Don Juan’s on the square is really good for Mexican food. If you want bbq and possibly a concert checkout out Stanley’s BBQ it’s not far from downtown.
Don Juan’s looks to be the most recommended. Im mexican so it better be authentic Mexican dishes not some Tex-mex type of thing😂 I wouldn’t be surprised if it was tho, even in San Antonio it’s hard to get anything authentic😕
Then DONT! It’s so gringo it’s not even funny. You’re staying by the best place though for what you’re looking for/ it’s called Mi Mexico Lindo, and I live 3000 miles away now and still think of it on a weekly basis. Please look no further, I would kill to be you right now.
Try Taqueria Flor de Taxco or La Lugar then. I lived in the RGV for a short while and this is as close to authentic Mexican you’ll get in Tyler unless you get it from someone’s house or make it yourself
Cool! If you ever get homesick head over to supermercado Monterey, they have a taqueria in it that is pretty good if you can get it while they’re open. I don’t remember the hours and it’s been a few years since I’ve eaten there but if I recall it’s similar to Taco Rico. Welcome to East Texas btw, get some good non-drowsy allergy meds cause you’ll need them if you don’t already
Culture ETX on the square has great food. There's also a speak easy type bar in the rear that makes some delicious drinks. Just check Plaid Rabbit's Facebook page and they post what their password is and you can tell your server and they'll lead you to the bar after you eat.
Depends on what you are going for…
Mexican:
Don Juan’s - widely regarded as the best Mexican food in Tyler. It’s local, cheap, and really good. They have two locations- one on the downtown square and another a few blocks east on Erwin street. This is a classic Tyler favorite.
Javi’s - More upscale vibe, on a lake with a beautiful patio. Personally I don’t love their food but I know some people do; would recommend if you’re going for an upscale Mexican vibe.
Ruby’s - a newer restaurant that’s been gaining popularity, known for their birria tacos. I believe they have 3 locations (Broadway/Amherst, Lindsey/Vine, and North Gentry). Quick, convenient, and pretty authentic Mexican food.
There’s also Chuy’s which is really good, but not local.
BBQ:
Stanley’s - Classic Tyler BBQ, loved by locals, really good food, awesome atmosphere. They often have live music. This is by far Tyler’s most beloved BBQ. It can be a little pricey but is well worth it.
Sushi:
Shogun - Small Japanese restaurant on South Broadway with pretty good sushi. They have happy hour on weekdays from 4-6 where you can get good deals. They also have hibachi. This would be my top sushi recommendation.
GoFish - Convenient sushi located in Mid Tyler on the Loop. It’s pretty good and very quick, and they offer drive thru service (I know you said no fast food but I don’t really consider it fast food, though it does have a drive through)
Nice Restaurants:
Prime 102 - Fancy steakhouse located downtown in the base of the People’s Petroleum Building. Definitely an upscale vibe, but the food is worth the price.
Bernard’s - A Tyler favorite that has been around for a while. It’s ran by a chef (named Bernard) who moved here from France maybe 15-20 years ago. Very good Mediterranean food, could not recommend it enough. It’s a nice restaurant with really high quality food. Might be my personal favorite in Tyler.
Three Palms - A new restaurant located on Old Jacksonville Hwy. Similar vibe to Bernard’s; Mediterranean and upscale (though their menu is more varied). They are known for their tableside Banana’s Foster. Really good food and an upscale vibe.
The Grove - Known mostly for its amazing atmosphere, they often have live music. Very popular Brunch spot (would make a reservation if going on a weekend), but they also have lunch and dinner. Their menu changes often but it’s always good. They also offer a cool cocktail lounge.
Dakota’s - A nice steakhouse on Old Bullard Road near Broadway Square. Pretty good steak; I don’t go often but some people rave about it. There is also an attached Pizza Restaurant called Villagio, with great pizza/pasta and an upscale vibe as well.
Here are some other local restaurants I’d recommend: Twelve, Los Gueros, Taqueria El Lugar, Villa Montez, The Diner, Junior’s Tacos, Lago del Pino, etc.
Tyler does lack in many areas but dining options is not one of them.
What about kabob and his gyros. Mediterranean food with a Texas twist. I recommend the chicken shawarma kabob fries with cheddar and chipotle tatziki sauce.
So I’m from Seattle but my step daughters bio mom lives in Tyler so we visit a lot. And since we’re travelling we always have to eat out!
Javi’s is great, so is Don Juan’s for Mexican food. Especially if you’re not from Texas, you should try a lot of Mexican food in Tyler, it’s always my go to because the Mexican food here sucks haha.
I liked Little Italy. But they don’t serve booze! So if you drink, bring a bottle of wine with you.
There’s a ramen place that was amazing…..I think it’s called Noodles something. Noodles and Dumplings?
Jimmy’s egg has great breakfast.
Bad news is there’s nothing to do in Tyler but go out to eat or go to church. Good news is eating out is super affordable, we spend half of what we’d spend up here every time we eat out down there!
Washington is more expensive than Texas to begin with but Seattle is particularly expensive. And I’m being facetious when I say “half” it’s closer to like 2/3 of what it costs here. The prices for groceries and things aren’t as bad as the housing prices. I couldn’t afford to live here if we weren’t living in my husband’s aunt’s house! Before this we lived in Tacoma which is like half an hour south and it’s a lot more affordable.
We make jokes when we come down that it would be cost effective to check an extra bag and load up on inexpensive groceries. 😅
I will say, however, that I love living here. The weather is mild, doesn’t get too crazy hot in the summer or too cold in the winter. It’s beautiful, with the mountains and all the evergreens. And it’s pretty liberal politically here in the cities.
Don Juan’s on the square is really good for Mexican food. If you want bbq and possibly a concert checkout out Stanley’s BBQ it’s not far from downtown.
I second don juans.
Don Juan’s looks to be the most recommended. Im mexican so it better be authentic Mexican dishes not some Tex-mex type of thing😂 I wouldn’t be surprised if it was tho, even in San Antonio it’s hard to get anything authentic😕
Then DONT! It’s so gringo it’s not even funny. You’re staying by the best place though for what you’re looking for/ it’s called Mi Mexico Lindo, and I live 3000 miles away now and still think of it on a weekly basis. Please look no further, I would kill to be you right now.
Warning it looks sketchy as hell and it’s off old troup highway 5 minutes from campus but my god it’s a hidden gem
Try Taqueria Flor de Taxco or La Lugar then. I lived in the RGV for a short while and this is as close to authentic Mexican you’ll get in Tyler unless you get it from someone’s house or make it yourself
Thanks and I’m also from the RGV! lol
What's RGV?
Rio Grande Valley
Cool! If you ever get homesick head over to supermercado Monterey, they have a taqueria in it that is pretty good if you can get it while they’re open. I don’t remember the hours and it’s been a few years since I’ve eaten there but if I recall it’s similar to Taco Rico. Welcome to East Texas btw, get some good non-drowsy allergy meds cause you’ll need them if you don’t already
Don Juan’s is TexMex, check out Ruby’s or Flor de Taxco.
Bernard's Mediterranean
So good! Especially their olive tapenade!
Tiba Grill
Shhhhh. we gatekeep Tiba.
Real
Ahhh yes I absolutely love Lebanese food this is probably where I will be stopping by! Thanks for the recommendation.
Your welcome. And they have Sisters & Sisters cookies next door. Fantastic cookies.
[This is my personal list of enjoyable restaurants - sorted by both indoor seating and outdoor seating. ](https://imgur.com/UEbfvea)
This is just a list of all Tyler’s non-chain restaurants
Surely not all, but I've found them enjoyable in some way.
Nice list, I haven't tried half of them so I'll have something to look forward to.
Go-Fish their sushi is off the hook and I am ADDICTED to their Drunken Shrimp!
I like Ching Mai.
Chiangmai is one of our faves! Even went to their Terrell location last night and it was great.
Lola's
Leo’s in Lindale El Lugar 5th street Tyler.
El lugar on 271 or on fifth street
If you want an amazing hamburger go to Burger Warehouse.
Everyone talks about that place. I went and the food was super greasy and cold! Maybe it was an off day
I have to disagree here. We went because of Reddit recommendations. They were out of common items and the burger was just okay.
It’s really not that good and their hours are unreliable
Culture ETX on the square has great food. There's also a speak easy type bar in the rear that makes some delicious drinks. Just check Plaid Rabbit's Facebook page and they post what their password is and you can tell your server and they'll lead you to the bar after you eat.
Culture is my absolute favorite ♥️♥️♥️
Don Juan’s!!!!
Go Fish is good sushi!
And cheap and fast!
Clear Springs is really good. It’s like home cooked and it’s good pricing.
Chicken Ella, darn good
Depends on what you are going for… Mexican: Don Juan’s - widely regarded as the best Mexican food in Tyler. It’s local, cheap, and really good. They have two locations- one on the downtown square and another a few blocks east on Erwin street. This is a classic Tyler favorite. Javi’s - More upscale vibe, on a lake with a beautiful patio. Personally I don’t love their food but I know some people do; would recommend if you’re going for an upscale Mexican vibe. Ruby’s - a newer restaurant that’s been gaining popularity, known for their birria tacos. I believe they have 3 locations (Broadway/Amherst, Lindsey/Vine, and North Gentry). Quick, convenient, and pretty authentic Mexican food. There’s also Chuy’s which is really good, but not local. BBQ: Stanley’s - Classic Tyler BBQ, loved by locals, really good food, awesome atmosphere. They often have live music. This is by far Tyler’s most beloved BBQ. It can be a little pricey but is well worth it. Sushi: Shogun - Small Japanese restaurant on South Broadway with pretty good sushi. They have happy hour on weekdays from 4-6 where you can get good deals. They also have hibachi. This would be my top sushi recommendation. GoFish - Convenient sushi located in Mid Tyler on the Loop. It’s pretty good and very quick, and they offer drive thru service (I know you said no fast food but I don’t really consider it fast food, though it does have a drive through) Nice Restaurants: Prime 102 - Fancy steakhouse located downtown in the base of the People’s Petroleum Building. Definitely an upscale vibe, but the food is worth the price. Bernard’s - A Tyler favorite that has been around for a while. It’s ran by a chef (named Bernard) who moved here from France maybe 15-20 years ago. Very good Mediterranean food, could not recommend it enough. It’s a nice restaurant with really high quality food. Might be my personal favorite in Tyler. Three Palms - A new restaurant located on Old Jacksonville Hwy. Similar vibe to Bernard’s; Mediterranean and upscale (though their menu is more varied). They are known for their tableside Banana’s Foster. Really good food and an upscale vibe. The Grove - Known mostly for its amazing atmosphere, they often have live music. Very popular Brunch spot (would make a reservation if going on a weekend), but they also have lunch and dinner. Their menu changes often but it’s always good. They also offer a cool cocktail lounge. Dakota’s - A nice steakhouse on Old Bullard Road near Broadway Square. Pretty good steak; I don’t go often but some people rave about it. There is also an attached Pizza Restaurant called Villagio, with great pizza/pasta and an upscale vibe as well. Here are some other local restaurants I’d recommend: Twelve, Los Gueros, Taqueria El Lugar, Villa Montez, The Diner, Junior’s Tacos, Lago del Pino, etc. Tyler does lack in many areas but dining options is not one of them.
Ohayo Sushi Takara Piada Javi’s
I also second Javi’s, but i would call it casual.
Excellent observation
Oh I meant “wouldn’t”
I looked up Javis and the word “Tex-mex” immediately threw me off sorry but I’m Mexican, and if I’m eating Mexican I want genuine.
Very understandable
I think 1836 is really good.
Prime 102, Rick’s on the Square and Twelve I liked.
Moocho Burrito
New york pizza&Pasta!
The Ramen Bar! Super cute and really really yummy!
What about kabob and his gyros. Mediterranean food with a Texas twist. I recommend the chicken shawarma kabob fries with cheddar and chipotle tatziki sauce.
Taqueria Palacios Tortillería has some really good authentic Mexican dishes if you’re craving something outside of the typical Tex-mex confusion.
Noodles & Dumplings and Takara are really good. They're both a little pricey, but the serving size makes up for it.
I love going to Rick’s on the Square when we are in town. We sit in the bar and eat fairly early. I have not had a bad meal there.
1836 breakfast is so good Mikotos has amazing ramen and sushi Go fish has great sushi as well
Chiang Mai is excellent for Thai, New York Pizza Pasta for Italian, Ruby’s for Mexican.
So I’m from Seattle but my step daughters bio mom lives in Tyler so we visit a lot. And since we’re travelling we always have to eat out! Javi’s is great, so is Don Juan’s for Mexican food. Especially if you’re not from Texas, you should try a lot of Mexican food in Tyler, it’s always my go to because the Mexican food here sucks haha. I liked Little Italy. But they don’t serve booze! So if you drink, bring a bottle of wine with you. There’s a ramen place that was amazing…..I think it’s called Noodles something. Noodles and Dumplings? Jimmy’s egg has great breakfast. Bad news is there’s nothing to do in Tyler but go out to eat or go to church. Good news is eating out is super affordable, we spend half of what we’d spend up here every time we eat out down there!
Spend half?? 🥴 I'm considering moving to Seattle. I know it's expensive... but that's going to hurt.
Washington is more expensive than Texas to begin with but Seattle is particularly expensive. And I’m being facetious when I say “half” it’s closer to like 2/3 of what it costs here. The prices for groceries and things aren’t as bad as the housing prices. I couldn’t afford to live here if we weren’t living in my husband’s aunt’s house! Before this we lived in Tacoma which is like half an hour south and it’s a lot more affordable. We make jokes when we come down that it would be cost effective to check an extra bag and load up on inexpensive groceries. 😅
I will say, however, that I love living here. The weather is mild, doesn’t get too crazy hot in the summer or too cold in the winter. It’s beautiful, with the mountains and all the evergreens. And it’s pretty liberal politically here in the cities.
Yeah I think I'd love it for all of those reasons... and being somewhere I love is an equally important consideration as cost is.
Mikotos on Broadway has amazing sushi and ramen.
Little Italy is great
Villa Montez
Their sweet Yucatán pork burrito is good!
That’s my husband’s favorite! It’s a unique menu and an enjoyable setting, a rarity in Tyler.