Tex-Mex has gained popularity throughout the world as the ultimate comfort food, and its origins are as diverse as the dishes you might find on a typical menu. Ingredients like cumin and wheat flour were introduced by the Spanish long before the birth of the Lone Star State and began to find their way into Tejano home cooking. During the 1880s, the "chili queens" of San Antonio began slinging tamales and chili con carne in plazas to the hungry masses and famous figures from around the country; for some this was their first taste of spicy food. By 1900, the combo plate was born at The Original Mexican Food Restaurant in San Antonio, adding the classic sides of rice and beans that are now a fundamental component of the Tex-Mex lexicon. The trend spread. Today, Tex-Mex is characterized by big portions and heavy use of cumin, cheese, pork, beef and spices, whether it be in the form of fajitas, enchiladas, nachos, breakfast tacos or chili con queso.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Tex-Mex in Texas are as follows:
- L&J Cafe - El Paso
- Matt's El Rancho - Austin
- Joe T. Garcia's Mexican Restaurant - Fort Worth
- Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ - Austin
- Rosario’s - San Antonio
- El Manantial Restaurant - Amarillo
- Enchiladas Ole - Fort Worth
- Garcia's Mexican Food - San Antonio
- Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia - San Antonio
- Mi Dia From Scratch - Grapevine
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Cynthia J. Drake, Jessica Dupuy, Michael Hiller (EscapeHatchDallas.com), Ilene Jacobs (10Best), Susan Lanier-Graham (WanderWithWonder.com), June Naylor and David & Rebekah Schroeder (From Texas to Beyond) were chosen based on their knowledge and experience of the state's food scene.
Congratulations to all these winning restaurants!
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The Experts
Cynthia J. Drake
Jessica Dupuy
Jessica Dupuy is a freelance writer who keeps a... Read More
Jessica Dupuy is a freelance writer who keeps a pulse on food, drink and travel. Her writing credits include work for National Geographic Traveler, Imbibe, Texas Monthly, Wine Enthusiast, Texas Highways, Fodor’s Travel Publications and numerous local and online publications. She has also written Uchi: The Cookbook, in conjunction with James Beard Award winning Executive Chef Tyson Cole; The Salt Lick Cookbook: A Story of Land, Family and Love on the iconic Texas barbecue restaurant; and the Jack Allen's Cookbook on the famed Austin farm-to-table Texas home-cooking restaurant. She recently completed her fourth book on Texas Cuisine for Southern Living entitled The United Tastes of Texas.
Jessica Dupuy
Jessica Dupuy is a freelance writer who keeps a pulse on food, drink and travel. Her writing credits include work for National Geographic Traveler, Imbibe, Texas Monthly, Wine Enthusiast, Texas Highways, Fodor’s Travel Publications and numerous local and online publications. She has also written Uchi: The Cookbook, in conjunction with James Beard Award winning Executive Chef Tyson Cole; The Salt Lick Cookbook: A Story of Land, Family and Love on the iconic Texas barbecue restaurant; and the Jack Allen's Cookbook on the famed Austin farm-to-table Texas home-cooking restaurant. She recently completed her fourth book on Texas Cuisine for Southern Living entitled The United Tastes of Texas.
Michael Hiller
Dallas-based journalist Michael Hiller writes... Read More
Dallas-based journalist Michael Hiller writes about food, wine, chefs, restaurants, hotels and resorts for more than a dozen publications including the Dallas Morning News, 360 West Magazine and USA TODAY Eats. He is the founder and editor of EscapeHatchDallas.com, the city’s top food and restaurant website. Follow him on Instagram and on Twitter.
Michael Hiller
Dallas-based journalist Michael Hiller writes about food, wine, chefs, restaurants, hotels and resorts for more than a dozen publications including the Dallas Morning News, 360 West Magazine and USA TODAY Eats. He is the founder and editor of EscapeHatchDallas.com, the city’s top food and restaurant website. Follow him on Instagram and on Twitter.
Ilene Jacobs
As a perpetual wanderer, foodie freak and wannabe... Read More
As a perpetual wanderer, foodie freak and wannabe chef, Ilene is always on the lookout for the best places to see, eat, drink and sleep. When she's not writing about the latest happenings in her hometown of Dallas, she's hanging out in Paris and road tripping around Europe. You can find Ilene's articles about her favorite hot spots and foodie finds at 10Best.com, CBSDFW.com and in TravelAge West magazine. You can also follow Ilene on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.
Ilene Jacobs
As a perpetual wanderer, foodie freak and wannabe chef, Ilene is always on the lookout for the best places to see, eat, drink and sleep. When she's not writing about the latest happenings in her hometown of Dallas, she's hanging out in Paris and road tripping around Europe. You can find Ilene's articles about her favorite hot spots and foodie finds at 10Best.com, CBSDFW.com and in TravelAge West magazine. You can also follow Ilene on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.
Susan Lanier-Graham
Susan Lanier-Graham, founder and editor-in-chief... Read More
Susan Lanier-Graham, founder and editor-in-chief of WanderWithWonder.com, has been writing about luxury food, wine and travel destinations for more than two decades. She has authored more than 75 books and hundreds of magazine articles. Susan is an award-winning travel writer, a member of North America Travel Journalists Association (NATJA), Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), and is a Certified California Wine Appellation Specialist (CWAS). Susan has been an official ambassador for Travelocity, offering tips and inspiration to fellow travel enthusiasts, and is currently an ambassador for Rocky Mountaineer where she takes readers along on journeys of a lifetime through the Canadian Rockies. Susan’s work regularly appears in Where Arizona, AAA Highroads, AAA EnCompasse,AAA Via, So Scottsdale, Uptown, AAA Home & Away, Green Living AZ, Life Refined, Modern Luxury, Fairmont.com and more. She writes for Experience Scottsdale and is the editor of Grapevine Today, the visitors guide for Grapevine, TX.
Susan Lanier-Graham
Susan Lanier-Graham, founder and editor-in-chief of WanderWithWonder.com, has been writing about luxury food, wine and travel destinations for more than two decades. She has authored more than 75 books and hundreds of magazine articles. Susan is an award-winning travel writer, a member of North America Travel Journalists Association (NATJA), Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), and is a Certified California Wine Appellation Specialist (CWAS). Susan has been an official ambassador for Travelocity, offering tips and inspiration to fellow travel enthusiasts, and is currently an ambassador for Rocky Mountaineer where she takes readers along on journeys of a lifetime through the Canadian Rockies. Susan’s work regularly appears in Where Arizona, AAA Highroads, AAA EnCompasse,AAA Via, So Scottsdale, Uptown, AAA Home & Away, Green Living AZ, Life Refined, Modern Luxury, Fairmont.com and more. She writes for Experience Scottsdale and is the editor of Grapevine Today, the visitors guide for Grapevine, TX.
June Naylor
Food/travel writer and cookbook author June Naylor... Read More
Food/travel writer and cookbook author June Naylor is a sixth-generation Texan whose proficiency in speaking kitchen Spanish has been enhanced by a lifetime of eating combination plates (those originated in Dallas at El Fenix, by the way). She lives in Fort Worth but roams Texas in search of perfect enchiladas en salsa verde and tacos al pastor.
June Naylor
Food/travel writer and cookbook author June Naylor is a sixth-generation Texan whose proficiency in speaking kitchen Spanish has been enhanced by a lifetime of eating combination plates (those originated in Dallas at El Fenix, by the way). She lives in Fort Worth but roams Texas in search of perfect enchiladas en salsa verde and tacos al pastor.
David & Rebekah Schroeder
From Texas to Beyond is dedicated to learning... Read More
From Texas to Beyond is dedicated to learning about the world and the people around us. From the great state of Texas, David, Rebekah and Isaac hope to introduce travelers to their home state and journeys exploring the wider world. Whether they're traveling across their city, state, country or world, there is always something new to learn. Follow their adventures on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!
David & Rebekah Schroeder
From Texas to Beyond is dedicated to learning about the world and the people around us. From the great state of Texas, David, Rebekah and Isaac hope to introduce travelers to their home state and journeys exploring the wider world. Whether they're traveling across their city, state, country or world, there is always something new to learn. Follow their adventures on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!