Where to Find the Best Mexican Food in the St. Louis Area
From savory street tacos to sizzling fajitas to succulent slow-cooked birria and more, the St. Louis area has many options when it comes to Mexican food.
Whether you want to scarf down a giant combo platter or just pop in for a dessert and a margarita, take some time to identify the perfect spot for you to pull up a chair and dream of Tulum.
From Valley Park all the way to East St. Louis, these are the local hot spots that you don't want to miss. (Unless you're on a diet, of course. But this is the Midwest. Get real with yourself and what you truly value and go ahead and place that extra order of guacamole.)
Scroll down to view images
Mabel Suen
Dos Reyes Mexican Restaurant
(5912 Hampton Avenue, 314-833-5550)
Formerly known as the
One Way Cafe, this place is fantastic no matter what you call it.
RFT food critic Cheryl Baehr flipped out over the beef torta. She described it as “
like the best pot roast you’ve ever had”, with beef so tender that it falls apart at the mere suggestion of a fork.
Mabel Suen
Arzola's Fajitas + Margaritas
(2730 McNair Avenue, eatarzolas.com)
The steak fajitas at Arzola's Fajitas + Margaritas are less a dish and more of a
religious experience. The quesadillas, too, set the standard of the form. And don’t skip the burritos. OK, you’re actually going to have to go to Arzola’s multiple times.
Mabel Suen
Brew Tulum Specialty Coffee Experience
(5090 Delmar Boulevard, Unit B; brewtulum.com)
Brew Tulum is a
cafe, roastery and restaurant that has evolved from a Tulum-based specialty coffee supplier into a thrilling celebration of Mexican coffee and culinary culture. If you want a meal of vibrant food followed by world-class coffee, Brew Tulum is ready to provide.
Andy Paulissen
Diana's Bakery
(2843 Cherokee Street, 314-771-6959)
This
Mexican bakery on Cherokee Street sells the best churros in town. The neighborhood focal point also offers cake, flan, turnovers and all other manner of dough-filled treats like sweet and savory empanadas. (For a heavenly experience, don't skip the lemon empanada.)
Chelsea Neuling
Fonda la Poblanita
(3830 Morgan Ford Road, orderfondalapoblanita.com)
Fonda la Poblanita offers
authentic Mexican dishes that can be difficult to find elsewhere in St. Louis. Make sure to try their huaraches (open-faced sandwiches named for their resemblance to sandals) and their machetes (basically two-foot-long treats akin to a quesadilla).
Jennifer Silverberg
La Tejana Taqueria
(3149 North Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Ann; latejanastl.com)
Everybody knows that the best tacos come from strip malls and
we’ve been saying for years that La Tejana Taqueria has some of the best tacos in St. Louis. From steak, carnitas and chicken to tongue, pork skin or goat, owners Antonio and Brenda Garcia serve up dazzling dishes in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Madelaine Azar
Chava’s Mexican Restaurant
(Two locations including 925 Geyer Ave, chavasmexican.com)
If you’re in Soulard but you wish you were on Cherokee Street, Chava’s Mexican Restaurant will hook you up with some spice. Serving up Tex-Mex flavors next to Soulard-style margaritas (read: strong ones), Chava’s is the
perfect placed for a drink and some fried tacos.
Braden McMakin
Mission Taco Joint
(multiple location including 105 East Jefferson Avenue, Kirkwood; missiontacojoint.com)
These Mexi-Cali restaurants have been winning over St. Louis stomaches for a decade. Originally conceived of as a dinner and late-night spot equally focused on bar and food, the people demanded access to this fab food for more hours per day. Now there are four Mission Taco locations throughout the St. Louis area that are open during lunch hours, too.
Courtesy photo
El Milagro Azteca
(4940 Southwest Avenue, 314-664-9955)
El Milagro Azteca takes inspiration from Baja to Michoacana, aiming for a mix of traditional and modern fare. The Southwest Avenue joint has one thing on the menu that you’d be a fool to miss. Succulent and flavorful, the Quesabirria Tacos are stuffed with melted cheese, slow-braised beef, cilantro and other delights.
Kavahn Mansouri
Kalbi Taco Shack
(3730 Foundry Way, kalbitacoshack.com)
For Mexican food with a major twist, Kalbi Taco Shack in City Foundry is churning out Asian versions of Mexican favorites. For example, they make burritos but with Korean-spiced pork and tofu. It will take just one taste and this
Korean/Mexican fusion will become your new favorite hybrid.
