Guadalupe's Mexican Restaurant

This place is reminiscent of the Tex-Mex places my family frequented during my childhood -- deep vinyl booths, semi-bright lighting and plenty of Mexican kitsch on the walls.

The owner usually works the counter and really does care whether you enjoyed your meal (I always do). Most of the servers are long-time employees who know the menu front and back. I've never received bad service at Guadalupe's, although some servers are better than others.

As for the food -- This is Tex-Mex. Period. If you grew up in Texas, this is the stuff you used to eat on Sunday after church. If you moved here from Boston in the last 20 years, just keep on driving down the road to the chain Mexican restaurants in Longview or Tyler -- the ones that serve tomato sauce and call it salsa, and put 'gravy' on their so-called enchiladas.

More specifically, Guadalupe's enchiladas taste like they are made in-house by loving hands. The same can be said for the tacos, tostadas and chimichangas. My wife really enjoys the shrimp quesadillas, although she feels like the place can get a little chincy on the shrimp portions. The beans and rice are average. The salsa is a smooth combination of tomato, onion and cilantro goodness with some slight kick. It's the best in east Texas.

I travel here from Longview to eat Tex-Mex food. It's not the longest drive in the world, but I overlook every place in my own town to eat here. That's how good Guadalupe's is.

Daytripped down to check out the main street antique district and got hungry.

Even though we were eating late (2pm) the waitress treated us great.  Interior was clean with cold AC and the texmex was better than it had a right to be in this small town.  Lunch specials run until 4pm;  I think they were $5 each.

I had a cheese enchilada and the wife had some kind of cheese taco.  Only the rice was meh;  the rest was satisfying.

I'd absolutely go back.