Licha's Cantina

It's been so long since I've visited Austin. We were looking to place to eat lunch when Lichas was suggested. I had never heard of it but love trying new places. While trying to find this place we ended up walking between questionable alleys. We finally found the place but ended up in the back of the restaurant. What I saw definitely showed this place is legit. There were about 5 -6 older latin ladies that looked like my aunts cooking in what looked like original pots and pans used in ranchos in Mexico. The ladies were very welcoming and guided us to the inside of the restaurant. The restaurant itself used to be a house that looks like a house I used to live in when I was a kid. The music playing can only be described as eclectic latin music and I mean that in a good way. We ordered the enchiladas de mole verde con carnitas, we also got huaraches de Pollo en mole rojo, and a quesadilla de calabazitas. I could go on and on about the layers of flavors in each dish but I'll just say if you are in austin and wanted elevated authentic Mexican food, this is it. The atmosphere and food at Licha's can't be described, it has to be experienced. Shout out to my wonderful waiter with the cool hair style.

We really enjoyed the food here. We came sort of on a whim and without a reservation on a Friday night, so we waited around 35 minutes for our table. The restaurant was very busy with large groups of people headed into the bar and sitting in the outdoor dining areas. When we were seated, we were given chips and salsa. We ordered the octopus appetizer, I got the fish tacos (pibil de pescado y camaron), and my husband got the anchiota braised pork (cochinita pibil). We were then told that they were out of the octopus, and we hurriedly ordered the seafood cocktail instead. Our entrees came out very quickly, and they were so good. I would describe the pork as a mix between a mole and Cincinnati chili, but if that puts you off, I'm probably describing it wrong. The fish was perfectly cooked. We needed extra tortillas, but our waiter got some for us quickly. The appetizer came after our food, which is understandable. I didn't like the seafood cocktail at all. It was essentially a mix of cold seafood in tomato and shrimp cocktail sauce, served with avocado and tostada shells. I found the shrimp to be especially chewy and off-putting. That being said, I think this is a somewhat traditional dish, and it's probably up to personal tastes, and if we hadn't ordered it, the food would have been perfect. The location suffered only in that it was somewhat loud, but the decorations were fun and reflective of Austin culture.

We came to Licha's late (like 10pm), tired, and so hungry after a wet walk all the way from dirty 6th. We sat at the bar and the bartenders could not have been nicer or cooler guys. The food was so good! The queso was amazing, and I had a chicken quesadilla, which was also delicious. I can't remember what my friends had, but I know they both really enjoyed what they ordered. Margaritas were also top notch!