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El Fenix

El Fenix

Tex-Mex Restaurant$$$$
Dallas
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8.3/10
389
ratings
  • Stars
  • Stars
    The experts at Dallas Observer and Eater recommend this place
    • Dallas Observer
    • Eater
  • Tips
    Samantha U.
    "Go on a Wednesday for the awesome enchiladas deal!"(11 Tips)
    Erik R.
    "Perot Museum across the street."(2 Tips)
    Lisa C.
    "Had the hatch chili tamales... Little spicy for me but I'm a whimp."(3 Tips)
    Kay A.
    "Good fast service at lunch on Wednesdays!"(4 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon70 Tips and reviews
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  • margaritas
  • perot museum
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  • Amr E.heart icon on user image
    Amr EzzApril 30, 2014
    Great ambiance. Excellent service. Delicious food. WEDNESDAY would be a good day to go for the enchiladas special. Chips and sauce are simply amazing. Highly recommended
  • Carly M.heart icon on user image
    Carly McdowellJune 18, 2016
    The service is out of this world!! I have never been so impressed with customer service. Food was very fresh. Will definitely be returning on a regular basis.
    Upvoted Jan 28
  • Montanna S.heart icon on user image
    Montanna SmithSeptember 14, 2014
    Great enchiladas! But don't bother w/ guacamole (they fill the dish w/ shredded lettuce & put a layer of guac on top to make you think you're getting a decent amount) or queso (velveeta taste).
  • B P.heart icon on user image
    B PApril 16, 2015
    Been here 5+ times
    Black beans are vegetarian; rice (cooked in chicken stock) & refried beans are not. Great service, happy & friendly staff.
  • Elaine P.
    Elaine PorterDecember 24, 2011
    Been here 10+ times
    The shredded roast beef chimichanga is the BEST EVER!! It's my absolute favorite dish here! And ask for Benjamin! He's an awesome waiter!
  • Cass G.heart icon on user image
    Cass GrimmSeptember 30, 2017
    It's a great Tex-Mex spot! I got the tortilla soup and salad which was heavier than I expected but still delicious.
  • Eater
    EaterOctober 5, 2011
    The original home of old-style Tex-Mex, downtown's El Fenix location is famous for its service and classic, affordable menu. [Eater 38 Member]
  • Tarrah W.heart icon on user image
    The fajitas are great! Lose weight but still eat great food I can help. www.plexusofhouston.com
  • Lexy L.heart icon on user image
    Lexy LongJune 21, 2013
    Ask for Diego he's the best! chipotle chicken enchiladas and sour cream chicken enchiladas are on point, order them!
  • Catherine G.heart icon on user image
    Catherine GomezNovember 6, 2015
    Food was pretty good. Service wasn't horrible but wasn't the best either. Tortilla chips were amazing and extremely addicting. One of the best restaurant salsas I've had.
  • Shane S.
    Shane SchwartzJune 16, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    Love the food but service is really going down hill.... the hostess, literially just threw our menus on the table and kept walking, not a word?
  • Erica C.heart icon on user image
    Erica CopelandMarch 12, 2016
    BEST MEXICAN EVER!!!! Everything's good. I got Maximillion's Delight. No complaints!
  • Swen G.heart icon on user image
    Swen GrahamSeptember 8, 2017
    The chicken enchiladas with green chili verde are the way to go
  • Helene H.
    Helene HorowitzJanuary 24, 2023
    Save room for dessert, the churros con chocolate are amazing.
  • Chris F.heart icon on user image
    Chris FDecember 20, 2015
    Ample parking and can seat very large groups
  • Rachael H.heart icon on user image
    Rachael HilstFebruary 18, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Best Mexican restaurant in Dallas! Cheese enchiladas are awesome! Awesome margaritas too!
  • Victoria H.
    Victoria HarresSeptember 29, 2010
    You can't beat the original El Fenix for quality Tex Mex and ambiance...especially if you have out-of-town friends to impress.
  • Dallas Observer
    Dallas ObserverAugust 19, 2014
    Since 1918, original owner Miguel Martinez's El Fenix has been reeling in the Tex-Mex faithful. Read more
  • Lovely G.heart icon on user image
    Lovely G.September 26, 2015
    They have the best chips ever. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu.
  • Elizabeth Y.heart icon on user image
    Elizabeth YorkFebruary 14, 2015
    Great food! Had the tampico platter, good price and tasted delicious
  • Kay A.
    Kay ArmstrongJanuary 16, 2013
    Been here 50+ times
    Good fast service at lunch on Wednesdays! Get the enchilada special $4.99!
  • Bryan S.heart icon on user image
    Bryan SoloSeptember 13, 2014
    Everything is excellent. Can't go wrong no matter what you order
  • Erik R.heart icon on user image
    Erik RowleyJune 17, 2015
    Excellent Tex-Mex, grab a bite to eat after touring the Perot Museum across the street.
  • Hollie S.heart icon on user image
    Hollie SickDecember 14, 2016
    The fajitas are delicious.
  • Dominique C.
    Dominique CherelleMarch 18, 2013
    Great space upstairs, large with its own bar, ideal for private parties.
  • Peter N.
    Peter NeufeldMay 18, 2013
    Avoid at all costs. Food was terrible and the service was less than uninspired and more lazy and rude than I have ever seen. The owners don't take this place seriously anymore. Sad. Pass.
  • Jerry L.
    Jerry LandrumDecember 30, 2010
    Just had the fire roasted queso, awesome. Getting ready for my como plate, enchilados, tamales and chalupas. Bueno!!
  • Dean E.heart icon on user image
    Dean EricksonSeptember 16, 2014
    The original. Still so good.
  • Maurice D.
    Maurice DixonJuly 14, 2010
    Love El Fenix - authentic mexican food. I'm usually stuck on the nachos. Anything else I've ventured to try has been great. Read more
  • Matthew P.heart icon on user image
    Matthew PaulFebruary 7, 2016
    The atmosphere reminds me of San Antonio. Food is pretty decent.
  • Lisa C.heart icon on user image
    Lisa CreedSeptember 8, 2013
    Had the hatch chili tamales... Little spicy for me but I'm a whimp. Lol
  • Yolanda B.heart icon on user image
    Yolanda BablesJanuary 14, 2017
    Been here 25+ times
    Great service! Food comes fast!
  • Bert T.
    Bert TrevinoOctober 31, 2012
    Love their chips, thin & crispy but not hard or stale!!
  • Mighty Qheart icon on user image
    Mighty QJuly 4, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    I agree...voted Dallas best margarita!
  • Elaine P.
    Elaine PorterOctober 29, 2011
    Been here 10+ times
    The shredded beaf chimichanga with queso is my favorite!!
  • Becca F.
    Becca FurlowJune 21, 2014
    $3.49 margaritas! They are amazing! Not too sweet.
  • Kenneth M.heart icon on user image
    Kenneth MartinApril 28, 2013
    I always order off menu: The Jalisco.
  • Jose
    JoseJanuary 11, 2012
    Been here 10+ times
    When checking out say hi to Pandora. She is full of charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent!
  • Danielle "Cliff Dweller" S.
    Wednesdays=$5 enchilada special: Rice, beans and cheese enchilada plate. If you bring Alli, you're on your own.
  • Dfw D.
    Dfw DeanOctober 20, 2015
    Yes I did order the burger and fries
  • Scott G.heart icon on user image
    Scott GaryAugust 15, 2015
    Fast friendly delicious
  • Joe "Nike" Q.
    Joe "Nike" QuirozFebruary 9, 2016
    Taken me back to when I was a kid :)
  • cindy c.
    cindy campApril 16, 2010
    Nachos & queso. All good. Especially the grilled chicken salad but who goes for a salad? Tamales ok too.
  • Ryan S.
    Ryan SmithApril 6, 2013
    Convenient lunch after visiting the Perot Museum.
  • Tara T.heart icon on user image
    Tara Tallon WhittingOctober 27, 2013
    Queso is amazing!!!
  • Julie M.
    Julie MathewsOctober 15, 2012
    Been here 10+ times
    OMG! These brisket tacos are amazing!
  • Rachel D.
    Rachel DeanNovember 7, 2011
    Been here 10+ times
    Yay for chips and salsa!! Food is great here too!!
  • Randy T.
    Randy TurnerNovember 21, 2011
    The best El Fenix in the metroplex by far!!
  • Adam F.
    Adam FrederickSeptember 13, 2011
    Order the Chili Con Caso, yummy
  • Chris K.heart icon on user image
    Chris KonecnyFebruary 1, 2018
    I think I'm just not a big fan of tex mex
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