San Antonio's Best Mexican And Tex-Mex Restaurants

According to San Antonio Magazine, the roots of Mexican food we know and love today can be traced back to around 25,000 years ago, when indigenous cooking techniques spawned the birth of barbacoa (slow-cooked meats). By the mid-1800s, San Antonio had developed a bustling scene of outdoor food stands where so-called "chili queens" dished out bowls of carne con chile, tamales, frijoles, and enchiladas.

As travel became more prevalent, diverse influences shaped the regional cuisine. Today, Mexican — and Tex-Mex — food in San Antonio is still evolving: Some embrace tradition, some push the cuisine's boundaries with modern twists, and others balance their approach with a mix of old and new. San Antonio is largely considered to be ground zero of the beloved "puffy taco" — a uniquely textured tortilla that's made using extra wet corn masa dough and fried in oil to create a crispy shell with a soft, pleasantly chewy interior.

The second largest city in Texas, there's definitely no shortage of great joints that will satisfy your tastebuds. How should you know where to go and what to eat? That's where we come in. Here are some of the best Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants in San Antonio.

Open since 1941, Mi Tierra Café is an iconic landmark in San Antonio. Specializing in classic Tex-Mex fare, some say the food is the best they've ever had. One look at the menu and it's easy to understand why: Mi Tierra features a wide range of classic, popular favorites from pork tamales to filling combos like the grilled rib eye steak served with a cheese enchilada. No matter what you're in the mood for, there's a good chance you'll spot something on the menu at Mi Tierra that will make your mouth water.

Open bright and early every day, Mi Tierra also offers an impressively delicious breakfast menu that includes succulent dishes like beef tongue tacos and huevos rancheros. From the beautiful bar to its own bakery that whips up everything from tres leches to empanadas, Mi Tierra has a lot to offer. Between the well-executed menu and honorable commitment to serving top-notch Tex-Mex to the community for nearly a century, Mi Tierra is easily one of the best Tex-Mex restaurants in San Antonio.

When it comes to puffy tacos, it's said Lala's Gorditas has the best in town. While Lala's Gorditas whips up puffy tacos in the traditional shape, it also offers a unique twist called "cups," which are hand-held mini-bowls stuffed with fillings like refried beans, ground beef, guacamole, and shredded cheddar cheese. By making a minor yet brilliant tweak to the puffy taco's structure, Lala's offers a version that's a bit more practical and easier to eat. It's the delicious, creative twists like this that make Lala's one of the best Tex-Mex restaurants in San Antonio.

Another thing to appreciate about Lala's is how reasonable the prices are — you can score a solid snack like chalupa compuesta for just a few bucks. The corn masa is also ground fresh on a daily basis, and you can taste the difference. To gain a comprehensive appreciation for the menu, we'd recommend ordering the puffy taco trio sampler along with the combo plate that comes with a cheese enchilada and one of its signature puffy taco bean cups. Fresh, tasty, and affordable (with a cozy and festive patio to boot), Lala's makes its food with love, and you can taste it with every flavorful bite. Don't miss out on this one — no trip to San Antonio is complete without paying a visit to Lala's.

Open since 1992, Rosario's has been a popular presence on the San Antonio Tex-Mex scene for decades. Boasting one of the best lunch menus in town with fresh, flavorful food for under $10 a pop, Rosario's also offers a variety of soups, tacos, enchiladas, and other beloved Tex-Mex grub.

Travelers, take note: Rosario's has some seriously tasty breakfast tacos, which appear to only be available at its San Antonio International Airport location. Beyond breakfast, the chile relleno is an exceptionally delicious choice, stuffed with a wildly flavorful blend of spiced beef, potato, and raisins, topped with cheese and a drizzle of ranchero sauce. From some of the best tortilla soup around to the tastiest coconut margaritas in town, Rosario's is one of the most solid Mexican restaurants in San Antonio. Whether it's making sure you can keep the party alive long after you leave with half-gallon margaritas to-go, or serving up some killer chorizo and potato quesadillas, Rosario's is a San Antonio staple worth checking out when you have a big appetite.

Owner Richard Peacock Jr. opened Paloma Blanca in 1997. After a successful first few years, he was in the position to expand the business. Moving to a bigger location, Peacock Jr.'s focus was on catering for private events of all shapes and sizes, from weddings to memorials. But don't worry, you don't need to sign up for a fancy gathering to enjoy the food — it still operates as a normal restaurant open to the public for lunch and dinner. Compared to other restaurants within the same price range, Paloma Blanca offers generous portions of deeply flavorful fare like enchiladas and chile rellenos. But there's another dish Paloma Blanca serves that's so tasty, it's bound to knock your socks off.

Paloma Blanca's al pastor tacos — a traditional Mexican dish featuring pork shoulder marinated in fruit juice, chilies, and spices before being slowly roasted on a vertical spit by skilled taqueros — is a fan-favorite some people order just about every time they visit. It's easy to see why: crispy, yet juicy pork topped with freshly grilled chunks of pineapple is a match made in heaven, with the fruitiness cutting through the richness of the spiced meat. Paloma Blanca is running one of the best operations in San Antonio.

First opening its doors in Austin in 1996, Iron Cactus also has a location along San Antonio's iconic River Walk. While some locals and long-timers may dismiss the area as being too touristy, the River Walk has an undeniably energetic atmosphere with some impressive, beautiful restaurants — including Iron Cactus. From the killer food to the gorgeous views and riverside bar boasting more than 100 types of tequila, there are plenty of reasons why it's often considered one of the best restaurants in San Antonio.

One of the main stars on the menu at Iron Cactus is the restaurant's sizzling fajitas. This fan-favorite is served with flour or corn tortillas, Mexican rice and beans, shredded lettuce, cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, and sour cream. With highly flavorful filling choices including herb-grilled vegetables, tequila-marinated chicken, and Angus beef skirt steak, you can't go wrong. If you're in the mood for something a little different, the Mexican meatloaf — a tasty blend of sirloin, chorizo, and bacon that's basted in ranchero sauce and served with elotes — will have you reminiscing long after your last bite.

Tortillas made from scratch, rejuvenating frescas (non-alcoholic drinks) with watermelon, baja fish tacos with crispy halibut — there are plenty of delicious reasons to visit Domingo that make it worth navigating the hustle and bustle of downtown. Open for breakfast from 6:30 a.m., with dinner service running until at least 10 p.m., Domingo offers fresh, exciting food in a cozy atmosphere.

One fan favorite is the carnitas taco. Tender, shredded pork is topped with a zesty charred tomatillo salsa and crowned with crispy chicharrón (fried pork skin), which adds a much-needed crunch. Domingo also whips up a killer tuna tostada layered with strips of fresh fish, pickled onions, smashed avocado, cilantro, and pickled Fresno peppers. Crunchy, acidic, and deeply flavorful, it's light and fresh, yet highly satisfying. If you're looking for a phenomenal Tex-Mex food with a few modern twists, swing by Domingo and see what all the buzz is about.

Open since 2015 and located in San Antonio's Five Points neighborhood, Sanchos makes its tacos from scratch and serves them on homemade corn tortillas. The atmosphere of the restaurant and the approach in the kitchen are both refreshingly unpretentious, lending the joint a warm, welcoming vibe. The food at Sanchos is mainly divided into three categories: tacos, tortas, and nachos. The good news is the restaurant delivers big flavors for reasonable prices across the board.

Everything is available with a wide range of protein options, including pork belly, chicken adobo, and spicy chicken tinga. The steak tacos are a popular favorite: Spiced beef is minced into tender chunks that melt in your mouth, with chopped fresh cilantro, onions, and radish. Sanchos is also a good place for vegetarians, with various tasty options including roasted squash and corn, along with spiced portobello mushrooms with grilled onions and peppers. Between its eclectic rotation of live music along with some cheap and delicious bites available until the stroke of midnight, Sanchos is the kind of place you can comfortably camp out for the long haul. It also won the 2019 Express-News Readers Choice award for the best nachos.

Previously billed as Taco Haven, this well-seasoned institution has kept its doors open since 1969. The Haven Southtown's menu offers a wide range of fresh, affordable food like fajitas and skillet dinners, through taquitos, chile relleno plates, and more. But it might be the amazing breakfast menu that's the real surprise here, with a dizzying array of tempting options such as chorizo and eggs, beef fajita tacos, and combo specials that stack your plate with two eggs, potatoes, homemade chili, barbacoa, beans, and mini quesadillas — all for under $10.

The enchiladas are another popular choice, with eight varieties to choose from. One of the more inventive options is the jalapeño cream cheese enchilada, which is stuffed with succulent shredded chicken then smothered with Jack cheese and a jalapeño cream sauce. When all of the flavors come together, the dish is reminiscent of the beloved jalapeño popper, but in enchilada form. Between its impressive breakfast offerings, high-quality, well-priced food, and decades of consistent, top-notch service, The Haven Southtown has earned a spot as one of San Antonio's best.

One of the most exciting aspects of Mamacita's is the mini tortilla factory inside the restaurant that cranks them out to guarantee maximum freshness. From the grand chandelier near the entrance to the spacious interior with rustic brick walls, it's easy for Mamacita's gorgeous decor to make every visit feel like a special occasion. Aesthetics aside, the food is also top-notch — with some patrons passionately proclaiming Mamacita's makes the most tender fajitas they've ever encountered.

If sizzling fajitas aren't your jam, there's plenty more to choose from. Deep-fried chimichangas smothered with melted cheese and ranchero sauce, a handful of generous combination plates, homemade tortilla soup, and more, grace the menu. Seafood lovers will rejoice at the sight of charbroiled red snapper basted with lime juice and honey butter, served with rice and beans, fresh tortillas, and a Caesar salad. Between the interesting architecture and superior menu, there's no doubt Mamacita's is one of the best Tex-Mex restaurants in the city it calls home.

Pico de Gallo is run by the same family that founded Mi Tierra Café. Much like its sister restaurant, Pico de Gallo has become a local favorite over the years. Some even make the bold claim that Pico de Gallo has the best Mexican and Tex-Mex food in the city. One look at the menu and it's easy to see why: Pico de Gallo cranks out some impressively delicious food and offers some of the most satisfying specials around.

If you're feeling exceptionally hungry for lunch, swing by Pico de Gallo to take advantage of the generous specials. One of the most filling options is the pico de gallo steak, which comes with a mini sirloin, cheese enchilada, Spanish rice, and warm tortillas. Pro-tip: After you slice off chunks of freshly grilled steak for the tortillas, spoon a little enchilada sauce over the top before going in for a big bite. Pico de Gallo is also a great choice when you want to experience some of the best mariachi music in the southwest, with live performances every single night of the week. The solid food and lively mariachi band all but guarantee a good time and make it one of the best spots in San Antonio.

Beginning life as a family-run operation back in the '70s, Nicha's has evolved into a well-respected spot to score some of the best food San Antonio has to offer. The restaurant has seen so much success over the years, it's moving into a massive, multi-million dollar space being constructed on the same ground as its original location (via San Antonio Current).

One of the all-stars of the lunch menu is the green enchilada plate with tomatillo sauce. Made from scratch, some diners love Nicha's tomatillo sauce so much they're calling for it to be bottled up and sold. To get a taste of tradition, give the "Texas fried" burrito a try, which has been on the family menu since the '70s. Similar to a chimichanga, it's stuffed with beans, cheese, and your choice of meat with options like carnitas, tender beef, and chicken fajita. All things considered, Nicha's is a San Antonio staple that's absolutely worth your time.

To get an idea of where locals like to eat Mexican food, swing by Los Ajos. Some consider this spot the best kept secret in San Antonio. Every weekday, a different lunch special is featured, ranging from plates of perfectly crispy flautas to verde enchiladas in a punchy tomatillo sauce. Of course, in San Antonio tradition, there's also puffy tacos on the menu with your choice of chicken or beef. The fajita nachos are another wise choice, topped with beans, cheese, guacamole, and grilled beef or tender chicken. If you're up and out before 11 a.m., stop by for a few breakfast tacos, with 12 options to choose from.

Los Ajos has even earned a place in the spotlight for its guacamole, which is one of the best in San Antonio. With homemade tortillas and affordable lunch combos like three chicken enchiladas with rice and beans for under $9, Los Ajos manages to come out on top in a city teeming with tasty Mexican food.