Dine South of the Border at Old Town

Enlarge Photo

Old Town has gone through some major renovations in the past year. While some iconic restaurants have sadly disappeared or relocated, there are still plenty of great Mexican eateries in this state park. Whether you’re looking for a salt-rimmed margarita or a spicy mole dish, these Old Town classics aim to please.

   
For the Traditionalist: Old Town Mexican Café

    The “tortilla ladies of old town” in the storefront’s window epitomize Old Town Mexican Café’s approach to cuisine: make good food, and make a lot of it. Old Town Mex gets its excellent reputation by word of mouth—twenty five years’ worth of word of mouth. Don’t expect any gimmicks or specials here. The food, service, and ambience are what makes loyal patrons.

    There’s sure to be a wait at this favorite Old Town restaurant, so grab a seat at the bar and order your favorite cerveza until a table opens up. For dinner, order the chef’s famous carnitas special or sample a little bit of everything with the chicken enchilada, fish taco, and chile relleno combination plate.

Insider’s Tip: Bring a couple extra dollars to tip the strolling mariachi band after a song request.

For the Partier: Fred’s Mexican Café

    If the thought of margaritas the size of small sinks makes you slightly giddy, head to Fred’s Mexican Cafe. At Fred’s, everything from the cheap beers to loud decorations makes you feel like you’re at a friend’s party—Fred’s party.

     The food, which is cheap especially during happy hour, is surprisingly good. During Kiss My Taco Tuesdays, Fred’s serves up $2 chicken, carnitas, and fish tacos, while steak and shrimp tacos are only a buck more.

    Fred’s isn’t about authenticity, it’s about fun—and that’s not a bad thing.

Insider’s Tip: Fred’s is the home to Cinco de Fred, where the fifth of every month is reason enough to throw a huge fiesta. Show up early to grab a table.

For the Gourmet: El Agave Tequileria

    Located in the southern-most part of Old Town State Park, El Agave is hidden above a liquor store, near a tiny (and always full) parking lot. While the service is hit or miss, the food is always a gourmet’s delight. At El Agave, you won’t find nachos with creamy congealed cheese or taquito specials – instead, you’ll be tempted by an overwhelming selection of mole—traditional Mexican dishes made with combined spices. (You already know one mole: “guacamole” literally means “avocado mole” in Spanish.)

    Appropriately, this tequileria offers hundreds of different kinds of tequila. You’ll find the requisite Cuervo and Patron, but you’ll also find rarities like El Diamante del Cielo—a smooth, sipping tequila—where no lime or salt are needed for that first (or last) tequila shot.

Insider’s Tip: Ask your waiter for a recommendation before trying a new tequila. He or she can help you find a new brand that will please both your palette and your wallet.