-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 LWjjj6E4+VWR6xiubUP1zTp1RdwZ8TTfMBNIAwwLAav7nse8JHl9xGRMgcYG/Fzs
 EgGig7njefAEI1ujdARy/g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001005477-05-002865.txt : 20050819
<SEC-HEADER>0001005477-05-002865.hdr.sgml : 20050819
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050819120020
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001005477-05-002865
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050818
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050819
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050819

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NIERENBERG DAVID
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001040899

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-28234
		FILM NUMBER:		051037707

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		19605 N E 8TH STREET
		CITY:			CAMAS
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98607
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3606048600

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MEXICAN RESTAURANTS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001009244
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-EATING PLACES [5812]
		IRS NUMBER:				760493269
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			TX
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1228

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1135 EDGEBROOK
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77034
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7139437574

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1135 EDGEBROOK
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77034

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CASA OLE RESTAURANTS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19960228
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar123.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-08-18</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001009244</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MEXICAN RESTAURANTS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CASA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001040899</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>NIERENBERG DAVID</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>19605 NE 8TH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CAMAS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>98607</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-08-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>22000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>9.40</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1024700</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>David Nierenberg</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-08-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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