Bubby's Burritos
1 / 17#17. Bubby's Burritos
- Rating: 2.6/5 (199 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 440 Jersey Ave. Jersey City, New Jersey
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
Highest-rated Tex-Mex restaurants in Newark by diners
When you're looking for heat, Tex-Mex food delivers. Tex-Mex, as the cuisine is affectionately coined in the Southwest, is the by-product of what happens when cultures—and their kitchens—combine.
Tex-Mex food draws from American, Mexican, and Native American flavors. It developed in the 1800s, when these three distinct cultures all settled in what we now call Texas. Popular ingredients featured beef, flour tortillas, tomatoes, and yellow cheddar cheese, spiced up with chili peppers that provide a smoky flavor. It found its way into the hearts of the Southwest, eventually spreading around the rest of America. We can thank Tex-Mex cuisine for introducing us to chili con carne, fajitas, nachos, enchiladas, and quesadillas.
Tex-Mex's bold flavors make it perfect for those seeking some heat, particularly younger, adventurous diners who prefer more spice with their meal. Gen Z diners, in particular, look for spicy variety, with up to 50% eating at least one spicy meal every week. This craving for bold tastes has ousted Italian food from its #1 position as Americans' favorite cuisine.
With that kind of reach, where do you begin when it comes to finding that perfect Tex-Mex dish to make your palate dance? Who has managed to create that just-right blend of smoky spice and cheesy goodness that you've come to know and love in Tex-Mex food?
Stacker did a little of the heavy lifting for you and combed through data on Yelp as of Aug. 5, 2025, to put together a comprehensive list of the highest-rated Tex-Mex restaurants in Newark. We looked at how many reviews and their average ratings to make sure your guide to Newark cuisine is ready. Take a look to see where your new favorite restaurant will be! Note, some of these may have recently closed, so make sure to double-check.
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River and Rail Cantina
2 / 17#16. River and Rail Cantina
- Rating: 2.7/5 (838 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 230 South Ave. East Cranford, New Jersey
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
Chevys Fresh Mex
3 / 17#15. Chevys Fresh Mex
- Rating: 2.9/5 (246 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1150 South Stiles St. Linden, New Jersey
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Bars, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
Chevys Fresh Mex
4 / 17#14. Chevys Fresh Mex
- Rating: 3.1/5 (385 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 365 NJ-3 Clifton, New Jersey
- Categories: Mexican, Bars, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
Bubbakoo's Burritos
5 / 17#13. Bubbakoo's Burritos
- Rating: 3.2/5 (25 reviews)
- Address: 898 Bergen Ave. Jersey City, New Jersey
- Categories: Tex-Mex, fast food, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
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Jalapeños Mexican Grill - Passaic
6 / 17#12. Jalapeños Mexican Grill - Passaic
- Rating: 3.3/5 (23 reviews)
- Address: 196 Monroe St. Passaic, New Jersey
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
Tio Taco Tequila Bar
7 / 17#11. Tio Taco Tequila Bar
- Rating: 3.4/5 (156 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 850 NJ-3 Clifton, New Jersey
- Categories: Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
El Chingon Tex-Mex Mexican Restaurant
8 / 17#10. El Chingon Tex-Mex Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 3.5/5 (344 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1996-1998 Morris Ave. Union, New Jersey
- Categories: Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
The Red Cadillac
9 / 17#9. The Red Cadillac
- Rating: 3.7/5 (777 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2258 Morris Ave. Union, New Jersey
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex, Music Venues
- Read more on Yelp
Los Jarros Mexican Grill
10 / 17#8. Los Jarros Mexican Grill
- Rating: 3.9/5 (24 reviews)
- Address: 85 Union Ave. Nutley, New Jersey
- Categories: Mexican, Barbecue, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
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La Chula
11 / 17#7. La Chula
- Rating: 4.0/5 (68 reviews)
- Address: 78 East Cherry St. Rahway, New Jersey
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Tacos, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
Minia's Bloomfield
12 / 17#6. Minia's Bloomfield
- Rating: 4.1/5 (48 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 419 Bloomfiled Ave. Bloomfield, New Jersey
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Latin American, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
Fandango Mexican Grill
13 / 17#5. Fandango Mexican Grill
- Rating: 4.3/5 (111 reviews)
- Address: 490 Pleasent Valley Way West Orange, New Jersey
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex, Caterers
- Read more on Yelp
Ay Chihuahua!
14 / 17#4. Ay Chihuahua!
- Rating: 4.3/5 (25 reviews)
- Address: 83 Broadway Passaic, New Jersey
- Categories: Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
El Paso Tex Mex Grill
15 / 17#3. El Paso Tex Mex Grill
- Rating: 4.4/5 (56 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 206 Centennial Ave. Cranford, New Jersey
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
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Habanero
16 / 17#2. Habanero
- Rating: 4.6/5 (67 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 729 Van Houten Ave. Clifton, New Jersey
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
Minia's - Montclair
17 / 17#1. Minia's - Montclair
- Rating: 4.6/5 (99 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 22 Lackawanna Plz Montclair, New Jersey
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 88 metros.
