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    Rafa's Cafe Mexicano

    3.7 (324 reviews)
    ModerateMexican, Tex-Mex, Bars
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Rafa's Cafe Mexicano Photos

    RAFA'S CAFE MEXICANO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Rafa's Cafe Mexicano

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    Reviews With Photos

    Michael D.

    Great little spot! Nice hospitality and the Rita's were on point! Server was very friendly. I will definitely be back. The tomatillo sauce was really good and I would recommend the spicy queso as well :) I had the sour cream enchilada and a a beef with the verde sauce. Amazing

    Dale Z.

    Food was good and enjoyable however parking is a total nightmare, not even sure how this place stays open with the terrible parking. Also, one side of the restaurant is light and airy, remodeled and looked nice but they sat us on the other side which was dark, dreary and old, that was a disappointment. Our waiter was also always in a huge hurry and we felt rushed. Again, the food was very good and would return for the awesome enchiladas, but I would ask to not sit on the dark bar side.

    Beef tacos with rice and beans
    Maggie L.

    Beef tacos with rice and beans were very good. Sour cream chicken enchilada served on a screaming hot plate, but the enchilada itself was tepid at best.

    Mango Margarita
    Cynthia L.

    It was our first first and probably our last, location was not busy but our service was off. Waiter looked upset to be waiting on us and hardly came by we had to ask the busboy for appetizers/order. Food was good though. I've never had Yelp give me a 20% coupon and it did for this location I showed it to waiter and he showed to manager or owner and came back and told us they so not honor which is okay I was ok without since we didn't expect it. But after the bad service the fact we couldn't use coupon just made the experience worse. My kids loved the food. Salsa was on point too and you could draw on the tables that was neat. *Parking is bad. We had to park across the street. I forgot to take pics of our entrees but portions were big.

    Best chips in town
    Laura P.

    Standard straightforward Tex-Mex for white folks - what we all grew up on and loved when we didn't know what authentic Mexican food could be! Rafa's is a Park Cities institution, and has been here since 1975 - and it shows. The interior is dated, the menu is dated, the customers are loyal and God bless 'em. I admit to expectations when it comes to Mexican food - there's so much awesome authentic Mexican out there it's hard not to develop those. But as a native Texan, I know to check those expectations at the door because Tex-Mex is all about familiarity and comfort, memories and no surprises. Rafa's delivers on all those attributes, and has for 60 years. Back in the day, me and my husband lived for a few years in Corpus, and discovered the South Texas Puffy Taco - an ethereally crispy shell filled with savory and spicy filings. (When in San Antonio, go to Henry's for the best Puffy tacos in Texas - YW).! We tried Rafa's today because we did an online search for Puffy tacos and they are on the menu. These are not true STX puffy tacos, they are more puffy tostadas. Wayyy too much baked salad lettuce mix for my taste, but a solid comforting meal. 3 stars

    Kristie A.

    This place is really cool. Two totally separate feelings of this restaurant since there is a solid divide between the restaurant and the bar. I have never been seated in the restaurant part, but you have to pass through it to go to the restrooms. It's bright, quiet and very restauranty. The bar area is the opposite. Dark, colorful with all of the music artist portraits, loud and also cozy. Could easily spend a while here watching sports. We have always sat on the bar side. They have several tables and of course bar seating. The chips are those thin greasy type that are so good and the salsa is tasty and not too hot. The cheese enchiladas are always my go to and they are cooked perfect as in the cheese is just melty enough. Prices are pretty average for the area, and service has always been quick and friendly. Any time I have a cheese enchilada craving this will be my spot.

    Churros

    This has to be my all-time favorite restaurant- when I'm home you can find me at Rafa's twice a week. The food speaks for itself, but I have to shout out the staff. Rafa's service is always top notch and the team makes you feel like family. Nothing beats the ambience at the bar on game day!!!

    Pork guy so
    Tommy N.

    The chimichanga with queso was very delicious and the portion was great. My wife's dish was a special and was tasty as well. I love the architecture of this place and the staff kept the chips rolling in which is a plus. Be warned that parking is challenging but if you are ever in that area definitely give this place a stop by! You won't be disappointed. FYI the yelp check in doesn't work!!!! Was told that it's been deactivated for some times? I don't know why?

    The chips were thin and crispy!
    Rick B.

    Rafa's was bustling when we arrived (6pm dinner hour), but we were seated immediately. Initial contact from our waiter took well over 10 minutes; this is the only thing preventing 5 stars. Rafa's 7-Layer Dip is unlike any that I've ever tasted; with pinto beans and fried flour tortillas - it is a welcome departure from the norm. Kudos! Our Shrimp Quesadilla's were also extra tasty. Fat with shrimp and cheese, full of flavor - we'll want these again. Benito's Margarita is their best-selling drink, and it was very good. Not exceptional, but very tasty. Pay up front by the hostess, and walk away sated and happy.

    Enchiladas Banderas

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    19 days ago

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    6 days ago

    Food is great! Only complaint are the Chips. Usually VERY salty and VERY greasy. We honestly would eat here more often if they were better.

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    9 months ago

    The best of the best! 20 years and counting enjoying this neighborhood Gem! And Joe is the GOAT!

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    1 year ago

    Favorite local Mexican restaurant in Dallas! Our family loves it, especially our kids!

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    2 years ago

    Best Mexican food in Dallas by far. Great margaritas and real Tex-Mex. The service is great too - ask for Abraham

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - Rafa's Cafe Mexicano

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    My go-to spot if I can get a reservation. This place is always so popular, and for good reason. I…read morewent with my girlfriend on a Thursday evening and we were sat quickly after arriving. The goose in the garden drink is our favorite, however not on the menu any more. Isai and Kenia were helping us out all night and they were amazing! Accommodating, prompt, and great personalities! We love to leave friends with our servers, and it isn't hard to do with a staff such as that. Chips and salsa are always fresh, flavorful, and the perfect amount of spicy. We also had the chicken flautas, and they hit the spot! The Mexican candy shots are the best I've had. We can't wait for our next visit!

    Service was excellent. Super attentive and knowledgeable. The place was beautiful, my only…read morecomplaint was that it was super loud for a Thursday evening. Could barely hear the person next to me because we were seated next to a party of 10+ people. It may have been best to reserve that area just for them and have us seated elsewhere but no biggie. I was celebrating my birthday here since I've heard great things about the food choices. I ordered shrimp tacos, my family got fajitas and it was pretty decent. Towards the end of dinner, our server was super attentive and brought out a shareable dessert. I believe it was a churro cheesecake which was delicious.

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    Mia's Tex-Mex Restaurant - Felipe's Dinner 3 kinds of salsa's

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    Great location off Lemmon Ave. the service was fast friendly and super polite. The food was hot…read moreand fresh and was a large portion. The prices were reasonable and they do have to go containers. I would recommend this location

    This joint is quintessential Tex-Mex. Kitsch on the walls and a menu full of stuff that includes…read morethe same 3-4 ingredients. Cold, spicy salsa. Even colder bottled beer. The service here was great on my visit. The atmosphere, albeit a little crowded, was comfy. As I do with my first visit at any Tex-Mex joint, I order the combo plate. I was very pleased with it here. The taco was crunchy with nicely seasoned (non-greasy) ground beef and lettuce and cheese served on the side (I told them no tomatoes). The tamale had a wonderful brisket-like filling, although there was a little too much masa for me. The cheese enchilada was filled with actual cheese, which is a good (if not rare) thing these days. The chili con carne topping was wonderful, as was the rice -- which is among the most perfectly cooked that I have ever experienced in a Tex-Mex joint. The refried beans were run-of-the mill. I must say that the enchilada tortillas are firmer than most. Not necessarily bad, but they definitely don't par-fry these things before rolling. I tend to judge Tex-Mex joints by their salsa. If it's served warm, I take points off the board. This stuff is served ice-cold and has a wonderful bite. Bottom line: If I lived here, I'd be a regular. Excellent Tex-Mex.

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