Tex-Mex

American  

[teks-meks] / ˈtɛksˈmɛks /

adjective

1. of or relating to aspects of culture that combine Mexican and Texan or southwestern U.S. features, especially aspects of culture developed in southern Texas based on or influenced by Mexican elements.

   Tex-Mex cooking; Tex-Mex music.

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noun

1. a form of Mexican Spanish having elements of English and spoken near the border of Texas and Mexico, especially Mexican Spanish as spoken in Texas.

2. Music. norteño.

Tex-Mex British  

/ ˈtɛksˌmɛks /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or denoting the Texan version of something Mexican, such as music, food, or language

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Etymology

Origin of Tex-Mex

An Americanism dating back to 1945–50; by shortening

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Tex-Mex

So far, they have been to chains including the Tex-Mex staple Chipotle and the famous hamburger shop Shake Shack, as well as small, independently-run restaurants.

From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2026

Breakfast tacos, a Tex-Mex delicacy, anchor the morning hours while salsa-brightened al pastor tacos, burritos and quesadillas are all-day favorites.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 6, 2026

Add a crisp cabbage slaw next to your Tex-Mex skillet; a sharp arugula salad with your skillet arancini.

From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2025

The musician is Tex-Mex legend Flaco Jiménez, who died last week at 86.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2025

Watching my parents dance to Tex-Mex music was my idea of hell.

From "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" by Benjamin Alire Saenz