Mexican standoff: A guide to Mexican cuisine in Abilene

One of the best parts about Texas cuisine is the availability of a wide variety of Mexican food. Whether it’s cheap, American or authentic, Abilene has something to offer for Mexican food lovers of all kinds. However, this variety can be overwhelming and make it difficult to find the exact type of Mexican food you’re craving. In this issue, we compare different styles of Mexican food based on price, taste, atmosphere and distance so that you will be able to satisfy your Mexican food craving.

The lowest category of Mexican food is super cheap, super fast and super unhealthy. The best representatives of this in Abilene are Taco Bueno and Taco Bell. Taco Bueno is less expensive and is open later. The food tastes more authentically Mexican, but the menu offers less variety. Taco Bell is a national chain that is relatively cheap and offers creative takes on traditional Mexican cuisine. The food is of an incredibly cheap quality and tastes more American than Mexican. However Taco Bell is constantly introducing new items and improving the atmosphere of its restaurants. But if you’re looking for something closer to campus, Taco Bueno is the best option for cheap Mexican food.

Rosa's is one of the most popular Mexican restaurants among ACU students. (Optimist photo by Ashlyn Anthony)

Sharky’s and Rosa’s are a happy medium between a nice restaurant and cheap food. Sharky’s is similar to Chipotle and allows customers to build their own food. A kids meal is $5.95 and includes chips and a drink. Sharky’s is famous for its spicy ranch and large servings. Rosa’s menu offers much more variety and is more authentically Mexican. They offer tortillas with honey and give students free burritos with a student ID. Rosa’s also has more dining space and a drive thru. Both are good options but Rosa’s offers greater flexibility in pricing and food options.

Abilene also offers several fancier Mexican dining options. The most well known of these is Abuelo’s. Abuelo’s offers a cozy atmosphere, large portions and delicious food for prices ranging between $12-20. This is a great option for a nice night out, but the long drive and high prices make it impractical on a regular basis. A cheaper and closer option is Oscar’s, a small restaurant across the street from Walmart. Many students are unaware of Oscar’s because of its secluded location, but the food is good and there is plenty of space for large groups. Oscar’s has a large menu and a particularly good selection of burritos. Its items are cheap and the chips and salsa are delicious. Oscar’s is an affordable option and underrated.

There are plenty of other Mexican food restaurants in Abilene and options available for diners of all tastes. The important thing to remember is that Mexican food is a personal experience and settling should not be an option.