Craving comfort food? For many Texans, nothing says 'home' like a plate of Tex-Mex: that irresistible combination of melted cheese, savory rice, flavorful beans, and maybe even some chile con carne generously draped over enchiladas. It's the ultimate cure-all, and a basket of warm chips with queso and salsa? Forget about it! But where do you find the best Tex-Mex in Dallas? We've got you covered.
Before we dive in, let's be clear: this list focuses on Tex-Mex, a cuisine distinct from traditional Mexican food. We know it's a unique blend, often conflated here in Texas, and we deeply appreciate the complexity and gratification of authentic Mexican cuisine. But today, we're celebrating Tex-Mex in all its cheesy, saucy glory. Here are 14 of our absolute favorite spots around Dallas, places that consistently deliver that Tex-Mex magic.
Avila’s Mexican Restaurant
Address: 4714 Maple Ave., Medical District
Avila’s (https://avilasrestaurant.com/) has been a Dallas Tex-Mex institution since 1986. Their recipes? Straight from the Avila family, with roots stretching back to Texas and Monterrey. We're particularly fond of their enchilada plates and chile rellenos, but others swear by their pozole. In fact, we're always up for a friendly debate about the best dishes here! The service at this family-run spot is consistently friendly and efficient. It's a popular stop for people heading to or from Love Field, grabbing their Tex-Mex fix before or after a flight.
Casa Navarro
Address: 11742 Marsh Lane, North Dallas
We recently revisited Casa Navarro (https://www.casanavarro.biz/) in North Dallas, and it brought back a flood of memories. Our first review of this place was 30 years ago, and some things (thankfully) never change: we love it just as much now as we did then. You'll start with a complimentary bowl of bean soup served with chips and salsa. Then, dive into their incredibly affordable $10 lunch specials, available seven days a week. The menu is extensive, spanning two pages and filled with dishes that will satisfy your soul (even that tiny, dark part).
Calle Doce
Address: 415 W. Twelfth St., Oak Cliff
The Sanchez family has been serving up generous portions of Tex-Mex in this charming, home-turned-restaurant since 1981. Calle Doce's menu (https://www.instagram.com/lacalledoce/) leans heavily into seafood, with signature plates like Camaron a la Veracruzana and Pescado a la Parilla. In addition to their Oak Cliff location, they also have a second restaurant in East Dallas' Lakewood neighborhood at 1925 Skillman St.
E-Bar Tex-Mex
Address: 1901 N. Haskell Ave., Old East Dallas
Okay, let's talk about E-Bar's loaded queso. It's not just loaded; it's sooooo loaded. Prepare to be defeated! Years ago, we included their sour cream chicken enchiladas on our list of the top 100 dishes in Dallas, and we still stand by that claim. Order boldly here; you really can't go wrong. Just a word to the wise: avoid hotboxing right before walking in. They had some issues a few years back with diners emitting a strong, shall we say, herbal aroma (which, we get it, loaded queso...).
El Ranchito
Address: 610 W. Jefferson Blvd., Oak Cliff
El Ranchito (https://elranchito-dallas.com/) is a true love letter to Tex-Mex. It's packed with character and evokes a time when cantinas were the place to be, all while maintaining a dark, romantic atmosphere. Adorned with vintage art and quirky, kitschy decor, El Ranchito knows it's special but doesn't take itself too seriously. For over 30 years, they've specialized in comida nortena, such as cabrito de horno and wonderful guisos, and whole elotes garnished with Mexican crema, cotija cheese, and chili powder. The drinks are simple but effective. Go for the cabrito – it's some of the best in Dallas.
Gonzalez Restaurant
Address: 367 W. Jefferson Blvd., Oak Cliff
Every food has its moment, and for menudo, that moment is a clammy hangover. Gonzalez in Oak Cliff serves it up in spades. Gonzalez restaurant (https://www.dallasobserver.com/restaurants/gonzalez-restaurant-is-a-dallas-gem-17026058) has been dishing out Tex-Mex since the Nixon administration. While their Tex-Mex staples are on point, don't overlook their specialties like pork chop ranchero and cabrito guisado. The tortillas are served hot and fresh. As Eric Mayne wrote, “The beans, meat, and grilled onions on top of those warm tortillas are a match made in heaven.” We'd go to church for that. Even with a clammy hangover.
Herrera’s Oak Cliff
Address: 2853 W. Illinois Ave., Oak Cliff
Herrera’s Oak Cliff (https://herrerasoc.com/) boasts over 30 combination plates (in addition to appetizers and specials) on their menu, and they're all fantastic. Who has the time to sift through a seven-page menu? For those who prefer the short version, go for the No. 1A: one cheese enchilada, one tamale, one beef taco, and, of course, a bean tostada, along with rice and beans. The key takeaway here is that you can't go wrong, especially when you wash it all down with a margarita.
La Comida
Address: 1101 N. Beckley Ave. Bishop Arts
Brothers Ivan and Mario Urtecho opened their first restaurant in Addison in 2014 – it closed in 2019, and they reopened La Comida (https://www.lacomidamexicankitchentx.com/) on Beckley Avenue in 2023. The restaurant is hard to miss, not only because of Enchilada Wednesdays ($9.99 a plate) but also for the massive pink flamingo painted on the side. The food is fresh and hot, and the margaritas are strong. The Urtechos love their regulars, so go on, become one. You look like you could use an enchilada and a hug.
Las Palmas Tex-Mex
Address: 2708 Routh St., Uptown
We conducted a thorough investigation into Las Palmas' hickory ribs and concluded that they are, in fact, spectacular. It was also a lesson in economics: a half rack is $28, but a full rack is only $38. See? You do use math in the real world! But we'd never start a meal here without their velvety queso, infused with slivers of garlic and fresh herbs. Prices are a bit higher than average; for example, a plate of cheese enchiladas will set you back $17. However, the dark and swanky ambiance elevates this to more than just your typical Tex-Mex meal.
Mariano’s Hacianda Ranch
Address: 6300 Skillman St., Lower Greenville
The original Mariano’s (https://www.laharanch.com/) opened in 1971 on Greenville Avenue, where owner Mariano Martinez famously invented the frozen margarita using a Slurpee machine. The restaurant later moved to Skillman almost 20 years ago, and now there are several sister restaurants across North Texas. Going to Mariano's for the margaritas and fajitas is a whole experience, a vibe. And it's lovely.
Mia’s Tex-Mex
Address: 4334 Lemmon Ave., Oak Lawn
Mia’s Tex-Mex (https://miastexmex.com/) is a Dallas legend. Countless deals have been struck over plates of their famous brisket tacos. A few years ago, Mia's moved from its original location a few blocks away to a bright yellow building. Fortunately, they brought all the history with them, including the iconic photo of Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson in a booth at the original location. Tom Landry was also a big fan. Speaking of food, they were serving those brisket tacos long before they became trendy.
Pepe’s and Mito’s
Address: 2911 Elm St., Deep Ellum
For a quick and casual lunch in Deep Ellum, Pepe’s and Mito’s (https://www.pepesandmitos.com/) is a fantastic choice. Even Guy Fieri approves! He raved about the caldo albondigas (meatball soup) and the classic tacos nortenos: mini corn tortilla tacos with fajita steak, pico de gallo, and a house-made chipotle wine sauce. They also offer traditional dishes, including pescado Veracruz, guiso, and pollo a chipotle.
RJ’s Mexican Cuisine
Address: 1701 N. Market Street, The West End
When was the last time you visited The West End? It's home to some great restaurants, including RJ’s Mexican Cuisine (https://www.instagram.com/rjmexicancuisine), where traditional dishes receive a fancy plating. The service is always fast and attentive. Happy hour runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, with $5 margaritas, well drinks, and half-priced appetizers. They also have weekday lunch specials priced around nine bucks. While the traditional Tex-Mex plates are solid, we recommend opting for anything with steak.
Tipico’s
Address: 3118 W. Northwest Highway, Bachman Lake
We discovered Tipico’s near Bachman Lake late last year (https://www.dallasobserver.com/restaurants/tipicos-in-dallas-churns-out-stellar-tex-mex-and-mex-mex-20945354) thanks to a reader tip. Here, you can find a mix of authentic Mexican dishes (menudo, lengua, and guisada) alongside big plates of Tex-Mex like taquitos and nachos. They have daily specials; stop by on Mondays for a plate of beef enchiladas for just $7.95. The chips are made in-house, as are their stellar salsas. The service is incredibly fast and friendly. If you visit during peak hours, you might have to wait for a table, but it's definitely worth it.
So, there you have it: 14 fantastic Tex-Mex restaurants in Dallas. But here's a question for you: What makes Tex-Mex, Tex-Mex? Is it the liberal use of cheese? The specific types of chiles? The overall flavor profile? And is Tex-Mex truly distinct from authentic Mexican cuisine, or is it simply a regional variation? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
