Azteca’s Margarita Bar 2207 Richmond Ave. (713) 526-1702 .

Multiple flavors of margaritas perfectly complement the fresh, authentic Mexican food here. With scrumptious steaks, homemade tortillas, vegetarian options and mouth-watering tres leches, this is a great stop for a quick bite or a long evening.
L, D, Bar, $$,
www.aztecasbarandgrill.com

Bocados 1312 West Alabama (713) 523-5230.
Cozy up to this Mexican hot spot that serves authentic south-of-the-border fare. Don’t miss the spinach and seafood enchiladas and the wide range of Chilean wines.
L, D, Bar, R, $-$$,

Cabo Mix Mex 419 Travis (713) 225-2060. Downtown’s Cabo is still going strong, dishing up some outstanding tacos and serving up a really strong margarita. The perfect place for a bite and some fabulous people watching, the balcony gives a glance at all the going on of a downtown evening. Stay late and shake your money maker upstairs.
L, D, Bar, $-$$,
www.cabomixmex.com

Cadillac Bar & Grill 1802 Shepherd (713) 862-2020.

It’s been 30 years of hot sauce and nachos for Cadillac Bar & Grill lovers. The Sunday brunch has expanded to include many new options. Most Houstonians have been to a party in one of their famous back rooms. John Tavolta and George Bush have signed the wall here.
$-$$,

Cafe Adobe 2111 Westheimer (713) 528.1468.

The patio is always rocking at Cafe Adobe. This is Tex-Mex at its finest. The enchiladas, tacos, fajitas, and nachos all go down easier with a margarita.
$-$$,

Chapultepec 813 Richmond Avenue (713) 522-2365 .

Open for late night treats. Weekends serve up large platters of fresh fruit. Try their omlettes made with fresh veggies or their special which includes a tace, enchilada, queso and even a bowl of soup. Save room for their sopapillas or tres leches.
$,

Chuy’s 2706 Westheimer (713) 524-1700. Fresh food, ice-cold margaritas and friendly service combine in a super-cool atmosphere at Chuy’s. (Hubcaps, Chihuahuas and Elvis adorn this hot spot). Grab a table outside, and don’t forget to ask for a bowl of creamy jalepeno sauce to dip your chips in. You’ll find yourself craving it before long.
L, D, Bar, $-$$,

Cova Hand-Selected Wines 5600 Kirby; 5555 Washington (713) 838-0700. An airy new entrant to the popular wine bar set, Cova has an expanded menu to tapas, ranging from foie gras to braised oxtails. The wine selections change weekly and include flights and cheese selections.
D, $$,

El Tiempo Cantina 3130 Richmond, 5602 Washington (713) 807-1600.

The tradition that started three generations ago with Ninfa Lorenzo continues today with her decendents. Popular for 20- and 30-somethings (especially the bar), this neighborhood spot serves up great mesquite-sizzling fajitas and ice-cold margaritas. They’ve even got peanut butter and jelly burritos fo the kiddos.
L, D, Bar, $-$$,
www.eltiempocantina.com

Elvia’s Mexican Pub 2727 Fondren (713) 266-9631. A top Houston Latin music club with authentic interior and Mexican food. Latin bands, free salsa lessons and Flamenco shows!
L, D, Bar, $$-$$$,

Escalante’s Mexican Grille 590 Meyerland Plaza; 6582 Woodway (713) 663-7080; (713) 461-5400. A casual spot for fresh Mexican food, Escalante’s offers all your old favorites and low-fat options such as mushroom fajitas, vegetable burritos and spinach enchiladas.
L, D, Bar, $-$$,

Fiesta en Guadalajara 3522 Irvington (713) 227-1800.

Who doesn’t love authentic Mexican dishes served up in a family-friendly atmosphere? This locally-owned and operated restaurant has been cooking up tortillas as you order them for 15 years. With mouth-watering fajitas, savory shrimp, delectable quail and mariachis every weekend, Fiesta en Guadalajara is the perfect place for a bit of Old Mexico.
L, D, Bar, $$,

Freebird’s 3745 Greenbriar, (713) 807-1600 528 Bay Area Blvd., (281) 557-2300. Aggies love this place. A College Station chain, Freebird’s serves up some scarily scrumptious monster burritos. In an artsy atmosphere, Freebird’s offers more fixin’s than you can imagine.
L, D, $,

Goode Co. Taqueria 4902 Kirby (713) 520-9153. There’s no better way to beat the heat than with a refreshing “agua fresca,” which means “fresh water.” This beverage of Mexican origin consists of the juice of various fruits, like oranges, lemons or grapefruit. Without question, watermelon agua fresca, served at Goode Co. Taqueria, is the best choice on a hot Houston day.

Gorditas 3810 Irvington (713) 697-7888.

watch the video

Downtowners, look no further for a casual, affordable Mexican meal. Gorditas offers authenic Mexican fare in the middle of downtown Houston. Try their gorditas, or stuffed tortillas; and don’t miss the aguas frescas.
L, D, $$,

L, D,
www.lafonda-restaurant.com

La Mexicana 1018 Fairview (713) 521-0963. Right at Montrose and Fairview, La Mexicana packs in a diverse crowd-but there is no variance on the quality of food. This Mexican Mecca is the perfect place for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The juevos a la mexicana and the fajitas win stellar points, as do the mariachis.
L, D, $,

Last Concert Cafe 1403 Nance (713) 226-8563. Texas-style Mexican food in an eclectic atmosphere. Hidden downtown in the Warehouse District for 46 years. Never had a sign; you have to knock on the door to get in.
L, D, $-$$,
www.lastconcert.com

Lupe Tortilla 2414 Southwest Freeway; 318 Stafford St (713) 522-4420;(281) 496-7580 . Serving some of the best beef fajitas in town, this Mexican restaurant draws in crowds. Children can play on the patio outside, while adutls can enjoy a margarita to pass the time. Definitely worth the wait.
$-$$,
www.lupetortillas.com

Mama Ninfa’s 2704 Navigation (713) 228-1175. Mama Ninfa’s is famous for their fajitas, but the trademark green salsa, the parilla mixta – a mixed grill offering served with all the fixings – are also popular with diners. Don’t leave without trying the fried ice cream.
L, D, Bar, $$,

Mamacita’s 515 E NASA Road 1 (281) 332-5362. Boasting a full repertoire of Tex-Mex and Mexican specialties, Mamacita’s features chimichangas, queso delmar and hand-made tortillas every day.
L, D, Bar, $-$$,

Merida 2509 Navigation (713) 227-0260. It’s been added onto over the years, but Merida – the family owned Mexican restaurant is a main stay on Navigation road. The Acosta family has been preparing delicious specialties from the Yucatan for 25 years. Breakfast is always available and a crowd pleaser is the Huevos a la Motulena – two fried eggs, cheese and peas on top of a corn tortilla. Everything here is home made.
L, D, Bar,

You build your own burrito here. Diners walk through a burrito assembly line big enough to feed an entire army choosing veggies, fish, beef, chicken, beans and sauces to add to the whole wheat, flour or corn tortillas.
L, D, $-$$,
www.missionburritos.com

Have a craving for seafood? This is the perfect spot to satisfy it. An original Mexican oyster bar (transplanted), Ostioneria may be hard to say, but it’s worth it to your stomach. Try the ceviche, or the oysters, or the red fish, or the seafood platter, or … It’s all fresh and fantastic.
L, D, $$,

Pappasito’s multiple locations, 13070 U.S. 290 (713) 462-0246. They’re all over town, but the Pappasito’s on the Northwest Freeway has a patio bar that can’t be passed up. The fresh salsa welcomes you to your table, while the tequila chicken salad is a can’t miss.
L, D, Bar, $$,

Pico’s Mex-Mex 5941 Bellaire (713) 622-8382. Pico’s is a seafood Mexican restaurantthat is known for its margaritas and has a Guiness World Record to prove it! Also located at 9401 I-10 West, (713) 461-5161.
L, D, Bar, $$,
www.picos.net

Open 24 hours (except Tuesday), this north Houston favorite boasts a casual atmosphere with traditional Mexican food, including right-off-the-grill tortillas and fresh salsa. Owner/Chef Mary Bernal created her recipes while spending the summer in Guadalajara, Mexico. The traditional Mexican menu also includes Mango pancakes, tomatillo pork ribs and margaritas.
L, D, Bar, $-$$,
www.spanish-flowers.com

Taco Milagro 2555 Kirby Drive (713) 522-1999. First thing to note when visiting Taco Milagro is the blackboard for the menu that serves up flautitas, small jack-cheese flautas served with chipotle cream, or the chile relleno a la parilla, a smoky poblano filled with Chihuahua cheese, pecans and raisins. The restaurant is the brainchild of stellar Chef Robert del Grande of Cafe Annie fame, so expect a lot of little extras to make dining a casual success.
L, D, Bar, $-$$,
www.cafe-express.com

Teala’s 3210 W. Dallas St. (713) 520-9292. Teala’s is a happening spot for an after-work meal. Sit outside and watch the night unfold! Enjoy this traditional Mexican food blended with a flair of Thai cuisine.
L, D, Bar, $$,

Teotihuacan 1511 Airline Dr (713) 426-4420. A neighborhood favorite for years, this traditional Mexican restaurant is the perfect place for a cheap and delicious breakfast. Whether you are munching on fresh salsa and chips, sipping an ice-cold cerveza or enjoying their many options of time-honored recipes, you’ll know why everyone raves about this place. Nice evenings beckon for a meal on the patio.
L, D, $,

Tila’s has one of the best patios in town. Perfect for a fresh spring day, the flavored margaritas really hit the spot. Recipes from the finest restaurants in Mexico City include salmon borracho, chile relleno and blackened Chilean sea bass with ancho cream sauce. You can even roast marshmallows on Tila’s patio.
L, D, Bar, $-$$,