What are some good Mexican places in OKC? I like Ted's but there is always a 30-45 minute wait they are so busy and to me they aren't worth that long of a wait. Back in the early 2000s there was Don Pablo's and Garcia's which were pretty good but neither of those are still here.

I really like Casa Perico at 63rd & Meridian and Abel's at 50th & McArthur.

Both are kind of dive-y but good, solid Okie-Mex food.

Another vote for Pericos

Iguana Grill is my favorite.

Since there are approximately 1,233,785 mexican food places in the metro area, this discussion could go on for quite awhile!
:wink:

Since there are approximately 1,233,785 mexican food places in the metro area, this discussion could go on for quite awhile!
:wink:

Could only be topped by a which Mattress Firm location do you like best lol

They are taking over the world

We usually go to Ted's before we leave town but when I was still living there (moved away in 2003) Casa Pericos was pretty good and another Los Amigos at 40th & N MacArthur was pretty good as well without the wait.

Could only be topped by a which Mattress Firm location do you like best lol

They are taking over the world
It is amazing how all of them can be profitable, they were all over the place in Austin and here in Denver.

Iguana Grill in OKC. Also Tarahumara and Tulio's, both in Norman.

La Luna.

Food is always a subjective topic.

I'm not a fan of Ted's and after last Sunday, southside, I won't return.
The waiters and waitresses were excellent but the food wasn't.

I like Los Amigos on @ N.W. 40th and N. MacArthur. It reminds me of
El Charrito, which is what I grew up eating.

Iguana Grill is good. Also, La Luna, it's eclectic Mexican.

Chuy's in Norman is "da bomb."

Chuy's in Norman is "da bomb."
Where is Chuy's? To tell the truth I believe I've only had burgers in
Norman. Okay, there was this one Mexican restaurant on Main Street
near Flood on the south side of the street. But that was 20+ years
ago.

Does anyone know the name of it? I think it's still there but not sure.
It was good, at least that day it was. Very Tex-Mex. Ole!

Where is Chuy's? To tell the truth I believe I've only had burgers in
Norman. Okay, there was this one Mexican restaurant on Main Street
near Flood on the south side of the street. But that was 20+ years
ago.

Does anyone know the name of it? I think it's still there but not sure.
It was good, at least that day it was. Very Tex-Mex. Ole!

Chuy's in Norman is on I-35, on the west side frontage road a wee bit south of the Holiday Inn.
It's generally packed parking lot is immediately north of the (not nearly as packed as it used to be) p-lot for Ted's.
Being a big fan of Tarahumara and Tulio's I haven't checked into Chuy's as yet. Also, I'm a bigger fan of my lovely's enchiladas so I
get a lot of my cravings met without leaving home.

The eatery you reference on Main just east of Flood was named The Border Crossing.
It was good, real good, in its day. It's been gone for many, many years now.

3rd vote. Everything there is just perfect in my opinion and the food comes out very fast!

La Luna downtown is also pretty good.

Anyone else been to Chuys ? Is it worth trying out ?

Chuy's is similar to On the Border, but much better, IMHO. They need to open more in the metro, and they probably will in the future because the Norman location has been so successful. I've been there twice, and can't wait to go back down soon.

I've been staying with a friend in Edmond and last Wednesday we tried to go to Ted's around 7:30 on Wednesday and there was a 45 minute wait.

I just don't get the fascination... Ted's is okay but there are thousands of other restaurants. I guess it's just become an easy choice for those who don't want to take a chance elsewhere.

Plus, of course, they do a pretty good job there. They are extremely successful for a reason.

We typically go on Sunday mornings before the church crowd so the wait at the May location is minimized. Our get out of town flights or drive is usually after that so it going early works out well for us. After living away from OKC for 10 years it makes you appreciate all the extras that you get included with the meal at many of the OKC area Mexican restaurants that the national chains and even locals elsewhere charge for.

Zarate's Latin Mexican Grill near 7th and Broadway in Edmond is great. Menu can't be beat.

For me Teds is like Rib Crib, its not great food but its very consistent each and every time you go so people just keep on going.

Anyone else been to Chuys ? Is it worth trying out ?

Their steak fajitas are outstanding

For me Teds is like Rib Crib, its not great food but its very consistent each and every time you go so people just keep on going.

I've heard that before, and more than once, about both places.

Drive down 29th Street from Shields to I-44 and you'll pass most of the best Mexican restaurants in Oklahoma City because you are afraid to stop at any of them.

Berta's Tacos does a lunch buffet that's better than any of the restaurants I've seen listed here.

There is a buffet next to the Olive Garden at SW 74th & Penn (there's a thread about it here somewhere) and although it's a mixed Mexican/Chinese/American buffett, there are always at least a couple of really good Mexican dishes, generally a mole and some sort of pork verde-like dish.

If you want really good tacos and burritos, try Tacos San Pedro on SW 44th, just west of Penn. I've been eating there for 11 years and have never been disappointed.

If you are wanting generic Tex-Mex, I haven't seen a lot of difference between all the ones I've tried. It's all pretty good to me but none really stand out.

There is a buffet next to the Olive Garden at SW 74th & Penn (there's a thread about it here somewhere) and although it's a mixed Mexican/Chinese/American buffett, there are always at least a couple of really good Mexican dishes, generally a mole and some sort of pork verde-like dish.



It's called Las Delicias and it's not bad for what it is. Way better than Pancho's across the interstate. It's owned by Chelino's, so the Mexican is similar to what you would get at a Chelino's restaurant, but they also offer some soups (pasole and caldo de res), and other items you won't get at a normal Chelino's.

I don't remember the price off the top of my head but it's not bad for a buffet and if they have the grilled beef short ribs on the buffet it is well worth it.

They only have the mole on the weekend.

Casa Perico, 122nd and Penn. I am particulary fond of their Puerco Verde, but I've never had anything there that wasn't good. Super nice and attentive staff, VERY reasonable prices and never a wait for a table or booth. Good margaritas too.

Drive down 29th Street from Shields to I-44 and you'll pass most of the best Mexican restaurants in Oklahoma City because you are afraid to stop at any of them.

Berta's Tacos does a lunch buffet that's better than any of the restaurants I've seen listed here.

Dont forget sw44th and sw 59th.

This site has a pretty good list:
Inner City Southside Mexican Restaurants | Urbanspoon (http://www.urbanspoon.com/nf/46/4506/4530/Oklahoma-City/Inner-City-Southside/Mexican-Restaurants)

You said "mexican food" so I assume you meant "mexican" not tex-mex or "okie-mex"

Dont forget sw44th and sw 59th.


Yeah, the entire area from Shields west to about Portland and South 44th north to North 25th is littered with tasty holes in the wall and taco trucks. The biggest concentration seems to be along 29th street though.

As it happens, last night I ate at my recommended Casa Perico at 63rd & Meridian and it was even better than I had remembered.

For the first time, I asked for the habanero salsa and they prepare it in a little iron skillet and bring it to you warm... For no extra charge. It was one of the best salsas I've ever had, as it's plenty spicy but not so much so you can't taste the other flavors. I'm already craving it again!

I'm not a huge fan of queso but I like theirs; it's closer to white than yellow and has a really nice flavor. Their chips were fresh and not greasy.

I had a chicken chile relleno which was fine, but not outstanding. But their standard refried beans were really darn good.

Also, my Tecate beer was not only served in a large goblet with salt and lime, but it was COLD and the goblet was very frosty.

And, the service was warm, prompt and generally excellent.


Seems like they just get all the little things right. Need to find a good main dish because that seems to be the weak link the few times I have eaten there.

Uhm Tacoville.....

I like Mama Rojas out at Lake Hefner. La Salsa Grille at NW 23rd and Meridian is also good. Hugo's Taquiza's at NW 23rd and I-44 is good as well.

If you're looking for Mexican that's comparable to Ted's, then you're looking for what I like to call "Okla-Mex." And for Okla-Mex, I have to agree with Pete -- it's hard to beat Casa Perico.

Of course, there are a wide range of other types of Mexican and Latin restaurants in the city. If you're looking to branch out of the standard Okla-Mex fare, I'd recommend any or all of the following:

Taqueria Los Comales (Taqueria - Stockyard City)
Zarate's (Mexican / South American - Edmond)
Birrieria Diaz (Try the Birria - Downtown Bethany)
Cafe Kacao (Guatemalan - Classen at about 34th)

Abel's (NW 50th and MacArthur) is also a great option if you're a fan of Okla-Mex but you want to try something a little unique. Order off the Taqueria Menu at Abel's (it's a small, separate menu that's normally on your table). Tacos are $1.65 each, filled with the meat of your choice, and still come with all the chips, salsa, queso, and sopapilla you expect at an Okla-Mex restaurant. I categorize Abel's as the Okla-Mex / Taqueria combo.

Abel's (NW 50th and MacArthur) is also a great option if you're a fan of Okla-Mex but you want to try something a little unique. Order off the Taqueria Menu at Abel's (it's a small, separate menu that's normally on your table). Tacos are $1.65 each, filled with the meat of your choice, and still come with all the chips, salsa, queso, and sopapilla you expect at an Okla-Mex restaurant. I categorize Abel's as the Okla-Mex / Taqueria combo.

Do they also own an Abel's on South May near I-240?

Do they also own an Abel's on South May near I-240?

Yes, indeed.

3rd vote. Everything there is just perfect in my opinion and the food comes out very fast!

3rd vote for Casa Pericos is what I meant to say.. :/

Taramuhara's in Norman.

3rd vote for Casa Pericos is what I meant to say...
Yes, Casa Pericos is very good. House of Parakeets.
Cool name.

Try one of the chile rellenos at Chuy's. I think they are pretty tasty. It's a Tex-Mex chain but it's probably my favorite Tex-Mex chain. I also like Abels, but I like the NW 50th location more than the south side one. And one of these days I'm gonna get the guts to try one of those inner-city places........just haven't done it yet.

Try one of the chile rellenos at Chuy's. I think they are pretty tasty....
Do they use a poblano or Anaheim? I prefer the pan fried Anaheim that are the
standard in New Mexico. The poblano leaves a bell pepper taste.

Yes, Casa Pericos is very good. House of Parakeets.
Cool name.

They used to call it Los Pericos: The Parrots.
Apparently, something was lost (or possibly gained!) in translation.
Still: It (that is, what hits the plate at Casa Perico) equals or surpasses every standard of Tex/Okie/Mex or Mex/Tex/Okie as established by "Teds".

(i prefer the location on 122nd and Penn . . . i'm selfish i want to feel good about leaving less of a carbon footprint =)

Frankly, I must admit that I'm a bit surprised that you would prefer an Anaheim pepper to a Poblano pepper.
(on account of the only Anaheim i can think of is in California and California is the land of "fruits and nuts". isn't it? =)

I have to admit that I am looking forward to the opening of 1492 North (Cassady Square) much more than I'm looking forward to Five Guys Burgers and/or Cain's Chicken Parts, Again.

Frankly, I must admit that I'm a bit surprised that you would prefer
an Anaheim pepper to a Poblano pepper. (on account of the only Anaheim
i can think of is in California and California is the land of "fruits and nuts".
isn't it? =)
Yes and no. The poblano pepper tastes too much like a green bell pepper.
They leave an extremely bitter taste in my mouth. The Anaheim pepper has
some spice to it and doesn't leave an offensive after taste. While California,
from which I am from, duh Prunepicker, is definitely the land of fruits and
nuts, figuratively speaking, it's also a wonderful place for excellent Cal-Mex
and hot sauces for your burger. This is reality and not figurative.

"Yes and No" sounds a bit "moderate" . . . Doesn't it? =)

I understand what you are saying: Personally, I have only recently--like over the most recent five years--begun to develop a tolerance for cilantro. It--cilantro--used to leave a taste in my mouth similar to chewing on Ivory Soap flakes or whatnot. (btw: the worst Cilantro Overdose Offense came from the "TexOkieMex" place that used to be in the vicinity of where Genghis Grill is now. the one that moved west on Memorial for awhile then disappeared entirely.)

Personally, The Poblano is my "Go-To" pepper of choice but when I make Chili or Posole or Chicken/Pork/Beef/or Stacked-Rolled Enchiladas/Whatever I use a combination of chiles for a layered blend of textures and tastes. The Buy-For-Less or Whole Foods Anaheim is always included. Even the one from Sunflower--oops "Sprouts".

Stay tuned for a handy tip on how to "Skin" peppers rather than roast them for inclusion into a relatively slow-cooking dish that isn't improved by simply dumping over-cooked chiles into the broth. =)

I guess the most obscurely humorous part of this thread to this point is that the OP asked for "Mexican food in OKC besides Ted's" It's a semantic thing . . . Easy Answer: "The refrigerator case at that 7-Eleven adjacent to The Original"? (a jape on the use of "besides" rather than "as an alternative to" . . .

"I understand what you are saying: Personally, I have only recently--like over the most recent five years--begun to develop a tolerance for cilantro. It--cilantro--used to leave a taste in my mouth similar to chewing on Ivory Soap flakes or whatnot.

Which reminds me of when I heard Ina Garten (The Barefoot Contessa) say on one of her cooking shows that she thought that cilantro tasted like dish soap.

I hope the supply of necessities to The Hamptons (on Long Island a.k.a. Ina G's Hood) wasn't rudely interrupted by that Sandy hurricane . . . =)

Really . . . I do so hope.
(Her "Back to Basics" cookbook is second only to "Tyler's Ultimate" running just ahead of "Rao's [authentic italian].

Dang. I hope the REAL "Rao's" (restaurant) up there by Harlem is OK . . . Betty Crocker and Gourmet MagRecpColl(c. 1950) are still in the running . . . =)

OK . . . How about . . . . . . =)

If Jacques Pepin would present a cookbook of "Essential [mexican]" all would be well in the world . . .
(inside joke: watch the taxpayer funded OETA/CREATE network for a while. while eating some KFC with Cholula for authenticity. =)

[I]"Best Mexican food in OKC besides Ted's" . . . indeed. =)

p.s. to ljbab728: i think Alton Brown gave a real scientific explanation for cilantro as compared to non-cilantro enjoyers. so where is that new Braum's location that we discussed a year or so ago?...=)

I think it's in Savannah near "The Lady & Sons".

No . . . I don't think that is right . . . PaulaD got smacked upside the head by a frozen ham flung by a dockworker in celebration o' some holiday a couple o' years ago while posing for a video shoot, recovered, and swore off butterin' up the masses of viewers exceptin' usin' more butter in ev'erthang.
(did Sandy affect Savannah? i hope so . . . but not too much . . . capice?

So where is the Braum's . . . with sidewalks . . . on Hefner . . . east of Penn?
(i mean . . . WTF? is the problem? =)

Of course I refer to the New! Improved! Braums location that has a few more peppers available to purchase off the produce rack.

Is "H" really his middle initial?

Enough with the mind reading already: Braum's location east of Penn on Hefner with all of the ingredients for a homemade Okie Mex meal. Eight months. do it =)

Oh . . . A "lighted sidewalk" defining the natural "watershed/drainage park" would perfectly balance the natural environment and discourage sub-urban sprawl. If you know what i mean . . . and i think that you do. =)

(?entonces que . . . de veras . . . traga luz?)

Reminder: "Mexican Food in OKC besides Teds": Insult? Springboard to Discussion o/y Mierda?
(thanks/kudos t' bcris02 . . . so . . . was like . . .your awesome locatorphone tuned to thischannelrwhut?)
(awesome. teds is teds. fine cuisine is . . . like out there.)

And there is, of course, always the alternative implied by your "racistculturalist" request for anti-colonialist alternative to Ted's. . .
(really . . . if one phrases the question "mexican" . . . as compared to . . . "ted's" . . . how "authentic is that?"
no matter how you slice it . . . =)

M8sZ1DWsAHE

Sorry, amigo . . . we salvadorians sometimes get really picky about paradigms and semantics.
thanks for not being niggardly in terms of your forgiveness vis-a-viis my gaffe . . .

To OP: It is "unfair" to set up any comparison of value received vis-a-vis "mexican" with a name like Teds."
It relates to "The Smuckers" concept of Labelability as compared to Quality and stuff like that there.

"Yes and No" sounds a bit "moderate" . . . Doesn't it? =)
This has nothing to do with politics. Food is subjective. Politics are
cognitive.

Another Teds thread, yay!

I don't understand the fascination with Ted's. as others have said there are TONS of other just as good options.


Tex-Mex
Los Pericos
Los Arcos
Chuy's
Diego's
Big Truck Tacos

Authentic
Los Comales
Tamales El Patio
Random food trucks across metro

Another Teds thread, yay!

I don't understand the fascination with Ted's. as others have said there are TONS of other just as good options.


Well I hate to argue semantics but this thread is about places other than Ted's..... Or if you are a Radical Moderate places beside Ted's. :wink:

as others have said there are TONS of other just as good options.


Tex-Mex

Big Truck Tacos



Tex-Mex? Them's fightin' words.

This has nothing to do with politics. Food is subjective. Politics are
cognitive.

I think that 1492 will serve good food.
Therefore, I think I will go there
If it ever opens in Cassdy Square.
I think, therefore I eat.
Ergo, et cetera: vice-versa.

To wit: Ted's is OK and therefore, by definition not MX, nor TX nor TX-MX.
And the only thing beside Ted's serving burrito like stuff is a Seven-11.

And just when was it that they started measuring restaurants in tons?
Is that some sort of creeping plot by Metricaliens?

It's been said before and I'll say it again. Teds' excellent service and generosity of yummy freebies is unmatched (as far as I know). Be it Tex-Mex-Okie-whatever, it's the best deal for the price.

Not to derail the non-Teds subject matter.

It's been said before and I'll say it again. Teds' excellent service and
generosity of yummy freebies is unmatched (as far as I know). Be it
Tex-Mex-Okie-whatever, it's the best deal for the price.

Not to derail the non-Teds subject matter.
I must say that Ted's chips and salsa are very good. However, the
Atomic is lame. I believe it was created for the sake of heat. It's
not very tasty, in fact, it leaves a noxious green bell pepper taste in
my mouth. I don't like green bell pepper.

I'm trying to think of a Tex-Mex restaurant in OKC that doesn't
provide generous portions of chips and salsa to the patrons.

I think that 1492 will serve good food.
Therefore, I think I will go there
If I remember correctly, and I do, 1492 is located where Beverly's
was on N. Walker. I was under the impression it was South American.
Do they serve Tex-Mex? I can't stand authentic Mexican food.

I can't stand authentic Mexican food.

Same here. I've tried to like it, but i just cant. I've been all over mexico and tried numerous restaurants (and even state side 'true' mexican restaurants) and my favorite true mexican food came from a hot food section of a grocery store in Tulum Mexico.

With that said i would rather of had a childa platter from taco beuno. I just have to have flour tortillas and shredded or melted cheese.

I'm trying to think of a Tex-Mex restaurant in OKC that doesn't
provide generous portions of chips and salsa to the patrons.
Most of the locals there include queso and tortillas in the setup, most of the national chains typically have not. Once you get outside of OKC pretty much all you get is chips and salsa and many even charge for a different flavor salsa. A cup of queso is usually about 4.00 and some places charge 25 cents a tortilla, don't even think about something like sopapillas being included in the meal. Also the prices at the national chains is typically more than the locals there and more reflective of prices nationally. Most local Mexican (Tex-Mex, Okie-Mex, etc.) places are cheaper and give you more than you get outside of OKC.

My wife likes Ted's, it is like the food that she grew up on that her mother made in West Texas and neither of us are real fond of real Mexican food, no matter the regional flavor. Most of those places that I have tried just weren't very good, either in OKC or Austin and one of those places in Austin was one that many raved about (Polvo's). It was edible, not bad, I just didn't like it as well as Tex-Mex. It was a place that I would go to with a group but would never choose to go to on my own.

Yes, I've never seen this setup elsewhere but in OKC it seems to be the standard.

Not only free chips and salsa (typical just about everywhere) but also free queso, tortillas and sopapillas.


IIRC, the original Cocina da Mino off of Shields started this trend back in the 80's and when they opened a bunch of locations, it seems the rest of the OKC Mexican places followed their lead.

I remember that Cafe Ole had the same type of setup at the 58th & May location before I had ever heard of Cocina de Mino but then I didn't make my way down to Shields very often. Not sure if the other, older El Chico locations had it but for some reason I think the Shepherd Mall location did as well. I know when the one opened up at Britton & May and Edmond they were resistant to the idea of providing the same type of setup but I think the older El Chico franchise owners were a bit different than the newer El Chico stores that opened up in the late 80's/early 90's.