Here at Enthusiastic About Life, we are huge fans of all sorts of different food. As I travel the United States, I love seeing how different states do Mexican food. Check out all of the Mexican restaurants I’ve eaten at throughout the United States and let me know which spot sounds the best!
Arizona
ANTOJITOS AY WEY
My friend Lory recommended Ay Wey Antojitos in the West Valley and it’s my new spot! I highly recommend the al pastor burrito which is just jam packed with flavor, the margaritas and the freshly made chips.
Their taquitos are also good and their rice is one of my favorites!
BLUE ADOBE GRILL
If you’re in Mesa and looking for some delicious New Mexican food, then I highly recommend Blue Adobe Grill! Their enchiladas and red and green chili beef are excellent!
CAROLINA’S MEXICAN FOOD
I tried the red chile chimichanga with rice and beans from Carolina’s Mexican Food and OMG it was DELICIOUS!!! They are known for having “the best tortillas in town” and all I have to say is when you have the best tortillas, you get the best chimichangas!! The red chile was also phenomenal, everything was tasty and I might go get it again tonight lol.
CASA CORAZON
My friend recommended Casa Corazon so I had to try it as he is also a big foodie. I had the mole because it’s pretty hard to find a place that makes good mole, and it was delicious! I also really loved their chips and their salsa bar.
CASA REYNOSO
Casa Reynoso has some of the best red and green chile plates in the valley. I especially love that you can get a half plate which also includes rice and beans.
CENTRICO
If you’re looking for a place with delicious Mexican food, I highly recommend Centrico! I loved their breakfast burrito and their enchiladas. Everything was delicious!
CHICO MALO
If you’re looking for a trendy spot with cocktails and delicious food, then I recommend Chico Malo! I recently tried their beef birria and it was really good! The portions are huge so come hungry.
CHILTE
I tried Chilte for my birthday dinner and all of the food was so unique and delicious! The restaurant is small so I would recommend a reservation. It’s a pretty trendy restaurant and I was glad that the food was actually incredible. I tried the Guaca Flocka Flame which was a pork belly chicharron with charred tomatillo guacamole. It was so crispy and I can’t wait to go back! The guacamole was some of the best I’ve ever had.
COMEDOR GUADALAJARA
After a ton of friends recommending this place I finally tried Comedor Guadalajara! AMAZING and great service and apparently always busy (BECAUSE IT’S SO DELICIOUS). I highly recommend and it’s so good that I’ve come back a few times already. Plus, their margaritas are really strong.
I also really like their mar y tierra (ocean and earth) plate that comes with seafood, steak and vegetables!
CRESCENT BALLROOM
If you’re looking for a place that has homemade tortillas, amazing barbacoa or al pastor burritos, then look no further than Crescent Ballrooms! Just writing this description makes me want to go and get another one, they’re seriously so delicious! The restaurant is also super nice and trendy.
BLANCO COCINA
The chimichangas and the enchiladas at Blanco Cocina are so good and so big and filling! I highly recommend them.
DON JOSE MEXICAN FOOD
I had a machaca chimichanga with a side of rice and beans at Don Jose Mexican Food and absolutely fell in love. Everything was delicious and I am ready to go back for round two!
DON RUBEN’S MEXICAN FOOD
Tried some AMAZING Mexican food with my coworkers today!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Making this my new spot when I’m in this area! The food at Don Ruben’s Mexican Food is DELICIOUS and on Sundays they have $5 house margaritas! I had the steak picado, Tim had the diablo burrito, and Luis had the chilli con carne.
DON TACO
If you’re looking for some delicious breakfast burritos in Laveen, then I highly recommend Don Taco! I tried their chorizo breakfast burrito with potatoes and it was so good! Their tortillas are some of the best I’ve ever had. I also tried the machaca burrito with potatoes and it was delicious! I also really liked their red salsa so make sure to ask for extra!
I also really like their red chile chimichanges, rice and beans!
DOS GORDOS
Dos Gordos Grill is so tasty! When I first read their menu I was a little confused because they serve chimichangas but they also serve steak fries and Beef Saltado (a Peruvian dish!). They have a huge variety of Latin flavors and so far, everything I’ve tried has been delicious. One of my fave meals from them is the red AND green chicken chimi. The meat is so flavorful and I have a hard time choosing.
LOS DOS MOLINOS
The food at Los Dos Molinos Restaurant was AMAZING! The chimichangas are perfectly fried and the chicken inside was so tender and flavorful. And the beans. I CANNOT GET OVER THE BEANS. Do yourself a favor and check this place out.
I also highly recommend the adovada chimichanga, so much flavor!
The enchiladas are also so good!
DON TACO
I finally got a chance to try the new restaurant Don Taco! Delicious burrito de asada and the mangoneada (not pictured) was amazing. Christina enjoyed her fresas con lechera. Super nice people work here and they play really good music!
ESPO’S MEXICAN FOOD
Espo’s Mexican Food in Chandler is a great, casual spot to grab some food and drinks. I tried their machaca enchiladas with rice and beans and it was tasty.
MIEL DE AGAVE
I recently tried Miel de Agave and was blown away with how amazing the food was! We tried the rib eye, beans, street corn and everything had so much flavor.
The sopes were also so tasty!
TAQUERIA DON PANCHO
Javier came to Phoenix to run a half marathon and together we tried Taqueria Don Pancho! This place has DELICIOUS food and the music is on point. This may even be better than Chipotle! I had the chicken burrito and the chicken inside was just amazing. You could taste that the chicken had been made on a grill (which was a good thing). Highly recommend this place!
TAQUERIA EL FUNDADOR
If you want amazing burritos, I highly recommend Taqueria El Fundador! Their breakfast burritos and regular burritos are incredible.
EL CHARRO
El Charro in Tucson has the most delicious chile con carne chimichanga or burrito!!!!! It’s so flavorful that I went back the next day for dinner and ordered the same thing lol. They have been in business for 97 years and I can see why, their food is amazing and rumor has it that this is where the chimichanga was invented!
FIESTA MEXICANA
I LOVE when a place has great drinks AND great food! I tried the mexican food at Fiesta Mexicana on the west side of town! I had the fiesta combo with a taquito, chile relleno, and a chimichanga. Oh my goodness. Heaven in my mouth. It is delicious and the service is so great and the ambiance is just everything. Highly recommend.
GUERO CANELO
My FAVORITE restaurant during my time in college is definitely El Guero Canelo! They seriously have the best tortillas, Sonoran hot dogs, and salsa.
LA CANASTA
If you’re craving a delicious chimichanga then you must check out La Canasta! They’ve been around since 1962 and their beans and rice are delicious! It’s also very affordable.
MAMA LUPITA’S
Mama Lupita’s was so delicious! And the restaurant was super cute and casual, very homestyle and they didn’t give off that vibe that they were trying too hard. It really felt like I was eating at a family member’s house. Super delicious chimi!! I’m loving the rice!
MOLE FINE CUISINE OF MEXICO
The mole con pollo asado enchiladas were my personal favorite. You can tell that the mole and the tortillas are homemade because the flavor just comes through.
THE ORIGINAL BURRITO COMPANY
We decided to try The Original Burrito Company because we were in Chandler for a professional development seminar and I had heard really good things about this place. The burrito was really good and the salsa was really spicy and flavorful!
OTRO CAFE
I recently checked out Otro Cafe in Phoenix and loved it! The restaurant was cute, the staff was so friendly and the food was delicious! I had the Barbacoa and eggs and the Barbacoa had so much flavor!! Don’t forget the tortillas and their salsas!
LA PARILLA SUIZA
I tried the food at La Parilla Suiza and it was amazing!! Thank you Jose, for the recommendation. It was on point! Definitely going to come back here. The beans were really good and the chimi was full of flavor. Also, the salsa (not pictured) was very tasty!
LA PINATA
You know we had to celebrate a successful bridesmaid shopping adventure with margaritas and mexican food! I tried the food at La Piñata in downtown Phoenix! Super delicious and amazing and super flavorful chimichanga and the margaritas are STRONG. Def coming back.
POPO’S FIESTA DEL SOL
Gloria and I again tried the food at Popo’s Fiesta Del Sol Mexican Restaurant! I guess we love to go out to eat together haha. I will say that this place has one of the best margaritas I’ve ever had. Very strong but super flavorful. And the chimichanga was out of this world. I will be back, for sure!!
PRESIDIO COCINA MEXICANA
If you’ve never had the mole enchiladas at Presidio Cocina Mexicana, then you need to go there ASAP! Their mole is made in house and you can definitely tell!
RAUL AND THERESA’S MEXICAN FOOD
Thank you so much for my birthday dinner wifey and for your friendship! I’ve missed you! Love you and thank you so much for treating me to bucket list: food edition item #213 completed! The food at Raul and Theresa’s Mexican Restaurant was DELICIOUS and it’s such a cute little spot with great service!
LOS REYES DE LA TORTA
OMG. I finally got a chance to try Los Reyes de la Torta and all I have to say is that they have some BOMB FOOD. The burrito de asada is so flavorful and the salsa they serve with their chips is beyond spicy but super good! My mom and I recommend this place! No wonder it was on the Food Network’s Man VS Food!
ROSITA’S PLACE MEXICAN FOOD
I finally got the chance to try Rosita’s Place! I had the chicken fajitas, Yamille had the beef fajitas and Hannah had the cocktel de camaron! Super delicious! Would definitely come back here! It’s so much food for what they charge, I love it!
SEIS KITCHEN
If you are looking for a bomb breakfast spot in Tucson, then look no further than Seis Kitchen!!
I had the Chorizo con Tortilla plate and it was amazing!!! It comes with a gordita corn tortilla, chorizo, cheese, red chile sauce, roasted green chile, two fried eggs, queso fresco, red onion, cilantro & sour cream. As if that wasn’t enough food it also comes with smashed beans and crispy potatoes!
TA’ CARBON MEXICAN GRILL
Ugh, this place is definitely one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in the valley. They are fast, simple, and delicious. The carne asada is so flavorful. HIGHLY RECOMMEND Ta’ Carbon.
TACOS SAHUARO
Tacos Sahuaro is my absolute favorite taco spots but you also need to try their burritos! Their tortillas are delicious!
LOS OLIVOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT
The food at Los Olivos Mexican Restaurant in Scottsdale was amazing! The chicken chimichanga was DELICIOUS and the service was great but it was a little pricey. I would go back if someone paid for me lol or if I was feeling like a baller.
EL RINCON MEXICANO
My mom and I tried El Rincon Mexicano in Sedona! My mom had the chimichanga with machaca beef (enchiladastyle) with rice and beans and I had the chicken quesadilla and the world famous margarita It was SO GOOD. Definitely coming back and our waiter was so cute and gave us roses at the end.
SYLVIA’S LA CANASTA
I loved Sylvia’s La Canasta Mexican Restaurant! The chimichanga was sooo good. Thanks for the recommendation, Ashley! Ashley and her family have been coming here for years and I can definitely see why. Cute little restaurant with fantastic customer service. Really good beans too!
TERESA’S MOSAIC CAFE
Teresa’s Mosaic Cafe was DELICIOUS and a super cute restaurant. I had the chicken mole and Rafa had the adobada chicken! So good, def going to bring my mom here because she will approve of this mexican food. To quote Rafa : ‘Se siente como que la cocinaron con amor’ lol aka ‘It tastes like they made this with love’ hahaha so good!!! No wonder Bobby Flay from the food network is a fan! Highly recommend!
VECINA
If you’re looking for elevated Mexican food, then look no further than Vecina. The dishes are delicious, they have excellent salsas, and fun cocktails. The fish tacos were so good, I wish I had ordered more than two!
This concha ice cream sandwich was also phenomenal!
California
TAC/QUILA
As I was planning my trip to Palm Springs, I was pleasantly surprised to see that there are a ton of Michelin star restaurants there! After visiting for a few days and trying so many different kinds of cuisine, I can guarantee that no matter what you like to eat or drink, you’ll find a great spot in Palm Springs.
My fave restaurant was Tac/Quila, a Michelin star restaurant and the award is well deserved! I loved their taco chips which are basically fried tacos with refried beans that come with the most delicious salsa! I almost ordered another plate and I also wanted to go back the next day.
You can also get a flight of margaritas and my favorite flavor was a tie between the cucumber and hibiscus margarita!
So of course I had to order another cucumber margarita and look how cute the glass was!
The short rib enchiladas were amazing!
The pork tamal was definitely the star of the show. The pork had so much flavor and the toppings were fantastic!
TAQUERIA TLAQUEPAQUE
If you’re looking for a no frills place with incredible Mexican food then I highly recommend Taqueria Tlaquepaque. I tried the al pastor burrito and it was so good, I had to order another al pastor taco. The barbacoa taco was also delicious.
They have really good chips and salsa too!
Mexico
CASA FRIDA
We tried the lunch at another winery where we had a wine tasting: Casa Frida and it was so good! Check out my full review of Casa Frida here. They start you off with three different kinds of salsa. There are two restaurants at this winery and we tried the Corazon D’Petra Restaurant.
For our appetizer, we tried the fried duck quesadillas and they were phenomenal! During my stay in Valle De Guadalupe, I absolutely fell in love with blue corn so any opportunity that I could, I would order it.
For the entrée, we shared this giant meal: the Asado Diego that came with skirt steak, ribeye, chorizo, fried machaca, seasonal vegetables, guacamole and beans. Everything was amazing but the star of the show for me was the fried machaca. It was so crispy and flavorful! This dish is meant to be shared and it would be perfect for 3-4 people.
CUARZO
We tried Cuarzo for their breakfast as it was highly recommended by folks online and it also was an open air restaurant which was perfect for us to enjoy the weather! As soon as you sit down, they bring you pan dulce (sweet bread) with jam and I wish every restaurant did this. It was so good!
I tried the red and green chilaquiles with shredded beef and it was so delicious!!!! It was also a lot of food so I would definitely recommend coming very hungry or sharing it with someone. The chips were perfectly fried, the salsas had so much flavor, and the shredded beef was incredible.
My dish came with pinto beans and they were tasty!
We also tried the enchiladas with shredded beef and it was so good! Everything was delicious here and we highly recommend it!
EL FISH FRITANGA
My very first meal in Cancun was at El Fish Fritanga (recommended by Guy Fieri from The Food Network) and it was DYNAMITE! I tried the shark (yes shark!) pescadillas and I really wish I was eating some right now. Pescadillas are a sort of fried tortilla with different fillings and since that’s what this place was known for I had to try them! Highly recommend, they taste sort of like fish and chicken mixed together and the filling was super juicy! This place has beautiful water views and the staff is so friendly!
EL MARCOS NOGALES
If you’re ever in Nogales, Mexico then I highly recommend you stop by Restaurant El Marcos Nogales for some delicious food!
I tried the Chicken Molcajete dish which is a dish served in a molcajete (a large mortar and pestle made from volcanic stone used to prepare Mexican food, particularly salsas). The dish comes with chicken, delicious and spicy green salsa, Chihuahua cheese, green chile strips and onion. It comes with tortillas and it is incredible!
POLLO LUCAS
Pollo Lucas was my favorite spot in Rocky Point. This place serves up chicken rotisserie style and has the BEST tortillas and beans I’ve ever tasted. You arrive, seat yourself, grab a Coke and wait for your food. The chicken was INCREDIBLE. One thing to note is that they do not sell beer or alcohol, but they do allow you to bring in beer (or at least several people had done this).
We also tried the enchiladas with shredded beef and it was so good! Everything was delicious here and we highly recommend it!
Don Tomas Viñedo
We also tried the chilaquiles with arrachera meat and black beans and although it sounds and looks simple, it had so much flavor!
The restaurant at Don Tomas Viñedo was so good that we went back for dinner. I tried the rib eye tacos on blue corn tortillas and I think blue corn tortillas are my new fave! The meat was so flavorful and the cheese and salsa on top was so good!
We also tried the flat bread with salsa pomodoro, arrachera meat, artisenal cajun sausage, lamb, and cheese. It was excellent! There was so much flavor in this one dish.
Nevada
CASA PLAYA
If you want delicious Mexican food in a beautiful setting, I highly recommend Casa Playa! Their chips and salsa are delicious and I also really enjoyed their ceviche as an appetizer!
The main event and the reason I wanted to come back the next night was the Casa Playa Surf & Turf platter that comes with tortillas and salsas!
It includes wagyu carne asada, lobster, jumbo shrimp, short rib suadero, and pork belly al pastor!
Their dessert is also excellent, I recommend the choco-taco!
New Mexico
EL CAMINO FAMILY RESTAURANT
Googled best restaurants in Socorro, New Mexico and this one was on the list so I added it to my bucket list. Life bucket list: food item #274 completed! Try the food at El Camino Family Restaurant, a local favorite. The fajitas are so good omg. These fajitas may be the best I’ve ever had. ?
SOPHIA’S PLACE
Food bucket list item #264 completed! Check out Sophia’s Place! According to Guy, it’s a small place with big flavor! I AGREE. The potatoes in the burrito are DYNAMITE. Definitely the BEST breakfast burrito I have ever had in my life. Just thinking about this place now is making me hungry. I’ll be going to Albuquerque this week (Oct 2nd) and I will probably stop here and have a burrito. This place looks tiny and a little sketchy from the outside, but trust me….HUGE flavor and totally worth it.
Texas
KIKI’S RESTAURANT
Food bucket list item #163 completed! Try the machaca at Kiki’s Restaurant! My mom said it was delicious and she knows all about machaca. The fajitas I ordered were poppin. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
TACO GARAGE
Somebody once told me that fajitas are perfect on Fridays and I think they’re right! Wishing I was back in Texas crossing off food bucket list item #530: eat at Taco Garage! Loved all of the Tex Mex food we had (fajitas, rice, beans, and homemade tortillas) in San Antonio, Corpus Christi and Dallas. Don’t even get me started on the strawberry chamoy margarita ?
Utah
Red Iguana
I’ll admit I was hesitant when people kept recommending this Mexican restaurant to me…because I didn’t think Utah was known for its Mexican food but wow was I wrong! Y’all definitely need to add Red Iguana to your food bucket list! There’s always a wait but they have fun music and free cider to drink while you wait (and heaters during the winter).
This dish is one of their most adventurous dishes and it’s called Puntas de Filete a la Norteña which translates to Filet Tips, Northern Style. It is top sirloin tips sauteed with bacon, jalapeno strips, onions and fresh tomatoes served over almond mole! It was AMAZING!!!!!!
You might be as surprised as I was to find delicious Mexican food in Utah but it definitely exists. If you’re craving incredible mole, I highly recommend Red Iguana.
Their mole coloradito served with carnitas has so much flavor!!
Washington
MAZATLAN RESTAURANT
My aunt took us to her favorite Mexican restaurant chain in Washington! The food at Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant was super delicious and the service was fantastic, I recommend!
Feel free to check out the entire catalog of my Food Bucket List for category inspiration and email me or comment below asking me for more restaurant recommendations as I aim to please!
I hope you all enjoyed the list! Thank you all for reading, and stay enthusiastic!
Feel free to follow the adventure on social media
Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Youtube
-Maira