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11 Essential Mexican Restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth

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A plate of enchiladas are surrounded by Mexican rice and pinto beans.
Cheesy enchiladas at Escondido Tex-Mex Patio.
Kathy Tran

The 11 Essential Tex-Mex Restaurants in Dallas

Where to find the city’s best fajitas, enchiladas, queso, and more

by Courtney E. Smith and Amy McCarthy Updated
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Cheesy enchiladas at Escondido Tex-Mex Patio.
| Kathy Tran
by Courtney E. Smith and Amy McCarthy Updated

No matter the time of year, there’s nothing more comforting than a big bowl of queso and a frosty frozen margarita. Tex-Mex is a Dallas tradition that dates back decades, where restaurants that have stood the test of time serving classic dishes alongside beloved newcomers.

Looking for the city’s finest fajitas, a cheesy enchilada plate, or some excellent crunchy tacos? Head to one of these essential Tex-Mex restaurants in Dallas.

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Escondido TexMex Patio

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Everything at this spot is great, including the massive patio, but for the love of all things Tex-Mex please order the Mexican pizza at least once. Warning: you’ll never be able to enjoy Taco Bell’s version again.

5950 Royal Ln A, Dallas, TX 75230
(214) 471-5929
(214) 471-5929

Also featured in:

Odelay Tex-Mex

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Tacos? Check. Pan fried tacos? Check check. Frito tamale pie? Yes! Flautas and chile relleno and a gordita? All the classics are here. Plus a few options from New Mexico and a Texas-style, bacon-wrapped quail.

5600 W Lovers Ln Suite 109, Dallas, TX 75209
(972) 707-0595
(972) 707-0595

Also featured in:

Desperados Mexican Restaurant

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This longstanding spot is open again and remodeled after a devastating fire. Stop in for nachos, a giant assortment of taco plates, and a more expansive dessert menu than every other spot in town combined.

4818 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 363-1850
(214) 363-1850

El Vecino Tex Mex

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Tex-Mex comes to Lake Highlands at this neighborhood spot owned by the McBride Family. Go for a family favorite plate for a combination of enchiladas and tacos in a wide variety of sauces and types of meat. The fajitas are also a great order.

718 N Buckner Blvd, Dallas, TX 75218
(469) 802-6060
(469) 802-6060

Also featured in:

Mia's Tex-Mex Restaurant

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Open since 1981, this Oak Lawn eatery touts former presidents, Dallas Cowboys players, and celebrities among its biggest fans. It’s since moved to a new home on Lemmon Avenue, where the brisket enchiladas and chile rellenos are as perfect as they’ve always been. 

4334 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 526-1020
(214) 526-1020

Also featured in:

Avila's Mexican Restaurant

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This Maple Avenue staple has been slinging Tex-Mex eats for more than two decades and, in that time, has earned a devoted legion of fans. Brisket-stuffed chile rellenos, chicken mole, and combo plates like Anita’s Plate (soft taco, cheese enchilada, beef taco) await. 

4714 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 520-2700
(214) 520-2700

E Bar Tex-Mex

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One of DFW’s favorite Tex-Mex destinations, E Bar boasts consistently enjoyable renditions of beloved dishes, ranging from breakfast options like huevos con chorizo to dinner plates loaded with tacos de carnitas, cheese enchiladas, and crispy flautas. 

1901 N Haskell Ave #120, Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 824-3227
(214) 824-3227

Also featured in:

Las Palmas Tex-Mex

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The spirit of Dallas and 21st-century Mexican food are what this Uptown restaurante celebrates. Taste it in the cheesy quesadillas and the Pizza Vaquero, which puts the Mexican pizza to shame. It’s happy hour here every day from 2 to 6 p.m., so order a martini served Mexican style (with tequila) and celebrate.

2708 Routh St, Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 647-1232
(214) 647-1232

Also featured in:

Joe T. Garcia's

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Classic Tex-Mex is what one of Fort Worth’s oldest restaurants built its name on. The limited menu offers chicken and beef fajitas, a family-style enchilada meal, and simple nachos. Scarf them all down in the restaurant’s gorgeous, fountain-filled courtyard and pretend you’re south of the border.

2201 N Commerce St, Fort Worth, TX 76164
(817) 626-4356
(817) 626-4356

Also featured in:

El Palote Panaderia

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Vegans and carnivores will find plenty to love at this 100% vegan Mexican eatery. Enjoy tacos, tortas, burritos, tamales, and enchiladas, all of which feature veggie-based fillings that are definitely delicious. Grab a concha or other tasty pastry from the case on your way out. 

2537 S Buckner Blvd, Dallas, TX 75227
(972) 807-2673
(972) 807-2673

Also featured in:

El Ranchito

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This Oak Cliff establishment focuses on Northern Mexican cuisine, with plenty of Tex-Mex influence. Find perfectly grilled fajitas on housemade tortillas, tacos stuffed with tender cabrito braised in salsa de tomate, and delicious tortas. 

610 W Jefferson Blvd, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 946-4238
(214) 946-4238

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Escondido TexMex Patio

5950 Royal Ln A, Dallas, TX 75230

Everything at this spot is great, including the massive patio, but for the love of all things Tex-Mex please order the Mexican pizza at least once. Warning: you’ll never be able to enjoy Taco Bell’s version again.

5950 Royal Ln A, Dallas, TX 75230
(214) 471-5929
(214) 471-5929

Odelay Tex-Mex

5600 W Lovers Ln Suite 109, Dallas, TX 75209

Tacos? Check. Pan fried tacos? Check check. Frito tamale pie? Yes! Flautas and chile relleno and a gordita? All the classics are here. Plus a few options from New Mexico and a Texas-style, bacon-wrapped quail.

5600 W Lovers Ln Suite 109, Dallas, TX 75209
(972) 707-0595
(972) 707-0595

Desperados Mexican Restaurant

4818 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

This longstanding spot is open again and remodeled after a devastating fire. Stop in for nachos, a giant assortment of taco plates, and a more expansive dessert menu than every other spot in town combined.

4818 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 363-1850
(214) 363-1850

El Vecino Tex Mex

718 N Buckner Blvd, Dallas, TX 75218

Tex-Mex comes to Lake Highlands at this neighborhood spot owned by the McBride Family. Go for a family favorite plate for a combination of enchiladas and tacos in a wide variety of sauces and types of meat. The fajitas are also a great order.

718 N Buckner Blvd, Dallas, TX 75218
(469) 802-6060
(469) 802-6060

Mia's Tex-Mex Restaurant

4334 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75219

Open since 1981, this Oak Lawn eatery touts former presidents, Dallas Cowboys players, and celebrities among its biggest fans. It’s since moved to a new home on Lemmon Avenue, where the brisket enchiladas and chile rellenos are as perfect as they’ve always been. 

4334 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 526-1020
(214) 526-1020

Avila's Mexican Restaurant

4714 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75219

This Maple Avenue staple has been slinging Tex-Mex eats for more than two decades and, in that time, has earned a devoted legion of fans. Brisket-stuffed chile rellenos, chicken mole, and combo plates like Anita’s Plate (soft taco, cheese enchilada, beef taco) await. 

4714 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 520-2700
(214) 520-2700

E Bar Tex-Mex

1901 N Haskell Ave #120, Dallas, TX 75226

One of DFW’s favorite Tex-Mex destinations, E Bar boasts consistently enjoyable renditions of beloved dishes, ranging from breakfast options like huevos con chorizo to dinner plates loaded with tacos de carnitas, cheese enchiladas, and crispy flautas. 

1901 N Haskell Ave #120, Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 824-3227
(214) 824-3227

Las Palmas Tex-Mex

2708 Routh St, Dallas, TX 75201

The spirit of Dallas and 21st-century Mexican food are what this Uptown restaurante celebrates. Taste it in the cheesy quesadillas and the Pizza Vaquero, which puts the Mexican pizza to shame. It’s happy hour here every day from 2 to 6 p.m., so order a martini served Mexican style (with tequila) and celebrate.

2708 Routh St, Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 647-1232
(214) 647-1232

Joe T. Garcia's

2201 N Commerce St, Fort Worth, TX 76164

Classic Tex-Mex is what one of Fort Worth’s oldest restaurants built its name on. The limited menu offers chicken and beef fajitas, a family-style enchilada meal, and simple nachos. Scarf them all down in the restaurant’s gorgeous, fountain-filled courtyard and pretend you’re south of the border.

2201 N Commerce St, Fort Worth, TX 76164
(817) 626-4356
(817) 626-4356

El Palote Panaderia

2537 S Buckner Blvd, Dallas, TX 75227

Vegans and carnivores will find plenty to love at this 100% vegan Mexican eatery. Enjoy tacos, tortas, burritos, tamales, and enchiladas, all of which feature veggie-based fillings that are definitely delicious. Grab a concha or other tasty pastry from the case on your way out. 

2537 S Buckner Blvd, Dallas, TX 75227
(972) 807-2673
(972) 807-2673

El Ranchito

610 W Jefferson Blvd, Dallas, TX 75208

This Oak Cliff establishment focuses on Northern Mexican cuisine, with plenty of Tex-Mex influence. Find perfectly grilled fajitas on housemade tortillas, tacos stuffed with tender cabrito braised in salsa de tomate, and delicious tortas. 

610 W Jefferson Blvd, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 946-4238
(214) 946-4238

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