It’s crazy to think of how popular Mercado’s restaurant in Tyler really is.
Often times, when I’m out of town and people here I’m from Tyler, one thing people have told me is they enjoy going to Mercado’s in Tyler. This happened to me when I lived in Houston and it happened just the other day, about an hour half away from Tyler. Anytime somebody comes from out of town, it’s common for the hosts to take their guests to Mercado’s.
People from Tyler and outside of Tyler have raved about it on Google’s reviews.
One customer says, “Just ate at Mercados, and it was amazing. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The food was fantastic. The menu is not a bad price. Compared to all of the other Mexican places in Tyler this is the best one. I will never eat at another Mexican place.” Another one says, “The food is really good, the best I’ve tasted around Tyler Area. The chips and tortillas are the best and it’s always clean when I go in and that 1 to 2 times a week. Great Service also.” Finally, one other review says its “amazing.” I have been here numerous times, and can say this is one of the best Mexican restaurants ever. The fajitas are truly amazing, as well as the enchiladas. Great tortillas, and sopaphilas!”
If you’re a big fan of Mexican food and live in Tyler, you’re obviously familiar with Mercado’s to one extent or another. If you’re from out of town and you’re looking for a good Tex-Mex restaurant, why not consider Mercado’s amongst the many other Tex-Mex places in Tyler?
I visit Salsarita’s about every few weeks as one of the mexican restaurants I really enjoy going to. You could most easily compare this restaurant to Chipotle but there are some noticeable differences.
Salsarita’s offers a little more variety when it comes to make your own burritos and taco dinners. The signature chips with queso is one stand out difference.
One could argue that with such a large burrito as what you get at Salsarita’s you may never order the chips and queso because it would be too much food. To that argument I say fooee, we live in the obese country of the USA, people will not only eat a large burrito, queso and chips, but will go get a milk shake for dessert at Smashburger when they are finished.
I have no objection to the soft tacos or burritos at Salsarita’s. Both of these choices are fantastic and the ingredient choices are numerous. Chipotle is their closest competitor and from what I can tell Chipotle has a more quality choice of lettuce, guacamole, and beef that is to my liking.
I still can’t decide for sure if I like Chipotle or Salsarita’s more but one thing is distinct in that Chipotle has very rare bloody steak meat so if that is not too your taste head on over to Salsarita’s.
Tyler is over populated with Mexican “whole in the wall” restaurants and fancy high dinning Mexican restaurants, and all the restaurants in between. Tyler has two Don Juan restaurants, both brings the spicy tastes of Mexico to Tyler. Don Juan welcomes you into the neon colors of the Mexican culture.
Don Juan’s restaurant not only introduces Tyler to the Hispanic culture through neon colors and greasy food, but also through their odd decorative taste. Maybe it is just me, but I can not enjoy my food and company while hanging on the wall next to me is a large picture of a woman with facial hair and a uni-brow.
The uncomfortable chairs may make the restaurant look more colorful, but after a few minutes of sitting there my back begins to give out and I can not sit comfortably.
Although the art is ugly, the chairs are uncomfortable, and the neon colors begin to blind you as you walk through the door, the food is great! Don Juan’s is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Tyler. Although when you pick up your food you do have to be careful of the dripping grease. And if you have a sensitive stomach you better know where the bathroom is before you sit down to eat.
The thing I like about Mexican restaurants is the chips and salsa. The thing I hate is that they wait to bring out your food just long enough for you to get full off the chips.
There are not many more refreshing drinks than the cantaloupe juice at Don Juan’s. The fresh drinks remind me of the days that I have traveled down to Mexico. So if you really want the Hispanic experience, I think Don Juan’s restaurant is the best in town.
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.
