Austin Bites: Sazón, Home of Corn Fungus and Happy Waitstaff

Sazón (Interior Mexican)
Location: 1816 South Lamar Blvd. [map]
Phone: (512) 326.4395
Cost: Entrees $8-10
Atmosphere: Relaxed, neighborhood-y. Very warm, attentive service.
Food: If the Polvo’s patio is already full, we suggest heading down the street to Sazón where the food is (arguably) just as good or better. Strong margaritas (not your average mix margs), savory spiced meats and vegetables, and perfectly toasted moist corn tortillas are some of the things Sazón gets right. The décor isn’t much to look at, but the service is friendly and prompt, and the patio affords a view of South Lamar foot traffic and assorted eccentrics (looking at you, white thong biking guy). Sazón could improve upon both their chips and rice, but their sauces and salsas are complex and tasty with a good bit of heat. We had the empanadas de huitlacoche, which were perfectly crisped empanadas and not too greasy. However, the filling was a bit bland, even with such an exotic ingredient as corn fungus. The accompanying avocado sauce was really creamy, rich, and fresh with just the right amount of heat and acid, making up a bit for the filling. The beef chile relleno with chipotle sauce was excellently seasoned, very lightly breaded, and had transcendent flavors in the sauce. The cheese enchiladas suizas were filled with delicious cheesey goodness and the sauce was tangy and paired great with the rich cheeses. Definitely a “top-ten” Mexican joint with really great price points. We’ll be back to try some of the more interior-leaning pork dishes and get another couple of those strong margaritas.

Photo by Joe Shlabotnik on Flickr.

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By shannon kreiger in Food on September 6, 2007 12:44 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

guest

Oh yeah, and the ceiling, the melted vinyl outside and the other "undesireable" things you don't like is what makes it an intersting place on top of having great food. It's no Chipotle, but then again I don't think they're striving to bring in the "classy" clientele like yourself. I bet you don't eat at Maria's either because the floor is always dirty?

guest

Hey #3 - you do realize it's Mexican food and not Tex-Mex at Polov's right? I guess nothing holds a candle to your precious Chuy's or other crappy T/M establishment (the real deals in Mexican fare)?

Polvo's by far has some of the best food in town, that's why I've been going for years and years now and why you can't even find a seat on Firday night anymore. To each his own I guess.

guest

This place is not much for atmosphere but the food is awesome. Great salsa and guac and I love the chile rellenos and cochinita pibil. Glad to see the place getting some recognition.

guest

Polvos is some of the most disgusting mexican food in town. Everytime I visit the food is worse and more of the ceiling is missing and/or leaking.

guest

Sazon is not exactly "down the street" from Polvo's (which is on S. 1st) but it IS across Hether/Mary Street from La Feria on S. Lamar.

I eat there alot, and love their waitstaff, particularly this one loud, funny, flamboyant waiter, who becomes your best friend after 5 minutes.

Agreed, the decor ain't much, but the food's good, and the drinks are yummy, and that's all I need.

guest

The writer must have visited them on a good night. Service at Sazòn is spotty at best. The food is pretty good, though you can find better versions of everything they do (except the huitlacoche empanadas, for which they are the sole preparer that I'm aware of) at other locations in the city.

It's been open for a while now, so I assume the sudden interest in Sazòn is because the clientele is beginning to reflect this site's primary readership demographic.