These Are the 8 Best Tex-Mex Dishes in Dallas

Tex-Mex is practically a food group in Dallas: No matter where you turn, you’re bound to run into a neighborhood spot serving it up in bulk. With so many options, we figured it would be oh so helpful to point you in the direction of the best dishes in town. Some of these skew a little more Tex and a little less Mex (and vice versa), but one thing’s for sure: Every single one will have you scraping your plate down to the very last drop of queso.

This is about as straightforward as it gets, but everyone who considers themselves a Tex-Mex maven has to check it off their list. Whether you go basic with a crispy beef taco or spice things up with a Lester (basically, Taco Joint’s version of a Cheesy Gordita Crunch), this hits the spot every time. Order a combo (which comes with rice, beans and a drink) for one of the best under-$10 meals in town.

Multiple locations; thetacojoint.com

Blue corn tortillas, beef tenderloin, poblano and bell peppers, caramelized onions and Monterey cheese… hungry yet? Now imagine this dish topped with a chipotle cream sauce and served with poblano rice and black beans and you have one of our favorite dishes in Dallas. Pro tip: José splits entrees beautifully, so if you feel like trying something big but don’t have the appetite, opt to share with your sweetie.

4931 W. Lovers Lane.; jose.mx

You knew brisket was going to find its way onto this list one way or another. This classic dish from the legendary Lemmon Avenue establishment is the ultimate lunch: two tender brisket tacos stuffed with cheese, grilled onions and poblano peppers, and served with a heavenly gravy, rice and beans. (Avocado on the side is always a nice touch.)

4322 Lemmon Ave.; miastexmex.com

When a restaurant serves breakfast all day, it usually means the kitchen knows its way around eggs. That is definitely the case with this delicious dish comprising three scrambled eggs mixed with cheese, tortilla strips and salsa. It’s already a huge portion, but it’s still served with refried beans and Mexican potatoes—a gut bomb we’d happily sign up for again and again.

1901 N. Haskell Ave.; ebartexmex.com

When the craving for fajitas is real, take it back to one of the most classic Tex-Mex spots in town for a sizzling platter loaded down with steak, chicken and shrimp. Adding the “supreme” option means it’s all topped with fire-roasted queso and shoestring onions—and that you’re setting yourself up for serious success.

Multiple locations; elfenix.com

Stretchy pants are definitely encouraged when taking down a dish that consists of two large tortillas stuffed with meat and fried golden brown. It’s obviously also topped with gooey queso and served with rice, beans, guacamole and sour cream. So maybe save some time for a nap afterward.

2911 Elm St.; pepesandmitos.com