The Worst Mexican Chain Restaurants, According To Customers - Tasting Table

"There are more than 52,000 Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants in the entire U.S., per IBIS World. Further data from the Pew Research Center, conducted in 2024, found that 11% of American restaurants serve Mexican-style dishes, and a whopping 85% of counties in the U.S. are home to at least one Mexican restaurant. All of this is to say: Mexican food is a big deal in America."

"The mission of On The Border is fairly self-explanatory: to share border-style Tex-Mex cuisine. The restaurant chain has been committed to this goal since 1982, when it was first founded in Dallas. Over the decades, the menu, featuring sizzling fajitas cooked on mesquite-wood grills, tacos, and enchiladas, earned On The Border a loyal following of devoted fans. By 2015, the chain had more than 150 restaurants across 33 states and three countries."

"But lately, customers haven't been so thrilled with what On The Border has to offer. The biggest complaint is the lack of flavor in the food. One Reddit user even went as far as to compare the chain's chicken tortilla soup to "salty dish water." Customers have also recalled receiving bad service at the chain and complained that the menu is overpriced. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the level of negative chatter online, On The Border filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 2025."

Mexican cuisine commands a major presence across the United States, with more than 52,000 Mexican and Tex‑Mex restaurants nationwide. Pew Research Center data from 2024 found 11% of American restaurants serve Mexican-style dishes and 85% of U.S. counties have at least one Mexican restaurant. Intense competition pressures chains to offer superior food, service, and cleanliness to attract customers. Numerous chains receive customer complaints for bland flavors, poor service, overpriced menus, and unsanitary dining areas. On The Border built a loyal following with mesquite-grilled fajitas and a broad menu but faces recent criticism for flavorless dishes, bad service, high prices, and a Chapter 11 filing in March 2025.

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