We Tried 10 Of The Best Mexican Restaurants In Texas (These Are The Ones Worth Visiting)
One restaurant on this list has been serving Mexican food since 1927. That makes it older than sliced bread, which showed up a year later.
Another spot serves duck enchiladas in a colorful, hacienda-style dining room. A third, out near the Gulf, built its name on pork shank and mole.
Texas is a huge state, and great Mexican food is spread across a lot of map. I wanted a list that covers real ground, from border kitchens to Panhandle dining rooms.
The mix includes a historic breakfast favorite, Mexico City-style dinners with tablecloths, and a rooftop with live music.
The menus range from huevos rancheros at 9 a.m. to grilled octopus and quail after dark. A few of these places have long, loyal histories, while others keep surprising people with bold ideas.
So which one deserves your next road trip?
1. Fonda San Miguel
Duck in an enchilada sounds like a dare, but here it’s a house highlight. Enchiladas de Pato sit near the top of the menu at this hacienda-style spot in Austin.
The dining room is colorful, lush, and packed with beautiful details. You’ll notice art and architecture that make the room feel like part of the meal.
Food leans toward sophisticated takes on traditional Mexican cooking. Cochinita pibil shows up here, along with chicken and pork belly cooked in a banana leaf.
Seafood fans have options too. Camarones con Chipotle bring smoky heat, while Ceviches Las Brisas offer a chilled way to start.
Save room for Crepas de Cajeta, a sweet finish made with Mexican caramel. Lamb chops also appear for anyone who wants something hearty.
Planning matters here, because there’s usually a wait and reservations are recommended. Weekday evenings fill up, so book ahead and skip the waiting game.
The restaurant opens in the late afternoon Monday through Saturday and closes on Sundays. Valet and a free lot make arrival easy, which feels like a small luxury in Austin.
Vegetarian and vegan diners get full menus of their own. A private dining room also makes it a strong pick for birthdays or family dinners.
Address: 2330 W N Loop Blvd, Austin, TX 78756
2. Hugo’s
Roasted goat on a fancy Houston menu? This upscale Montrose spot makes it feel like a perfectly normal Tuesday.
The cooking focuses on authentic regional Mexican food with a modern touch. Oxtail and grilled trout share the spotlight, so you can go rich or go light.
Start with the Ceviche Verde if you want a cool opener. Then let the bigger plates take over the table.
The building itself carries history, which gives the meal a sense of place. Live music adds energy to the high-end room without making it stuffy.
Sunday is the big day at Hugo’s. Brunch draws the biggest crowds from morning into the afternoon, so reservations are a smart move.
Want a lighter tab? Happy hour brings deals on appetizers and tacos, which is a great way to sample the kitchen.
Families are welcome, with a kids’ menu, high chairs, and changing tables. Vegetarian and vegan diners also get full menus, so nobody gets stuck with a side salad.
Doors open in the afternoon early in the week and earlier from Thursday through Sunday. Valet is available, which helps a lot in busy Montrose.
Dogs are allowed outside, too. That’s a nice bonus if your four-legged friend likes a little brunch company.
Address: 1600 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
3. L & J Cafe
Back in 1927, this El Paso landmark started serving Mexican food, and it hasn’t stopped since. That’s nearly a century of plates leaving the kitchen.
L & J Cafe is family-run and sits in a historic building on Missouri Avenue. The place has a casual, easygoing feel that fits a true local staple.
Breakfast is a strong reason to come early. Doors open at 9 a.m., and the huevos rancheros are a top pick.
The dish wraps eggs in corn tortillas and covers them in a rich red sauce. It’s simple, filling, and exactly the kind of plate you’ll remember on the drive home.
Chile rellenos are another menu highlight for lunch or dinner. Wash things down with lemonade, which earns its own spot among the favorites.
Portions run generous, so splitting a plate isn’t a crazy idea. You might still leave with a box.
Expect a wait during busy stretches, especially Sunday mornings and weekend evenings. Parking can be a little tricky, so give yourself a few extra minutes.
Sports fans will be happy to know the room works for catching a game. Dogs are allowed too, which makes it an easy stop for the whole crew.
Vegetarian and vegan menus are available as well. Kids get their own menu, so the youngest eaters are covered.
Address: 3622 E Missouri Ave, El Paso, TX 79903
4. Javier’s Gourmet Mexicano
Cloth tablecloths and Mexico City-style cooking set the tone at this longtime Dallas favorite. It’s the kind of place where you might want to tuck in your shirt.
The menu goes beyond the usual combo plates. Sea bass, quail, and steak headline a list of gourmet Mexican dishes.
Fajitas still get plenty of love, especially the beef version. Grilled shrimp is another strong pick if you want something from the sea.
Before your main course arrives, pay attention to the salsas. They’re a highlight on their own, so don’t fill up too fast.
The rustic decor makes the space stunning and inviting. A fireplace adds charm, and a separate cigar room gives the place an old-school, clubby side.
Javier’s Gourmet Mexicano serves dinner only, starting at 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday stay open later, until 11 p.m.
Valet parking keeps arrival simple in this busy part of Dallas. Outdoor seating and a private dining room add flexibility for date nights or group dinners.
Sunday night tends to be the quietest time. That makes it a smart choice if you want a calmer, more relaxed meal.
Address: 4912 Cole Ave, Dallas, TX 75205
5. Joe T. Garcia’s
Gardens and a big patio make a pretty strong first impression at this Fort Worth icon. The grounds are beautiful inside and out, with well-decorated rooms to match.
Joe T. Garcia’s keeps the menu refreshingly no-frills.
Fajitas are the main event, and they come in chicken, steak, and combo versions.
The grilled meat arrives seasoned and paired with fresh salsa, beans, rice, and chips. Big plates and tortillas make it easy to build your own perfect bite.
Prices stay reasonable, which is a nice surprise for a place this famous. Service tends to move fast, which helps on busy nights.
Saturday evening is the busiest time, so plan around it if lines test your patience. Live music adds extra fun to the evening.
On weekdays, the kitchen takes a break between lunch and dinner. Weekends run straight through, so a lazy Saturday lunch is easy to pull off.
Families will find a kids’ menu, high chairs, and changing tables. Parking is usually plentiful, which feels like a small miracle at a spot this popular.
Address: 2201 N Commerce St, Fort Worth, TX 76164
6. Los Azulejos Restaurant
The name means tiles in Spanish, and the restaurant lives up to it. Decorative tilework sets the scene at this relaxed spot in San Antonio.
The mood stays easygoing, but the menu aims high. Grilled octopus, snapper, and duck show off the kitchen’s creative side.
Aguachile de Ribeye is a fun twist worth trying. Aguachile usually means seafood, so seeing ribeye in the role is a happy surprise.
Comfort classics hold their ground, too. Enchiladas rojas, fish tacos, and shrimp dishes keep things familiar for picky eaters.
Portions are generous, so you may not need dessert. Then again, dessert is on the menu, so choose wisely.
Los Azulejos Restaurant closes on Tuesdays, so plan around that. Friday through Sunday, it opens at 11 a.m. for an earlier meal.
Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest times. Reservations are accepted, and the free parking lot usually has plenty of room.
Dogs are welcome outside, which is handy on a nice San Antonio evening. Free wi-fi helps if someone at the table needs to check a game score.
Address: 2267 NW Military Hwy #101, San Antonio, TX 78213
7. Palenque Grill McAllen
Outdoor dining in McAllen? Palenque Grill offers that alongside a menu of gourmet Mexican-inspired seafood and steaks.
Palenque Grill McAllen pairs outdoor seating with live music, which gives nights here a festive edge. The space stays clean and relaxed, so it works for both dates and family dinners.
The kitchen leans gourmet, with Mexican flavor running through the plates. It’s a smart pick when you want something a step above your usual taco run.
Service is a big part of the appeal. Staff are known for being attentive, which makes a long dinner feel easy.
Night owls, take note. The restaurant stays open until 11 p.m. most nights and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Weekends draw the biggest crowds, especially Saturday afternoon into the night. Sunday afternoons and evenings get busy too, so reservations help.
Weekday mornings and early afternoons are much calmer. Lunch on a Thursday could be your quiet win.
Families get a kids’ menu, high chairs, and changing tables. Dogs are allowed, and a vegetarian menu means more people at the table can order happily.
Parking is free and usually easy to find. That’s one less thing to think about in busy South Texas traffic.
Address: 2200 S 10th St, McAllen, TX 78503
8. Guajillo’s On The Island
Out on Padre Island, near Corpus Christi, the star of the show is a pork shank. Guajillo’s On The Island built its name on that dish and a seriously flavorful mole.
The cooking is interior Mexican rather than Tex-Mex. That means fresh dishes inspired by regions deeper in Mexico.
Mole is the sauce to try. Pair it with the pork shank, then add poblano beans for a side that steals attention.
Craving something from the coast? Coctel de Camaron makes sense this close to the water, and it’s a menu highlight.
Cochinita Pibil and Birria Soup give you more reasons to linger. Ensalada de Nopalitos, made with cactus, offers a lighter vegan option.
The restaurant currently lists daily hours from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., including Sundays. Check the schedule before visiting in case hours change.
Friday evening is the busiest time. Weekday afternoons are calmer, which is perfect after a morning at the beach.
Vegetarian and vegan menus are available, so mixed groups won’t struggle. Kids get their own menu, too.
Address: 15037 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418
9. The Plaza Restaurant & Bar
Iced tea in massive glasses tells you plenty about the portion philosophy here. In Lubbock, The Plaza Restaurant & Bar goes big.
The menu mixes Tex-Mex with authentic Mexican plates. Classic enchiladas and carne guisada lead the list of comfort favorites.
Stacked enchiladas are a fun change from the rolled kind. Crispy chile rellenos and stuffed sopapillas round out the hearty lineup.
Bringing a group? The Botanas Sampler Platter lets everyone pick, share, and argue over the last bite.
Fajitas Mar y Tierra combine land and sea in one order. It’s a good pick when you can’t decide between surf and turf.
Portions are huge, and prices stay reasonable. That combo makes it popular with college students, which makes sense in a Texas Tech town.
Staff stand out for friendly, quick service. Happy hour food deals add another reason to stop by.
Sunday opens at 10:30 a.m., making it a handy brunch option. Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest times, so reservations can help.
Kids’ menus, high chairs, and changing tables make family dinners easier. Parking is usually plentiful, too.
Late-night food is on offer as well. That’s good news when a long study session or ballgame leaves you starving.
Address: 5029 Milwaukee Ave, Lubbock, TX 79424
10. Los Braceros Mexican Restaurant
Plastic chairs and a bowl of menudo make a pretty honest promise in Amarillo. This spot is about the food, plain and simple.
Los Braceros Mexican Restaurant keeps things colorful, clean, and easy. The dining room is nicely decorated and often quiet, which makes conversation simple.
Menudo is a standout, and it’s a classic for good reason. The Tejano Plate is another highlight if you want a full spread.
Shrimp fans should look for the Fajita de Camarón. Little ones can go for the Kids Taco Plate, which keeps dinner drama low.
Breakfast is on the menu here, along with lunch and dinner. That makes it an easy stop for starting a road trip or ending one.
Service is fast, and prices are friendly. That’s a welcome mix in the Texas Panhandle, where a good meal can be a long drive away.
Reservations aren’t accepted, so just show up. Friday afternoons, Saturday evenings, and Sunday afternoons are the busiest stretches.
Sunday hours end at 5 p.m., so plan an early meal. Curbside pickup and takeout work well if you’d rather eat on the go.
Weekday mornings are the quietest. Slip in then, and you’ll likely have your pick of tables.
Address: 3303 Bell St, Amarillo, TX 79106