13 Best Mexican Restaurants in Palestine

“A friend gifted us with a certificate for Mario’s. We had not tried it out yet, so thought this was the perfect time to do so. I’m so glad we did! Their fajitas, tamales, cheese enchiladas, and queso were delicious! Charro beans were loaded with flavor and the rice and refried beans were pretty typical for a Mexican restaurant in East Texas. Not bad at all. We will definitely be back!“

“Great place“

“Good flavor, service and very clean.“

“I had the steak quesadillas and they are sooo good!“

“This is currently my favorite authentic Mexican food place... Prices are great too! Gorditas are what I always get... Pastor and pork in green sauce“

“I've loved everything I've tried from breakfast tacos to lunch tacos to the SLAMMIN burrito bowl I had today!“

“Always great. So many good memories throughout the years.“

“The best Huevos Rancheros and breakfast in Palestine....����������������“

“I don’t usually do this, but I had to share my experience. My fiancé is visiting Texas for the first time, so I have been trying different local spots in the area for the best authentic Tex-Mex. If I were still living in San Antonio, this wouldn’t be a difficult challenge. However, ever since I moved back to East Texas finding anything that tastes similar to real Mexican food has been a struggle.

I’ve driven by this place a few times before but I wasn’t sure if it was open. I came by and saw it was open today.

The building is older and looks run down. Cash only. It’s peak breakfast time but there’s only one other customer who I later learn is a family friend. The nicest lady named Lucy who was extremely patient and friendly with my broken Spanish took my order: Un taco de chicharron con papas, y un taco de carnitas con tortillas de maiz (pork skins with potato and pork carnitas tacos on corn tortillas). Coffee was $1 which she brought to me in a real mug along with my tacos which were ready insanely fast.

Y’all. When I tell you these tacos made me laugh like a little kid. Like, when you take a bite of something and it tastes so good you start giggling to yourself because you’re just so happy. I lived in San Antonio for several years and have tried several local places here, but this meal felt like home. The chicharron was full of flavor and not chewy. Instead of using soft diced papas there were crispy and salty hash browns which complimented the soft and fatty pork. Then the carnitas…my god. So tender, so fatty, so full of flavor followed by the freshness of the onion and cilantro all wrapped up in the softest corn tortillas. The salsa verde served with it was a perfect heat and added great brightness to the meat that was just incredible. Even the coffee was good.

I talked a little with Lucy who said that business has been slow and they struggle with the amount of competition that is in the area, especially the larger chain restaurants.

I have never been here before, never talked to them before, never would have guessed that some of the best food I’ve ever had in my life was here, but it is. I’m hoping more people will support their business and try their amazing food. This is absolutely the most underrated restaurant in town and best kept secret, a foodie’s dream. Anthony Bourdain himself would come back from the dead just to eat here. 10 out of 10.“

“Great food and great service for a group of 20 plus.“

“We stop by the Palestine location everytime we go through there. The food is fresh delicious. Everything is made fresh that day. The store was very neat and clean. The bathrooms were spot on. Overall its a great place to eat.“

“how they greet you coming in and going out. bathroom is so clean“

“My food was just as ordered. Employees were nice and seemed like they didn’t hate their jobs. I usually use the drive thru but I went in this time. I wish they would take down the building and put up a new one. It’s tired and stagnant inside and deserves a revamp so these friendly folks have a spot to work in that’s as nice as they are!“