Discovering A Cozy Tex-Mex Oasis Near Bachman Lake

Tipico’s is … well, that depends on who you talk to. Some say it’s authentic Mexican. Others scoff and dismiss it as classic Tex-Mex fare for those who don't know the real thing.

So, which is it?

Short answer: It’s both.

Tipico’s, close enough for a stroll to the water’s edge of Bachman Lake, is a bustling hole-in-the-wall where the culinary worlds of familiar Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican collide on the same menu.
Regardless of what you label it, the food is awesome here. Tipico’s runs its operation with factory line-level efficiency, cranking out dish after dish (after dish) from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. And Tipico’s stays busy, even during non-peak hours. Come during peak hours – and a wait to be seated is all but assured. The service interactions are short and sweet, and orders roll out of the kitchen at hypersonic speed; you’ll barely have enough time to squeeze the lime into your Modelo before a waitress pulls up to fill your tabletop with some of the best Mexican food in town.

Some familiar options include your usual enchilada and flauta plates served with rice and refried beans. Quesadillas, tostadas, nachos and fajitas are also on the menu. If you’re looking for fare that exists outside the realm of your run-of-the-mill Tex-Mex spot – there are bowls of menudo, beef tongue tacos, nopalitos con guisado de puerco (prickly pear cactus with pork in red or green chile sauce), deep fried tripe, Mole de Pollo (chicken in mole sauce), guisado de res (beef and potato stew) and bistec ranchero (beef strips sautéed in onions, tomatoes and jalapeños).
You’ll begin with the requisite complimentary chips and salsa. The house tortilla chips are absurdly fresh (as are the top-shelf tortillas made in-house), and the two salsas are stellar. We started with plates of crispy flautas ($8.25) and cheesy beef enchiladas. Both come with fluffy Spanish rice, refried beans, guac and sour cream. The beef enchiladas are a daily special (every Monday for $7.95). Daily specials, such as Tuesday chicken fajitas and Wednesday guisado de res (beef and potato stew) are featured during the work week and are priced at $7.95 (an absolute steal).
The menudo here came highly recommended, so we ordered a piping-hot bowl for $8.25 (for a large bowl). This traditional Mexican soup will put hair on your chest — it’s overflowing with beef tripe and packed with red chiles and white hominy. I’ve had menudo only twice before my visit to Tipico’s, and this was the best bowl of menudo (by far) of the three. Add the lime and onions that come on the side and a dash or five of Tabasco, then immerse yourself in what is considered one of the great hangover dishes of all time.

A slice of flan ($3.25) pie for dessert (the only dessert on the menu) was a fitting end to our visit to Tipico’s.

We were told via email we were sleeping on Tipico’s. Turns out we were. You shouldn’t make the same mistake. If you’re into Tex-Mex and/or authentic Mexican fare (and aren’t we all?), Tipico’s is a must.
Tipico’s, 3118 W. Northwest Highway. Daily, 7:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.