Mexican restaurants in Tyler are a lot like Churches in Tyler. Some prefer the mega churches, just like some choose the impersonal larger favs like Mercados or Jalapeño Tree. Well I no more prefer being one of a billion served than a billion saved. When it comes to Mexican or “Tex-Mex” food, why trust to a corporation what has been done better by grandmothers for centuries. Ok so that’s a bit nostalgic I admit, but Texas is blessed with some of the best cultural foods of any place in the world. This is why I visit restaurants like Don Juan’s. When I eat Mexican food in Tyler I want it taste like authentic Mexican / Texan food.
Don Juan’s is a local Tyler business with two locations; that serves the authentic food I expect to have in Texas. Their quesadillas and enchiladas are absolutely out of his world and their Chimichanga has to be the best in town. But everyone has their favorite menu item. And with an atmosphere as authentic as the food, it’s a great place to take out of town guests for a bit of local color.
Great cantaloupe juice!
So next time you’re tempted to follow the crowd to one of the mega Tex-Mex establishments, try something a bit more personal. Try Don Juan’s located at 1313 E. Erwin, or on the Square at 113 E Erwin, in Tyler.You’ll be glad you did.For a menu see their website at www.donjuantyler.com.
With Tyler being overrun with restaurants and a large number of them being mexican restaurants, it is real easy to overlook a restaurant like the Cancun Cafe. If you are in the mood for mexican food and are bored with the multiple Lugars, it might be time to try something with a little kick. Cancun Cafe is located off of the loop in Tyler across from the Green Acres Bowling Alley. Without the bright lights of Mercados it can be easy to overlook but this is one dining spot in Tyler you don’t want to miss.
Cancun Cafe has quality mexican food and surprisingly enough I’ve found that they also have a large quantity of delicious seafood dishes, and no this isn’t fish tacos or a trout with a jalepeno stuffed down its throat, this is quality seafood dishes with a kick, coupled with great mexican food. The signature dish that I have to suggest that everyone try at least once is their fajitas and snowcrab. I found as odd as this sounds it is one of the tastiest combos I’ve ever tried.
The service is decent although many people have had problems with food arriving late. Since this is not one of the more popular mexican restaurants like On the Border or Mercados, you will not find the crowds you will find packed out the doors as is frequently the case at those places, allowing you to be seated almost immediately. The atmosphere is like that of most of the mexican restaurants in Tyler and is roomy enough to cater to nearly all of your party needs. This is a restaurant that hosts events like karaoke night so if you don’t mind the howling that comes with these events it can be a good night out on the town.
Prices are pretty good, with several dishes under $10, and quantities especially in the fajitas and snowcrab are very generous. When ordering a dish like that you might consider taking a bag to go because I’ve found they often serve more than one can eat. So next time you are eating out, try something new like the Cancun Cafe, as long as you don’t mind the occasional wait for your meal it’ll definately be worth your while.
When we pulled into the parking lot of Jalpita Mexican restaurant I thought to myself, “No way.” My dad had suggested eating at Jalpita, but this was not what I had in mind. The building was rather rundown and it was not located in the best part of town. I was reluctant to venture in, but dad assured me that he had eaten there several times, and the food was great. So reluctantly I put my trust in him and went inside. At the counter I noticed that the food on the menu was very inexpensive; everything was around three dollars. This turned me off even more with the saying in mind, “You will get what you pay for.” At my father’s suggestion, I ordered a “Super Quesadilla.” From the first bite, I was very surprised and pleased; the food was delicious! Here was some of the best Mexican food I had ever eaten and there was a lot of it for only $3.50.
I eat at Jalpita often now, and I am always surprised at the variety of people who patronize the restaurant. In the parking lot one can see anything from a beat up pickup truck, to a shiny new BMW. Jalpita is located on Lindsey Lane, which is off of Vine Avenue, and there is now a branch on the N, NE Loop 323. Despite its looks, Jalpita offers great food for low prices. It is now my number one choice for Tyler TX Mexican food.
If you haven’t had the chance to try out either Mercado’s or Posada’sMexican Restaurants in Tyler, TX, you should. With good prices, excellent food and menu choices either of these restaurants is an excellent choice for lunch or dinner, weekend or weekday. Although the restaurants are considered Mexican, the menu consists of more of a “Tex-Mex” flavor rather than authentic Mexican. Complimentary tortilla chips and salsa available along w/fresh flour or corn tortillas as long as each diner orders another menu item as a meal, even if it‘s an appetizer. These mexican restaurants also serve barbeque quail and have been for years. Good stuff! On very rare occasions, “fresh” tortillas are questionable but I’ve very rarely experienced this. Because of the popularity of the Tyler restaurants, long waits may be expected at typical dining hours, especially on weekends. Most wait staff is attentive to customers and food delivery is considered average as compared to most dine-in restaurants. On a couple of occasions, waiter/waitress has been some-what neglecting to our needs. But overall, any opportunity to dine at Mercado’s or Posada’s is well worth it.
I have lived in Tyler off and on for a lot of years. I’ve been eating at Taqueria El Lugar for much of that time. The original Gentry location was the only store when I first tasted the super quesadillas but they taste the same today as they did back then. I have always been amazed at the incredibly diverse group of people I find there. Tylerites of absolutely all strips can be found in this local landmark which goes to prove the point that quality knows no favoritism.
El Lugar is a classic East Texas success story. All the locations are family owned and operated. After spending years in the same location the business has exploded into five, (yes count ‘em five), different stores around the Tyler area. And their fame has spread far beyond even our great State. I know, because on numerous occasions I have taken out of state guests for an authentic Mexican food experience. I recall once while living in St Paul Minnesota, I returned home for a teacher’s conference. While in Tyler I introduced my administrator to the favorite restaurant of my youth. We returned to El Lugar the following day, even going so far as to postpone our return trip to the mid west in order to have one last number seven.
Since I’ve moved home the restaurant has expanded again and again. The prices are slightly higher than they were when I moved away, but at three eighty nine a piece, the quesadillas are still so worth it! While the atmosphere is admittedly nothing to write home about, the quality of the food more than makes up for it. There is also the take out option, however if you exercise it I suggest calling ahead. So even though I realize I give the following advice a lot, I’ll say it again. The next time you have guests don’t take them to the local chain. Let them experience genuine East Texas food at its best. Neither you nor your guests will regret it. Try any of the five El Lugar locations in Tyler.
