In West Los Angeles near Santa Monica, there is a wonderful family owned restaurant called the Talpa that is authentic Mexican food (been around over 30 years). The cooking is typical of the state of Jalisco. Inside, the walls are painted with murals and stain glass windows. Very good mole, enchiladas, chile rellenos...along with entres for vegetarians. Must try!

For authentic Tex-Mex and a nice vacation destination, it's San Antonio, hands down. You can also find restaurants here that serve "interior" style Mexican food--the real deal. There are too many good restaurants to mention...but I'll try! Mi Tierra is good but it's very touristy. Ditto for anything on the river (although it is a must-see and definitely worth visiting--Casa Rio is my favorite Mexican restaurant on the river and where I take visitors when we go there). Pico de Gallo's, also downtown, is very good and they have a "parillada" that is a meat-eater's dream. Rosario's, La Fonda, and La Hacienda/Los Barrios are long time, traditional local favorites. La Fogata serves up less Tex-Mex/more "interior" style food, and has FABULOUS margaritas. Pappasitos is very good (but can get pricey for Mexican), El Jarro de Arturo is also very good and has live music on Fridays or Saturdays, and Cha-Cha's is known for their margaritas. The variables to weigh in addition to food quality are location, atmosphere, and margarita quality (for me anyway). You have a lot to choose from in San Antonio!

Lots of great places in Santa Fe, like La Plazuela at La Fonda Hotel. Also, we really like Rosa Mexicano (check web). Started in NYC, now also in Atlanta, Wash DC.

Houston has plenty of great tex-mex food (who whuda thunk it with it being "tex" mex)

There's a place called Pico's mex mex. They have these appetizers called Nacho Jorge and it's pretty much a meal of it's own. It is soooooo good. Alot of places in Houston though.

New Mexican and Tex Mex are different so definitely new mexican from New Mexico is better than in Houston.

i live in san diego...everyone needs to try rubios for a fish taco...unbelievably good...also for rolled tacos or any other authentic mexican food...go to Robertos...yummie...
chueys is the bomb too
we went to new mexico last month...albuquerque...ate at the frontier...not impressed at all...jalapenos were raw...crunchy...yuck

Try the El Dorado Mexican Grill in Chehalis, WA. Yeah, Chehalis, WA -- believe it or not! The El Dorado's food and service are outstanding! At its new location, the El Dorado isn't that easy to find -- even in Chehalis -- but it's well worth the effort.

"everyone needs to try rubios for a fish taco."

I asked this on another thread recently, but does anyone have a recipe for the white sauce they put over the cabbage on fish tacos?

In case you're listening, editors, we do need that Food Forum!

friardave,
I tried Santanas not long ago and their food was really good, a little more healthy than Robertos but good. There are a few of them in town, I went to the one in Point Loma.
Also, if you ever find yourself in Chula Vista- Tacos El Gordo makes the best street tacos around.

This thread reminds me of one of my all time favorite food memories. I was driving from Denver to the Peak to Peak highway and along the river was a stand set up steaming home made tamales. Yum!

In Texas, the biggest variety of cuisines from South of the border will be found in Houston. Mexican food is highly regional in nature, as is French food, and even American food when you really think about it.

San Antonio, functionally the largest city in northern Mexico, has myriad options from hole in the wall taco stands open only for breakfast and lunch to more upscale establishments. I always cringe when I see someone recommend Casa Rio. It is a very pretty setting on the Riverwalk but the food is absolutely awful - sort of like what gets served in school cafeterias. If that brings back pleasant memories you may enjoy it, but it will be on a psychologic rather than gustatory level.
Mi Tierrra is also quite touristy but the food is better, definitely of the TexMex variety (bring along your anticholesterol drugs!). Rosario's is great, TexMex and Mex items on the menu all delicious. La Fonda on Main (warning: not other places with La fonda in their name) is excellent and serves a mix of TexMex and Mexican and has a great patio. Tomatillo's is TexMex and it's OK, but right up the street is Picante Grill which is less nicely furnished but with much better Mexican food (cochinita pibil is to die for.) La Paloma on Broadway is a more upscale but not stuffy and the food is terrific. La Fogata is famous for their delicious fajitas and salsa and the margaritas are pretty darn good, too. Los Barrios is a family run place serving pedestrian TexMex that has had a lot of publicity the last few years but is not worth waiting in line for. El Mirador is famous for their delicious tortilla soup. There are also several places in the downtown area that have opened in the last couple years serving "trendy mex."

Claro, but my/our stuff is way better here at home.
M (SMdA, Gto.)

Here you go CAPH:

http://tinyurl.com/q4wuj

Thanks, AustinTraveler! That's certainly simple enough! However, I've had some that tasted like it had lime juice and maybe cumin in it. Have tried experimenting but can't quite get it.

I have to agree CAPH, I haven't quite gotten mine right either so I usually just end up going out when I must have my fish tacos!

I have heard that instead of lime juice in the white sauce, you serve a wedge on the side and squeeze it on yourself.

I'm getting hungry!

I was told that the tangy white sauce on the yummy fish tacos at Rubio's are yogurt and mayonaisse..who would of thought..
Love Santana's in SD..
The fish tacos at the Brigantine are out of this world for $2.75 during Happy Hour..bigger and yummier..
brigantine.com

Cuidad in Dallas Texas. Great interior Mexican food and incredible margaritas. No tex mex here!!