Despite the rain, we went to Iron Cactus Sunday night. My husband had been craving a margarita for quite some time and I really didn’t want to keep walking in the rain, so Iron Cactus seemed like a good stop.
We arrived about 7 pm and were seated immediately, being probably the only two people in the restaurant without a SXSW badge. My husband ordered that margarita he had been wanting, and I ordered a Negra Modelo (which was listed as a Negro Modelo on the menu).
I ordered the Ancho Chile Rubbed Pork Tenderloin, a very tender piece of pork that had been seared so that the rub is basically burned onto the meat. It was presented sliced into five pieces with a chipotle demi glaze sauce, which did have a smoky flavor but lacked the kick of most chipotle sauces. The tenderloin was served with a heaping side of mashed potatoes, which were lightly mashed with skins and green onions. They did not appear to be too heavily loaded with butter or cream, making them courser and more flavorful than most mashed potatoes. The plate also came with sauteed zucchini, squash, and broccoli, which were very lightly cooked and retained most of their crispiness.
The food arrived within 10 minutes and was all very good. The wait staff was friendly and polite, and also very knowledgeable of the menu. I don’t know how busy Iron Cactus is on a weekend, but recommended for a weeknight.
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