The Best Mexican Restaurants in Amarillo

Plaza Restaurant & Bar sets the standard with chili rellenos diners cross town for and housemade chips served with multiple fresh salsas.

By The Scoop Editorial Team · How we pick · Updated July 2026

Visiting Amarillo? Peak season runs spring and fall, when Amarillo's Mexican Restaurants fill their best tables fast, so it pays to call ahead.

Plaza Restaurant & Bar

★★★★★ 4.5 · 2866 reviews

Open 11 AM–9:30 PM most days

Plaza Restaurant & Bar owns the chili relleno lane in Amarillo, drawing diners across town for the house-made version that sets the standard. The kitchen cuts and fries its own corn chips daily and sends multiple salsa varieties to every table before you order. Chili verde and stuffed sopapillas follow, along with cucumber margaritas and charcoal beans that appear on tables across the large dining room. Flan closes meals properly. The patio fills with families on weekends, and the parking lot stays packed most evenings.

"It is hard to find good Mexican flavor in Texas. These guys nailed it!"Verified review

Best for: Families seeking reliable execution

Call Now (806) 358-4897 Visit Website

2101 S Soncy Rd, Amarillo

Plaza Restaurant & Bar, Mexican Restaurants in Amarillo — Plaza Restaurant & BarPhoto: Magnar E. Olsen

2101 S Soncy Rd, Amarillo

2No. 2 in Amarillo

Joe Taco on Wallace

★★★★★ 4.5 · 2066 reviews

Open 11 AM–9 PM most days

Joe Taco on Wallace draws a loyal crowd through staff who greet regulars by name and guide first-timers through the menu with genuine care. The Queso Blanco sauce anchors half the orders, draped over naked chili rellenos and requested as a side for tacos. Birria tacos, baha fish, and stuffed avocado give the menu range beyond Tex-Mex standards. The dog-friendly patio pulls in neighborhood crowds, and the kitchen accommodates dairy-free and gluten-free requests without fuss. It's a casual hole-in-the-wall setup, more about the food and the welcome than the decor. Parking runs tight and the location hides off the main road, so first visits take attention.

"Beat Queso Blanco in town."Verified review

Best for: Queso lovers and patio dining

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7312 Wallace Blvd, Amarillo

Joe Taco on Wallace, Mexican Restaurants in Amarillo — Joe Taco on WallacePhoto: Mike Pool

7312 Wallace Blvd, Amarillo

3No. 3 in Amarillo

Jorge's Mexican Bar & Grill

★★★★★ 4.5 · 2510 reviews

Open 11 AM–10 PM most days

The tortilla press runs all service at Jorge's, turning out fresh rounds for chile rellenos, Mexico Lindo nachos, and sizzling fajitas with beef, chicken, or shrimp. The El molcajete and tortilla soup keep regulars coming back, portions run generous, and top-shelf margaritas match the festive energy when the dining room fills most evenings.

"Everything was fantastic. Highly recommend the top shelf margaritas and el molcajete."Verified review

Best for: Groups wanting a lively atmosphere

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6051 Bell St, Amarillo

Jorge's Mexican Bar & Grill, Mexican Restaurants in Amarillo — Jorge's Mexican Bar & GrillPhoto: Raul Casas III

6051 Bell St, Amarillo

4No. 4 in Amarillo

Braceros Mexican Grill & Bar

★★★★★ 4.5 · 2239 reviews

Open 11 AM–10 PM most days

Braceros Mexican Grill & Bar sits on Route 66 and pours some of the best margaritas in town, balanced and strong. The kitchen turns out perfectly cooked cabrito tacos from goat butchered in-house, plus the signature Diablo salad and chile relleno with beef. Micheladas arrive generous, the Fajita Tampiqueña delivers, and the bar handles busy nights with care (though peak hours bring waits).

"…one of the best margaritas I've had in a long time. Not too sweet, not too strong, just right."Verified review

Best for: Margarita drinkers seeking balance

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2822 SW 6th Ave, Amarillo

Braceros Mexican Grill & Bar, Mexican Restaurants in Amarillo — Braceros Mexican Grill & BarPhoto: Lazarus Powell

2822 SW 6th Ave, Amarillo

5No. 5 in Amarillo

David's Mexican Restaurant

★★★★★ 4.5 · 1118 reviews

Open 11 AM–10 PM daily

David's Mexican Restaurant delivers generous portions at fair prices on the east side. The mole chicken enchiladas and carne guisada anchor the menu, while fajitas a la diabla bring heat. Service moves at a steady clip without hovering. The sopapilla sundae closes meals right, and warm salsa arrives with complimentary chips throughout.

"The amount of food we got for the price was outstanding."Verified review

Best for: East-side diners seeking value

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400 E Hastings Ave, Amarillo

David's Mexican Restaurant, Mexican Restaurants in Amarillo — David's Mexican RestaurantPhoto: David's Mexican Restaurant

400 E Hastings Ave, Amarillo

How Amarillo's Top Mexican Restaurants Compare

How Amarillo's top Mexican Restaurants compare across key factors
Business	Price	Hours	Known for
Plaza Restaurant & Bar Top Pick	Moderate	11 AM–9:30 PM	Families seeking reliable execution

Joe Taco on Wallace	Moderate	11 AM–9 PM	Queso lovers and patio dining
Jorge's Mexican Bar & Grill	Moderate	11 AM–10 PM	Groups wanting a lively atmosphere
Braceros Mexican Grill & Bar	Moderate	11 AM–10 PM	Margarita drinkers seeking balance
David's Mexican Restaurant	Moderate	11 AM–10 PM	East-side diners seeking value

What People Are Saying

★★★★★

Best Texas fajitas I've ever had! Great service. Friendly staff…

Plaza Restaurant & Bar

★★★★★

Dog Friendly Patio Amazing Service and Food!!

Joe Taco on Wallace

★★★★★

Seating was fast, friendly greeting, chips and salsa on the table immediately.

Jorge's Mexican Bar & Grill

Eating Mexican in Amarillo

Tex-Mex and regional Mexican kitchens compete for family loyalty across Amarillo, where green chile influence from nearby New Mexico shapes menus alongside traditional preparations. Families and work crews keep lunch service busy, while evenings draw couples and larger groups seeking margaritas and full dinners. The moderate pricing across top kitchens reflects Amarillo's affordability compared to larger Texas metros, and the consistency of execution suggests a competitive market where repeat business matters more than tourist traffic. Outdoor seating becomes viable in spring and fall when the climate moderates and Panhandle winds calm.

What to Know Before You Choose

Start with the chips and salsa: fresh, warm, housemade chips signal a kitchen that sweats the details, and tortillas made to order beat packaged every time.
Chili rellenos separate destination kitchens from assembly lines. The pepper should hold its shape, the batter light and crisp, the cheese melted through without turning greasy.
Margaritas matter if you drink them. A proper one balances tequila, lime, and sweetener without becoming a slushie or a sugar bomb, and top-shelf should taste cleaner than well.
Patio seating works best in spring and fall, when Panhandle winds calm; summer heat makes outdoor dining a gamble, so check conditions first.
Service consistency shows in how staff handle modifications and repeat visits. Kitchens that adjust dishes without drama usually run tighter operations overall.
Pricing across the top Mexican kitchens runs moderate, so value is less about the cheapest plate and more about portion size, execution, and whether you leave satisfied.

Questions Amarillo Locals Ask

Which Amarillo Mexican restaurant has the best margaritas?

Braceros Mexican Grill & Bar pours the best margaritas in Amarillo, balanced and strong without excessive sweetness. Plaza Restaurant & Bar offers standout cucumber margaritas, and Jorge's Mexican Bar & Grill serves top-shelf options alongside their fresh tortillas. All three deliver quality drinks that match their food programs.

What's the best Mexican restaurant in Amarillo for families?

Plaza Restaurant & Bar leads for families with a large dining room, patio seating, and a menu that satisfies kids and adults equally. The housemade chips and multiple salsas keep tables happy while meals arrive, and the consistent execution means you won't gamble on quality. Jorge's Mexican Bar & Grill offers a lively atmosphere families enjoy, though it gets loud during peak hours.

Where can I find authentic Mexican food in Amarillo?

Joe Taco on Wallace delivers authentic flavors with dishes like birria tacos and Queso Blanco sauce, while Jorge's Mexican Bar & Grill makes tortillas fresh throughout service. Braceros Mexican Grill & Bar butchers goat in-house for cabrito tacos, a sign of serious kitchen commitment. David's Mexican Restaurant offers mole chicken enchiladas and carne guisada that stay true to traditional preparation.

Which Amarillo Mexican restaurant has the best value?

David's Mexican Restaurant delivers the strongest value proposition in Amarillo with generous portions at fair pricing and attentive service that makes every visit feel personal. Joe Taco on Wallace runs close behind, offering serious quality at moderate prices with staff who remember your order. All five restaurants price moderately, making the choice more about what you want than what you can afford.

Do Amarillo Mexican restaurants accommodate dietary restrictions?

Joe Taco on Wallace accommodates dairy-free and gluten-free requests without fuss, making modifications part of their regular service. Most Amarillo Mexican restaurants will adjust dishes for allergies or preferences if you ask when ordering. Call ahead if you have serious restrictions to confirm the kitchen can handle your needs safely.

When do Amarillo Mexican restaurants get busiest?

Most Amarillo Mexican restaurants fill up on weekends and weekday evenings, with the heaviest traffic hitting during dinner service. Plaza Restaurant & Bar sees full parking lots during these windows, and Jorge's Mexican Bar & Grill typically runs a wait. Lunch service moves faster, and early dinners often mean shorter waits across the board.

Which Amarillo Mexican restaurant makes the best chili rellenos?

Plaza Restaurant & Bar built its reputation on chili rellenos diners cross town for, executed with consistency that keeps them coming back. Joe Taco on Wallace offers naked chili rellenos draped in Queso Blanco sauce, a different preparation that earns equal praise. Jorge's Mexican Bar & Grill and Braceros Mexican Grill & Bar both serve excellent versions, making chili rellenos a strength across Amarillo's top kitchens.

Are there Mexican restaurants in Amarillo with outdoor seating?

Plaza Restaurant & Bar offers patio seating that fills quickly on pleasant evenings, while Joe Taco on Wallace maintains a dog-friendly patio that pulls in neighborhood crowds. Amarillo's unpredictable Panhandle weather means patio season runs primarily in spring and fall, when winds calm and temperatures moderate. Call ahead to confirm patio availability during weather extremes.

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Still deciding? You can't miss with Plaza Restaurant & Bar, our top pick. Call Plaza Restaurant & Bar

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