Suerte

Suerte is an upscale Mexican restaurant on East 6th St, and owner Sam Hellmann-Mass’(of Odd Duck and Barley Swine fame) love letter to Oaxaca. That translates to a menu heavy on the masa and an extremely impressive mezcal selection. Manning the culinary ship is Chef Fermín Núñez who has worked at other local Austin favorites Launderette and Uchiko, is originally from Torreon, Mexico and uses his home country’s influence to great effect. The interior is light and airy with high ceilings, blonde wood, concrete surfaces, and pottery and different items collected from Hellmann-Mass’ travels around Mexico on display. Much of the focus is on a long brightly lit bar, and an open kitchen where the kitchen staff move quickly and efficiently and seem like they’re having a great time. One of the menu items that you’ll constantly see coming out of the kitchen are the suadero tacos (with confit wagyu brisket, black magic oil, avocado crudo, onions and cilantro on their perfectly prepared handmade masa tortillas served four to an order) and they are a must order. Other items not to be missed on the menu are anything from their frio and raw section, with the Ceviche de Coco being the standout and last time I was there the group I was with couldn’t stop talking about the Chicken Pipiripau, a oak grilled half chicken served with recado negro, a black bean puree and crema along with a stack of their warm masa tortillas to make tacos with. Suerte means “luck” in Spanish but you won’t need any of that here to get an amazing meal.