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

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

Selena was a mosaic of the Tex-Mex identity.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 31, 2025

One in Austin, TX called Bacalar, a Yucatan-inspired restaurant and Ometeo, an upscale Tex-Mex Restaurant in the greater DC-DMV area.

From Salon ● Jan. 4, 2025

Ms Lopez-Galvan hosted Taste of Tejano, a Tex-Mex music show, on community radio station KKFI.

From BBC ● Feb. 16, 2024

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