UNITED STATES

                        SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

(MARK ONE)

          [X]    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
          THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                For the Quarterly period ended SEPTEMBER 30, 2001

                                       OR

          [ ]    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
          THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

          For the transition period from ___________ to ______________


                         Commission file number: 0-28234

                            MEXICAN RESTAURANTS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                  TEXAS                                  76-0493269
       (State or other jurisdiction of                 (IRS Employer
       incorporation or organization)              Identification Number)

       1135 EDGEBROOK, HOUSTON, TEXAS                    77034-1899
  (Address of Principal Executive Offices)               (Zip Code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 713-943-7574


Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                                  Yes X     No
                                     ---      ---


Number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as
of November 1, 2001: 3,513,505 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.01.

                         PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                   MEXICAN RESTAURANTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS



                                                                      9/30/01              12/31/00
                                                                    ------------         ------------
                                                                                   
ASSETS

Current assets:
        Cash and cash equivalents                                   $    371,090         $    636,334
        Royalties receivable                                              65,072               66,798
        Other receivables                                                563,537              611,603
        Inventory                                                        637,956              718,629
        Taxes receivable                                                       0              257,080
        Prepaid expenses and other current assets                      1,030,994              529,830
                                                                    ------------         ------------
               Total current assets                                    2,668,649            2,820,274
                                                                    ------------         ------------
Property, plant and equipment                                         26,735,511           25,550,871
        Less accumulated depreciation                                 (8,589,728)          (7,339,223)
                                                                    ------------         ------------
               Net property, plant and equipment                      18,145,783           18,211,648
Deferred tax assets                                                      986,432            1,167,661
Property held for resale                                               1,100,000            1,100,000
Other assets                                                           8,161,028            8,209,243
                                                                    ------------         ------------
                                                                    $ 31,061,892         $ 31,508,826
                                                                    ============         ============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
        Current installments of long-term debt                      $  1,000,000         $         --
        Accounts payable                                               2,204,296            2,953,649
        Accrued sales and liquor taxes                                   468,147              452,617
        Accrued payroll and taxes                                      1,354,873            1,006,457
        Accrued expenses                                                 804,402              327,390
                                                                    ------------         ------------
               Total current liabilities                               5,831,718            4,740,113
                                                                    ------------         ------------
Long-term debt, net of current portion                                 6,022,729            8,300,000
Other liabilities                                                        648,147              537,219
Deferred gain                                                          2,567,231            3,042,832

Stockholders' equity:
        Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares
             authorized                                                       --                   --
        Capital stock, $0.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares
             authorized, 4,732,705 shares issued                          47,327               47,327
        Additional paid-in capital                                    20,121,076           20,121,076
        Retained earnings                                              7,158,977            6,025,121
        Deferred compensation                                           (140,541)            (171,519)
        Treasury stock, cost of 1,181,600 and 1,200,400
             shares, respectively                                    (11,194,772)         (11,133,343)
                                                                    ------------         ------------
               Total stockholders' equity                             15,992,067           14,888,662

                                                                    $ 31,061,892         $ 31,508,826
                                                                    ============         ============


                                       2


                   MEXICAN RESTAURANTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME



                                                    13-WEEK         13-WEEK         39-WEEK         39-WEEK
                                                  PERIOD ENDED    PERIOD ENDED    PERIOD ENDED    PERIOD ENDED
                                                    09/30/01        10/01/00        09/30/01        10/01/00
                                                  ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                                                      
Revenues:
      Restaurant sales                            $ 16,147,855    $ 15,787,434    $ 47,119,290    $ 47,066,587
      Franchise fees and royalties                     353,661         314,974         960,147         972,550
      Other                                             26,019          25,338         111,501          51,006
                                                  ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                    16,527,535      16,127,746      48,190,938      48,090,143
                                                  ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
Costs and expenses:
      Cost of sales                                  4,540,844       4,389,553      13,090,479      13,238,103
      Labor                                          5,252,917       5,265,303      15,469,390      15,723,887
      Restaurant operating expenses                  4,067,795       3,818,364      11,834,513      11,063,969
      General and administrative                     1,425,416       1,385,869       4,084,011       4,163,595
      Depreciation and amortization                    632,675         526,984       1,782,685       1,545,441
      Pre-opening costs                                     --          42,432             254          93,464
      Asset impairments and restaurant
        closing costs                                       --              --              --              --
                                                  ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                    15,919,647      15,428,505      46,261,332      45,828,459

                                                  ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
           Operating income (loss)                     607,888         699,241       1,929,606       2,261,684
                                                  ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
Other income (expense):
      Interest income                                   30,300              --          44,346           4,416
      Interest expense                                (156,856)       (223,588)       (567,724)       (637,226)
      Other, net                                        83,357           5,969         338,165          11,312
                                                  ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                       (43,199)       (217,619)       (185,213)       (621,498)
                                                  ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
      Income before income tax expense                 564,689         481,622       1,744,393       1,640,186
Income tax expense                                     197,711         168,568         610,537         554,568
                                                  ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
           Net income                             $    366,978    $    313,054    $  1,133,856    $  1,085,618
                                                  ============    ============    ============    ============

Basic and diluted income per share                $       0.10    $       0.09    $       0.32    $       0.30
                                                  ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
Weighted average number of shares
  (basic and diluted)                                3,532,427       3,542,380       3,533,971       3,594,646
                                                  ============    ============    ============    ============


                                       3


                   MEXICAN RESTAURANTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (UNAUDITED)



                                                                                       39-WEEK PERIODS ENDED
                                                                                  9/30/01                 10/1/00
                                                                                -----------             -----------
                                                                                                  
 Cash flows from operating activities:
      Net income                                                                $ 1,133,856             $ 1,085,618

      Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
         provided by operating activities:
                   Deferred compensation                                             30,978                  26,131
                   Depreciation and amortization                                  1,782,685               1,545,441
                   Deferred gain amortization                                      (172,179)               (184,800)
                   Deferred taxes                                                   181,229                 184,000
                   Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant & equipment              (284,302)                 20,789
      Changes in assets and liabilities:
                   Royalties receivable                                               1,726                (122,222)
                   Other receivables                                               (108,781)               (147,741)
                   Income tax receivable/payable                                    575,393                 (34,563)
                   Inventory                                                         80,673                 (47,168)
                   Prepaid and other current assets                                (554,704)                (35,280)
                   Other assets                                                    (176,214)                (17,888)
                   Accounts payable                                                (749,353)               (633,984)
                   Accrued expenses and other liabilites                            522,645                 387,684
                   Other liabilities                                                140,597                 138,573
                                                                                -----------             -----------
                             Total adjustments                                    1,270,393               1,078,972
                                                                                -----------             -----------
                             Net cash provided by operating activities            2,404,249               2,164,590
                                                                                -----------             -----------
 Cash flows from investing activities:
                   Payment for purchase of acquisition, net of
                     cash acquired                                                       --                      --
                   Purchase of property, plant and equipment                     (1,439,531)             (2,390,921)
                   Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment              108,738                 202,399
                                                                                -----------             -----------
                                    Net cash used in investing activities        (1,330,793)             (2,188,522)
                                                                                -----------             -----------
 Cash flows from financing activities:
                   Net borrowings under line of credit                           (1,277,271)               (153,320)
                   Purchase of treasury stock                                       (61,429)               (375,000)
                                                                                -----------             -----------
                   Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities           (1,338,700)               (528,320)
                                                                                -----------             -----------

                                                                                -----------             -----------
                   Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                (265,244)               (552,252)
                                                                                -----------             -----------
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                   636,334                 743,935
                                                                                -----------             -----------
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                     $   371,090             $   191,683
                                                                                ===========             ===========
 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
         Cash paid during the period:
                   Interest                                                     $   550,708             $   625,689
                   Income Taxes                                                 $   152,597             $   414,960
         Non-cash investing and financing activity:
                   Sale of property for note receivable                         $   244,109             $        --
                   Issuance of restricted stock                                 $        --             $   224,000
                   Purchase of property for note receivable                     $   207,800             $        --


                                       4





                   MEXICAN RESTAURANTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (UNAUDITED)

1.       BASIS OF PRESENTATION

                  In the opinion of Mexican Restaurants, Inc. and subsidiaries
         (the "Company"), the accompanying consolidated financial statements
         contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals
         and adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated
         financial position as of September 30, 2001, and the consolidated
         statements of income and cash flows for the 39-week and 13-week periods
         ended September 30, 2001 and October 1, 2000. The consolidated
         statements of income for the 39-week and 13-week period ended September
         30, 2001 is not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected
         for the full year.

         RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

                  Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133,
         Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities ("SFAS
         133"), was issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in June
         1998. SFAS 133 standardizes the accounting for derivative instruments,
         including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts.
         Under the standard, entities are required to carry all derivative
         instruments in the statement of financial position at fair value. The
         Company adopted SFAS 133 beginning in fiscal year 2001. The adoption of
         SFAS 133 did not have a material effect on the Company's financial
         condition or results of operation because the Company does not enter
         into derivative or other financial instruments for trading or
         speculative purposes nor does the Company use or intend to use
         derivative financial instruments or derivative commodity instruments.

         IMPACT OF RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

                  In July 2001, the FASB issued Statement on Financial
         Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,"
         (SFAS 142) which will be effective for our Company as of the beginning
         of fiscal 2002. SFAS 142 requires goodwill and other intangible assets
         with indefinite lives no longer be amortized. SFAS 142 further requires
         the fair value of goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite
         lives be tested for impairment upon adoption of this statement,
         annually and upon the occurrence of certain events, and be written down
         to fair value if considered impaired. Our management estimates the
         adoption of SFAS 142 will result in the elimination of annual
         amortization expense related to goodwill and other intangible assets,
         including trademarks, in the amount of approximately $329,468, of
         $214,154 net of tax; however, due to the extensive effort required to
         comply with SFAS 142, the impact of related impairment, if any, on our
         financial position or results of operations has not yet been
         determined.

                  In August, 2001, the FASB issued Statement on Financial
         Accounting Standards No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or
         Disposal of Long-Lived Assets," (SFAS 144) which will be effective for
         our Company as of the beginning of fiscal 2002. SFAS 144 requires that
         long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale be measured at the lower of
         carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell, whether reported in
         continuing operations or in discontinued operations. SFAS 144 broadens
         the reporting of discontinued operations to include all components of
         an entity with operations that can be distinguished from the rest of
         the entity and that will be eliminated from the ongoing operations of
         the entity in a disposal transaction. The impact, if any, of SFAS 144,
         on our financial position or results of operations has not yet been
         determined.

                                       5


2.       ACCOUNTING POLICIES

                  During the interim periods the Company follows the accounting
         policies set forth in its consolidated financial statements in its
         Annual Report and Form 10-K (file number 0-28234). Reference should be
         made to such financial statements for information on such accounting
         policies and further financial details.


3.       NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE

                  Basic income per share is based on the weighted average shares
         outstanding without any dilutive effects considered. Diluted income per
         share reflects dilution from all contingently issuable shares,
         including options and warrants. Stock options and warrants outstanding
         at September 30, 2001 and October 1, 2000 of 902,270 and 889,695
         shares, respectively, were not considered in the computation of net
         income per common share because the effect of their inclusion would
         have been antidilutive.


ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

                  This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the
         meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
         forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
         uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results,
         performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different
         from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or
         implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among
         others, the following: accelerating growth strategy; dependence on
         executive officers; geographic concentration; increasing susceptibility
         to adverse conditions in the region; changes in consumer tastes and
         eating habits; national, regional or local economic and real estate
         conditions; demographic trends; inclement weather; traffic patterns;
         the type, number and location of competing restaurants; inflation;
         increased food, labor and benefit costs; the availability of
         experienced management and hourly employees; seasonality and the timing
         of new restaurant openings; changes in governmental regulations; dram
         shop exposure; and other factors not yet experienced by the Company.
         The use of words such as "believes", "anticipates", "expects",
         "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify
         forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of
         identifying such statements. Readers are urged to carefully review and
         consider the various disclosures made by the Company in this report and
         in the Company's Annual Report and Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
         December 31, 2000, that attempt to advise interested parties of the
         risks and factors that may affect the Company's business.

                                        6


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

                  Revenues. The Company's revenues for the third quarter of
         fiscal 2001 were up $399,789 or 2.5% to $16.5 million compared with the
         same quarter a year ago. Restaurant sales for the third quarter of 2001
         were up $360,421 compared with the same quarter a year ago, to $16.1
         million. The increase was due to increasing same-restaurant sales that
         offset the impact of 26 fewer restaurant week sales than the same
         quarter a year ago. Company-owned same-store sales for the quarter
         increased 4.3%. Franchise-owned same-store sales for the quarter
         increased 4.2%.

                  On a year-to-date basis, the Company's revenues were up
         $100,795 or 0.2% to $48.2 million compared with the same 39-week period
         a year ago. Restaurant sales were up $52,703 or 0.1% compared with the
         same 39-week period a year ago. The increase was due to increasing
         same-store sales that off set the impact of 97 fewer restaurant week
         sales. Year-to-date company-owned same-store sales increased 3.1%.
         Year-to-date franchise-owned same-store sales increased 3.0%.

                  Costs and Expenses. Cost of sales, consisting primarily of
         food and beverage costs, but also including paper and supplies,
         increased as a percentage of restaurant sales in the third quarter of
         2001 to 28.1% as compared with 27.8% in the same quarter in fiscal
         2000. Cost of sales worsened by 30 basis points primarily due to higher
         cheese costs and due to promotions (discounting).

                  On a year-to-date basis, cost of sales decreased as a
         percentage of restaurant sales to 27.8% as compared with 28.1% in the
         same 39-week period a year ago. The higher cost of cheese and promotion
         discounting were a factor in the third quarter, but on a year-to-date
         basis, the improvement was primarily due to menu price increases that
         were initiated in the first quarter.

                  Labor and other related expenses decreased as a percentage of
         restaurant sales to 32.5% in the third quarter of 2001 as compared with
         33.4% in the same quarter in fiscal year 2000. The decrease was
         primarily due to hourly labor efficiencies. The improvement was also
         due to last year's closure of under performing restaurants. Offsetting
         these improvements were workers' compensation insurance increases of
         40.0%.

                  On a year-to-date basis, labor and other related expenses
         decreased as a percentage of restaurant sales 60 basis points to 32.8%
         as compared with 33.4% in the same 39-week period a year ago. The
         decrease was primarily due to the same factors discussed above.

                  Restaurant operating expenses, which primarily includes rent,
        property taxes, utilities, repair and maintenance, liquor taxes and
        advertising, increased as a percentage of restaurant sales to 25.2% in
        the third quarter of 2001 as compared with 24.2% in the same quarter in
        fiscal 2000. The increase was primarily due to higher utility and
        advertising costs.

                  On a year-to-date basis, restaurant operating expenses
        increased as a percentage of restaurant sales 160 basis points to 25.1%
        compared with 23.5% for the same 39-week period a year ago. The increase
        was primarily due to the same factors discussed above.

                  General and administrative expenses increased by 2.9%, or
         $39,547 from the same quarter in fiscal 2000. The Company accrued
         $100,000 in legal expenses during the third quarter. The lawsuit that
         gave rise to the legal expenses was settled just after the third
         quarter ended. General and administrative expenses were 8.6% of total
         revenues for the third quarter and the same quarter a year ago.

                  On a year-to-date basis, general and administrative expenses
         decreased as a percentage of total revenue by 20 basis points to 8.5%
         compared with 8.7% the same 39-week period a year ago. The improvement
         was primarily due to a reduction in corporate staffing, resulting in a
         decrease in compensation costs.

                  Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $105,691
         compared to the same quarter a year ago. This was due to the addition
         of a new store in October 2000, four remodels during fiscal 2000

                                       7


         and six remodels during fiscal 2001, as well as other fixed asset
         additions in the last four quarters. The closed restaurants mentioned
         above had relatively low book values of fixed assets so their closure
         did not significantly reduce depreciation.

                  On a year-to-date basis, depreciation and amortization
         increased by $237,244 compared to the same 39-week period a year ago.
         The increase was primarily due to the same factors discussed above.

                  Pre-opening costs decreased $42,432 as no new restaurants were
         opened during the third quarter. One new restaurant was opened just
         after the third quarter ended the same period a year ago.

                  On a year-to-date basis, pre-opening costs decreased $93,210
         as no new restaurants were opened in the first three quarters of 2001.
         One new restaurant was opened in the first quarter of fiscal 2000 and
         another restaurant was opened just after the third quarter closed.

                  Other Income (Expense). Net other income (expense) decreased
         by $174,420 compared to the same quarter in the last fiscal year. The
         decrease was due, in part, to lower interest rates and due to lower
         outstanding debt. Long-term debt as of September 30, 2001 was $7.0
         million compared with $9.0 million the same quarter a year ago. The
         decrease was also due to a $48,000 gain from an insurance settlement
         and $13,170 interest income from a tax refund.

                  On a year-to-date basis, net other income (expense) decreased
         in expense by $436,285 compare to the same 39-week period a year ago.
         The decrease was due primarily to a $226,000 gain on the sale of one
         restaurant. The restaurant, which in 1998 had been sold and leased back
         from Franchise Finance of America ("FFCA), was purchased back from FFCA
         and then sold to a third party. The restaurant was purchased with
         insurance proceeds after it was destroyed by fire. The gain was
         primarily the realization of a deferred gain from the 1998 sale-lease
         back transaction. The decrease is also due to the same factors
         discussed above.

                  Income Tax Expense. The Company's effective tax rate was 35.0%
         in both the third quarter of 2001 and the comparable quarter last year.
         The effective tax rate is the same on a year-to-date basis.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

                  Net cash provided by operating activities was $2,404,249 for
         the 39-week period ended September 30, 2001, compared to $2,164,590 for
         the same period last year. As of September 30, 2001, the Company had a
         working capital deficit of $3.2 million, which is common in the
         restaurant industry, since restaurant companies do not typically
         require a significant investment in either accounts receivable or
         inventory.

                  During the first 39 weeks of 2001, capital expenditures on
         property, plant and equipment were approximately $1.4 million as
         compared to $2.4 million for the same period in 2000. Capital
         expenditures included the remodeling of six restaurants. Additionally,
         the Company had cash outlays for necessary replacement of equipment and
         leasehold improvements in various older units. The Company estimates
         its capital expenditures for the remainder of the fiscal year will be
         approximately $250,000.

                  On June 29, 2001, the Company re-financed $7.8 million of its
         debt with Fleet National Bank. The new credit facility is for $10.0
         million. The credit facility consists of a $5.0 million term note that
         requires principal payments quarterly and matures in five years from
         the closing date of June 29, 2001 and a $5.0 million revolving line of
         credit that matures in three years from the closing date of June 29,
         2001. The interest rate is either the prime rate or LIBOR plus a
         stipulated percentage. Accordingly, the Company is impacted by changes
         in the prime rate and LIBOR. The Company is subject to a non-use fee of
         0.5% on the unused portion of the revolver from the date of the credit
         agreement. As of September 30, 2001, the Company had $7.0 million
         outstanding on the credit facility and is in full compliance with all
         debt covenants. The Company incurred the debt to acquire La Senorita
         Restaurants, which closed on April 30, 1999 ($4.2 million), to develop
         new restaurants, to remodel existing restaurants, as well as to
         accommodate other working capital needs. Excluding two properties

                                       8


         listed for sale, the Company anticipates that it will use excess cash
         flow to pay down approximately $400,000 of outstanding indebtedness
         during the last quarter of the fiscal year.

                  The Company also has a $9.8 million forward commitment
         agreement with Franchise Finance Corporation of America ("FFCA"). At
         July 1, 2001, the Company had approximately $9.8 million available
         under the FFCA forward commitments.

                  The Company's management believes that with its forward
         commitments with Franchise Finance Corporation of America, along with
         operating cash flow and the Company's revolving line of credit with
         Fleet National Bank, funds will be sufficient to meet operating
         requirements and to finance routine capital expenditures through the
         end of the 2001 fiscal year.


ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

                  The Company does not have or participate in transactions
         involving derivative, financial and commodity instruments. The
         Company's long-term debt bears interest at floating market rates. Based
         on amount outstanding at September 30, 2001, a 100 basis point change
         in interest rates would change interest expense by $70,000 per annum.

                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Not Applicable

                                       9


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


MEXICAN RESTAURANTS, INC.

Dated: November 8, 2001                                By: /s/ Curt Glowacki
Curt Glowacki                                          -------------------------
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)



Dated: November 8, 2001                                By: /s/ Andrew J. Dennard
Andrew J. Dennard                                      -------------------------
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)

                                       10