorites, like the Mexican Meatloaf or the Stuffed Avocado.

You are sure to have a great time at Iron Cactus whether at brunch, dinner or when you are on the search for “Happy Hour Near Me”!

Iron Cactus Happy Hour Specials
Monday – Friday: 3pm – 6pm
$7.00 – Small House Margaritas
$7.00 – Chile Con Queso

*Available everywhere in our restaurants, for dine-in only. Happy Hour will not be available in Austin during special events, including SXSW, ACL and Formula 1.

Austin’s Favorite Cocktail Bars

February 15, 2024

Austin is home for live music, college football, Mexican food and of course, Austin Cocktail Bars! Located in the heart of Downtown Austin on historic 6th Street, Iron Cactus is the perfect place to start your night out on the town. A local favorite for over two decades, Iron Cactus is known for its contemporary Mexican cuisine, as well as its premium tequilas and hand-crafted cocktails.

There is truly something for everyone at Iron Cactus! Enjoy one of over twenty delicious tequila cocktails – including the exclusive Cactus Double Barrel Margarita or the popular Strawberry Cactus cocktail. You can even upgrade select drinks on the menu into a Mexican Martini if that is more you speed! No matter what you choose, we guarantee a good time at Iron Cactus.

Looking for something a bit more special? The drink menu offers over 100 premium tequilas to taste – from silver, to reposado to añejo, mezcal and even cristalino! If you are unsure where to start, try a tequila flight! Each tequila flight comes with three 1 oz. glasses of Blanco, Reposado and Añejo Tequilas.

Once you find your favorite tequila – make it into a margarita! For only an additional $2.50 – you can create a margarita from any tequila on the menu, complete with your choice of Naranja Orange Liqueur, Gran Gala, or Cointreau. Not a tequila fan? Try one of our hand-crafted Signature Cocktails made with vodka, bourbon, rum and more.

The next time you are Downtown and looking for the best of Austin Cocktail Bars – stop by the Iron Cactus! Enjoy Happy Hour deals on weekdays from 3PM-6PM and the bar is even open every day until midnight! Come see why the Iron Cactus stands apart as the premier Mexican restaurant and drinking destination in Austin!

The Sizzling History of Fajitas

July 31, 2012

Fajitas have grown from obscure, South Texas roots to become a beloved mainstay of Mexican cooking. The history of fajitas, while somewhat blurred, belongs to the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas and northern Mexico, where skirt steak was often used as payment to vaqueros (Spanish for “cowboys”). The vaqueros soon became adept at marinating the steak and devouring its various, tasty forms.

The mainstream popularity of fajitas truly began in the 70s as restaurants and concession stands in South Texas awakened the cowboy tradition by grilling skirt steak on sizzling platters and serving them with flour tortillas. Soon, thanks to some very satisfied and loyal customers, their popularity exploded. Ingredients quickly grew to include guacamole, grated cheese and pico de gallo, a combination of fresh onions, tomatoes, peppers and cilantro.

The tradition of delivering them to the table on a sizzling platter certainly did nothing to inhibit their popularity. Many customers can readily attest that it is hard to resist the delectable smell of sizzling, flavorful steak as it passes by your table.

Soon enough, they became a staple at Mexican restaurants across the state, with many variations on this simple dish.

At Iron Cactus, we appreciate the authentic roots of fajitas and have added our signature unique blends of flavors to create our own interpretation, including such evocative dishes as Tequila Marinated Chicken Breast, Tequila Adobo Marinated Shrimp, an unforgettable steak and chicken combination, and the Achiote Marinated Pork Carnitas. Be sure to come and try one of these delightful dishes for yourself. You will be keeping an authentic tradition alive while delighting your taste buds.

Do You Know Your Tequila?

June 18, 2012

Tequila. Oh, how we love our tequila. Sometimes a bit too much, but with over 100 types to sample in our Agave Room, there’s a lot to love. With that said, it’s best to get to know them a bit first, so here’s a quick guide to the five basic categories of tequila.

Blanco/Plata (white/silver) – Bottled straight after distillation or after sitting in neutral oak or stainless steel barrels for up to two months, this tequila is the most neutrally flavored of the five categories.

Reposado (rested) – After a solid nap in an oak barrel for up to a year, reposado tequilas are not so much “aged” as they are “rested-up and ready for anything.”

Joven (young) – Joven tequilas are the offspring of reposado and blanco tequilas, so they’re literally born for mixing.

Añejo (aged/vintage) – There’s plenty of wisdom to be found in a bottle of añejo. This tequila bides its time in an oak barrel for up to three years, absorbing the worldly flavors of the ancients.

Extra Añejo – The granddaddy of tequilas. Extra añejo tequilas slosh around in oak barrels for at least 3 years, reaching heights of enlightenment that a newborn blanco couldn’t begin to comprehend.

Aged tequilas made with 100 percent agave tend to be mellower and more complex, like a wizened old hippy with a dark past. Younger tequilas like the blanco and joven are often a bit harsher and are best enjoyed mixed into something sweeter.

So there you have it. Each tequila has something to love and is precious and unique in its own way. Stop by the Agave Room sometime and get to know one or a hundred.

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