Highest-rated Tex-Mex restaurants in Austin, according to Yelp
Have you ever been in your kitchen, trying to decide what to make, and you're baffled? You open the fridge, and there's just a mish-mash of ingredients that on the surface, perhaps don't feel like they belong together—until you open the fridge for the fourth time and realize the contents aren't changing, so you make them work? That moment? That moment is what Tex-Mex cuisine is—but in the best way possible. It's a delicious mish-mash of cultural influences that came together in a melting pot of flavors that make you feel like you're experiencing something that feels familiar but for the first time.
Tex-Mex, as the cuisine is affectionately coined in the Southwest, is the by-product of what happened when traditional Mexican cuisine combines with things that weren't normally available in the land borders renamed Mexico; more cuts of red meat, cheeses, and far milder chiles that provide more smoke than heat. It found its way into the hearts of the Southwest, eventually spreading around the rest of America.
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 of Tex-Mex food?
Stacker did a little of the heavy lifting for you and combed through data on Yelp to put together a comprehensive list of the highest-rated Tex-Mex restaurants in Austin. We looked at how many reviews and their average ratings to make sure your guide to Austin 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.
#30. El Arroyo 5th Street
- Rating: 2.5/5 (553 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 1624 W 5th St Austin, TX 78703
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
#29. Morales Tex-Mex Food
- Rating: 3.0/5 (14 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 2512 Rio Grande St Austin, TX 78705
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tex-Mex, Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Angie's Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 3.0/5 (224 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 1307 E 7th St Austin, TX 78702
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Kerbey Lane Cafe - University
- Rating: 3.5/5 (944 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 2606 Guadalupe St Austin, TX 78705
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Breakfast & Brunch, American (Traditional)
- Read more on Yelp
#26. El Mercado Restaurant
- Rating: 3.5/5 (345 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 1302 S 1st St Austin, TX 78704
- Categories: Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Maudie's Too
- Rating: 3.5/5 (370 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 1212 S Lamar Blvd Austin, TX 78704
- Categories: Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Pelons Tex-Mex
- Rating: 3.5/5 (588 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 802 Red River St Austin, TX 78701
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Bars, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Freebirds World Burrito
- Rating: 3.5/5 (231 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 515 S Congress Ste 101 Austin, TX 78704
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Cantina 512
- Rating: 3.5/5 (64 reviews)
- Address: 70 Rainey St Ste 100 Austin, TX 78701
- Categories: Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Tamale House East
- Rating: 3.5/5 (521 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 1707 E 6th St Austin, TX 78702
- Categories: Mexican, Breakfast & Brunch, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Taqueria Arandas
- Rating: 4.0/5 (132 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 2448 S 1st St Austin, TX 78704
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Nasha
- Rating: 4.0/5 (526 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 1614 E 7th St Austin, TX 78702
- Categories: Indian, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Mi Madre's
- Rating: 4.0/5 (735 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 2201 Manor Rd Austin, TX 78722
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Breakfast & Brunch, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Kesos Tacos
- Rating: 4.0/5 (249 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 600 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Austin, TX 78701
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Salsa Limón
- Rating: 4.0/5 (54 reviews)
- Address: 3001 Guadalupe St Austin, TX 78705
- Categories: Tacos, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Cafe Hornitos
- Rating: 4.0/5 (110 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 3704 N I-35 Austin, TX 78705
- Categories: Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Torchy's Tacos
- Rating: 4.0/5 (960 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 2801 Guadalupe St 5-B Austin, TX 78705
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Chicken Bowl
- Rating: 4.0/5 (53 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 1610 Lavaca St Austin, TX 78701
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex, Fast Food
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Juan In A Million
- Rating: 4.0/5 (2177 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 2300 E Cesar Chavez St Austin, TX 78702
- Categories: Mexican, Breakfast & Brunch, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Chuy's
- Rating: 4.0/5 (1157 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 1728 Barton Springs Rd Austin, TX 78704
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Mexican, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Joann's Fine Foods
- Rating: 4.0/5 (297 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 1224 S Congress Ave Austin, TX 78704
- Categories: Diners, Breakfast & Brunch, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Taco Baby
- Rating: 4.0/5 (116 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: Austin, TX 78701
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tex-Mex, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Torchy's Tacos
- Rating: 4.0/5 (977 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 1822 S Congress Austin, TX 78704
- Categories: Tacos, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Mellizoz Tacos
- Rating: 4.0/5 (477 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 1311 S 1st St Austin, TX 78704
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Torchy's Tacos
- Rating: 4.0/5 (346 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 110 San Antonio St Austin, TX 78701
- Categories: Tacos, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
#5. South Austin Trailer Park & Eatery
- Rating: 4.0/5 (107 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 1311 S 1st St Austin, TX 78704
- Categories: Food Stands, Tex-Mex, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Habanero Mexican Cafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (734 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Address: 501 W Oltorf St Austin, TX 78704
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
#3. The Smokin' Rose Taco Joint
- Rating: 4.5/5 (24 reviews)
- Address: 1308 E 6th St Austin, TX 78702
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tex-Mex, Caterers
- Read more on Yelp
#2. BOCA
- Rating: 4.5/5 (35 reviews)
- Price: $
- Address: 90 Rainey St Container Bar Austin, TX 78701
- Categories: Food Trucks, Spanish, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Taco Bronco
- Rating: 4.5/5 (25 reviews)
- Address: 1309 Rosewood Austin, TX 78702
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Tacos, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
