The Best Tex-Mex in Raleigh

Mezcalito - Durham

★★★★☆ 4.2 (315) • $$

"I had been following Mezcalito on social media for a while and drooling over their gorgeous and elaborate cocktails, namely margaritas - my favorite! When a friend recommended it, I decided to go for dinner before a show at DPAC.I was a little worried about getting a table due to it being Friday night and its close proximity to the Durham Preforming Arts Center. This place is HUGE! We didn't have any wait for a table around 5:45. We were seated outside in the covered/heated patio. There is a bar out there, so I wouldn't say it's a true patio, but it fits the patio vibes. I really liked this area, but my only complaint was it was SO loud, like hard to hear the server and people at your table over the music. Speaking of server, ours was Pablo and he was GREAT! I know sometimes it can be hard to be extremely present on a patio, as the servers have to run to the bar, kitchen, and back to the patio, but Pablo did an awesome job. He was very personable and he went over the specials with us. He sold me on their Margarita flight which they had a new featured Margarita they called the Barbie. First of all, I love a flight of everything! It's so fun to sample, and the presentation on these drinks was completely Instagrammable. The fruit that was used to garnish was neatly cut and placed, and it was very fresh. They were fairly sweet, but they still packed a punch! They have so many fun flavors and options. I really enjoyed this, I can't wait to go back and try more!We ordered the chicken rolls as an appetizer and I really enjoyed these! 6 sizable rolls, this dish is perfect for sharing. The chicken was flavorful, the tortillas were perfectly crispy and the sauce was delightful! Chips and salsa were really fresh as well.I got the Tiras de carne as my entree. It was listed on the menu as Tiras de pollo, but they happily subbed the chicken for steak. This was DECADENT! The steak was nicely charred and paired with a chipotle sauce sent straight from sauce heaven. This came with rice and beans and tortillas - they have flour and corn, I chose corn! All food and drinks came out in a very timely manner with excellent presentation and temperature appropriate. Everything so so efficient and smooth, especially for such a huge place with a lot of moving parts. Portions were sizable and the drinks are so fun and delicious. .6 miles from DPAC!"

Cantina 18

★★★★☆ 3.6 (316)

"We stopped in for dinner with friends and had a fun time. I started off with a beer followed by the top shelf margarita. Our table started off with a few small orders of guacamole, we tried the goat cheese, pineapple-habanero and cantina 18. The pineapple-habanero was my favorite. For our meals it was the veggie burrito with black beans for my husband and the she crab soup and a spicy braised short rib taco with black beans for me. The soup is on a special limited menu that features a few of the favorite dishes that were served at 18 Seaboard. We both enjoyed our food and drinks. This is a good dining option in The Village District."

Mezcalito Goldsboro

★★★★☆ 4.2 (141) • $$

"What an amazing spot! If you're ever in Goldsboro NC and have no plans Come watch the bartenders make the most Badass drinks ever ! This is coming from someone who has been to bars around the world ! Do you know it's going to be a good drink When they use a measuring cup and not a shot glass to measure the liquorDecor inside is great ! Little I collect it but awesomeAs far as the food goes just looking at the menu will make you more hungry when the food is presented to you it looks just like the pictures on the menu I ordered the Al Pastor quesadilla I could only eat one quarter of it there was so much.Everybody in the group was amazed by the quality of the food. when you have a group of more than six people and nobody complains about anything that speaks volumes."

Cosmic Cantina

★★★★☆ 3.8 (170) • $

"I've heard good things about this place and was excited to try it. I got the chicken burrito which was a good size and also had some chips and salsa on the side which was nice. The burrito was a normal version (there was a larger burrito with extra toppings) but was flavorful and tasty. The chips were crisp and the salsa was fresh. The service took a bit but they were really busy so it made sense. I would go back if in the area again!"

Mezcalito

★★★★☆ 3.8 (168)

"Went with a group of 12 so that usually means slower service but not here. The service was excellent as was the presentation but the food was just ok. I got the steak fajitas and I didn't enjoy the flavor of the steak or the refried beans BUT I tasted my sister's octopus dish and it was cooked to perfection. We also had appetizers and they were quite good. I guess try things til you find one you like. I would recommend you try for yourself"

Armadillo Grill

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (153) • $

"A great place for a casual, quick lunch. Nachos are great and plenty for two or even three. I had a bowl of chili as well which is packed with meat. Not your typically chili. There almost so much meat in this chili you need a knife to cut it. It wasn't to spicy but had alot of flavor and was well seasoned. Definitely a hefty meal.The downside was the size of the salsa they sold. They offer a $.35 option which is about 2 ounces of sals or a larger service for ~$3.50 but it about a pint of salsa. Nothing in between. I started with the small and then after two chips worth of salsa went for the larger option. The salsa was very good and not spicy at all."

San Jose Mexican Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.5 (123) • $$

"We were seated immediately on a Saturday night in a cozy booth. Chips and salsa were brought quickly. Fresh, tomatoey salsa. We both ordered the Enchiladas Nortenas: Three corn tortillas, one filled with chicken topped with spinach sauce, one filled with shredded pork topped with chipotle sauce and one filled with potato and home made chorizo topped with cheese sauce, served with a side of rice and beans. The enchiladas were absolutely delicious. We did notice they mixed up the sauces that went on each enchilada but we didn't care -- it all goes in the same place. Overall a delicious meal with great service."

Meat & Bite

★★★★★ 4.7 (68)

""Tasty sandwiches and wraps right off NCSU's campus"Right on Hillsborough Road right across from campus is this hole-in-the-wall option. We came here on a Thursday evening around 6pm... a good number of people were there. I ordered the Chicken Tawouk wrap (combo option, so with fries and bottle drink), and the rest of my party had sandwiches or chicken strips. You order at the counter and they bring the food to you. There are a few outdoor tables as well, and we grabbed one of those.The food came out in about 10 minutes or so. My wrap was DELICIOUS-- I loved the combination of flavors. Really tasty, though a bit messy to eat since it dripped a lot. The fries were fine -- nothing to write home about. The rest of my party loved their food too.The service was EXCELLENT. Very friendly. Even though we sat outside, they checked on us multiple times, and even brought us some complementary bits (including extra water bottles since it was hot outside).The price is not unreasonable-- not a cheap place but fine for being right by campus on a busy street and fair for the quality we got.Overall, I'd come back. Good food at decent price."

Benji's Rincón Jarocho

★★★★☆ 4.1 (63) • $$

"food was so good and the service was so great. our waiter was so kind and we enjoyed talking to him throughout the night. this was our first time here and we will definitely be back !"

City Bus

★★★★☆ 4.1 (32)

"Y'all ain't even know how much money I've spent on the #5 breakfast burrito at City Bus (currently known as Taco King USA , until he gets his other bus fixed up). The location is in the parking lot right in front of Carolina Detail place. Mac or Emilio, the owner of the bus handles the monetary transactions while his wife does the cooking. He sells a variety of tacos, burritos, tortas, drinks, etc.I cannot talk enough about the #5 breakfast burrito which contains chorizo (Mexican sausage), bacon, eggs , rice , and beans. Get that green sauce too. Ughh. PS. He is consistently closed on Mondays, but is typically there everyday from 8PM-2AM (even though his hours state otherwise). He is sometimes closed on certain days when he has catering events, although there is no social media coverage when he's not gonna be there . I'm still addicted to his food though. Gah these burritos smack."