The inception of Tex-Mex food swiftly made Texas the national capital for sizzling fajita platters, saucy enchiladas, quesadillas with epic cheese pulls, and loaded nachos piled high with queso, beef, beans, and more. It’s hard to find a pocket of the state that doesn’t serve up great Tex-Mex, and the greater Dallas area is no exception.
From restaurants showcasing generational family recipes to more modern takes on the cuisine, here is where to find the best Tex-Mex eats in the Dallas Metroplex.
Pepe’s and Mito’s Cafe and Cantina
Pepe’s and Mito’s Cafe and Cantina celebrated 30 years of “Mex-Tex” in Dallas’ cultural district, Deep Ellum, last year. Since 1994, chef Pedro Rojas—the Pepe of Pepe’s and Mito’s—has added his own touches to generations-strong family recipes. The restaurant landed in the national spotlight when it was featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives”, showcasing Rojas’ house specialty albondiga soup and famed tacos Norteñas, made with a chipotle wine sauce. 2911 Elm St., Dallas, pepesandmitos.com
Las Palmas
This Uptown restaurant is uniquely Dallas, with a dimly lit dining room showcasing stone walls, burgundy booth seating, iron railings, and cowboy hat wall decor. Kick off a meal with Akaushi picadillo beef-topped pizza vaquero or classic nachos al carbón before digging into shrimp and lobster enchiladas, made with tomato, guajillo, asadero and cheddar cheeses, and sour cream sauce. For happy hour, enjoy a tajin-rimmed margarita and nacho fries under the Spanish tile-topped bar. 2708 Routh St., Dallas, laspalmasdallas.com
Sueño Cocktelería Mexicana
Sueño, meaning dream in Spanish, takes a modern approach to traditional Mexican cuisine in a fun and lively setting. The birria-stacked enchiladas, made of tortillas layered with short rib, cheese, guajillo salsa, and topped with a fried egg are a must try. Seafood lovers should opt for the seafood chile relleno, a large poblano pepper stuffed with sauteed shrimp and cheese, and topped with a spicy queso blanco. 800 W. Arapaho Rd., Richardson, suenocm.com
Gonzalez Restaurant
Known for its homestyle comfort eats, Gonzalez Restaurant is a Dallas stalwart with two locations in Oak Cliff and Pleasant Grove. Find soul-warming soups like pozole and menudo, and a number of combination platters featuring tacos, chalupas, enchiladas, and more. The Gonzalez special is a crowd pleaser, with two cheese enchiladas, a loaded crispy beef taco, bean chalupa, guacamole, and rice and beans. 416 W. Jefferson St., Dallas, gonzalezrestaurant.com
Escondido
Escondido, meaning hidden in Spanish, is tucked into the Preston Hollow neighborhood, but its bright orange awnings and floral archway make it easy to spot. The neighborhood gem is a family-friendly go to for classic Tex-Mex, stiff margs, and warm hospitality. Start with queso, and choose between El Tejano with brisket; vegetarian with spinach, portobello mushrooms, and green chile sauce; or Royale with chili con carne, black beans, and sour cream. The beef taco salad is a house favorite, but it’s the ancho butter fajitas, presented with grilled jalapenos, papas bravas, and roasted garlic, that steal the show. Save room for the
El Molino
The team behind Hudson House and Drake’s Hollywood brings its signature glamour to Tex-Mex with El Molino, the newest showstopper in Snider Plaza. The 2,500-square-foot space dazzles with signature flaming margaritas, wood-fired fajitas, and a refined candlelight interior. The indulgent menu includes spinach artichoke queso fundidio, crab and shrimp enchiladas, a sizzling fajita program, and a spicy Fortaleza Reposado margarita. 6818 Snider Plaza, elmolinofajitas.com
El Ranchito
A throwback to family celebrations, complete with daily mariachis, El Ranchito has been an Oak Cliff mainstay for decades. Owned by Oscar and Laura Sanchez of La Calle Doce, the restaurant specializes in North Mexican cuisine like cabrito and asado de puerco, a rich, slow-cooked pork stew. On the Tex-Mex side, expecting hearty plates of enmoladas, combination platters, and plates of cheesy enchiladas. 610 West Jefferson Blvd., dallas.elranchito-dallas.com
Muchacho
Decorated chef Omar Flores has expanded his empire with Addison’s Even Coast, newly opened Casa Brasa, and the upcoming Maroma, but Muchacho remains his Tex-Mex jewel. Since opening in 2019, the restaurant has grown to two locations, both beloved for their upscale rustic ambience and housemade tortillas. Flores’ love for land and sea shines in every dish, from brisket sopes and flautas to mesquite-grilled mojo shrimp and grilled octopus fajitas. Multiple locations, muchachotexmex.com
E Bar Tex-Mex
Helmed by Tex-Mex veteran Eddie Cervantes, E Bar Tex Mex is an East Dallas neighborhood gem. Inside the cozy 42-seat space, wooden tables fill with diners gorging on bowls of ground beef-topped queso, elote, chicken fajita nachos, and Jorge’s Tacos–four crisped corn tortillas packed with cheese, jalapeño, onion, cilantro and a choice of protein. The showstopper is the Meltdown, a frozen margarita crowned with Exotico Tequila and Grand Marnier. 1901 N. Haskell Ave., ebartexmex.com
Culpepper Cattle Company
Culpepper Cattle Company is a love letter to East Texas in all of its glory. Originally launched in Rockwall as a revival of well-loved 90s Culpepper Steakhouse, its Dallas outpost resides in the historic Continental Gin Building. The menu ranges from Southern favorites to prime steaks and Tex-Mex staples. Fridays are all about fajitas with a $10 lunch plate special loaded with all the fixings. On Saturdays and Sundays, crowds gather for the all-you-can-eat brunch buffet. Multiple locations, culpeppercattleco.com
Mariano’s Hacienda Ranch
A cornerstone of Tex Mex cuisine is the refreshing tang of an accompanying frozen margarita, and we have Dallas’ Mariano Martinez to thank for that. The restaurateur invented the world’s first frozen margarita machine in 1971 at Mariano’s Hacienda Ranch. Today, the restaurant group has grown into five locations and continues to serve its trailblazing icy concoction alongside mesquite-grilled meats, salsa and “original Tex-Mex” dishes crafted from family recipes. Multiple locations, laharanch.com
Desperados Mexican Restaurant
Greenville Avenue’s Desperados Mexican Grill has been going strong for nearly 50 years, with a second location in Garland and a Plano addition on the way. Founded in 1976 by Jorge Levy, the family-run spot is now operated alongside his sons, Jake and Michael. Since 1985, it’s earned a bounty of accolades for its fajitas, tacos, margaritas, and ceviche. The Steak Argentina, a seared tenderloin with tangy chimichurri sauce, is a must try. Multiple locations, desperadosrestaurant.com
