If you’re visiting Dallas-Fort Worth for the 2026 World Cup, you can’t leave without trying one of Texas’ most traditional cuisines.
With intense flavors and generous uses of cheese, tortillas, cumin, and chili peppers, these dishes reflect the cultural exchange between Mexico and Texas, dating back generations. Tex-Mex cuisine has its roots in Mexican-American communities have taken Mexican recipes and adapted them to local ingredients.
Enchiladas with yellow cheese, fajitas, nachos, chips with cheese or salsa, breakfast tacos, refried beans, and rice are just some of the traditional dishes of Tex-Mex cuisine, loved by some and hated by others who consider it a poor imitation of Mexican food.
Here are 10 must-visit places where you can eat authentic Tex-Mex food.
Eat Drink D-FW
Campuzano Mexican Food
With decades of presence in Dallas and a long selection of grilled dishes, Campuzano offers classic Tex-Mex dishes, ideal for a relaxed meal before or after a game, as well as a brunch menu featuring Mexican dishes, like migas or chilaquiles.
Campuzano has several locations in D-FW. campuzanomexicanfood.com.
El Chico
El Chico is a fundamental part of Tex-Mex history in Texas, as it helped popularize this culinary style nationwide. Its menu retains many of the flavors that defined the genre, such as classic enchiladas and fajitas, as well as burritos and chimichangas.
El Chico has several locations in D-FW. elchico.com.
El Fenix Mexican Restaurant
Founded in 1918, El Fenix is one of the oldest Tex-Mex restaurants in Texas. Its classic menu features tortilla soup, enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas, tamales, and tacos with a traditional profile that connects directly to the region’s culinary history.
El Fenix Mexican Restaurant has several locations in D-FW. elfenix.com.
Entrees are served at El Fenix restaurant No. 1 along Woodall Rogers Freeway. El Fenix celebrated its 100th anniversary on Sept. 13, 2018. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News)
El Fenix / Staff Photographer
Joe T. Garcia’s in Fort Worth
This Fort Worth restaurant is practically an institution. With a simple but consistent menu, it stands out for both its classic Tex-Mex food and its iconic outdoor patio. This is one of the Tex-Mex restaurants that has welcomed celebrities eager to try traditional Texas dishes.
Joe T. Garcia’s is at 2201 N Commerce St., Fort Worth. joetgarcias.com.
Las Palmas Tex-Mex in Uptown Dallas
This is one of Dallas’ most iconic restaurants, with a menu of Tex-Mex dishes that includes carne asada, lobster tostada, milanesa, and enchiladas. In addition, diners can enjoy not only classic margaritas, but also cold martinis and other classics.
Las Palmas Tex-Mex is at 2708 Routh St., Dallas. laspalmasdallas.com.
Mariano’s – La Hacienda Ranch
Famous for its high-quality beef fajitas, this restaurant is renowned for being the place where the frozen margarita machine was invented. Its dishes are accompanied by freshly made tortillas.
Mariano’s Hacienda Ranch has several locations in D-FW. laharanch.com.
Bartender Christopher Martinez prepares The Mariano margarita on the rocks at Mariano’s Hacienda Ranch in Dallas. Mariano Martinez, owner of Mariano’s Hacienda restaurant, invented the frozen margarita machine.
Juan Figueroa / Staff Photographer
Matt’s Rancho Martinez
With a history of five generations running the family restaurant, Matt’s Rancho Martinez offers traditional Tex-Mex dishes such as tortilla soup, taco salad, chile relleno, enchiladas, and tacos.
Matt’s Rancho Martinez is at 401 Central Expy. S., Allen, and 4765 TX-276, Royse City. mattstexmex.com.
Mesero
Mesero represents a more refined version of Tex-Mex, with influences from central Mexico and a focus on fresh ingredients and cocktails. On its menu, you can enjoy Atún Ahí Nachos, shrimp enchiladas, or sopa de fideo, as well as red fish or salmon.
Mesero has several locations in D-FW. mesero.net.
Mi Cocina
Its menu includes all the classic dishes you would expect to find in a Tex-Mex restaurant, and of course, you can also enjoy traditional margaritas or other cocktails to accompany your dinner. There you can eat everything from brisket tacos to enchiladas and tamales, and one of the advantages is that it sells packages for up to four people, perfect for family dinners or small gatherings.
Mi Cocina has several locations in D-FW. micocina.com.
A sample of some of the Mexican Dishes served at Mi Cocina.
Nancy Hale / 123147
Uncle Julio’s
This D-FW-born chain combines Tex-Mex with a more contemporary presentation. Its fajitas and grilled dishes are diners’ favorites, along with other specialties such as cochinita pibil, beef barbacoa and carnitas.
Uncle Julio’s has several locations in D-FW. unclejulios.com.