The Pride Of Texas Lives In These 15 Mexican Restaurants Full Of Flavor
Texas and Mexican food go together like tortillas and salsa – it’s a match made in culinary heaven!
From family recipes passed down through generations to innovative chefs putting modern twists on traditional dishes, the Lone Star State boasts some of the most mouthwatering Mexican cuisine in the country.
These 15 restaurants showcase the vibrant flavors and rich heritage that make Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican food a beloved treasure across Texas.
1. El Fenix: Dallas’ Century-Old Tex-Mex Legend
Since 1918, El Fenix has been serving up enchilada plates that Dallasites swear by. The Martinez family started with eight tables and a dream that blossomed into a Tex-Mex empire.
Their cheese enchiladas with chili con carne remain virtually unchanged after 100+ years. Wednesday’s enchilada special still draws crowds looking for that comforting taste of Dallas history.
2. Taco Palenque: Border-Town Flavors Gone Statewide
Morning warriors line up for breakfast tacos wrapped in handmade flour tortillas so fresh they steam when unwrapped.
What began as a humble Laredo taqueria has expanded across Texas without losing its border-town soul.
Their pirata tacos – loaded with beef fajita meat, beans, and cheese – have achieved cult status. Don’t skip the legendary salsa bar where the creamy green jalapeño sauce steals the show!
3. Hugo’s: Houston’s Interior Mexican Masterpiece
Chef Hugo Ortega’s journey from dishwasher to James Beard Award winner embodies the American dream. His namesake restaurant celebrates the sophisticated flavors of interior Mexico rather than Tex-Mex.
Weekend brunch buffets feature impossibly fluffy chilaquiles and house-made chorizo.
The mole dishes showcase complex sauces that take days to prepare, with dozens of ingredients creating layers of flavor that dance across your palate.
4. Maudie’s: Austin’s Tex-Mex Comfort Food Haven
Locals pack Maudie’s multiple Austin locations for no-frills Tex-Mex that feels like a warm hug. Their enchiladas have fueled late-night study sessions and celebrated graduations for generations of Austinites.
The Diablo Sol Food plate brings enough heat to make you sweat but keeps you coming back for more.
Margaritas flow freely on their bustling patios where neighborhood gossip gets exchanged over bottomless chips and salsa.
5. Matt’s El Rancho: Where Austin Politicians Make Deals Over Enchiladas
Founded in 1952 by Matt and Janie Martinez, this Austin institution has served everyone from LBJ to Matthew McConaughey.
The massive restaurant still feels somehow intimate, with servers who’ve worked there for decades remembering regular customers’ orders.
Their signature Bob Armstrong Dip – queso loaded with taco meat, guacamole, and sour cream – was created for a Texas politician who wanted something special.
6. Veracruz Cafe: Oak Cliff’s Hidden Mexican Coastal Gem
Forget typical Tex-Mex – Veracruz Cafe transports you straight to Mexico’s vibrant coastal regions. The colorful dining room feels like a beachside cantina, complete with folk art and festive music.
Seafood shines here, especially in their ceviche tostadas topped with plump shrimp marinated in lime juice.
The mole negro contains 32 ingredients including chocolate and dried chilies, creating a sauce so complex it feels like a spiritual experience.
7. Coco’s Fire & Ice: Dallas’ Spicy-Sweet Mexican Revolution
Chocolate and chile peppers create magic at this Bishop Arts hotspot where sweet meets heat. Chef Coco blends her Oaxacan heritage with Texas swagger in dishes that defy categorization.
The chile relleno stuffed with pomegranate seeds and walnuts nods to chiles en nogada, Mexico’s patriotic dish.
Their signature mole ice cream sounds strange but converts skeptics with its perfect balance of chocolate depth and subtle spice warmth.
8. Don Artemio: Fort Worth’s Authentic Northern Mexican Showstopper
Chef Juan Ramón Cárdenas brought his acclaimed Saltillo restaurant to Texas, creating a love letter to Northern Mexico’s robust flavors.
Cabrito al horno (roasted kid goat) arrives tender and aromatic with desert herbs. Their table-side Caesar salad pays homage to its Tijuana origins – yes, Caesar salad was invented in Mexico, not Italy!
9. Vaqueros Mexican Bar-B-Que: Allen’s Smoky Mexican Revolution
Texas barbecue meets Mexican flavors in this groundbreaking Allen restaurant where mesquite smoke infuses everything.
The brisket tacos come wrapped in handmade tortillas sturdy enough to hold the juicy meat without falling apart.
Smoked elote (Mexican street corn) gets slathered with crema, cotija cheese, and chile powder.
10. Las Almas Rotas: Dallas’ Mezcal Temple With Food To Match
Mezcal enthusiasts flock to this Deep Ellum sanctuary where the spirits list reads like poetry.
But the food holds its own against the impressive liquor selection, with regional Mexican specialties rarely found elsewhere in Dallas.
Their tlayudas – massive tortillas topped with black beans, Oaxacan cheese, and your choice of protein – are essentially Mexican pizzas.
The chapulines (toasted grasshoppers) challenge adventurous eaters but reward them with crunchy, citrusy, chile-spiked deliciousness.
11. Mixtli: San Antonio’s Progressive Mexican Tasting Experience
Mixtli means “cloud” in Nahuatl, and dining here feels like floating through Mexico’s culinary regions. This intimate restaurant offers a multi-course tasting menu that changes regularly, exploring different Mexican states and time periods.
Chefs Diego Galicia and Rico Torres research historical cookbooks to resurrect forgotten techniques.
Their aguachile might feature Texas shrimp with local citrus, while dessert could showcase pre-Hispanic chocolate preparations – history never tasted so delicious.
12. Belly of the Beast: Spring’s Nose-to-Tail Mexican Marvel
Chef Thomas Bille believes in using the whole animal – a philosophy evident in his small but mighty Spring restaurant.
Formerly of Californian Mexican hotspots, he brings that West Coast sensibility to Texas with farm-fresh ingredients and bold flavors.
The constantly changing menu might feature beef tongue tacos with salsa macha one day, pork cheek carnitas the next.
13. Mi Cocina: DFW’s Upscale Tex-Mex Institution
Mi Cocina has mastered the art of making Tex-Mex feel special without losing its soulful comfort.
Their signature Mambo Taxi – a frozen margarita swirled with sangria – has become so iconic that Dallasites measure festivities by how many they’ve consumed.
Sunset-colored walls and attentive service create an atmosphere where both power lunches and family celebrations unfold over perfect cheese enchiladas and freshly fried tostada chips.
14. La Fonda on Main: San Antonio’s Historic Mexican Dining Room
Operating since 1932, La Fonda on Main stands as San Antonio’s oldest Mexican restaurant.
The Spanish Colonial building with its romantic courtyard feels like stepping into old Mexico, while the menu bridges traditional and contemporary.
Their enchiladas de mole poblano feature a sauce with 20+ ingredients including chocolate and mulato chiles.
15. Los Tios: Houston’s Tex-Mex Pioneer Since 1970
Los Tios claims to have introduced the frozen margarita machine to Houston back in the 70s – reason enough for Tex-Mex lovers to make a pilgrimage!
The green sauce – a creamy, tangy concoction rather than the usual tomatillo – becomes addictive after one chip-dip.
Family recipes executed consistently across multiple locations explain why grandparents bring grandchildren to experience the same flavors they grew up loving.
