Traditionally, tortillas and beans with almost every meal, generally. Breakfast will have eggs served one way or another (Huevos Rancheros and Migas are common). Spicy cuisine is normal at all times, with various chiles. Lost of long-cooked soups and stews are common. A lot of our tex-mex did come from Mexico, but it looks differently (corn tortillas rather than flour, for one).

That said, the way the world is today, they have many of the same food options that we do, so it's not rare to see more American style meals in Mexico now.

Flashback to The Day . . . (with apologies for re-posting =)

The sullen, vaguely Indian, but probably Mayan/ColoMex/Noble Plains Indian dude, who called himself "Jim" and maybe had five years on me at the time, with whom I worked at a Lumber Yard on the outskirts/sprawl development of Denver, up in Colorado ("Broomfield" heh heh heh] back around the time of The Nam (when i was a callow lad, or thereabouts) used to always have his breakfast from home consisiting of some tortillas, some eggs, maybe some inexpensive pork product and the hottest peppers ever to grace that particular point in time. We members of the Kowboy Honky-Klan, who chose to carry lunch to the workplace were always amused at those thin, primitive substitutes for bread. Now, I know better.

Back then, "Mexicans" around Denver were like "Ngrz" in OKC.
Yet that was a long, long time ago in a different world.
Jim was very quiet. One day he shared a story with me: He said, "The other night, I went to (this bar) and someone called me a 'dirty mexican'. I thought for a moment about driving him into the floor but thought again. I'm not a mexican and i'm not dirty. So I didn't. I thought, 'He can't be talking to ME. So instead of punching him out, tearing up my best new going out shirt my wife got me and going to jail I went in an had a good time."

Forgot to mention: Jim and I were good friends after that. I guess he needed someone to talk to and I wanted him to vouch for my fake ID at that bar. =)
To this day I have not sought out the peppers he used to improve his wife's gift from home in his lunchbox. (too spicy)

"Mexican Food in OKC Besides Ted's?" . . . indeed.

F_KeqmdiQoY
Edited to Add (for audio context without cilantro)



.

Migas is was I was meaning! Austin is where I first experienced Mexican breakfast in the 70's. There was one place that was called the Bakery and Sir Doug of the Sir Douglas Quintet was there almost daily. Another place was George's and the Arroyo.
El Arroyo (http://www.ditch.com/2.0/#/home/) on West 5th is still open, never did have breakfast there. We typically went to Don Dario's on South I-35 but most non-Mexican specific places like Kerbey Lane have migas and breakfast tacos/burritos as well. Rudy's BBQ was a regular breakfast taco place in addition to a few small places. The real popular Mexican restaurant for breakfast is Juan In a Million (http://www.juaninamillion.com/) in East Austin, the wait there get a bit ridiculous.

Thank you for that, but I still wonder what they eat in the mornings, at lunch, and dinner. Breakfast tacos, quesadillas and burritos, respectively? Waffles, roast beef sandwiches and fried chicken?

No disrespect intended, I'm just ignorant.

I know my response was very generic. Again, much of the food is pretty regional, but generally they would have some combination of beans, eggs, chorizo, and tortillas (and there seems to be a pretty good variety of tortillas.. However, are alternative foods like a breakfast bread called pandulce. Fried potatoes are popular in some areas, often fried in the scrambled eggs. In the countrysides and small villages, many people are poor and don't eat so much meat, especially for breakfast. In Mexico City there are breakfast tortas, a kind of sandwich, like we might have an egg McMuffin. Salsa is served with everything and every meal.

In some places I have had chilaquiles (tortilla with tomato sauce, chicken or egg, served with cream, onion and fresh coriander). There are lots of other regional specialties that are delicious and I can't remember the names.

I like the simple lunch and dinner...steaks and fried strips of jalepeno peppers in lots of butter.

Many of the restaurants in the Austin area serve a Mexican breakfast and most have migas. We have missed the Mexican breakfast places down there, a breakfast burrito (while some are good) is just not a proper substitute. We make breakfast tacos every so often since there isn't a bunch of places to go by and pick some up.

My wife said when growing up (in West Texas) they had homemade tortillas with every meal just like we had bread with almost every meal. The tortillas here tend to be thinner than those in OKC or Austin.

Last year I had breakfast at Maude's in Austin. Breakfast burritos. It was very good but OMG, that was a lot of food!

So, is Maude's representative of what people in Mexico have for breakfast?

Perhaps if the Maude's location is in Mexico City, Mazatlan, Acapulco, Puerto Penasco or Matamoros . . . =)
(and if there are a lot of hardworking Mexican trucks with hardworking Mexicans parked out front instead of a bunch of Gringo rent-a-cars)

Last year I had breakfast at Maude's in Austin. Breakfast burritos. It was very
good but OMG, that was a lot of food!

So, is Maude's representative of what people in Mexico have for breakfast?
I would think they wouldn't eat a lot for breakfast, much like us. Can you
imagine having a T-bone steak, 2 eggs, potatoes, orange juice and coffee
every morning?

At any rate, I've noticed, during a tremendous remodel of our home, that
many Mexicans and Central Americans eat a lot of fruit and juice for lunch.
Maybe to purge the huge breakfast burrito! LOL!

I can imagine the protein and carb packing if they are going out to "farm" remodeling projects and so forth: A lot of energy up front and something light and refreshing to beat the heat of the day. (i smashed my fingers too many times as a pre-NAFTA carpenter to get really good on guitar =)

I trust that you are making the proper contributions to the Social Security of the workers you are using =)

BTW . . .
If you see this tag on a truck parked outside of a local dining establishment, you could probably guess it is "authentic" . . .
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/Sonora_mexico_license_plate.jpg

There's a lot too the old saw of eat like a king at breakfast, a prince at lunch and a pauper at dinner.

Last year I had breakfast at Maude's in Austin. Breakfast burritos. It was very good but OMG, that was a lot of food!

So, is Maude's representative of what people in Mexico have for breakfast?
Maudie's is pretty good, we would go there or Matt's El Rancho for dinner or weekend lunch. Maudie's is Tex-Mex though and the portions reflect it. Most of the "real Mexican" restaurants that I have been to (in the US) have portions more reminiscent of French restaurants which is probably more in line with how people really eat in Mexico.

My wife is "Texican" (as her dad puts it), they have been in the same area of West Texas for as long as they can trace their ancestry so "Mexican" food was an everyday and every meal staple when cooking at home, even when making items not traditionally "Mexican" like chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes they always had pinto beans and tortillas with their meals. Her nephews are all huge (6'-6"+, 300 pounds or so) and they eat portions according to their size so her perspective on portion size is a bit skewed.

In Austin it's difficuilt to impossible to ascertain parking lot demographics, lol.

There's a lot too the old saw of eat like a king at breakfast, a prince at lunch and a pauper at dinner.

If I'm not mistaken, I think that there is a Mexican Proverb regarding that bit of Wisdom involving the importance of ordering dessert first. (I think it was carved into the Mayan Calendar as a sidebar). I'm fairly sure it involved "Dulche de Leche" which loosely translates to "Creme de Brulee ala Caramel" in French. Archeologists speculate that the last thing carved on the Mayan Calendar and repeated on that Aztec Pyramid in Mexico City seems to resemble a Hostess Twinkee and a suggestion that Bimbo is better.

Wow . . . I feel an authentic, DIY Dinner, "Mexican" post coming on . . .

Went by Abel's last night (south May). Not really all that hungry, so it may have been a bad night to try and get a real good impression, but saw them advertising Tacos al Pastor and the picture along with the label was a chunk of meat on a vertical spit that reminded me a LOT of how gyros meat is prepared, so I tried them. The English translation on the menu was marinated pork. Liked it a LOT. You could also get the "al Pastor" treatment on burritos, quesadillas and something else (I forget what).
I've never heard of Tacos al Pastor before. Does anybody know where they originated? Are they a Sonoran thing? Are they even Mexican? Is there a best place in OKC for 'em? Does anybody make 'em at home? (If so, please share a recipe.)
RadMod: Have you tried 'em and done anything like it?
OKCBBQEA: Have you tried 'em? The meat kind of reminded me of Korean BBQ. Does that fit into your wheelhouse at all?
Chuck Johnson: Have you had these anywhere and liked 'em?
BBates: What do you think?

Tacos al Pastor are common in Mexico.

Yes, it's basically marinated pork and delicious if done properly!

Abel's might be the best Mexican food in the city...

Had Abel's for the first time a couple weeks ago and I agree, definitely one of the top Mexican restaurants in OKC.

Abel's might be the best Mexican food in the city...

High praise from tuck!

My one experience was at the NW 50th & McArthur location where I stopped just by random chance and loved my meal.

Is Abel's the place just north of 240 on May over by the airport?

You can get tacos El pastor seasoning at crest. Its by the regular taco seasoning along wirh chicken tingas. Over the years ive gotten more into true Mexican food.

Is Abel's the place just north of 240 on May over by the airport?

yep... a couple blocks north of i-240 on the west side of the street, in an old crockett's smokehouse location. -M

yep... a couple blocks north of i-240 on the west side of the street, in an old crockett's smokehouse location. -M

Thanks. I've driven by lots but never stopped in.

High praise from tuck!

My one experience was at the NW 50th & McArthur location where I stopped just by random chance and loved my meal.

Yup, this is where we go. We love it.

Abel's has become our go-to Mexican restaurant. Fortunately we live close to the 50th and MacArthur location.

I go to church at St Charles so we go there pretty often as well. We also enjoy Casa Pericos at 63 and Meridian. Those are my two favorites especially since they both have vegetarian options besides cheese enchiladas.

We love Zapata Grill on S. Meridian near Shepplers. Authentic Mexican & wonderful family-owned business. Say Hi to Lucia (mgr).

Abel's might be the best Mexican food in the city...

If true, that's sad.

As a Vietnamese person who grew up in what is a surprisingly good Vietnamese food enclave, the rule of thumb for good ethnic food is very simple: If there's more of you than them it's probably not a good sign. It may still be good, but it most likely will not be authentic or it's so cheap that can be overlooked. The best Vietnamese restaurants in OKC are heavily populated with Vietnamese-American customers. They may not be the most modern, feature the best customer service, or even be the cleanest but the best Vietnamese restaurants in OKC could care less if non-Vietnamese customers approve or not. The best steakhouses in OKC dont' sell Teriyaki chicken or noodle bowls to appeal to Asian clientele and the best Vietnamese restaurants don't sell "crab rangoon". Being Vietnamese-owned does not guarantee authenticity or quality. Authenticity doesn't always pay the bills. Whatever sells or is available often pays the bills. There are a litany of "asian standards" that are not remotely close to Asian or tempered to be more approachable. If you don't believe this, go to Lido. It's one of the oldest Vietnamese restaurants in OKC but is overwhelmingly patronized by non-Vietnamese unless it's for a wedding.

(Do some Vietnamese go there? Of course, but many Vietnamese go to Pizza Hut. Also by more or most I literally mean more or most. A clientele of 10%, 20%, %30, etc Vietnamese customers is not most.)


If you want good Mexican, go where they go, not where you want to go. Keep in mind Mexico is a huge country not unlike the US. Food is very different from region to region just like the US. Oaxacan tacos often feature crickets and Baja often features seafood. Complimentary chips & queso is not a standard item.

We eat mex at Alfredo's in Yukon more frequently than other places. Part of the reason being the good variety of sides. My wife is a vegetarian and usually picks from side menus to make up a meal.

Abel's might be the best Mexican food in the city...

The tacos cavillo are outstanding.

The tacos cavillo are outstanding.

Midtowner, I didn't notice them when I was there. Can you describe the tacos cavillo?

Midtowner, I didn't notice them when I was there. Can you describe the tacos cavillo?

one picture is worth...

Abel's Mexican Restaurant - Tacos Calvillo (http://www.urbanspoon.com/rph/46/1436975/624692/oklahoma-city-abel-s-mexican-restaurant-tacos-calvillo-photo)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=460846&id=132297746785631

Midtowner, I didn't notice them when I was there. Can you describe the tacos cavillo?

I guess they're pretty similar to street tacos. The meat is an extremely well marinated steak, extremely tender and well seasoned. The portions are generous--enough for two people. You also get lots of veggies and IIRC, grilled onions and a couple of sauces.

http://www.dishinanddishes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/TacosCalvillo-500x375.jpg

We love Zapata Grill on S. Meridian near Shepplers. Authentic Mexican & wonderful family-owned business. Say Hi to Lucia (mgr).

This is a good place too, but it's been a while since we have been there. If it is the same management it is same person who opened Las Marachies (I think I spelled that wrong) on 39th and Portland.

OSUMom: Is that the place that was originally a Burger King that is now Route 66 Pizza (Pizza Inn without the Pizza Inn logo)?

Last year I had breakfast at Maude's in Austin. Breakfast burritos. It was very good but OMG, that was a lot of food!

So, is Maude's representative of what people in Mexico have for breakfast?

No, not very Mexican, but their Tex-Mex cheese enchiladas are about as good as you'll find anywhere. Maudie's is outstanding Tex-Mex food!

As a Vietnamese person who grew up in what is a surprisingly good Vietnamese food enclave, the rule of thumb for good ethnic food is very simple: If there's more of you than them it's probably not a good sign. It may still be good, but it most likely will not be authentic or it's so cheap that can be overlooked. The best Vietnamese restaurants in OKC are heavily populated with Vietnamese-American customers. They may not be the most modern, feature the best customer service, or even be the cleanest but the best Vietnamese restaurants in OKC could care less if non-Vietnamese customers approve or not. The best steakhouses in OKC dont' sell Teriyaki chicken or noodle bowls to appeal to Asian clientele and the best Vietnamese restaurants don't sell "crab rangoon". Being Vietnamese-owned does not guarantee authenticity or quality. Authenticity doesn't always pay the bills. Whatever sells or is available often pays the bills. There are a litany of "asian standards" that are not remotely close to Asian or tempered to be more approachable. If you don't believe this, go to Lido. It's one of the oldest Vietnamese restaurants in OKC but is overwhelmingly patronized by non-Vietnamese unless it's for a wedding.

(Do some Vietnamese go there? Of course, but many Vietnamese go to Pizza Hut. Also by more or most I literally mean more or most. A clientele of 10%, 20%, %30, etc Vietnamese customers is not most.)


If you want good Mexican, go where they go, not where you want to go. Keep in mind Mexico is a huge country not unlike the US. Food is very different from region to region just like the US. Oaxacan tacos often feature crickets and Baja often features seafood. Complimentary chips & queso is not a standard item.

Great comments. Most of the ethnic restaurants in OKC copy what other ethnic restaurants are "selling." There are some notable and delicious exceptions. Why is this? Because these are people trying to open a business to make money, and they are afraid to offer food that is "too authentic" or outside the expectations of OKC diners.

Some of the truly authentic Mexican restaurants now offer free queso, even though it is not authentic nor something they prepare very well simply to fit in with the other restaurants.

It's funny but on my last two trips to Mexico (in different regions) there were restaurants advertising "Tex Mex" cuisine. I guess they got sick of Americans demanding Tex-Mex-style enchis and tacos and just decided to serve Tex-Mex instead of real Mexican food. I love Tex-Mex but find this sad.

OSUMom: Is that the place that was originally a Burger King that is now Route 66 Pizza (Pizza Inn without the Pizza Inn logo)?

Yes. I don't know what happened but the owner must of sold it to someone else and opened up Zapata's over on S. Meridian. It didn't last too long after that.

Our personal favorite is San Marcos on SW 59th. Not only is the food excellent [best salsa I've personally ever had], the service is excellent, the employees are very friendly, the prices are reasonable [we only go for lunch, though], the restaurant is clean with colorful decor, but they also offer a "frequent eater" card--after 4 meals, the 5th is free. For we retirees on a fixed income that is great.

We've recommended it to a number of folks. Only drawback for some perhaps is that they don't serve liquor, just beer, if you like those beverages with your meal.

1. Tarahumaras (Norman)
2. Mama Rojas (OKC)
3. Los Dos Amigos (Norman)

1492

A month ago I went to Chelino's on Meridian. It wasn't great. Not the worst experience, but the service was weak, the food wasn't tasty, the queso was really salty... not up to the standard I'd come to expect from Chelino's.


Yesterday my dad came through town on his way home to New Mexico, and wanted to get Chelino's. We went to the one on May... talk about a 180. The food was great, the service was AMAZING, and the queso was addictive. I like THAT Chelino's. They need to work on the quality control because there shouldn't be that big of a difference.

Tacos el panchos at Los Vaqueros is my absolute favorite Mexican meal in the OKC area.

Really enjoyed Tamazul. It's the new interior Mexican concept with Chef Ryan Parrot. Not enough time to review yet but it was absolutely excellent.

Really enjoyed Tamazul. It's the new interior Mexican concept with Chef Ryan Parrot. Not enough time to review yet but it was absolutely excellent.

Look forward to hearing more about it and glad to hear first impressions were good.

It certainly looks like it has all the ingredients for success.


OKC's restaurant game has definitely been raised substantially just in the last few years and it seems the trend is accelerating.

Im surprised no one has mentioned three tequilas in Edmond. Weve been several times and each time the food was excellent and in my opinion much better then Teds.
The queso is second to none in my book and the salsa gets a high rating as well. Also order the extra hot salsa if your feeling courageous.
3 Tequilas - Original Edmond - Edmond | Urbanspoon (http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/46/1655744/restaurant/Oklahoma-City/Original-Edmond/3-Tequilas-Edmond)

Look forward to hearing more about it and glad to hear first impressions were good.

It certainly looks like it has all the ingredients for success.


OKC's restaurant game has definitely been raised substantially just in the last few years and it seems the trend is accelerating.

Yes, my brother in law made the comment at dinner tonight. So many high quality dining options coming online, even in the last year or two. It's great for diners; could be tough for restaurateurs, however. I'm sure there will be some good concepts that don't make it due to there being a lot more competition.

Which, of course, is what happens in good restaurant cities everywhere.

Yes, my brother in law made the comment at dinner tonight. So many high quality dining options coming online, even in the last year or two. It's great for diners; could be tough for restaurateurs, however. I'm sure there will be some good concepts that don't make it due to there being a lot more competition.

I'm far from an expert on the matter, but I believe it's a great sign for our economy in general. Speaking for myself, when times are tough the first thing I cut is dining out.

1. Tarahumaras (Norman)
2. Mama Rojas (OKC)
3. Los Dos Amigos (Norman)

Can't speak for 1 or 3 but mama roja may be the fakest restaurant in this city. Just terrible. I've had hospital cafeteria food that's more flavorful. It's definitely a "Mexican restaurant" that isn't frequently by Mexicans, as a poster above was alluding to.

Able's is my favorite. The enchiladas are so-so but the dinners are pretty awesome. The palo alto and guisado are tasty business.

Chuy's for the win. It's one of the Tex-Mex places in Texas I used to frequent, and am happy to see it here. It's Tex-Mex but with some New Mexico spices thrown in for good measure. The creamy jalapeño sauce is to die for. They are perpetually making new chips and tortillas at their tortilla station at the front of the restaurant... Everything is very fresh, and their service and management is just great.

My second favorite is probably 1492 in Midtown. Some of their dishes like their mashed potatoes have a surprising kick to it that sneaks up on you. Also they have a lot of great, more formal dishes that you are just never going to see in Tex-Mex or Okie-Mex places.

1. Tarahumaras (Norman)
2. Mama Rojas (OKC)
3. Los Dos Amigos (Norman)

Can't speak to Rojas, but big yes on the other two, and Tulio's in Norman as well. Not a fan of the Chelino's here. then again, I am not a fan of any o the Chelino's, except the S. Robinson one just north of SW 44th. Sketchy area, but good food and very cold brew.

wow... didn't know that there were any tulio's still around. -M

wow... didn't know that there were any tulio's still around. -M

It is in the southern strip of the shopping center that is at SE corner of E Alameda and SE 12th. Tucked away back there behind the Mazzio's and LJS that front 12th street.

I attempted to go to Tamazul for lunch today. The fire alarm went off (a lot of smoke from the grill), and we decided to walk to Republic since we were on a shorty schedule. For what it's worth the table salsa was good and the menu looked good and interesting.

Im surprised no one has mentioned three tequilas in Edmond. Weve been several times and each time the food was excellent and in my opinion much better then Teds.
The queso is second to none in my book and the salsa gets a high rating as well. Also order the extra hot salsa if your feeling courageous.
3 Tequilas - Original Edmond - Edmond | Urbanspoon (http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/46/1655744/restaurant/Oklahoma-City/Original-Edmond/3-Tequilas-Edmond)

Achilles and I don't normally agree on much, but let me second him here. 3 Tequillas on Broadway in Edmond is awesome. I think it used to be a Long John Silver's, so don't expect anythng fancy. I could drink the queso, and the salsa that comes with chips is great. Tortillas are as good as Ted's (thick and made in house).

Great find Achilles!

I returned to Tamazul. The chef is on vacation. It is a great space but it is clear they are still experimenting with things before they really go public. They have some work to do but it is on the right track.

I tried another restaurant last week that I liked: Tacos San Pedro (on SW 44th in between Penn and May). I liked it, but the item I tried (Tacos al Pastor) didn't wow me like the Tacos al Pastor from Abel's (on S. May near I-240). There was a great amount of authenticity there, in the cheeses used and chips (clearly made by hand and I assume on-site). I went at a good time, apparently, because there was no wait, but by the time I left, it was packed. They seem to pass the test of seeing Hispanics there. I wasn't much a fan of their guacamole sauce (I'd rather just have a thick guacamole side or salad), but I'll certainly go back and try something else. I just didn't like their "al Pastor" treatment as much as at another restaurant.
edited to add: In defense of the "al Pastor" marinated pork, it had a great texture and you could tell that it wasn't mass produced. Maybe it just was an off-day for that product.

Had to teach a class at OU today so went early and ate at Tarahumaras. We arrived at 130 pm and the place was still packed. There was only one or two empty tables. Service was outstanding and prices were excellent. Salsa was fresh with small kick. Gratis queso was very run of the mill and the tortillas didn't appear to be made in house. They served up a avocado based salsa that was creamy and had a nice burn afterwards. Very good. I had the carnitas and they were tender and juicy. We also ordered the fried onions/jalapenos to go with the meal and they were excellent and very inexpensive.

Bottom line....definitely one of the better Mexican places. Could improve the queso and tortillas but hey...it's free stuff. The menu is HUGE so sure to find something you would like. We didn't drink but the margaritas were huge and the beer schooner were nice and frozen walking by,

Last year I had breakfast at Maude's in Austin. Breakfast burritos. It was very
good but OMG, that was a lot of food!

So, is Maude's representative of what people in Mexico have for breakfast?
I lived in Austin in the mid 70's. Sir Doug, of the Sir Douglas Quintet, was
a regular breakfast fan at this place we called "The Bakery". It was on a
major street, I don't remember what it was called. It was near west of
downtown. Most people don't realize that Sir Doug was the leader of a
Texas band.

Jorge's was another fave in that town.

Just noticed a place called Taqueria La Tarahumara in a tiny strip center on Eastern close to SE 15th. Any chance that is connected to Tarahumara in Norman? If so I just found a new spot. I suspect no, however...