Have you ever been in your kitchen, trying to decide what to make, and youâre baffled?
You open the fridge, and thereâs just a mish-mash of ingredients that on the surface, perhaps donât feel like they belong together â until you open the fridge for the fourth time and realize the contents arenât changing, so you make them work? That moment? That moment is what Tex-Mex cuisine is â but in the best way possible. Itâs a delicious mish-mash of cultural influences that came together in a melting pot of flavors that make you feel like youâre experiencing something that feels familiar but for the first time.
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Tex-Mex, as the cuisine is affectionately coined in the Southwest, is the by-product of what happened when traditional Mexican cuisine combines with things that werenât normally available in the land borders renamed Mexico; more cuts of red meat, cheeses, and far milder chiles that provide more smoke than heat. It found its way into the hearts of the Southwest, eventually spreading around the rest of America.
With that kind of reach, where do you begin when it comes to finding that perfect Tex-Mex dish to make your palate dance? Who has managed to create that just-right blend of smoky spice and cheesy goodness that youâve come to know and love of Tex-Mex food?
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Stacker did a little of the heavy lifting for you and combed through data on Yelp to put together a comprehensive list of the highest-rated Tex-Mex restaurants in Orlando. We looked at how many reviews and their average ratings to make sure your guide to Orlando cuisine is ready. Take a look to see where your new favorite restaurant will be! Note, some of these may have recently closed, so make sure to double-check.
Yelp
#7. Wall St. Cantina
- Rating: 3.0/5 (222 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Adress: 19 N Orange Ave Orlando, FL 32801
- Categories: Bars, Tex-Mex, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
Yelp
#6. Tijuana Flats
- Rating: 3.5/5 (133 reviews)
- Price: $
- Adress: 2914 E Colonial Dr Orlando, FL 32803
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
Yelp
#5. Gringos Locos
- Rating: 4.0/5 (252 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Adress: 517 E Michigan St Orlando, FL 32806
- Categories: Tacos, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
Yelp
#4. Gringos Locos - Orlando
- Rating: 4.0/5 (346 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Adress: 2406 E Robinson St Orlando, FL 32803
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
Yelp
#3. Gringos Locos - Downtown
- Rating: 4.0/5 (1020 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Adress: 20 E Washington St Orlando, FL 32801
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex
- Read more on Yelp
Yelp
#2. F&D Cantina Thorton park
- Rating: 4.0/5 (91 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Adress: 617 E Central Blvd Orlando, FL 32801
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
Yelp
#1. The Gnarly Barley
- Rating: 4.5/5 (730 reviews)
- Price: $$
- Adress: 1407 N Orange Ave Orlando, FL 32804
- Categories: Sandwiches, Tex-Mex, Gastropubs
- Read more on Yelp
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