Best Mexican food in DFW

...For Enchiladas = Enchiladas on Greenville does a pretty good job on their sour cream chicken Enchiladas... Originally Posted by cantiflas

I frequent the one on Greenville and every time order their sour cream chicken enchilada's which are incredible! Order that and 2-3 of their strong $2.50 margaritas and it makes for one heck of an evening.

There are a FEW half-ass decent places to eat Mexican food in Dallas. Moving here from Los Angeles has been a sacrafice to say the least when it comes to the food around here. I have had some HORRIBLE Mexican food around here over the past 15 yrs but have found a few places that are not too bad. There is no place around here like back home but here are some of my recs.

For Enchiladas= Enchiladas on Greenville does a pretty good job on their sour cream chicken Enchiladas. If you like hot jalapenos ask your Camarero (Waiter) for one from Guanajuato and you will find your request fulfilled.

Cabrito or Tripas= Ranchitos in Oak Cliff. Ranchitos is a place known for Tortillas hechas a mano (home made tortillas) and live Mariachi music played at your table side (for a fee) while you dine. The bar is well stocked and the food is pretty good. If you like Mexican BBQ then order a parrillada for two and enjoy a taste of four different meats.

It's late or early and you want a taco or quesadilla= Fuel City off of 35 and Inwood. You can even order some fijoles pintos refritos con queso (refried pinto beans w/cheese) and a few tortillas. What I like about this place is the meat is actually seasoned (a rarity in Dallas) without being too salty. All orders come with grilled onions and a grilled jalapeno. Real Mexican Tacos served the almost real Mexican way.

Greasy and cheap but pretty damn tasty= San Diego's Tacos in Irving off Story Rd. or in the heart of the ghetto in Pleasant Grove off Jim Miller and Lake June Rd. These two joints are also connected to Cesar's Tacos in Oak Cliff on W. Davis. The Taquitos are almost as good as back home. Matter of fact these guys even serve Champurado (a hot beverage) all year long. A lot of the "country" Mexicans that migrate to Dallas have no clue what this beverage is. Try it on a cold day and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. The Menudo served at the location on Jim Miller Rd is the best I've had in Dallas and believe me when I tell you I've searched high and low for a decent bowl around these parts.

Sea food= It's all crap in Dallas. Enough said.

Cantina Laredo= It's not too bad. Far from home but not an embarassment to Mexican Cuisine.

Javier's= Went there once and thought it was pretty good. I liked the bar area and smoked a pretty good cigar.

Paisano's Tacos= Towed a whole lotta drunk people's cars off of Pollo Lucas next door to it and never really cared for their skimpy,over priced sorry excuse for a taco.

Mis Cazuelas= located on Main St in the ghetto of East Dallas. The food here is definitely cooked by true Mexicans that actually put some love into their cooking. I've eaten just about everything on the menu and never left disappointed.

These are a few of the places I can give the Cantiflas seal of approval when it comes to Mexican food. For me Tex-Mex is disgusting and an insult to the Mexican race. The places I have shared with you are priced for the working man (Javier's excluded) and are far from upscale. San Diego's is a dump but the rest are pretty decent and the restrooms are clean. Berkleigh you said you would go to the ghetto if you had to so gas up, update your ghetto pass and lock and load. Originally Posted by cantiflas

Bitter much? The idea is that here in TX you get TEXMEX. I lived in SoCal and there is a huge difference between the restaurants in SoCal and TX; the SoCal restaurants/burrito stands/roach coaches are not TexMex. The typical Mexican flair coming to TX is coming from central Mexico and mutated into TexMex.

Sea food is a regional thing and SoCal is just north of Baja where sea food is more abundant. The idea that food is reqional shouldn't be a big suprise, but I suggest that if you want SoCal Mexican food, open your own restaurant.

DFW5Traveler,
Too funny! Nobody even asked for regional suggestions! Thanks for the geography lesson. I never knew SoCal was north of Baja California. I clearly stated there was a huge difference in the Mexican cuisine here in Dallas compared to LA. When I want SoCal Mexican food I simply book a flight and satisfy my want. The idea of opening a SoCal Mexican food joint here in Dallas is not something I want to do. Do you have any suggestions to contribute to this thread in regards as to where to indulge in fine Mexican cusine or are you just gonna hijack it and give us all a geography lesson?

DFW5Traveler,
Too funny! Nobody even asked for regional suggestions! Thanks for the geography lesson. I never knew SoCal was north of Baja California. I clearly stated there was a huge difference in the Mexican cuisine here in Dallas compared to LA. When I want SoCal Mexican food I simply book a flight and satisfy my want. The idea of opening a SoCal Mexican food joint here in Dallas is not something I want to do. Do you have any suggestions to contribute to this thread in regards as to where to indulge in fine Mexican cusine or are you just gonna hijack it and give us all a geography lesson? Originally Posted by cantiflas

Starting to sound like ASPD. I forgot to add Joe T's has great margaritas. There is a little place in FW that is just off Hemphill in a residential neighborhood that is behind the home and in a converted garage. They have the best " Tx-Mex " I've ever had and the homemade tamales are to die for. They are UTR . No phone listing or any advertising. I think the name is Mi Cosita. I'll get the address and post it asap. They are only open Wed. , Thurs. , Fri. for lunch only. It's the real deal. Concealed weapons ,not mandatory but suggested. Just kidding. The owners are gringo friendly as are most of the patrons.

My $0.02, but then again what the hell do I know?

Javiers: Great food, as clsoe to Mexico City Cuisine and ambiance as I have found in the US
Mia's on Lemmon: Hole in the wall, but solid Tex Mex. Quick, easy and reasonable.
El Fenix: The original, and still great. Downtown only!
Mi Cocina: Nice rendition of mole. Consistent service, nice presentation in a nice environment.

That being said, nothing compares to the real thing in rural Mexico. And for me, food quality, preparation and service all contribute equally to the overall eating/dining experience. No point getting tasty food that's luke warm, served by an ornery wait staff while the roaches dine at the table next to you, is there now?

TP

DFW5Traveler,
Too funny! Nobody even asked for regional suggestions! Thanks for the geography lesson. I never knew SoCal was north of Baja California. I clearly stated there was a huge difference in the Mexican cuisine here in Dallas compared to LA. When I want SoCal Mexican food I simply book a flight and satisfy my want. The idea of opening a SoCal Mexican food joint here in Dallas is not something I want to do. Do you have any suggestions to contribute to this thread in regards as to where to indulge in fine Mexican cusine or are you just gonna hijack it and give us all a geography lesson? Originally Posted by cantiflas

I contributed and what I read in your post was a bash of local flair, I didn't see your post being productive to a thread with the title, "Best Mexican food in DFW."

I work with a couple of people from San Diego and they're very snobbish when discussing "Mexican Food." That must be regional too! cantiflas you should try Taqueria El Si Hay, the second place I suggested - It's off of Davis so near places you know. Pedritos is in that area as well (on Jefferson) and they're just as good, really.

When close to home, I enjoy Mariano's or Mi Tierra - both in Arlington.

Fort Worth, La Playa Maya off Hemphill on the southside. Dallas, Ojeda's off Maple Ave..

La Playa Maya is great in Ft Worth as TexRich said....

Esperanza's Mexican Cafe & Bakery is a great place for breakfast and for getting some prepared dishes to take home

There are a ton of places in the DFW area. I have 3 places I like to visit.

Mattito's - get the Bob Armstrong. It's not on the menu but freaking awesome!
Fernando's off of NW Hwy and Midway.
Luna de Noche - love the salsa and guacamole.

Joe T`s is way overrated. The bakery on the corner there has a kick ass breakfast.. El Asadero is one of the best in FW. Also as Reese mentioned, La Famila near the cultural district is also very good.. Anywhere along N Main in FW is generally good. And there a bunch..

Wow, lots of possibilities here. Seems like there are more in Ft Worth than Dallas. Maybe somebody with some time on their hands should tally up the recommendations so far and see which place is leading the pack. I still think it would be great fun to have dinner one night with all the Mexican Food Aficionados. I'm still hungry.

Damn... lots of mexican food lovers around here... As a Mexican.... Really good and authentic mexican food can be found at " la calle doce" there are two locations but the one in Oak Cliff tends to have better food.. It really depends on the cook also. other than that i usually go to my mom's house and no one can top that... I also love tex-mex but to me tex-mex all tastes the same to me... Uncle Julios is good tex mex even though they say they are mexican...

Greasy and cheap but pretty damn tasty= San Diego's Tacos in Irving off Story Rd. or in the heart of the ghetto in Pleasant Grove off Jim Miller and Lake June Rd. Originally Posted by cantiflas

There is also San Diego's Tacos #3 in North Richland Hills on Hwy 26 south of 820. I agree greasy....but cheap and delicious.

Anybody ever try Mexican Inn? I grew up on those homemade corn chips. The one on Lancaster is the one to go to, not those new ones with expanded menus popping up.