Visiting a Mexican restaurant is not just about the food - it’s a full sensory experience and Oklahoma’s top Mexican restaurants deliver in spades. Hear the sizzle of fajita meat being served hot on a skillet, smell the aromas of melted cheese and fresh-baked tortillas and indulge in the decadent flavors of enchiladas smothered in chili con carne. Get your fill of delicious Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine at these top restaurants and taste Hispanic food done the Oklahoma way.
Iguana Mexican Grill – Oklahoma City
Affectionately known as the “little taco stand down by the railroad tracks,” Iguana Mexican Grill in downtown Oklahoma City is a prime destination for unique Mexican dishes and strong margaritas. Try an Iguana specialty such as Lee’s Mexican Shrimp Scampi made with sautéed shrimp, diced tomatoes, onions, garlic, green chiles, jalapenos, black beans, corn and white wine served over red rice with fresh cilantro. With over 200 different kinds of tequila available, a trip to Iguana Mexican Grill calls for a tangy Pomegranate Perfect Margarita to wash it all down.
El Rancho Grande – Tulsa
El Rancho Grande, in operation since 1953, is known for being one of the first Mexican restaurants along Route 66. Enjoy the nostalgia of eating along the Mother Road and the charm of the colorful dining room while feasting on the Night Hawk, which was named one of the country’s five greatest Mexican meals in the book “Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America.” Bring your appetite and devour this rich meal that includes two cheese and onion enchiladas topped with chili con carne and cheddar and a soft cheese taco smothered in chili con queso.
Tarahumara’s Mexican Café & Cantina – Norman
Keeping to the culture of the Tarahumara Indians it’s named after, Tarahumara’s Mexican Café and Cantina in Norman is a stand out place for authentic Mexican food. Taste exquisite recipes from the Mexican state of Chihuahua and you’ll come back again and again for specialties like chile verde, Mexican fish soup, huevos rancheros, tamales and more. For a spicy kick, sink your teeth into the Camaron a la Tarahumara Diablo. Spicy jumbo shrimp, vegetables, sautéed onions and bell peppers are served to you on a sizzling skillet with guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo and fresh flour tortillas.
Ted’s Café Escondido – Oklahoma City
Get ready for mountains of soft, handmade tortillas, fresh guacamole salad and world famous fajitas at Ted’s Café Escondido in Oklahoma City. Indulge in “the way Mexican food should be” to see why locals often name Ted’s the best Mexican food in the city. Your mouth will water with meals featuring crispy chimichangas, juicy tacos al carbon and quesadillas loaded with cheese and toppings. Try the Best Mexican Tacos for a luscious combination of fajita meat sautéed with onions and cilantro. It’s easy to see why Ted’s has expanded to locations across the state including Oklahoma City, Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Edmond and Norman.
Elote Café – Tulsa
In downtown Tulsa, Elote Café’s approach to Mexican food is unlike anywhere else in the state. Dedicated to using only the freshest ingredients including organic, grain-fed meat, Elote Café is betting you’ll taste the difference from your first bite of quesadilla made with free-range chicken. Once a month, Elote Café also turns into a luchadores wrestling ring. See the hilariously fun costumes and antics of Mexican style wrestlers while you sip on a margarita and feast on their famous Puffy Tacos. Using the same dough as sopapillas, these unique tacos are piled high with organic meats and vegetables.
Big Truck Tacos – Oklahoma City
One of the most unique Mexican restaurants around, Big Truck Tacos is a landmark along 23rd Street in Oklahoma City. Winner of the title “America’s Favorite Food Truck” through a Food Network contest in 2010, people travel far and wide to get a taste of what Big Truck Tacos has to offer. Describing their menu as “street food with a twist,” they offer everything from veggie flautas to Okie Baha tacos. Many of their dishes are Oklahoma themed including the I-40 Pile Up tostada, the Flaming Lips taco and the Thunder burrito. Don’t miss out on your chance to try this piece of modern Americana.
Enrique’s Restaurant – Ponca City
Treat yourself to a trip to Ponca City and eat at Enrique’s Restaurant. Referred to as the “hottest jalapeno on the runway” because of its location in the Ponca City Municipal Airport, you can watch planes take off and land while you snack on their famous handmade chips that are constantly compared to fluffy, fried pillows. Tamales are a staple of traditional Mexican food, and Enrique’s pork tamale drenched with green sauce and served with guacamole, sour cream, rice and beans is the kind of delicious authentic fare worth traveling for.
Mama Roja – Oklahoma City
Mama Roja invites patrons to quench their thirst with ice-cold glasses of sangria and to feast on border-style Mexican cuisine, all while overlooking the calm waters of Lake Hefner. Watch the sun set as you begin your meal with Mexican Loaded Queso that combines refried beans, perfectly seasoned ground beef, sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo. You can’t go wrong with spinach enchiladas, Mama’s hand-rolled chimichangas or a chile relleno stuffed with fajita chicken and black beans. Street tacos, Baja-style ceviche and a signature swirl of margarita and sangria round out the offerings at Mama Roja.
Los Cabos Mexican Grill & Cantina – Broken Arrow
Los Cabos Mexican Grill & Cantina in Broken Arrow infuses the traditional flavors of Mexico into modern dishes. With an extensive menu and an emphasis on fresh seafood, this popular Mexican restaurant goes bold with Tex-Mex dishes with a twist - savor their Mexican lasagna for layers of ranchero chicken, chipotle puree, three different cheeses and sliced jalapenos. With an upscale design, their outdoor cabana bar has live entertainment every day. Relax and listen to local musicians while sipping on an Original CaboRita made with gold tequila, orange liqueur and sweet and sour for an evening of relaxation. You can also savor Los Cabos flavors at locations in Jenks and Owasso.
Mexico Joe’s – Stillwater
Eskimo Joe’s and its sister business, Mexico Joe’s, are Stillwater fixtures. The self-proclaimed “Home of the World’s Best Salsas” carries three different concoctions that range from mild to super spicy. Satisfy your cravings with everything from Mexican chicken strips to Sonoran blue corn enchiladas. Complement your entrée with a Caribbean margarita made with tequila, Malibu Coconut Rum, grenadine and pineapple juice. For something sweet, delight in a sopaipilla sandwich with decadent vanilla ice cream in the middle. While you’re there, don’t forget to grab an Eskimo Joe’s shirt.
Senor Salsa Mexican Restaurant – Skiatook
A meal at Senor Salsa Mexican Restaurant isn’t complete without a large order of their famous white queso served with warm, lightly salted chips. Stop by to dine at one of the best-kept secrets in northeast Oklahoma and take your pick of expertly crafted Mexican favorites generously flavored with tomatoes, onions and jalapenos. With a full bar and outdoor seating, the Skiatook location has been a popular pick for over a decade for its fast and friendly service. Senor Salsa also has locations in Coweta and Bartlesville.
Pepe Delgado's Restaurant – Norman
Campus Corner attracts thousands of visitors every year during football season at the University of Oklahoma, but Pepe Delgado's Restaurant has a steady crowd year-round due to their outstanding, authentic Mexican cuisine. Everything from the pork tacos and salsa fresca to giant burritos and nachos piled high with guacamole is made from scratch. Their specialty dishes like fajitas in salsa chipotle and sweet, ice-cold margaritas complete a menu full of delicious options.
More Mouthwatering Mexican Eateries
Browse our full list of Mexican restaurants and put a little south-of-the-border spice in your next outing.
