This is Texas, right? So, there is naturally an abundant and varied array of Tex-Mex options. There are also a lot of opinions on the ideal Tex-Mex restaurant, and even what constitutes “Tex-Mex”.
We’re here to try to address that. With so much variation, we know we aren’t even going to be able to satisfy the opinions of all the authors of this blog! But we’ll give it our best shot.
We’ve created a “rubric” of sorts for our reviews of Tex-Mex restaurants. For each restaurant we visit, we hope to share a blog post and will also assign a “grade” in several categories.
The Tex-Mex Restaurant Rubric:
I introduce to you, the rubric; our visual representation of the grading scale we have created.
As you can see, we’ve committed to trying a variety of different things at each Tex-Mex restaurant we visit. The items listed are most of our “go-to” choices when we visit a new restaurant. We hope to give a snapshot of each place visited using this rubric. This is our way of saying, “hey, check this place out if you enjoy a great Tex-Mex scene and ambiance.” Or “avoid this place if you want a decent enchilada”. Each category is rated on a scale of one to five, five being the highest score. The number of shaded states indicate the score assigned.
The categories are shown on the rubric above, but let’s dive into them a little deeper so you can know exactly what we look for in a great Tex-Mex restaurant.
Atmosphere:
What is the general feeling of the restaurant when you walk in the door? Is it welcoming? Festively decorated? How big is the restaurant? Does the restaurant have an authentic aura about it? Do you order at the counter or sit down and wait to be served? Is it a family-friendly environment or more geared for a romantic date. This assumes you and your date want Tex-Mex and feel that it is an appropriate cuisine based on your relationship history. We will answer all these questions and more when we talk about atmosphere.
Chips & Salsa:
This is the measure by which every good Tex-Mex restaurant is graded. We love chips that are lightly salted and of a “medium” thickness–too thin and it doesn’t hold the salsa or queso; too thick and your chip to salsa or queso ratio is overwhelming. Salsa comes in a variety of ways: hot, cold, mild, medium, spicy–you get the picture. We all enjoy a chunky salsa with bold flavors–tomato, onion, garlic, jalapeno and cilantro are all a must! And I hate to say it, but just so it’s out there, salsa from a jar should be forbidden at a restaurant.
Margarita:
The quintessential drink paired with your Tex-Mex. Although some would prefer Dos Equis or Corona, the margarita is often a point of pride for most Tex-Mex restaurants. When we sample, we ask our server what is the house favorite for frozen versus on the rocks (meaning, we do not discriminate when it comes to a good margarita!). We are looking for the bold flavors of lime and tequila while still being able to drive ourselves home after one drink.
Queso:
Another one of our favorites, each restaurant has their own spin on exactly what constitutes a good queso. Our favorites are those that have “mix-ins”, meaning not just being served a bowl of (real!) cheese. We love when tomatoes, onions, or beef can be found swimming in the queso. Good queso in our books is not Velveeta and Ro-Tel. While that combination has its place, it is not at a Tex-Mex restaurant.
Tacos:
The variety in which tacos can be served is a huge positive. With options such as corn or flour tortillas; crispy or soft, breakfast or gourmet, the options are presumably limitless. Consider the filling options: pork, shredded or ground beef, barbacoa, chicken, fish, veggies. And of course you can’t forget the toppings: you’ve got the standard tomatoes, lettuce, salsa, onions and cheese. For the adventurous, choices include cabbage slaw, radishes, cilantro and an array hot sauces.
Most of our reviews will be based on the combination of each of these factors (tortilla, filling, and toppings) culminating in the perfect flavorful bite. We are looking for taste, portability (can I hold the taco without it falling apart), cleanliness (am I going to go through 20 napkins to eat this?), and economy (I don’t want to pay $5 for a taco that just has two pieces of chicken in it). Again, we ask for restaurant recommendations and favorites.
Enchiladas:
Similar to tacos, there are many ways an enchilada can be served–so many combinations make them so versatile which gives them an even bigger appeal. The easiest way to rate enchiladas is if there is both variety of enchilada options and the sauces they are topped with. From there, it is up to the diner to decide whether or not their combination is full of flavor and packs a punch.
Service:
This is a given–we hope to receive excellent service every time, but also have to take into consideration the time of day visited, size of the establishment, and how many other patrons are visiting at the time we visit. Service can be a tricky category because of the factors mentioned above, but we will reflect our experience and at least share our opinion.
So, there you have it. Our take on Tex-Mex and how we’ll report it all back to you. What do you consider when you go to a Tex-Mex restaurant?
Rachel, I love when cheese and guacamole have a party in the queso bowl! Also, do not forget about the ultimate Texas-meets-Mexico option, the brisket taco!
This is OUTSTANDING! Love it! I especially love that the rubric covers so many dimensions! I am a huge taco lover and the rice has to be something more thought out than Rice A Roni! I look forward to the reviews!
So glad you enjoyed it Justin! YES-complete agree about the rice–these restaurants have a lot to live up to! We have two Tex-Mex restaurants we are reviewing this week so be sure to stay tuned!
I have to admit I am looking forward to y’all take on Joe T. Garcia’s. It has a reputation as big as the Fort Worth Stockyards, but is it everything it is billed to be by the masses? Hopefully I’ll know the clan’s take someday! 🙂 Happy eating.
Justin,
Rebekah will be breaking down Joe T Garcia’s tomorrow! There are definitely a lot of different opinions on that Fort Worth legend. Stay tuned…
In San Antonio, my favorite is LaFiesta Patio Cafe for their puffy tacos and slightly raspberry flavored salsa. They also have vegetarian options. There is also a place on Blanco Rd that had very strong but tasty margaritas. I think it’s called La Tierra del Sol…I’m not 100% sure though, and I’m not sure if the food was good either because, well, the margarita!
Hi Shannon! I am not sure I have ever been to LaFiesta. We will have to give it a try the next time we are down there. I absolutely love puffy tacos! So that is a must. I am intrigued by their salsa that has a raspberry hint to it. I think that could go well in so many regards.
I am pretty sure I have been to La Tierra. I do remember their margaritas as being very good but very strong! I feel like their food was ok but not great, but that was so long ago that I can barely remember anymore.
Thanks for the comment!
I’m wrong, it was El Mirasol on Blanco. La Fiesta is a smaller place on Pat Booker. I guess I had Mi Tierra in my head. I never was all that crazy about that place. At some point the Mexican restaurants tend to run together, and the ones that have something different are the ones I remember. When you get around to the perfect Texas burger, I’m in!
Oh yes, Mi Tierra’s, I remember that place. I never really understood the fascination with it either. I went there a few times, but it was never anything great or even good. You are so right, a lot of restaurants start to meld together for me too. It has to be really good for it to standout.
We should be getting to the burgers soon. I have an article coming up about my (and all of our) quest to find the best burgers in the state and elsewhere. We could definitely use some recommendations from your area
Your rubric is cracking me up. Especially love the Texases.
But, but, but: Horchata totally deserves to be a category!! It varies so much from place to place and can easily be either such a letdown or the highlight of the meal.
haha! I am glad you like it. True, if you find a place that serves horchata, you know it is the real deal. I miss Changos in Austin. They always have horchata and other super tasty aqua frescas. I also remember our rating scale for tasting all the aqua frescos at the house. So tasty!