IslanderAg04 said:

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Ag CPA said:

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Back in the 90's the bar at the College Station OTB was rockin' (and yes the TexMex in BCS sucked back then).

And as long as the OTB Cantina Thin chips survive this at the grocery store I am good.

RIP.

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OTB, TBone Jones, and Garcias. My old stomping grounds.

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We always went to Marco's, b/c there were coupons in those coupon books they would pass out at the beginning of the semester at the MSC.

Since this thread has stayed on top I guess now I've thought about the topic more and Blue Goose and Rosa's are the closest successful chains selling texmex. I rarely if ever go there though.

Garcia's on Harvey had free queso coupons. They also did 2 for 1 margaritas during HH.

backintexas2013 said:

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Garcia's on Harvey had free queso coupons. They also did 2 for 1 margaritas during HH.

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Garcia's was one of our favorite places. Hated it when they closed.

I had sworn off Chuy's after a couple of Covid Era disappointments.

This thread made me think about fast casual Tex mex and I went to chuy's for the first time in years and it was pretty good

Chips were good I like the salsa
The Comida Deluxe was solid and at $15 a reasonable value

Lupe's is all around better but the salsa at Lupe's is not what I like and there largest combo platter is closer to $20

Yah, during my time at A&M TexMex was OTB, Garcia's, Ninfa's, Fajita Rita's, El Chico, Los Nortenos...

ETA: Forgot that El Arroyo was around for a couple of years in a location on Texas by campus that I swear changed hands at least 4-5 times during my time there.

Ninfa's was probably my favorite, one of the things I miss about my time in Houston after graduating. Los Nortenos was fun, probably the only reason to go to downtown Bryan back then.

Lupe's always seems overpriced and I agree on the salsa.

HoldMyBeer said:

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In the late '90s, I was stuck for a few hours on an elevated portion of the Southwest Freeway in Houston while they cleared a jackknifed 18 wheeler. There was an OTB on the feeder so I climbed down the embankment and asked a waitress about a pitcher of margaritas to-go, pointing up to my car and a group of thirsty people on the freeway. She said they couldn't do to-go but could serve me on the patio. She brought the margaritas in a plastic pitcher with plastic glasses and after paying, plus a very respectable tip, I climbed back up the embankment and we had happy hour on the Southwest Freeway.

I never actually ate their food but that was one of the better margaritas I've had.

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I had my first frozen margarita at On the Boarder in San Antonio (now where Chuey's is on 281), and was hooked. I thought the food was pretty good.

Los Nortenos was great back in the 90's. BYOB to boot. I heard someone got shot in there later 20 years ago before they closed though. The epitome of great tex-mex that really could never be franchised/grown at scale etc. Another great memory, thx.

nortex97 said:

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Los Nortenos was great back in the 90's. BYOB to boot. I heard someone got shot in there later 20 years ago before they closed though. The epitome of great tex-mex that really could never be franchised/grown at scale etc. Another great memory, thx.

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Sunday hangover migas. You know it was authentic cause a hair was plinked out and put on every plate.

nortex97 said:

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Since this thread has stayed on top I guess now I've thought about the topic more and Blue Goose and Rosa's are the closest successful chains selling texmex. I rarely if ever go there though.

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Here is my contribution: 95% of Tex-mex is the same stuff and there is very little differentiation amongst most of the places mentioned on this thread.

Since this has turned into a lost to history Mexican food thread....

For those who long for the greatness of the Taco Bell Mexican pIzza.... The secret ingredient = chorizo mixed with the ground beef.

Sq 17 said:

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I had sworn off Chuy's after a couple of Covid Era disappointments.

This thread made me think about fast casual Tex mex and I went to chuy's for the first time in years and it was pretty good

Chips were good I like the salsa
The Comida Deluxe was solid and at $15 a reasonable value

Lupe's is all around better but the salsa at Lupe's is not what I like and there largest combo platter is closer to $20

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Chuy's is my go-to for every-day Tex-Mex. Pappasito's is my go-to when I want to kick things up a notch. But dollar-for-dollar, Chuy's is tough to beat in my book.

Dungeon Crawler Carl said:

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Since this has turned into a lost to history Mexican food thread....

For those who long for the greatness of the Taco Bell Mexican pIzza.... The secret ingredient = chorizo mixed with the ground beef.

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OMFG, Mexican Pizza was "Da Bomb!" (Yes, I really did just date myself) back i the day. It took more than a few to get fillew up on them, but after midnight, it didn't matter. They hit hard.

No Spin Ag said:

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Sq 17 said:

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I had sworn off Chuy's after a couple of Covid Era disappointments.

This thread made me think about fast casual Tex mex and I went to chuy's for the first time in years and it was pretty good

Chips were good I like the salsa
The Comida Deluxe was solid and at $15 a reasonable value

Lupe's is all around better but the salsa at Lupe's is not what I like and there largest combo platter is closer to $20

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Chuy's is my go-to for every-day Tex-Mex. Pappasito's is my go-to when I want to kick things up a notch. But dollar-for-dollar, Chuy's is tough to beat in my book.

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They suck now. Smaller menu and the ingredients have been downgraded (confirmed lower quality). It started with Covid.

I haven't been to a chain Mexican place in years.

There are so many fantastic mom and pop places in Arlington - no need to settle for a chain.

Sadly, in my opinion, On The Border was a great restaurant until Brinker International bought it in the early 90's.

I have a ton of respect for Brinker and what they're doing with Chili's. But they have really been the death knell for several concepts....On The Border, Macaroni Grill, Johnny Carino's, Grady's, and Corner Bakery to name a few.

The Chuy's in Dallas at Knox recently shuttered. Great location. I'm not sure if that was due to declining store sales, or rent has increased so much it became unsustainable. Maybe both.

ChoppinDs40 said:

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Emotional Support Cobra said:

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Chili's cracked the code for affordability and quality. I think they are doing way better than most crappy chain restaurants on the highway these days where everything tastes the same and costs $70-100 for a quick dinner out.

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Chilis is one of the fastest growing chains in America. And doing quite well.

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Haven't been to Chili's in a long time, but man ... old school Chili's was a happening place.

Small menu -- just burgers, fries, soft tacos and chili. Beer in frosted mugs and margaritas. It was great.

Went on many a date there in Carillon West. Place was always packed ... hour-long waits for a table.

YouBet said:

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nortex97 said:

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Since this thread has stayed on top I guess now I've thought about the topic more and Blue Goose and Rosa's are the closest successful chains selling texmex. I rarely if ever go there though.

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Here is my contribution: 95% of Tex-mex is the same stuff and there is very little differentiation amongst most of the places mentioned on this thread.

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Yeah and there's no single place that knocks everything out of the park -- chips, salsa, enchiladas, nachos, etc.

They all have plusses and minuses.

Ag CPA said:

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Yah, during my time at A&M TexMex was OTB, Garcia's, Ninfa's, Fajita Rita's, El Chico, Los Nortenos...

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Casa Tomas was our go-to. Located on Highway 6 smackdab between College Station and Bryan.

samurai_science said:

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No Spin Ag said:

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Sq 17 said:

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I had sworn off Chuy's after a couple of Covid Era disappointments.

This thread made me think about fast casual Tex mex and I went to chuy's for the first time in years and it was pretty good

Chips were good I like the salsa
The Comida Deluxe was solid and at $15 a reasonable value

Lupe's is all around better but the salsa at Lupe's is not what I like and there largest combo platter is closer to $20

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Chuy's is my go-to for every-day Tex-Mex. Pappasito's is my go-to when I want to kick things up a notch. But dollar-for-dollar, Chuy's is tough to beat in my book.

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They suck now. Smaller menu and the ingredients have been downgraded (confirmed lower quality). It started with Covid.

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Agreed, they aren't what they were. I miss their blue corn tortillas for their Elvis plate. Still better than most slop out there. At least in the LBK.

Now, in the major cities, I don't even bother with them when I think Tex-Mex or Mexican. Yes, pinche gringos, Tex-Mex is NOT Mexican food.

I blame AI.

The favorite whipping boy scapegoat of all bad businesses.

El Tiempo FTW.

ToddyHill said:

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Sadly, in my opinion, On The Border was a great restaurant until Brinker International bought it in the early 90's.

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Bingo. I could not agree more.

In the early 1980's, the original OTB location at Knox and Travis in Dallas was the place to go for great Tex-Mex.

Unlike places today that claim they cook 'with' mesquite, OTB cooked ON real mesquite wood, and always had several cords stacked out back. Not only did the fajitas really taste like they came off a mesquite fire, even the shredded chicken they put in the enchiladas had been cooked over mesquite and had the taste.

There was always a wait to get a table, too. As for margaritas and alcohol sales in general, there was a time when the Texas Comptroller had that location as #1 for alcohol sales in the entire DFW area. Imagine that.

Here's what really changed it all -- the top OTB execs were on a business trip to Colorado and died when their plane crashed. The survivors sold to Brinker, and it was never the same.

Quote:

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Here's what really changed it all -- the top OTB execs were on a business trip to Colorado and died when their plane crashed. The survivors sold to Brinker, and it was never the same.

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I worked at the Brinker home office for three years in the early 90's. One of my co-workers worked in purchasing for On The Border prior to its sale to Brinker. She told me the plane flew into significant head winds on its way to Colorado...and they ran out of fuel.

EclipseAg said:

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ChoppinDs40 said:

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Emotional Support Cobra said:

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Chili's cracked the code for affordability and quality. I think they are doing way better than most crappy chain restaurants on the highway these days where everything tastes the same and costs $70-100 for a quick dinner out.

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Chilis is one of the fastest growing chains in America. And doing quite well.

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Haven't been to Chili's in a long time, but man ... old school Chili's was a happening place.

Small menu -- just burgers, fries, soft tacos and chili. Beer in frosted mugs and margaritas. It was great.

Went on many a date there in Carillon West. Place was always packed ... hour-long waits for a table.

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A couple of things --

First, I'll give Chili's credit -- they're a survivor in today's brutal casual dining segment. And how they can sell me a burger, a side, a small salad and a soft drink for $10.99 and make a dime blows my mind. Maybe they don't, but I bring my wife along and she gravitates (of course) to the more expensive stuff so I don't feel too bad.

And, their quality is fairly respectable in today's environment, at least at the location I frequent.

Second, old school Chili's was in fact a happening place. I'd hit the Greenville Avenue location in the early 1980's and there would always be a wait. You'd stand in an airport-terminal style line and they'd serve you drinks while you waited for a table.

And the original Chili's burger recipe was the real deal. IIRC, that recipe is what Tom Snuffer 'modeled' his burgers on before he struck out on this own and founded Snuffers, but I digress.

Mi Cocina has the all time best salsa. Chuy's salsa is asshoe

RIP OTB, your watch is over

Ag CPA said:

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Yah, during my time at A&M TexMex was OTB, Garcia's, Ninfa's, Fajita Rita's, El Chico, Los Nortenos...

Ninfa's was probably my favorite, one of the things I miss about my time in Houston after graduating. Los Nortenos was fun, probably the only reason to go to downtown Bryan back then.

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Ah, el Chico! They had an all you can eat special if you had a church bulletin or a student ID. It was about the same price as any other plate.

Roommate and I put away 17 enchiladas apiece once. Oh for the days of a fast metabolism.

Ribeye-Rare said:

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EclipseAg said:

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ChoppinDs40 said:

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Emotional Support Cobra said:

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Chili's cracked the code for affordability and quality. I think they are doing way better than most crappy chain restaurants on the highway these days where everything tastes the same and costs $70-100 for a quick dinner out.

---

Chilis is one of the fastest growing chains in America. And doing quite well.

---

Haven't been to Chili's in a long time, but man ... old school Chili's was a happening place.

Small menu -- just burgers, fries, soft tacos and chili. Beer in frosted mugs and margaritas. It was great.

Went on many a date there in Carillon West. Place was always packed ... hour-long waits for a table.

---

A couple of things --

First, I'll give Chili's credit -- they're a survivor in today's brutal casual dining segment. And how they can sell me a burger, a side, a small salad and a soft drink for $10.99 and make a dime blows my mind. Maybe they don't, but I bring my wife along and she gravitates (of course) to the more expensive stuff so I don't feel too bad.

And, their quality is fairly respectable in today's environment, at least at the location I frequent.

Second, old school Chili's was in fact a happening place. I'd the hit Greenville Avenue location in the early 1980's and there would always be a wait. You'd stand in an airport-terminal style line and they'd serve you drinks while you waited for a table.

And the original Chili's burger recipe was the real deal. IIRC, that recipe is what Tom Snuffer 'modeled' his burgers on before he struck out on this own and founded Snuffers, but I digress.

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The burgers are still pretty dadgum good. (Been watching too much Tim Burchett)

Ribeye-Rare said:

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ToddyHill said:

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Sadly, in my opinion, On The Border was a great restaurant until Brinker International bought it in the early 90's.

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Bingo. I could not agree more.

In the early 1980's, the original OTB location at Knox and Travis in Dallas was the place to go for great Tex-Mex.

Unlike places today that claim they cook 'with' mesquite, OTB cooked ON real mesquite wood, and always had several cords stacked out back. Not only did the fajitas really taste like they came off a mesquite fire, even the shredded chicken they put in the enchiladas had been cooked over mesquite and had the taste.

There was always a wait to get a table, too. As for margaritas and alcohol sales in general, there was a time when the Texas Comptroller had that location as #1 for alcohol sales in the entire DFW area. Imagine that.

Here's what really changed it all -- the top OTB execs were on a business trip to Colorado and died when their plane crashed. The survivors sold to Brinker, and it was never the same.

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Damn, that OTB is a place I'd have loved to go to.

This is the one where I had the Chambord meltdown. This place was cool.

fc2112 said:

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I haven't been to a chain Mexican place in years.

There are so many fantastic mom and pop places in Arlington - no need to settle for a chain.

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Best subs in the metroplex is Dino's on Collins...

YouBet said:

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The Chuy's in Dallas at Knox recently shuttered. Great location. I'm not sure if that was due to declining store sales, or rent has increased so much it became unsustainable. Maybe both.

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They moved over to Greenville Ave.




ETA: From Google

Quote:

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Chuy's moved to Greenville Avenue because real estate developers bought and cleared their longtime Knox-Henderson site to build a massive new mixed-use development. The original location on McKinney Avenue was eventually bulldozed.

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Quote:

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You must not have been around in the early days of Chilis. Or even during the '90s. The only thing it has in common with the good restaurants of its past is the name.

I haven't been there in well over a year (probably 3, and dragged there then) and have zero plans to go back. I'd sooner get fast food.

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The burger is still solid and a good value.

I grew up w/ in a couple of miles of the original Chili's on Greenville Ave and Meadow Rd. It had to open sometime mid to late 70's. Chili was pretty much the only thing on the menu. Maybe a burger, but I can't remember not getting chili. The thing that was revolutionary to us as kids, free Coke refills! We rarely ate out. But when the parents asked, we would yell Chili's! Mostly because free Coke refills.

I believe the guys that started it went to Terlingua every year for the cook-off. They had pictures all over the restaurant of them w/ celebrities like Waylon and Willie at Terlingua.

Sadly, a 7Eleven occupies the land now...