Best upscale Mexican restaurants, preferably not Tex-Mex?

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Javier’s WAS the -go-to upscale authentic continental Mexican restaurant - in Dallas for years! Unfortunately, the quality of food along with improper (and lacking) maintenance of a very old facility has knocked this once beloved place off its pedestal.

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Accomplished-Ad-7147@reddit

Super overrated

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Opus_777@reddit

Lmao you do not go to Javier's because of the food super basic not a lot of flavor and expensive for what it is

You go there for a night out with cigars

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davis214512@reddit

Javier’s is overrated and not great. It’s like Bob’s. Fine if you’re old Dallas.

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PumpkinCarvingisFun@reddit

Completely overrated. Fun environment but shit food. Also the chairs are so uncomfortable.

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DFWTexan@reddit

Authentic and upscale, you’re only option is Don Artemio in the cultural district in Fort Worth

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crowmads@reddit

Raise the flag Panchos Mexican buffet

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thatone_JR@reddit

Sueño in Richardson, its Mex-tex. It's upscale, but if you are looking for fine dinning try The Mexican in Turtle Creek.

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OG_Ghost_TX@reddit

Mexican sugar!!!

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mylifestylepr@reddit

Hugo's Invitado in Las. Colinas, Irving TX

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swaggstarzdallas@reddit

Hugo’s invitados

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Sprout1982@reddit

El Carlos Elegahte is the one

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jjjjjjjjjdjjjjjjj@reddit

El Carlos. Javier’s is mid.

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laced1@reddit

Wherever you go better not get freaky after it's a trap

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ardigitalemail@reddit

The Mexican. Look no further. It's been #1 for 5 years straight.

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Yami_Yugi_@reddit

Taco Bell

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willlyx@reddit

Via Reál Las Colinas is really good. Not too expensive for fine dining

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PRcolor@reddit

Purepecha inside Revolver Taco! Best restaurant in DFW IMHO

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hunnyflash@reddit

We love it!

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No-Concept5192@reddit

Mi Dia

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liberal_texan@reddit

Ayahuasca Cantina. Honestly, I think it’s one of the best restaurants in DFW.

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matchstick64@reddit

This place is amazing and the staff is great.

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onlybobcatsfan@reddit

Ayahuasca is the best - love that place. A lot of the food is half off if you go for the happy hour deals I think. The tuetanos are sooo good

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PumpkinCarvingisFun@reddit

Went on Saturday, it's incredible.

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odiamemas16@reddit

Just googled it; tbh I’m shocked an upscale restaurant like that is on Jefferson, but as long as it’s authentic I’m all for it

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Separate-Ad-5707@reddit

A lot of gentrification is happening that’s why😭. It was my little secret restaurant but I’m glad it’s getting the recognition because it’s amazing. They have the cafe in front(amazing brunch omg) and speakeasy/dinner in the back.

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odiamemas16@reddit

Are you talking about Xaman Cafe? When I first saw that place open up I realized what was coming haha.

Me and my wife have been wanting to check it out, so I’m glad to hear it’s actually good!

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Separate-Ad-5707@reddit

It’s literally amazing and the service 10/10. Super authentic 🥹

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odiamemas16@reddit

Bet that, can’t wait to check it out soon 👌🏽

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ur6ci124q@reddit

That place is legit. I was there on a slow night when they first opened and their bartender was kind enough to let me try some crickets and scorpions, which he said they were only serving on the weekends.

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UpInTheAirDFW@reddit

Added to the list, photos look like the kind of vibe we'd enjoy.

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ghentwevelgem@reddit

The Mexican

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Jealous_Stress_302@reddit

Meso Maya downtown is good and nice atmosphere for a special occasion!

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hctrTX1@reddit

José on lovers!!! 4931 w.lovers lane!!

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UDMN@reddit

Boo. This place served me a black latex glove in my torta. And either way was mid at best.

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davis214512@reddit

I wouldn’t call Jose’s upscale compared to El Carlos or The Mexican.

I love Jose’s and frequent, but it is mid-tier. I’d take Muchaco’s over Jose and it was better pre-pandemic.

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New-Honey-4544@reddit

looks nice, though not sure it meets the definition of upscale

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NYerInTex@reddit

Um, exactly what would fit the definition then?

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AnnualNature4352@reddit

i mean how upscale does mexican in dallas really get?

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autistic_orca@reddit

Second this or el Carlos elegante

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2manyfelines@reddit

Mr. Mesero

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UpInTheAirDFW@reddit

El Carlos Elegante is great, but get a reservation.

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sasquatch312@reddit

Seconding this recommendation! No yellow cheese at this establishment and their food is so good.

They made it onto Dallas’s Michelin guide. https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/texas/dallas_2954570/restaurant/el-carlos-elegante

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New-Honey-4544@reddit

I'm not sure if any Mexican would consider that Mexican food though. Only saw 4 pictures in that link, but so far doesn't look Mexican.

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RSM-2@reddit

Well…I’m Mexican…and that place is totally Mexican.

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dchirs@reddit

Mexican food can look fancy too.

Take a look at Michelin's recommendations Mexican food recs in Mexico:

https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/selection/mexico/restaurants

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New-Honey-4544@reddit

I stand by my statement

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TCIHL@reddit

The elegant Charles sounds like some kind of sex position from Urban Dictionary

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Werwanderflugen@reddit

This made me Chuck-le

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SeaUnderstanding1578@reddit

Carl-cajadas

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UpInTheAirDFW@reddit

Wait until you hear about Duro's other restaurants, The Charles, and Mister Charles.

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Guardian500@reddit

Loved this place, would 100% recommend

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fbc546@reddit

I will second this one for a truly unique Mexican food experience. As mentioned they just made the Michelin guide and it’s 100% legit.

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Br8k80@reddit

The Mexican, hands down no contest.

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Farta420@reddit

I love Meso Maya

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vincenzo1868@reddit

Ayahuasca is the only answer. GREAT Mexican food that certainly isn't Tex Mex.

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rambo6986@reddit

Javiers

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davis214512@reddit

I would never recommend Javier’s.

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Red_FiveStandingBy@reddit

Good thing you didn’t

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yaba01@reddit

I was going to say La Calle Doce, but honestly wasn't sure if it was still around. Happy to hear that it's still around after all these years. I think I last went in the early 2000s

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txchiefsfan02@reddit

Still going strong!

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rambo6986@reddit

Yep, there's even one on Skillman now

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perpetual__ghost@reddit

Are you talking about the one at Skillman and Live Oak? It’s been there for over 15 years.

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DomerInTexas@reddit

Sorry dumb question, I’m originally from Indiana. What’s the difference between Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican?

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InstitutionalizedNap@reddit

Scary to enter a religious war:

Tex-Mex cuisine usually has bold, hearty flavors with heavier portions of (primarily) grilled beef and cheese. Cumin and chili powder are common spices. Vegetables often are black beans, and sautéed bell peppers and onions. Normally Tex-Mex is covered with yellow cheeses like cheddar or Monterey Jack. Tex-Mex is what most Americans think of as “Mexican” food.

Mexican cuisine is very diverse and regional and emphasizes fresh ingredients The use of spices is more minimal to enhance the natural flavors of the main dish. queso fresco or cotija cheese are common and lighter than Tex-Mex.

Both are yummy and appreciated by me!

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spacedman_spiff@reddit

Tex-Mex is what most Americans think of as “Mexican” food.

This is the biggest takeaway people should have. If you ate at Pancho Villa's in the local strip mall, you had Tex-Mex.

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SeaUnderstanding1578@reddit

I compare this to eating Panda Express and calling it Chinese food. Maybe inspired by, but not authentic.

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ultimatejourney@reddit

Tex-Mex is authentic - authentic to Texas and the border areas of Mexico. It's Mexican, but it's also a hybrid cuisine.

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JellyJewls@reddit

Don Artemio in Ft Worth

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SeaUnderstanding1578@reddit

Second this, very nice place and authentic Mexican food, must have. If you ever go to Saltillo Mexico, try El Mason principal, it's the same family of chefs.

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Gara_Louis_F@reddit

Javier’s.

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Significant_Will_705@reddit

The Mexican

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SeaUnderstanding1578@reddit

Try Don Artemio in FW

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TreatLevelMidnight@reddit

Javier’s full stop

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PumpkinCarvingisFun@reddit

This shit hole is not only tex-mex (they asked for not tex-mex), but it is completely overrated.

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TreatLevelMidnight@reddit

Javier’s isn’t Tex Mex dumb ass

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PumpkinCarvingisFun@reddit

Could've fooled me with that garbage menu.

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Mental-Rooster4229@reddit

Don Artemio

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txchiefsfan02@reddit

Palapas Original Seafood Grill is a chill environment, but the food is upscale seafood.

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bag_daddy@reddit

Javier’s vibe is unmatched

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bag_daddy@reddit

Petra and the beast

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aestusveritas@reddit

Don Artemio in Fort Worth is the correct answer.

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davis214512@reddit

El Carlos or The Mexican. Jose’s is good, not upscale.

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frontrow2023@reddit

The Mexican is the most upscale mexican restaurant I’ve been to in Dallas. Excellent food and service as well as a large menu.

The Mexican

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PumpkinCarvingisFun@reddit

This place is fucking trash.

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heliumeyes@reddit

Hugo’s Invitados in Irving

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PumpkinCarvingisFun@reddit

Best pibil in Dallas for sure. love this place.

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fbc546@reddit

This place is too hyped up, the food sucked when I went there, every dish was so salty it was almost inedible.

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heliumeyes@reddit

Hmm. I haven’t been in a couple of months. It was definitely really good. I can say that the last time I went, I wasn’t that impressed. Your comment makes me wonder if they’ve actually just gone downhill.

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HimalJava@reddit

The Mexican!

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PumpkinCarvingisFun@reddit

Ayahuasca Cantina, El Carlos Elegante, Hugo Invitados, Las Palmas

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Negative-Day-4876@reddit

Las Palmas will fully be worth opening up to Tex Mex. Best place in town

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Far_Upstairs9714@reddit

Sueno in Richardson

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yallMYhoes@reddit

Dang that place looks dope. Thanks 🙌🏾

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sharknado523@reddit

It's true, the front of the restaurant says Mex-Tex so it's not Tex-Mex :-P

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FrequentBuilding112@reddit

Shhhhhhhh

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c2seedy@reddit

The Mexican

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cluelessinlove753@reddit

Great drinks. Great decor/people watching. Food is just ok.

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autistic_orca@reddit

The Mexican is so overpriced/hyped it’s not even funny.

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alex98012@reddit (OP)

That was my original idea, but I saw a lot of comments similar to yours. I figure the experience makes up for it?

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ssterp@reddit

It’s a good Instagram spot, and that’s about it

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TexasShiv@reddit

Drive over to Fort Worth for Don Artemio

It’s the only answer.

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cluelessinlove753@reddit

I was really underwhelmed by DA. Certainly wouldn't make a drive for it.

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Garrettino@reddit

Wierd I haven’t seen this response, the best upscale Mexican restaurant is The Mexican. https://www.themexican.com/

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cluelessinlove753@reddit

Great drinks. Great decor/people watching. Food is just ok.

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cluelessinlove753@reddit

Cocktail forward: Muchacho

Old school Dallas vibes: Javier's

Very sceney/pricey: Carlos Elegante or The Mexican (good drinks, food so-so)

Good vibe, classy but unassuming: Jose

Amazing southern Mexican/pre-Latin food: Ayahuasca

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takemereal@reddit

Javier’s, Meso maya, Mesero

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Accomplished-Bug4327@reddit

Meso Maya is great and not Tex mex!

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Sanchastayswoke@reddit

This place is one of my favorites.

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NoMamesKING@reddit

Meso Maga is indeed tex mex.. the taco stand outside of meso maya is way better

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Separate-Ad-5707@reddit

I agree!! No one can ever disrespect taqueria la ventana!!! I go there when I don’t want to cook.

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ScarHand69@reddit

Bruh. Cochinita Pibil is a quintessential Mayan dish from the Yucatán. They are one of the few Mexican places I’ve been to that has it on the menu.

They have some TexMex inspired dishes….but a lot of the food is authentically Mexican/Mayan.

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ThatsHowMuchFuckFish@reddit

It is indeed NOT Tex-Mex

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Accomplished-Bug4327@reddit

They do serve some Tex-mex dishes, as do most Mexican restaurants, but a lot of the items on their menu are absolutely not Tex-mex

I’ve never eaten at the taco stand outside, but Meso Maya is great and the person who posted this is looking for “upscale Mexican” and not a taco stand outside

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NintendogsWithGuns@reddit

Eh, it’s more along the lines of “Mex-Tex.” It’s indeed closer to the type of Mexican food you’d find in San Antonio or a border town, but still very much a Tejano establishment. You aren’t exactly going to find smoked brisket enchiladas in Mexico City.

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