buckinaggie
member
Posts: 36
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 12-04-12
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01-08-13 05:41 PM - Post#158470
Curious as to what you guys think is the best Tex Mex restaurant in Allen.
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 9241
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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01-08-13 06:43 PM - Post#158471
In response to buckinaggie
Our favorite is El Grande Burrito. There are a lot of Mexican restaurants to choose from and many of them are really good, but this is one we really like. We also enjoy the food at Matt's Rancho Martinez. (See, it is hard to choose just one!)
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allen
enthusiast
Posts: 1965
Reg: 12-02-05
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01-08-13 08:22 PM - Post#158476
In response to denisew
El Grande isn't really Tex-Mex
| We sittin' here, I'm supposed to be a franchise player....and we in here talkin' 'bout PRACTICE? |
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MCDUFF
enthusiast
Posts: 316
Reg: 08-21-03
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01-08-13 08:48 PM - Post#158477
In response to denisew
I probably should not post on this one because I abhor Tex-Mex. Some of the Tex-Mex restaurants in Allen have some limited regional Mexican fare in addition to the Tex-Mex making them at least acceptable. I just can't get past an enchilada, covered in "gravy" and topped with analogue cheese.
One of theTex-Mex restaurants was simply excellent in its prior life and location until it lost its way. I remember a young man named Oscar who was a server there and he could get things out of the kitchen that would make one weep with joy. Now, it is at best a slight upgrade on Taco Bueno with a potentially good relleno with just awful analogue cheese. El Grande is better with the various meats that can go into anything - tacos, gordos, burritos, etc. Liz has some really nice regional plates. It is always best when she is there to oversee the operation. When she is gone the service and even food quality seems to degrade. The $1 tacos are just terrific Mexican Street food. Chitos has some wonderful mole and and other regional dishes. Sandra is delightful and several dishes that parallel some fine Street Food. Both El Grande and Chitos sadly uses the analogue cheeses such as velveta and/or american cheese in their queso. Otherwise they both use real cheese in there rellenos, and other foods.
These are my opinions only, I love Mexican food and can offer some, highly opinionated, great alternatives to Tex-Mex - sadly, they are not in Allen.
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buckinaggie
member
Posts: 36
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 12-04-12
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01-09-13 11:42 AM - Post#158486
In response to MCDUFF
Thanks for the feedback.
I probably should have been a little clearer. I know everybody has their own personal opinion as to what is Tex Mex. Since I am by no means a food connoisseur, I would say a place like Chuy's is what I would classify as Tex Mex. I know they have a heavy influence of Southwest Mexican food, with their use of hatch from New Mexico...but overall I would say they are Tex Mex.
All that said...I know Chuy's is right down the road in Plano, but we are looking for a local place in Allen.
Thanks!
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Kristale
enthusiast
Posts: 260
Loc: Allen
Reg: 01-12-11
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01-09-13 12:17 PM - Post#158493
In response to buckinaggie
I'm not a big fan of tex-mex either but when in the mood I think La Finca is pretty good.
We are regulars at Chito's. You can't beat their tortilla soup with a couple of $1 tacos on these cold and rainy days. I've never tried their queso so can't speak for the type of cheese they use but I do know they use queso fresco on their enchiladas and tostadas. And fresh mozzarella in their tortilla soup.
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spc
newbie
Posts: 15
Reg: 08-05-11
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01-09-13 01:00 PM - Post#158497
In response to Kristale
My preferences in order:
1. El Grande Burrito
2. Super Pollo place on McDermott (can't remember the name)
3. La Finca
4. Matt's
5. Chito's
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rock761
enthusiast
Posts: 354
Loc: Allen, TX USA
Reg: 03-14-00
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01-09-13 01:10 PM - Post#158498
In response to spc
La Finca
Mexigo
Those are two of our favorites in our "normal" rotation. I love using the Eagle card at Mexigo. Saves me $8 everytime we go!
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Jeremy
enthusiast
Posts: 453
Loc: Allen, Tx
Reg: 06-20-11
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01-09-13 04:07 PM - Post#158509
In response to rock761
I agree with Mexigo. They are the only place that we can find Molcajete. Try it if you like fajitas next time you go. Similar but with a sauce in a large bowl. Pricey at $30 but it is made for two people. However... outside of Allen in Fairview we are huge Gloria's fans. They have great TexMex but I usually eat from the SalvaTex side of the menu. My wife has to eat Gluten Free and we tried Matt's after they confirmed they offered gluten free dishes. Our waiter confirmed this again before ordering and then took our order. Their queso is awesome... but contained gluten so my wife got sick later that night. The fish tacos she ordered were supposed to be grilled... but they fried them. When they corrected it they simply removed the fried ones and added grilled fish... leaving the breading crumbs on the tacos. Once we finally got it right it was good but the damage from the queso was already done. I would recommend it if you do not have a food allergy though. Never had any issues with Gloria's and her allergy. When she shares fajitas with our daughter they bring two separate tortilla containers, one flour and one corn.
... just my 2 cents...
Edited by Jeremy on 01-09-13 04:08 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Al C
enthusiast
Posts: 5920
Loc: McKinney/Allen, TX
Reg: 02-16-01
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01-10-13 11:36 AM - Post#158533
In response to buckinaggie
In no particular order ....
La Finca
Chito's
Matt's
Los Charros
Cyclone Anaya's
Not a big fan of Uncle Julio's anymore. They've gone downhill since their days on Greenville in Dallas.
Speaking of Tex Mex (and not to hijack the topic) but what ever happened to Cozy Mel's in Plano? I really liked that place.
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ASH
enthusiast
Posts: 246
Loc: Allen, Texas
Reg: 08-18-00
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01-16-13 05:44 PM - Post#158679
In response to Al C
Love Mexi-Go.
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Joel
enthusiast
Posts: 380
Reg: 10-11-06
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01-16-13 11:35 PM - Post#158682
In response to ASH
Haven't seen La Duni or Urban Rio mentioned. Both are very good and close by. La Duni in Fairview and Urban Rio in Plano.
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chasw
enthusiast
Posts: 105
Loc: Allen
Reg: 03-16-09
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01-17-13 07:40 AM - Post#158685
In response to Joel
Chito's is presently my favorite in Allen.
Haven't been to La Finca in a while so it's next in line for when that Tex-Mex craving hits . . . which is possibly tonight. Just finished my stretch of three 12-hour night shifts and i'm ready for comfort food.
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Jay J
enthusiast
Posts: 595
Reg: 11-09-05
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01-17-13 11:38 PM - Post#158731
In response to chasw
1. La Finca
2. Chitos
3. El Grande
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rich75904
member
Posts: 79
Loc: Allen
Reg: 12-27-13
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02-03-14 04:35 PM - Post#165999
In response to Jay J
I stopped at El Grande to get a large cup of Queso for our dinner, a large cup and two very small bags of chips was $12? are you kidding me? Never again, it wasnt even that good
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rw
member
Posts: 617
Reg: 10-11-01
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02-03-14 04:55 PM - Post#166001
In response to Jay J
1. La Finca
2. Chitos
3. El Grande
Chitos is no more...
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SB
enthusiast
Posts: 1551
Reg: 09-07-03
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02-03-14 08:27 PM - Post#166008
In response to rw
$7 for a grande burrito - my usual. I think that is a fine value.
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allen
enthusiast
Posts: 1965
Reg: 12-02-05
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02-05-14 02:27 PM - Post#166036
In response to SB
El Grande Burrito is not Tex-Mex
| We sittin' here, I'm supposed to be a franchise player....and we in here talkin' 'bout PRACTICE? |
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Tim Mitchell
newbie
Posts: 5
Reg: 01-20-14
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02-05-14 04:48 PM - Post#166038
In response to allen
We really like Papa Lopez. It's off the main path a bit, out on 121 beside the movie theater. It's very small and usually crowded on weekend nights, but has good food and service.
Just a bit outside of Allen, we like Abuelo's in north Plano. Good food, big portions and affordable prices.
Edited by Tim Mitchell on 02-05-14 04:50 PM. Reason for edit: Forgot to subscribe to this thread
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V-Girl
enthusiast
Posts: 2889
Loc: Allen, TX, US
Reg: 07-12-01
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02-06-14 12:49 PM - Post#166053
In response to Tim Mitchell
We love Jalapeno's and Holy Frijoles (Custer & McDermott). I have a thing for whole-in-the-wall Tex Mex with good cheap margaritas. ;)
Crazy doesn't even begin to cover it. 
Will work for shoes!  |
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