Avila's Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Dallas

I so want to give this restaurant a five star review. Their food is delicious. The service is great. The vibe at the restaurant is terrific and they do delivery food with nice extra touches as well. So why can’t I give this place the five star rating it deserves?

It’s the salsa. For me, the deal breaker at any Mexican restaurant I frequent, and for me good Mexican food is an obsession since I was a sentient being.

I love spicy. In no way could I be characterized as a wimp when it comes to heat in any of the foodie genres I love, whether it be Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese or Indian. However, when I want to go out with friends to have a great time and a fantastic meal, the last thing I want is to have my clothes drenched in sweat and my tastebuds fried beyond function before I even get to the appetizers and my first margarita.

Who knows what pepper they put in this stuff—Serrano, Habanero, ghost peppers, who cares? The flavor of the sauce is lovely, the color is perfect, the consistency is sumptuous—for about five seconds. After that I couldn’t tell you what anything tastes like because my mouth is on fire, I’m going through boxes of Kleenex, my shirt is soaked and I’m seriously miserable.

Who knows why talented people put their hopes and dreams into an fine eatery like this one, devote so much loving care and effort to their recipes and dishes and offer such a warm welcome, only to punish their customers before they ever get to appreciate the results? Dozens of other reviewers have offered similar complaints, but their owner/manager seems to be either MIA on the issue or perhaps just sadistically enjoying the suffering for who knows what reason.

It’s really a shame, because I’m forever in search of a kitchen away from home to replace my former favorites Cafe Cancun and Mario and Alberto’s that have provided me with so much comfort and joy ever since I was in high school in Dallas in the early eighties. This place comes so close—in just about every other way it’s sublime—but until their chef actually tastes the poison being served to customers and recognizes that this is an American restaurant and not Guantanamo Bay, I’m going to have to look...

This small place is great. Featured on Guy Fieri's Diner's, Drive-In's and Dives, it mixes authentic Mexican food with tex-mex and blends them together superbly. Let me warn you that the salsa they bring out first has a kick to it. Very flavorful with those great chips but it is on the spicy side. I loved it.

We started with queso which was a creamy blend of cheeses and warm, great with the chips. The Flour nachos were next and just what you would expect but with flour tortilla chips vs corn. I have had these a couple of places but a bit unusual. These nachos are the only starter I would pass on as the beans were a bit runny and not all that flavorful.

We decided, as this was our first time, to try a bit of a variety of things so we ordered the Plato Grande Combo. WOW! What a meal! It comes with a Chile Relleno, one brisket taco, one cheese/chili enchilada, one tamale, rice and beans. The cheese/chili enchilada was standard, flavorful and not greasy like many places. The brisket taco was very good, had a nice flavor, fell apart in your mouth, and although very slightly dry, it was so good you quickly forgot that. The pork tamale was exceptional. The flavor was fantastic, nicely steamed, remove the husk and it falls apart in your mouth. These were done so perfectly, I would order a dozen of them. The stand out in this dish however, is without a doubt the Chile Relleno. One of the best I have ever had. Large Relleno stuffed full of cheese, very lightly breaded and topped with cheese and the sauce is to die for. Just a mouthful of pleasure, none of this will be left on a plate. Absolutely delicious! The rice was done well as a side and the beans on the plate were better as a side than on the nachos.

Try this place out. It is very small and we went on a Sunday. I can imagine that it is packed during normal dining times, and there isn't any doubt as to why. Great little place with very good food! We...

WHAT A GEM!! As one of many Mexican food lovers, I'm a loyal fan of Avila's. Family-owned and much-loved, Avila's continuously churns out winners. Honestly, I haven't had anything here that I didn't like, and I've been visiting since I first moved here.

This place can be really busy around dinner, so there might be a wait! There's plenty of parking in their private lot, but spaces are tight and can be awkward to pull out of so beware. From the outside, Avila's looks like a tiny house, and the inside is equally comfortable/homey. The seating area is small, but they're able to put a bunch of tables together for larger parties! Simple yet eclectic decor and their staff is helpful and attentive!

If you're team spicy food, you'll love their salsa. My go-to order is the Fajita Enchiladas - the perfect choice when you're stuck between their fabulous options. It's got all the goodness of beef fajitas and veggies inside enchiladas SMOTHERED with the absolute best queso ever. The dish comes with refried beans (who doesn't love beans), rice, and some pico. Their margs are equally delish - I love the Mango Marg, but the Prickly Pear has got to be the best. Much love for the Black Bean Enchiladas as well! Try their Bread Pudding for dessert - it's so moist and flavorful, topped with a creamy, cinnamon-tinged sweet glaze that screams indulgence. They serve it hot, and it's probably on my list of top 10 desserts I've tried (serious YUM).

TL;DR - get the margs and enchiladas, stay for the bread pudding!! this will soon become your go-to when you're craving Mexican. Say hi if you see me sipping on some...