Look, Dallas doesn't exactly have a shortage of Tex-Mex spots. You can't throw a rock in this city without hitting a bowl of queso or a sizzling platter of skirt steak. But there's something about the Joe Leo Fine Tex Mex menu that feels a bit more intentional than your average neighborhood joint. It’s located on Fitzhugh Avenue, and if you’ve been there on a Tuesday night, you know it’s basically the heartbeat of the East Dallas dining scene right now.
Kinda interesting back story here: the place is named after Joe Leo Romero. He was the grandfather of co-owner Kyle Noonan (the guy behind FreeRange Concepts, which does The Rustic and MUTTS). Joe Leo was a man who apparently made tortillas by hand every single morning. That’s not just a cute marketing anecdote; it’s basically the "why" behind the restaurant. They aren't trying to reinvent the wheel or do "molecular Tex-Mex" or anything weird. They’re just trying to do the basics—tacos, enchiladas, and margaritas—better than anyone else.
What's Actually on the Joe Leo Fine Tex Mex Menu?
Honestly, the menu isn't a 20-page book like some of those old-school spots. It's focused. It’s tight.
The star of the show—and I’m not just saying this—is the Fajitas Famosas. You can get them for one ($26.94) or for two ($53.88). They use outside skirt steak, which is generally considered the "good stuff" because it’s more marbled and holds that wood-grilled flavor better. They serve them with the standard-issue sour cream, pico, cheese, and jalapeños, but the real MVP is the hand-made tortillas. If you aren't eating the flour tortillas here, you're doing it wrong.
Then there are the Golden Tacos. These are basically the restaurant's claim to fame. They’re crispy beef picadillo tacos, but they’re topped with this mountain of cheddar cheese. They’re $18.69 for an order, and they are exactly what you want when you’re three margaritas deep and need something salty and crunchy.
The Breakdown of the Main Hits
- Kyle’s Favorite ($21.44): This is a heavy hitter. You get two chicken enchiladas smothered in queso, a chicken fajita taco, and sliced avocado. It’s basically a "greatest hits" album on a single plate.
- Enchiladas ($18.69): You can go classic Cheese & Onion with chile con carne, or try the Beef Picadillo. They even have a veggie version with calabacita (squash) and corn.
- Shrimp Brochette: If you want to feel fancy, these are jumbo shrimp stuffed with Monterey Jack and jalapeño, wrapped in bacon. They’re $23.64 and come with that magical "fajita butter" that makes everything taste like a million bucks.
Let’s Talk About the Drinks
You can't talk about Joe Leo without talking about the bar. They do a Mexican Martini that’s become a bit of a local legend. It’s tequila, orange liqueur, agave, and fresh citrus. It’s strong. Like, "maybe call an Uber" strong.
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Then there’s the House Frozen Margarita ($11.29). It’s simple, it’s cold, and it’s consistent. If you’re feeling dangerous on a Friday night, they sometimes offer a "Fire in the Hole!" which is a jalapeño Blanco shooter you can drop into your margarita. It’s basically the Tex-Mex version of a depth charge.
For the people who don't want to feel like a train hit them the next morning, they have some solid zero-proof options too. The "Sparkling Skinny" and various mocktails are actually treated with respect here, not just as an afterthought for the designated driver.
The Brunch Situation
Brunch at Joe Leo is a whole different vibe. It runs Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm.
The Naughty Burrito ($18.14) is a beast. It’s stuffed with scrambled eggs, cheese, refried beans, jalapeño sausage, and Mexican rice. It’s the kind of food that demands a nap immediately afterward. If you’re more of a "sweet breakfast" person, the Tres Leches Pancakes ($16.49) are soaked in house-made tres leches and topped with salted caramel.
Don't skip the Hangover Enchiladas. They’re $16.49 and feature one bacon & egg enchilada and one jalapeño sausage & egg enchilada. It’s essentially breakfast disguised as dinner, which is the highest form of culinary art in my humble opinion.
Is It Worth the Hype?
Look, no place is perfect. Some people find the portions a bit smaller for the price compared to the massive "pile of food" places like Chuy's or Pappasito’s. And the noise level can get pretty high on weekend nights because the space is beautiful but has a lot of hard surfaces.
But the quality of the ingredients is undeniably higher. You can taste the difference in the wood-grilled char on the chicken and the freshness of the salsa. It feels like "Fine Tex-Mex" because it’s polished.
Why You Should Go
- The Patio: It’s covered, all-weather, and great for people-watching.
- Happy Hour: Monday through Thursday (3 pm–6 pm) features $10 select cocktails. Late night on Friday and Saturday (9 pm–11 pm) has $5 house margs.
- The Upstairs Lounge: It’s a bit more intimate and perfect if you want to escape the main dining room chaos.
If you’re planning a visit, definitely try to snag a reservation if it’s a weekend. The wait times can get a little crazy because of its location on Fitzhugh.
Pro Tip: If you’re doing takeout, the "Taco Packs for Two" ($37.38) are actually a pretty great deal. They come with chips, salsa, queso, guacamole, rice, and beans. It’s way easier than trying to order everything à la carte when you’re just trying to have a movie night at home.
The Joe Leo Fine Tex Mex menu manages to stay grounded in tradition while feeling modern enough for a Dallas crowd that’s always looking for the next "it" spot. Whether you're there for the $2 late-night tacos or a full-blown fajita feast, it’s hard to leave unhappy.
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Check the current hours before you go, as Sunday closes a bit earlier (9 pm) than the Friday/Saturday late-night shifts (11 pm). If you're a fan of chicken tortilla soup, theirs is a creamy version rather than just a clear broth, and it’s widely considered one of the best in the area.
To make the most of your experience, aim for the 3 pm to 6 pm window on a weekday. You'll beat the dinner rush, score the Happy Hour pricing on the margaritas, and actually be able to hear your friends talk while you demolish a bowl of Joe's Queso.