15 Mexican restaurants in San Antonio, Tx that should be on your list!

One of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, San Antonio welcomes over 39 million visitors. San Antonio is also the seventh-largest city in the country and has the largest concentration of Spanish colonial architecture in North America. Home to the iconic 15-mile River Walk, San Antonio is rich in art, music, culture, and cuisines.

San Antonio is known as the birthplace of Tex-Mex, unique American cuisine inspired by Mexico’s flavors. Tex-Mex cuisine relies heavily on beans, meat, peppers, shredded cheese, and different styles of tortillas.

If you are a fan of Mexican cuisine, some of the best Mexican restaurants in San Antonio are guaranteed to satisfy all your cravings. Let’s get started!

1. Pollos Asados Los Nortenos

4642 Rigsby Ave, San Antonio, TX 78222

Price range – $$

Cuisine – Mexican, Spanish, Latin American

Must try – Pollo asado, beef fajitas

Loved by locals and visitors alike, Pollos Asados Los Nortenos is hands down one of the most popular Mexican restaurants in San Antonio. From starting as a fundraiser for a church in Mexico to setting up a food truck to running two successful restaurants in San Antonio, the family-owned business has come a long way. The no-frills restaurant has a relaxed, laid-back vibe and is most known for its delicious salsa.

2. Paloma Blanca Mexican Cuisine

5800 Broadway St, Ste 300, San Antonio, TX 78209

Price range – $$

Cuisine – Mexican, breakfast and brunch

Must try – Enchiladas verdes, queso, chicken fajita tacos

Located in the heart of San Antonio, Paloma Blanca offers a diverse menu that goes beyond the traditional Tex-Mex cuisine. From pozole and hand-made flautas to tacos al pastor, one visit might not be enough to try all the bestsellers this famous Mexican restaurant in San Antonio has in store for you.

3. Taquitos West Ave

2818 West Ave, San Antonio, TX 78201

Price range – $

Cuisine – Mexican, Spanish, Latin American

Must try – Al pastor tacos, street tacos

Craving some flavorful tacos and don’t know where to go? Look no further! Taquitos West Ave is known for its lip-smacking tacos that you cannot go wrong with. One of the most famous Mexican restaurants in San Antonio, Taquitos, often has queues at the entrance, but their tacos will make up for the wait time. 

4. La Fonda on Main

2415 N Main Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212

Price range – $$

Cuisine – Mexican, Tex-Mex

Must try – La Fonda special, churros, verdes

Whether you are hosting a business luncheon for a few colleagues or planning a Sunday brunch with your girls, the lively atmosphere and friendly staff at La Fonda on Main will hit all the right spots. When the weather is pleasant outside, reserve a seat at this establishment’s outdoor seating to soak in the views! Unfortunately, this popular Mexican restaurant in San Antonio is shut down on Mondays, so plan your trip accordingly. 

5. La Margarita Restaurant & Oyster Bar

120 Produce Row, San Antonio, TX 78207

Price range – $$

Cuisine – Mexican, Tex-Mex, Seafood

Must try – Beef fajitas, ceviche, quesadillas

Loved for its friendly and casual vibe, excellent service, patio seating, and magnificent margaritas, La Margarita Restaurant & Oyster Bar should be on your list if you want to grab a quick bite when in the city. However, the restaurant often has long wait times, especially over the weekend, so it is advised to make a reservation before going to La Margarita.

6. Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia

218 Produce Row, San Antonio, TX 78207

Price range – $$

Cuisine – Mexican, bakery

Must try – Menudo, cheese enchiladas, tres leches

Established back in 1941, Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia is one of the best Mexican restaurants in San Antonio that preserves Hispanic culture and brings authentic Mexican food to the table. Paired with a warm Texas welcome, Mi Tierra’s colorful interiors, friendly hospitality, and delicious food will leave you wanting more.

7. Rosario’s Mexican Cafe Y Cantina

910 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Price range – $$

Cuisine – Mexican, Tex-Mex, bars

Must try – Fish tacos, chicken tortilla soup, chocolate flan

Loud, fun, and colorful – that’s how patrons describe the vibe of Rosario’s Mexican Cafe Y Cantina. Popular with locals and tourists alike, this popular Mexican restaurant in San Antonio is perfect for when you are in the mood to experience a contemporary take on the traditional and wildly popular Tex-Mex cuisine. The famous fish tacos of Rosario’s Mexican Cafe Y Cantina were featured at #2 in a Texas article titled “The 63 Tacos You Must Eat Before You Die”, so be sure to try it next time you visit San Antonio.

8. Iron Cactus Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar

200 River Walk, Ste 100, San Antonio, TX 78205

Price range – $$

Cuisine – Mexican, American, bars

Must try – Brisket enchiladas, lobster tacos, pollo relleno

Serving mouth-watering Mexican food for over 20 years, Iron Cactus Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar, draw inspiration from different Mexican areas. This Mexican restaurant in San Antonio is also crowned as one of the top 10 tequila bars in the US and has over 100 different types of tequilas on its menu.

9. La Fogata Mexican Cuisine

2427 Vance Jackson, San Antonio, TX 78213

Price range – $$

Cuisine – Mexican, seafood

Must try – Cheese enchiladas, chile relleno, tres leches cake

With over 35 years of experience in bringing the flavors of Mexico to the people of Texas, La Fogata Mexican Cuisine is hands down one of the best Mexican restaurants in San Antonio. What started as a humble taco stand in a quiet neighborhood has expanded to a successful restaurant that delivers an authentic la fogata experience to all its fans.

10. Los Barrios Mexican Restaurant

4223 Blanco Rd, San Antonio, TX 78212

Price range – $$

Cuisine – Mexican

Must try – Puffy tacos, tortilla soup

A San Antonio staple since 1979, this Mexican restaurant is known not just for its delicious Tex-Mex food but also for its warm, welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff and service. Their simple, home-style cuisine paired with live music keeps people coming back for more. Planning to stop by on a bright summer day? Grab a seat on their patio and sip on some delicious margarita!

11. Fidelos Mexican Restaurant

10929 Nacogdoches, San Antonio, TX 78217

Price range – $

Cuisine – Mexican

Must try – Menudo, carne guisada tacos, beef enchilada

A popular breakfast and lunch spot, Fidelos Mexican Restaurant has everything you need to start your day off on the right foot. Open only until 3 PM, this Mexican restaurant in San Antonio is the go-to for most locals when they want to grab a quick (yet delicious!) bite. The establishment is also known for its pleasant and friendly staff and its fresh cup of coffee. 

12. Al Carbon

547 Culebra Rd, San Antonio, TX 78201

Price range – $

Cuisine – Mexican, food truck

Must try – Beef fajitas, grilled chicken, short ribs, parrillada

Juicy, flavorful chicken. Delicious sides. Excellent service. Easy on the pocket. What more could you want! Don’t be fooled by its small size; Al Carbon is one of the most popular restaurants in San Antonio, especially if you are a fan of chicken. Finding parking in and around the restaurant is often an issue most patrons face, so take that into consideration if you plan on driving to Al Carbon.

13. Beto’s Alt-Mex

8142 Broadway St, San Antonio, TX 78209

Price range – $$

Cuisine – Mexican, Latin American, Tex-Mex

Must try – Chicken poblano empanada, chalupa cabra

If you love Tex-Mex cuisine but want to experience it bright, fun, and eclectic, you need to add Beto’s Alt-Mex to your list! This Mexican restaurant in San Antonio strikes the perfect balance between Mexican street food and an enchanting Latin soul. Beto’s Alt-Mex has been a part of the San Antonio food scene for more than 20 years, and if this hasn’t convinced you to try out this Mexican restaurant, here is a fun fact for you – the American restaurateur Guy Fieri is a fan of their Chalupa-cabra!

14. Restaurante Pico De Gallo

111 S Leona St, San Antonio, TX 78207

Price range – $$

Cuisine – Mexican, bars, breakfast and brunch

Must try – Beef fajitas, huevos rancheros

Known for its quick service, massive portion sizes, casual, laid-back atmosphere,  and delicious comfort food, Restaurante Pico De Gallo is a popular Mexican restaurant for those who appreciate a traditional approach to classic Mexican cuisine. If you are in other parts of the city but still want a taste of what Restaurante Pico De Gallo offers, be sure to check out their sister restaurants,  Mi Tierra Café in the Market Square and Mi Familia at the Rim.

15. Cascabel Mexican Patio

1000 S Saint Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Price range – $

Cuisine – Mexican

Must try – Sopes, tortas, tacos

A bright and colorful interior, a cozy patio, friendly staff, and authentic Mexican food are Cascabel Mexican Patio’s four pillars. They’re also a pet-friendly establishment,  perfect for when you want to spend a day with your four-legged BFF! However, keep in mind that Cascabel Mexican Patio does not serve alcohol. So if you are planning on grabbing a chilly drink or two with your brunch, you would want to give this place a miss.

Frequently asked questions about food and Mexican restaurants in San Antonio

• Is San Antonio a foodie city?

If you consider yourself a foodie, San Antonio is the perfect place for you. This melting pot of world cultures is famous for foods from all over the globe, especially in Mexico, Spain, Germany, and France.

1. What foods in San Antonio are renowned?
   While the list of foods you absolutely must eat in San Antonio can get pretty long, here are the top 10 dishes that need to be in your bucket list, no matter what 
   1. Puffy tacos
   2. Texas quail
   3. Chilaquiles verdes
   4. Chicken fried steak
   5. Pan dulce
   6. Pastrami short rib
   7. New Orleans BBQ shrimp
   8. Enchiladas
   9. Pan Frances
   10. Fish tacos

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