Winners For

Best Mexican

Different Mexican states have their own distinctive cuisines, but the southwestern territory of Oaxaca boasts several within its borders. Situated on the Pacific Ocean and divided by the Sierra mountain ranges, the dishes from this corner of the country are as eclectic as they are delectable. For proof, look no further than Mezcaleria Oaxaca. An...

When Mexican food gets fussy, we frown and ponder with dismay that it is considered "nouveau" cuisine. We like our Mexican cheap, easy, and cheesy, without any fusion or confusion. This is exactly what Alma Mexicana serves — casual, homestyle fare that's fast and tastes damn good. Occupying a former tattoo parlor, Alma appeals more to a clientel...

In our era, authentic southern Mexican taquerias have gone from being short counters in the rear of bodegas to being full-blown restaurants. A few even have liquor licenses, like Tacos Morelos, which morphed from a small cart beneath the 7 tracks into a brick-and-mortar establishment. It was also the place that first introduced New Yorkers to ta...

Chef Aquiles Chavez doesn't serve chips and salsa or fajitas at La Fisheria, because this isn't a Tex-Mex restaurant: It's a true Mexican establishment from a Mexican chef who's more interested in modern, creative interpretations of his home country's food than in serving standards. For appetizers, tender octopus is served over thin slices of co...

To say Cherokee Street west of Jefferson Avenue is the epicenter of traditional Mexican street fare in St. Louis is, of course, to speak the truth. But it also does a disservice to a restaurant such as Siete Luminarias. Here you could visit a dozen times before you got around to ordering a plain old taco. And why would you order a taco when ther...

Yes, Alebrije's Grill is technically a lonchera, and we have a separate category for those. But fuck segregation: No Mexican chef does more satisfying food than Albert Hernández, who makes the best Mexico City-style food in the county—a thousand manifestations of masa, ranging from gargantuan mulitas to chilango-style quesadillas filled with mus...

Adobo Grill Restaurant Review: Adobo packs them in with its festive setting, lively bar and creative menu. Almost everyone starts with the guacamole, which is made tableside, down to the pitting of the avocado. The ceviche is first-rate, and the ensalada de jícama is most refreshing. We never pass up a good mole, and Adobo's version is solid (ev...

Mundial Cocina Mestiza Restaurant Review: Oaxaca-born Hector Marcial (a KDK restaurants vet) presides in the kitchen of this ambitious BYO in Pilsen. He has crafted visually appealing --- and frequently memorable --- plates like chicken in a Jamaican-style curry and vibrant, grilled shrimp with fresh romeritos, shallots, asparagus, roasted red p...

Nacional 27 Restaurant Review: Nacional 27, the Nuevo Latino restaurant from Lettuce Entertain You, was on the forefront of a trend; years later, it remains on the culinary (and cocktail) cutting edge. The lusty menu is loaded with Latin favorites --- flaky empanadas stuffed with smoked chicken or carnitas, shrimp adobado skewers --- as well as ...

Nuevo Leon Restaurant Review: We like the individually topped nachos at this pleasant, family-oriented taqueria, which draws multiculti crowds noon and night. And the mole sauce is one of the tastiest, especially for the price. Get it on chicken or enchiladas --- you won’t be sorry. The carne asada is good, but skip the fajitas. The décor is pra...

Salpicon Restaurant Review: This is a family affair: Priscila runs the kitchen and her husband, Vincent, runs the front of the house. And while many an upscale Mexican restaurant have come and gone over the years, this one forges on. We enjoy the inviting, stylish surroundings as well as the top-rate selection of tequilas and wines. But the real...

Zapatista Restaurant Review: Power lunches and post-work munchies are the draw at this innovative, boisterous Mexican spot that serves Serrano pepper-zapped, tableside guacamole (with jícama sticks, no less) to spice-seekers. A fine starter is the queso fundido accented with poblanos and chorizo, but the shrimp empanadas may taste less than fres...

Zocalo Mexican Grill & Tequileria Restaurant Review: Named after the gathering place, or town square, common in Mexican cities, this warm, inviting and ever-crowded restaurant and tequila bar has flourished since opening thanks to its complex Mexican creations. Bright ceviches---citrus and mango juice-marinated shrimp with plantain and mango chi...

Chilam Balam Restaurant Review: Its name may come from an ancient Mayan text filled with foreboding --- don’t ask; it’s complicated --- but there’s nothing gloomy going on at Lakeview’s Chilam Balam. First, there’s the cheery vibe (not an easy feat in a small basement location) that features pillow-topped benches, brightly colored walls and whim...

Frontera Grill Restaurant Review: This is one smooth ride across Mexico’s culinary landscape, and it has become a mecca for food lovers in Chicago. The menu blossoms with diverse, beyond garden-variety Mexican dishes. Eating here, in fact, can be downright educational. Chef-owner Rick Bayless is big on sustainability and knows Mexican flavors an...

Topolobampo Restaurant Review: Adjacent to Frontera Grill but with a separate dining room, this creation of owner-chef Rick Bayless forges on as one of the best Mexican restaurants in the country. The refined approach is cutting edge and avoids clichés, so the food is always exciting. The menu changes (at least) monthly, but a dish of slow-cooke...

Tacos are the ultimate street food, but we can all agree that sometimes street food can be hit or miss. Rico's Taco Lupe is a definite hit. Pick your meat--asada, al pastor, pollo, etc.--have them throw on plenty of cilantros and onion, then get your salsa going. Next thing you know, you're biting into the absolute best tacos around.

High-end Mexican that also includes Korean BBQ tacos, crabcakes and whole-roasted suckling pigs? Just go with it-and brag to your friends that this is one of those places that make you happy you live in the suburbs.

Casa Oaxaca offers quality traditional Mexican food and great appetizers (OMG--the rellenitos- ripe plantain stuffed with black beans and served over a queso fresco smear!) that will keep you coming back, as will the excellent happy-hour offerings (churros, posole, guacamole, and queso fundido, to name a few).

Boston isn’t known yet for great Mexican fare — perhaps we’re a little too far north of the border for the spicy stuff. But things are looking up now that El Centro has rolled into town. Our go-to order? The deeply flavored carne asada and fish tacos, followed by al pastor sopes (doughy corn tartlets). Top that off with a couple glasses of jalap...

If we won the lottery, we would subsist solely on a diet of elotes con chile from Ole Mexican Grill. That's no exaggeration: malnutrition aside, we could eat their grilled corn slathered in mayo for every meal. Their guacamole is awesome, and so are their margaritas, and their flan is flan-tastic, but their Mexican coffee is life-changing. Who'd...

Gastropubs are so yesterday. Lately, Boston’s been all about high-end Mexican. Securing the top spot in the new crop is this bright and brimming Davis Square restaurant from the team behind neighboring Posto. There’s nothing not to love about the chicharrón, which here stars chunks of New England pork belly kissed with a sweet-and-spicy tamarind...

Sagebrush Cantina is an excellent place for Mexican food in the Detroit area!

Candelas Restaurant Review: You won't find chips and salsa at Candelas---this Mexican restaurant is unlike most in San Diego (or elsewhere in the U.S.). The alta cocina at this romantic downtown spot features indigenous Mexican ingredients such as nopales, corn, avocados, epazote and a variety of chilies---all skillfully prepared and artfully ar...

El Callejon Restaurant Review: El Callejon features authentic Mexican flavors in a sociable, relaxed atmosphere that’s filled with families, friends and couples, young and old alike. We like the quesadillas filled with a mix of molten cheese, smashed potato and chopped chorizo. The taco choices are many, ranging from pork loin and red snapper to...

El Agave Restaurant Review: One of our favorite Mexican restaurants in a city known for them, El Agave differs from the rest due to its dedication to regional specialties and authentic ingredients. For those bored of enchiladas and tamales, El Agave serves a salad of nopales (cactus leaves), a refined yellow squash and leek soup, and six differe...

Mariscos Ensenada Restaurant Review: We like the help-yourself salsa bar---some of the choices are incendiary---the Latin American soccer spectacles on the wide-screen TV, the low-key crowd and the menu of Baja California-style seafood specialties. It’s all about affordable, tasty fare, not the setting. The ensalada de mariscos, or seafood salad...

Casa De Pico Restaurant Review: For decades, Casa De Pico had some of the best Mexican food in Old Town’s Bazaar del Mundo. The move to La Mesa was tough on hard-core city fans, but most have been willing to make the trek. In addition, East County residents have gained some truly authentic, first-rate Mexican fare. Of particular note is the carn...

Ranchos Cocina Restaurant Review: Fun and funky, Ranchos Cocina is the type of Mexican restaurant that appeals to just about everyone. Whether you crave carne asada with refried beans or prefer vegan-style blue corn avocado enchiladas, Ranchos can fill your order. We like the wide range of menu items, everything from soy chorizo quesadilla to st...

Old Town Mexican Cafe Restaurant Review: When the tourists are out in force there can be a line at the door at 3 in the afternoon, when most San Diego restaurants are locked up tight. But, then, most local eateries lack the rustic charm of Old Town Mexican Cafe, which looks like a century-old cantina. This joint jumps, especially at night; well-...

Tony's Jacal Restaurant Review: The Eden Gardens neighborhood of Solana Beach is the launching point for many Mexican eateries that gradually grew from tiny cafés into successful restaurants. Among them is Tony's Jacal (Tony's Little Hut), a spacious place that serves a mean chile relleno. Also worth ordering are the chicken enchiladas in green ...

Miguel's signature menu... in addition to having some of the best traditional Mexican food found anywhere, Miguel's has several unique items including our fish tacos, carnitas, jumbo shrimp enchiladas and carne asada. Come visit us at any of our three locations.

Su Casa Mexican Restaurant Restaurant Review: Located close to the Wind ‘N Sea surf spot, Su Casa is a perennial favorite with the young La Jolla set. Happy hour is an attraction, as it includes margaritas and guacamole made tableside. For summer lunches, we like sitting at an outside table and ordering camarones al mojo de ajo (shrimp with garl...

“Why not?” asks this restaurant’s name, and there’s no good answer. Chorizo tacos, homemade chips and guacamole, beans and rice, tamales… Everything is delicious. Portland’s best Mexican is served to a frenzied crowd on North Mississippi Avenue; if you can’t bear the wait, they do offer take-out, and most of the dishes, particularly the plates, ...

Ernesto's Restaurant Review: Ernesto's is a local favorite for a traditional Mexican meal in a lively atmosphere. Live mariachi coupled with a vast selection of tequila make it a good choice for a fun night out with friends --- so expect a wait, especially on weekends. The menu includes traditional favorites such as tacos and enchiladas, as well...

Zocalo Restaurant Review: This trendy midtown eatery is a good bet for those seeking a fun night out with friends. The menu is more refined than expected given the party vibe, and features regional Mexican cuisine. Starters include the expected nachos and quesadillas, a chorizo and cheese baked casserole as well as selections from a ceviche bar...

Beto's Restaurant Review: Those who are craving authentic Mexican after-hours need turn no further than this suburban taqueria. Tacos, burritos, enchiladas --- you name it, they’ve got it. Popular choices include the carne asada fries and breakfast burritos. Menu items can be purchased individually or on a combination plate with beans and rice. ...

Centro Cocina Mexicana Restaurant Review: Those seeking an alternative to the greasy, Americanized south-of-the-border meal need turn no further than this restaurant. Centro provides Sacramento with a lively atmosphere, friendly service and authentic, regional Mexican fare --- not to mention a selection of more than 150 tequilas. The menu draws ...

Emma's Taco House Restaurant Review: The place may have seen better days, but locals don't come here for the ambience, they come here for the inexpensive, authentic Mexican food. Just over the river from downtown Sacramento, the place is quirky and inviting. The menu features everything expected of a Mexican joint: tacos, enchiladas, chips and s...

524 Restaurant Restaurant Review: This local favorite turns out traditional Mexican fare at reasonable prices. This is not the place for fancy fajitas, Mexican pizzas or margaritas in dozens of fruit flavors. This is the place to come for a cold beer, a fat enchilada and salsa hot enough to knock the wind out of your huaraches. While all the com...

Cafe Delicias Restaurant Review: This family-run business is a longtime local favorite for traditional Mexican food at reasonable prices. With friendly service and south-of-the-border décor, it's a good choice for those seeking a quality, authentic meal. Start with freshly made guacamole or chicken rice soup, and move on to specialties such as c...

Family owned and operated since 1952, La Fiesta specializes in dishes made from scratch with a variety of locally sourced ingredients. That includes crowd-pleasers like guacamole and tacos, as well as less common dishes like posole (spicy pork and hominy soup) and chicharrones (fried-to-order pork-skin cracklins). Wash it down with a Tecate or a...

Viva Zapata's has it all — a slightly rustic, very interesting atmosphere, mariachi music in the evenings, the best, puffiest chile relleno in town and margaritas that sort of blend it all together. Add a convenient location right off Interstate 15 and we find ourselves wandering north to Zapata again and again.

It’s one thing to come up with a concept for a restaurant, like serving upscale Mexican street food. It’s another to pull it off. La Condesa doesn’t just serve up some of the best Mexican food in Austin, it serves up some of the best food period. This is not a cutesy, high-minded approach to a taco stand. This is just fantastic Mexican food done...

If you're a devotee of Las Teresitas, you've probably recruited friends to follow in the cult of its taco, a task that's not easily accomplished by simply viewing the restaurant's exterior. But however underwhelmed you are by Las Teresitas' surroundings, that's how overwhelmed you'll be by its salsa bar once you're inside. It's stocked with an a...