Mia's Tex-Mex Restaurant
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: Full Bar
40 Reviews for Mia's Tex-Mex Restaurant
Good stuff. Not your stereotypical tex-mex, more influenced by the southwest than most places it seems.
I had the brisket enchiladas that were awesome and decently priced. The menu has a wide range of prices and dishes and I imagine all of it is great. My meal was just the right amount of food, efficient service, good salsa + chips. All in all, just what a plate of tex-mex should be. I did not try their margaritas but many others seemed to be enjoying.
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I've been visiting Mia's since I was a child. I still love it as much as I did there. The portions are a good size (but their side dishes are lacking in this area) and delicious. When I go, I usually get the chicken fajitas and split it with my mom, with both of us able to eat our fill. I've also heard rave reviews of the Chile relleno, their enchiladas, and I can personally attest to the deliciousness of their nachos. They are always around to quickly refill your table's bowl of chips and free salsa, but I recommend the queso highly if you're a fan of the cheesy goodness. If it is your birthday they will dress you in a silly sombrero and sing to you, along with a free sopapilla (also delicious!)
The only detractor from this often overlooked Tex Mex locale is the wait. This place is TOO popular. If you want to enjoy your time there, get there early. My family and I recently ate there on a Thursday night, suspecting that not many people would file in. Luckily, we had gotten there early for other reasons, and as we left at a little past seven, the place was hopping. We breathed a sigh of relief as we walked past the multitudes, counting our blessings as we drove home.
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Well, it was bound to happen.
No, I didn't cancel my Wi-Fi and move my ergo chair and file cabinet to Panera. And, No, I didn't have a fit of post-birthday angst and make an appointment to discuss my injectable wrinkle-plumping options. You fellow Yelpers know too much. What were we talking about again?!
Ah, yes - it was bound to happen. I finally found a dish at Mia's that was just, well, "eh". Don't you hate when that happens? Yesterday, me and the hubby had a late lunch here, and I ordered the tortilla soup. Heretofore, I hadn't had anything at Mia's that was anything less than "great" - and many dishes sampled were downright "excellent". This soup, however, was just passable. It was skimpy on the chicken, and the veggies were soggy. There was nary a whisper of cilantro. My cheese also glommed onto the bottom of the bowl, resulting in one super-cheesy bite and about 20 not-so-cheesy ones. *sigh*
I would still recommend Mia's for any number of other things - Butch's Tacos, the Miguelito platter, traditional tacos and quesadillas and some really yummy margaritas. Just pass on the soup. And here are a couple of other words to the wise:
1. The wait is long at peak dinner times. Come early, as there is really not a comfortable waiting area, and you will invariably wind up kicking it on the curb out front if you have to get on the list.
2. The parking situation can be dicey.
3. The aforementioned margaritas can lead to overgenerous tipping and impulse purchases of prailines and chiclets at the register.
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Previous reviewers wrote that this is "authentic" Mexican food. I don't know enough about Mexican food to comment on Mia's authenticity, but whatever it is, its very good. Ideally, if I could, I would give this 3.5 stars, just because a few of the dishes there are just ok (tamales, flautas). Ingredients are fresh (especially for the guac.), the tortilla chips are homemade and not salty (which I like), and the tacos taste home-cooked. I definitely agree with previous reviews that it is not "tex-mex" type food. My husband and I are now regulars at this place.
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This is an original Mexican Restaurant that a few local chains owned by people in the same family try to approximate. Mia Cocina I think is one of them.
I went here with three friends and had a great meal. I am always dieing for good tex-mex/Mexican food when I return to Texas. The Queso was awesome. The salsa was fantastic. Two musts for great Tex-Mex.
I had the fish tacos that were made with tilapia and were fantastic washed down with my favorite Mexican beer, Negra Modelo. Our waitress was very nice too.
I read another review criticizing the restaurant decor. This restaurant is all about the FOOD not the surroundings. Come here if you want great food. No, it's not fancy, but I found it to be warm and cozy. This place is usually always packed too. I have tried to come many times but given up since the lot was full. It was worth the third and fourth try.
Fantastico
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Finally checked this place out! We went on a Friday night and waited about 15 minutes to get a table outside. I had the infamous brisket tacos and I must say they didn't disappoint - and the beer was ice-cold~! I'll definitely go back!
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The brisket tacos are heavenly.
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As a recent resident of Austin.. I've been missing the unique Tex-Mex offerings like Polvo's and Vivo, etc... and so I heard this place is the only place worth a sh*t in Dallas. The second I took a bite of that Beef Brisket taco.. I felt like I was transported back to Austin! Absolutely tantalizing to the tongue (you gotta use the gravy).. I will never step foot in one of the hundred chain Tex-Mex restaurants in this town again! Is nice and rundown looking like they should be!
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Brisket tacos are a serious 5, if not higher. We never bother with the menu anymore. "Brisket tacos y Tecate, por favor.'
Service is sometimes spotty but any server will help you if you ask them. Parking used to be a big 1 but their complimentary valet service has helped the situation considerably.
I broke the mold yesterday and ordered Joe's shrimp tacos - an off the menu item. Hey, it was Good Friday. A great alternative, but nothing can top their specialty.
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Hey - all you haters...get a freaking life!!!
"waaa waaa waaa, I can't find a place to park"
"waaa waaa waaa, they don't have the froo froo tequila I like to drink"
"waaa waaa waaa, the seating is too tight"
OK - I take it for granted that a certain amount contrarianism is normal about a place this popular, however this whining has GOT TO STOP!
Get a binky already.
Here..do this - try the Guacamole (best in town) and bask in the glory of classic 80's Tex Mex in a funky family run place.
Yes the brisket stuff is grand, but the rest of the menu kicks ass.
So go a little early or park on the street the next block north (gasp, the horror!! a 2 minute walk!!!) , have a freaking BEER and shut the hell up.
Oh - and where exactly can you find a place where a gay couple will be sitting next to a Hispanic family who will be sitting next to a Park Cities Matron with helmet hair???
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Yeah, this place rules. Still craving it after moving to Austin.
Brisket tacos. Best guacamole in town. Can of coke. Sentence fragments. Serious Tex-Mex bliss.
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Wow, great dinner! My wife and I are new to the area and making rounds to all the places recommended by friends and here on Yelp. This may be my new favorite place in Dallas. I had a chicken fajita Lucychanga, while my wife had a plate with an enchilada, tamale, and a taco (I think). Both were great, we sort of shared. We also had the guacamole which was most excellent. I'm a bit of a salsa fanatic and theirs had great flavor, wasn't too hot but still had some kick you could enjoy.
We got there early on a Friday, just after 6pm and were able to get a parking spot and seat without waiting. By the time we left, the wait room was packed and the parking lot had people lined up for spots. So I say get there early or be prepared to wait. It is worth a wait IMO.
Also, the margaritas packed quite a pop, 2 frozens and I was good to go.
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Living in Austin, I dearly miss this place. It's in a small little house on Lemmon Ave... be prepared to sit close to your fellow eaters. Margaritas are cheap and strong (try a swirl!)... I come from a long line of alcoholics and TWO get me pretty toasted, if that's saying anything.
The brisket tacos are to. die. for. Also love the beans they'll give you before dinner if you ask. Beans like my granny used to make... pintos, cooked all day tastin'.
One of those great, cheap, greasy, family tasting mexican places. There is usually a gaggle of people waiting in the 8x10 waiting area... Just go with it, find a spot to chill out and wait. It'll be worth it.
I'm stuck with crappy Maudie's here, dreaming of Mia's.... *sigh*
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Five stars for best guacamole in Dallas. I don't know how someone could make mashed avocado goodness taste bad, but so many places do. It's creamy with just the right amount of salt, tomatoes, cilantro, etc. Maybe they actually taste it before serving it to the masses. That's a novel idea.
Their brisket tacos are heavenly. The brisket is always tender and juicy. If tender and juicy just isn't good enough, they'll provide you with gravy to pour all over the beef.
And make sure you wash it all down with a couple of pucker inducing margaritas.
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This place probably has the best Tex-Mex in Dallas. As stated by the previous poster, the brisket tacos are pretty exceptional, but you really can't go wrong with anything you order here. It definitely was one of the most reasonably priced restaurants in the area.
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Me and my wife absolutely love going to Mia's. We've been going on a regular basis for 5+ years now, and highly recommend for those that enjoy locally-owned restaurant experiences, instead of chain monotony. Food is great quality. Service is warm and friendly.
The "Ernesto's Special" dish is one of my favorites, but you can't go wrong with Brisket Tacos or Carne Asada either.
Parking can be difficult, we've had some of our best experiences going at times when they aren't completely packed.
Have done take-out several times, love it!
Now open Sundays! Go and enjoy!
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I went here once because I heard it was such a Dallas landmark. It was okay. I really enjoyed my brisket tacos (as if you needed another endorsement), but the dining room was pretty crowded, and I felt sort of cramped at my table. The waiter wasn't that great about refills on drinks and chips, but he was friendly and got the order correct. I'd rather go to Manny's for similar food with a more appealing atmosphere.
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Horrible enchiladas, salsa tasted prefab, and margaritas were made with a marginal sweet-sour mix. This is what we thought Tex-Mex was in the 70s before we knew better up here in Dallas (vs. San Antonio) or like the crap I got while living in the NE for several years. Now we know better and there are probably 50 better places in Dallas on Lemmon Avenue alone.
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I'm conflicted about those two measly stars. The food was great. However, in Texas, with all the Tex-Mex that abounds, it didn't especially stand out. And with Gloria's down the street (not exactly Tex-Mex, I know), you have a better alternative within walking distance.
My main problem with Mia's is simply the place itself. Too small with tight seating. Parking is problematic. You would have more fun going during non-peak hours. Also, when I ordered a Diet Coke, I got it in a can with an accompanying cup of ice. It's a pet peeve, but I'd prefer a fountain drink at a restaurant.
The staff is friendly enough. And when Dallas was smaller, this was probably a better place.
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Mia's is a small tiny place with low ceilings and tight seating.
They've got two types of tequila, frozen or on the rocks. Not that a drink is what makes a meal, but I would have liked something of higher quality to go with my cheese covered enchiladas. It didn't help that I got ground beef when there wasn't supposed to be any meat.
Still this place is very popular, always crowded when I drive by. It just didn't work for me.
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yes this place was first before mannys, yes mannys split from mias and pretty much created a clone of mias....BUT....parking sucks here...the place is small and cramped, and the service is mediocre...atleast i get a smile and a thank you at mannys.
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I'm also saying yes to the "Brisket Taco's" that's the only thing we eat there. We also like to get a side of what they call "sunset sauce" its a sauce they put on one of their fajitas and its jalepenos with a little queso mixed in...We eat this with chips and our taco's. This is the best thing to order on the menu- the other items are just okay in my opinion. The other reason to go here are the great margarita's they are strong, strong but oh so good. Enjoy
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The Bean and Cheese nachos are a great appetizer to start. They are known for the brisket tacos which are very good. The fajitas are quite delicious as well. The atosphere is just ok - pretty cramped and tight. As Chris says, they could use a bit of variety with their drinks - you only have a choice of frozen or rocks of pre-mixed margs. Expect a long wait on Fri and Sat nights and the parking is a nightmare on those nights.
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Walking in, this place has a nice family feel. The employees congregating around the greeting area seem like family (the hostess may have been Mia herself..) and all seem happy to have you in their restaurant. The first thing that impressed me was the salsa! You can always tell how good a tex-mex place is by their salsa, and theirs tastes like they just ground up the tomatoes in the back when you ordered it. Yummy! I had the fajitas because I'm not particularly fond of typical tex-mex things like sour cream, raw tomatoes, or cold cheese (I know, I probably just invalidated my review..) but they were muy deliciouso. I appreciate the laid-back atmosphere and simple decor and layout. Me gusta mucho!
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This is the best Mexican restaurant Dallas has to offer. I in D-town for 4 years (just moved) and kept coming back here. As other say, the brisket tacos are very good (according to my husband, who always gets them...I'm not really into red meat). The tortilla soup is the best I've ever had in my life...broth-based with big chunks of chicken, avocado, crunchy tortillas, tomatoes, etc. They have a huge menu, so they have anything Mexican that you may be in the mood for.
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I though t it was OK. I always see a lot of cars there so we went once but nothing to write home about, really. I guess they serve good drinks but we don't drink.
Anyway, I had the chicken plate which was good and the refried bean were EXCELLENT. I should have ordered the brisket taco because that is what they feature as a specialty - maybe next time. The chips were really good but I wish they served it with black bean dip.
The outdoor seating is, well, "authentic". Not the best setting IMHO. I don't think I'll go there again on my own but will go with friends, not problem, if that's the vote.
Parking is crummy on rush hour.
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No way in hell is Luna de Noche better than Mia's. Luna de Noche is good, one of the better Tex-Mex restaurants in Dallas, but it's no Mia's.
Mia's is a Dallas institution. It's what Canter's is to LA or John's Pizzeria is to NYC. Order the brisket tacos.
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Decent Tex Mex but last time I went here some loser wanted to start a fight with me because he thought I took his parking space. Maybe he was having refried bean withdrawals.
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Great Mexican food!! I can see why Mia's gets such great reviews, and after trying it out on our trip to Dallas, my fiancee and I couldn't agree more. We ordered the brisket tacos (delicious!) and the steak & chicken fajitas. Both were yummy and great. If you're in town on business and want something a step or two above the typical chain Mexican restaurant, give Mia's a try.
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Like other reviews say, this is truly a great Dallas Tex-Mex institution. It is the place that I recommend my clients go if they are from out of town and want a good lunch. Tues. night is Chile Relleno night (better call earlier in the day and reserve), and Fri. and Sat. nights are packed, so be prepared to wait, but it's not bad, enjoy a margarita. The parking attendant is very nice and will assist you in finding a spot. Service is great, and the food even better. They are known for their messy, but good brisket tacos. For me, I have never tasted better Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas with rice and beans....classic meal that is mouth watering. They use corn tortillas that contribute the a perfect texture and taste. Another great think on their menu is any of the Quesidillas, try them all and be prepared to get a lot of food, these appetizers will feed a table!.. Enjoy!
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mmm, get the brisket taco's. I used to go here all the time when I lived in Dallas. It's just a real relaxed place and it's family owned. When I used to go here with a friend of mine who lived in Dallas we would get treated like royalty. They must have been here a long time.
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This is hands down my favorite place in all the land. We went there last night. Had a bit of a wait, but had some beers in the parking lot. Started the meal with some queso chorizo (best thing ever) and a bowl of chili con queso. For our main course everyone at the table ordered the brisket tacos on flour tortillas. Awesome. There is almost always a wait, and you may have to get there early on Tuesday in order to get a relleno. That is the only day they serve these. I do not care for rellenos, I have tried them multiple times at different places but it was Mia's that made me figure out that it was me and not them. If I do not like it when it is prepared by the experts there then I must not like them at all.
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I must echo the endorsement for the brisket tacos. It sounds weird, but I want them every time I go after trying them for the first time. They also have good burritos with your choice of sauce on the side....and they have a really wide variety of sauces to try.
Excellent brisket tacos, POWERFUL margaritas, friendly service. It's a small place and it stays packed, and you HAVE to have your full party before they'll seat you, so come prepared. One of the best in Dallas.
Wow. Mia's. I have two words for you guys.
Briskit. Tacos.
Four syllables of absolute brilliance. Tender fall-apart briskit with killer drippings added to wonderful fresh corn tortillas prepared warmed and doubled-up.
KILLER.
Other features of this restaurant are great as well - solid 'ritas, great tamales, good atmosphere. Sometimes hard to get in, but always worth a trip out if you're close to lemmon in this area of town!
Dallas institution for great Tex-Mex and incredibly strong Margaritas. Plan on waiting on Friday and Saturday nights. Great crowd and a great place to take out of towners for a true Tex-Mex experience. Oh, and they are famous for their brisket tacos - I usually opt for the homemade flour tortillas instead of corn.
Yeah yeah yeah... brisket tacos are the reason go to Mia's. But otherwise, Mia's does not hold up to several of the newer-on-the-scene Tex-Mexican spots, like Luna de Noche and Casa Milagro. These newer places also do brisket tacos (and brisket nachos if you ask them) just as well.
Sometimes the service is snooty and Mia's. Sometimes not. I guess when you're always packed you just don't care as much about your non-celebrity customers.
I have to agree here people! B-R-I-S-K-E-T T-A-C-O-S are only the greatest tacos on the planet!
Great old-school Tex-Mex.
Mia's is awesome Tex Mex. Crowded and busy, it's still worth it. I miss Mia's now that I live in California, and it's a must-stop for me every time I return to Dallas.
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