Game day

Tacos al carbon

If you were in Houston in the 1980s, it was hard to escape the ubiquitous tacos al carbon. Ninfa Laurenzo—of the eponymous Ninfa’s—made them her signature dish and as with…

Appetizer recipes | Tex-Mex recipes

Crazy nachos

Whenever I fly into Dallas, my first stop is Herrera’s on Sylvan. It’s a family-owned Tex-Mex restaurant that I’ve been eating at almost my entire life. The original Herrera’s, which…

Appetizer recipes | Tex-Mex recipes

Felix queso

So, first things first. I never had the famed Felix queso at its original home, a Southeast Texas regional chain of restaurants owned and operated by the late Tex-Mex pioneer…

Appetizer recipes | Tex-Mex recipes

Chili parlor queso

Texas red chili and chile con queso make fine companions in this addictive Tex-Mex dip. Top with onions and pickled jalapeños and serve with tortilla chips. A welcome appetizer for any gathering.

Main dish recipes

Green chile cheeseburgers

Roasted long green chiles, such as Hatch or Anaheim, make for a spicy topping for juicy smashed cheeseburgers. A Southwestern favorite!

Appetizer recipes | Tex-Mex recipes

Green chile creamy avocado salsa

This avocado-based green salsa is found on many Houston Tex-Mex tables. Cool and bright with just a hint of heat, it goes well with tortilla chips but can be spooned onto tacos or grilled meats, too.

Main dish recipes | Tex-Mex recipes

Ancho chile and cocoa-rubbed flank steak tacos

A rub of ground ancho chile and cocoa powder brings an earthy, fiery flavor to flank steak tacos, best served in flour tortillas with guacamole and pico de gallo.

Main dish recipes | Tex-Mex recipes

Coca-Cola braised carnitas

Coca-Cola and milk, along with warm flavors such as cinnamon, allspice, and chipotle give these carnitas a slight hint of bacon, which is never a bad thing at all.