On first attempt, I went with a classic and ordered the margarita. Only when it was half gone and the BF was drawing smileys in the still frosty mason jar did I realize what I'd forgotten. Strange, because a significant amount of time had passed. Most happy hour margs are easily almost chugged, but this concoction was so cold, so rich, and so potent you can't help but slow it down a notch. Honestly I still should've grabbed a snapshot, but I digress as the server arrived with les plats principals. I know, you don't go to a burger place and get fish, but you also listen to the waitress when she tells you her favorite dish. A bit pricey and not on happy hour, the El Pescador upends the concept of a fried fish sandwich. Using black drum instead of the all too prevalent (and surprisingly unhealthy, according to recent rumors) tilapia, El Sapo has a clear win. A testament to quality and paying $16 for a sandwich that is worth every penny.
And the onion rings. Enough cannot be said to adore this often overdone and overlooked accompaniment. Lightly breaded, there is a fiery spice in the mix that prompts the search for that margarita and defies the notion of the bland, unsatisfying side dish that leaves you with bad breath. Though, full disclosure, they probably still give you bad breath.
Take two: a wind-down happy hour with friends, or technically, co-workers (how do we get anything done??). Without clarifying exactly what I was getting myself into, I promptly ordered the O Gurl! Why? because when something is called O Gurl!, punctuation included, you don't ask questions, you just drink it. However, because I had to know, the waiter clarified the ingredients of the very pink drink: chamoy. Apparently becoming the food trend of 2014, chamoy is a familiar yet unique flavor. You know you've grown up in Texas if a friend has ever handed you a candy and your tongue starts to burn. That is chamoy: a salty, sweet, sour and spicy fruit reduction ranging from paste like to liquid. Many eateries have a version of a 'jalepeño margarita,' but this is not the same. It is saltier. Sweeter. Sourer. And much, much stronger. This is what makes El Sapo a must. Careful now, this bad girl is feisty. She'll take you home and knock you out, so better stick to just two.
Also during happy hour, all botanas are half off. The first trip I eyed some of these smaller plates, but determined I had a bigger appetite. What did catch my eye though was the $10 guacamole. A guacamole appreciator myself, I was surprised at the seemingly overpriced starter. But, on recommendation of the server (and at half price), I kept my skeptical comments to myself and ordered the guacamole. Was it worth the $10? Well, it was only the best guacamole I've ever had! And I've had a lot of guacamole. My only complaint is it is a rather small serving; coming in a small cup and employing the widespread, clever tactic of beefing it up with shredded lettuce as a base, it is worth at least $8.
With a fabulous infrastructure repurposed from mechanic shop to boutique burger bar, I was surprised to see El Sapo fairly empty on both happy hour outings. Decor motifs borrowed from their affiliate across the street, a rad sign emblazoning the script "cantina" sits behind the bar and the über hipster bartender, but only a few straggling diners are actually at the bar. Blame it on an odd location installé on an odd triangular median of an intersection, or more likely, blame it on an unfortunate location directly across the street from Salty Sow, one of the best happy hours in town. What El Sapo does offer in spite of its successful neighbors is a more casual ambiance and a beautiful light penetrating the garage windows or bathing the spacious patio when the sun sets.
On a student budget, sticking to happy hour items is a pretty general rule. Venturing to other areas of the menu is tempting. Your stomach won't regret it, but your wallet might. A welcome addition to the Manor road strip, I believe El Sapo's happy hour will give Salty Sow a run for their money.
El Sapo: Happy Hour -- Every day 3-7
1900 Manor Rd, Austin, Texas 78722
half off botanas, $2 mexi-cans, $3 bottles, $4 craft drafts, $4 seasonal punch, $5 house margaritas, $6 o gurl!
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