City Guide / Dallas

Top 5 Best Tex-Mex Restaurants in Dallas

By Landing | Jan 15, 2021
Best Tex-Mex Restaurants in Dallas Serving Tacos

If you’ve ever been to Texas, you know there are a few things to look out for: state pride, cowboy culture, and great food. That great food Dallas is known for includes famous cuisine like Texas-style barbecue and Tex-Mex. Tex-Mex celebrates the rich flavor of Mexican food but adds a Texan twist that makes it different from the other restaurants across the country.

The Dallas metropolitan area is home to many amazing Tex-Mex restaurants that combine menu items that showcase the history of Texas’ Hispanic roots as well as that unique Texan culture. There are many restaurants in the area to choose from, but if you want an excellent experience that does not involve going through the drive-thru at Taco Bueno, then check out just a few of the best Tex-Mex places Dallas has to offer:

1. Mia’s Tex-Mex Restaurant

At 4334 Lemmon Avenue, this restaurant is a Dallas classic. It opened in 1981 and has been a favorite since then. One of their most famous items, Butch’s brisket tacos, come in either flour or corn tortillas with Monterey Jack cheese, poblano peppers, grilled onions, and brisket gravy. If you are not in the mood for tacos, then consider one of their amazing chimichangas or an appetizer of chips and dip. Their margaritas are a perfect blend of strong and sweet. Just note that this place is usually crowded due to its popularity, so plan accordingly to eat here and enjoy the great food.

2. Avila’s

Since 1986, Avila’s has been a go-to spot for residents of Dallas and the nearby suburban areas. They offer a mix of both authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes to cater to all preferences. Visit them at 4714 Maple Avenue and try their unmatched mole sauce or an order of tamales topped with salsa or queso. You can also try their house margaritas or a refreshing cantaloupe agua fresca. For a more unique dish, try their Mexican shrimp scampi or their bread pudding made with croissants.

3. Pepe & Mito’s Mexican Cafe

 If you are in the artsy district of Deep Ellum and suddenly get hit with a craving for some tacos, then head over to Pepe and Mito’s Mexican Cafe at 2911 Elm Street. Start off with a shrimp cocktail appetizer paired with onions, tomatoes, avocados, and more that really sets off the shrimp’s flavor. Their fresh chicken tortilla soup is great for those chilly Dallas winters, but their albondigas soup was actually featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. It features omelet-type patties in a seasoned beef broth with carrots, potatoes, onions, and more. Order some chipotle enchiladas or chile rellenos, then finish with some flan or tres leches cake.

4. E-Bar Tex Mex

In Uptown Dallas at 1901 North Haskell Avenue, the relatively new E-Bar Tex Mex has a great variety of menu choices. If you’re looking for more health-conscious options, they have a great guacamole salad or a taco salad. One of the key differentiators of this spot is that they offer Mexican breakfast items all day long. So if you’re in the mood for huevos rancheros at 2:30 p.m., have no fear—they’ve got you covered. Other items of note include carnitas tacos and carne guisada, which is sirloin beef cooked in a gravy full of spices. If someone in your party doesn’t like or want Mexican food, then they can order a half-pound beef burger or a grilled chicken sandwich made by their skilled cooks.

5. Tupinamba Cafe

The first Tupinamba location opened in the Dallas area in the late 1940s and has been a staple ever since. In fact, their site claims that the nacho and sour cream enchilada was first introduced to Dallas then. They have changed locations over the years, but currently, they are located at 9665 North Central Expressway #142. Their recipes all come straight from Mexico when Papa Froylan Dominguez fled with them during the Mexican Revolution. Currently, Tupinamba Cafe is the oldest Mexican restaurant in the city—and to this day, it’s still run by the Dominguez family. Check out their enchiladas, or if you are looking for something different, their deep-fried tacos. The restaurant itself is large, with different zones throughout. Catch a game with friends in one area, enjoy a large meal with your family in another, or sit near the back for what should prove to be some entertaining people-watching moments.

No matter which Tex-Mex restaurant you choose to eat at, it’s sure to be a great time filled with excellent food like tacos, enchiladas, nachos, or countless other options that are chock full of flavor. Each place serves a good amount of food, awesome drinks and cocktails, and more. Professional wait staff will attend to you and help you navigate the menus if you are not sure what to order. One thing is for sure—you will leave feeling very full and very happy. 

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Landing

Ted may be the world's slowest typist and struggle to hold a pen, but he has mastered how to pursue a more flexible lifestyle throughout his airborne adventures around the U.S. Whether you're looking for more information before migrating to a new city or want to find an easier way to rent a nest—erm, apartment—Ted will always be here to share his best advice for where to live and how to thrive.