Texas has no shortage of traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants, making it’s difficult to narrow them down to a simple list of the best. From hole-in-the-wall restaurants to more popular establishments that specialize in an authentic dish, you’re sure to find a Mexican joint in the Lone Star State to please your taste buds. The restaurants on this list have paved their way to the top by becoming iconic establishments, offering nothing but the best and creating new Tex-Mex infusions. Find your next favorite Mexican restaurant from this list of the best Mexican restaurants in Texas.
Fonda San Miguel, Austin
The same chef has been creating unique Mexican cuisine at Fonda San Miguel in Austin since its opening in 1975. If the food doesn’t impress you, the decor will. With a lovely patio and a colorful yet tasteful interior, Fonda San Miguel is the perfect spot to enjoy tasty Mexican dishes served with handmade flour and corn tortillas. The mole poblano is a crowd-pleaser while the cochinita pibil, once an unheard-of dish during this restaurant’s early days, is now a popular menu item at Fonda San Miguel. In the heart of Austin, it’s also near some of the city’s top attractions.
Hugo's, Houston
Owned by one of the best chefs in Houston, Hugo’s serves up Mexican food inspired by chef Hugo Ortega’s life in Mexico. With an extensive menu that is full of unique and innovative dishes, this Mexican restaurant is perfect for an adventurous eater. Although more traditional items are found on the menu, and made to perfection, it’s the seafood options, such as the seafood cocktail or lobster tacos, along with the 10 moles made daily that really put Hugo’s on this list.
The Original Ninfa's on Navigation, Houston
This Mexican restaurant is a Houston landmark. The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation is known as the pioneer of fajitas. The timeless avocado-tomatillo salsa can’t be missed, along with the beef flank steak fajitas. Expect fluffy, homemade flour tortillas that pair perfectly with Ninfa’s traditional fajitas.
Joe T. Garcia's, Fort Worth
Joe T. Garcia’s is a family-run Tex-Mex joint that has been in business since 1935. Some things haven’t changed here, such as the classic menu and “cash only” request. However, this top attraction in Fort Worth didn’t make it on this list for nothing. The chicken and beef fajitas are mouth-watering and are best enjoyed on Joe T. Garcia’s lush patio.
Mi Tierra Cafe & Bakery, San Antonio
A visit to Mi Tierra Cafe and Bakery is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. This San Antonio restaurant serves up Tex-Mex food along with traditional Mexican fare 24 hours a day. Grab a margarita, a sweet bread from the dessert case, or a bowl of menudo all while listening to a mariachi band. Mi Tierra is the perfect spot for whenever you get a craving for Mexican food, no matter what time of day it is.
L&J Cafe, El Paso
It’s not hard to find great Mexican food in El Paso. However, L&J Cafe is one of the most popular destinations in El Paso, standing above the rest for having consistently tasty dishes. This lunchtime hotspot doesn’t have a particularly unique menu or attractive exterior, but the kitchen is sure to be on point every time.
Matt's El Rancho, Austin
Matt’s El Rancho is a popular Mexican eatery in Austin. Opened by former fighter Matt Martinez in 1952, Matt’s El Rancho has grown as one of the best Tex-Mex spots in the city. The sign outside Matt’s proclaims that Matt’s is the “King of Mexican Food.” Matt’s menu has everything a Tex-Mex lover would enjoy.
La Fonda on Main, San Antonio
In San Antonio, La Fonda on Main mixes traditional Mexican fare, Tex-Mex and modern flavors to create a unique menu. A contemporary take on Mexican food is what landed La Fonda on Main on this list. With dishes like spinach and mushroom enchiladas, sweet potato enchiladas or even gulf shrimp in a butter sauce served with cactus-infused rice, you’re sure to find a new favorite Mexican dish that is found nowhere else.
