These Restaurants Are Serving Up Some Of The Best Mexican Food From The West Coast To The East Coast
Let’s face it: Mexican food is as American as apple pie. So for this list, we’re touring these United States to find the best places to go. We’ll go to five of the top culinary cities: New York, Austin, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles, and we won’t stop until we’ve had every taco, every relleno, every….husk meringue?
1. Cosme – 35 E 21st St, New York, NY 10010
We’re starting off the list in NYC and we’re going big. Cosme came on the scene with major fanfare, an NYTimes review…and it’s worth it. The only place on this list where you can find husk meringue with corn mousse.
2. Casa Enrique – 5-48 49th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101
Delicious Mexican/pan-Latin cuisine at this popular spot just off the subway in Long Island City (that’s in Queens if you’re not in the know). Try the rojas con crema as an appetizer.
3. El Atroradero – 708 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
This Brooklyn outpost of the Bronx staple brought in a machine from southern mexico to make their tortillas. So, you should start making your way there now.
4. Tacombi Cafe El Presidente – 30 W 24th St, New York, NY 10010
You could spend all day here. No, really. In the morning, it’s a coffee and juice bar. It’s also a restaurant (obvs) and tortilleria. So, spend all day and then take some home.
5. Los Mariscos – 409 W 15th St, New York, NY 10011
Tourists have found Los Mariscos at Chelsea Market, but so what? They found Cronuts, too, and those are still darn good. Wait in line on a hot day, have some ceviche and chill.
6. El Naranjo – 85 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701
Our culinary journey now takes us south to Austin, TX, land of — OMG look at that guacamole. Is that shredded cheese on top? And those chips!
7. Sazón – 1816 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Not just tacos and burritos at Sazón. A blend of culinary styles from underappreciated areas of Mexico, should you care to try.
8. El Burro – 1105 S Lamar Blvd Unit B, Austin, TX 78704
Did Austin need another Mexican restaurant? Did Austin need another bar? On this list, anyway, the answer is always…of course!
9. Fonda San Miguel – 2330 W N Loop Blvd, Austin, TX 78756
Upscale for down-home Austin, Fonda San Miguel’s dishes are as pretty as they are tasty. Either way, that’s saying something.
10. Habanero – 501 W Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704
You’re looking at the best Mexican comfort food Austin has to offer. And what’ve you got against comfort?
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11. Carnitas Uruapan – 1725 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608
If you didn’t look at all that meat and think, “We must be at Chicago,” you’ve clearly never been there. A pity. The slow-cooked pork is so much the house specialty at this legendary Pilsen spot that they put it in the name.
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12. Topolobampo – 445 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60610
Pictured here is the chilaquiles verde, a house speciality at Rick Bayless’s sequel to the ever-popular Frontera Grill. Tortilla chips with an egg on top? Sure.
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13. La Chaparrita – 2500 S Whipple St, Chicago, IL 60623
Remember how we’re in Chicago? Well La Chaparrita specializes in meats, serving up almost 12 different kinds. And they make their own sausage. Chicago, remember, Chicago.
14. Mi Tocaya Antojería – 2800 W Logan Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647, Chicago, IL 60647
Just look at those colors! A sunny spot modeled after Mexican street food vendors, this place has found a strong following in the Chi.
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15. Cemitas Puebla – 817 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60647
For the uninitiated, a Cemita is a type of sandwich which originated in the southern Mexican state of Puebla. It’s tastiness should be evident in the photo above, so why not make your way to Fulton Market and pick one up.
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16. Cala – 149 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
A more experimental, modern take on Mexican cuisine. Different, but delicious. Is it comfort food you seek? Keep reading!
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17. Nopalito – 306 Broderick St San Francisco, CA 94117
Source: Nopalito means nachos. Digital Image. Esquire.com Oct 11, 2009.
Just look at those chips, just look at them! Nopalito started serving what chefs serve for their staff and never looked back.
18. Mamacita – 2317 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Tequila and tacos are treated equally at this stalwart SF eatery. Try both, but not at the same, you beast.
19. La Taqueria – 2889 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
La Taqueria bears the distinction of winning statistics site FiveThirthyEight’s inaugural burrito tournament. That’s it, folks, data does not lie: Best Burrito.
20. Tres Agaves – 130 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Great eats at this neighborhood favorite, near AT&T Park. And a rooftop bar too, where you can drown your sorrows after the Giants lose to the Dodgers again.
21. Guisados – 1261 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Best tortillas on the list. We know because we have tried them all. Speaking of trying, when you go to Guisado’s, try the mushroom tacos, the quesadilla and the agua fresca.
22. BS Taqueria – 514 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
The dining room looks like something out of Where the Wild Things Are, and that’s a good thing. Like it’s big brother restaurant, Broken Spanish, this taco-focused outpost keep things hot.
23. Coni’Seafood – 3544 W. Imperial Highway, Inglewood, CA 90303
Flight into LAX. Quick Uber to Coni’Seafood in Inglewood. Ceviche. Then we discuss plans.
24. Taco Miendo – 11462 Gateway Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
You could do way worse than an asada taco or two from this mini-chain on LA’s west side. LA is a taco town, so even the dives are top notch.
25. Mexicali Taco & Co. – 702 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
This place used to be a stand in parking lot. They’ve come a long way, with a brick-and-mortar wedged into a little strip between Echo Park, Chinatown and Downtown. Get a vampiro and thank us in your minds.
Notice any needed corrections? Please email us at corrections@wearemitu.com