The Texanist
January 18, 2022
The Texanist: What’s the Difference Between Tex-Mex and Mexican Food?
A transplant from California wades into an age-old culinary debate.
Tex-Mex
Tacos
December 1, 2021
My Favorite Mexican and Tex-Mex Bites of 2021
A prickly pear cookie, a revelatory bowl of birria ramen, and twelve other extraordinary things our taco editor tasted this year.
Tacos
October 26, 2021
Urban South’s “Combo Plate” Beers Are a Drinkable Ode to Houston Tex-Mex
Don’t worry: there’s not actually taco meat brewed in.
BBQ
September 14, 2021
Texas’s Most Famous Barbecue Tacos Just Keep Getting Better
JQ's Tex-Mex Barbecue helped put the smoked brisket birria taco on the map, but it's worth the drive to Houston for any item on the menu.
Tacos
May 14, 2021
Homesick Californians, Rejoice: This North Texas Taqueria Has Stellar Cal-Mex
The next time you hear a California transplant claim that there’s no good Mexican food in Texas, send them to Valerie’s Taco Stand.
Food & Drink
April 21, 2021
A Dallas Restaurant Owner Remembers Life in Texas BT—Before Tex-Mex
It took decades of persistence in the restaurant industry for Mexican food to get the respect it deserves, says Mariano Martinez.
Tacos
April 15, 2021
This Austin Trailer Has Perfected El Paso–Style Rolled Tacos
El Perrito celebrates the flavors of Texas’s oft-forgotten westernmost city.
Tacos
May 14, 2020
Taco News Roundup: Restaurant Reopenings, Representation (or a Lack Thereof), and a Taco Robot
Plus: the history of Sweden's “Taco Friday.”
Tacos
February 4, 2020
Taco of the Week: Birria de Res at JQ’s Tex Mex BBQ
This Houston-area pop-up is adding a Tejano twist to a Mexican preparation trending on the West Coast.
BBQ
January 30, 2020
My Futile Search for Great Tex-Mex Ribs
One man’s strange, quixotic journey from New Braunfels to Longview.
Tacos
January 14, 2020
Taco Cabana Closes 19 Locations in Texas
Houston and North Texas see the most closures as the chain shuts down underperforming stores.
Tacos
December 31, 2019
My Favorite Tex-Mex and Mexican Bites of 2019
In addition to my tacos of the week, these dishes from both sides of the border stand out.
Recipes
October 2, 2019
Recipe: Carne Guisada From Josef Centeno’s Bar Amá Cookbook
The Los Angeles chef celebrates his San Antonio roots by sharing his secrets to making Tex-Mex classics.
Food & Drink
October 1, 2019
Dallas, Houston, and Austin as Defined by Their Yelp Reviews
Three Texas cities—and their respective tastes—appeared in the review service’s “word clouds.”
Recipes
June 19, 2019
Recipe: Paletas From Chef Ford Fry’s Tex-Mex Cookbook
The Superica restaurateur offers recipes for comfort classics, from the famous Felix queso to grilled Gulf oysters divorciados.
Recipes
April 17, 2019
The Homesick Texan Is Homesick No More
Food writer Lisa Fain discusses why she just moved back to Dallas from New York and shares her recipe for Herrera's Crazy Nachos (which she won't have to make as much anymore).
Recipes
April 8, 2019
Recipe: Spinach Enchiladas From the Los Barrios Cookbook
The family behind the iconic San Antonio restaurant reveals its Tex-Mex secrets.
BBQ
November 19, 2018
Tex-Mex and Barbecue Make the Perfect Couple
The most delicious trend in smoked meats combines Texas’s two favorite food groups in exciting ways.
BBQ
September 6, 2018
At Valentina’s Tex-Mex BBQ, the La Reina Sandwich Offers a Tempting Alternative
Valentina's is known for serving barbecue in tortillas. But for its newest addition, pitmaster Miguel Vidal looked to the Spanish bocadillo.
Books
December 14, 2017
New Book is El Arroyo’s Marquee Act
Coming to a coffee table near you: Tex-Mex restaurant picks some of its wittiest, funniest signs for new tome.
Texas History
September 29, 2017
The Heyday of Chili Con Carne
The official state dish reached its apotheosis in the era of San Antonio’s Chili Queens.
Food & Drink
August 10, 2017
The Bloody San Antonio Origins of Chili Con Carne
The original Tex-Mex staple dates back further than most historians realize.
The Texanist
May 23, 2016
The Texanist
Our estimable advice columnist on saying “I do” to a potbellied pig, bidding farewell to supper, giving your regards to Texas, and complaining about cold tortillas.
Food & Drink
June 11, 2015
Queso on the Hudson
New York takes on Tex-Mex.
The Daily Post
March 19, 2015
True Tex-Mex Cuisine’s Long Adios
Beset by high-end interior Mexican, mid-range fajita-and-’rita chains, budget taquerias, and taco trucks—and whatever Torchy’s is—Houston’s old-school Tex-Mex is fading away.
Recipes
November 7, 2014
Enchiladas
The cheese, yes. But don’t forget the chile.
Food & Drink
July 15, 2013
Recipe: Chile con Queso
Let us now praise the large bowl of cheese, so simple and yet so satisfying.
Food & Drink
January 21, 2013
Talking Tacos With Gustavo Arellano
The "¡Ask a Mexican!" columnist and author of Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America talks about Tex-Mex, Houston versus Dallas, and Ray's versus Henry's.
Food & Drink
January 21, 2013
Cheese Enchiladas
The Dish They are, simply put, an addiction. First, there’s the frequency with which we consume them, which, if we’re honest, is at least weekly. Then there’s their powerful nostalgia—of long Saturdays cooking with your welita, of Sunday lunches out with family, of Christmas Eve dinners. And finally there’s their
Food & Drink
January 20, 2013
Let’s Have Mex-Tex
Where’s the best place to get a perfect plate of enchiladas? A chile relleno to die for? A salsa you’ll never forget? Come along on our tour of the fifty greatest Mexican restaurants in Texas, from Hugo’s, in Houston, to Tacos Santa Cecilia, in El Paso. This is not your
Food & Drink
January 20, 2013
The Yellow Cheese Hall of Fame
Mex-Mex has the purist vote wrapped up, but these Tex-Mex bastions win hands down when it comes to comfort food and customer loyalty.
Travel & Outdoors
January 20, 2013
The Joy of Mex
From La Valentina in Dallas to Casa del Sol in Juárez, 75 Mexican restaurants that will leave your taste buds begging for more, plus seven great recipes.
Food & Drink
January 20, 2013
Hot Plates!
Recipe for a great new cookbook: Combine a celebrated chef, a veteran food writer, and an innovative approach to contemporary Tex-Mex; serve.
Food & Drink
January 20, 2013
State Fare
If it’s salmon you relish, you’ll go bananas for a plantain-crusted concoction at Austin’s Z’Tejas.
Recipes
January 20, 2013
Plantain-Crusted Salmon With Black Bean-Mango Relish
Recipe from Z’Tejas Grill, Austin.Black Bean—Mango Relish1/2 cup cooked black beans, rinsed (may use canned) 1 ripe mango, diced 1/2 red bell pepper, diced 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro 1 teaspoon chopped fresh ginger 2 tablespoons chopped red onion 1 teaspoon chopped fresh jalapeño Juice of 1 limeCombine ingredients and chill.Saffron
The Culture
January 23, 2012
Lyle Lovett Wishes the Aggies Hadn’t Joined the SEC
The singer-songwriter talks college football, Willie, and Mexican food with Garden and Gun, which also has a lot of love for Texas in its latest issue.
Business
May 31, 2008
The Kitchen Is Closed
Forty years ago, Pete Dominguez and his Mexican restaurants were the toast of Dallas. Now he’s alone, broke, and nearly forgotten.
Tacos
December 1, 2006
The Greatest Tacos Ever Sold
Sixty-three of them, to be exact: from picadillo in Dallas and brisket tinga in Houston to carne asada gringa in San Antonio and chorizo-and-jalapeño in McAllen. Be sure you don’t leave this earth without trying each and every one.
Food and Drink
July 31, 2003
Tex-Mex 101
Nachos, tomatillo sauce, chile con queso—will the real Mexican food please stand up? A crash course in Texans’ favorite fusion fare.
Hot Box
May 31, 1998
CD and Book Reviews
Hot CDs and Hot Books
Food & Drink
April 1, 1998
Cheryl Clark
Growing up in Harlingen, Cheryl Clark cooked for family friends, but only for fun. Then, at fifteen, she lied about her age to get a real job in a restaurant, and ever since, like a soufflé with extra egg whites, her star has risen to extraordinary heights. After attending New
Food & Drink
April 1, 1997
Mexican Revolution
New restaurants in Dallas and Houston are serving up authentic interior-style Mexican dishes that turn the tables on Tex-Mex.
Music
February 1, 1996
Texas, Paris
Two mythic cultures, one great love affair: How France has taken us to heart.
Business
July 31, 1992
A Goode Idea
How the owner of Goode Company in Houston took the three basic Texas food groups—barbecue, Tex-Mex, and burgers—and built an empire.
Food & Drink
April 30, 1990
Vive Le Tex-Mex!
Lone Star cuisine is all the rage in Paris—France, that is.
Recipes
April 30, 1986
On the Menu: Las Manitas Avenue Cafe
Las Manitas Avenue Cafe is closed while the sisters prepare to open in a new location.
Texas History
January 1, 1986
Our Lady of the Taco
Blessed art thou, who hath created Tex-Mex.
Food & Drink
December 1, 1983
The Texas Food Manifesto
Fie on the cilantro fad, greaseless barbecue, and indiscriminate mesquite-grilling. Let’s hear it for Frito pie, catfish plates, and other gems of Texas’ true cuisine
Food & Drink
May 31, 1977
From Mexico With Love
Out of the Texas melting pot comes a food hot enough to melt anything.
Travel & Outdoors
February 1, 1976
A Homesick Texan’s Guide to New York
The Bronx is up and the Battery’s down and there are little bits of Texas all over the place.