News - Iron Cactus

Authentic Full-Service Mexican Catering in Austin & San Antonio

July 28, 2025

Planning an event in Austin or San Antonio at a venue of your choice? Whether it’s a corporate lunch, birthday party, or wedding shower, elevate your experience with Iron Cactus Full-Service Mexican Catering. Known for our bold and unique flavors, Iron Cactus brings the same contemporary Mexican cuisine from our restaurants directly to you!

Iron Cactus is not your average caterer. We offer a variety of menu options to choose from and can provide full-service catering or delivery only. Our full-service offerings come with buffet setup, table linens, service station and two hours of buffet service.

We can help make the day of the event easier by helping arrange for anything else you may need – from china and silverware to table, chair or tent rental. And do not forget the bar and cocktail service! You do not want your guests to be thirsty!

Our team specializes in catering events of all sizes—from intimate gatherings to large-scale galas or banquets. We cater to:

Birthday parties
Anniversary parties
Wedding showers and rehearsal dinners
Corporate events
Business luncheons
Holiday parties
Family reunions
And more!

From start to finish, our catering coordinators ensure every detail is handled. Iron Cactus brings professionalism, hospitality, and flavor to every bite from Pollo Relleno and Pescado del Mar to Southwest Paella and Shrimp Parrilla. No matter what meal you choose, your guests will be sure to love it!

Ready to plan your next unforgettable event? Visit our website and complete our off-site catering request form. If you are interested in an on-site option, we have you covered there as well! Whether you live in Austin or San Antonio, Iron Cactus is your go-to partner for exceptional Full-Service Mexican catering.

Raise Your Glass: Celebrate National Tequila Day at Iron Cactus

July 21, 2025

Our favorite holiday of the year is here – National Tequila Day! Every July 24, there is no better place to celebrate than Iron Cactus. Featuring some of the best contemporary Mexican food, Iron Cactus is the premier local hot spot for visitors and locals alike.

Iron Cactus isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a tequila experience. We have been rated a Top 10 Tequila bar in the country and our menu includes over 100 premium tequilas! Enjoy our tequilas in a custom margarita, as part of a curated tequila flight or just on its own.

We also have several other tequila cocktails to choose from if margaritas are not your thing. Like the Tequila Old Fashioned featuring Maestro Dobel Añejo, simple syrup, Angostura Bitters. Or a personal favorite of mine – the NEW Mexpresso Martini featuring Altos Plata, Kahlua, espresso, creamer. No matter your choice, your drink will be handcrafted by our expert bartenders and the perfect way to toast to National Tequila Day!

Iron Cactus pairs its expansive tequila selection with unique and flavorful Mexican dishes. Start your meal with our famous table-side guacamole, fixed fresh to your taste right at your table. For your entrée, enjoy classics like our sizzling fajitas, house favorites like our Mexican Meatloaf or Stuffed Avocado. You also cannot go wrong with our enchiladas – choose from veggie, cheese, shrimp, brisket, chicken and the stacked pork ones.

Whether you are rooftop lounging in downtown Austin on famous 6th Street or taking in the sights along San Antonio’s River Walk, Iron Cactus delivers the perfect ambiance for your day. Come for the tequila, stay for the memories! Make National Tequila Day a holiday to remember this year!

River Walk Dinner Cruise at Iron Cactus

June 30, 2025

Looking for a unique way to enjoy cocktails or dinner on the historic San Antonio River Walk? You do not want to miss your chance to book a private dinner cruise with Iron Cactus. It is a one-of-a-kind experience that combines flavorful Mexican dishes with the charm of a private boat tour.

Whether you’re planning a romantic date night, corporate event, or group celebration, Iron Cactus delivers an unforgettable River Walk dining experience. Take in the historic sights, twinkling lights and lively sounds while you glide down the river. It’s one of the most immersive dining experiences you can find in San Antonio.

Perfect for Any Occasion:

Date Nights
Birthday Parties
Corporate Events
Wedding Events – Rehearsal Dinners, Bachelor or Bachelorette Parties

Iron Cactus offers two experiences to choose from. The cocktail cruise accommodates up to 25 guests and will last for one hour. The dinner cruise provides one and a half hours on the boat for up to 20 guests.

Iron Cactus is in a prime location in San Antonio. It features a beautiful patio overlooking the River Walk, the boats and the famous Selena bridge. The event coordinator will handle all the logistics—from boat reservations to menu options—all you have to do is show up and enjoy the ride!

Ready to set sail on an unforgettable night? Booking your River Walk dinner cruise is easy – just fill out the request form to get started.

Two spicy watermelon margaritas sitting by sliced watermelon

Turn Up the Heat: Spicy Margaritas at Iron Cactus

June 23, 2025

If you like some heat in your cocktails, look no further than Iron Cactus Mexican Restaurant. Known for its flavorful Mexican dishes and extensive tequila list, Iron Cactus has also mastered the art of the spicy margarita.

Every margarita is handcrafted by highly trained bartenders using premium tequila. Adding some heat to your margarita creates a unique cocktail that is as exciting as it is refreshing!

Lucky for you, there are several spicy margaritas on the menu to choose from:

Spicy Mango Margarita – A tropical twist with a fiery finish! Featuring 1800 Silver, mango, fresh lime, jalapeño, and chile lime salt.
Spicy Watermelon – A taste of summer with a kick. Featuring Altos Plata, watermelon, jalapeño, simple syrup, and fresh lime.
El Pepino – A refreshing twist to a classic. Featuring Milagro Silver, jalapeño, cucumber, fresh lime, agave, and cilantro.
Spicy Smoked Paloma – A smoky creation made with Mezcal. Featuring Creyente Joven, fresh grapefruit, grapefruit soda, and agave.

There is also a mocktail to satisfy any friends who refrain from alcohol. The Habanero Pineapple Margarita features habanero, pineapple, carrot, lime and bitters with a Tajin rim. It is the perfect spicy drink without any liquor!

What to Eat with Your Spicy Margaritas

No margarita is complete without a delicious bite! Pair your cocktail with Iron Cactus favorites like our famous Tableside Guacamole. Made to order and right at your table with fresh ingredients, it is a must try!

Round out your meal with one of our sizzling fajitas. They are the perfect match to a spicy drink! Choose from certified Angus Beef Skirt Steak, Tequila Adobo-Marinated Shrimp or Chicken, Herb-Grilled Vegetables or a Combination. Fajitas come on a sizzling hot platter with Mexican rice and beans. Featuring shredded lettuce, cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, and of course, warm flour or corn tortillas.

Ready to spice up your night? Iron Cactus has two locations in prime locations – on the River Walk in San Antonio and in Downtown Austin on Historic 6th Street. Stop by and try a spicy margarita today!

Gluten-Free Mexican Food: Flavor Without Compromise

May 29, 2025

If you’re gluten-free and craving authentic Mexican food, look no further than Iron Cactus. We are proud to offer a wide variety of items on our menu that can be made without gluten. With fresh ingredients and bold flavors, Iron Cactus makes it easy to dine out without worry.

Start your meal off with the Ahi Tuna Ceviche featuring ahi tuna, fresh avocado, blanco tequila, pico de gallo and lime juice. Follow that with our sizzling fajitas – Certified Angus Beef® Skirt Steak, Combination Steak and Chicken, Tequila Adobo-Marinated Shrimp, Herb-Grilled Vegetables, and Tequila-Marinated Chicken Breast.

Or try some of our other house favorites items on the menu! Our Southwest Paella features Jumbo shrimp, mussels, bay scallops, roasted poblanos, jalapeño Texas sausage, lobster cream, and cilantro-lime rice. Pescado Del Mar is another great choice featuring seared Atlantic cod, gulf shrimp, bay scallops, citrus butter sauce, sauteed spinach, and cilantro-lime rice.

Looking for more classic Mexican dishes? Enjoy our enchiladas – veggie, shrimp or chicken – all can be made gluten free. We also have tacos! Enjoy shrimp tacos, baja fish tacos or a favorite – the vegan tacos that feature portabella mushrooms, black beans, lettuce, fresh avocado, sun-dried tomatoes and pico de gallo.

All things considered, do not forget a cocktail to round out your meal. Most of Iron Cactus’s signature margaritas and tequila cocktails are naturally gluten-free. Try the Prickly Pear Margarita or a simple Ranch Water made with 100% agave tequila.

Remember, when you arrive at Iron Cactus, ask your server for the gluten free menu and let them know about your dietary restrictions or other food allergies. We look forward to seeing you at our Downtown Austin or San Antonio River Walk location!

Please note that our gluten free menu options are based on the most current ingredient information from our food suppliers. Our normal kitchen operations do involve shared areas. The possibility exists for food items to come in contact with other food products. Due to these circumstances, we are unable to guarantee that any menu item can be completely free of allergens.

Sip in Style with Mocktails at Iron Cactus

May 22, 2025

This summer, mocktails are the newest trend taking over local restaurants. If you are looking for delicious non-alcoholic drinks in Austin or San Antonio – look no further than Iron Cactus. The recently launched line of mocktails are bold, flavorful, and alcohol-free beverages that are perfect for your next night out.

What Are Mocktails?

To put it simply, mocktails are essentially alcohol-free cocktails. At Iron Cactus, they are handcrafted by our highly trained bartenders with the same creativity and attention to detail as our traditional cocktails. Whether you’re a designated driver, staying health-conscious, or simply refraining from alcohol, our mocktails offer full flavor without compromise.

Featured Mocktails at Iron Cactus

Mexican Food and Margaritas just go together. Luckily, you can still indulge in one without the alcohol! Our Strawberry Cucumber Margarita features strawberry, cucumber, lemon and sugar. It is the perfect combination for a hot summer day! If you like things spicy, then the Habanero Pineapple Margarita is a perfect choice. It is made with habanero, pineapple, carrot, lime, butter and Tajin.

If you enjoy your drinks with a more tropical feel, you do not want to miss our Mango Mojito! It features mango, fresh mint, lime and Tajin. We also have a Cinnamon Pineapple Tini that features pineapple, cinnamon, lime, bitters, and foam.

No matter which one you choose, enjoy our handcrafted mocktails whether you’re relaxing on the Iron Cactus rooftop patio in downtown Austin or dining by the San Antonio River Walk. They’re a perfect pairing with our signature Mexican dishes, like our tableside guacamole, tequila-marinated chicken fajitas, stuffed avocado or pollo relleno. Come in and try one today!

Private Rooms for Corporate Events in Austin

April 23, 2025

Let Iron Cactus bring life to your Corporate Events in Austin! With several private and semi-private dining rooms to choose from, there is sure to be a space that fits your need. Coupled with our contemporary Mexican food menu, there are many options for delicious food and drinks to satisfy your team. Fun fact: our event spaces also have A/V capabilities!

The Cactus Room is our most popular choice for corporate events. This unique space includes a private bar and maintains the same industrialized nineteenth century décor as the restaurant. This option provides you and your guests with privacy but still maintains the feel of being on downtown 6th Street. The room accommodates up to 90 people for a seated event and up to 120 for a cocktail-style event.

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 for a fun, in-the-middle-of-everything feel! It can easily accommodate 40-50 people depending on your event.

You can also select our rooftop patio, which has the best view of Sixth Street available. Enjoy cool fan-driven misters during the summer months or radiant heaters when it cools off! Our patio includes a fully enclosed interior cocktail and bar area and access to an exterior patio through three automatic motion-activated sliding doors. We also equipped the exterior patio with fully motorized sectional shade and wind screens—just in case Mother Nature does not cooperate with our event plans.

Do you need space for even more people? You can rent the entire restaurant with room for up to 500. Enjoy all the spaces in the restaurant, 3 private bars, and the delicious Mexican food and tequila cocktails!

The next time you are looking for space for Corporate Events in Austin – look no further than Iron Cactus. We would love to share our space with your team and show you all a great time. Get started by filling out an event request form here.

Best Brunch on the River Walk

April 14, 2025

Start your Sunday with the Best Brunch on the River Walk at Iron Cactus. Whether you’re visiting San Antonio, or you’ve lived here for years, the Sunday Brunch at Iron Cactus should not be missed.

At Iron Cactus, we go above and beyond the typical Sunday brunch. Our amazing à la carte menu is the best value in town, featuring your favorite brunch staples and Mexican classics. The best part is brunch is available from 11am through 2pm, so there is no rush to start your day.

Our brunch menu provides something to suit everyone’s tastes. Enjoy classic favorites with a twist, like our Iron Omelet or Mexican Eggs Benedict. 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.

Want to satisfy your sweet tooth? Try for the Belgian Waffle or Pancakes. Both come with bacon or sausage and a fresh fruit cup on the side.

Let us also not forget about a fantastic brunch cocktail to complement your meal! Start with our classic Mimosa made with Champagne and Orange Juice. Plus – you can get up to three $1 mimosa refills. Or indulge with a Texas Bloody Mary or a Bloody Maria. The Mexican Coffee is another favorite! It is the perfect combination of fresh coffee, Blanco Tequila, agave, cinnamon, and topped with fresh crème.

You can choose to enjoy your brunch on our beautiful patio overlooking the River Walk, the boats and the famous Selena bridge. Or dine in the upper dining area with floor to ceiling windows that look out to the patio and river. It is the perfect way to view the lively atmosphere of the River Walk but still have a bit of privacy.

Come see for yourself why Iron Cactus is a great choice when looking for the Best Brunch on the River Walk. We hope to see you soon!

Things To Do in Downtown Austin

March 19, 2025

Downtown Austin is more than just skyscrapers and offices – it is full of fantastic places to spend your day. Read on for the Top Things to Do in Downtown Austin that should be on your list.

SATISFY YOUR APPETITE… AND THIRST

Voodoo Doughnuts
Portland’s iconic doughnuts have made its mark in Austin. This counter-serve bakeshop serves creative donuts in a colorful, quirky environment. Favorites include the Voodoo Doll, Bacon Maple Bar, Grape Ape and Dirt Doughnut.

Iron Cactus
In the mood for Mexican? Iron Cactus is the place to go. Its contemporary Mexican cuisine menu includes favorites like fajitas and margaritas. Plus, the rooftop patio has great views of downtown!

The Driskill Bar
The Driskill Hotel is one of Austin’s most iconic landmarks. Opened in 1886, it is known for its architectural style and its famous “ghost” stories. The bar located inside the hotel exudes sophistication and class. It is the perfect spot for a nightcap.

HAVE FUN

Esther’s Follies
A staple in the Austin scene since 1977, Esther’s Follies is a must-visit in Austin since 1977. Its unique comedy performances combine sketch comedy, musical numbers and political satire. Known for its commitment to showcasing Austin’s unique and eclectic culture, it is guaranteed to bring the laughs!

Comedy Mothership
Austin’s newest venue located in the heart of 6th Street (right next to Iron Cactus). Comedy Mothership offers a mix of stand-up shows, live podcasts, and special events. Did we mention that Joe Rogan is the owner?

DANCE AND SING THE NIGHT AWAY

Antone’s Nightclub
Holding a special place in Austin’s music history, Antone’s is often referred to as “The Home of the Blues” in the city. Located on East 5th Street, you will find live shows catering to fans of the blues, soul, rock and R&B.

Mohawk Austin
Located in the Red River Cultural District, Mohawk has become a cornerstone in the city since opening in 2010. The industrial-chic venue features an indoor and outdoor stage with an intimate feel. It is popular for showcasing Austin’s indie and underground music scenes.

No matter where you end up – you will be sure to find so many Things to Do in Downtown Austin.

Fiesta 2025 San Antonio River Parade

March 19, 2025

Fiesta 2025 is almost here and that means so is the Fiesta San Antonio Parade! If you are looking for a package with the best view and the best menu – look no further. Iron Cactus has you covered!

About Fiesta

Fiesta® San Antonio dates back to 1891 and started as a one-parade event. More than a century later, Fiesta continues to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures that make up San Antonio. The most popular event each year is the Texas Cavaliers River Parade. The parade began in 1941 after Texas Cavaliers were inspired by the boats and barges decorated with flowers in Mexico City. Now, over 250,000 spectators annually visit the River Walk to watch it come to live the first Monday of Fiesta each year in April. The parade and all money raised supports local children’s charities through the Texas Cavaliers Charitable Foundation.

Fiesta River Parade Package

This year’s parade takes place on Monday, April 28 from 6pm-9pm. Enjoy the sights and sounds of decorated floats going by while dining from the special Fiesta Parade menu at Iron Cactus. Tickets for adults includes appetizers, entrees and desserts – all served buffet style. Kids can dine from the standard children’s menu.

Your meal with start with some chips and the famous Iron Salsa and Queso. Enjoy an Iron Salad made with seasonal greens, roasted corn and tomatillo relish, cotija cheese and tortilla strips. The main course includes 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. Plus – indulge your sweet tooth with Mexican Donuts for dessert! Featuring house made sweet cream filling, powdered sugar and Kahlúa fudge sauce – they are not to be missed!

Don’t miss out on this fun annual tradition – reserve your spot now for the Fiesta San Antonio Parade!