A Tex-Mex plate at a Dallas steakhouse is a full menu item such as enchiladas, tacos, fajitas, or a combination plate, typically served with familiar sides like beans, rice, queso, or chile con carne. It is more than chips and salsa. It is a complete Tex-Mex dish that belongs on the same menu as steakhouse cuts.
Many Dallas diners want both in one place because groups rarely order the same way. One guest may want a ribeye, another may want enchiladas, and someone else may prefer fajitas with the classic sides. The main concern is ending up at a steakhouse that uses Tex-Mex as a label, but only offers a small side or a weak version of the real plates.
In this guide, you will see 5 Dallas Steakhouses that serve Tex-Mex plates alongside steakhouse favorites, plus simple tips for spotting the right menu items and choosing the best fit for your night out.
What Counts as a Tex-Mex Plate at a Steakhouse
A Tex-Mex plate at a steakhouse is a full menu item you can order as an entree, built around classic Tex-Mex dishes and served with the usual Tex-Mex sides. It is more than chips and salsa, and it should be filling enough to stand as its own meal.
For this guide, “steakhouse” means a restaurant with a dedicated steak section or steak cuts you can order as a main course, plus full Tex-Mex entrées like enchiladas, tacos, or fajitas.
What qualifies
- Enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas, fajitas
- Chile con carne, queso, salsa, refried beans
- Tex-Mex combination plates and full plate style sides served as part of an entree
How We Picked These Dallas Steakhouses
- Steak quality and consistency across the core cuts people order most.
- Tex-Mex plates listed as full entrees, not only chips, salsa, or queso.
- Entree descriptions that include classic Tex-Mex sides like beans and rice.
- Menu variety that works for mixed groups who want steak and Tex-Mex in one visit.
- Location and access in Dallas, including parking and easy arrival for plans.
- Dining style and price feel that match common occasions like dates, families, and work dinners.
- Current menus published by each restaurant were used to confirm a steak section and at least one full Tex-Mex entrée. Menus can change, so confirm before you go.
Top 5 Dallas Steakhouses with Tex-Mex style plates (Quick Picks)
These spots make it easy to order steakhouse cuts and full Tex-Mex plates, like enchiladas, tacos, and fajitas, at the same table, with real sides and salsa that belong on a dinner plate.
- Dunston’s Steakhouse: Old school Dallas steaks plus a clear Tex-Mex dinners section with enchiladas, tamales, and a full combo dinner setup.
- Culpepper Cattle Co.: Steak focused menu built to mix in Tex-Mex favorites like fajitas and house tortillas without changing restaurants.
- La Hacienda Ranch: Mesquite grill energy with steak options and sizzling fajitas, so steak and Tex-Mex plates both feel like the main event.
- RJ Mexican Cuisine: Strong lineup of tacos, enchiladas, and fajitas, plus a menu built to support steak orders for mixed preference groups.
- The Mexican: Grill cuts and steak options paired with enchiladas and tacos, so the table can split between steakhouse and Tex-Mex cravings.
Comparison of Top 5 Steakhouses in Dallas
| Steakhouse | Best for | Tex-Mex plate signal | Steak signal | Dallas area |
| Dunston’s Steakhouse | Classic steakhouse night | Tex-Mex dinners section on the menu | Mesquite grilled steaks listed | Love Field area |
| Culpepper Cattle Co. | Groups who want steak plus fajitas | Steak or chicken fajitas with rice and beans | Says it serves “only the finest steaks” | Deep Ellum |
| La Hacienda Ranch | Tex-Mex first, steak friendly | Mesquite grilled fajitas and enchiladas | Steak fajitas appear on the menu | Far North Dallas |
| RJ Mexican Cuisine | Downtown plans and mixed orders | Enchiladas and fajitas with steak as a choice | Steak is a fajita option | Historic West End |
| The Mexican | Upscale dinner and cocktails | Enchiladas and tacos on menu pages | Grill cuts appear on the dinner menu PDF | Design District |
1. Dunston’s Steakhouse
Dunston’s keeps steaks and full Tex-Mex entrées on one menu, so a mixed group can order without compromise. The menu lists mesquite grilled steaks like New York strip, ribeye, and bone in ribeye, with the usual steakhouse sides noted.
The Tex-Mex section is not a small add on. Dunston’s lists Homemade Enchiladas, a Tamale Dinner, and a Mexican Dinner with two tamales and two enchiladas served with Spanish rice, pinto beans, and chips and salsa.
What to expect
- A mesquite grilled steak section with New York strip, ribeye, filet options, and bone in ribeye.
- Steak entrees served with baked potato and house salad, or a choice of three vegetables.
- Tex-Mex dinners that read like full plates, not snack items.
- Tex-Mex plates served with Spanish rice, pinto beans, chips and salsa.
Best steak order
Bone in ribeye (14 oz) from the mesquite grilled steaks section.
Rating
Google: 4.3/5.0
Review
“Everything I ate was good as usual. Service was good as well. I really like the jalapeño poppers. I have to be honest, though I do prefer the other location for the ambience and the salad bar.” – Ron Edmondson
2. Culpepper Cattle Co.
Culpepper’s menu separates “Only the Finest Steaks” and “Fresh Tex-Mex,” which makes mixed ordering simple. That makes it easy for mixed groups to order without a long back and forth at the table.
The steak list includes prime ribeye, prime sirloin, cab filet mignon, and a cab porterhouse. The Tex-Mex list includes enchiladas, puffy tacos, and fajitas with rice and beans built into the plate.
What to expect
- Steak fajitas served with tejano rice, refried beans, and all the fixings, with sizing for 1 to 2 or 2 to 3.
- A porterhouse option that comes with two house salads and two sides.
- Enchiladas listed under Fresh Tex-Mex, including cheese enchiladas with chile con carne sauce and rice and beans.
- Puffy tacos listed with toppings like lettuce, cheese, pico, and crema.
Best steak order
12 oz prime ribeye, listed with marbling notes on the menu.
Rating
Google: 4.5/5.0
Review
“We had the best dinner ever. The portions were huge and the steak was amazing. My husband and I shared the 24 ounce porterhouse steak. It was so thick and juicy, just amazing. Our waiter was really nice and kind. The atmosphere was also great. They had live music that night, and it was just right. Not too loud not too overwhelming, but perfect. Honestly, I can’t wait to go back again. This time I want to try brunch.” – Katie Crenshaw
3. La Hacienda Ranch
La Hacienda Ranch leans hard into mesquite grilling, and the Preston Trail menu shows steak options that already come plated in a Tex-Mex format. That helps when you want steak, but you also want rice, beans, tortillas, and a sauced item on the same plate.
For example, the menu lists Carne Asada as a mesquite grilled steak served with a cheese enchilada, plus ranchero bean soup and Mexican red rice. The steak fajita section also spells out the full setup with tortillas, guac, sour cream, cheese, pico, and beans and rice options.
What to expect
- Carne Asada served with a cheese enchilada and Mexican red rice, with beans listed as part of the plate.
- Mesquite grilled fajitas with a full tortilla and topping setup, plus Mexican red rice and a beans choice.
- A steaks section that includes items like Ranch Filét and bone in ribeye, with “Mexican Style” and “Texas Style” plating notes.
- Enchiladas are listed as full plates with pinto beans and Mexican red rice.
Best steak order
Carne Asada, since it is a steak plate that already includes an enchilada and classic sides.
Rating
Google: 4.3/5.0
Review
“Very nice place to eat. Food was delicious and service was friendly and attentive. We did have a big party so it took some time to get our order but it was good. Thank you, La Hacienda Ranch!” – PA Muller
4. RJ Mexican Cuisine
RJ Mexican Cuisine is set up for downtown Dallas diners who want steak and Tex-Mex staples in the same stop. Their menu page highlights tacos, enchiladas, and sizzling fajitas, and it clearly includes steak as a fajita choice.
Instead of guessing what counts, RJ makes the categories easy to spot. The site lists enchiladas by variety, describes taco builds, and shows a fajita section with a traditional setup and multiple protein options, including steak and combo.
What to expect
- Fish tacos described with blackened tilapia, mango salsa, and red chile tomatillo, served three up.
- Enchiladas are listed in multiple varieties, including chicken, cheese, picadillo, and vegetables.
- Sizzling fajitas described with stir fry vegetables and a traditional setup, with steak as a listed option.
- Plates that lean into rice and sauce pairings, such as Salmon del Mar with red rice and a cream sauce.
Best steak order
Sizzling fajitas with steak, since steak is listed as a primary fajita choice with the full traditional setup.
Rating
Google: 4.8/5.0
Review
“First off.. the plating is top notch! 👌 It tasted amazing!! My quesadilla was very good. The cheese was great and it was super filling. Our waiter was super nice and attentive. The restaurant itself was nice but the prices are a little pricey. Depending on what you get, some are a very reasonable cost. There are deals and happy hours that go on as well. Highly recommend!” – Mary Foshage
5. The Mexican
The Mexican is the most steak-forward option in this group, with a clear “Cortes From the Grill” section and a separate enchiladas and tacos section on the same menu. You can order a steak cut and still keep a Tex-Mex style meal on the table through queso, tortilla soup, and plated enchiladas.
The menu spells out the cuts and the sauces, including NY strip and cowboy ribeye, plus a full enchiladas list and tacos that use beef tenderloin in more than one option. It is built for diners who want steakhouse structure with Mexican menu variety.
What to expect
- Queso fundido served with corn tortillas, plus tortilla soup with pulled chicken, avocado, cilantro, and tortilla strips.
- Steak cuts like NY strip, filet mignon, and cowboy ribeye listed under Cortes From the Grill.
- An enchiladas section that includes Camarones and a Del Mar Enchilada Trio.
- Tacos listed three per order in house made corn tortillas, including filet and bone marrow and Black Angus with beef tenderloin.
Best steak order
NY strip (14 oz) from Cortes From the Grill.
Rating
Google: 4.2/5.0
Review
“This is a great date spot (make sure the guys have the right attire on btw or they get a blazer jacket) or a place to just go with a few friends. The drinks were spot on, the enchiladas dishes were amazing, and our waiter was super attentive. I guess that’s to be expected in a place like this, but either way it was a great experience. 100s across the board, with no notes. I would definitely return here.” – RY
How to confirm a steakhouse has real Tex-Mex plates
- Look for enchiladas, tacos, fajitas, or combination plates listed as entrees.
- Confirm beans and rice are included with the entree, not only as optional sides.
- Check fajitas for tortillas and a full topping set like pico, guac, sour cream, and cheese.
- Avoid menus that use vague “Tex-Mex style” wording without portions or details.
- Verify chile con carne or queso appears in plated entrees, not only as a dip.
- Prefer Steakhouses that offer multiple Tex-Mex entrees, not a single item.
- Use the official menu or ordering page to confirm the current Tex-Mex options.
FAQs
What is a Tex-Mex plate at a steakhouse?
A Tex-Mex plate is a full entree such as enchiladas, tacos, fajitas, or a combination plate served with classic sides like beans and rice. It is not only chips, salsa, or queso as a starter.
Do Steakhouses in Dallas serve enchilada plates?
Some do, but not all. Check the entree section for enchiladas listed with a full plate setup, including sides and portion details, instead of a small add on or lunch only item.
What steak pairs best with Tex-Mex sides?
Ribeye and New York strip pair well because they hold up to bold flavors like salsa, queso, and chile based sauces. If you want a lighter balance, filet mignon works well with fajita style plates.
How can I tell if a place has real Tex-Mex or only a Tex-Mex label?
Real Tex-Mex menus list multiple entrees, clear portions, and classic sides like beans and rice. A label only menu usually has chips and salsa, one dip, or one vague “Tex-Mex style” item without detail.
Are fajitas considered Tex-Mex at a steakhouse?
Yes, fajitas are one of the clearest Tex-Mex plates when they come with tortillas and a full topping setup like pico, guac, sour cream, and cheese. Steak fajitas are a strong option if your group wants both steak and Tex-Mex.
What should I order for a mixed group that wants steak and Tex-Mex?
Pick a place with a clear steak section and a Tex-Mex entree section so everyone can order what they want. A steak dinner plus a Tex-Mex combo plate or steak fajitas usually keeps the table happy without sharing pressure.
