Best Tex-Mex and Barbeque

**ProEye** · 01-25-2007, 12:29 AM

Where is the best Tex-Mex in the entire state of Texas???

What's the best barbeque?

**Panterro** · 01-25-2007, 03:32 PM

I would assume anywhere Texas meets Mexico..

**kimbercuddles** · 01-25-2007, 10:44 PM

San Antonio has almost anything and everything....for Tex-Mex I really loved the Alamo Cafe and Pappasito's. Rudy's BBQ was excellent and has won many awards.

In New Braunfels, we always used to go to Keno's off of Hwy 35N after a long day of tubing down the river and that was probably my very favorite!

Jenbar · 02-02-2007, 09:18 AM

I don't think you would ever get one clear answer on "the best BBQ in Texas". This seems to be a constant debate among Texans - also, there are so many hole in the wall places, that I think it would be really hard to try them all.

Rudy's is like a chain, but none the less - very good. I didn't even know I liked BBQ until I ate at Rudy's. It's definitely a safe bet.

*MY* personal favorite for Tex Mex is a place in Hutto called Rio Grande Cafe - but my experience is limited.

**ProEye** · 02-02-2007, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenbar

I don't think you would ever get one clear answer on "the best BBQ in Texas". This seems to be a constant debate among Texans - also, there are so many hole in the wall places, that I think it would be really hard to try them all.

Rudy's is like a chain, but none the less - very good. I didn't even know I liked BBQ until I ate at Rudy's. It's definitely a safe bet.

*MY* personal favorite for Tex Mex is a place in Hutto called Rio Grande Cafe - but my experience is limited.

Let me put it to you this way... WE DON'T HAVE TEX MEX HERE! I lived for 10 years in Texas and it's one of the things I missed.

Okay, there's a few places like Texas Roadhouse but no offense to anyone who likes this place but I think it sucks. For one thing, my wife ordered a burger and it was the smallest burger I had ever seen in her life and mine, including every seedy joint we've ever been too. I swear it was as small as a Krystal burger. Borderline offensive to serve something like that and not even notice. Clearly, a joint like Texas Roadhouse should serve BIG stuff because it's TEXAS! She took it back and decided not to order that evening. Kinda sad...

My food, which was a steak and chicken, was blah.

Jenbar · 02-02-2007, 12:22 PM

Oh, I agree! TexMex is my favorite style of food - and the texmex choices in WA were PATHETIC!!

**scirocco22** · 02-02-2007, 12:41 PM

I don't wanna sound too pitiful here but never having set foot in Texas (one of the states that I've never been to and practically a lifetime Washingtonian) and not being a huge fan of Mexican food (I'll enjoy it occasionally), can somebody please tell me what kinds of dishes would be included in TexMex?

TIA

--'rocco

**Wyoming53** · 02-02-2007, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scirocco22

I don't wanna sound too pitiful here but never having set foot in Texas (one of the states that I've never been to and practically a lifetime Washingtonian) and not being a huge fan of Mexican food (I'll enjoy it occasionally), can somebody please tell me what kinds of dishes would be included in TexMex?

TIA

--'rocco

Everything you find at Taco Bell plus more. Having done a few projects down in Mexico, I got used to Mexican food and almost never touch TexMex any more if there is authentic Mexican food available.

There is a place, and I can't remember the name, in Arlington Texas. It's half way between Matlock and Cooper on the North side of I-20. They are authentic Mexican. You can't order a burrito. You can order Beans and Tortillias. When they bring it out, they'll bring a bowl of beans, a canister of tortillias, a bowl of onions, a bowl of cheese, a bowl of lettuce and a bowl of chopped tomatoes. They have outstanding food.

**ProEye** · 02-02-2007, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scirocco22

I don't wanna sound too pitiful here but never having set foot in Texas (one of the states that I've never been to and practically a lifetime Washingtonian) and not being a huge fan of Mexican food (I'll enjoy it occasionally), can somebody please tell me what kinds of dishes would be included in TexMex?

Basically it's barbeque + Mexican. So anything you can put on a barbeque, with a Mexican twist to finish it off once it hits the plate, that's TexMex.

Jenbar · 02-02-2007, 02:02 PM

I have been to a couple authentic Mexican places - and they are not good, in my opinion. The meat lacks any seasoning, and often it's stewed or something. With mexican food, it's like meat, corn tortilla, lime, cilantro. My husband loves that. I like all the extras on my tacos and what not.

Taco Bell is NOT Tex Mex - lol. That's like saying french fries are French cuisine.

Jenbar · 02-02-2007, 02:03 PM

Fajitas are a good example of Tex Mex.

**ProEye** · 02-02-2007, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenbar

I have been to a couple authentic Mexican places - and they are not good, in my opinion. The meat lacks any seasoning, and often it's stewed or something. With mexican food, it's like meat, corn tortilla, lime, cilantro. My husband loves that. I like all the extras on my tacos and what not.

Taco Bell is NOT Tex Mex - lol. That's like saying french fries are French cuisine.

Taco Bell is definitely Americanized Mexican.

I'm going to announce this to the world so I'm on the record: Cilantro is NASTY!!!! I swear it's like eating perfume. I just don't see how people can eat it. I have to pick it off even if there is a microscopic piece because I can taste it.

**scirocco22** · 02-02-2007, 02:23 PM

Okay, so I'm still not clear. TexMex is Americanized Mexican food as opposed to authentic Mexican food?

So if I see a Mexican restaurant, say, in Seattle, how do I know if it's TexMex or authentic Mexican?

(oh man, I feel like such an idiot asking such questions)

--'rocco

edit: oh wait, I skipped over the doctor's first answer ...barbeque plus Mexican is TexMex. So barbequed fajitas is TexMex but normal fajitas is authentic Mexican?

What other dishes would be considered TexMex?

Jenbar · 02-02-2007, 02:28 PM

Oh, I freakin' HATE cilantro!

'rocco - have you seen those "burrito carts" in WA? The bus, van type things parked on the side of the road, converted into a kitchen and they serve mexican food?

THAT is authentic mexican. They serve junk like "Langua" - ick.

Azteca is not authentic mexican. That's Americanized Mexican.

Chili's is similar to Tex Mex, just to give you a frame of reference... BUT, and this is a big but, I wouldn't say it's "Authentic" Tex Mex, as it's a mass produced chain.

**scirocco22** · 02-02-2007, 02:48 PM

ah, ok, thanks, Jen! So kinda like a Chili's only less mass-produced?

Right, right, those carts I realize are authentic Mexican. Some of the stuff is pretty good although I hate buying at those carts because there's so much that I have no idea what it is. I asked a Mexican guy standing in line what some of it was and he looked at me funny. I think he didn't know how to describe the items in English so he just gave me this irritated look that seem to express "jeez, if you don't know what to order, then go to Taco Time!"

Ah! Okay, Azteca isn't really authentic Mexican. That makes sense now that I think about what they serve.

Well, it's all kind of coming together for me.

Jeez, I'm gettin' kinda hungry now!

--'rocco

**ProEye** · 02-02-2007, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenbar

Oh, I freakin' HATE cilantro!

'rocco - have you seen those "burrito carts" in WA? The bus, van type things parked on the side of the road, converted into a kitchen and they serve mexican food?

THAT is authentic mexican. They serve junk like "Langua" - ick.

Azteca is not authentic mexican. That's Americanized Mexican.

Chili's is similar to Tex Mex, just to give you a frame of reference... BUT, and this is a big but, I wouldn't say it's "Authentic" Tex Mex, as it's a mass produced chain.

Here's something else to consider: There's California Mexican, New Mexico Mexican, and TexMex. There are subtle differences but they are different. For all I know there's also an Arizona Mexican.

Jenbar · 02-02-2007, 06:10 PM

Quote:

So kinda like a Chili's only less mass-produced?

Er, I don't know. I am sure a native Texan would totally go off on me for that - but it's the best "nationally known" thing I could give as a reference. Just like Taco Bell is Americanized Mexican... Chili's is watered down Tex Mex.

Chili's DID originate in Texas though :)

**kimbercuddles** · 02-04-2007, 05:18 AM

I think one either LOVES cilantro or obviously, one HATES it!! I happen to ADORE the taste of cilantro! Nothing compares to it's slight twang to a salsa or pico de gallo!

There are so many authentic restaurants (hole in the wall) that are absolutely to DIE for! There's even one by Boerne (north of San Antonio) called "Nacho Mama's". I dated a Hispanic for a few years and even learned how to make homemade tortillas...nothing compares!

**Panterro** · 02-04-2007, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scirocco22

Okay, so I'm still not clear. TexMex is Americanized Mexican food as opposed to authentic Mexican food?

So if I see a Mexican restaurant, say, in Seattle, how do I know if it's TexMex or authentic Mexican?

(oh man, I feel like such an idiot asking such questions)

--'rocco

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tex-Mex_cuisine

Gotta love the internet.. and google. There is your answer.

deeptrance · 02-07-2007, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProEye

Here's something else to consider: There's California Mexican, New Mexico Mexican, and TexMex. There are subtle differences but they are different. For all I know there's also an Arizona Mexican.

ProEye, you have ProTastebuds.

I love Tex Mex but I miss California Mex.

Never was a fan of the snooty New Mexico (i.e., "Santa Fe") style, but that's probably because I don't like the attitude that comes with people who are from Santa Fe. (Oh-so-trendy, oh-so-hip, oh-so-puke, just gimme some good food and spare me the chic pricey hype of that overrated tourist trap!)

Pardon my off-topic rant... where was I? Oh yes --- California Mex is all about the cheese. Ergo, in So Cal you can go to just about any Mexican restaurant and you'll LOVE what you're eating but you'll feel sleepy and bloated after dinner, and eventually you'll be visiting your cardiologist if you eat it too much.

Tex Mex is more subtle, relies more on a variety of veggies and seasonings, less cheese, more black beans rather than refried pinto beans, and everything is smaller. For example, a Chile Relleno in California will fill you up with about 5,000 calories of fat and it is orgasmic but not too healthy. A Texas Chile Relleno will usually be smaller, have less breading, less stuffing, but will "only" have about 3,500 calories, only 95% of which are from fat (as opposed to 97% in California.)

OK, I made up all the numbers, but the basic point is true. California Mex is comfort food, Tex Mex is a bit more subtle but less "instant gratification" oriented. Ultimately, I'd like to have BOTH types available, but I've never found a decent Mexican restaurant of ANY variety outside of the regions where they're native. This is so odd to me, given the fact that you can get excellent sushi and Thai food in virtually any decent sized city or college town in North America.

01-25-2007, 12:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
ProEye Seasoned Veteran Join Date: Jan 14th, 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 223	Best Tex-Mex and Barbeque Where is the best Tex-Mex in the entire state of Texas??? What's the best barbeque? __________________ "Don't get all worked up. It's just my opinion!" CT resident by way of ID, UT, TX, DC, CO, GA... ProEye

01-25-2007, 03:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
Panterro TEXAS ***** ADVISOR Join Date: Jan 21st, 2007 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 1,513	Re: Best Tex-Mex and Barbeque I would assume anywhere Texas meets Mexico..

01-25-2007, 10:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
kimbercuddles Cheery Chick Join Date: Jan 02nd, 2007 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 1,089	Re: Best Tex-Mex and Barbeque San Antonio has almost anything and everything....for Tex-Mex I really loved the Alamo Cafe and Pappasito's. Rudy's BBQ was excellent and has won many awards. In New Braunfels, we always used to go to Keno's off of Hwy 35N after a long day of tubing down the river and that was probably my very favorite! __________________ Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find it out.

02-02-2007, 09:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
Jenbar Banned Join Date: Feb 01st, 2007 Location: Here Posts: 595	Re: Best Tex-Mex and Barbeque I don't think you would ever get one clear answer on "the best BBQ in Texas". This seems to be a constant debate among Texans - also, there are so many hole in the wall places, that I think it would be really hard to try them all. Rudy's is like a chain, but none the less - very good. I didn't even know I liked BBQ until I ate at Rudy's. It's definitely a safe bet. MY personal favorite for Tex Mex is a place in Hutto called Rio Grande Cafe - but my experience is limited.

02-02-2007, 12:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jenbar Banned Join Date: Feb 01st, 2007 Location: Here Posts: 595	Re: Best Tex-Mex and Barbeque Oh, I agree! TexMex is my favorite style of food - and the texmex choices in WA were PATHETIC!!

02-02-2007, 12:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
scirocco22 Questionable Member Join Date: Jan 22nd, 2007 Location: Somewhere Else Posts: 441	Re: Best Tex-Mex and Barbeque I don't wanna sound too pitiful here but never having set foot in Texas (one of the states that I've never been to and practically a lifetime Washingtonian) and not being a huge fan of Mexican food (I'll enjoy it occasionally), can somebody please tell me what kinds of dishes would be included in TexMex? TIA --'rocco

02-02-2007, 02:02 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jenbar Banned Join Date: Feb 01st, 2007 Location: Here Posts: 595	Re: Best Tex-Mex and Barbeque I have been to a couple authentic Mexican places - and they are not good, in my opinion. The meat lacks any seasoning, and often it's stewed or something. With mexican food, it's like meat, corn tortilla, lime, cilantro. My husband loves that. I like all the extras on my tacos and what not. Taco Bell is NOT Tex Mex - lol. That's like saying french fries are French cuisine.

02-02-2007, 02:03 PM	#11 (permalink)
Jenbar Banned Join Date: Feb 01st, 2007 Location: Here Posts: 595	Re: Best Tex-Mex and Barbeque Fajitas are a good example of Tex Mex.

02-02-2007, 02:23 PM	#13 (permalink)
scirocco22 Questionable Member Join Date: Jan 22nd, 2007 Location: Somewhere Else Posts: 441	Re: Best Tex-Mex and Barbeque Okay, so I'm still not clear. TexMex is Americanized Mexican food as opposed to authentic Mexican food? So if I see a Mexican restaurant, say, in Seattle, how do I know if it's TexMex or authentic Mexican? (oh man, I feel like such an idiot asking such questions) --'rocco edit: oh wait, I skipped over the doctor's first answer ...barbeque plus Mexican is TexMex. So barbequed fajitas is TexMex but normal fajitas is authentic Mexican? What other dishes would be considered TexMex?

02-02-2007, 02:28 PM	#14 (permalink)
Jenbar Banned Join Date: Feb 01st, 2007 Location: Here Posts: 595	Re: Best Tex-Mex and Barbeque Oh, I freakin' HATE cilantro! 'rocco - have you seen those "burrito carts" in WA? The bus, van type things parked on the side of the road, converted into a kitchen and they serve mexican food? THAT is authentic mexican. They serve junk like "Langua" - ick. Azteca is not authentic mexican. That's Americanized Mexican. Chili's is similar to Tex Mex, just to give you a frame of reference... BUT, and this is a big but, I wouldn't say it's "Authentic" Tex Mex, as it's a mass produced chain.

02-02-2007, 02:48 PM	#15 (permalink)
scirocco22 Questionable Member Join Date: Jan 22nd, 2007 Location: Somewhere Else Posts: 441	Re: Best Tex-Mex and Barbeque ah, ok, thanks, Jen! So kinda like a Chili's only less mass-produced? Right, right, those carts I realize are authentic Mexican. Some of the stuff is pretty good although I hate buying at those carts because there's so much that I have no idea what it is. I asked a Mexican guy standing in line what some of it was and he looked at me funny. I think he didn't know how to describe the items in English so he just gave me this irritated look that seem to express "jeez, if you don't know what to order, then go to Taco Time!" Ah! Okay, Azteca isn't really authentic Mexican. That makes sense now that I think about what they serve. Well, it's all kind of coming together for me. Jeez, I'm gettin' kinda hungry now! --'rocco

02-04-2007, 05:18 AM	#18 (permalink)
kimbercuddles Cheery Chick Join Date: Jan 02nd, 2007 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 1,089	Re: Best Tex-Mex and Barbeque I think one either LOVES cilantro or obviously, one HATES it!! I happen to ADORE the taste of cilantro! Nothing compares to it's slight twang to a salsa or pico de gallo! There are so many authentic restaurants (hole in the wall) that are absolutely to DIE for! There's even one by Boerne (north of San Antonio) called "Nacho Mama's". I dated a Hispanic for a few years and even learned how to make homemade tortillas...nothing compares! __________________ Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find it out.