San Antonio River Walk Mexican Restaurants Archives

Mexican Catering for Your Next Event

November 15, 2024

Planning an event takes a lot of work. You must pick a date. Find a location. Consider a theme for the event. Invite your guests. And most important of all, decide on food and drinks. If you are not sure where to start, let us point you in the right direction. The love of Mexican food in Texas is universal! Save yourself time searching for “Mexican catering” near me and start with the Iron Cactus.

An Austin staple since 1996, Iron Cactus has years of experience in handling catered events across the Hill Country. Whether it be a corporate event, graduation party, wedding reception, office training or family gathering – we have done it all! We have even worked with many popular venues across Austin and San Antonio.

Iron Cactus provides both full-service catering services, and delivery only services. If you decide on full-service catering, it includes buffet setup, buffet table lines, a service station, and two hours of buffet service. We offer a variety of menu options to choose from for your event. Your guests will enjoy our bold, unique, and flavorful Mexican dishes – from Fajitas to 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.

Delivery-only packages are a great choice if you already have everything else covered for your event. No matter what option you choose when you want Mexican Catering, we pay attention to details and are committed to making your event a success! Start the process by filling out our off-site catering request form and one of our catering services experts will get back to you shortly!

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!

Join us for the San Antonio Ford Holiday River Parade

October 14, 2024

Start a new tradition this Holiday season and make plans for the San Antonio River Parade! Santa Clause and the Mrs. are back this year to kick off the holiday season along the San Antonio River Walk. This year’s theme, Toy Box Adventures, promises a whimsical and magical experience for all ages.

The Ford Holiday River Parade occurs each year on the day after Thanksgiving. Festivities kick off this year on Friday, November 29 at 6pm. This one-hour parade includes 27 beautifully illuminated floats and 5 entertainment floats. Not to mention, the over 100,000 holiday lights that brighten the River Walk when the sun goes down!

The best way to experience the River Parade is to pair it with a great dinner at Iron Cactus! Our dinner packages offer the best view and menu to accompany the sights and sounds of the parade. Tickets for adults includes appetizers, entrees and desserts – all served buffet style. Kids can dine from the standard children’s menu.

Start your meal with some chips and our famous Iron Salsa and Queso. Top off your plate with our Iron Salad made with seasonal greens, roasted corn and tomatillo relish, cotija cheese and tortilla strips.

For your main course, enjoy our sizzling fajitas made with certified Angus Beef Skirt Steak and Tequila-Marinated Chicken Breast. There will also be Cheese Enchiladas, Mexican Rice and Refried Beans to round out your meal.

Last, but not least, Indulge your sweet tooth with our Mexican Donuts for dessert! Made with house made sweet cream filling, powdered sugar and Kahlúa fudge sauce – they are not to be missed!

Don’t miss out on this fun holiday tradition – reserve your spot now for the San Antonio River Parade! We can’t wait to celebrate the holidays at the River Walk with you!

Main room2 Holiday Event Space in San Antonio

Office Christmas Parties

September 19, 2024

It is almost that time of year! Is your office manager frantically searching online for “Office Christmas Parties”? Are you in need of the perfect venue to host your upcoming holiday party? Let Iron Cactus save the day!

With locations in San Antonio or Austin, Iron Cactus brings life to office parties with various private and semi-private dining rooms to choose from. Coupled with our contemporary Mexican food menu, there are many options for delicious food and drinks to satisfy your staff.

San Antonio

Our downtown San Antonio location has a floor to ceiling view of the River Walk and celebrates the authentic Mexican culture with the inviting vibes inside. If your office party style is more casual, consider booking your group in the Upper Dining area to celebrate with a cocktail party. Need something more private? The Cactus Room and Agave Room both have private settings and have been a top event space in the Iron Cactus family. If you need a bigger space, these two rooms can be combined with one goal in mind: party! These rooms also showcase a private bar as a unique experience to treat your trusted employees for a great year.

Austin

Our Downtown Austin location offers the best view of downtown 6th Street! The 2nd Floor Mezzanine event space is a casual setting, perfect for smaller cocktail-style events. This area is semi-private and overlooks the main dining room. If you need more privacy, The Cactus Room maintains the same industrialized nineteenth century décor as the restaurant and accommodates up to 90+ guests.

You can also reserve our 3rd floor rooftop patio for your event. Our patio includes a fully enclosed interior cocktail and bar area and access to an exterior patio. We also equipped the exterior patio with fully radiant heaters, motorized sectional shades, and wind screens—just in case Mother Nature does not cooperate with our event plans.

As you can see, Iron Cactus’ offers many catering and private event opportunities to suit your need. The next time you need to book Office Christmas Parties – look no further than Iron Cactus. We would love to share our space with your team and show you all a great time. We also have A/V capabilities to add to your experience. Our customer service team is happy to help you plan, prep and party! Get started by filling out an event request form here.

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.

Private Dining in San Antonio

July 30, 2024

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.

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.

Book An Event in San Antonio

May 24, 2024

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!

Best Mexican Food on the River Walk

April 29, 2024

San Antonio always ranks as a top travel destination for both in-state and out-of-state travelers. Did you know that the River Walk recently made the top 20 list of beautiful sights around the world? When you plan your visit, do not forget to stop, and enjoy the best Mexican food on the River Walk at Iron Cactus!

This local favorite restaurant offers a lively atmosphere, flavorful Mexican dishes, and refreshing cocktails. Enjoy the outdoor patio and take in the scenic views of the world-famous Selena bridge. Sip on a freshly made Cactus exclusive margarita while watching the boats float by on the historic river.

Start your meal off with some chile con queso or the tableside guacamole! Both are served with fresh chips and the hand-tossed guacamole is made to your liking with avocados, onions, peppers, tomatoes, citrus and cilantro.

For your main course, try one of our specialty items such as Stuffed Avocado, Pescado Del Mar, and Southwest Paella. You cannot go wrong with our sizzling fajitas! Choose from high-quality options such as certified Angus beef® skirt steak, tequila-marinated chicken or shrimp, and herb-grilled vegetables. Each platter contains everything you could ever want in a fajita, including your choice of flour or corn tortillas. Not only do they come with Mexican rice and beans, but they’re also accompanied by shredded lettuce, cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream at no extra cost.

A meal is not complete, without a hand-crafted specialty cocktail from our extensive drink menu! With over 100 tequilas to choose from, sip on premium tequilas, in a flight or mixed into a custom margarita. The Cantarito is a San Antonio cactus exclusive drink with El Jimador Reposado, fresh lime, orange, and grapefruit soda. It also comes in a souvenir cup!

When you finish enjoying your meal, you can go right back to strolling through the picturesque scenery San Antonio has to be offer. So be sure to stop by Iron Cactus when you’re looking for the best Mexican food on the River Walk.

Private Event Spaces in San Antonio

March 28, 2024

A perfect night starts with a Private Event Space in San Antonio! Whether you are planning a big birthday bash, a corporate event for one-hundred or an intimate wedding rehearsal dinner – Iron Cactus has you covered. Choose from one of three private and semi-private areas suited for all types of events. All conveniently located in our beautiful restaurant located right on the River Walk in San Antonio!

The upper dining is a great space for smaller parties. It is semi-private and has floor to ceiling windows that look out to the patio and River Walk. The view is incredible! For a seated meal, the upper dining area can accommodate up to 40 people or up to 70 people for a cocktail style event.

Our Cactus and Agave Rooms are private rooms that can also be combined into one large space. When combined, they can accommodate 120 for dinner of 168 for a cocktail style event. Both rooms also feature their own private bar area! The space also comes with a 70″ flat screen TV with HDMI inputs, DVD player, and wireless microphone.

If you are looking for a space to host an even larger group, consider renting the entire restaurant! With seating up to 500 people, you will have an entirely private event with three bars and the beautiful outdoor patio.

No need to look any further for Private Event Space in San Antonio. Whatever event space you choose, you will enjoy the gorgeous scenery, specialty drinks and fantastic food you expect from Iron Cactus. To get your celebration started, please fill out the event request form and someone will get back to you shortly!

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