After 35 years, iconic restaurant in Alabama remains a reliable Tex-Mex favorite

Finding a delicious, budget-friendly meal in the Birmingham area can be a challenge, but 205focus.com is here to help. We are scouting the best local eateries where you can enjoy a satisfying meal for $15 or less, excluding tax and tip. This week, we are shining a spotlight on an absolute neighborhood staple.

A Birmingham Institution

Located at 99 Euclid Ave. in the Crestline neighborhood of Mountain Brook, La Paz has been serving up Tex-Mex classics since 1991. You can easily spot this iconic spot right next to the local CVS in the heart of the Crestline shopping and restaurant district.

While it may not boast the city's most experimental menu, La Paz offers the kind of consistency and comfort that keeps diners returning for decades. From nachos and enchiladas to tamales and street tacos, the menu is packed with reliable favorites. You can view their full lunch menu and dinner menu online to plan your visit. The restaurant is open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

From the Kitchen

The restaurant is currently operated by the Red Mountain Restaurant Group, a group of investors that took over the business in 2008. While the Crestline location remains the flagship, the brand has expanded to Mt Laurel and Hoover.

If you are looking for a recommendation, the Santa Fe enchiladas—featuring grilled shrimp or chicken, blue corn tortillas, green chile sauce, Jack cheese, sour cream, and avocado—are a standout choice served with rice and black beans. Every meal kicks off with complimentary, house-made red and green salsa and crunchy chips, which your server will gladly keep refilling.

No trip to La Paz is complete without their famous chile con queso. This delectable cheese dip is priced at $8 per cup or $10 per bowl, with options to add beef or chorizo for an extra dollar.

Budget-Friendly Dining

For the budget-conscious, the lunch menu is a goldmine. You can grab loaded nachos, street tacos, tamales, taco salads, combo plates, quesadillas, soup, burritos, or a Cozumel burger, all for $15 or less. While dinner entrees typically range between $16 and $28, the value remains high for the portion sizes.

With a 3.6-star rating on Yelp, fans appreciate the efficiency and precision of the staff. As one regular diner noted, the service is often fast enough to keep up with the hungriest groups, making it an ideal spot for large families or birthday celebrations.

For more information, call 205-879-2225 or connect with the team via their website, Facebook, or Instagram.