10 Delicious Alternatives to On the Border as the Chain Faces Bankruptcy and Closures

Many restaurants have closed due to rising prices and more people stretching their eating-out budget. Sadly, the once-popular Tex-Mex chain On the Border filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month and closed more than 70 restaurants. Following the recent closures, the company now operates just half the locations it had in 2023.

If you're missing On the Border, don't worry—these 10 delicious alternatives still serve up the Tex-Mex flavors you crave.

For those who live in the South or Midwest, Chuy's Tex-Mex can become your new go-to. The chain boasts a vibrant, fun atmosphere, and is famous for their spicy Boom-Boom sauce made with green chilies, tomatillos, green onions, cilantro and cheese.

Similar to On the Border, Chuy's also makes its own tortillas fresh in-house.

If you're looking for something comparable to On the Border, Chevys Fresh Mex is a great option. Both restaurants serve delicious Tex-Mex food in a casual, family-friendly setting.

Chevys is well known for its fajitas and popular happy hour specials on drinks and appetizers. It also offers a weekend brunch and Taco Tuesday, where you can build your own tacos with steak, chicken, carnitas, or beef birria.

Look for a location near you if you're in California or the Midwest.

All locations of Margartias Mexican Restaurant feature Tex-Mex dishes and epic happy hour deals, comparable to On the Border.

Just note that this chain has more of a party atmosphere. They're located in the Northeast part of the country and offer both vegan and gluten-free options.

Texas-based El Fenix is a delicious alternative to On the Border, serving classic Tex-Mex dishes and margaritas. Decor-wise, El Fenix offers a more authentic experience than On the Border, which has more of a commercial feel.

They have 14 locations in Texas and offer catering and private event services.

For a higher-end Mexican experience, Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant offers traditional Mexican dishes like al pastor tampiquena. They're known for their queso and margaritas, but are also famous for their pork tenderloin abrigada.

Abuelo's is found nationwide, with 20 locations across eight states.

For a traditional Mexican menu, head to Cantina Laredo and choose from tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, fresh-made guacamole and so much more.

Cantina Laredo offers a more modern, upscale atmosphere than On the Border's laid-back environment, but the food is just as delicious. You can find Cantina Laredo locations nationwide, including in Florida, Arizona, Minnesota, Texas, Virginia, Missouri, and at a few airports.

Uncle Julio's serves mesquite-grilled Tex-Mex food, including fajitas, queso, tableside guacamole and, of course, margaritas. While they offer the same type of food as On the Border, a big difference is that Uncle Julio's serves premium dishes made from scratch, so it's a bit pricier.

They're famous for their chocolate piñata, which their website describes as a "hanging globe of decadent dark chocolate filled with homemade churros and fresh fruit." Uncle Julio's has locations throughout the U.S.

Plaza Azteca also features a full Mexican menu, including tacos, burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, and margaritas. They serve fresh tableside guacamole, award-winning dishes and fresh cocktails.

Compared to On the Border, Plaza Azteca offers more sophisticated dishes like pollo patrón and gratinados. Their flavors are more authentic Mexican than traditional Tex-Mex. You can find Plaza Azteca restaurants along the East Coast in Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Jersey, and other states.

Located in Houston, Texas, The Original Ninfa's is the place to head to for a delicious combination of Mexican and American foods. Their Tex-Mex menu includes fajitas, homemade tortillas, tacos al carbón and more.

They have another location in Houston called Ninfa's Uptown, which is also a stellar choice if you're craving Mexican food.

Similar to On the Border, El Torito serves Tex-Mex food with fresh ingredients. You can create your own combo, try flame-grilled fajitas or have someone come make tableside guacamole, among many other menu items.

El Torito frequently features special offers like Taco Tuesday and holiday brunch events, and remains a popular happy hour spot for locals. They currently have two dozen locations across California.

The On the Border closures may be disappointing, but there are plenty of alternatives for you to try.

You could also try making homemade Tex-Mex food, with many bulk options for staples like rice or beans to help you stretch your grocery budget over time.