Tex-Mex cuisine blends Mexican and Texan dishes to create flavorful, hearty meals. Incorporating plenty of cheese, beans, meat, peppers, and spices, Tex-Mex will leave you feeling satisfied. Take a look at the guide below so you know which staples to order at your local sports bar or restaurant. 

What Are the Most Popular Tex-Mex Dishes? 

1. Salsa & Queso

Often used as dips for tortilla chips, salsa and queso make excellent appetizers. “Salsa” is Spanish for “sauce,” and includes ingredients like diced tomatoes, spices, onions, and peppers. It’s also used as a condiment or topping in a variety of Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes.

“Queso” is Spanish for “cheese” and is often made with yellow cheeses. This hot, melted dip is delicious plain, although some restaurants will also add meat, beans, sour cream, and pico de gallo. 

2. Nachos

Nachos have been a staple of Tex-Mex cuisine since 1943. The original nachos created by Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya included a simple but flavor-packed combination of tortilla chips, melted cheese, and slices of jalapeño. Today, restaurant nacho orders usually include tortilla chips covered in melted cheese, sour cream, pickled jalapeños, pico de gallo, and black beans.

3. Chili Con Carne 

Texas-style chili merges with savory, spiced meat to make chili con carne. Translating to “chili with meat” in Spanish, this spiced stew generally calls for beef, chili peppers, beans, onions, and tomatoes with seasoning. Order the dish on a bed of white rice with sour cream and shredded cheese for garnishing. 

4. Tex-Mex Burger

Spice up the classic burger by adding guacamole, jalapeños, and taco seasoning. You can also ask for pepper jack cheese, although any white cheese blend complements the dish.

Paired with a juicy burger patty, onions, tomatoes, and pickles, this burger style is a filling, tasty Tex-Mex essential. Add fries to make this one of the best restaurant selections.

5. Margaritas 

Margaritas combine your choice of gold or silver tequila, lime juice, and flavored liqueur into a blend with sea salt or coarse sugar on the rim of the glass.

Ask for this popular drink on the rocks or as a classic Tex-Mex frozen mixture. Also, while classic margaritas use orange liqueur, restaurants often serve different flavors such as mango or raspberry. 

Searching for delectable Tex-Mex cuisine with exceptional customer service? Turn to Gilly’s Sports Bar in Dunwoody, GA. For more than 20 years, this restaurant has treated patrons like family, offering options like The Delicioso burger, nachos, chips with queso and salsa, and more. Call them at (770) 817-2789 to receive more information on their weekly drink specials, or browse their menu online.