I don't think I've met a Mexican restaurant that I don't like...okay, maybe I'm lying, but the truth is, Mercado Juarez will definitely be one of our top go-to Mexican places in Dallas! We ventured here on a Saturday afternoon for lunch after finding a groupon (woo-hoo)! We've passed by this restaurant several times, but never really paid it any attention due to the location..it IS in a rather...how do we say, sketchy part of Northwest Hwy. But don't let that deter you from coming in, don't make a wrong turn or you might end up at Onyx :-) Anywho, the restaurant is surprisingly large, a lot of space if you want to host a big dinner, etc and I do believe I saw a private area if you want to be away from the regulars -- AND they cater as well. Let's start with every Mexican restaurant's staple: chips and salsa - check and check, the salsa was warm, which I'm not a fan of warm salsa (it was supposed to be warm, not like it had just been sitting out all day) but it didn't stop my from chip scraping the bottom of the dish it came in when I was done with my salsa :-) Another thing I like about Mercado Juarez, is that you can get a full dinner plate that comes with guacamole salad or a soup or you can get just the meal that you ordered, without the bells and whistles, for a little cheaper -- the serving size is the same -- most places either don't give you that option or the serving size is much smaller for the cheaper price. I opted for the carnitas plate with the chicken tortilla soup and guacamole and Rod got his usual: combination beef and chicken fajitas. The chicken tortilla soup was good, if you've read my reviews you know I'm a stickler when it comes to chicken tortilla soup, while this one wasn't the BEST, it wasn't the worst either. Rod was excited because they gave us like 7 or 8 tortillas with our order -- most places will give you 4 TOTAL...and the tortillas were REAL....I mean, someone's abuela is in the back patting flour, real :-) mmmmmm...and, you can buy the tortillas too #WINNING. My carnitas plate was perfect -- my meat was seasoned perfectly and sooo tender *drools* Rod had no complaints about his fajitas...all he could talk about was the tortillas LOL. Two thumbs up, if I had more thumbs, I'd put them up too :-)
(4)
Rick B.
I will keep this one short. The food is marginal at best. The drinks are terrible. My Rita (top shelf) tasted like sour mix. The decor is very old with a ton of strange open space with no tables. The service was friendly but that can't make up for the rest. My advice, keep driving there are better options.
(1)
Shelby M.
Great taste with a great atmosphere. I attended a wedding here also, it was very memorable.
(4)
Poya E.
Good food, I liked there tamales. I ordered the combo and it was good. Not among the best but if you are hungry and in the area then give it a try if you are in to Mexican food.
(3)
Cory B.
You can make a meal off the chips and salsa alone. They make everything from scratch and their flower tortillas are amazing. I got the chicken fajitas and they were bomb.com .
(5)
Ed D.
This is straight up traditional Tex-Mex the way it's been served for decades. The food is always very good, the service attentive, the salsa warm, and the chips hot. Plus, they're making their own tortillas fresh in the kitchen and will bring you a container of flour, corn, or mixed plus a basket of butter if you ask. This is not health food but it's very, very good for your soul. Parking can get weird but it's great for pairs, groups, or really big groups. (Call ahead for the really big ones.)
(4)
P ..
This is a fiver. No doubt. Been here many times and just needed to give the deserved props. Best salsa anywhere...served hot/it's almost a stew. Fajitas are good. Ritas are good. Service is good. Homemade tortillas. Reasonable prices. It's kind of an old school type atmosphere that exudes greatness.
(5)
Christi N.
What happened to this place? It used be much better. I never thought it was fantastic, but it was good. I do like the salsa still. The queso is okay. Tortillas were so hard and rubbery I could barely bite through them. Worst tortilla soup I've ever had. It tasted like they opened a can of vegetable soup, and threw in some chicken, some tortilla strips and a tiny bit of cheese. It tasted like canned vegetable soup, not tortilla soup. I even found pieces of zucchini in it. Margaritas are too sweet and have hardly any alcohol in them. I had one frozen and one on the rocks. Neither was impressive.
(2)
Rob K.
I read about their very cheap (and good) lunches, so a couple of us from work went their and noticed that the people entering broke into two groups. One group went to a cashier window and the others went to be seated. We followed the latter, but next will go straight to the cashier. We ordered some great lunches (enchiladas, tacos, chimmichanga) and were very happy with the quality of the food and the speed/courteousness of the waitstaff. When we were done, we were told we paid at the cashier window. That is when I learned that if we had went there to start with, we could have prepaid for basically the same lunches we got, but for $2-3 less. Oh well, hopefully a couple people will read this and not repeat the same mistake. We will be back, just following a different line on our way in this time.
(4)
Jose G.
Great Mexican food!! My favorite Mexican food place to eat and they have the best hot sauce!!
(5)
Jesse H.
Had the steak al chipotle, it was really good! It is A Thursday lunch special, served up with a big order of warm tortillas tasty! The pico de gallo was fresh and chunky, Rice was perfect, stands up - not too wet, not too dry. Beans were average, but good. I ordered my steak medium, and it was cooked just right. A true medium with hot pink center. The service was good, I never saw the bottom of my beverage glass, my order was taken promptly and served in a reasonable amount of time. Tender, juicy, good ! Recommend!
(4)
Jay J.
Took my wife and mom out for the day, decided at the last minute to get Tex-Mex. Always thought Mercado Juarez was some of the better Tex-Mex in the metroplex. As empty as the resturant was, it shouldn't have taken that long to seat a party of three. The order was put in and arrived fairly quickly, then it really started going down hill. We all ordered different types of enchiladas. The plates were very hot, the food was luke warm! None of the beef had any flavor. It seemed as if someone took a microwave dinner out of the freezer, nuked it for 5 minutes then brought it to our table. While we were waiting for the main cousre, asked for a milder salsa, since my mother felt the salsa was spicy. Unable to comply with this request, the waitress seemed confused. No flour tortillas were offered or given to us. No refills were given on the drinks, no one came over to see if the food was enjoyable or not. While paying for the food with the cashier, she asked if everything was okay and I replied that the food tasted like there was no flavoring or seasonings used, her response was emotionless and quite insulting. The service, the food and the service at the cashier was unacceptable and extremely disappointing. Once again it does not justify a return visit or recommendation. This not only will stop me from visiting this Mercado Juarez, but the one in Arlington as well. Need to find a new Tex-Mex resturant for future visits.
(1)
Liz G.
This place was fantastic! We moved to Dallas 6 months ago. A buddy of ours, who grew up here, suggested Mercado Juarez. The service was prompt, the salsa was delicious, and the fajitas and enchiladas were on point. I'll definitely be back!
(5)
kay w.
Decided to stop by after the newly renovated Studio Movie Grill time down the street.... Easy to find off of Northwest Hwy. Parking limited. Nice decor. Immediately seated. Warm salsa (nice twist). Fresh chips and tortillas. Attentive server. Went in the daytime around five so it was a nice atmosphere. Had the arroz con pollo and chicken chimichanga. No complaints! Perfect flavor and freshness. Only waited ten minutes for our food. Will be returning......
(3)
Andrew B.
This is one of my favorite Mexican Restaurants I have tried. If I had to sacrifice the ability to eat at any Mexican restaurants, and was forced to choose only one, this would be the place. I love all of the food, and love the warm salsa. I recommend the Juarez Special if you want to try a variety of enchiladas and taco. We have been going here for years, and the decor and popularity seem to vary over time, but I have found the food consistently good. I also recommend the Habanero Queso. Flour tortillas are very fresh and made in-house.
(5)
Heather L.
It was good... no complaints. Kinda run down, nothing fancy (I think there is a nudie bar next door). Good tex mex. I got the Carnitas, it came with beans, rice and soup or guac. I chose the soup - very flavorful, but I was bummed it didn't have hunks of avocado in it. The Carnitas were very moist and had good flavor. I felt like it needed a sauce or something, but the way it came made me feel healthy. Huge portions... but y'all know me, I ate it all. I would go again - probably in the mood for something off the beaten path... not sure I'd go in the dark tho.
(3)
Edward W.
3.5 stars. Old Mercado Juarez was this Philly boy's first real Mexican food experience back in the late 80's. I loved it. The warm salsa. The homemade, fresh tortillas. Great, authentic Mexican dishes like burritos, tacos and enchiladas. Sweet memories. A little over 20 years later Mercado Juarez is the old school Mexican place I remember, but just a little tired and perhaps a bit less exciting and flavorful as I remember. The hostess tonight seemed distracted and less than welcoming as she seated me in the nearly empty dining room at 6:15pm. Fortunately Salvadore was my server, and he made up for her coolness with his friendly and engaging service. He was efficient and helpful, too, making great menu suggestions and making sure I was taken care of as the dining room filled up. Tortilla soup was meh and hardly memorable. 2 stars. My Steak Divorciado was nicely prepared, cooked as requested, but was fatty and difficult to cut. It was tasty, however, with poblano sauce on one half and a terrific chipotle sauce on the other. At $15.99 I shouldn't expect much, but given the option I'd pay more for a better piece of meat. 3 stars for the meat entree. I requested a spinach enchilada ala carte, and thought it was a cheesy, creamy heart attack on a plate that was absolutely delicious. 5 stars. The fresh tortillas and the warm salsa are 4.5 stars each, but the chips appeared to be commercially made. I'd expect better from a top-notch Mexican place, so only 2.5 stars. I did like my overall experience, and I enjoyed reminscing about my first Mexican food experience, but with so many great Mexican restaurants in the Dallas area I am afraid the Mercado Juarez may be so 15-years-ago.
(3)
Teresa B.
I love Mercado Juarez. For me it is a must stop whenever I am in town. It's a local chain with a fun atmosphere and it's popular and often busy. I love their salsa that comes out warm and can be very addictive. Their tortillas are hot and seem fresh. They're thick and soft, so I think they are homemade. I tend to go at lunch and get their taco plate since I tend to fill up on their chips and salsa, but I have never had a bad thing there. Enchiladas, tamales, steak...it's all good!
(4)
Megan M.
Mercado Juarez is a solid lunch choice. The service is always reliable, the lunch specials are cheap as hell and the chips and salsa are crisp and tangy, as they should be. I really have nothing bad to say about Mercado Juarez. It's not gonna blow your socks off, but it'll give you an A-Ok experience every time. One of these days I'm gonna hit them up at happy hour and see if the drink specials can nudge them up a star. Until then, I'll stick to having a very happy Tex-Mex lunch for under $10.
(3)
Tia K.
This place is old and dark. ..I ordered chicken enchiladas for lunch the quick fast in a hurry dish 1 of the 8 and it was very bland it taste like a TV dinner OMG such a waste of my drive there.. The servers were nice they don't know much English but they still talk to u like u understand Spanish...nice people. They only serve RC cola, Dr pepper, flat 7 up, and watery lemonade. ..The salsa was alright if u like warm whole strips of onion and chunks of tomato then don't miss out on it.. 3 stars for the nice people.
(3)
Robbie Y.
yes I am a fan. i'm used to my so-cal mexican joints, and this place reminds me of home. I dig it.
(4)
Brad N.
I struggled a bit with my score here. Although this was my first visit, this places is a Dallas institution, beloved by many, and for good reason. It provides fast service, great prices for lunch and food that, while maybe not gourmet, is solid and satisfying. I'll admit that my love for Tex-Mex as a youth has faded somewhat with age, experience and the need to keep my carbs in check, so maybe I'm just not as much of a fan of the genre as I once was. Regardless, me and a group of friends/coworkers descended upon the place for lunch a while ago, in search of some good food and good conversation. We made the latter happen ourselves, and our gracious and efficient servers made the former happen. Chips and salsa (a little runny, but flavorful) arrived quickly, as did our drinks. A queso appetizer was delicious and spicy, a good accompaniment for the chips. My chicken enchilada platter, with one each sour cream and verde, was pretty good, although the spice/flavor level could have been better. The rice and beans were not very inspiring; they were very basic. A side tamale was clearly a machine made affair, and, while not bad, it wasn't up to the quality of a handmade piece. Still, the price was very right for what we got, and the service is quick, making it a great lunch spot.
(3)
Jose D.
I don't think I am going to the place that the other yelp guys are going I have visited 2 of the Mercado Juarez locations and both were outstandingly awful! Coming from Mexico I know a little bit about Mexican food and this is as authentic as taco bueno or less. It seems like the cooks were trained in the Appalachian Mountains in central Virginia were there are no Mexicans! The restaurants are old and the fake tree or plant in the middle are always covered in dust! And the only thing worst than the food is the service. Save yourself some time and money for a quick bite reasonably price go to Luna's in Harry Hines great place awesome tamales! You will also do a lot better if you go to any of the Michoacana meet markets, were the food is plenty and good but the service is as cheap as the food.
(1)
Michael C.
I love this place. Those pork fajitas are just wonderful. My favorite Tex-Mex in DFW.
(5)
Roni B.
i had not been here in years!! my wife and i were out & about on our normal sunday stroll & decided to stop in for dinner. yea, they haven't changed the decor and the service was still very pleasant & speedy!! we were greeted & seated right away. our waitress had another table she was waiting on & acknowledged us (awesome), however the hostess actually took our drink orders & got chips & salsa. the waitress came over & took our order & was very knowledgeable about the menu & made some pretty good suggestions. i opted for the chicken fajita nachos & my wife got the combo (steak & shrimp) fajitas. the food came out pretty quickly...piping hot!! everything was greatness....flavorful...tender & juicy!! score!! lol....we'll be back!!
(4)
Vic C.
Sketchy location. Awesome cheap mexican food. Fajitas were delicious. Service was GREAT.
(4)
Ronnie R.
Food was bland and the place was dark. I won't go back.
(1)
Jennifer W.
Several people at my office go to this location all the time because they have really great lunch specials, and it's a perfect way to eat lunch cheap. Quality of the food is 2 stars, but the price and amount of food you get for that cost gives it a 3rd star. The one thing I love about this place is the price and that you get unlimited tortilla chips and salsa, and unlimited tortillas. This means that you can eat all of the fixins on your plate without trying to eat beans by themselves. One downside is that their tortilla chips always taste burnt. I don't know what they do to them but they're never salted and just aren't very tasty. Their food is seriosuly meh, I've never said the words "This is delicious" or "This is so good" ever. However, it is to be expected because of the price you pay, and it's kind of a dive restaurant even though it is a chain. Also, usually the waitstaff is pretty unfriendly or speaks so little English that you can't get many of your questions answered about a dish. Overall, you get what you pay for. Just to tell you what the lunch specials are: $4.99 1 Cheese or Chicken or Beef Enchilada (rice/refried beans) 1 Chicken or Beef Taco (rice/refried beans) 1 Chicken or Beef Fajita (rice/refried beans/guac/fixins) $5.99 2 Cheese or Chicken or Beef Enchiladas (rice/refried beans) 2 Chicken or Beef Taco (rice/refried beans) 2 Chicken or Beef Burritos (rice/refried beans)
(3)
Jack S.
Quick lunch was great! Just a select few dishes but service was fast and food good ! Norma was our waitress... Recommend her
(4)
Brian B.
Still one of the best Mexican restaurants I have ever been to. Just went again after a few years since the last time and everything very good. The chips and homemade warm salsa are fantastic. I had a little bowl of some type of tortilla soup that was loaded with veggies, chicken and had a tasty tangy sorta broth. The carne asada was cooked perfectly and loaded with flavor and comes with homemade re-fried beans, rice, avocado slices and some grilled onion slices. Good margaritas also but order them by the pitcher for the best deal.
(5)
Jason F.
I've been here a few times for lunch. What keeps me coming back here is the fast service and great seating. I can be in and out of this place quickly and have a semi-private conversation the whole time I'm there. The food is good, but it doesn't really stand out to me among all the other good Tex-Mex places in DFW. I have always found the food comparatively bland. I'll keep coming here for lunch since it is a relaxing place to eat but for dinner I want more flavor and spice in my Mexican food.
(3)
Scott N.
First time to the restaurant. There weren't to many people there but the food was pretty good. Service was no bad as well. Everything was good until the food poisoning, which hit me about 3 hrs later. Unfortunately for me this was my last trip to this restaurant.
(2)
Penny M.
Sizzling veggie fajitas for lunch. You can eat healthy at a mexican joint! Good margaritas for $3.50! So, okay there went the healthy part. They have really good salsa. Service is fast and the food is typical mexican comfort food. Great place for lunch. Coworker had the camaron a la crema. She liked the spinach creme sauce. Prices are reasonable. Refilled my salsa right away. The soft torillas were fresh and hot.
(3)
Randall N.
This may not be the best Mexican joint around but there is one thing they are the best at: steak fajitas. They somehow manage to take cheap, chewy flank steak and make it super tender and incredibly flavorful. Order a margarita, some guac (which is great here) and steak fajitas. I've been here several times but can't tell you if anything else is any good because I only order steak fajitas here.
(4)
Matt H.
Delicious. And, if you like it hot, be sure to grab the habanero queso.
(5)
Gary S.
Friends from VA were in Dallas for a conference and invited us to join them for dinner at what they were told was the "best Tex-Mex in Dallas'. We made the 40 minute drive from Frisco. We had a great evening visiting with friends, the atmosphere was good but this doesn't get my vote for the best Tex-Mex in Dallas! The chips and salsa were average. I had a cheese enchilada and beef enchilada with sour cream and guacamole. The beef enchilada was bland. There was simply nothing special about the meal, nothing bad either. Our sever was attentive, refills on drinks were plentiful. I'm giving them three stars vs two stars simply because of the service. Food is middle of the road Tex-Mex.
(3)
Dena F.
"Chedder or Jack?" Server Lady. "Can I have both?" Me. "Not on the lunch special," Server Lady. "Jack," Me. "Huh?" Jack. "No, the cheese," Me "Figures," Jack. What can I say...I love me some cheese. The lunch special is holding firm at $5.99 which is nice when a gallon of gas is looming close to lunch special pricing. And I think the food tasted better than my last couple of visits. The server was super nice. The tea could have been filled a little more often but it was smack in the middle of the lunch rush. I love the hot chips and hot sauce heavy on the onions. And the lunch specials are tasty hot and standard Tex-Mex goodness. The flour tortilla's are homemade. That's plus a star right there. Actually, this is usually a three star place for me. I eat a lot of Tex Mex and three stars in Dallas is still a good place to eat. But today was really really good. Food was served with lightning speed. It was hot and tasty. Keep it up Mercado!
(4)
Jan L.
Use to be a great place, not anymore. Wish I didn't have to give it a star, so disappointing. We went for an early dinner, I ordered the Spinach Enchiladas. Stopped after two bits.The spinach was totally absent, the mushrooms and tortillas were so hard I had to cut it with a knife. The guacamole was ok but not made from scratch. More like the kind you buy in the store with fresh onions and tomatoes added. My boyfriend had the cheese enchiladas, to quote him they were so so. I do agree with another post the flour tortillas, they are still good. But we had to ask for them 3 times! Service was lacking. Too many other good places to get Mexican food, we will not be back.
(1)
Stefanie Y.
On the upside, my husband got drunk. So that made him happy. Overall though, the food was mediocre at best. In Texas it's just so easy to find GOOD Mexican food at a fraction of the cost. Feels like we paid for a large building and that's about it. No one at the table finished their food. Not that we were full... it just wasn't good enough to stuff yourself silly. I guess that could help if you're on a diet....
(2)
Gordon M.
Well done! The food is good, not as spicy as Cafe del Rio in Allen. The service is very professional, but lacked check backs.
(4)
Bob M.
This location is a little far from the mother ship in Ft Worth and in a business area north of Dallas, not a great area so we usually go to their Arlington or Ft Worth locations. Service not as good as those two other places mentioned. Best Pork Fajitas around. Good sauces for the food. Great menu. All-in-all very good food. So why only three stars? Noisy. Poor guacamole and they treat it like it was gold. Poor soft drink selection and the Margaritas are only average. And then there is the location. I put up with it when I want Fajitas or another of their spectacularly good dishes.
(3)
Josh H.
Ordered chips,salsa, and queso to go. Got a huge bag full of chips that were hot and delicious. The queso was outstanding. A very creamy and smooth cheese. Finally the salsa was actually kept at a hot temperature. Thick and spicy, this salsa is unique and well made.
(3)
LuckieMaounds P.
Seriously, no. People, people. Seriously. The handmade tortillas served hot is the best part of the experience. My carne asada had fibrous strings that were difficult to saw through, and the pico de gallo served with it was visibly old and dried out with washed-out coloring on the tomatoes.
(2)
German S.
First time at this well known TexMex restaurant and I was favorably impressed. Despite a full parking lot and nearly full dining room, I got instant attention from the staff and my lunch was served so quickly that I wondered for a moment if they were bringing my order or accidentally someone else's! No doubt about the food, though, hearty, good flavors and plenty of it. I had the Guiso de Res (beef tips) with rice and refried beans, it was very good and I'mlooking forward to my next visit to sample more of the menu.
(4)
Heather H.
I have died and gone to Tex Mex heaven. There are no adequate words to describe how AMAZING the food is here. I've never had anything that was prepared quite the way my chili relleno/beans/rice/warm salsa/spicy queso dip was. I've been raving about Mercado Juarez for days. I would drive to Dallas again just to have another meal here.
(5)
Joe K.
I've only been to Mercado Juarez a few times, but it's an excellent restaurant. I've yet to have a bad meal here. Infamously in front of "The Lodge", Mercado Juarez holds it's own amongst any of the Tex-Mex greats in Dallas. The two things that I can recommend are the Cheese Enchiladas and the Queso Flameado. ESPECIALLY the Queso Flameado. If it's not the best Flameado in Dallas, it's in the top 3.
(5)
Chanel M.
My job had this for lunch today and I personally would never eat here again. the service from the to-go bar was great, but the food was terrible. I choked on a chicken bone that was left in my chicken enchiladas. The re-fried beans tasted fake and the rice was sticky. The shrimp was the most horrible food I've ever eaten in my life. It was filled with bacon bits and cheese, which sounded good, but the breaded part of the shrimp tasted burnt and the inside was a runny mess with no flavor.
(1)
Peter Q.
Went here for dinner with a large 30+ group of people. They handled our group very efficiently and the food was excellent, good portions, and super-reasonably priced. I wish I had a place like this around me!
(4)
Lily K.
The Texas queso is good and their tortillas are delicious. I had the quesadillas and they were ok. Some friends got the fried shrimp with bacon and they said it was delicious. Service is great. It's in a bad part of town and quite a drive for me so I don't think I'll be back.
(3)
Tim M.
I have dined at Mercado Juarez numerous times over the past 13 years. I can't say this is the best Mexican restaurant that I have been to, however it has always had good food. They have a "quick lunch" option that includes entree and drink and it is great if you are in a hurry. I have noticed a slight decline in food quality over the years, but have continued to dine there for the convenience. A coworker and I dined there today and I had the taco salad. For some reason the lettuce on the taco salad was "tough" and a little hard to eat. When the server asked how the meal was I told her. Shortly thereafter a man came to our table and told me the lettuce wasn't tough and it was cut fresh today. He further told me I was wrong and that the salad has been served the same way for 30 years. He was pretty condescending and offered to do nothing about the entree. Upon leaving I asked him if he was the manager, he stated he was one of the owners. Wow. You have to wonder what tone is being set at the top. It is doubtful that I will return. I can handle mediocre food, but not rude treatment of customers.
(2)
Joseph F.
It's pretty good food. Always busy around lunch time and a deceptively large place, I've never had to wait longer for a table than it takes for the hostess to seat us. The staff is friendly and helpful. I've never had drinks here, but I've heard and seen the drink specials, they look like they offer a decent happy hour. They have a "Express Lane" for lunch that offers a limited menu for cheap and gets you in and out in a short time.
(3)
Cody F.
Good Tex-Mex that is a ticking stomach bomb. MJ's (also called Merkies in my office) has tasty Tex-Mex and decent service (baring language barriers). I have enjoyed the 'Fast Lunch' on several occasions and whole I am there I have a good time and I am mostly extremely pleased. The wait staff doesn't generally speak English all that well and complicated orders are easily fumbled, but lets be real Tex-Mex is just different forms of cheese, meat, beans, and rice so it can't be messed up too bad. After leaving I feel full for $8.00 with decent service but then....... Oh no. Maybe its just my stomach but the sound of the 24 clock sound starts going off in my head and I have to find a restroom immediately. I have tried about 4 different things at 4 different times and the result is always the same. Me on the throne at work until my legs fall asleep. If this didn't occur this would easily have 4 Stars. Food - Taste great, hearty portions, but it makes me feel like I am digesting a 100 pack of Black Cats minutes later. Atmosphere - Wide open floor plan that is HUGE. Faux plants decorate the mesa-styled dining area. Not bad but can been seen as a bit cheesy. Overall - Amazing with some Pepto, but without can ruin your day, or it does for me anyway. if you have an iron stomach then you will be more than content.
(2)
Paul A.
Eh.... For me this is not the place for Mexican food. It may seem a small thing to some but they serve their salsa warm (temperature not spiciness and today it was actually hot.) That just does not work for me. My better half loves this place (she was the reason we were there.) She swears by the enchiladas and quesadillas. I trust her judgment so don't base your visit on my review. Go see for yourself.
(3)
Spike M.
The food is ok I mean if u like tex mex.....
(3)
Kelly C.
My favorite tex mex restaurant. Their salsa is the best I've ever had. The tortillas are freshly made and thick, and they bring you a holder full of them, not just three at a time like many other places. Also has by far the fastest service, even at peak eating times. My favorite meal is the cheddar cheeses enchiladas with queso on top, but I do like me some cheese. Tacos al carbon are good too, as is everything else on the menu. I guess as far as queso goes, their normal stuff is just average. However, the last time I went we got their Habenero queso, and it was really good. Of course, it does have some kick so if you don't like spice, don't get it. A bit of warning, they don't carry Coca Cola products, so those who are fans of Diet Coke or Coke, you'll get RC products instead and they don't always warn you.
(5)
Kimberly W.
This is the best mexican food place ever. The tortillas are hand made and are simply delicioso! They even have cabrito aka goat. All their food is good from the chips and salsa to the enchiladas. You will not be disappointed with anything you get there.
(5)
Summer T.
I hadn't been to Mercado Juarez in quite some time and had all but forgotten it. But my dad was visiting from Boston and asked if we could go to "Mah-cado Wah-ez." Well, sure Dad. And off we all went. It was just as good as I remembered it. Simple, tasty, inexpensive, friendly Mexican.
(4)
Jessica C.
I've been to a million Mexican restaurants and I have to say that this place is awesome. I used to come here every Friday for their quick lunch. I would gobble up ... 1. flour tortillas 2. salsa and chips 3. cheesy enchiladas I went there for the first time in several years last week and it lived up to my expectations. I loved it! Since my visit I have been talking about it. I'm going to have to go back soon. Do yourself a favor and go. It's inexpensive, authentic, and delicious! You'll get in and out fast too! You might want to wear elastic pants though :)
(5)
Chris F.
I have been to this restaurant more times than I can count (over the course of 10 years) and I have NEVER had a bad experience. The food is always great and the service is always friendly and speedy. I would highly recommend getting the cheese queso. It is the best queso I have ever had...anywhere. Even better than my grandma's...just trust me. Aside from that, the menu is pretty normal, but almost everything is good and comes in large portions. (unsure of lunch portions) The only complaint is that it isn't the best part of town. I have been there many times and never had a problem, but it does make me uneasy from time to time. The food is way worth it though.
(5)
Donnie D.
I loved this place. The arroz con pollo was the best. I came here a few times a week for work lunches and it was great. I also lived in the area and dinner takeout was also good. Highly recommended for both price and quality.
(5)
Ben W.
Your average Mexican place. Warm chunky salsa. Really good homemade tortillas
(3)
Lindsay B.
This place has lots of space and seating. I liked the warm salsa, but the fajitas I ordered were just okay. That being said, I left stuffed. I probably wouldn't make a special trip to back here, but would go if everyone else wanted to go there for lunch.
(3)
Chris G.
This is the best mexican restaurant on the planet. I've been going since I was a child and I keep coming back. The chips, salsa, and tortillas are amazing. They have the best queso, best chimichangas, best tortilla soup, everything is incredible. I haven't taken a friend or date there yet who didn't want to go back. This place is incredible! Recommend: The Queso, the Chimichanga, the Rellanos, the Flan, the Quesadillas, hell anything there.
(5)
Marvin L.
They do have good food here. It's been a long time since I went, but I know that I had enchiladas which were very good. The queso taste great, but it doesn't feel authentic, kinda like a thin melted Velveeta dip. Ummmmmm.....Velveeta. The atmosphere is nice, and when I went once we were serenaded by a mariachi quartet, which was really cool. The menu has a good balance between Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes.
(4)
Alex S.
I've never had warm salsa before, but it's surprisingly good. The enchiladas are delicious as well. This place is one of my favorite Tex Mex restaurants and their lunch specials are great.
(5)
Jennifer B.
The food was ok...until a roach crawled on the table. I was done with 1 of my 2 cheese enchiladas from a lunch special plate when a roach crawled on the table. Then there was another on the floor by another group's table. It all just really made me not want to eat there again. The food is cheap, not that great, and the cleanliness obviously leaves something to be desired.
(1)
Felice C.
the fajita combo was awesome! i have been for lunch and dinner many times and i always leave happy.
(3)
Daniel W.
For me, Tex Mex comes down to the enchiladas. I have had a LOT of enchiladas here in Dallas. Probably every mexican place I have been to. And these were hands-down the best beef enchiladas I have had here. If thats what you are after, you should try these. I was into the beans too. Oh and the flan. Those are all very solid. I was not really a fan of the salsa or the queso. Neither was anyone else I was with. It's a good place but it is definately not my favorite place in Dallas.
(3)
Nathan H.
I had the young roast goat and wasn't disappointed. Came on a sizzling cast iron plate with perfect quacamole, rice, a nice bean soup, tortillas, and pico de gaillo salsa. The beer selection on draft isn't great (coors, coors light, miller light, bud light) but a corona does just fine.
(4)
Fred Z.
I remembered fondly the Mercado circa 1999 and after lunch today - I realize they have moved from quality to quantity a-la commodities based mexican cuisine. I do however like the warm salsa and the tortillas are fresh, thick and warm AND it is extremely fast on both sides of the restaurant. I think the secret is to order the fajitas in the "long" wait side and order them off of the little menu on the table and not the menu the hostess gives you. Not bad for a quick lunch in Las Colinas...
(2)
Maura H.
I went to this place twice in one week. The homemade salsa and chips are warm and tasty. I almost didn't have room for dinner I ate so many. There is authentic Mexican food as well as Tex-Mex. The food has just the right blend of spices. I had the beef enchiladas, which were fantastic. And you can't beat the margaritas.
(5)
Michael Y.
Consistently good food and fast service.
(4)
Lori S.
4.5 STARS WoW! When I really want to get my OLE' on, I travel from Garland to the other side of Dallas to Mercado Juarez. This is my favorite Mexican restaurant. The hot sauce is served warm and tastes terrific as well as the hot chili con queso. If you are daring, try the Queso Habanero- you request the heat level to your liking, but be forewarned- it can be really hot as we found out when our 23 year old heat seeking son ordered it at its hottest. We had to take some home because we could not finish the blistering volcanic concoction. Their specialty is their Mesquite grill. I had the Mar y Tierra, a juicy grilled chicken breast with equally prepared shrimp. They also serve pork fajitas if you are tired of the usual beef, chicken and shrimp. If you like authentic Mexican food, they also serve cabrito- young goat. My friends from the south say it's good. There are too many other good choices on the menu for me to explore the goat. The pork tamales are good, the masa has a smooth consistency and the pork is not dry as some can be!
(4)
Eric S.
This is a very good place to eat. Good-Food, fairly good price. Not loud like most other Mexican restaurants can be. The service is quick and are very nice people. Its just one of the those place that if you go there you wont be disappointed in what you get.
(4)
Rosemarie R.
Delicious Mexican food and great service. The staff is helpful and is attentive. I tried the enchiladas My first trip here and they were awesome :) The place is nicely decorated. A beautiful tree at the center. Whether it's real or not, I can't tell. Definitely a place to go back to.
(5)
Kathy F.
Used to go here all the time in the 80s and 90s when I worked close enough to go for lunch. It was one of my favorites. I decided to try it again on Friday now that I'm back in the area. It was still SO GOOD! Nothing has changed and the food is delicious. Queso and salsa, both excellent and the Tacos al Carbon, yummy! Great to see a restaurant still producing a quality product! I'll be back a lot sooner! Cheers!
(4)
Lindsay B.
First time back since we moved back from the Midwest. We used to live close to the Arlington locations and ate at the one near 360 (now closed) WAY too often. This location is not pretty. But the food is still as good as it once was. Their salsa is served warm, their chips are good, and their margaritas as tasty. I used to get the cheese enchiladas with chili sauce, but unfortunately since living in the Midwest enchiladas have become too rich for me. I know, WTH, right? So I got the chicken quesadillas this time. They were good. Not the best I've had, but I would get them again. Prices are decent, servers are nice. I'd recommend their tortilla soup with flour tortillas. Mmmm. Also, if you are feeling particularly gluttonous, try their queso with a flour tortilla or two. Oh my...
(4)
Alan G.
PROS *Nice atmosphere *quiet *Good for romantic date *Food was average (at least what I ordered) *Waiters are pros at their job *Clean restaurant *Got our orders right CONS *A lil expensive for the average food you could get at a more authentic Mexican Restaurant *Too serious employees, ever heard of smiling?
(3)
Yolanda M.
Would I drive out of my way to get here probably not but if you in the NW Hwy area there is no reason not to stop here. It had been quite a while since I've been to Mercado but some friends wanted to stop for lunch and that time I had some really good cheese enchiladas and a margarita at a good price. This next time we went for department lunch because one of my co-workers is leaving the country for a few months and she hates more than anything there will be no Mexican food. The one thing about Mercado Juarez is they can handle big parties at lunch. Our server was very friendly and efficient. We were in an out in no time. This time I go the carnitas which were perfectly season and so very tender. It comes with rice, beans, guacamole and pico, since there are tortillas on the table why order pork fajitas. This is not my go to Mexican place except for lunch it really is. The food is good and the prices for lunch are hard to beat. Oh yeah don't forget to get a Margarita on the rocks.
(3)
Rayna C.
The lunch here is fast and affordable as well as tasty. This is the real deal.
(5)
Kandace A.
This was the best authentic Mexican food I have had in the DFW area. Everything they serve is delicious. The homemade flour tortillas are the best. I will travel far again to come eat here.
(5)
Robert B.
They serve warm salsa which I really like. The wait staff is friendly and efficient. Queso fundido flameado was ok. Will do regular cheese dip next time. I like the tree in the middle of the restaurant, different. Watch out for the bird droppings. Just kidding. The tortillas are served at the same time as the chips and salsa. Tortillas a good when hot, but as they cool, they get stiff. My wife ordered the senior citizen cheese enchilada plate. She really liked it and thought it was good. I ordered the Juarez special. It consists of one beef crispy taco and three enchiladas. 1 enchilada is a chicken enchilada with sour cream sauce, 1 enchilada is a beef enchilada with meat sauce, and the final one was a cheese enchilada with meat sauce. The chicken enchilada was good, but the sour cream sauce was rather bland and added nothing to it. The crispy taco was really delicious; it had a lot of meat in it. The beef enchilada was stuffed very full of meat and was good. The cheese enchilada was excellent! My plate also came with Guacamole, which was made just how I like it. I like a straight guacamole with nothing extra in it like tomato or onion. So it was really good. I ordered flan for dessert. It was average. I kept thinking I tasted pineapple mixed in it, but I'm undergoing chemotherapy right now so my taste buds are a little off. The prices average $10-$17 for most plates. It's a little bit pricey, but I will return. Overall it was a good experience.
(4)
Eddie C.
The chips and salsa were good (I do prefer warm salsa), but everyhting else was just ok for me. Definitely not bad, but nothing to write home about. The fajitas had a nice char on them, but I thought that they lacked just a little bit in seasoning. The rice and beans were also just a little off. I would return, but I won't go out of my way.
(3)
Andrea R.
I've heard this place has been around forever. We had a group of six on a Thursday, and it was pretty slow business that night. The service was not so great and the food was just ok. There's far too many places in Dallas to go back here.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Robyn M.
I don't think I've met a Mexican restaurant that I don't like...okay, maybe I'm lying, but the truth is, Mercado Juarez will definitely be one of our top go-to Mexican places in Dallas! We ventured here on a Saturday afternoon for lunch after finding a groupon (woo-hoo)! We've passed by this restaurant several times, but never really paid it any attention due to the location..it IS in a rather...how do we say, sketchy part of Northwest Hwy. But don't let that deter you from coming in, don't make a wrong turn or you might end up at Onyx :-) Anywho, the restaurant is surprisingly large, a lot of space if you want to host a big dinner, etc and I do believe I saw a private area if you want to be away from the regulars -- AND they cater as well. Let's start with every Mexican restaurant's staple: chips and salsa - check and check, the salsa was warm, which I'm not a fan of warm salsa (it was supposed to be warm, not like it had just been sitting out all day) but it didn't stop my from chip scraping the bottom of the dish it came in when I was done with my salsa :-) Another thing I like about Mercado Juarez, is that you can get a full dinner plate that comes with guacamole salad or a soup or you can get just the meal that you ordered, without the bells and whistles, for a little cheaper -- the serving size is the same -- most places either don't give you that option or the serving size is much smaller for the cheaper price. I opted for the carnitas plate with the chicken tortilla soup and guacamole and Rod got his usual: combination beef and chicken fajitas. The chicken tortilla soup was good, if you've read my reviews you know I'm a stickler when it comes to chicken tortilla soup, while this one wasn't the BEST, it wasn't the worst either. Rod was excited because they gave us like 7 or 8 tortillas with our order -- most places will give you 4 TOTAL...and the tortillas were REAL....I mean, someone's abuela is in the back patting flour, real :-) mmmmmm...and, you can buy the tortillas too #WINNING. My carnitas plate was perfect -- my meat was seasoned perfectly and sooo tender *drools* Rod had no complaints about his fajitas...all he could talk about was the tortillas LOL. Two thumbs up, if I had more thumbs, I'd put them up too :-)
(4)Rick B.
I will keep this one short. The food is marginal at best. The drinks are terrible. My Rita (top shelf) tasted like sour mix. The decor is very old with a ton of strange open space with no tables. The service was friendly but that can't make up for the rest. My advice, keep driving there are better options.
(1)Shelby M.
Great taste with a great atmosphere. I attended a wedding here also, it was very memorable.
(4)Poya E.
Good food, I liked there tamales. I ordered the combo and it was good. Not among the best but if you are hungry and in the area then give it a try if you are in to Mexican food.
(3)Cory B.
You can make a meal off the chips and salsa alone. They make everything from scratch and their flower tortillas are amazing. I got the chicken fajitas and they were bomb.com .
(5)Ed D.
This is straight up traditional Tex-Mex the way it's been served for decades. The food is always very good, the service attentive, the salsa warm, and the chips hot. Plus, they're making their own tortillas fresh in the kitchen and will bring you a container of flour, corn, or mixed plus a basket of butter if you ask. This is not health food but it's very, very good for your soul. Parking can get weird but it's great for pairs, groups, or really big groups. (Call ahead for the really big ones.)
(4)P ..
This is a fiver. No doubt. Been here many times and just needed to give the deserved props. Best salsa anywhere...served hot/it's almost a stew. Fajitas are good. Ritas are good. Service is good. Homemade tortillas. Reasonable prices. It's kind of an old school type atmosphere that exudes greatness.
(5)Christi N.
What happened to this place? It used be much better. I never thought it was fantastic, but it was good. I do like the salsa still. The queso is okay. Tortillas were so hard and rubbery I could barely bite through them. Worst tortilla soup I've ever had. It tasted like they opened a can of vegetable soup, and threw in some chicken, some tortilla strips and a tiny bit of cheese. It tasted like canned vegetable soup, not tortilla soup. I even found pieces of zucchini in it. Margaritas are too sweet and have hardly any alcohol in them. I had one frozen and one on the rocks. Neither was impressive.
(2)Rob K.
I read about their very cheap (and good) lunches, so a couple of us from work went their and noticed that the people entering broke into two groups. One group went to a cashier window and the others went to be seated. We followed the latter, but next will go straight to the cashier. We ordered some great lunches (enchiladas, tacos, chimmichanga) and were very happy with the quality of the food and the speed/courteousness of the waitstaff. When we were done, we were told we paid at the cashier window. That is when I learned that if we had went there to start with, we could have prepaid for basically the same lunches we got, but for $2-3 less. Oh well, hopefully a couple people will read this and not repeat the same mistake. We will be back, just following a different line on our way in this time.
(4)Jose G.
Great Mexican food!! My favorite Mexican food place to eat and they have the best hot sauce!!
(5)Jesse H.
Had the steak al chipotle, it was really good! It is A Thursday lunch special, served up with a big order of warm tortillas tasty! The pico de gallo was fresh and chunky, Rice was perfect, stands up - not too wet, not too dry. Beans were average, but good. I ordered my steak medium, and it was cooked just right. A true medium with hot pink center. The service was good, I never saw the bottom of my beverage glass, my order was taken promptly and served in a reasonable amount of time. Tender, juicy, good ! Recommend!
(4)Jay J.
Took my wife and mom out for the day, decided at the last minute to get Tex-Mex. Always thought Mercado Juarez was some of the better Tex-Mex in the metroplex. As empty as the resturant was, it shouldn't have taken that long to seat a party of three. The order was put in and arrived fairly quickly, then it really started going down hill. We all ordered different types of enchiladas. The plates were very hot, the food was luke warm! None of the beef had any flavor. It seemed as if someone took a microwave dinner out of the freezer, nuked it for 5 minutes then brought it to our table. While we were waiting for the main cousre, asked for a milder salsa, since my mother felt the salsa was spicy. Unable to comply with this request, the waitress seemed confused. No flour tortillas were offered or given to us. No refills were given on the drinks, no one came over to see if the food was enjoyable or not. While paying for the food with the cashier, she asked if everything was okay and I replied that the food tasted like there was no flavoring or seasonings used, her response was emotionless and quite insulting. The service, the food and the service at the cashier was unacceptable and extremely disappointing. Once again it does not justify a return visit or recommendation. This not only will stop me from visiting this Mercado Juarez, but the one in Arlington as well. Need to find a new Tex-Mex resturant for future visits.
(1)Liz G.
This place was fantastic! We moved to Dallas 6 months ago. A buddy of ours, who grew up here, suggested Mercado Juarez. The service was prompt, the salsa was delicious, and the fajitas and enchiladas were on point. I'll definitely be back!
(5)kay w.
Decided to stop by after the newly renovated Studio Movie Grill time down the street.... Easy to find off of Northwest Hwy. Parking limited. Nice decor. Immediately seated. Warm salsa (nice twist). Fresh chips and tortillas. Attentive server. Went in the daytime around five so it was a nice atmosphere. Had the arroz con pollo and chicken chimichanga. No complaints! Perfect flavor and freshness. Only waited ten minutes for our food. Will be returning......
(3)Andrew B.
This is one of my favorite Mexican Restaurants I have tried. If I had to sacrifice the ability to eat at any Mexican restaurants, and was forced to choose only one, this would be the place. I love all of the food, and love the warm salsa. I recommend the Juarez Special if you want to try a variety of enchiladas and taco. We have been going here for years, and the decor and popularity seem to vary over time, but I have found the food consistently good. I also recommend the Habanero Queso. Flour tortillas are very fresh and made in-house.
(5)Heather L.
It was good... no complaints. Kinda run down, nothing fancy (I think there is a nudie bar next door). Good tex mex. I got the Carnitas, it came with beans, rice and soup or guac. I chose the soup - very flavorful, but I was bummed it didn't have hunks of avocado in it. The Carnitas were very moist and had good flavor. I felt like it needed a sauce or something, but the way it came made me feel healthy. Huge portions... but y'all know me, I ate it all. I would go again - probably in the mood for something off the beaten path... not sure I'd go in the dark tho.
(3)Edward W.
3.5 stars. Old Mercado Juarez was this Philly boy's first real Mexican food experience back in the late 80's. I loved it. The warm salsa. The homemade, fresh tortillas. Great, authentic Mexican dishes like burritos, tacos and enchiladas. Sweet memories. A little over 20 years later Mercado Juarez is the old school Mexican place I remember, but just a little tired and perhaps a bit less exciting and flavorful as I remember. The hostess tonight seemed distracted and less than welcoming as she seated me in the nearly empty dining room at 6:15pm. Fortunately Salvadore was my server, and he made up for her coolness with his friendly and engaging service. He was efficient and helpful, too, making great menu suggestions and making sure I was taken care of as the dining room filled up. Tortilla soup was meh and hardly memorable. 2 stars. My Steak Divorciado was nicely prepared, cooked as requested, but was fatty and difficult to cut. It was tasty, however, with poblano sauce on one half and a terrific chipotle sauce on the other. At $15.99 I shouldn't expect much, but given the option I'd pay more for a better piece of meat. 3 stars for the meat entree. I requested a spinach enchilada ala carte, and thought it was a cheesy, creamy heart attack on a plate that was absolutely delicious. 5 stars. The fresh tortillas and the warm salsa are 4.5 stars each, but the chips appeared to be commercially made. I'd expect better from a top-notch Mexican place, so only 2.5 stars. I did like my overall experience, and I enjoyed reminscing about my first Mexican food experience, but with so many great Mexican restaurants in the Dallas area I am afraid the Mercado Juarez may be so 15-years-ago.
(3)Teresa B.
I love Mercado Juarez. For me it is a must stop whenever I am in town. It's a local chain with a fun atmosphere and it's popular and often busy. I love their salsa that comes out warm and can be very addictive. Their tortillas are hot and seem fresh. They're thick and soft, so I think they are homemade. I tend to go at lunch and get their taco plate since I tend to fill up on their chips and salsa, but I have never had a bad thing there. Enchiladas, tamales, steak...it's all good!
(4)Megan M.
Mercado Juarez is a solid lunch choice. The service is always reliable, the lunch specials are cheap as hell and the chips and salsa are crisp and tangy, as they should be. I really have nothing bad to say about Mercado Juarez. It's not gonna blow your socks off, but it'll give you an A-Ok experience every time. One of these days I'm gonna hit them up at happy hour and see if the drink specials can nudge them up a star. Until then, I'll stick to having a very happy Tex-Mex lunch for under $10.
(3)Tia K.
This place is old and dark. ..I ordered chicken enchiladas for lunch the quick fast in a hurry dish 1 of the 8 and it was very bland it taste like a TV dinner OMG such a waste of my drive there.. The servers were nice they don't know much English but they still talk to u like u understand Spanish...nice people. They only serve RC cola, Dr pepper, flat 7 up, and watery lemonade. ..The salsa was alright if u like warm whole strips of onion and chunks of tomato then don't miss out on it.. 3 stars for the nice people.
(3)Robbie Y.
yes I am a fan. i'm used to my so-cal mexican joints, and this place reminds me of home. I dig it.
(4)Brad N.
I struggled a bit with my score here. Although this was my first visit, this places is a Dallas institution, beloved by many, and for good reason. It provides fast service, great prices for lunch and food that, while maybe not gourmet, is solid and satisfying. I'll admit that my love for Tex-Mex as a youth has faded somewhat with age, experience and the need to keep my carbs in check, so maybe I'm just not as much of a fan of the genre as I once was. Regardless, me and a group of friends/coworkers descended upon the place for lunch a while ago, in search of some good food and good conversation. We made the latter happen ourselves, and our gracious and efficient servers made the former happen. Chips and salsa (a little runny, but flavorful) arrived quickly, as did our drinks. A queso appetizer was delicious and spicy, a good accompaniment for the chips. My chicken enchilada platter, with one each sour cream and verde, was pretty good, although the spice/flavor level could have been better. The rice and beans were not very inspiring; they were very basic. A side tamale was clearly a machine made affair, and, while not bad, it wasn't up to the quality of a handmade piece. Still, the price was very right for what we got, and the service is quick, making it a great lunch spot.
(3)Jose D.
I don't think I am going to the place that the other yelp guys are going I have visited 2 of the Mercado Juarez locations and both were outstandingly awful! Coming from Mexico I know a little bit about Mexican food and this is as authentic as taco bueno or less. It seems like the cooks were trained in the Appalachian Mountains in central Virginia were there are no Mexicans! The restaurants are old and the fake tree or plant in the middle are always covered in dust! And the only thing worst than the food is the service. Save yourself some time and money for a quick bite reasonably price go to Luna's in Harry Hines great place awesome tamales! You will also do a lot better if you go to any of the Michoacana meet markets, were the food is plenty and good but the service is as cheap as the food.
(1)Michael C.
I love this place. Those pork fajitas are just wonderful. My favorite Tex-Mex in DFW.
(5)Roni B.
i had not been here in years!! my wife and i were out & about on our normal sunday stroll & decided to stop in for dinner. yea, they haven't changed the decor and the service was still very pleasant & speedy!! we were greeted & seated right away. our waitress had another table she was waiting on & acknowledged us (awesome), however the hostess actually took our drink orders & got chips & salsa. the waitress came over & took our order & was very knowledgeable about the menu & made some pretty good suggestions. i opted for the chicken fajita nachos & my wife got the combo (steak & shrimp) fajitas. the food came out pretty quickly...piping hot!! everything was greatness....flavorful...tender & juicy!! score!! lol....we'll be back!!
(4)Vic C.
Sketchy location. Awesome cheap mexican food. Fajitas were delicious. Service was GREAT.
(4)Ronnie R.
Food was bland and the place was dark. I won't go back.
(1)Jennifer W.
Several people at my office go to this location all the time because they have really great lunch specials, and it's a perfect way to eat lunch cheap. Quality of the food is 2 stars, but the price and amount of food you get for that cost gives it a 3rd star. The one thing I love about this place is the price and that you get unlimited tortilla chips and salsa, and unlimited tortillas. This means that you can eat all of the fixins on your plate without trying to eat beans by themselves. One downside is that their tortilla chips always taste burnt. I don't know what they do to them but they're never salted and just aren't very tasty. Their food is seriosuly meh, I've never said the words "This is delicious" or "This is so good" ever. However, it is to be expected because of the price you pay, and it's kind of a dive restaurant even though it is a chain. Also, usually the waitstaff is pretty unfriendly or speaks so little English that you can't get many of your questions answered about a dish. Overall, you get what you pay for. Just to tell you what the lunch specials are: $4.99 1 Cheese or Chicken or Beef Enchilada (rice/refried beans) 1 Chicken or Beef Taco (rice/refried beans) 1 Chicken or Beef Fajita (rice/refried beans/guac/fixins) $5.99 2 Cheese or Chicken or Beef Enchiladas (rice/refried beans) 2 Chicken or Beef Taco (rice/refried beans) 2 Chicken or Beef Burritos (rice/refried beans)
(3)Jack S.
Quick lunch was great! Just a select few dishes but service was fast and food good ! Norma was our waitress... Recommend her
(4)Brian B.
Still one of the best Mexican restaurants I have ever been to. Just went again after a few years since the last time and everything very good. The chips and homemade warm salsa are fantastic. I had a little bowl of some type of tortilla soup that was loaded with veggies, chicken and had a tasty tangy sorta broth. The carne asada was cooked perfectly and loaded with flavor and comes with homemade re-fried beans, rice, avocado slices and some grilled onion slices. Good margaritas also but order them by the pitcher for the best deal.
(5)Jason F.
I've been here a few times for lunch. What keeps me coming back here is the fast service and great seating. I can be in and out of this place quickly and have a semi-private conversation the whole time I'm there. The food is good, but it doesn't really stand out to me among all the other good Tex-Mex places in DFW. I have always found the food comparatively bland. I'll keep coming here for lunch since it is a relaxing place to eat but for dinner I want more flavor and spice in my Mexican food.
(3)Scott N.
First time to the restaurant. There weren't to many people there but the food was pretty good. Service was no bad as well. Everything was good until the food poisoning, which hit me about 3 hrs later. Unfortunately for me this was my last trip to this restaurant.
(2)Penny M.
Sizzling veggie fajitas for lunch. You can eat healthy at a mexican joint! Good margaritas for $3.50! So, okay there went the healthy part. They have really good salsa. Service is fast and the food is typical mexican comfort food. Great place for lunch. Coworker had the camaron a la crema. She liked the spinach creme sauce. Prices are reasonable. Refilled my salsa right away. The soft torillas were fresh and hot.
(3)Randall N.
This may not be the best Mexican joint around but there is one thing they are the best at: steak fajitas. They somehow manage to take cheap, chewy flank steak and make it super tender and incredibly flavorful. Order a margarita, some guac (which is great here) and steak fajitas. I've been here several times but can't tell you if anything else is any good because I only order steak fajitas here.
(4)Matt H.
Delicious. And, if you like it hot, be sure to grab the habanero queso.
(5)Gary S.
Friends from VA were in Dallas for a conference and invited us to join them for dinner at what they were told was the "best Tex-Mex in Dallas'. We made the 40 minute drive from Frisco. We had a great evening visiting with friends, the atmosphere was good but this doesn't get my vote for the best Tex-Mex in Dallas! The chips and salsa were average. I had a cheese enchilada and beef enchilada with sour cream and guacamole. The beef enchilada was bland. There was simply nothing special about the meal, nothing bad either. Our sever was attentive, refills on drinks were plentiful. I'm giving them three stars vs two stars simply because of the service. Food is middle of the road Tex-Mex.
(3)Dena F.
"Chedder or Jack?" Server Lady. "Can I have both?" Me. "Not on the lunch special," Server Lady. "Jack," Me. "Huh?" Jack. "No, the cheese," Me "Figures," Jack. What can I say...I love me some cheese. The lunch special is holding firm at $5.99 which is nice when a gallon of gas is looming close to lunch special pricing. And I think the food tasted better than my last couple of visits. The server was super nice. The tea could have been filled a little more often but it was smack in the middle of the lunch rush. I love the hot chips and hot sauce heavy on the onions. And the lunch specials are tasty hot and standard Tex-Mex goodness. The flour tortilla's are homemade. That's plus a star right there. Actually, this is usually a three star place for me. I eat a lot of Tex Mex and three stars in Dallas is still a good place to eat. But today was really really good. Food was served with lightning speed. It was hot and tasty. Keep it up Mercado!
(4)Jan L.
Use to be a great place, not anymore. Wish I didn't have to give it a star, so disappointing. We went for an early dinner, I ordered the Spinach Enchiladas. Stopped after two bits.The spinach was totally absent, the mushrooms and tortillas were so hard I had to cut it with a knife. The guacamole was ok but not made from scratch. More like the kind you buy in the store with fresh onions and tomatoes added. My boyfriend had the cheese enchiladas, to quote him they were so so. I do agree with another post the flour tortillas, they are still good. But we had to ask for them 3 times! Service was lacking. Too many other good places to get Mexican food, we will not be back.
(1)Stefanie Y.
On the upside, my husband got drunk. So that made him happy. Overall though, the food was mediocre at best. In Texas it's just so easy to find GOOD Mexican food at a fraction of the cost. Feels like we paid for a large building and that's about it. No one at the table finished their food. Not that we were full... it just wasn't good enough to stuff yourself silly. I guess that could help if you're on a diet....
(2)Gordon M.
Well done! The food is good, not as spicy as Cafe del Rio in Allen. The service is very professional, but lacked check backs.
(4)Bob M.
This location is a little far from the mother ship in Ft Worth and in a business area north of Dallas, not a great area so we usually go to their Arlington or Ft Worth locations. Service not as good as those two other places mentioned. Best Pork Fajitas around. Good sauces for the food. Great menu. All-in-all very good food. So why only three stars? Noisy. Poor guacamole and they treat it like it was gold. Poor soft drink selection and the Margaritas are only average. And then there is the location. I put up with it when I want Fajitas or another of their spectacularly good dishes.
(3)Josh H.
Ordered chips,salsa, and queso to go. Got a huge bag full of chips that were hot and delicious. The queso was outstanding. A very creamy and smooth cheese. Finally the salsa was actually kept at a hot temperature. Thick and spicy, this salsa is unique and well made.
(3)LuckieMaounds P.
Seriously, no. People, people. Seriously. The handmade tortillas served hot is the best part of the experience. My carne asada had fibrous strings that were difficult to saw through, and the pico de gallo served with it was visibly old and dried out with washed-out coloring on the tomatoes.
(2)German S.
First time at this well known TexMex restaurant and I was favorably impressed. Despite a full parking lot and nearly full dining room, I got instant attention from the staff and my lunch was served so quickly that I wondered for a moment if they were bringing my order or accidentally someone else's! No doubt about the food, though, hearty, good flavors and plenty of it. I had the Guiso de Res (beef tips) with rice and refried beans, it was very good and I'mlooking forward to my next visit to sample more of the menu.
(4)Heather H.
I have died and gone to Tex Mex heaven. There are no adequate words to describe how AMAZING the food is here. I've never had anything that was prepared quite the way my chili relleno/beans/rice/warm salsa/spicy queso dip was. I've been raving about Mercado Juarez for days. I would drive to Dallas again just to have another meal here.
(5)Joe K.
I've only been to Mercado Juarez a few times, but it's an excellent restaurant. I've yet to have a bad meal here. Infamously in front of "The Lodge", Mercado Juarez holds it's own amongst any of the Tex-Mex greats in Dallas. The two things that I can recommend are the Cheese Enchiladas and the Queso Flameado. ESPECIALLY the Queso Flameado. If it's not the best Flameado in Dallas, it's in the top 3.
(5)Chanel M.
My job had this for lunch today and I personally would never eat here again. the service from the to-go bar was great, but the food was terrible. I choked on a chicken bone that was left in my chicken enchiladas. The re-fried beans tasted fake and the rice was sticky. The shrimp was the most horrible food I've ever eaten in my life. It was filled with bacon bits and cheese, which sounded good, but the breaded part of the shrimp tasted burnt and the inside was a runny mess with no flavor.
(1)Peter Q.
Went here for dinner with a large 30+ group of people. They handled our group very efficiently and the food was excellent, good portions, and super-reasonably priced. I wish I had a place like this around me!
(4)Lily K.
The Texas queso is good and their tortillas are delicious. I had the quesadillas and they were ok. Some friends got the fried shrimp with bacon and they said it was delicious. Service is great. It's in a bad part of town and quite a drive for me so I don't think I'll be back.
(3)Tim M.
I have dined at Mercado Juarez numerous times over the past 13 years. I can't say this is the best Mexican restaurant that I have been to, however it has always had good food. They have a "quick lunch" option that includes entree and drink and it is great if you are in a hurry. I have noticed a slight decline in food quality over the years, but have continued to dine there for the convenience. A coworker and I dined there today and I had the taco salad. For some reason the lettuce on the taco salad was "tough" and a little hard to eat. When the server asked how the meal was I told her. Shortly thereafter a man came to our table and told me the lettuce wasn't tough and it was cut fresh today. He further told me I was wrong and that the salad has been served the same way for 30 years. He was pretty condescending and offered to do nothing about the entree. Upon leaving I asked him if he was the manager, he stated he was one of the owners. Wow. You have to wonder what tone is being set at the top. It is doubtful that I will return. I can handle mediocre food, but not rude treatment of customers.
(2)Joseph F.
It's pretty good food. Always busy around lunch time and a deceptively large place, I've never had to wait longer for a table than it takes for the hostess to seat us. The staff is friendly and helpful. I've never had drinks here, but I've heard and seen the drink specials, they look like they offer a decent happy hour. They have a "Express Lane" for lunch that offers a limited menu for cheap and gets you in and out in a short time.
(3)Cody F.
Good Tex-Mex that is a ticking stomach bomb. MJ's (also called Merkies in my office) has tasty Tex-Mex and decent service (baring language barriers). I have enjoyed the 'Fast Lunch' on several occasions and whole I am there I have a good time and I am mostly extremely pleased. The wait staff doesn't generally speak English all that well and complicated orders are easily fumbled, but lets be real Tex-Mex is just different forms of cheese, meat, beans, and rice so it can't be messed up too bad. After leaving I feel full for $8.00 with decent service but then....... Oh no. Maybe its just my stomach but the sound of the 24 clock sound starts going off in my head and I have to find a restroom immediately. I have tried about 4 different things at 4 different times and the result is always the same. Me on the throne at work until my legs fall asleep. If this didn't occur this would easily have 4 Stars. Food - Taste great, hearty portions, but it makes me feel like I am digesting a 100 pack of Black Cats minutes later. Atmosphere - Wide open floor plan that is HUGE. Faux plants decorate the mesa-styled dining area. Not bad but can been seen as a bit cheesy. Overall - Amazing with some Pepto, but without can ruin your day, or it does for me anyway. if you have an iron stomach then you will be more than content.
(2)Paul A.
Eh.... For me this is not the place for Mexican food. It may seem a small thing to some but they serve their salsa warm (temperature not spiciness and today it was actually hot.) That just does not work for me. My better half loves this place (she was the reason we were there.) She swears by the enchiladas and quesadillas. I trust her judgment so don't base your visit on my review. Go see for yourself.
(3)Spike M.
The food is ok I mean if u like tex mex.....
(3)Kelly C.
My favorite tex mex restaurant. Their salsa is the best I've ever had. The tortillas are freshly made and thick, and they bring you a holder full of them, not just three at a time like many other places. Also has by far the fastest service, even at peak eating times. My favorite meal is the cheddar cheeses enchiladas with queso on top, but I do like me some cheese. Tacos al carbon are good too, as is everything else on the menu. I guess as far as queso goes, their normal stuff is just average. However, the last time I went we got their Habenero queso, and it was really good. Of course, it does have some kick so if you don't like spice, don't get it. A bit of warning, they don't carry Coca Cola products, so those who are fans of Diet Coke or Coke, you'll get RC products instead and they don't always warn you.
(5)Kimberly W.
This is the best mexican food place ever. The tortillas are hand made and are simply delicioso! They even have cabrito aka goat. All their food is good from the chips and salsa to the enchiladas. You will not be disappointed with anything you get there.
(5)Summer T.
I hadn't been to Mercado Juarez in quite some time and had all but forgotten it. But my dad was visiting from Boston and asked if we could go to "Mah-cado Wah-ez." Well, sure Dad. And off we all went. It was just as good as I remembered it. Simple, tasty, inexpensive, friendly Mexican.
(4)Jessica C.
I've been to a million Mexican restaurants and I have to say that this place is awesome. I used to come here every Friday for their quick lunch. I would gobble up ... 1. flour tortillas 2. salsa and chips 3. cheesy enchiladas I went there for the first time in several years last week and it lived up to my expectations. I loved it! Since my visit I have been talking about it. I'm going to have to go back soon. Do yourself a favor and go. It's inexpensive, authentic, and delicious! You'll get in and out fast too! You might want to wear elastic pants though :)
(5)Chris F.
I have been to this restaurant more times than I can count (over the course of 10 years) and I have NEVER had a bad experience. The food is always great and the service is always friendly and speedy. I would highly recommend getting the cheese queso. It is the best queso I have ever had...anywhere. Even better than my grandma's...just trust me. Aside from that, the menu is pretty normal, but almost everything is good and comes in large portions. (unsure of lunch portions) The only complaint is that it isn't the best part of town. I have been there many times and never had a problem, but it does make me uneasy from time to time. The food is way worth it though.
(5)Donnie D.
I loved this place. The arroz con pollo was the best. I came here a few times a week for work lunches and it was great. I also lived in the area and dinner takeout was also good. Highly recommended for both price and quality.
(5)Ben W.
Your average Mexican place. Warm chunky salsa. Really good homemade tortillas
(3)Lindsay B.
This place has lots of space and seating. I liked the warm salsa, but the fajitas I ordered were just okay. That being said, I left stuffed. I probably wouldn't make a special trip to back here, but would go if everyone else wanted to go there for lunch.
(3)Chris G.
This is the best mexican restaurant on the planet. I've been going since I was a child and I keep coming back. The chips, salsa, and tortillas are amazing. They have the best queso, best chimichangas, best tortilla soup, everything is incredible. I haven't taken a friend or date there yet who didn't want to go back. This place is incredible! Recommend: The Queso, the Chimichanga, the Rellanos, the Flan, the Quesadillas, hell anything there.
(5)Marvin L.
They do have good food here. It's been a long time since I went, but I know that I had enchiladas which were very good. The queso taste great, but it doesn't feel authentic, kinda like a thin melted Velveeta dip. Ummmmmm.....Velveeta. The atmosphere is nice, and when I went once we were serenaded by a mariachi quartet, which was really cool. The menu has a good balance between Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes.
(4)Alex S.
I've never had warm salsa before, but it's surprisingly good. The enchiladas are delicious as well. This place is one of my favorite Tex Mex restaurants and their lunch specials are great.
(5)Jennifer B.
The food was ok...until a roach crawled on the table. I was done with 1 of my 2 cheese enchiladas from a lunch special plate when a roach crawled on the table. Then there was another on the floor by another group's table. It all just really made me not want to eat there again. The food is cheap, not that great, and the cleanliness obviously leaves something to be desired.
(1)Felice C.
the fajita combo was awesome! i have been for lunch and dinner many times and i always leave happy.
(3)Daniel W.
For me, Tex Mex comes down to the enchiladas. I have had a LOT of enchiladas here in Dallas. Probably every mexican place I have been to. And these were hands-down the best beef enchiladas I have had here. If thats what you are after, you should try these. I was into the beans too. Oh and the flan. Those are all very solid. I was not really a fan of the salsa or the queso. Neither was anyone else I was with. It's a good place but it is definately not my favorite place in Dallas.
(3)Nathan H.
I had the young roast goat and wasn't disappointed. Came on a sizzling cast iron plate with perfect quacamole, rice, a nice bean soup, tortillas, and pico de gaillo salsa. The beer selection on draft isn't great (coors, coors light, miller light, bud light) but a corona does just fine.
(4)Fred Z.
I remembered fondly the Mercado circa 1999 and after lunch today - I realize they have moved from quality to quantity a-la commodities based mexican cuisine. I do however like the warm salsa and the tortillas are fresh, thick and warm AND it is extremely fast on both sides of the restaurant. I think the secret is to order the fajitas in the "long" wait side and order them off of the little menu on the table and not the menu the hostess gives you. Not bad for a quick lunch in Las Colinas...
(2)Maura H.
I went to this place twice in one week. The homemade salsa and chips are warm and tasty. I almost didn't have room for dinner I ate so many. There is authentic Mexican food as well as Tex-Mex. The food has just the right blend of spices. I had the beef enchiladas, which were fantastic. And you can't beat the margaritas.
(5)Michael Y.
Consistently good food and fast service.
(4)Lori S.
4.5 STARS WoW! When I really want to get my OLE' on, I travel from Garland to the other side of Dallas to Mercado Juarez. This is my favorite Mexican restaurant. The hot sauce is served warm and tastes terrific as well as the hot chili con queso. If you are daring, try the Queso Habanero- you request the heat level to your liking, but be forewarned- it can be really hot as we found out when our 23 year old heat seeking son ordered it at its hottest. We had to take some home because we could not finish the blistering volcanic concoction. Their specialty is their Mesquite grill. I had the Mar y Tierra, a juicy grilled chicken breast with equally prepared shrimp. They also serve pork fajitas if you are tired of the usual beef, chicken and shrimp. If you like authentic Mexican food, they also serve cabrito- young goat. My friends from the south say it's good. There are too many other good choices on the menu for me to explore the goat. The pork tamales are good, the masa has a smooth consistency and the pork is not dry as some can be!
(4)Eric S.
This is a very good place to eat. Good-Food, fairly good price. Not loud like most other Mexican restaurants can be. The service is quick and are very nice people. Its just one of the those place that if you go there you wont be disappointed in what you get.
(4)Rosemarie R.
Delicious Mexican food and great service. The staff is helpful and is attentive. I tried the enchiladas My first trip here and they were awesome :) The place is nicely decorated. A beautiful tree at the center. Whether it's real or not, I can't tell. Definitely a place to go back to.
(5)Kathy F.
Used to go here all the time in the 80s and 90s when I worked close enough to go for lunch. It was one of my favorites. I decided to try it again on Friday now that I'm back in the area. It was still SO GOOD! Nothing has changed and the food is delicious. Queso and salsa, both excellent and the Tacos al Carbon, yummy! Great to see a restaurant still producing a quality product! I'll be back a lot sooner! Cheers!
(4)Lindsay B.
First time back since we moved back from the Midwest. We used to live close to the Arlington locations and ate at the one near 360 (now closed) WAY too often. This location is not pretty. But the food is still as good as it once was. Their salsa is served warm, their chips are good, and their margaritas as tasty. I used to get the cheese enchiladas with chili sauce, but unfortunately since living in the Midwest enchiladas have become too rich for me. I know, WTH, right? So I got the chicken quesadillas this time. They were good. Not the best I've had, but I would get them again. Prices are decent, servers are nice. I'd recommend their tortilla soup with flour tortillas. Mmmm. Also, if you are feeling particularly gluttonous, try their queso with a flour tortilla or two. Oh my...
(4)Alan G.
PROS *Nice atmosphere *quiet *Good for romantic date *Food was average (at least what I ordered) *Waiters are pros at their job *Clean restaurant *Got our orders right CONS *A lil expensive for the average food you could get at a more authentic Mexican Restaurant *Too serious employees, ever heard of smiling?
(3)Yolanda M.
Would I drive out of my way to get here probably not but if you in the NW Hwy area there is no reason not to stop here. It had been quite a while since I've been to Mercado but some friends wanted to stop for lunch and that time I had some really good cheese enchiladas and a margarita at a good price. This next time we went for department lunch because one of my co-workers is leaving the country for a few months and she hates more than anything there will be no Mexican food. The one thing about Mercado Juarez is they can handle big parties at lunch. Our server was very friendly and efficient. We were in an out in no time. This time I go the carnitas which were perfectly season and so very tender. It comes with rice, beans, guacamole and pico, since there are tortillas on the table why order pork fajitas. This is not my go to Mexican place except for lunch it really is. The food is good and the prices for lunch are hard to beat. Oh yeah don't forget to get a Margarita on the rocks.
(3)Rayna C.
The lunch here is fast and affordable as well as tasty. This is the real deal.
(5)Kandace A.
This was the best authentic Mexican food I have had in the DFW area. Everything they serve is delicious. The homemade flour tortillas are the best. I will travel far again to come eat here.
(5)Robert B.
They serve warm salsa which I really like. The wait staff is friendly and efficient. Queso fundido flameado was ok. Will do regular cheese dip next time. I like the tree in the middle of the restaurant, different. Watch out for the bird droppings. Just kidding. The tortillas are served at the same time as the chips and salsa. Tortillas a good when hot, but as they cool, they get stiff. My wife ordered the senior citizen cheese enchilada plate. She really liked it and thought it was good. I ordered the Juarez special. It consists of one beef crispy taco and three enchiladas. 1 enchilada is a chicken enchilada with sour cream sauce, 1 enchilada is a beef enchilada with meat sauce, and the final one was a cheese enchilada with meat sauce. The chicken enchilada was good, but the sour cream sauce was rather bland and added nothing to it. The crispy taco was really delicious; it had a lot of meat in it. The beef enchilada was stuffed very full of meat and was good. The cheese enchilada was excellent! My plate also came with Guacamole, which was made just how I like it. I like a straight guacamole with nothing extra in it like tomato or onion. So it was really good. I ordered flan for dessert. It was average. I kept thinking I tasted pineapple mixed in it, but I'm undergoing chemotherapy right now so my taste buds are a little off. The prices average $10-$17 for most plates. It's a little bit pricey, but I will return. Overall it was a good experience.
(4)Eddie C.
The chips and salsa were good (I do prefer warm salsa), but everyhting else was just ok for me. Definitely not bad, but nothing to write home about. The fajitas had a nice char on them, but I thought that they lacked just a little bit in seasoning. The rice and beans were also just a little off. I would return, but I won't go out of my way.
(3)Andrea R.
I've heard this place has been around forever. We had a group of six on a Thursday, and it was pretty slow business that night. The service was not so great and the food was just ok. There's far too many places in Dallas to go back here.
(2)