There’s a certain vibrancy that comes from a true Mexican restaurant. It’s a sudden pop of colors with rustic undertones followed by a complexity of flavors derived from wholesome ingredients that can be sophisticatedly modern and elevated, yet approachable and traditional. It’s a cuisine that goes well every day or with life’s grandest moments, and, as seen with the upcoming Dia De Los Muertos festivities, even death. 

For those of us who frown at the all-too-common shredded lettuce, ground beef, and hard-shell variety of the Tex-Mex options that run abundantly throughout the Lone Star State, here are three restaurants who do authentic Mexican cuisine right.

José: Where Culture, Food, Tequila, and Art Merge in the Heart of Dallas

Take one step into José and it’s like you’ve walked into a love letter to Mexico. From the bright, whimsical colors of teals and yellows paired with rustic wood tones to the massive, hand-drawn mural in the backdrop, down to the craft cocktails and plates radiating with fresh ingredients, everything here wails Mexican authenticity like a belting mariachi. Here at José, warm hospitality and chef-driven plates are the passports you need for this south of the border experience.

Helmed by a first-generation Mexican American and native Texan, Chef Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman brings a level of creativity and complexity that reflects Mexico’s artful gastronomy scene in every seasonal menu. The result: a memorable and authentic experience with every bite and sip.

José’s current fall menu combines the timeless tradition of American fall ingredients with genuine Mexican dishes. The Cauliflower Salad with shallots, cilantro, piloncillo candied pecans, pickles sultanas, and orange segments dressed with a full-bodied tamarind vinaigrette is the perfect start for a cool day on the patio. Other fall pairings include the Brussels Esquites, which improves the standard, bitter Brussel sprouts dish by combining with elote crema, tajin, and cotija cheese. Finish off with a Pumpkin Spice Arroz con Leche, a soothing comfort meal of rice pudding with pumpkin puree and cinnamon. And of course, José’s lively libations are falling in line with seasonality. The Crimson Flower with Mezcal Amarás Verde, hibiscus and morita syrup, lime juice, Topo Chico, and a hibiscus salted rim will warm you from the inside out as temps drop.

For a private and immersive dining experience with your closest friends, José’s Agave Room offers a secret dining space that seats up to eight guests. This unique offering allows you and your party to intimately explore the diverse tastes of Mexico by pairing each dish with a limited-edition, rare Mexican tequila.

José is located at 4931 W Lovers Ln, Dallas, TX 75209. Reservations are highly encouraged to experience the new fall menu. Book your table online here or by calling the restaurant at (214) 891-5673.

Mezquite: A Sonoran Stop in San Antonio’s Thriving Pearl District

Prepare to be transported to a diverse region of Sonora, Mexico, at Mezquite, one of the latest culinary destinations to San Antonio’s famed Pullman Market. Here, the scents of grilled meats and flour tortillas are aloft within the largest culinary market in the southwest, all leading you towards a unique celebration of Sonoran style cuisine right in the heart of the bustling Pearl District.

Mezquite’s vibrant atmosphere is alive throughout the day, evening, and even, late night. That is because Chef Jorge and team serve up everything from gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan starters like guacamole, elotes, and calabacitas — a summer squash with queso Oaxaca and corn — to street-style barbacoa tacos and traditional entrees like Chuleta Asada and Chile Colorado, a braised pork with guajillo peppers and, radish, and corn. Each item exudes Mezquite’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and support to local farmers and producers by using only the highest quality ingredients, resulting in an authentic Mexican experience that still resonates Texas’s local fare.  

While dining here, be sure to indulge in a smoky spirit from Mezquite’s dedicated mezcal bar, Mezcaleria. Notify your server which mezcal profile fits you best. Whether you prefer extra smoky or mild, a softer rollback or strong, Mezquite and Mezcaleria’s boundless portfolio of exceptional mezcals will have an option bespoke to your tastes.

Though Mezquite offers one of the finest selections of mezcals on this side of the border, opting for something with a little tequila in it is always a safe recommendation. This is especially true because Mezquite boasts some of the finest craft cocktails that reflect the tastes of both Mexico and Texas. The Margarita selection, a Texas favorite, promises to satisfy but the Paloma Del Norte will leave an impression. Whether it’s a hot Texas summer afternoon or cool autumn night, this paloma will leave you yearning to return.

And as Dia de Los Muertos dawns on us, drop by Muertos at Mezquite for a weeklong celebration. From costume contests to DJs and mariachis, Mezquite pays homage to this famed Mexican holiday by celebrating life with San Antonio residents and visitors. Mezquite is open for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday-Tuesday and for dinner only from 5-10 p.m. on Wednesday.

El Carlos Elegante: Home of the Elegante Experience

Back up north in Dallas’s Design District is a Mexican-inspired eatery that goes well beyond what we’ve once defined as Mexican cuisine. At El Carlos Elegante, there aren’t any chips and salsa to be seen. No street style tacos. Instead, here in this shadowy hacienda-style setting rich with vibrant décor and an award-winning patio, there is a list of menu items that reminisce what an authentic Mexican dinner should be. That is a family-style array of sharable cuts of meats and fish and vegetables elevated with exceptional plating, craft cocktails, and an impressive mezcal program.

Every dish at El Carlos Elegante evokes a sense of personal pride, from familial tradition to childhood memories, ensuring every bite, sip, and visual detail delivers an exceptional Mexican fine-dining experience. One of El Carlos Elegante’s most notable offers is their outstanding handmade masa, which reflects an old-world tradition of heirloom corn that is earthy, subtly sweet, and very different from the widely used GMO variety used this side of the border. Order a second batch of those house-made tortillas, the distinct flavor is a challenge to replicate or find anywhere else.

For a truly authentic journey through Mexican cuisine, abandon all decision-making anxiety and go all in on the Elegante Experience. This chef-guided tour of seasonal hits includes a six-course meal complete with every menu category: One-Hitter, Mariscos, Masa, Vegetables, Grill, and Dulces, allowing you to indulge in a little bit of everything. The recent Hispanic Heritage iteration featured a well-rounded assortment of flavors that included a crispy Fried Oyster with Mexican Cocktail Sauce, Shrimp and Octopus Aguachile, Chicken Empanadas with a poblano cream sauce, “Esquites” Roasted Corn with garlic aioli, queso fresco, and house made hot sauce, a Beef Rib and Pork Belly Skewer, and a delectable Tres Leches Cake with sweet pineapple.

El Carlos Elegante is open Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and is located at 1400 North Riverfront Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75207. To make a reservation, visit Open Table or call 214-277-1800.

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Cover Photo courtesy Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group

Martin Ramirez is a brisket-eating, Shiner-loving, road-tripping enthusiast of all things Texas. This Dallas-born writer / adventurer is ready to take his ‘78 El Camino to find the best in food, fun, and fitness throughout the Lone Star State.