Of the many truly great cuisines out there, Mexican must be in the mix. It belongs in the same breath as Italian and French, full of diversity, dynamism, incredible age-old recipes and techniques, and a lot of food that’s just plain fun to eat.
Yes, our country is home to some fantastic Mexican restaurants, from family-friendly outposts to high-end establishments redefining the very genre. And it’s not just happening in border states like Texas, Arizona, and California. There’s great Mexican cuisine all over the United States.
So, while this is by no means the definitive list of best Mexican restaurants in the nation, it is a collection of some of the finest. If you’re looking for an iconic experience, authentic dishes, or simply a great a meal, these options will never disappoint.
Plaza Azteca
A trip down the East Coast isn’t complete without a dip into Plaza Azteca. This Mid-Atlantic Mexican chain was opened in 1990 in Virginia Beach, VA by a chef from Jalisco, Mexico. The franchise became a fast favorite in the community, celebrated for its festive décor, fresh ingredients, and authentic taste. Ask a local and they’ll say they keep coming back for the in-house chips and salsa, especially the Plaza Azteca’s signature salsa blanca.
Guelaguetza
Guelaguetza has been described by many food writers as the best Mexican restaurant in America. And for good reason, as the Los Angeles institution makes some of the best mole outside of Oaxaca. Set in Koreatown, the place is warm, welcoming, and redolent with vibrant Oaxacan dishes. The mezcal cocktails are amazing and the family style platters, fit with an assortment of award-winning moles, are a joy to plunge into. If you can’t make it there, you can order some of their great items online.
Nuestra Cocina
Portland’s Nuestra Cocina has been a model of consistency for years. The seafood specials are always fantastic and the house Margaritas area easily some of the best in the business. The restaurant is responsible for one of the best chile relleno dishes in existence, a perfectly roasted poblano pepper packed with shredded pork, raisins, and almonds. When dine-in happens again, grab a seat at the bar and take in the delicious corn tortillas being assembled by hand.
Barrio Cafe
Established in 2002, Barrio Cafe has become one of the best Mexican restaurants in the American Southwest. The Phoenix eatery basks in national attention pretty much always. Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza’s Cochinita Pibil is mouthwatering, made from 12-hour-smoked pork hit with citrus and served with Yucatan-style pico de gallo. The tequila selection is virtually unmatched and the table side guacamole is legendary. It’s a must-stop for any hungry souls hanging out in or near the Valley of the Sun.
Coni’Seafood
To be frank, there’s a ton of great Mexican food in LA. Coni’Seafood, though, stands above the crowd, an Inglewood restaurant that specializes in Nayarit-inspired seafood. At it has been doing since 1987, the second-generation restaurant still imports most of its seafood from Mexico, making for extremely authentic dishes. The ceviches are magical, along with a number of shrimp-centric entrees. If you like things fresh from the sea with the perfect touch of Latin flair, this place is for you.
Taqueria Coatzingo
This unassuming New York joint serves up some of the best tacos on the east coast, if not anywhere. Based in Queens, Taqueria Coatzinga specializes in finger-food from south of the border. It’s a straightforward, counter-service kinda place but the food would be fit for someplace much fancier. There’s an urban legend that suggests there’s no good Mexican food in NYC but this place refutes that instantly.
The Original Ninfa’s
A Houston restaurant with plenty of history, Ninfa’s is beloved for its assortment of tamales and enchiladas. The restaurant got its start in 1973 when Mama Ninfa is believed to have jump-started America’s love for fajitas. The establishment touts delicious Mexican comfort food along with a priceless slogan in “the best Mexican food in Texas since Texas was Mexico.”
We can’t all get away to Mexico City or Baja for a vacation based on food. But you can come close to that kind of quality right here in the states, especially if you hit any of the above restaurants. The food not only satisfy, but take you south to the place that brought you so many fantastic signature dishes.
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