It’s Cinco de Mayo time! Not that we need an excuse, but margaritas and tacos are almost mandatory on Cinco de Mayo so now is the perfect time to get your Mexican food fix by visiting the most beloved Mexican restaurants around the state. Check out a few of our favorite Tex-Mex and Mexican restaurants below!
Irma’s Original
22 N. Chenevert St., Houston, 713-222-0767
Irma’s Original in Houston is a favorite among the Houston Astros and local Houstonians as well! Tamales, enchiladas, rellenos and so much more come in heavenly homemade sauces. Don’t forget to order Irma’s famous guacamole – Irma makes it herself every single day! Check out the story we did with Irma’s right here!
Blue Corn Harvest Bar & Grill
700 E. Whitestone Blvd., #204, Cedar Park, 512-528-0889 / 212 W. 7th St., #105, Georgetown, 512-819-6018 / 11840 Hero Way West, Bldg. A, Leander, 512-337-7633
This Austin-area restaurant serves up some of the best Southwestern dishes around, like fried oyster shooters with mango relish and tinga chicken rellenos. Don’t miss their house margaritas – they’re outstanding! The crispy pork enchilada is pretty great too! Check out the story we did with Blue Harvest right here!
Güero’s Taco Bar
1412 S. Congress Ave., Austin, 512-447-7688
At this Mexican cantina in Austin, there are good odds you’ll spot a celebrity – they love it here! Famous faces like Sandra Bullock, Quentin Tarantino, and Lyle Lovett have all been spotted at Güero’s, which whips up Mexican all-stars like marinated fajitas, crazy good enchiladas, and so much more. The vegan taquitos al pastor with soy chorizo is a favorite of Natalie Portman! Check out the story we did with Guero’s right here!
Rudy & Paco
2028 Post office St., Galveston, 409-762-3696
For a more upscale Cinco de Mayo dining experience, pay a visit to Rudy & Paco, named by OpenTable as one of the “Top 100 Restaurants” in 2017 and “Most Romantic Restaurants in America” in 2018. Inspired by the owner’s Central American heritage, the menu includes such dishes as South American empanadas and plantain-encrusted Pargo Simpatico—a pan-sautéed red snapper topped with jumbo lump crab. Check out the story we did with Rudy & Paco right here!
La Playa Mexican Grille
222 Beach Ave., Port Aransas, 361-749-0022
La Playa Mexican Grille is a hidden gem in Port Aransas and it’s worth the trip to grab a bite here! The Tex-Mex scene in Port A is outstanding and this restaurant proves it. We love La Playa’s enchiladas, especially their signature buttery crab ones covered in a creamy roasted poblano sauce. You won’t be able to miss the “miracle” wall of tequila, featuring over 70 different bottles! Learn why it’s called the “miracle” wall in the story we did with them – right here!
Picoso’s Mexican Kitchen
7611 Milwaukee Ave., Lubbock, 806-368-7789
This treasure in Lubbock is well known for outstanding Tex-Mex eats. Their crispy chile relleno is to-die-for and the signature deep-fried stuffed avocado is among the best we’ve ever had. But here, generosity steals the show: The owners donate all (yes, ALL) of their profits to those in need. Check out the story we did with Picoso’s right here!
Smoky Rose
8602 Garland Rd., Dallas, 469-776-5655
Here in Texas, we’re always fusing the signature flavors of the state. Smoky Rose has mixed classic barbecue, Southern staples, and Mexican food all in one spot, to incredible effect. From brisket queso to spicy carnitas tacos to margaritas, you can satisfy your Cinco de Mayo appetite for whatever you’re craving. Check out the story we did with Smoky Rose right here!
Mi Familia at the Rim
18403 IH-10 W., San Antonio, 210-728-4700
The Cortez family is well known for San Antonio’s iconic Mi Tierra Café and their newest restaurant also keeps festivities going year-round. They hosted a drive-thru Fiesta during the pandemic as a way to brighten people’s spirits when the event was canceled in 2020 and continue to offer signature Fiesta flavors that delight the senses, like the chicharron de ribeye. Paired with a world-famous frozen margarita, it’s a party every night! Check out the story we did with Mi Familia right here!
Ninfa’s
2704 Navigation Blvd., Houston, 713.228.1175 / 1700 Post Oak Blvd., #1-190 Houston, 346-335-2404
What’s better than shareable sizzling plates of fajitas? Not much! The birthplace of this mainstay dish wasn’t Mexico, but right here in Ninfa’s kitchen in Houston, when “Mama” Ninfa Laurenzo started making “Tacos al Carbon” in 1973 with tortillas from her family’s struggling factory. That masterpiece later became known as fajitas! Check out our story with Ninfa’s right here!
Fonda San Miguel
2330 W. North Loop, Austin, 512-459-4121
Fonda San Miguel in Austin serves up a fine-dining experience as one of the best authentic Mexican restaurants in the country. This spot was one of the first in the nation to introduce classic regional Mexican cuisine. It’s been creating memorable food for more than 40 years and we’re sure it’s going to be around for at least 40 more! Don’t miss the enchiladas verdes! And if you want to imbibe, they’ve got one of the best tequila lists in Texas, curated by Lucinda Hutson, a world expert on tequila and author of Viva Tequila. Check out our time with Fonda San Miguel (nearly 10 years ago!) right here!
Aldaco’s Stone Oak
20079 Stone Oak Pkwy., San Antonio, 210-494-0561
If you’re heading to Aldaco’s in San Antonio, don’t miss a chance to sit on the patio. Located at one of the highest points in the city, this scenic restaurant offers a sweeping view in addition to a stellar menu. Start your meal with one of the award-winning margaritas and end it with a slice of pastel tres leches. Blanca Aldaco, the owner, is credited for bringing this famous dessert to the area. Get the recipe for Aldaco’s mouthwatering ceviche right here!
Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen
1140 Eldridge Pkwy., Houston, 832-230-3842 / 6401 Woodway Dr., Houston, 713-334-7295
They don’t call Sylvia Casares the “Enchilada Queen” for nothing! This passionate chef serves up truly authentic flavors at her Tex-Mex restaurants in Houston. This place serves up a true fiesta of flavors with 19 different types of enchiladas from both sides of the border! One of the secrets of Sylvia’s success is making the enchiladas the traditional way, by seasoning each and every tortilla by hand. We’ve seen her do it! As a bonus, we snagged her recipe for Cheese Enchiladas with Chili Gravy! Watch the story we did with Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen right here!
El Toro Mexican Restaurant
Multiple Locations
Head to El Toro Mexican Restaurant in Baytown for a true taste of Tex-Mex. This cantina has a large, lush tropical patio and you’ll find all your Tex-Mex favorites here, like tacos, enchiladas and fajitas. Wash it all down with a sensational Watermelon Margarita! It drinks like a spiked Agua Fresca – sweet watermelon puree mixed with tequila, tart lime juice and topped with tangy tajin. Check out our story with El Toro right here!
Hugo’s
1600 Westheimer, Houston, 713-524-7744
Celebrating 20 years of serving up authentic Mexican dishes, Chef Hugo Ortega of his beloved namesake restaurant, Hugo’s, shares some of his signature recipes that have earned him a loyal following and a James Beard Award to boot! Hugo’s menu features Mexican food at its finest, from melt-in-your-mouth lamb Barbacoa to tender rabbit stew served in traditional garnachas (sweet potato masa cakes). Take it from our taste buds, you won’t be disappointed! Check out our latest story with Hugo’s right here!
Montelongo’s Mexican Restaurant
3021 Clovis Road, Lubbock, 806-762-3068
Head to the college town of Lubbock for a little bit of Abuela’s cooking. Montelongo’s is one of the hottest Mexican restaurants in West Texas – literally! These recipes have been passed down for generations, including an incredibly spicy salsa that isn’t for the faint of heart. It all started with a grandmother who had just $400, a tiny home kitchen, and a dream! Check out the story we did with Montelongo’s right here!
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