Matt’s El Rancho is more than a restaurant — it’s a Texas story that began nearly a century ago. In 1923, at the age of six, Matt Martinez sold tamales from a wooden pushcart by the Texas Capitol. Nearly three decades later, in 1952, Matt and his wife Janie opened the first El Rancho on East 1st Street in downtown Austin.

With just 10 tables, Matt welcomed every guest with warmth while Janie cooked everything from scratch using her own recipes. Word spread quickly, and soon El Rancho became a beloved gathering place. Over the years, the restaurant grew in size and reputation.

In 1986, Matt’s El Rancho opened its current South Lamar location, where it continues to serve hundreds of guests daily. Today, the Martinez family still carries forward Matt and Janie’s legacy. Daughters Gloria, Cecilia, and Cathy, along with daughter-in-law Estella, remain dedicated to making every tortilla, chip, and plate of enchiladas the same way Janie always did—by hand, from scratch, and with pride.

Matt's El Rancho Restaurant was designated a Texas Treasure Business in 2017.