The Best Mexican Restaurant in Every State

Sure, Chipotle always works in a pinch, but if you’re traveling across the country and you’re craving Mexican food, there’s usually a better option. Don’t believe us? Take a look at these restaurants in each state (plus Washington D.C. because we couldn't leave out the nation's capital) that are incredibly popular with locals and tourists alike. 

From the flavors of Oaxaca to Guadalajara, here are some of the best Mexican restaurants in the country, according to customer reviews, critics' picks, and our own personal experience.

Birmingham

El Barrio’s menu stretches across many regions of Mexico, and Birmingham locals have spoken: They can’t get enough, particularly when it comes to that smoky bacon bean dip.

Anchorage

Alaska may not be known for Mexican food, but at El Rodeo you might forget that. The place is famous for its crunchy, melty chimichanga, so don’t skip it.

Tucson

Sonoran-style food is the draw at El Charro, and it has been for the past 100 years (it's also one of our favorite old-school Mexican restaurants). Are you not even in Tucson? Don’t worry about that; they’re on Goldbelly.

Hot Springs

The recipes at Rolando’s Nuevo Latino are old classics, but so is the building it resides in. Head to Hot Springs’ famous bathhouse district to dine in a 19th-century building, and make sure the famous black bean salsa is on the table.

Los Angeles

For mole beyond your wildest dreams, you’ll want to check out the family-run Guelaguetza. Widely considered to be some of the best Oaxacan restaurants in the country, it’s a place you’re gonna want to try some new stuff. Including the sauteéd grasshoppers.

Denver & Englewood

Family-run and famous across Colorado, Jaime’s has exploded in popularity in its nearly 10-year run. And if you need a break from burritos for a while, locals swear by the burger.

New Haven

While it’s impressive to be cooking bold, Southwestern flavors in New Haven, Connecticut, it’s even more impressive to hang onto a tequila list like the one Geronimo is hanging onto. With over 500 tequilas, they lay claim to the biggest selection on the East Coast. Better get in there and try a few.

Newark

You’re at Border Cafe for Tex-Mex and Cajun staples. More specifically? You’re at Border Cafe for the shrimp quesadillas.

Dupont Circle

Modern and stylish, but not devoid of fun, Amparo Fondita is vocal about using the best ingredients and supporting family farms. The result is a restaurant full of great food; particularly the ever-raved about ceviche.

Miami

Even the basics are complex at Koko, where even the tortillas are made from imported Oaxacan corn and the chips are toasted over cherry wood. Mole, of course, is mandatory.

Atlanta

Come hungry to Nuevo Laredo Cantina, as the portion sizes are consistently humongous. That goes for the margaritas, too.

Honolulu

Take Honolulu’s aloha spirit, inject it into classic cantina food, and you’ve got Búho. Come for the big margaritas, stay for the live music.

Ketchum

When it comes to going “green”, a lot of restaurants talk the talk, but Despo’s walks the walk. Making use of green cleaning supplies, donated oil, and more, the restaurant is doing a great job to reduce its footprint. Oh, and the burritos are terrific too.

Chicago

Very often, famous, touristy restaurants aren’t what they’re cracked up to be, but this isn’t the case with Frontera Grill . The iconic Mexican restaurant opened in the late '80s and helped launch modern Mexican food into the public eye in a major way. The menu continues to change and evolve, so don’t miss an opportunity to see what’s going on in that kitchen.

Indianapolis

Modern and stylish, Nada is a perfect special occasion spot. Fresh guacamole and caramelized cauliflower tacos are highlights, but don’t forget about the signature al pastor.

Iowa City

Between takeout, sit-down service, and an attached grocery store, La Regia Taqueria has everything you need. You might even spend the day.

Kansas City

Cheap, delicious, and elevated by a host of homemade salsas, Ricos Tacos Lupe has everything you’re craving. Including Taco Tuesday deals.

Louisville

Yucatán-style cooking is the specialty at Louisville’s Mayan Cafe. Don’t leave without trying the cochinita pibil, a citrusy barbecue pork dish that may be the star of Yucatánean cooking.

Baton Rouge

Mexican, Creole, and Cajun flavors smash into each other beautifully at Mestizo Louisiana Mexican Cuisine. You’re in Louisiana, so go for a crawfish and spinach quesadilla.

Portland

Colorful, chic, and occasionally raucous, Taco Escobarr is one of the most fun places to get some food in Portland. And when you’re on the water, fish tacos are in order.

Baltimore

It should come as no surprise that Tortilleria Sinaloa is slinging some of the best handmade tortillas in Maryland. But what may surprise you? You can get meat by the pound.

Boston

Birria, tamales, and salsas to write home about will draw you into Taqueria Jalisco. You won’t think much about leaving after that.

Detroit

Casual, lively, and worshiped by Detroiters, Xochimilco is worth a stop if you’re in town. Flautas are especially popular.

St. Paul

St. Paul is far more flush with multicultural flavors than it gets credit for, and Homi is a great example. With a menu hundreds of miles long, you may not know where to start; fans love the tamales and the pozole.

Natchez

Fun, quirky Mexican fare is most of the menu at Fat Mama’s , but beyond the taco soup and namesake tamales (made with New Mexico-style red sauce) you can lean into Cajun flavors, too. Po’ boys, anybody?

Kansas City

Split some queso dip. Split some fajitas. Split a burrito. Whatever you get, Ponak’s portion sizes make it enough for two.

Libby

Homemade salsas are one of the first things you should look for when trying to spot a good Mexican restaurant, and at Rosita’s that is no issue. Locals love the gigantic burritos the place is known for, all served on homemade tortillas.

Omaha

Margaritas and enchiladas are popular at this Omaha gem, where you’ll find a lot more than just the classic Mexican dishes, like slow-cooked beef tongue, seafood chimichangas, and more.

Las Vegas

Feeling casual? Grab some tacos. Feeling extra special? Grab some lobster tails. Lindo Michoacan has got it all.

Manchester

You don’t get restaurants with family recipes this authentic very often, and certainly not in the middle of New Hampshire. Don’t forget the tamales.

Boonton

The Tex-Mex-BBQ mashup feels out of place in New Jersey, but that’s exactly what makes it so special. Who says you can’t put salsa roja on your barbecue ribs?

Albuquerque

Weck’s is somewhere between a taqueria and a Denny’s, which means it’s perfect. The hatch green chiles that make the southwest famous are at their top form here at Weck’s, so make sure you’ve got some in your order.

Long Island City

New York isn’t known for Mexican food, let alone Michelin-starred Mexican food, but that’s exactly what Casa Enrique is. Modern techniques and traditional flavors make this place as special as it is popular, so make reservations.

Raleigh

Chida Taco keeps it simple, and with three thriving locations in the Raleigh area, that’s exactly how people like it. Whether you’re there for chile relleno tacos or fat, homey tortas, you’re in good hands.

Fargo

It’s all about music and tacos at Vinyl Taco, which has taken Fargo by storm. The menu has everything you need, from barbacoa and chicken tinga to “gringo” tacos on crunchy hard shells.

Cleveland

Everything is wrestling-themed at Momocho, where fun decor and a huge Tequila list pairs nicely with one of the signature guacamole flights.

Oklahoma City

The love for Ted’s Cafe Escondido sweeps far and wide across Oklahoma, and you’re likely to hear a recommendation if you talk to any locals long enough. Still need more proof? How bout this: Since 1991, Ted’s Cafe Escondido has won “Best Mexican Restaurant’ in The Oklahoman 13 times.

Portland

The husband and wife team behind the treasured Nuestra Cocina have cultivated a strong community in Portland, with recipes spanning from Zacatecas to Vera Cruz and beyond.

Philadelphia

Warm, Mexican flavors and retro-diner vibes collide at El Rey, one of Philly’s most popular Mexican restaurants. Dinner is the main event, but brunch is also worth a stop.

Providence

Casual, cheap, and friendly, Tallulah’s has been a big hit in the ever-growing food city of Providence. Don’t forget dessert, because those churros are special.

Johns Island 

Heirloom Mexican corn and live-fire cooking are what set Minero apart. The weekend breakfast specials are what lock it in as one of Charleston’s best.

Rapid City

The rooftop deck will draw you in. The tasty nachos and rotating margarita specials will keep you there.

Nashville and Memphis

This family-owned spot is extremely cherished in both its Germantown and East Memphis locations. Tacos are available, but Las Tortugas is famous for its tortas, particularly the braised pork shoulder.

San Antonio

It’s almost worth a visit to San Antonio just to eat at Mi Tierra, which has been serving some of the city’s favorite Mexican classics since 1941. As one of the biggest cornerstones of San Antonio culture, it’d almost be wrong to skip it.

Salt Lake City

Red Iguana is famous for mole; so famous in fact, that you’re gonna want to make a reservation, because wait times tend to be pretty off the hook.

Waitsfield

Smoked pork with kimchi. Roasted yams. Pan-seared whitefish. Flavors are bountiful at The Mad Taco, and that’s just the taco section of the menu.

Richmond

Enchiladas, fried shrimp, flautas, and more await you at La Milpa, which has made a name for itself in Richmond thanks to its buzzy atmosphere and focus on old-school recipes.

Seattle

Head to Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood to hit Fonda la Catrina. Bring friends, because you’ve got a lot of appetizers to share, like ceviche, sopes, and queso.

Morgantown

Huge portions, casual ambience, homey Mexican cooking, and the Appalachian mountains. You really don’t need much else.

Milwaukee

Locals love La Dama’s upscale Mexican fare, which showcases food as simple as oysters on the half shell all the way to dishes as labor-intensive as lamb shank birria.

Jackson Hole

An unpretentious restaurant? In a town that’s mostly for rich snobs? Merry Piglets is a breath of fresh Wyoming air, and you’ll find even more valuable riches in the flavors of this Tex-Mex haunt.

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