Tyler offers its residents no shortage of restaurants, yet one type of cuisine reigns supreme. Not surprisingly, it’s Mexican. From holes in the wall like El Lugar to major chains like On the Border, Tyler has definitely got you covered when a craving for an enchilada strikes. Despite the plethora of options available to the Tex-Mex enthusiast, it seems everyone has an opinion when asked who serves the best Mexican in town. Mercado’s? Don Juan’s? Chuy’s? The answer to me however is clear, to get the best Mexican in town, go no farther than Gilbert’s El Charro.
El Charro has been serving Tylerites their favorites, including Tony’s Tacos, the Summer Plate, fabulous house margaritas and perfect chips and salsa for decades. The original location, located on Erwin, is the place to see and be seen on Friday nights despite the worn interior and sparsely decorated dining room. Their second location, on 5th and the Loop is much less bare-bones, but the food here never seems to taste as good to me as the original.
Gilbert’s El Charro #1
2604 E. Erwin Street
Tyler, TX 75702
(903) 592-9084
Gilbert’s El Charro #2
2623 E. 5th Street
Tyler, TX 75701
(903) 596-7222
We go to the old one on Erwin. I always get the Summer Plate. It is delicious as ever but the toppings on the tortillas are smaller now. They are magical with refried beans.
Their Margaritas are fantastic. I sometimes buy a pint of their picante sauce for $3 and bring it home!
The music is too loud as always.
I had a great experience at Jessica’s. My massage was the best I’ve ever had. I usually leave a massage so tense that I need another massage…not so...