So I've been in Colorado all summer and realized that I've taken Texas Mexican food for granted. Don't get me wrong, it's possible to find a good Mexican place up here....But I've also gone into 2 or 3 that now rank as the 2 or 3 worst Mexican places I've ever eaten at in my life. In Texas, I can't really think of many...if any places that were just flat out terrible. Usually the worst you get is "ok". I guess it got me thinking...Is that just normal in every state thats not Texas or another boarder state? How is it for those of you in other states over all? I think we can all agree that Texas is hands down #1 when it comes to Mexican food, but who is next?

[This message has been edited by TexasAggie008 (edited 7/20/2008 12:49p).]

I don't know who #2 is, but I can tell you as an guy who grew up eating Mom's Mexican food five days a week that it's definitely NOT the following:

Virginia
Maryland
D.C.

The best Mexican food I've had in the US, outside of Texas, was in Kentucky of all places. There was a little family run restaurant that did things right.

The best Mexican food I've ever had anywhere outside Texas was at a restaurant called The Texas Embassy in central London.

The best Mexican food ever is at my grandmother's house in McAllen, TX.

Agreed though, whichever state is #2 is a long way from Texas quality.

/OK, now I'm hungry
//And I need a margarita

I'd guess that it would be New Mexico or Arizona by default...Ive been to some pretty good places in both states. The style is different though.

008,

Have you had the Arrachera at Tamayo? I think it's only served at lunch, but I highly recommend it.

What are your thoughts on Denver? Ready to be back in Texas, or are you thinking of returning to CO after your internship? I hope you are taking advantage of all the fun to be had in and around Denver.

No I haven't but I'll have to check that out. The best 2 places I've been to are Rio Grande and Hacienda Colorado. Rio has outstanding margaritas and queso, and the fajitas are above average. Hacienda was a little over priced, it's similar to On the Boarder quality I'd say.

I like Denver a lot though. If offered I'd seriously consider coming up here for at least a few years after I graduate in December. I like Texas and all, but this is one of the few states I've always said I'd live in. There is a lot to do and the weather is awesome in the summer. I know winters are cold but I think it would be cool to experience living somewhere that has real winter and snow.

We've done a lot up here though. I've done rafting down at Royal Gorge, we've done a lot of hiking/outdoors stuff. Been to downtown a few times too, pretty good scene. I'll miss it once im back in Texas I'm sure but for all I know I could be back here in January.

It is absolutely terrible in Louisville, KY and only somewhat tolerable in Raleigh, NC. We got into Indian food for this exact reason.

008,

I heard good things about Benny's, but I have never been. I absolutely love Denver, and I think there's a good chance I will live there some day. My wife and I almost moved there a few months back, but we decided to stay in Texas for a while. I really like downtown, and the 16th Street Mall area is great around Christmas. Their winters aren't too bad from what I've seen and heard. It does not feel nearly as cold as the temp indicates.

I've heard the same thing about the winters....My cousin had to do a lot of traveling to Salt Lake City with his previous job, some in the winter...We were all in Houston a few Christmases ago when it snowed and he said that it felt colder then than he ever felt in Utah. I guess humidity works both ways, making it feel way hotter as well as way colder.

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The best Mexican food I've ever had anywhere outside Texas was at a restaurant called The Texas Embassy in central London.

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Seriously? I love the Texas Embassy, but not because the food is great. Hell, I've had better burritos at taco bell.

Attn DC residents; Tortilla coast is not that great. When I was in DC last summer this is where everyone always wanted to eat. It may of had something to do with drink specials and being near the capitol though I guess.
Never try mexcian food in Alabama. Out here in california everyone uses corn tortillas & shreded beef. I still can't find a decent enchillada though

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We got into Indian food for this exact reason.

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dot or feather?

MFDP

[This message has been edited by Jock 07 (edited 7/21/2008 12:00a).]

Horrible in the following places:

Raton, New Mexico & Clovis
Shreveport, Louisiana
Durango, Colorado
Washington, D.C.
Rochester, NY

Dot, not feather. While it is very different in taste, there are some similar features, including spicy sauces, flavored rice, flat breads, etc.

Indian food is more than just curry.

to the OP:

Try Santiago's. It's the best (or closest to Tex-Mex) that I've found so far. There's a location fairly close to me and I tried it out Saturday and was pretty pleased...got the barbacoa plate and it was great.

Haven't been to Rio and I think Hacienda Colorado (people RAVE about it here, ugh) reminds me of Casa Ole. Yee-haw.

Anyway, so far I like Santiago's the best.

http://www.eatatsantiagos.com

I think that's their website.

Thanks Super,theres one not too far from here that I'll have to try...If you go to Rio, the fajitas are probably the safest thing to get if you want something thats pretty good. They are a little overpriced for the quantity though. Margaritas are as strong/stronger than those at Ninfas, and they have the same 3 limit. 3 is enough though

Hey Corndog,

I seem to recall liking the food a lot, but then I did have a lot to drink that night...

It could also be that I was comparing it to Mexican food from elsewhere in Europe, which is amazingly horrific.

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It could also be that I was comparing it to Mexican food from elsewhere in Europe, which is amazingly horrific.

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Very true.

I'll have to try it again if I ever get back to London. It might have just been what I chose to eat.

I DID enjoy the Mexican beers there.

I too really miss TexMex. There are some great authentic Mexican places here and the Latin Quarter has some outstanding Cuban and Colombian food.

I lived in Columbia, SC for 2 years during high school and I can tell you that there is no good tex mex over there. My mom asked the realtor in Columbia before we left San Antonio if they had mexican food and she said, "yea, we have taco bell". I knew it was going to be a long 2 years. Every christmas and thanksgiving breaks we would come back home and have breakfast tacos almost every morning and eat at our favorite tex mex places.

[This message has been edited by civil08 (edited 8/1/2008 10:04a).]

So glad to be out of Texas and living in San Diego where I can get real Mexican food instead of the TexMex garbage in Texas.

ORAggiefan- The discussion is about TexMex and not Mexican food.

I think everyone that has posted on this thread will admit there is a difference. It is just that those of us raised on TexMex miss it when we no longer live in Texas. I have found pretty good food at the Mexican joints where I now live, but it isn't TexMex.

That is the point being made. People that have never eaten TexMex,( be it SA TexMex or WT TexMex or even Houston TexMex) think what they get in TN or CO or CA or [/fill in the state of choice] that is called Mexican is the same thing.

It isn't. Period. And those of us that have good taste, do like our TexMex.

Wrong fourm

[This message has been edited by Jock 07 (edited 8/1/2008 6:11p).]

Gabriel's in Santa Fe, New Mexico

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My mom asked the realtor in Columbia before we left San Antonio if they had mexican food and she said, "yea, we have taco bell". I knew it was going to be a long 2 years.

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you laugh, but she was serious with her taco bell answer. we found 1 place over there but it was no good, so we settled for making our own breakfast tacos.

Howdy all! Up here in MO, the salsa is like chunky ketchup! YUCK!

I am in SC and it is funny what they call good mexican food.

foxes is wrong



FANTASTIC Mexican food can be found at Superior Bar & Grill in Shreveport, LA

BEST Mexican food I've ever had, including Texas...is at Tlaquepaque in San Jose CA.

I'm going to be in San Jose next month! I will check it out for sure! Thanks!

I'm fixin to be headed through San Jose on my way to winnemuca NV next week. Might have to stop by

We have absolutely no good Tex-Mex in E. Tenn. Their idea of salsa is mashing up tomatoes and putting it in a bowl.

If you want some absolute money tacos...

Tacos el Chorizo at Colfax and Belaire (I think) There isn't an english speaking soul in the place.

Proud...Benny's is ok but its rep comes from Colorodans not experienced Mexican connoisseurs.

To the OP, if Texas is #1, Southern California is #1a.