Tómalo Grill Brings Modern Mexican Cuisine and Extensive Mezcal Selection to Austin’s Rainey Street
All are welcome for a laid-back meal of ceviche, tacos, mole, and more along the quiet end of a downtown neighborhood
If you ask the average Austin thirty-something the last time they’ve been to Rainey Street, they’ll usually scrunch up their face in a mix of fear and loathing and say, “Oh, I haven’t been there in a long time.” But there’s a new reason for full-fledged adults to intentionally gather in the festive Rainey district: Tómalo Grill, a recently opened casual Mexican restaurant aiming to be a neighborhood crowd-pleaser, including a street-level takeaway window.
Tómalo (“take it” in Spanish), which sits on the lakeside end of East Avenue, took over the former space of Bacalar, the name of which still greets you on their recorded telephone message. Urbanspace Hospitality, which also owns the design-forward Codependent Coffee and Cocktails downtown, pivoted the space away from an upscale concept that sourced Indigenous ingredients straight from the Yucatán to a more approachable tacos, queso, and mole spot that better matches the atmosphere of the hotels and bars you’ll find nearby.
“With Tómalo Grill, we wanted to create a true neighborhood spot right off of Rainey Street,” says Kevin Burns, CEO of Urbanspace. “We recognized the need for something that felt authentic to Austin—approachable, vibrant and a place where people could come back several times a week.”
“Tómalo Grill welcomes you to come as you are,” says the restaurant’s website, noting that dogs and kids are welcome too. There’s also a solid happy hour: Take $4 off ceviches and margaritas on weekdays from 5 to 6:30 p.m., and weekends from 2 to 5 p.m., as well as half-off wine bottles on Wednesdays.
Extensive agave offerings and scenic lake views
The restaurant is a safe distance away from the messy crowds that take to the streets around the witching hour and has a peekaboo view of Lady Bird Lake from the outdoor, second-floor patio. Most of the decor of Bacalar remains, including giant hanging, macramé lamp shades on the first floor, wood-carved bars and walls, and a loungey feel upstairs, with soft, oversize furniture including puffy, gray chairs.
We kicked things off with a look at the extensive agave-based alcohol menu — including over 100 options of mezcal, tequila, sotol, bacanora, and raicilla — and a first round order of both a mezcal and classic tequila margarita. Both were excellent, ultralight and refreshing, with just a hint of sweetness. A nearby table of four women sipped on a fuchsia frozen drink, the watermelon mezcal; we eventually tried that too — it’s served with a potent rim of tajin and cayenne that thankfully doesn’t drown out the noticeably fresh watermelon taste.
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The meal began with a quintessential Austin pick: queso with hatch chile pico and carne asada. The housemade tortilla chips were delightfully crunchy and firm, so I could use them to serve myself up a hunk without the chip breaking up, lost to the cheesy sea forever. Next to arrive was the Suzuki ceviche, a chromatic cacophony of generous slices of sea bass and crunchy, neatly diced pickled vegetables, and a side of coal-roasted sweet potatoes with kale sautéed in blackened habanero honey butter. The ceviche, served in a broth of housemade herb oil, orange, lemon and lime, was one of our favorite dishes of the night. The roasted sweet potatoes offered a satisfying mix of smoky flavor and a subtle peppery kick.
Spicy mezcal cocktails and inventive tacos highlight Tómalo’s menu
Service was attentive and upbeat, yet courses arrived at a sluggish pace. While waiting for our mains — and watching tables fill up with a mix of dates and family groups around 7 p.m. — we savored a siestita, a Lost Explorer Espadín mezcal-based, a gorgeously plum-colored cocktail served in a coupe glass. The hibiscus-habanero cordial is heavy on the habanero but satisfying.
A mix of open-faced tacos and quesadillas arrived next. The carne asada quesadilla was surprisingly bland, while the grilled shrimp taco with julienne veggies, salsa roja, and a cream sauce wowed us. I usually avoid shrimp, but I found myself going back for more.
We allowed our affable server to guide us toward some house specialties. The pollo con mole with a generous quarter serving of chicken arrived as a platter with rice, black beans, pickled vegetables, and a too-thin glaze of mole amarillo topped with sesame seeds covering the bird. The puerco con mojo was also an ample dish, every bite of mole verde complemented with pleasing bursts of charred corn kernels and apple bits.
Decadent desserts and tasty dishes make Tómalo Grill a Rainey Street standout
After an immense meal, we could scarcely fathom dessert — so of course we had two. The menu has a chocolate flan and mangonada sorbet with house-made chamoy, but we opted for spiced carrot tres leches, made with rumchata and bathing in a sugary pool of creamy milk. Finally, the kitchen gifted us with a scoop of dulce de leche ice cream, topped with a ribbon of caramel.
Next time you’re braving the Rainey Street crowd or simply in search of a laidback spot to take out-of-towners staying downtown, Tómalo is a reliable bet. It’s managed to capture bits of what makes Austin so inviting to locals and travelers alike: dynamic food, an easygoing vibe, and a celebratory spirit.
Tómalo Grill, located at 44 East Ave. #100, is open Tuesday through Sunday from 5 to 10 p.m. Weekend brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Happy hour runs Tuesday through Friday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. Window service is available Tuesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
