11 Best Mexican Restaurants in Ada

“After a long drive from Tulsa to Madill and back, I decided to make the most of my per diem meal and carefully scouted the area for a promising Mexican restaurant. Google pointed me here, and I arrived with high hopes.

The first thing I noticed was the ongoing renovations. It looks like they’re working on a new entrance with double doors and a buffer zone, which will definitely improve accessibility. Inside, however, I was met with the overly familiar traditional Mexican restaurant aesthetic. Bright paintings, intricately carved wooden chairs, and colorful booths—basically, a little slice of Mexico packed into every corner. Now, don’t get me wrong, this decor had its time and place… about ten years ago. The trend in most modern Mexican restaurants has shifted toward a cleaner, more contemporary design with just hints of Mexican culture—subtle nods that feel fresh, not overwhelming. It’s a style shift that brings sophistication without compromising authenticity, and I think this place would greatly benefit from leaning in that direction.

The restaurant was clearly short-staffed. It took a while for someone to notice me at the entrance and again after I was seated. However, this gave me time to take in the details of the decor. Once my server arrived, I ordered the Acapulco steak, a dish featuring steak, shrimp, vegetables, beans, rice, guacamole, sour cream, and lettuce.

Before my food arrived, I made my usual stop at the bathroom—a reliable litmus test for any restaurant’s cleanliness standards. And here’s where things need serious attention. While the bathroom wasn’t filthy, it had glaring issues. The door doesn’t close properly, which is unacceptable, especially for a single-use restroom. Privacy is non-negotiable. The sink is pulling away from the wall, and while silicone might hold it together for now, it’s a band-aid fix for a bigger problem. To top it off, the towel dispenser was out of order, leaving me to wipe my hands on my clothes. A bathroom is a reflection of a restaurant’s standards, and these issues speak volumes.

Back at my table, my food arrived, and it looked and smelled fantastic. The steak was well-prepared, though I wish I had been asked how I’d like it cooked. It’s common in many Mexican restaurants for steak to default to well-done, as anything pink is often considered undercooked. The shrimp were excellent, the vegetables flavorful, and the rice and beans were fine, though slightly under-seasoned—an easy fix with a pinch of salt.

Now, let’s talk about the menu. This is where I really have an issue. Like so many Mexican or Tex-Mex restaurants, the menu is excessive. Pages and pages of dishes, most of which are just slight variations of each other. Not only does this overwhelm customers, but it also creates chaos in the kitchen. A menu with over 100 items means higher inventory costs, inconsistent preparation, and a greater chance of errors. My suggestion? Take the 20 most-ordered dishes from a typical week, refine those, and focus on making them exceptional. Add a few well-thought-out lunch specials, and you’ll have a menu that’s cleaner, easier to manage, and far more appealing to customers.

Despite these issues, I had a good experience overall. The food delivered where it mattered, and I felt my money was well spent. However, the bathroom situation must be addressed, and the menu desperately needs streamlining. And honestly, it might be time to rethink the decor—it feels outdated in a dining landscape that’s leaning modern.

I hope to return once the renovations are complete, and I’d love to see these improvements in place. With a little focus on these key areas, this restaurant has the potential to stand out in a crowded market.

Parking: There is plenty but it's tight.“

“If u woke up on the wrong side of the bed and want ur day to go well ? Go to this little heavenly restaurant. Sometimes it's not just the food , it's the person that hands the food can make a world of difference. This little angel named Tania ? can make ur morning amazing by her excellent service ?. I believe if she hands u a cup of water it will be sweet. She made my day. And now the food is 10 on 10. The best home made authentic food u can ever get in Ada. U have to try ..“

“My husband and I love this place!“

“Delicious food? Friendly service!“

“awesome will go back when in Ada every time“

“Polos is my absolute favorite restaurant of all time! I really miss having one in Seminole! I realize that the salsa is one you absolutely love or hate and there’s a lot on each said but I’ve been trying to replicate it my entire lift and if there was a polos near me I would have to stop on a daily basis! If anyone knows what’s actually in it (and it’s definitely not “just tomato sauce) I would greatly appreciate it!“

“Back in one of my hometowns, working, was starving so had to get some dinner! I've always loved fresco's, even before going vegan! After work I decided this was the only place I could eat! And glad I did! The food is always awesome, built right at the line, the same Cooks been here forever, and the front of the house has the same smile she's always had! Great place in Ada to eat, especially for vegan and vegetarians

Vegetarian options: It's your choice if you add meat and cheese here! So, build what you want to eat! It's amazing food! And great variety of things to pile on your plate“

“We almost always have a great experience here, but in the past there were some times where the waiter would either forget to check on us or just not care. We are not sure why. A couple of times our orders were made incorrectly, but we never really made a fuss because for the most part, it was mostly correct.
The staff is usually friendly and attentive, but sometimes they may fail at that. I hope this still isn't the case in the future.“

“A great option for the tex-mex fix. Fresh tortillas make every lunch great. Reasonably priced. Oklahoma owned chain. More often than not, I look for food that takes me back, and Taco Mayo hot sauce does just that.

Kid-friendliness: Normal fast food dining space available.“

“We loved it!! Our 30+ family enjoyed a gathering here. I recommend this 100%“

“Service was good but the wait time has been increasing, not sure if they are short handed or not but I know everyone there is working to get orders out as best as possible so, koodos to you for that. Keep working to up your game as they are usually busy. Staff is nice and also suggests food when asked.“