Atlanta's Best Mexican Food 2008

Tex-Mex standards get a makeover at this wildly popular West Atlanta cantina.

Reviews:

• “Taqueria and TexMex lovers unite”
• “Wow!”
• “MJ the manager is arrogant and rude! She is pathetic!”
• “Ok food…Extremely Arrogant staff.”
• “Fabulous food”

Tips: There’s a small lot, but you may park in the lot next door or at the Pepsi plant across the street; avoid spots marked “Pepsi Employee Only.”

Nuevo Laredo Cantina

Lively East Atlanta cantina spices up the neighborhood with authentic Mexican flavors.

Reviews:

• “Meh.”
• “really? really?”
• “Good Food”
• “Best Mexican in Atlanta”
• “Hot Fun In The Summertime @ East Atlanta Village, and Good Mexican Also!”

Tips: For a refreshing concoction, choose from more than 20 varieties of margaritas from Texas-style to Prickly Pear.

Cantina La Casita
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Spacious Castleberry cantina and tequila bar mixes Mexican flavors with festive, colorful decor that you can take home.

Reviews:

• “Amazing customer service”
• “Best Mexican in the City”
• “No Mas Cantina…No Mas!”
• “Great salsa!”
• “Great Place to Relax and Enjoy Great Mexican Food”

Tips: The covered patio is spacious and breezy enough to enjoy a margarita or a meal.

No Mas Cantina

It’s Cinco de Mayo every day at this popular Poncey Highland chips-and-queso party spot.

Reviews:

• “OMG El Azteca makes my mouth water and my appetite happy!”
• “5 Star Food & Great Service is why I keep going back!”
• “the food was excellent and felt really authentic.”
• “Worst service and food in the city”
• “tacos and cheese dip good!”

Tips: A mandatory rite of spring for intowners, frozen margaritas somehow taste better when consumed a few short yards from busy Ponce. In addition to a single glass, you can get margaritas in several varieties from in 12oz size to 60 oz.

El Azteca
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Serious south-of-the-border flavors shine in edgy urban digs.

Reviews:

• “GOOD EATS”
• “Believe the Hype”
• “Pretentous”
• “Terrible Customer Service”
• “very authentic and inexpensive”

Tips: Soft drinks are served by the can, so refills will cost you. Try iced tea (both sweet or unsweet) instead, as they’re of the bottomless variety.

Taqueria Del Sol

Cheerful cantina adds a pleasing dash of Latin flavor to the Highlands.

Reviews:

• “Corn tortillas? YUCK!!!”
• “VERY average for refined tongues who know Mexican fusion”
• “Awesome food at great prices!”
• “Great Food & Service!”
• “Wonderful experience!”

Tips: Margaritas, mojitos and sangria are on tap, along with an extensive tequila list, and have playful names like the Bloody Maria and Rude Cosmopolitan.

Pozole
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South-of-the-border flavors and a festive atmosphere equally fitting for kids or after-work drinks.

Reviews:

• “Blah food”
• “Don’t waste your money”
• “Truly best mexican!”
• “Deeply disappointing”
• “One of the Best in Atlanta”

Tips: Locate those speakers on the ceiling before you okay your table. The music is loud.

Uncle Julio’s Casa Grande

A charming house lures in Decatur neighbors with cheap Mexican fare and a lot of tequila.

Reviews:

• “Great Food—Excellent Service”
• “El Tesoro es Pooro”
• “HORRIBLE SERVICE AND STAFF”
• “Phenomenal food, great service”
• “Great Mexican food—not your usual fare”

Tips: The 95-deep tequila bar has something for all pallets, plus the charismatic prickly pear margarita is a fire-y take on the original.

Cantina El Tesoro
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The Midtown branch of Atlanta’s sexiest cantina spices things up with sizzling chilies and top-shelf tequilas.

Reviews:

• “Bad, Bad, and Worse”
• “Casual Mexican fare in the center of Midtown”
• “They charged me for lettuce…for my taco”
• “Poor customer service…rude staff”
• “The real deal… finally,,,,,,,,”

Tips: The one-of-a-kind selection of 150 premium tequilas is the backbone of the stellar margarita menu. Try the Zocarita or the Tamarita, a tamarind-flavored margarita.

Zocalo

Mexican food gets a gourmet makeover at this sexy hideaway on North Highland.

Reviews:

• “New Mexican”
• “Terrible Food and Service”
• “Don’t bother”
• “Yuk! Horrible.”
• “Not what it used to be”

Tips: “Bottomless Mini-Margarita Tastings” are held Friday-Sunday, 4pm-6:30pm, featuring different flavors each night. Sunday nights feature live Latin music, 6pm-9pm.

Sala – Sabor De Mexico

Stick to the basics at this Buckhead family favorite for simple Mexican fare.

Reviews:

• “The Waffle House of Mexican”
• “Edible food but horrible service”
• “Food gets Two Thumbs Down, good service though”
• “Simple Tasty Mexican Fare.”
• “Eat out a ton, and this tops the charts!”

Tips: Jalisco’s chips and salsa are pretty tasty, but be aware that only your first round is free with your food order.

Jalisco Mexican Restaurant

Three brothers offer better than average, gringo-friendly Mexican food and have a way with seafood.

Reviews:

• “Do Yourself a Favor and Eat Here ASAP”
• “Best Mexican in Atlanta!”
• “Refreshing take on Mexican – great food!”
• “Raises my expectations of Mexican food in the Atlanta area”
• “BEST MEXICAN ANYWHERE AND HAS EXPANDED FOR MORE ROOM”

Tips: Don’t want to wait? Order take-away.

Taqueria Los Hermanos

Look for low-stakes, low-priced Latin-American fare at this colorful neighborhood cantina.

Reviews:

• “great paella”
• “the best”
• “veggie friendly”
• “¡¡¡The best steak quesadillas this side of the border!!!”
• “good food – but not worth the rude staff and terrible service”

Tips: A sangria full of fresh chopped fruit outshines the maragritas.

La Fonda Latina

Party-hearty Buford highway cantina serves great margaritas and familiar Tex-Mex fare.

Reviews:

• “Mmmmmm margaritas!!!”
• “YES PANCHOS IS THE BEST PLACE FOR THE BEST MARGARITAS!!!!”
• “Watch Out! Very Low Health Inspection Scores!”
• “Best Mexican Experience in Atlanta!!!”
• “Horrible Service”

Tips: A mariachi band in authentic costume plays in the dining room on Friday evenings.

Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant

The folks behind Midtown’s Leopard Lounge bring dressed-up Tex-Mex to the neighborhood.

Reviews:

• “Great Place, But Be Careful Upstairs”
• “A great place to dance, drink and eat! "
• “Despite the reviews, I thought I’d try it…”
• “WORST BAR IN ATLANTA”
• “Worst Place to Go in Atlanta”

Tips: The bar offers a comfortable view of several TVs and the large beer selection.

Twisted Taco
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Cozy Midtown gem stands out with its original, sophisticated take on Latin cuisines.

Reviews:

• “Good, but not great”
• “Best Latin Food”
• “Most Controversial Colesaw In Midtown”
• “Cuban & Latin American at it’s finest”
• “Best Mussels in Town! Tres Leches for Dessert is a Must!!”

Tips: If there are any exotic words or dishes you don’t recognize while you scan the menu, sneak a peek at the glossary of terms tucked between the salt and pepper shakers.

Tierra
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Serious south-of-the-border flavors shine in edgy urban digs.

Reviews:

• “Taqueria del no no…”
• “Most Rude Staff I have ever encountered”
• “New Menu”
• “Did you have this neighborhood confused with some other?”

Tips: Try getting there earlier or later than the usual mealtimes to avoid the massive lines.

Taqueria del Sol

Find enormous vegetarian-friendly burritos and deadly delicious margaritas in Little Five Points.

Reviews:

• “You win some, you loose some…”
• “Burritos that Can’t be Beat”
• “I crave it fortnightly . . .”
• “For Smoker’s Only”
• “The Zeitgeist of Atlanta”

Tips: Take a minute or 10 to check out the jukebox collection. It’s one of the best in town.

El Myr Burrito Lounge

Near Buckhead, mouthwatering empanadas, carne asada and other authentic Latin delights abound in this fun, lively environment complete with live entertainment.

Reviews:

• “Diamond in the rough!”
• “Awesome food & customer service”
• “great food!”
• “Excellent food & great customer service!”
• “Best Margaritas in Town!!!!”

Chiloe Latin Bistro
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