Mexican restaurants in USA
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A
El Norteño
True Mexican - not New Mexican - cuisine is the thing here, with fantastic pollo norteño, chicken mole and the must-have cabrito al horno (oven-roasted goat).
reviewed
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B
Agua Verde Café
On the shores of Portage Bay at the southern base of University Avenue, Agua Verde Café is a little gem that overlooks the bay and serves fat tacos full of lemony cod, shellfish or portabella mushrooms, plus other Mexican favorites. There’s usually a wait for a table, but you can have a drink and wait on the deck, or order from the walkup window. You can rent kayaks in the same building, in case you want to work off your dinner.
reviewed
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C
La Carta de Oaxaca
This lively place serves the cuisine of Oaxaca, particularly black mole sauce – try the mole negro Oaxaqueno, the house specialty. You can sample the same stuff on tamales or go for a combination of various small plates. Seating is mostly picnic-style, and there’s a full bar – handy considering there’s usually a wait for a table.
reviewed
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D
Joe T Garcia’s
The most famous restaurant in Fort Worth, this fourth-generation place takes up a city block. Dinners (choose between fajitas or a family-style combo plate) in the candlelit walled courtyard are magical, as Mexican-tile fountains bubble among the acres of tropical foliage. On weekends the line (no reservations!) often stretches around the block.
reviewed
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E
El Cholo
Happy hipsters, hungry families and rowdy birthday parties compete for tables at this festive two-story adobe landmark. A handful grumble that the food is so-so, but the blue-corn chicken enchiladas, potent margaritas and a buzzing lounge keep most everyone coming back for more.
reviewed
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F
Polvos
Fun, festive and just a little divey, Polvos serves central-Mexican food that always packs in a crowd. Try some of the dozen or so salsa varieties with one of the fierce margaritas.
reviewed
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G
La Super Rica
This low-slung, unmarked shack - the one with the happy hordes spilling out the door - was culinary guru Julia Child's favorite Mexican restaurant. Who are we to argue? Make your choice from the 20 meals written on the board overhead, order from the window, then join local families at the picnic-style tables for authentic south-of-the-border cooking. Avoid peak meal times, when the place gets packed and searching for a seat is an Olympic sport.
Try one of their creative daily specials, or on Friday or Saturday get their famous tamales. One downer: vegetarians won't starve, but options are slim.
reviewed
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H
La Esquina
This mega-popular and quirky little spot is housed in a former greasy spoon that sits within the neat little triangle formed by Cleveland Pl and Lafayette St. It's three places really: a stand-while-you-eat taco window, a casual Mexican cafe and, downstairs, a cozy, overly hip cave of a dining room that requires reservations. Standouts include chorizo tacos, rubbed pork tacos and mango and jicama salads, among other authentic and delicious options (most of which are also available upstairs at the anyone-welcome area).
reviewed
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I
Tecalitlan
Weighing in at more than a pound and costing less than $6, the carne asada (roast meat) burrito with cheese is not just one of the city’s best food values, it’s one of the city’s best foods. Add the optional avocado and you’ll have a full day’s worth of food groups wrapped in a huge flour tortilla. The horchata (a rice-based beverage made with water, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and lime) is creamy and refreshing.
reviewed
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Gabriel’s
It’s worth the 12-mile drive north of Santa Fe to eat at Gabriel’s. The scenic patio and beautiful interior, hung with Miguel Martinez’s art, are fabulous spots to enjoy fresh guacamole, made to order at your table, excellent New Mexican cuisine and even better ribs. Plan to drop by if you’re headed to the flea market or points north.
reviewed
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J
Casa Romero
The entrance to this hidden treasure is in the public alley off Gloucester St. Step inside and find yourself in a cozy casa - filled with folk art and Talavera tiles - which is wonderful and warm during winter months. In pleasant weather, dine under the stars on the delightful patio. This is not your average taqueria - be prepared to pay for the experience.
reviewed
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K
Mijares Mexican Restaurant
Pasadeneans have flocked to the tapestry-lined walls of sprawling Mijares for almost 90 years. Although the focus is more on fun than fine cuisine, addictive chips and salsa, traditional combo platters and powerful margaritas keep the patios filled with families, friendsters and a business team or two. Try the yummy avocado- and chip-filled tortilla soup.
reviewed
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L
El Cid 2
The tart, fresh margaritas and fish tacos (not batter fried, simply grilled) steal the show at this bright, friendly Mexican, which is a stone’s throw from the Logan Square El stop. On busy nights an acoustic minstrel sets up indoors, and when its warm patrons head out back to the romantic patio to dine under strings of lights.
reviewed
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M
El Pelon Taqueria
If your budget is tight, don't miss this chance to fill up on Boston's best burritos, tacos and tortas, made with the freshest ingredients. The tacos de la casa are highly recommended, especially the pescado, made with Icelandic cod and topped with chili mayo. Plates are paper and cutlery is plastic.
reviewed
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N
Pancho Villa
The hero of the downtrodden and burrito-deprived, delivering a worthy condiments bar and tinfoil-wrapped meals the girth of your forearm. The line moves fast going in, and as you leave, the door is held open for you and your newly acquired Pancho’s paunch.
reviewed
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O
La Taquería
No debatable tofu, saffron rice, spinach tortilla or mango salsa here: just classic tomatillo or mesquite salsa, marinated, grilled meats and flavorful beans inside a flour tortilla - optional housemade spicy pickles and sour cream are highly recommended.
reviewed
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Shady Grove
This 1940s state-park replica, complete with Airstream trailer and metal-lawn-chair kitsch, makes a great place to hang out. Munch on black-bean burritos under lights strung between pecan trees. Thursday night April to November unplugged musicians play.
reviewed
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P
Blue Agave
Agave's does hip, upscale Mexican food, but it's not pretentious; a Midwestern family would feel as welcome here as a clique of New York socialites. The pork carnitas platter is heavenly and the margaritas could knock out a horse.
reviewed
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Q
El Tonayense Taco Truck
The best meal on wheels in SF. Burritos and quesadillas are generous to a fault, but the $2 tacos are an easy gourmet meal on the go – especially the al pastor (marinated roast pork) and lengua (beef tongue).
reviewed
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R
Mi Tierra Café
Red-velvet booths, colorful streamers, guitar-playing troubadours, a colorful pan dulce (sweet pastry) counter - this Market Sq veteran is touristed, but tops for pageantry à la Mexicana.
reviewed
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S
Esperanza's Panaderia y Café
Breakfasts here are real Mexican - pulled chicken tops the breakfast migas (eggs scrambled with tortilla strips) or you could have machacado (spiced dried beef) with those sunny side ups.
reviewed
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Tesuque Village Market
In the wooded, horsy, upscale village of Tesuque, grab gourmet groceries or an excellent lunch - from subtle cheeses to various fajitas - and enjoy them on the pleasant outdoor porch.
reviewed
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U
Los Arroyos
For lunch, nab a spot on the red-tile patio at Los Arroyos and enjoy neatly prepared Mexican dishes (alas, chips and salsa are around US$3) and watch the ritzy stroll past.
reviewed
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V
La Taquería
Excellent burritos and tacos are assembled in this wonderful little taquería.
reviewed
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W
Topolobampo/Frontera Grill
Perhaps you’ve seen chef-owner Rick Bayless on TV, stirring up pepper sauces and other jump-off-the-tongue Mexican creations. His isn’t your typical taco menu; Bayless uses seasonal, sustainable ingredients for his wood-grilled meats, flavor-packed mole sauces, chili-thickened braises and signature margaritas. Though they share the same entrance, Frontera Grill and Topolobampo are actually two separate restaurants: Frontera is the fun, sunny, informal room, while Topolobampo is sleeker with more elegant fare (it’s President Obama’s favorite eatery; he and the first lady prefer table 65). Both places are always packed. Frontera takes some reservations but mostly seats …
reviewed
