Circle S Road, which angles between South Congress and William Cannon, sort of, now has better signage than it used to, but La Fuentes remains as it’s always been: an oasis under the trees, complete with a covered dining spot outdoors, and the best carne guisada since Casita Jorge’s left Elmont near Pleasant Valley all those years ago. The generous chunks of beef are tender and flavorful and any fat has been rendered out during the s-l-o-w preparation. The beans are some of the best in town, with perfect consistency and a great smoky flavor. The rice is old-style Austin “Spanish,” with the traditional cumin. The salsa is very down-home also. I always give my guacamole to the guacamole fiend, who reports that it’s excellent and exactly as it should be. Food is served seven days a week, throughout the day. La Fuentes is a magnet for working people during weekday lunch hours. It’s very family friendly at all times. I can’t report on much besides the carne guisada plate and the homemade table salsa, but only happy faces are to be seen, some belonging to those partaking of breakfast items well on into the morning. Diners at La Fuentes are there intentionally. Make this little corner of old-time Austin your detour destination if you haven’t already, before development sets in, as is happening all along the Old San Antonio Highway, better known to many as South Congress (6507 Circle S Road, telephone 442-9925).