(From August 2011)

Perched above the river, a bit away from the madding throng, Acenar is the most stylish culinary and architectural adventure of local restaurateur Lisa Wong (of Rosario’s and China Latina). Here you’ll find bold colors, cutting-edge design, a busy bar, good service, and, best of all, contemporary Mexican food. The guacamole is a work of art; the chips are served in those trendy cones; the margs are made with fresh-squeezed juices. Tender corn crepes, from huitlacoche to pato (duck), are among the unusual options, along with tender cabrito and Mexican-style grilled redfish. It’s far from your ordinary taco joint. Bar.

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(From November 2010) Named for the matriarch who perfected these authentic Mexican food dishes, this restaurant has quickly become a local favorite. The decor is fun, the service quick, and the food hot. We chose the picadillo, a delicious stew of spiced ground beef mixed with onions and large chunks of potatoes, served with rice and beans. We also liked the carne guisada, with its rich, slightly spicy sauce. Both came with fresh flour tortillas. A nearby diner proclaimed the food four-star worthy.

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(From March 2011) Expanding on its original location in Nuevo Progreso, Arturo’s in Weslaco continues a proud Mexican food tradition. The popular bean soup is a thick brew of mashed pintos seasoned with cilantro and garlic, and the chicken en mole is a freshly quartered bird in a spicy ancho chile–cocoa sauce served with traditional Spanish rice and beans. And, of course, a trip to Arturo’s is never complete without one of their famous fresh-lime margaritas. It’s a true taste of Mexico without crossing the border. Bar.

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(From November 2011)

Decorated like a Mexican hacienda, the Donkey is the place to go for fresh Mexican food on the island. Our favorite dish is taquitos al pastor, chopped pork that has been marinated in pineapple and spices, grilled, and served on corn tortillas topped with fresh onion and cilantro. In the mood for seafood? Try the blackened red snapper topped with ixtapa sauce, a light white-wine cream blend. And because this place is owned by Dirty Al’s, you simply have to sample the famous fried shrimp. Live music on weekends. Bar. 

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(From January 2012)

The recently opened cantina is the brainchild of local restaurateur John Geske. In a move away from the formal menu of his other restaurants, Bikini Joe's serves street-style tacos, tortas, and tapatias, along with other casual favorites such as burgers and chicken wings (crispy and spicy, they may just be the best in the city). A hopping bar atmosphere with a great patio completes the scene.

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(From September 2010) For a walk on the wild side follow Highway 28 just across the Texas–New Mexico border to this famous biker bar and restaurant. Locals know it’s the best spot in the world for Hatch green chile enchila-das and chiles rellenos. You may be sitting elbow-to-elbow with a tattooed, ponytailed, middle-aged executive turned biker dude but you won’t care, because the quart bottle of cold Miller beer will inspire conversation as well as wash down all those chiles. No live music, but the bathroom graffiti is highly entertaining. Bar.

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(From May 2011) This veteran cafe east of Sleeping Lion Mountain is a Tex-Mex stalwart, even as nearby restaurants defect to trendier New Mexico–style cuisine. It has nothing fancy, just well-executed enchiladas, tacos, and a few non-Mex offerings like catfish and burgers. The rellenos and the chicken fajitas remain our favorites, but we like the chalupas for a lighter meal. Especially flavorful salsa, guacamole, and chile con queso play supporting roles. Half the town shows up exactly at noon for the lunch buffet, so be warned.

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(From June 2011)

In this one-stoplight town just southwest of Fort Worth you’ll find the best tacos, bar none. Classically trained chef Chris Garcia brings his expertise with northern Mexican cuisine to a rustic old building where the vibe is cool and the aromas are heavenly. Everything is fresh and hand-made, from tacos filled with slow-smoked brisket and cilantro slaw to a chile relleno with mesquite-grilled poblano stuffed with your choice of smoked meats and topped with pico de gallo and queso fresco. Make sure to try all the great breakfast tacos and, of course, the menudo. BYOB.

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(From July 2011)

This authentic spot in downtown Tyler reminds us of our favorite little joint in Tijuana. A refreshing break from the Tex-Mex chains that dominate the East Texas dining scene, Don Juan has got sparkling margaritas, fresh ingredients, attentive and friendly service, and almost alarmingly low prices. The menu offers a variety of dishes, but we’re always drawn to the sopes, thick, fried corn “cakes” topped with beans; your choice of steak, chicken, or cheese; and lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, sour cream, and white cheese. And we never can resist the sopaipillas. 

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(From January 2012)

You can find traditional Tex-Mex favorites here, but go for the Jalisco-style cooking. Despite the name, the Gordo Special is a lighter dish, serving up spicy shrimp on a bed of lettuce with slices of avocado, orange, and tomato. The Jalisco Special resembles a Mexican stir-fry and comes drizzled with a white cheese sauce. Bar.

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