clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

14 Delightful Dallas Patios

12 Stellar Sushi Restaurants Around DFW

14 Delectable Dallas Ice Cream Shops

More in Dallas See more maps
A plate of enchiladas covered in mole and sour cream.
Holy mole at Black Agave
Black Agave

The 15 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
View as Map
Holy mole at Black Agave
| Black Agave
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.

For all the latest Dallas dining intel, subscribe to Eater Dallas’ newsletter.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Black Agave

Copy Link

Want to push the boundaries of typical Tex-Mex? Then you want this restaurant in Farmers Branch. Head that way for ribeye chicarron, shrimp aguachile, pozole verde, pork belly enchiladas, rainbow trout al pastor, and other innovative dishes. It also has a lot of the classics if that’s more your bag.

1980 Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, Farmers Branch, Texas 75234
(469) 850-6501
(469) 850-6501

Escondido TexMex Patio

Copy Link

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:

Casita Tex Mex

Copy Link

After a huge fire shut Casita down during the pandemic, it has been renovated and is open again with a completely new look. It’s chips and salsa earn rave reviews, and the Mexican Flag enchilada plate never misses.

5807 Blackwell St (Twin Hills), Dallas, TX 75231
(214) 750-5441
(214) 750-5441

Odelay Tex-Mex

Copy Link

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

Copy Link

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

Copy Link

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

Copy Link

Open since 1981, this Oak Lawn eatery touts former presidents, Dallas Cowboys players, and celebrities among its biggest fans. It’s since moved to 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

Copy Link

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

Copy Link

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:

Tequila Social

Copy Link

For a tray loaded with sharable nachos, an array of tacos, and an even bigger array of tequila options, its tough to do better than this Katy Trail spot. They also do brunch, so stop in early and grab breakfast tacos and churro french toast.

3100 McKinnon St Suite G100, Dallas, TX 75201
(945) 910-9728
(945) 910-9728

Also featured in:

Las Palmas Tex-Mex

Copy Link

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:

El Bolero Cocina Mexicana

Copy Link

If an expansive Tex-Mex menu is what you seek, this is the place. Everything under the sun seems to be available in a real “I want it, I got it” moment. From a ritzy (and pricey) dish of scallops with lobster rice and morita salsa to an array of Mexican pizzas, this place leans heavily on Acapulco-style dishes with a heavy seafood bent and strong Americanized options.

1201 Oak Lawn Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75207
(214) 741-1986
(214) 741-1986

Joe T. Garcia's

Copy Link

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

Copy Link

Vegans and carnivores will find plenty to love at this 100 percent 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

Copy Link

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

More in Maps

© 2024 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Black Agave

1980 Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, Farmers Branch, Texas 75234

Want to push the boundaries of typical Tex-Mex? Then you want this restaurant in Farmers Branch. Head that way for ribeye chicarron, shrimp aguachile, pozole verde, pork belly enchiladas, rainbow trout al pastor, and other innovative dishes. It also has a lot of the classics if that’s more your bag.

1980 Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, Farmers Branch, Texas 75234
(469) 850-6501
(469) 850-6501

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

Casita Tex Mex

5807 Blackwell St (Twin Hills), Dallas, TX 75231

After a huge fire shut Casita down during the pandemic, it has been renovated and is open again with a completely new look. It’s chips and salsa earn rave reviews, and the Mexican Flag enchilada plate never misses.

5807 Blackwell St (Twin Hills), Dallas, TX 75231
(214) 750-5441
(214) 750-5441

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

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 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

Tequila Social

3100 McKinnon St Suite G100, Dallas, TX 75201

For a tray loaded with sharable nachos, an array of tacos, and an even bigger array of tequila options, its tough to do better than this Katy Trail spot. They also do brunch, so stop in early and grab breakfast tacos and churro french toast.

3100 McKinnon St Suite G100, Dallas, TX 75201
(945) 910-9728
(945) 910-9728

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

El Bolero Cocina Mexicana

1201 Oak Lawn Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75207

If an expansive Tex-Mex menu is what you seek, this is the place. Everything under the sun seems to be available in a real “I want it, I got it” moment. From a ritzy (and pricey) dish of scallops with lobster rice and morita salsa to an array of Mexican pizzas, this place leans heavily on Acapulco-style dishes with a heavy seafood bent and strong Americanized options.

1201 Oak Lawn Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75207
(214) 741-1986
(214) 741-1986

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 percent 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

Related Maps