# What is the best Mexican restaurant in your city? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 13, 2006, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-mexican-restaurant-in-your-city/339766 "2006-01-13T02:56:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-mexican-restaurant-in-your-city/339766/1 "2006-01-13T02:56:37Z")
There are quite a few Mexican restaurants I love here in Dallas. However, I’ll go with [Monica’s](http://www.monicas.com/about.php) as the best that I’ve tried here. I usually go for Sunday brunch after church and have the enchiladas verdes with (usually two) swirl margaritas. So, if I was in your city, what Mexican restaurant would you take me to? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-mexican-restaurant-in-your-city/339766/2 "2006-01-13T02:58:16Z")
[Pelancho’s](http://www.pelanchos.com/), Knoxville TN. Possibly one of the finest Mexican restaurants I’ve ever enjoyed. And it’s within walking distance of my house. What’s not to love? ---
**Author:** ![Mooch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mooch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mooch)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-mexican-restaurant-in-your-city/339766/3 "2006-01-13T03:00:14Z")
**Topolobampo** for sure. It is run by Rick Bayless and the food is fantastic. If we are not going upscale, way north of the city in Highwood there is an (among thousands around here) awesome taqueria called **Tres Hermanes**. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-mexican-restaurant-in-your-city/339766/4 "2006-01-13T03:17:07Z")
It wouldn’t be considered great nationally but I will take what I can get in suburban Massachusetts. The place I go to all the time is The Alamo in Milford, Massachusetts. The unique point is that it is owned by the parents of Erik Per Sullivan who plays Dewey in Malcom in the Middle, voices in finding Nemo, and a bunch of other stuff. He is in there sometimes and I know his father who just loves talking to people at the restaurant. His father looks just like a grown Dewey and I knew exactly who he was just looking at him before I was even told. Very odd to be served Mexican Food by a big Dewey. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-mexican-restaurant-in-your-city/339766/5 "2006-01-13T03:31:24Z")
My local one, _Montezuma’s_, is reasonable. Not terribly authentic, I imagine. There used to be a very good one a couple of suburbs away called _That Mexican Place_ but I think it’s closed now. ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-mexican-restaurant-in-your-city/339766/6 "2006-01-13T03:36:36Z")
> [@Mooch](#): > > **Topolobampo** for sure. It is run by Rick Bayless and the food is fantastic. Or Frontera Grill, right next store. Same kitchen, different menu, more casual, and cheaper. I used to go to Tres Hermanas all the time when I worked in Bannockburn. Yum. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-mexican-restaurant-in-your-city/339766/7 "2006-01-13T03:45:28Z")
La Cueva, on Colfax just west of Havana. It’s not actually in my city; it’s in Aurora. But it’s well worth the drive. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-mexican-restaurant-in-your-city/339766/8 "2006-01-13T04:22:24Z")
The closest thing to a Mexican restaurant in my town is a sports bar that specializes in Tex-Mex food, so I guess I have ot say that. I went there once for lunch and had something. It was tortilla based, but I forget exactly what it was. It was ok, not great, but it’s all I got. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-mexican-restaurant-in-your-city/339766/9 "2006-01-13T05:16:07Z")
Me. ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-mexican-restaurant-in-your-city/339766/10 "2006-01-13T05:25:58Z")
That’s a tough one. There are literally too many taquerias in this town for me to count. Seems like there’s one on every corner. I’ve got my favorite, say top 5, including one that opened up a year ago or so right across the street from our house, but if I had to absolutely pick one favorite I’d have to go with [Taqueria Santa Rosa](http://www.metroactive.com/papers/sonoma/03.13.97/dining-9711.html). They’ve got some stiff competition, but I’d say they make the best burritos and tacos in town. I know my husband agrees. Weird, I can’t seem to think of any “Fine” Mexican dining establishments in the area. There are plenty of taquerias, and several Mexican restaurants that I’d consider sort of “Mexican diners”, but I can’t think of any higher end places like one we’ve dined at on a few occasions with friends in Pleasanton, [Blue Agave Club](http://www.blueagaveclub.com/blueagave.html). That place is absolutely divine. Oh, we do have one, although it’s not as nice as Blue Agave Club. [The Cantina](http://www.greatmex.com/#), downtown. Meh. Not much better than Chevy’s or El Torito. We have those too, but they’re obviously not as good as the authentic places all over town. ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-mexican-restaurant-in-your-city/339766/11 "2006-01-13T05:34:56Z")
Impossible choice to make in Houston, but a couple of my favorites are: Escalante’s Mexican Grille (Kimberly) They bring out fresh avocados and make guacamole at your table 😃 Lupe Tortilla’s (Hwy 6 & I-10) More rustic atmosphere than Escalante’s, but good food. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-mexican-restaurant-in-your-city/339766/12 "2006-01-13T05:59:06Z")
The best I’ve had in Orlando is Paco’s, which is a tiny little dive on Fairbanks near 17-92, but it smells wonderful from the moment you walk in, and the food is great. I’m sure there are other good Mexican places in town, but I’ve only been to a handful of mediocre ones (like the big chain Don Pablo’s) and decent-but-not-great ones (like the local Tex-Mex chain Tijuana Flats). You Chicago people, I’m terribly jealous. I think Rick Bayless is awesome, and one day I’d love to eat at Frontera Grill and Topolobampo if I ever return to your fair city. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-mexican-restaurant-in-your-city/339766/13 "2006-01-13T06:38:11Z")
The pickings around here are so slim I have to go with _El Torito_ (the T.G.I.Friday’s spin-off) and _Taco Time_, a fast food place near my apartment that puts mayonnaise in their tacos. If anyone knows any better ones in the Tokyo area, I would be most appreciative. ---
**Author:** ![brianjedi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@brianjedi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brianjedi)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-mexican-restaurant-in-your-city/339766/14 "2006-01-13T06:40:31Z")
In Lexington: either Rincon or El Toro. It’s basically a tossup. In western KY: Los Amigos (Mayfield) or Los Portales (Murray.) ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-mexican-restaurant-in-your-city/339766/15 "2006-01-13T12:56:21Z")
I hate you all. The best (and only) Mexican where I live is Taco Bell. I’ve gotten MUCH better at Mexican cuisine since I moved up here. ---
**Author:** ![Dragwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dragwyr/32/2855_2.png) [@Dragwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragwyr)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-mexican-restaurant-in-your-city/339766/16 "2006-01-13T13:18:48Z")
I work in Lawrence, MI which is a one stop light town in SW Michigan. We have the Acapulco Mexican Restaurant here that is by far the best Mexican food in SW Michigan. Right now I am going through Acapulco withdrawl as they close in December and January while the owners go home to Mexico to visit their families. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-mexican-restaurant-in-your-city/339766/17 "2006-01-13T14:50:48Z")
In Cleveland, OH it’s Mi Pueblo Taqueria - 12207 Lorain Ave. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-mexican-restaurant-in-your-city/339766/18 "2006-01-13T15:07:48Z")
> [@Sublight](#): > > The pickings around here are so slim I have to go with _El Torito_ (the T.G.I.Friday’s spin-off) and _Taco Time_, a fast food place near my apartment that puts mayonnaise in their tacos. El Torito has nothing to do with TGI Friday’s. AFAIK, they’re not even owned by the same parent company. Plus, El Torito was begun before TGI Fridays and by different people in completely different parts of the country. Mayo in tacos is teh 5uXX0r. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-mexican-restaurant-in-your-city/339766/19 "2006-01-13T15:21:49Z")
I live in a small city, Chillicothe, Ohio, and the restaurant choices in town aren’t great. But we are blessed with a great Mexican restaurant called **Los Mariachis**. The guys who run it are all recent immigrants, and they do a good job of balancing authenticity and the need to cater to midwestern tastes. It compares favorably to restaurants I’ve been to in Mexico. ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-mexican-restaurant-in-your-city/339766/20 "2006-01-13T15:25:13Z")
I know there are some Mexican places here but I’ve never been to any. I myself wouldn’t know good Mexican if it bit me in the arse (which, I guess, if it was good, it wouldn’t do). _… waits for Toronto doper to drop in with recommendations …_ In the spirit of participation, I will recommend Ethiopian House on Irwin Street as the best East African restaurant in the city. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-mexican-restaurant-in-your-city/339766.md?page=2)