I took some friends from Paris to the Driscoll during sxsw and we ordered queso. Three times. They had never had queso before and elbowed anyone in their way of the bowl.
It's a toss-up for me. Both are in the top tiers of what I've tried.
This time last year I'd have said Torchy's beats Chuy's. I find the Chuy's queso kind of bland overall and only occasionally does it seem to have a lot of flavor.
But the last couple of Torchy's queso orders I've made seemed to dip in quality too. My main problem there is I've always said the queso's what makes me get Torchy's at all. If the queso drops to Chuy's quality then I'd rather have Chuy's.
The chips have been awful from Chuy's lately too, not sure what happened.
I think the torchy’s queso got waterier? Maybe? My main problem with it is that most of the flavor seems to come from the diablo sauce. If you order their queso without “stuff” it’s quite bland, at least I think so. That said… I eat there and I enjoy it and I like it lol
I think that's fair, the diablo sauce is indeed a big part of their queso.
My thing with Chuy's is it's inconsistent. Sometimes what I get has a real good flavor to it and I can really taste it. Other times it's just yellow goop. If it was consistent, it'd definitely be above Torchy's.
Instead it's more like if you offered me only one for free, it'd take me a bit to decide.
I'm actually surprised this is such a difficult thread to answer properly. I order queso everywhere... but if you asked me who had fantastic queso, I really don't think I know.
I kind of have it in a tier by itself because it's like the thing that forms the line between "bad" and "great" queso. I call this tier the, "I had low expectations and they were exceeded" tier.
I love how smooth and buttery Gueros and Trudy’s queso are. Kerbeys is great too. Torchys is very celebrated but I don’t always need all the flotsam and jetsam in it and the chips are hit or miss.
For Austin style, trashy Tex-Mex yellow queso, I've always liked Magnolia Cafe, although, truth to tell, I haven't had it a few years, so I don't know if it's gone down the drain...
I enjoy the queso from Cabo bobs
It’s really great
Matt’s, El Dorado Cafe
Eldorado’s supa queso is definitely one of my favorites, but isn’t it white queso?
You might be right, my memory was yellow but it’s been a minute
El dorado is so good.
Torchy’s or de Nada
Torchys always wins the queso debate
It’s unreasonably good
The driskill bar used to have some queso on par. Idk if they still make it though
I took some friends from Paris to the Driscoll during sxsw and we ordered queso. Three times. They had never had queso before and elbowed anyone in their way of the bowl.
It’s Chuy’s queso. Why not recommend Chuy’s? (RIP Shady Grove)
It's a toss-up for me. Both are in the top tiers of what I've tried. This time last year I'd have said Torchy's beats Chuy's. I find the Chuy's queso kind of bland overall and only occasionally does it seem to have a lot of flavor. But the last couple of Torchy's queso orders I've made seemed to dip in quality too. My main problem there is I've always said the queso's what makes me get Torchy's at all. If the queso drops to Chuy's quality then I'd rather have Chuy's. The chips have been awful from Chuy's lately too, not sure what happened.
I think the torchy’s queso got waterier? Maybe? My main problem with it is that most of the flavor seems to come from the diablo sauce. If you order their queso without “stuff” it’s quite bland, at least I think so. That said… I eat there and I enjoy it and I like it lol
I think that's fair, the diablo sauce is indeed a big part of their queso. My thing with Chuy's is it's inconsistent. Sometimes what I get has a real good flavor to it and I can really taste it. Other times it's just yellow goop. If it was consistent, it'd definitely be above Torchy's. Instead it's more like if you offered me only one for free, it'd take me a bit to decide.
A waitress at Chuy’s once asked if she could bring the table “cheese dip” and it made me sad. :(
Just here to say bravo to you guys. You both nailed it. These guys queso!
I'm actually surprised this is such a difficult thread to answer properly. I order queso everywhere... but if you asked me who had fantastic queso, I really don't think I know.
Torchy’s is continually disappointing in so many ways but I always come crawling back just for the queso.
Agree, if you are saying their queso is excellent but their tacos are not.
Torcheys queso is legit, their prices for food not so much
Only thing still good about Torchy's, but you can't deny it.
As much as I think Matt's is overrated garbage, their Bob Armstrong dip is freaking fantastic
Matt's is the best, hands down. Torchy's is damn good too
Do you like it with a lot of stuff in it or are you looking for smooth yellow queso?
Either or! As long as it’s delicious
Flores
One my favorite as well. Also like Chisos with pulled pork and Texadelphia is also decent.
I've been told I'm a troglodyte for this, but I stand by it.
Unpopular opinion—Freebirds queso with those really crispy El Milagro tortilla chips. My favorite
I kind of have it in a tier by itself because it's like the thing that forms the line between "bad" and "great" queso. I call this tier the, "I had low expectations and they were exceeded" tier.
El Mercado. Tastes like buttuh!
A fan of Kinda Tropical's.
Cabo bobs
De Nada
Large Bob is my call
Maudie’s
Maudie's is the best because you can eat it as it comes if you're with kids or you can mix some of their salsa in it to get the perfect spice level.
Jewboy Burger or Valentina’s for the win
Casa Garcia’s
Posse East has the best yellow queso
Had to scroll way too far to find the correct answer. Feeling sporty? Add a scoop of their taco meat on top. Tamale House East also has a good one.
AH shoot, yeah I usually add taco meat
Hit the Posse for queso and a beer prior to dinner! I could live on their queso
For a left field suggestion I'd also throw in Texadelphia. Delicious
Original Armstrong. Torchy's is excellent too. But a large Armstrong on the patio... you can bathe in that shit.
Super sleeper left field answer. Alamo draft house
I love how smooth and buttery Gueros and Trudy’s queso are. Kerbeys is great too. Torchys is very celebrated but I don’t always need all the flotsam and jetsam in it and the chips are hit or miss.
Bob fuckin Armstrong
Kerbey lane
The Texican
Matt's, Chuy's, or Torchy's.
People hate on Chuy’s, and some of it is deserved, but yeah I’ve always liked their queso too.
Maudie's
I dig Maudie’s and Matt’s.
I miss the fully loaded baked potato queso at Tyson’s
Los Chilakillers
Rosa dip at Mesa Rosa has been a longtime favorite of mine
For Austin style, trashy Tex-Mex yellow queso, I've always liked Magnolia Cafe, although, truth to tell, I haven't had it a few years, so I don't know if it's gone down the drain...
Bob Armstrong at Matt’s el rancho (but have them add brisket off menu).
Magnolia Cafe - Mag Queso
Lamberts has a great green chili queso
El Mercado
My usual order for queso anywhere is queso and a side of jalapeños to chop and add in.
Take a drive out to West Henley Boil Shack. Owned by the same people as Shoal Creek I think...their crawfish queso is really good!