Best Mexican Restaurant in Tulsa

[RecycleMichael]

I am sure there are lots of opinions on any food topic. Taste buds vary more than nose size and some like them subtle and some like them bold.

We have many Mexican places we go to and they are for a variety of reasons. Sometimes we go for the food, sometimes the atmosphere, sometimes just to get the kids to shut up. I eat mexican food with family, co-workers, thru drive-throughs and from little stands on the side of the road.

I am sure I have much to learn from my fellow Tulsans, but let me share some of our experiences. First my downtown choices...

My favorite is El Guapo. Simple dishes but some with great spices, I always see friends there, and the few times I have had a drink, they have always been great. If I ever had a long vacation and a chaufer, I would try each of their tequilas, shot by shot.

My office likes going to Mexicali Border. We can call ahead and get a big table together and load up on chips and salsa. If we order right away, can get back together at the office in less than an hour. If one person daudles, we either never invite them back or fire them. They are affordable and make a fine taco salad or covered burrito.

Near my house there are three excellent choices.

I tell you folks, east Tulsa has the best Mexican food. If I am by myself, I go through the 24 hour drive through at Rioberto's at 11th and Garnett. I could go on and on about the place, but most Tulsans can't take real mexican food and prefer bland varieties. This place is authentic. They are a chain, but only have locations in Tulsa, California and Arizona. They have a supreme nachos dish and fish tacos that will bring you back. I also think it is cool that they have 24 hour service, even if I am always asleep by midnight.

There is also a guy in the shopping center at 11th and Mingo that makes excellent tamales. He has a trailer, the kind you find at festivals, and isn't always open. I am amazed these guys just set up shop, right in front of another eatery and just leave when they feel like it. I guess I am probably just jealous of their freedom.

Speedy's at 22nd and Sheridan is where my wife and I go when can get away from the kids. It is fast food in decor, but have a full menu of great dishes for very affordable prices. I love the pastries for dessert and try to bring some home for the little ones. Every person I have ever taken to Speedy's has thanked me and it is one of my Tulsa favorites.

I am amazed at how much my kids like Taco Bueno burritos. I never order anything for me, but a bag of burritos makes them happy and they would eat them for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

We have tried the Senor Tequila on Brookside, in fact, ate there on New Year's Eve last year. We thought it was a good place to talk and we never felt rushed and liked their chips. We have been there a few times since, and the staff always is wonderful.

I know I am missing plenty of good choices and have tried most of the places in town, but these all seem just right based on the variety of moods and company.

[rwarn17588]

Beto's on Southwest Boulevard, just south of downtown, is superb.

[YoungTulsan]

Casa Laredo @ 41st and Peoria was very tasty.  Wild Oats decided to expand and somehow ran the restraunt out of the shopping center.  They also have a restraunt at the Farm (51st and Sheridan) but the atmosphere in the original is what made it a great place.  When the original closed down, they took the names/numbers/addresses of their customers to hopefully inform them of their new location once it came to be, which has not happened yet.  But they were talking about starting a new restraunt at 6th @ Peoria.  Progress seems slow, but perhaps the plan was to open once that area gets going along nicely and/or after the arena opens and downtown wakes the hell up.

[HoneySuckle]

When you say Mexican food, are you meaning as authentic as we can get in Tulsa?  I ask because I've seen Mexicali Border listed here and I think they're the most awful place to eat and is no where near Mexican food as I know it.  I lived in Mexico for a year.  That crap they sell is more of a TexMex, greasy, wrong cheese, wrong everything type of "wannabe" Mexican.

As for Taco Bueno.  You've got to be kidding.  Burritos ARE NOT Mexico amigo.  They're more TexMex crap again.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by HoneySuckle

 I lived in Mexico for a year.  

why didn't you stay?

[RecycleMichael]

No kidding, HoneySuckle. I didn't have to live in Mexico to know that it wasn't what is served south of the border. I have even tried California champagnes and liked them, knowing that they were not from the Champagne region of France.  

If you read the post, we didn't go to Taco Bueno or Mexicali Border for the authentity of the Mexican experience. But both restaurants work for what we are looking for at the time. They provide a atmosphere and have some menu items that I or my kids like.

There is nothing wrong with TexMex in my opinion. It is different than traditional, but I don't mind trying blends and different cheeses sometimes.

[AMP]

Speedy's at 22nd and Sheridan.

$2.95 plus tax gets one a #19 Giant Buritto, side of sour cream, served with chips and salsa and a glass of water.  

Don't need much more than that. Quick, Cheap, and Easy, and soooo tasty!

For a dollar more you can substitute the chicken or beef for Fajita style meat.

75 cents more, make it Golden, covered in Melted Cheese sans the red tamale type sauce.

[Nick Danger]

La Hacienda at 45th/46th & Peoria is one of our favorites.

Nick

[inteller]

i tried Riobertos today. Had a carne Asada burrito. It was ok, but Chipotles is going to be better when it opens this week.

[HoneySuckle]

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael

No kidding, HoneySuckle. I didn't have to live in Mexico to know that it wasn't what is served south of the border. I have even tried California champagnes and liked them, knowing that they were not from the Champagne region of France.  

If you read the post, we didn't go to Taco Bueno or Mexicali Border for the authentity of the Mexican experience. But both restaurants work for what we are looking for at the time. They provide a atmosphere and have some menu items that I or my kids like.

There is nothing wrong with TexMex in my opinion. It is different than traditional, but I don't mind trying blends and different cheeses sometimes.

Well the name of this topic is Best Mexican Restaurant, and by Mexican, I figured the topic was on the most authentic "Mexican" food.

My apologies.  Carry on.[]

[HoneySuckle]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

quote:Originally posted by HoneySuckle

 I lived in Mexico for a year.  

why didn't you stay?

I wanted to, but my husband wasn't ready.  I'd give up the States in a heartbeat for Mexico[]

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

i tried Riobertos today. Had a carne Asada burrito. It was ok, but Chipotles is going to be better when it opens this week.

What day?

[joiei]

quote:Originally posted by HoneySuckle

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael

No kidding, HoneySuckle. I didn't have to live in Mexico to know that it wasn't what is served south of the border. I have even tried California champagnes and liked them, knowing that they were not from the Champagne region of France.  

If you read the post, we didn't go to Taco Bueno or Mexicali Border for the authentity of the Mexican experience. But both restaurants work for what we are looking for at the time. They provide a atmosphere and have some menu items that I or my kids like.

There is nothing wrong with TexMex in my opinion. It is different than traditional, but I don't mind trying blends and different cheeses sometimes.

Well the name of this topic is Best Mexican Restaurant, and by Mexican, I figured the topic was on the most authentic "Mexican" food.

My apologies.  Carry on.[]

It is always interesting to read people who blend Tex-Mex and Mexican thinking they are the same when they aren't.  That is like saying German and Polish are the same. They aren't.  And I agree with your initial read of the Best Mexican.  I had the same impression.  And Americanized fast food is not either tex-mex or Mexican.  Off my food soap box now.

[tulsa_fan]

As Mexican food is my favorite, I'm always thrilled when this topic comes up.  There are always a new idea or two that come up.

Taco Bueno is great for fast food.  I doubt I call it mexican, just fast food.  I don't eat McDonald's, Sonic, etc.  I go to Bueno. My kids eat Bueno.  It's much better than McDonalds.

I have been to El Gaupo 3 times (yes, as I said, Mexican is my favorite) here's my opinions, the burrito's were delicious.  My nacho's were good and the enchiladas were also.  I had the carne asada and chicken tacos, the carne asada was bland, bordering on gross.  The chicken tasted more like BBQ.  My friend had the fish tacos, grilled.  She couldn't even eat them.  They were bad tasting and rubbery.   Of course, I can avoid those things, so I will keep eating, but it seems off/on on what's good.  I like the salsa and cheese dip, and yes, the drinks are yummy!

I also have been to Agave at 51st & Memorial.  Its like a speedys, senor tequilla type.  It's pretty good.  Especially if you live that way.

I tried the tamales at Las Americanos last week, OMG, YUMM!  I thought they were awesome, I will be having those again.

Anyway, I'm always up for new mexican ideas.

[RecycleMichael]

I am surprised no one has mentioned Los Cabos.

They always seemed packed.