Jose Tejas

Jose Tejas remains a New Jersey staple for those craving Tex-Mex with a Louisiana flair. It's a fine place to dine, known for its decent options in Texas-Cajun-Mexican cuisine. ​The Highs: ​Cuisine & Portions: The menu provides a satisfying blend of flavors, and the portions are famously large, often requiring an additional person to share or a takeout container. ​Margaritas: The restaurant lives up to its reputation for its bar, offering a wide variety of popular margaritas. Be warned, the bar area itself can get super busy. ​Atmosphere: The place has an undeniable energy, but this comes with a caveat. ​The Caveats: ​Busyness: Be prepared for a crowd. The restaurant gets super busy on any day, making a reservation or a smart timing strategy an absolute must. ​Large Group Experience (Disappointing): My recent visit with a large group was notably poor. We were split across three separate tables, which severely hindered the group experience. ​Food Quality Issue: A major disappointment was that the food, across multiple dishes, was excessively salty. ​Service & Attitude: When this feedback was brought to the server's attention, the response was rude and dismissive. The staff, in general, would benefit from a more customer-friendly demeanor and perhaps a little more kindness to jive with the clientele. ​Concluding Thoughts: ​While I still appreciate Jose Tejas for its vibrant atmosphere and famous margaritas, the recent experience suggests a decline in service attitude and a concerning inconsistency in food quality (the high salt content). ​Recommendation: I might not suggest this place for a bigger group until the service attitude improves. For a small group or a couple, where you can potentially be better accommodated and attended to, I might give it another chance, with a hopeful request for less salt. The restaurant has the potential to be great, but the staff's approach needs to be tapered down to match the prices and popularity.

Went with my best friend for drinks and dinner, and everything was great! We started with warm chips and salsa ; so good! Our mango margaritas (one frozen with Tajín, one on the rocks with salt) were both delicious. I had the gumbo, which was surprisingly amazing, and my friend loved her salmon taco. The service was friendly and patient. It’s been a while since our last visit, but Jose Tejas is still a solid favorite!

Had a nice experience here. The food is good. I love the beef quesadillas, it comes with cream cheese and lettuce. Perfect combo. The strawberry lemonade is alright, it has way too much sugar honestly. Overall, the restaurant is very clean. Nice ambient lighting so it's easy on the eyes. The server is very nice, he was attentive and kind.

Fun atmosphere, good drinks, and decent food. They start you off with warm chips and salsa, the salsa is pretty good. The guacamole tasted fresh. I ordered the spicy margarita and was not disappointed. For food I got the blacked fish tacos and the shrimp tacos. The shrimp tacos were not really good, the shrimps were tiny and breaded. The fish taco was much better. The jose rice and beans were very good though. I would try a different menu item next time. It was very affordable for what you get.

Over-salted crispy shrimps with Cajun seasoning. While our waiter left for something, I been waiting for a second waiter for a long time while he was busy on a phone and not paying attention to 3 tables that was in our room. Decent guacamole.

I went here for lunch and was shocked that we were seated right way. Our waiter Jose was great! I liked what I ordered. Can't wait to come back and try something different.

The taste was absolutely perfect should definitely consider this place if in search of a good Mexican restaurant. The only thing which was a bit okay was some of the dishes had too much salt other than that everything was great 👍🏻💯

Classic, haven’t been here in some time now and surprisingly everything is the same from the service to the food to the decor, nothing has changed. This place has a quick turn around because the food comes out quickly and consistently good. I enjoyed the blacken salmon salad and shrimp. This goes for the drinks as well, our waiter wasn’t too much for words but he was efficient and took care of the table needs. You can tell they have the secret to running a well oiled business, many people on staff which is great because It was packed with families glad they’re still doing good 😊.

Late night snap at Jose Tejas with our sweet server Emma who made Levi's night Levi and I moved from Downtown LA to Woodbridge 2.5 years ago -- and this gem was the very first restaurant we landed at. We loved it then, and nothing has changed since Even yesterday, after a full day at Legoland NY and an hour-long drive back, we pulled in and were told patio service wasn't available. But the staff made it happen anyway, just so we could enjoy that perfect summer night. The food? Always on point. I never skip the veggie empanadas, and Levi devoured his quesadilla Grateful for places that feel like tradition. #JoseTejas #WoodbridgeEats #SummerNights #MomLife #LeviMoments

guacamole had no salt, no lime. My chips were all in one lump although the salsa was very good. I had a break up with the chips. The bartender was excellent. A waitress was very very nice, but there was a piece of hair in my food so I couldn't eat my dinner. We've been going to jose Tejas for over 25 years and it is not what it used to be used to be our favorite place to go but not anymore.

Absolutely hate to write this but nothing has changed since the last visit -- for the better anyway. Have been coming here for over 20 years. What was once a family favorite has been lacking post covid. We tried it again after a year or so of not having a great experience and was really rooting for this place to have turned it around. Unfortunately it just still isn't the same. The menu did add some items back but a lot of the original items are still MIA (catfish, crawfish etouffee). Pricing increases and decreased portion sizes are happening everywhere but once the quality starts lacking it becomes too much. The food was either too heavily salted or lacked any salt/seasoning at all. No more sizzling plates and several entrees arrived lukewarm. The inside decor of the place also looks heavily sterilized --- no more colorful lights and walls made out of beer boxes. At least the servers still seem attentive.

Seated right away. Waitress was very friendly and attentive. Sort of a rustic feel in the restaurant. Lots of seating. We were brought chips and salsa right away. I like their salsa because not too spicy. I ordered enchiladas with beef and black beans and Jose rice. Enchiladas were delicious with lots of melted cheese on top. Just the right amount of spice for me. Black beans were really good. Jose rice was a bit too spicy for me. We also ordered chicken quesadillas. They were a bit soggy so didn't eat them all.

My best friend and I stopped by Jose Tejas after not going for a while, and it was just as good as we remembered. The place was lively but not too loud, and they seated us right away with warm chips and salsa (still sooo good!). We started with two mango margaritas. My best friend's was on the rocks with a salt rim and mine was frozen with Tajín. They were both perfect. I got the gumbo, which honestly surprised me with how good it was. My friend had the salmon taco and loved it.Our waiter was super patient and kind, and overall the whole experience felt easy and fun. Definitely glad we came back!

I waited about 25 minutes on a busy Thursday night which was not bad at all. The service was fast and great. The enchiladas hit the spot and the price was on point!

My go to when in the area. I love the blackened chicken strips and blackened salmon. Super flavorful.

I cannot STAND the wait time here but the food is worth it . I came back to back weekends recently and everything was delicious. My go tos. The salmon tacos, the French fries, the steak. And a margarita is a must !

came here for lunch with work proximity associates. I Haven't been back for many many years. I remembered this was the spot for cheap Corona back before Modelo was popular. Sadly, my beef burro was really salty and I needed a couple beers to water it down but since it was a work lunch I only had water :(

This spot showed me that good food can appear anywhere. The workers' warmth varies but their efficiency doesn't. Their food satisfies taste expectations. This place left a lasting impression. After relocating to the area, discovering this restaurant was wonderful.

Great Mexican food. Good Happy Hour menu. Excellent service. Decor is Mexican inspired. Steak fajitas good with accompaniments. Interesting no coffee or tea available. Probably to turn tables faster.

Food: I have been coming to this restaurant since I was a child. It is definitely one of my favorite restaurants in general. The menu has changed since then, but I still really enjoy their food. My favorite dish is the chicken fajitas which comes with chicken tenders, onions and peppers, tortillas, and a side of lettuce, cheese, pico de gallo, and sour cream. The tortillas are fresh and serve warm. Their appetizers and other dishes are also very delicious. The only thing that made me give four stars versus five is the salt content is very high in all of the dishes and makes you very thirsty afterwards. As soon as you are seated, you get free tortilla chips and salsa too. Service: Service is usually excellent here. The server comes to check on you throughout the meal and also refills your water and drinks as soon as they see it's almost empty. Ambiance: The restaurant is pretty big with tables for small and large groups. The decor is nice and has a Tex-Mex theme. The place is very popular and gets packed very quickly. You can expect to wait for a table during peak hours. Overall, I highly recommend this restaurant!

I used to love coming here but after Covid it changed. First menu was cut in half ok wtvr but the taste of food changed too. I don't know if they changed the chef but everything taste different. For example Tejas chicken used be covered with creamy buffalo sauce and it came with homemade blue cheese dip now its little pieces of over cooked chicken with some spicy spice and watered down dill yogurt dip. I ordered blackened salmon it was overcooked , sides were different too. Even presentation changed tortillas used to come warm in the wooden dish with the lid and now it comes with your entree on the side of the plate. Not coming back

A Woodbridge and Central Jersey classic! Jose Tejas serves up some delicious Tex mex! I went with the Cajun Gumbo while my boss has the indelible Steak Fajitas. Also ordered the DJ 1942 sipping tequila. Oh and how could I forget the fresh chips and salsa! This was honestly the first time I've been sat as soon as entering as normally the wait is always roughly and hour. A true testament of how good this restaurant is and has been for as long as I can remember. It's a must visit for me!

I always love coming here - it's become something of a family tradition We love the unlimited nachos and salsa The guacamole is always fresh and the queso dip is consistent and delicious I always find the food to be over salted regardless of what I order - the burro, quesadilla, enchiladas or fajitas I think that may be something of personal preference though because no one else seems to complain about it The strawberry daiquiri is delicious and fries as well I will definitely keep coming back here annually! If they served breakfast the chips would make an amazing chilaquiles!

Classic, haven't been here in some time now and surprisingly everything is the same from the service to the food to the decor, nothing has changed. This place has a quick turn around because the food comes out quickly and consistently good. I enjoyed the blacken salmon salad and shrimp. This goes for the drinks as well, our waiter wasn't too much for words but he was efficient and took care of the table needs. It was packed with families glad they're still doing good .

I love coming to Jose Tejas. It's one of my favorite restaurants to eat out at. I have never had a bad experience here. They offer so many good menu items too. I feel like I have tried their entire menu lol. Some of my favorite items to get are the blackened chicken, gumbo soup, quesadillas, salads, and their burritos. There is not a single bad item to order here. The blackened chicken is to die for. This is the must order item for anyone visiting for the first time. My absolute favorite dish here. Highly recommended!

The frozen margaritas were great. I really enjoyed the tacos & the quesadilla. The guacamole could have used some salt but the free salsa was probably the best restaurant salsa I've ever had. The staff were nice & the restaurant is beautifully decorated.

Jose Tejas never disappoints, 10/10 no matter what you order. I recommend the quesadillas! The only down side is the long waits

The best spot for Tex Mex in NJ!! Have been coming here for as long as can remember and the food is always on point. They start you off with their tortilla chips and salsa. They are very generous with refilling the chips and salsa which is a good thing because they're always gone in seconds! For entrees you can't go wrong with any of their blackened chicken or salmon dishes. I usually go for the blackened chicken fajitas or the blackened salmon tacos, both amazing! The chicken/salmon is well seasoned and the perfect amount of spicy. For drinks i ordered the mango margarita, however this is where I feel they fall short. The drinks here are just ok and there are only a few options on the menu. I believe pre-covid they had a lot more drink options which is a shame. Hope they expand their variety in the future! Overall this is a place I will never get tired of and would highly recommend.

I think it's okay! I love how big this place is and how quickly they bring out the food. The chips and salsa were also delicious and a great appetizer. It's quite busy on the weekends so make sure to be ready to wait 20-30 for a table. In terms of food - I think the veggie fajitas were okay. Some pieces were too salty and some lacked salt. My family got the corn and bean empanadas which they enjoyed so I think it's based on what you end up ordering

my favorite! How ever!! Today it tasted different. I felt like I was eating salt straight up. Even the broccoli was salty. Everyone's food was delicious. I thought I was going crazy feeling like I was eating straight up salt. I gave my husband a spoon and he too tasted the same thing. I only had 2 spoon of it and I was done, I took it home just to throw it out. I got home and told my daughter to try it. She gagged after one small bite. She even said it was too salty. ‍

This place is always packed. Chips and salsa were a great start to our meal. Ordered a frozen lime margarita. So yummy! For my meal, I ordered the chicken burro with white rice and black beans. Delicious! Will come back to try other menu items.

Jose Tejas never fails to deliver a bomb chicken bandera every time. The employees always go out of their way to make your experience great and are so kind. There is always a pretty big wait but it's 100% worth it. Great ambiance and always a great time. #lovemychickenbandera

i've been wanting to go here for awhile. I finally had the opportunity, got right in and the place was pretty busy. we were given chips and salsa which were so good. I couldn't decide what I wanted but decided on the baja shrimp tacos they came with jose's rice, beans and guacamole. Very good and flavorful, the staff was awesome too. definitely gotta check them out

Always a busy place but usually not a long wait. Go to after work spot to meet coworkers at. Feels very rushed service even during lunch time. But can't go wrong with the margaritas and quesadillas, chicken is my favorite.'I've tried the shrimp tacos before but was not impressed as it had a very salty coating on the shrimp.

Such a nice place with great food!!! Was passing by after some shopping nearby and decided to try, we had sangria and was delicious! Some empanadas and popcorn shrimp as apps and we had the quesadilla and enchiladas as main course, all good sizes! The only bad thing they don't have desert. But everything else, the service, the ambience was pleasant!

This is one of my favorite spots to eat in the Wayne area. You can't go wrong starting off with a frozen margarita and some tapas. My favorites are the pastelittos and the Camptown shrimp. All of their entrees are awesome. Two of my favorites are the carne asada fajitas and the blackened fish. There is plenty of parking all around their location and the vibes inside scream Tex-mex. You are immediately greeted with complimentary chips and salsa and the service is always on point.

What can you say. This place is always packed for a reason. Usually worth the wait. Good vibe and tasty Mexican food!!

This spot was recommended by my Uber driver. I have to say his praise was well placed. The food was great and Juan R provided great and attentive service. The ambiance was okay. Very buffet in Texas style with open area seating decent decor and a lot of ambient noise. If I have one negative it is they need to serve their drinks in human sized cups not big tumblers and use straws that are appropriate for the drink cups they use. Still excellent food, and value.

Disappointment. Good for drinks not food. Wished I read the Google review on the Carne Asada Jim Bowie Style cause it was exactly what the reviewer described it "....incredibly muddy with caked on wet blackening spices,...etc". Rest of the food we ordered was mediocre.

Jose Tejas has the best frozen margaritas. Their chips are homemade, and are warm when placed on the table. Homemade salsa. Shrimp taco was plentiful and tasty. The fajitas, unfortunately, did not come out as a sizzle, but were tasty. The service was perfect. Had a table located on the enclosed patio, so it wasn't as crowded and noisy as it can get inside. The waiter was very polite and made our dining more enjoyable. They have a very well set up bar and the decor resembles the Mexican flavor.

Good food , fun atmosphere. usually purchase chicken fajita and piña colada delicious.

Today I had to go down to the Woodbridge area for an exam I had to take. I was suffering from anxiety prior to the test my appetite was just depleted. Finally took my test, anxiety still there but I was now hungry. I haven't had good Tex Mex in awhile and I saw Jose Tejas. I convinced my husband to take me there. The ambiance of the restaurant was of a typical Tex Mex restaurant. We sat on the smaller room to the left of the bar. You are greeted with chips and salsa. I had asked for a kids menu but I guess they didn't have one because they gave my daughter a regular menu. I noticed the menu was a Tex Mex menu along with Creole Menu. I love creole food because we had stayed in New Orleans a few years back. My husband skipped over appetizers and ordered straight dinner. He ordered 2 chicken tacos with black beans and rice. I ordered the half and half fajita with marinated skirt steak and grilled chicken. I opted out of Pico de gallo and subbed it for extra sour cream. You also have Guac option but I love sour cream As my side I decided to see how their jambalaya was. So food arrives....my fajita plate was not sizzling food was still warm (thank goodness) They give you flour tortillas and shredded white cheese with sour cream. I diveee in prep my fajita with steak 1st and then I bite...... The meat was tender but the marinade was not for my palate expectations. The chicken was better because the flavor wasn't overpowering. I then tried the jambalaya let's just say It wasn't what I expected. My husband ate his 2 tacos but for him not to eat rice & beans....it was probably not palate pleasing either. So we didn't really finish our meals and just got the check. I guess a snack will be in order later So to clarify something I've heard about Jose Tejas was about take out yes they have take out hopefully that will help whoever needs to know that. This time this food was not for us but you can't always please everyone's palates. We hope if you decide to go that you enjoy your meal! Let me know your thoughts!! Until our next eats!! Byee #tastebud_adventures80

Haven't been here in Years. This place used to be an experience we'd all rave about. Having not been here since before the Pandemic, I was disappointed with the "new version." The menu is WAY smaller, they took A LOT of stuff off, including my personal favorite, the 'Eggplant Royal.' The loss of a decent portion of the menu is a big negative for me. The environment is the same, the food (that they do have) is still good, the service is still fast & friendly, but I don't know....it feels like they've lost something. I'd still eat here, but it's no longer a go-to, which makes me sad. Grades: Half & Half Fajitas: A Corn & Bean Empanadas: A- Beef Tacos: B Burros (Chicken): B- Queso: A Lemonade: A+

I've been coming to this restaurants for years and this location specifically is my favorite. Never a short wait especially on the weekends (and it doesn't help that they don't take reservations) but it is always worth it! When we were finally seated the waitress was very nice and brought drinks/food out fairly quickly. She also checked in to make sure everything was okay and sometimes I find it is so loud in there you can't have a decent conversation but the ambiance was quite nice last night. My only two suggestions would be for them to bring back the giant taco bowl to hold their salads (one of my favorite dishes) and I didn't realize until I dropped my cousin home that my to-go burger order didn't have fries (because it was packaged separately when it could've been placed together in the same container). Regardless, I will definitely be back here again!

As a new yorker I take tex-mex personal and I have to say Jose didn't disappoint. This was my first time to Jose Tejas and EVERYTHING was delicious. I am sad to learn I missed a larger menu. I love menu surfing but I will continue to enjoy this one At the restaurant I enjoyed the painted walls and the exposed can filled cupboards. The guac was simple, cold and tasty. The blackened salmon tacos were GREAT - that isnt an understatement. I feel like everyone in faster food places over cook salmon. Jose, did not! The mango salsa with a slight kick ... Mmm Mmm Mmm. The service was pleasant and fast. I really enjoyed this restaurant. I'll be back and will update my review then.

Well, you wouldn't believe it on a Saturday 1/4/2025 at 2:15pm. It was a busy day at Jose tejas. My phone was deactivated to allow 2 white couples ahead of me. Then the hostess realized what she had done and suddenly asked me if I got a text. It was done purposely. What a sad time! I put the incident date and time so that they know who it was. The location is on Green Street (woodbridge township) in NJ. I am giving it 2 star today

I used to love this place -- it had amazing Tex-Mex with authentic flavors, great service, and a fun atmosphere. But now? It's unrecognizable. They completely changed the menu, the music, and even the staff -- and sadly, none of it is an improvement. The new menu is a strange and confused mix of bad "Mexican" food and random Cajun/Creole dishes that don't go together at all. We ordered a variety of plates -- fajitas, steak, and a few others -- and while everything was heavily seasoned, it all somehow tasted the same. No depth, no balance, just spice and sauces without distinction. The vibe is gone, the food is disappointing, and it honestly feels like the soul of the restaurant has been lost. I really wanted to keep loving this place, but after this visit, I won't be coming back.

José Tejas used to be really good, and the iconic "Eat" sign still adds to its charm. The portions and food quality remain solid, but they're not as amazing as they once were. It's definitely a step above typical "Mexican" restaurants, but it doesn't quite stand out like it used to. The place is always extremely busy, so expect to wait, even though there's plenty of space inside. José Tejas has found its niche, but it might need to reinvent itself to avoid feeling like a high-end Applebee's. The decor is cool and distinctive, but there's still room for improvement. If you're hungry and looking for something different, it's worth a try--just don't expect anything extraordinary. It's essentially another large Mexican-style eatery off Route 1/9.

I used to be a regular at this restaurant back 34 years or so when they opened. I moved and was sorry I could not take this restaurant with me. Whenever I am nearby, I definitely make this a stop. This place is still fabulous after all these years. We arrived on Wednesday evening and were promptly seated, and given some options of where we would like to be seated. We sat in a small dining room and were immediately greeted by our waitress who gave us some warm chips and excellent salsa. The servings are enormous, and I don't know how they do it for the price. I ordered the border chopped salad, and it was the right decision. I could've just eaten that since it was so large and fresh. At the waitresses recommendation, I ordered the chipotle dressing, which had just the right amount of zip. Loved it! Since I didn't realize how big the salad would be, I also ordered the vegetable quesadilla. It was about the size of my head and came in for pizza sized slices. Delicious! Since I was so full from the salad, I was only able to eat one slice, so that became my dinner the following night. Considering that I had two coronas and two huge dishes and my husband had his own dinner, I was amazed when the bill came to $53. Don't miss this place.

Work dinner at this Tex-mex was a solid middle of the road restaurant. Sat down right away at 5:40pm on a Tuesday. Place was packed with guests waiting by the time we left. Atmosphere is loud and very open. Lots of staff running around providing great service, but it seems a little chaotic. The chips were great and hot when they came out. The salsa was just average and there was only one option. I prefer spicer salsa. I ordered the fajitas and they were good...lots of bbq seasoning which made some of the meat overly salty. Accompaniments were sold, except for the rice. It had an odd flavor. My coworker got the empanadas and they said they were fine. For the price, not bad. Just not great.

Located in Woodbridge/Iselin, right beside Route 1; this tex mex place was recommended by a friend of mine. The ambiance gives you a feel of sitting at a restaurant in Texas whereas the service is pretty quick with the server being friendly. They have a bar table where people are really chilling out which actually seems enjoyable. Coming over to the food, I had ordered Tejas chicken as an appetizer. It's a fried chicken put on a skewer and is dipped in buffalo sauce. It was accompanied by a ranch on the side. The sauce was good though. Tbh, the fried chicken was crispy but would have been better with some other sauce than buffalo, that's what I felt! For mains, I had ordered Chicken Tacos. The tacos were accompanied by guac, sour cream, pico de Gallo, fresh salsa and fries on the side. The chicken was well cooked and it was a pulled chicken. The taco was really soft, whereas the guac and sour cream were good. Salsa was my favorite as it was really fresh along with fries which were crispy and thinly sliced. Overall a great experience and would love to visit the place again, the cost too is economical enough.

Delicious food and great margaritas! Awesome Carne Asada Jim Bowie Style and great nacho chips and salsa! Highly recommend the jalapeño margarita! Very friendly staff and quick service.

A classic. Although menu has changed this spot will always hold good memories! I used to go with friends when I was home from college and now I go for work lunches with a nearby client. So fun. Service is good and it's usually always busy weekdays around 12/1pm. So plan to get there early! Guac is very good and the queso is just ok. Salads are good and so are tacos. Would recommend if you're in the area! Pricing is always so reasonable, I always have leftovers.

Great food fast service family oriented place.. spacious good parking prompt service Came here for dinner after spending the day at SuperChargeD and it did not disappoint. Would definitely be back when in the area.

I mostly go for the food and convenience of getting a seat. Everytime i come here, its a hit with the food. My order was the pastelitos, the carne asada jimbowey style & a margarita to flush it down. Elite combo!! & make sure to change the fries for some Jose's rice. Yw. The service is very fast & the environment is very spacious for all types of parties. I've been here several times during severals years and never had something to complain about since they changed their method of reserving tables via phone number. The wait time used to be a problem before C-19. Bring ya A** here if you never been.

Been coming here since I'm a little girl and somehow I think the food has gotten better? Tortillas are always fresh, food is always delicious. Service is always fast, vibes are always great. Love it here.

After an intense session of dancing games at the arcade, which left me with a roaring appetite, I finally decided to try out Jose Tejas, a place that had been on my radar thanks to my friends' recommendations. Today felt like the perfect opportunity to see if it lived up to the hype. I ordered the pulled beef burro and was instantly impressed. The dish was a culinary triumph. The sauce was an impeccable blend of savory flavors with just the right hint of spice. It had a cheesy element to it, which I personally found delightful. The beef itself was a standout - savory, juicy, and cooked to perfection, making every bite more enjoyable than the last. The accompaniments were generally good, though not without a minor hiccup. The rice was well-prepared, a nice complement to the richness of the beef. However, the beans had a slightly off flavor. It wasn't enough to detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the meal, but it was noticeable. Despite this, the dish as a whole was a delight. One of the most satisfying aspects was the generous portion size. It was so substantial that I didn't feel the need to eat for the rest of the day - a testament to the value and heartiness of the meal. Jose Tejas offers a classic Tex Mex feel while also bringing flavors to the plate (no pun intended) that I hadn't experienced till now. Certainly, it is worth a try and I can see why it has been as popular as it has.