When it comes to Tex Mex food, aficionados know a great restaurant when they taste its food.
But if you’re not someone “in the know” when it comes to great Tex Mex cuisine, how can you know when a restaurant is tops at preparing these delicious dishes.
To help you, we’ve put together a short “cheat sheet” of sorts to help you find the best Tex Mex food in your town.
- Look for Tex Mex “staples.”
Tex Mex cuisine pretty much is known for fajitas, cheese enchiladas, chili con queso, and margaritas. If a restaurant says it’s Tex Mex, you’d better see those dishes on the menu!
- Great Tex Mex restaurants make their guacamole fresh each day, if not for each serving.
In other words, if a Tex Mex restaurant offers to make your guacamole dip right in front of you at your table, you’ve more than likely found a great Tex Mex restaurant. Making guacamole at the table isn’t a requirement, of course, but seeing it made before your eyes lets you know your dip is as fresh as it can be.
- Unless you request otherwise, the cheese enchilada you order should be gooey with cheese.
Enough said, but extra points if the cheese-slathered enchilada also includes chili gravy.
- Beans should be made with lard.
If they’re not, if they’re made with something healthier, they may be better for you, but it’s not great Tex Mex.
- The Ice in your margarita should be sharp!
As in, shard-like. That ice could cut your mouth if you’re not careful!
- The longer the Tex Mex restaurant has been in business, the better.
If you find a Tex Mex restaurant that’s been in business for at least 20 years, that’s an excellent sign you’ve found a good one. If it’s been serving customers for 50-plus years and/or if it’s been in business 20-50 years under the management of the same family, it’s a must visit!
Mattito’s hasn’t been in business 50 years, but we’re sure working on it. Come visit one of our locations and try us out: we’ll work hard to see you place us on your “best Tex Mex” list!
Image courtesy of Danilo Rizzuti/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
