Highest-rated Tex-Mex restaurants in New York City 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 New York City. We looked at how many reviews and their average ratings to make sure your guide to New York City 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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Caliente Cab

1 / 30

#30. Caliente Cab

- Rating: 2.9/5 (1042 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 61 7th Ave. South New York, New York
- Categories: Mexican, Bars, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp

Tortillas King

2 / 30

#29. Tortillas King

- Rating: 3.0/5 (65 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 7103 18th Ave. Brooklyn, New York
- Categories: Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp

Mezcal's Mexican Restaurant- Carroll Gardens

3 / 30

#28. Mezcal's Mexican Restaurant- Carroll Gardens

- Rating: 3.1/5 (75 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 522 Court St. Brooklyn, New York
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Fresh Taco

4 / 30

#27. Fresh Taco

- Rating: 3.2/5 (105 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 799 Cypress Ave. Ridgewood, New York
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Mexican, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Burrito Bar

5 / 30

#26. Burrito Bar

- Rating: 3.3/5 (860 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 307 Flatbush Ave. Brooklyn, New York
- Categories: Mexican, Bars, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp

Taco Bell

6 / 30

#25. Taco Bell

- Rating: 3.3/5 (161 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 18 E. 14th St. New York, New York
- Categories: Fast food, Mexican, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp

Lobo

7 / 30

#24. Lobo

- Rating: 3.3/5 (360 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 218 Court St. Brooklyn, New York
- Categories: Bars, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp

Guac Time

8 / 30

#23. Guac Time

- Rating: 3.4/5 (87 reviews)
- Address: 599 6th Ave. New York, New York
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex, Salad
- Read more on Yelp

Arriba Arriba Midtown

9 / 30

#22. Arriba Arriba Midtown

- Rating: 3.4/5 (1051 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 762 9th Ave. New York, New York
- Categories: Tacos, Tex-Mex, New Mexican Cuisine
- Read more on Yelp

Happy Fresh Taco

10 / 30

#21. Happy Fresh Taco

- Rating: 3.4/5 (73 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1693A Putnam Ave. Ridgewood, New York
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Fresh Tortillas & Taco

11 / 30

#20. Fresh Tortillas & Taco

- Rating: 3.5/5 (116 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 304 New Dorp Lane Staten Island, New York
- Categories: Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp

Don Pancho Villa Restaurant

12 / 30

#19. Don Pancho Villa Restaurant

- Rating: 3.6/5 (520 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 189 Borinquen Place Brooklyn, New York
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Taco Place

13 / 30

#18. Taco Place

- Rating: 3.6/5 (66 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 94-03 63rd Drive Ste A Rego Park, New York
- Categories: Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp

Tajin

14 / 30

#17. Tajin

- Rating: 3.6/5 (286 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 85 Greenwich St. New York, New York
- Categories: Mexican, Breakfast & Brunch, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp

El Rancho Burritos

15 / 30

#16. El Rancho Burritos

- Rating: 3.7/5 (149 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 359 West 45th St. New York, New York
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex, Vegetarian
- Read more on Yelp

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Calexico - Park Slope

16 / 30

#15. Calexico - Park Slope

- Rating: 3.7/5 (521 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 278 5th Ave. Ste B Brooklyn, New York
- Categories: Mexican, Breakfast & Brunch, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp

El Gallo Taqueria

17 / 30

#14. El Gallo Taqueria

- Rating: 3.7/5 (376 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 214 Highlawn Ave. Brooklyn, New York
- Categories: Tex-Mex, New Mexican Cuisine, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Cowgirl Seahorse

18 / 30

#13. Cowgirl Seahorse

- Rating: 3.7/5 (701 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 259 Front St. New York, New York
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Seafood, Southern
- Read more on Yelp

Javelina

19 / 30

#12. Javelina

- Rating: 3.8/5 (587 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 119 East 18th St. New York, New York
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Southern, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Dos Caminos

20 / 30

#11. Dos Caminos

- Rating: 3.8/5 (135 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 480 Lexington Ave. New York, New York
- Categories: Tacos, Steakhouses, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp

The Dram Shop Bar

21 / 30

#10. The Dram Shop Bar

- Rating: 3.8/5 (606 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 339 9th St. Brooklyn, New York
- Categories: Sports Bars, Tex-Mex, American
- Read more on Yelp

Taco Vista

22 / 30

#9. Taco Vista

- Rating: 3.8/5 (87 reviews)
- Address: 140 Carder Road New York, New York
- Categories: Mexican, Bars, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp

Toloache 82nd

23 / 30

#8. Toloache 82nd

- Rating: 3.9/5 (551 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 166 East 82nd St. New York, New York
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp

Javelina

24 / 30

#7. Javelina

- Rating: 3.9/5 (192 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1395 2nd Ave. New York, New York
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Mexican, Southern
- Read more on Yelp

EL Burrito Box

25 / 30

#6. EL Burrito Box

- Rating: 4.0/5 (991 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 885 9th Ave. New York, New York
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp

Parrilladas Sunrise

26 / 30

#5. Parrilladas Sunrise

- Rating: 4.0/5 (62 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 83-11 Northern Blvd. Jackson Heights, New York
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp

Hungry Burrito

27 / 30

#4. Hungry Burrito

- Rating: 4.1/5 (102 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 811 Seneca Ave. Ridgewood, New York
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex, Bars
- Read more on Yelp

Burritos y Mas NY Tex-Mex

28 / 30

#3. Burritos y Mas NY Tex-Mex

- Rating: 4.2/5 (220 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1571 Lexington Ave. New York, New York
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Yellow Rose

29 / 30

#2. Yellow Rose

- Rating: 4.2/5 (217 reviews)
- Address: 102 3rd Ave. New York, New York
- Categories: Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp

Kings Kolache

30 / 30

#1. Kings Kolache

- Rating: 4.7/5 (57 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 321 Starr St. Brooklyn, New York
- Categories: Bakeries, Tex-Mex, Coffee & Tea
- 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.