Head to the domain of Houston’s enchilada queen, Sylvia Casares, where you’ll find more than 15 different types of enchiladas, fajitas, heartwarming sopa de fideo, a Mexican-style Caesar salad, and hearty entrees, like grilled Chilean sea bass, that help give a culinary tour of cuisine throughout Mexico and Texas.

This local Tex-Mex spot has a loyal following for its blue margaritas, tacos al pastor, and its gooey Felix queso, which you can get on the side with chips or with its dinner platters, including its cheesy enchiladas and tacos.

The little brother of Houston’s Armandos, Mandito’s brings comforting Tex-Mex to Bellaire with fajitas, enchiladas, chile con queso, and twice-refried beans, as well as its “world famous” burrito bowl. The experience wouldn’t be complete without a drink, so be sure to delve into a margarita, served frozen or on the rocks, and if you’re picky, be sure to take advantage of the “make it a margarita” option, which allows you to customize your beverage with any agave spirit or sotol on the menu, and choose one of their five special salts to line the rim.

With more than 50 years in the Houston area and six locations, this family-owned restaurant has the reputation of offering what is billed the city’s first frozen margarita, plus Tex-Mex favorites, including its Katie’s t-sip dip — chile con queso topped with scoops of ground beef and guac — nachos, tostadas, fajitas, grilled proteins, and its famed puffy taco smothered in queso.

A part of the Pappas franchise, Pappasito’s Cantina has been serving up Tex-Mex fare since the 1970s, and it’s fair to say they know what Houstonians like. Homemade tortilla chips with warm red salsa are hard to resist, but appetizers like chicharrones con queso and the sweet and spicy ribs are worthy starters. Tacos and enchiladas are fool-proof options, but here, the fajitas are the star of the show. Choose between steak, typically cooked medium, well-seasoned chicken, grilled quail, or shrimp. Can’t decide? Get a platter with a sampling of each, and round out your meal with a tres leches.

Goode Co. restaurants are known for their mesquite-grilled meats and seafood, and the group’s new Tex-Mex restaurant in the Heights is no different. Highlights include the braised and crisped pork carnitas, which are marinated and prepared over a three-day process, and chicken flautas stuffed with smoked chicken. For a truly epic feast, splurge on the parrillada familiar, which combines a pound of fajitas with jalapeño cheese smoked sausage, Texas quail, jumbo Gulf shrimp, and a half-pound of pork carnitas.

A beer garden and Tex-Mex restaurant in one, this new Montrose hangout guarantees a good time. Order some scallop ceviche and chips, guac, and salsa, while you ponder the drink menu, which sports at least a dozen frozen margaritas, all of which are made to order. The beer offerings span the likes of punchy sours, dark and malty sips, ciders, and IPAs, and the wine list is just as diverse.

Then, dive into staples like tacos, tortas, and enchiladas.

Using smoked and grilled proteins from its sister restaurant, the Pit Room, Candente showcases Mexican eats with a Texas barbecue twist. In addition to traditional Tex-Mex items, find brisket enchiladas; brisket topped nachos; and ceviche, made with redfish, shrimp, and scallops. The Tampiquena is a signature dish, featuring a 9-ounce prime rib-eye topped with two cheese enchiladas, grilled onions, and chili-lime butter. Pair your meal with a marg — they come in flavors like blood orange, strawberry, mango, and prickly pear.

Launched by the same family that brought Houston the Original Ninfa’s, El Tiempo is similarly known for its potent margaritas and sizzling fajita platters. Choose between the standard beef, chicken, spicy shrimp, or veggie fajitas, or amp things up with filet mignon, salmon fajitas with mango chimichurri, or seared spicy ahi tuna topped with mole. Take it to the next level with fajita add-ons, like the “la tana,” a mixture of serrano peppers, garlic, and cheese.

Gringo’s features around a dozen locations across the Houston area, but if you’re interested in seeing where it all began, head to the original in Pearland. Each outpost showcases Old West meets Mexican art and antiques while delivering Tex-Mex favorites like taquitos, grilled seafood, and some of the best fajitas and margaritas Houston has to offer. If you’re feeling festive, try the star-spangled banner, a combination of strawberry and lime margarita, swirled with blue curacao. End your visit with complimentary soft-serve ice cream.

Find yourself in Humble, Shenandoah, or Spring, and you must take a trip to Mi Rancho. Here, the drinks are strong, and the menu, packed with Tex-Mex staples like queso-topped chimichangas, chile rellenos, tacos, and fajitas, including the signature El Refu, which comes loaded with a cheesy combination of beef, chicken, bacon, shrimp, mushrooms, broccoli, and cauliflower. For a lighter option, go for the Totolan, a platter that comes stocked with grilled jumbo shrimp and a chicken breast topped with Monterey Jack cheese and served with a side of soupy charro beans, rice, guac, and tortillas.