On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina is a popular Tex-Mex restaurant chain known for its sizzling fajitas and mouthwatering quesos. One of their signature items on the menu is the Border Queso – a smooth, creamy cheese dip made fresh in-house daily. But what exactly is in this irresistible queso dip? Let’s take a closer look at the key ingredients that give Border Queso its uniquely delicious Tex-Mex flavor.
The base of On The Border’s queso is a blend of melted cheeses. Monterey Jack and cheddar are commonly used for their smooth, creamy meltability. These mild cheeses provide the foundation of flavor in queso. Some additional sharp cheeses may also be mixed in, like asadero or queso blanco, to add a punch of flavor. The exact blend of cheeses depends on the specific On The Border location, as recipes can vary slightly by region.
Another essential ingredient in Border Queso is minced white onions. The softened cooked onions provide a sweet, mellow counterbalance to the richness of the cheese. Onions are a classic component of authentic queso recipes.
Some locations may also incorporate diced tomatoes or chilis into their queso for added texture and flavor. Diced green chilis add a kick of heat while tomatoes provide a fresh, acidic contrast. These ingredients are optional but can amp up the flavor when included.
The cheese, onions, and any other mix-ins are all combined and melted together until silky smooth. The dip may be finished off with a dash of spices like cumin or chili powder. Fresh cilantro is also sometimes mixed throughout or used as a garnish.
The History of Queso
Queso dip as we know it today has its origins in Mexican cuisine. The word “queso” simply means cheese in Spanish. Mexican queso fresco (fresh cheese) has been around for centuries, but queso dip likely originated in Northern Mexico in the mid-1900s.
Early queso dips were simple, made mainly from melted cheese like asadero or chihuahua along with spices like chilies. Queso fundido, a popular appetizer of melted cheese served in a small pot, was an early predecessor to queso dip.
Tex-Mex queso as we recognize it today emerged in Tex-Mex restaurants in Texas and the Southwest in the 1970s and 80s. Chili con queso, as it was called, combined melted American and cheddar cheeses with roasted green chilis for a smooth, spicy dip. It quickly became a staple Tex-Mex appetizer.
As queso grew in popularity, restaurants began putting their own spin on the dip with unique cheese blends, add-ins like onions and tomatoes, and signature seasoning. It became a versatile, customizable staple on Tex-Mex menus. Queso is now served across the United States but remains especially popular in Texas and the Southwest.
On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina was one of the first major chains to popularize queso nationwide, featuring it prominently on their menu since their founding in 1982. Their Border Queso dip helped introduce queso to a wider audience beyond the Southwest.
How On The Border Makes Their Signature Queso
On The Border has perfected the art of queso over its 40+ years in business. While specifics can vary between locations, here is a look behind the scenes at how Border Queso typically comes together:
– Cheese: A combination of chopped melty cheeses like Monterey Jack, cheddar, asadero, and queso blanco are used as the base. The exact blend depends on the regional tastes.
– Onions: White onions are minced and sauteed until translucent and tender. This tempers their sharpness.
– Tomatoes/Chilis: Diced tomatoes or roasted green chilis may be added for extra flavor and texture.
– Spices: Spices like cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper are added to taste.
– Combining: The cheese, onions, and any other ingredients are added to a pot and heated gradually, stirring continuously. The dip is cooked at a low simmer until fully melted and smooth.
– Finishings: Fresh garnishes like cilantro or scallions may be stirred in or used as a garnish along with an extra sprinkle of spices.
– Consistency: The queso is kept warm but not too hot and frequently stirred so it maintains a smooth, creamy dipping consistency.
– Storage: Excess queso is refrigerated and gently reheated to order to prevent the cheese from breaking. Fresh batches are made throughout the day.
The result is a rich, creamy queso with a perfect balance of cheese, onions, and spicy Tex-Mex flavor. While recipes vary between locations, this is the basic process for how On The Border’s signature appetizer is made fresh daily.
Nutrition Information
Like most restaurant appetizers, On The Border’s queso can be high in calories, fat, and sodium. Here are the nutrition facts for a standard 4-ounce serving:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 330 |
| Total Fat | 24g |
| Saturated Fat | 15g |
| Sodium | 830mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 8g |
| Protein | 13g |
A few key things to note:
– Calorie count: At 330 calories per 4 oz serving, the queso is quite high in calories. A typical order contains around 450 calories.
– Fat content: 24g of fat per serving is very high, most coming from saturated fat from the cheeses.
– Sodium content: With 830mg of sodium, the queso also contains a large amount of salt.
– Protein: The cheese does provide a decent 13g dose of protein per serving.
– Carbs: At only 8g of carbs per serving, the queso is low carb compared to other appetizers.
When dining at On The Border, the queso should likely be enjoyed as an occasional indulgence rather than a daily menu item. Pared with lower calorie dishes, it can be part of an overall balanced Tex-Mex meal.
Variations on Border Queso
On The Border offers a few delicious variations on their classic Border Queso that are worth trying:
Queso Blanco: This white queso has a richer, cheesier flavor thanks to extra cheese like queso blanco and asadero. It has a whiter color and creamier texture.
Queso Chicken Quesadilla: Border Queso is loaded up with sauteed fajita chicken, onions, and peppers for a heartier version. Ooey, melty quesadilla cheese is melted on top.
Chorizo Queso: Spicy chorizo sausage is cooked into the queso along with an extra kick of chopped green chilis.
Brisket Queso: Tender shredded beef brisket is the star of this protein-packed queso loaded with Tex-Mex flavor.
Vegetarian Queso: For a meatless option, the queso is prepared with sauteed onions, peppers, mushrooms, and spinach instead of chorizo or chicken.
There are always seasonal and limited time queso flavors too, like hatch green chili queso made with New Mexico’s signature Hatch chilis. Don’t be afraid to try one of the flavored quesos to change things up!
Dipping Companions for On The Border’s Queso
While Border Queso is delicious on its own, pairing it with some crispy dippers makes for an even better appetizer. Here are some of the best things to dip into that ooey, gooey queso goodness:
– Chips and salsa – This classic combo is a match made in Tex-Mex heaven. Scoop up the queso with crunchy tortilla chips.
– Quesadillas – Wedges of melty cheese quesadillas are a perfect partner, letting you enjoy two Tex-Mex staples in one bite.
– Fajita meat – Cooked steak, chicken, or shrimp fajitas add protein to balance the richness of the queso.
– Churros – For dessert, dip the crispy cinnamon-sugar churros into the queso for an unexpected sweet and savory twist.
– Onion rings – Golden fried onion rings pair perfectly with the oniony queso.
– Fries – Both regular fries or spicy Border Fries are ideal salty, crunchy vehicles for the queso.
– Vegetables – Fresh vegetables like jicama, radishes, bell peppers, or broccoli florets provide crunch and cut the queso’s richness.
Don’t be afraid to get creative with your queso dippers! The possibilities are endless for delicious combinations.
Tips for Making Restaurant-Quality Queso at Home
Want to recreate the magic of Border Queso’s smooth, flavorful queso dip at home? Keep these tips in mind:
– Use a blend of melty cheeses like monterey jack, white cheddar, and pepper jack. Stay away from soft crumbling cheeses.
– Saute onions and any other veggies until softened before adding to the cheese. This prevents a raw flavor.
– Add diced tomatoes or roasted peppers for extra flavor. Canned green chilis work well.
– Spice it up with cumin, chili powder, cayenne, garlic powder, or smoked paprika.
– Heat the queso slowly and gently to prevent the cheese from breaking or becoming grainy.
– Stir frequently while heating to maintain an ultra-smooth, creamy texture.
– Finish with fresh cilantro and green onion for color and flavor.
– Keep the queso warm in a slow cooker or double boiler setup, not directly over heat.
– Adjust consistency as needed with a splash of milk or cream.
With freshly melted cheese and crisp veggies, it’s easy to make restaurant-worthy queso dip in your own kitchen. Adjust flavors to match your tastes and enjoy this Tex-Mex favorite at home.
Where to Find On The Border Locations
With over 150 locations across the United States, it’s not hard to find an On The Border near you to enjoy fresh Border Queso and other Tex-Mex favorites. Here’s a look at where to find On The Border restaurants:
States with the Most Locations:
| State | Number of Locations |
|---|---|
| Texas | 63 |
| Florida | 17 |
| Ohio | 8 |
As you’d expect, On The Border locations are concentrated most heavily in the chain’s home state of Texas with over 60 restaurants. Florida and Ohio have the second and third highest concentration of locations.
Other States:
On The Border has expanded to 31 different states, primarily across the South, Midwest, and East Coast regions. Some of the other states with multiple locations include:
– Tennessee
– North Carolina
– Pennsylvania
– Michigan
– Virginia
– New York
Along with Texas, the chain has significant presences in other Sunbelt states like Florida, Georgia, and Arizona. Its reach extends as far north as Michigan and upstate New York.
To find the nearest On The Border, visit their website which allows you to search locations by city or state. You can also view contact information and hours for each location.
Conclusion
On The Border’s queso is a timeless Tex-Mex favorite thanks to its perfect melted cheese flavor and creamy, dip-able consistency. Signature Border Queso starts with a blend of cheeses like cheddar, Monterey jack, and pepper jack melted smooth with sauteed onions. Diced tomatoes, chilis, and Mexican spices add extra flair. Variations like chorizo queso kick up the flavor. Best enjoyed with chips, quesadillas, or sizzling fajitas. With restaurants in over 30 states, especially across the South and Midwest, it’s easy to find an On The Border near you to experience this legendary queso. Just look for the place where the chips and queso never stop flowing. With its delicious melted cheese flavors with a Tex-Mex twist, Border Queso will forever remain an irresistible staple of Mexican food lovers everywhere.