20 Dishes That Deserve A Hard Pass At A Mexican Restaurant
Mexican food is packed with flavor, history, and soul—but not every dish on the menu is a winner. Some are overpriced tourist traps, others are overly Americanized versions that miss the mark on taste, and a few are just straight-up food fails. Whether you’re at a big-name chain or a local joint, here are 20 Mexican restaurant dishes that are usually better skipped.
1. Hard Shell Tacos (Loaded with Iceberg and Sour Cream)
Hard shell tacos, often loaded with iceberg lettuce and sour cream, are more Tex-Mex than authentic Mexican cuisine. These tacos are frequently soggy, bland, and overloaded with fillers. The initial crispiness of the shell quickly gives way to a mushy texture.
The iceberg lettuce adds little flavor, serving mainly as a filler, while the sour cream overwhelms any other taste. It’s a dish that’s often chosen for its familiarity rather than its authenticity.
In short, these tacos are usually not worth your time when there are more flavorful options available.
2. Queso Dip Made with Processed Cheese
Queso dip made with processed cheese might be bright yellow and taste uncomfortably like melted plastic. Such dips often lack the rich, creamy texture of genuine queso.
The processed cheese used in these dips fails to capture the authentic flavors that make Mexican cheese dishes delightful. Its artificial composition can overshadow the natural taste of tortilla chips.
Unless it’s house-made with real cheese, it usually falls short. Opt for authentic, freshly made queso for a true taste of Mexican culinary craftsmanship.
3. Taco Salad in a Fried Tortilla Bowl
Taco salads served in fried tortilla bowls may seem appealing at first glance, yet they often disappoint. The overwhelming presence of lettuce, coupled with minimal protein, leaves much to be desired.
The fried bowl may add a crunch, but it also introduces an excessive amount of grease that overshadows the fresh ingredients. Often, the visuals are more appealing than the actual taste.
If you’re craving a satisfying salad, this dish may not fulfill those desires, leaving you wanting something more balanced and rewarding.
4. Frozen Margaritas from a Machine
Frozen margaritas from a machine often resemble sugary slushies more than authentic cocktails. These drinks are syrupy, weak, and overpriced, lacking the robust flavor profile of a freshly made margarita.
The convenience of a machine dispensed drink may appeal at first glance, but the result is often a watered-down concoction that falls short in taste and satisfaction. For those seeking a genuine margarita experience, these frozen versions can be a letdown.
Seek out drinks made with fresh ingredients for a more authentic taste of Mexico.
5. Gringo Tacos (Ground Beef + Shredded Cheese + Lettuce)
Gringo tacos, featuring ground beef, shredded cheese, and lettuce, evoke memories of 1970s potluck dinners rather than Mexican cuisine. Often cafeteria-style, they lack the vibrant flavors that define traditional tacos.
The simplicity of these tacos fails to capture the complexity and richness of authentic ingredients and flavors that are the hallmark of Mexican cooking.
While they may offer a quick and convenient meal, they do not provide the culinary adventure that true tacos can offer. Opt for more traditional options to truly savor the experience.
6. Overpriced Tableside Guacamole
Tableside guacamole, while an entertaining spectacle, can sometimes be a pricey disappointment. When you’re paying $16 or more for a single avocado mashed with a sprinkle of onion, the value doesn’t match the cost.
The fresh preparation might add allure, but often the minimal ingredient use fails to deliver the depth of flavor one expects from guacamole. It’s an experience that might be more about the show than the taste itself.
For a more satisfying experience, consider making it at home or seeking spots known for their generous portions and authentic taste.
7. Combo Plates with Everything Fried
Combo plates offering fried enchiladas, tacos, and chile rellenos often suffer from a lack of diversity in flavor. The signature crispiness and taste are masked by an overpowering orange sauce that makes everything taste the same.
These plates tend to be heavy, greasy, and lacking the nuanced flavors that make Mexican cuisine delightful. The homogeneity of taste across the different items can be disappointing for those expecting a varied culinary experience.
It’s a meal that’s best avoided if you’re seeking an authentic taste journey.
8. Chimichangas Drenched in Cheese Sauce
Chimichangas, often deep-fried and drenched in cheese sauce, promise excitement but usually deliver disappointment. These deep-fried burritos become heavy and over-saturated with bland goo, missing the mark on flavor.
The crispy exterior quickly becomes soggy under the cheese, robbing the dish of its intended texture and appeal. Instead of a crunchy, flavorful delight, you get a monotone mess.
For those seeking the true taste of Mexican cuisine, this is one dish that’s better left untouched in favor of more authentic offerings.
9. Americanized Nachos
Americanized nachos often appear as a pile of chips smothered in rubbery cheese with a few sparse toppings. This version of nachos lacks the balance and excitement of true Mexican nachos, which should be bursting with fresh ingredients.
The rubbery cheese can overshadow any other flavors, turning what should be a vibrant dish into a bland, monotonous experience. The scarcity of proper toppings leaves much to be desired, failing to deliver the satisfaction sought in nachos.
For a more rewarding experience, seek out nachos made with fresh, authentic ingredients.
10. Tacos de Pollo al Grill (Grilled Chicken Tacos) with No Seasoning
Grilled chicken tacos, known as Tacos de Pollo al Grill, suffer when the chicken is left unseasoned and dry. This oversight turns what could be a flavorful taco into a bland and unexciting meal.
The dryness of the chicken strips detracts from the overall experience, leaving the taco lacking in both taste and texture. Without proper seasoning, the potential of the taco remains unrealized.
Selecting well-seasoned options will provide a more satisfying and authentic taste, celebrating the rich flavors Mexican cuisine has to offer.
11. Refried Beans That Taste Like Paste
Refried beans that taste like paste often appear grayish and flavorless, resembling something that could come from a can. This version of beans lacks the depth and richness expected from a staple of Mexican cuisine.
The paste-like texture and absence of flavor make these beans a disappointment rather than a highlight of the meal. Such beans miss the opportunity to complement the vibrant flavors of other dishes.
For those seeking a genuine experience, freshly made refried beans with spices and a creamy texture are a must.
12. Canned Jalapeños on Everything
Canned jalapeños, used liberally as a lazy way to add heat, often overshadow the other ingredients in a dish. Unlike fresh or pickled varieties, canned jalapeños bring an artificial taste that detracts from the overall experience.
The canned version’s texture and taste fail to enhance the dish, instead providing a one-dimensional heat that lacks complexity. These jalapeños miss the mark in offering the nuanced spice that fresh peppers can provide.
Opt for dishes that use fresh ingredients for a more authentic and satisfying flavor profile.
13. Taco Bell–Style Chalupas
Taco Bell–style chalupas, with their puffy shells filled with fast-food-style mush, are far from authentic Mexican food. This fast-food invention delivers a processed taste that lacks the freshness and authenticity expected in traditional Mexican cuisine.
The puffy shell, instead of adding a delightful texture, often feels like a gimmick that doesn’t contribute to the overall taste. The fillings fail to excite the palate, leaving a sense of culinary disappointment.
For a genuine taste of Mexico, these chalupas are best left behind in favor of more traditional dishes.
14. Plain Cheese Enchiladas in Bland Red Sauce
Plain cheese enchiladas swimming in bland red sauce can quickly become a regretful choice. If the sauce tastes like tomato soup and the cheese is greasy, the dish falls short of the flavorful experience that enchiladas should provide.
The combination of unremarkable sauce and unrefined cheese results in a heavy, unsatisfying meal. Instead of the rich, savory delight you expect, you get a monotonous plate that’s hard to enjoy.
Opt for enchiladas where the sauce and cheese work together to create a harmonious and delightful culinary experience.
15. Shrimp Cocktails Served Lukewarm
Shrimp cocktails, meant to be cold and refreshing, lose their appeal when served lukewarm. The temperature affects the texture and taste, turning what should be a crisp, invigorating appetizer into a disappointing experience.
The lukewarm temperature may also raise concerns about freshness and proper preparation. A shrimp cocktail should entice with its cool, flavorful bite, not leave you worried about quality.
For an appetizer that truly satisfies, ensure the shrimp cocktail is served at the right temperature, fresh and full of flavor.
16. Tacos with Flour Tortillas at Authentic Spots
Tacos with flour tortillas, particularly at authentic Mexican spots, often signify an Americanized twist on the traditional dish. Unless it’s a burrito or a northern-style taco, flour tortillas can feel out of place, altering the taste and texture balance of the taco.
The switch from corn to flour may seem minor, but it often indicates a deviation from authenticity. The flour tortilla’s softer texture changes the overall experience, sometimes diluting the vibrant flavors within.
For an authentic taste, stick with corn tortillas that honor traditional Mexican culinary practices.
17. Pre-Shredded Cheese in Everything
Pre-shredded cheese, when used abundantly in Mexican dishes, often fails to melt properly, leading to clumps that affect the dish’s texture and taste. This cheese rarely matches the rich, creamy quality of freshly shredded varieties.
Its presence can cheapen the overall dish, detracting from the flavors that should be the highlight. The convenience of pre-shredded cheese often comes at the cost of quality and satisfaction.
Opting for dishes with freshly grated cheese will provide a richer and more authentic experience, elevating the entire meal.
18. “Deluxe” Enchilada Platters with Fries on the Side
“Deluxe” enchilada platters that come with fries on the side often indicate a departure from authentic Mexican dining. The presence of fries feels incongruous with the traditional flavors and styles expected in such a meal.
This odd combination dilutes the Mexican culinary experience, leaving a sense of confusion rather than satisfaction. Instead of enhancing the dish, the fries present a mixed message about the meal’s identity.
For a true Mexican taste journey, focus on dishes that honor tradition and avoid unnecessary additions like fries.
19. Fish Tacos with Frozen Fish Fillets
Fish tacos made with frozen fish fillets miss the mark on freshness and flavor. Unlike their counterparts made with fresh, flaky fish, these tacos often feel less satisfying and authentic.
The frozen fish lacks the vibrant taste and texture that should be the hallmark of a great fish taco. Instead of a lively, flavorful bite, you get a dull and uninspiring experience.
Choosing tacos with fresh fish fillets ensures a more genuine experience, capturing the essence of what makes fish tacos a celebrated part of Mexican cuisine.
20. Anything Served in a Giant Fried Tortilla Bowl
Dishes served in giant fried tortilla bowls often seem more gimmicky than genuinely appetizing. Whether it’s a salad or a rice bowl, the deep-fried shell can overshadow the actual contents, turning the meal into a greasy endeavor.
The appeal of the bowl often comes from its size and presentation rather than its taste. The deep-fried aspect may offer crunch, but it also introduces unnecessary calories and heaviness.
For a more authentic and enjoyable meal, seek out dishes that focus on quality ingredients and balance, rather than flashy presentation.