We asked on Facebook: What are the essential Tex-Mex dishes and drinks in these parts and which restaurants come to mind?

“I define every good Mexican restaurant by the flavor and heat of their salsa and jalapeños — fresh, not pickled. Mercadito on Broadway is our favorite in Galveston.

– Levon Weber Bergin

“My number one stop on the island is Mi Abuelitas for their carne guisada and melt-in-your-mouth flour tortillas. Running a close second are the fresh tamales from Texas Star Bakery.

– William R. Powell

For fajitas — Luna’s in Texas City. Simply the gold standard. Best drink at a Tex-Mex restaurant around here? Ice-cold Modelo on draft at Los Ramirez in Dickinson. And their Puff Tostadas are amazing.

– Jim Guidry

When I hear the word Tex-Mex, what comes to mind is a classic chicken or beef enchilada dish with some good red sauce and tons of cheese and rice and borracho beans, but that’s not all that exciting to me. Personally, good Mexican food that I grew up on is sopa de fideo, which is rare to find in restaurants but it’s good Mexican comfort food to me. I’ve had it only at one restaurant other than my grandma’s house and ironically enough was at Mi Abuelitas, 45th in Galveston.

– Liz Aguilar

Love La Mixteca. Great huevos con chorizo for breakfast. Great taco salad, too.

– Susan Falgout

Cheese enchiladas with chili gravy topped with onion, and crispy beef tacos at Luna’s in Texas City. The best!

– Wanda Buttner

First thing I thought of reading this was a Bronco Burrito. You can’t beat them.

– Taylor Wilson

My favorite Tex-Mex meal is the fajita burrito with mucho queso at Barcenas in La Marque. A cerveza goes real good with this.

– Paul Ray Heinrich

Pork carnitas, love them! Currently my fav is Taquilo’s in Galveston. It’s the fresh chicharrones and queso. They are still popping when they come to the table.

– Susana Finkel

For me Taquilo’s on Postoffice is by far the best in Galveston. The food is delicious, they serve great drinks and have a superb staff.

– Paula Ogg-Tyra

Quesadillas and the green sauce at Taquilo’s.

– Richard Conner

Watermelon rita from Taquilo’s is amazing.

– Jacki Hart Nielsen

The incredible avocado shrimp cocktail at Riveras.

– Cheryl Fortune

My favorite is the Poblano Chicken at Riveras and the chicken/spinach enchiladas at The Original Mexican Café. My favorite drink is any flavor of margarita and Dos Equis beer.

– Ginny McDonald

Sopa de fideo con pollo at La Gardenia in Texas City. The absolute best.

– Crystal Hobbs

Anything from Gorditas — authentic Mexican cuisine.

– Elisabeth Pelham

The Mango Margarita with a gourmet poptail floating in it is my current favorite from Gringo’s.

– Casey Miller

Gringo’s in Texas City makes some out-of-this-world bacon-wrapped stuffed shrimp along with their beans. Best in town.

– Dot Barlow Wilbanks

La Hacienda on Texas Avenue in Texas City. I’ve not had anything there that I haven’t absolutely loved.

– Susan Chapa

Love, love, love Benito’s in downtown La Marque. Best lunch buffet … Family owned and operated.

– Donna Corbett Newding