North - Northwest Edition | May 2023

DINING FEATURE Mama Betty’s Tex-Mex y Cantina Restaurant pays homage to inuential women W hen the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the shutdown of Jason Carrier’s bars in Texas and Tennessee, he decided to start a business that hit a little closer to home. Mama Betty’s Tex-Mex y Cantina opened in March 2022. Owned by Jason and his wife, Christina Carrier, the restaurant serves a variety of classic Tex-Mex cuisine, such as enchiladas, quesadillas and tacos. Having grown up in the restaurant industry, Jason said the restaurant’s name pays tribute to his late mother, Betty Carrier. As a single parent to three sons, she worked full time running several Tex-Mex restaurants in Houston. “The restaurants were my babysitter, really,” he said. “As soon as I could work, I was a host at those restaurants, and then I was a server.” As the restaurant has become known for its fajitas, margaritas and homemade tortillas, Jason said they aim to balance quality food and a good atmosphere. “We put a lot of energy and eort into the sound system and the lighting, and we wanted it to feel comfortable,” he said. Along with the restaurant’s namesake, there was also careful thought put into naming dishes. “All the dishes are named after women that were inuential in our lives,” Christina said. Mama Betty’s oers indoor and outdoor seating with a grass turf lawn for children to play, including their own three young children, Christina said. “We wanted to create a restaurant that you could come to on date night but also feel comfortable to bring your kids with you as well on another visit,” she said. “We feel like we’ve done that; like it’s fun for adults, but it’s also family friendly.” BY GRACE DICKENS

Fajitas for one ($26.99) Marinated beef served with rice, beans, sour cream, pico de gallo, cheese and a choice of our or corn tortillas

Pechuga Barbie ($15.99) Served with chicken breast, melted Jack cheese, bacon and suiza sauce

Enchiladas a la Cheryl ($16.99) Vegetarian enchiladas with mushrooms, Jack cheese, spinach and avocado topped with sour cream sauce

Connie’s Crispy Tacos ($14.99) Three hard-shell tacos with a choice of chicken or fajita beef

PHOTOS BY GRACE DICKENSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

WHAT’S IN A NAME? Owners Jason and Christina Carrier named menu dishes after the important women in their lives.

Tacos a la Betty:

A soft taco dish named after Jason’s mother, who ran several Tex-Mex restaurants while raising him and his two brothers

Jason and Christina Carrier, owners of Mama Betty’s Tex- Mex y Cantina, sit on the outdoor patio.

Connie’s Crispy Tacos:

A hard-shell taco dish named after Christina’s aunt, who served as a second mother in high school when she could not be with her own family

Abuelita’s Rice:

A side of rice made with a recipe from Christina’s mom, who serves as an abuela to their children

Enchiladas a la Cheryl:

A vegetarian dish named after a second mother to Jason who was vegetarian and has since passed

Two drinks oered are the MamaRita Frozen and La Playa Frozen margaritas ($9.50).

Mama Betty’s Tex-Mex y Cantina 9900 W. Parmer Lane, Ste. 200, Austin 512-520-5819 www.ilovemamabettys.com Hours: Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m.-midnight, Sat. 9 a.m.-midnight, Sun. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

NORTH NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • JUNE 2023