Incredible Tex-Mex
El Mexicano has been, and still is, my favorite Mexican restaurant on the coast. The family-owned business has served delicious tex-mex for ~20 years. Tony and Marta, the brother and sister proprietors, generally are very amiable, and they make every effort to get to know their long-time customers. Usually, the restaurant is staffed by Tony (one of the owners) and a cook. When Marta or her daughter are in town, they, too, are often found behind the counter or waiting tables.

The restaurant itself is a veritable hole-in-the-wall from the outside, and this is largely mirrored in the minimal interior decor, which is limited to a few corrida posters, cerveza adverts, and a sombrero. You won't find lots of huge Mexican flags, paintings of eagles and cacti, or other tired cliches that are often used to inspire "visions of Mexico" - the focus here is on the food. Tony and Marta developed a solid menu of tex-mex favorites sure to please any crowd, including meat lovers and vegetarians.

The salsa is top-notch! I've traveled a great deal, sampling tex-mex from Florida to California, and I have never had better salsa. Any time I go to MS Gulf Coast, I make sure to pop by to pick some up. It's pureed (not chunky) and quite spicy, with a strong pepper kick. Even though it's hot, it's very tasty, with delicious roasted tomato, garlic, and onion flavors to round the taste out. Many customers have begged for the recipe, but, as Tony says, it's Marta's secret. If you find it to be too spicy, tell your server to mix the salsa with the Spanish sauce to bring down the heat. The chile con queso is deliciously smooth and creamy, and it is made to varying levels of spiciness per your request. The chips are always crispy, never overly greasy.

They serve the requisite burritos, chalupas/tostadas, and nachos. The real stars of the menu, however, are their enchiladas (cheese, chicken, and beef), which are served on a hot metal plate, insulate with an outer dish to avoid burns. The enchiladas can be topped with one of four well-seasoned sauces - a meatless red Spanish, red chile con carne, green tomatillo, or white sour cream sauce (enchiladas suizas). The enchiladas are available a la carte or as part of a dinner with Spanish rice and refried beans. The tacos are also worth special mention, particularly the vegetarian-friendly cheese and been options. While a taco stuffed with cheese isn't exactly healthy, it's completely delicious. Although the restaurant avoids more authentic cabrita or nopales fillings (probably to suit the taste of the clientèle), the tacos are always crispy and warm, ready to be topped with salsa.

The owners pride themselves on their wonderful margaritas on the rocks. They also serve an assorted selection of domestic beers and imported cervezas, as well as sodas and iced tea.

El Maguey and other restaurants may be better known, but in my opinion, with regard to flavor, El Mexicano outshines the competition.    [27 Dec 2007 19:20:13]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: salsa, queso, enchiladas, and margaritas

     ­Enchilada lover, Houston, TX