10 great Mexican restaurants across the USA
Mexico celebrates Cinco de Mayo Sunday to commemorate a military victory. But here, it's an excuse to head out for tacos, margaritas and other Mexican favorites. Author Jane Butel, who runs a cooking school in New Mexico, says the cuisine is among the USA's most popular. "It has a lot of snappy flavors you don't get in American cooking. It's like a fiesta in your mouth." She
shares some eateries to mark the holiday with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.
Alma Cocina
Atlanta
Don't come here seeking mere fajitas and burritos. This restaurant is a rarity, Butel says, serving innovative and authentic Mexican cuisine, like crispy fried avocado tacos with a poblano pesto instead of salsa, aged tequilas and smoky mescals. "They just go to incredible trouble to make everything as perfect as possible. They even go down to a distillery in Mexico to get their tequila by the keg," Butel says. 404-907-1188; alma-atlanta.com
La Posta de Mesilla
Mesilla, N.M.
This restaurant in an 18th-century adobe building claims to be the first to have served complimentary chips and salsa to patrons. A zillion calories later, we're still munching away. It's also known for enchiladas and carne adobada, a flavorful pork stew. "It's very traditional New Mexican. Flavors are based more on Indian concepts, using chiles," Butel says. 575-524-3524; laposta-de-mesilla.com
Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen
Houston
While there's incredible Tex-Mex served across the Lone Star State, Butel singles out owner Sylvia Casares for making a royal dish out of the humble enchilada. "She believes in doing things properly. She still uses chile pods and simmers them a long, long time." Along with familiar cheese and meat enchiladas, the menu also features calabacitas (a blend of squash and vegetables) and a special spinach enchilada with a bit of cheese. 713-334-7295; sylviasenchiladakitchen.com
Uncle Julio's Hacienda
Chicago
This near-Northside eatery is popular for a reason. The small chain mesquite-grills its fajitas, made with 21-day aged skirt steak or fresh chicken breasts, and serves homemade corn and flour tortillas. Also popular: margaritas swirled with frozen sangria. "Their food tastes fresh, fresh, fresh. It just has that the popular taste of Tex-Mex really done to a very fine tone," Butel says. 312-266-4222; unclejulios.com
Las Casuelas Terraza
Palm Springs, Calif.
This fourth-generation family-run restaurant offers Southern California-style Mexican food, including chile rellenos, tamales, carnitas and enchiladas. Specialties include green-corn tamales and tequila pairings. "You feel like you're in a fine hacienda. Everything's prepared fresh and good," Butel says. 760-325-2794; lascasuelas.com
Rosa Mexicano
New York
This small upscale chain has been around since the 1980s, winning over patrons with fresh guacamole made tableside, and now, pomegranate margaritas. The restaurant feels like it belongs in Mexico City, Butel says. Its enduring popularity is a result of employing "quality fresh ingredients and very careful preparation." 212-753-7407; rosamexicano.com
Nachomama's Tex-Mex
St. Louis
Traditional Tex-Mex offerings have won over locals, who consistently award the restaurant honors, including the city's best fish burrito and best quesadilla. "They love Tex-Mex there," says Butel, who recalls the city was one of the top markets for her television cooking show. "This (restaurant) is just fun, plus the food is really, really good. They have pretty traditional flavors, but with a little bit of a different twist." 314-961-9110; nachomamas-stl.com
Oyamel Cocina Mexicana
Washington
More Mexican than Tex-Mex, this D.C. restaurant has a loyal following. "The dishes are a little bit more sophisticated. It's more of a metropolitan, cutting-edge kind of presentation and flavor blending," Butel says. For example, it serves tacos with Yucatan-style pit-barbecued pork, pickled red onion and Mexican sour orange; or sautéed wild mushrooms with Mexican cream sauce and potato crisps. 202-628-1005; oyamel.com
Pancheros Mexican Grill
Iowa City, Iowa
Yes, you can find real Tex-Mex more than 1,000 miles from the border. Butel says. The specialty at this small chain is the burritos, made on fresh-pressed tortillas. The fillings are carefully arranged with the help of a special spatula, which assures consistent flavors with every bite. You'll also find quesadillas, tacos and burrito bowls, and chipotle and citrus-based sauces. 319-338-6311; pancheros.com
Cafe Poca Cosa
Tucson
This bistro-style restaurant offers an ever-changing blackboard menu. The chef, a native of Guaymas, Mexico, specializes in regional specialties, including shrimp dishes. The setting is spare and modern, and the flavors out of the ordinary. "The dishes are very innovatively prepared," Butel says. . 520-622-6400; cafepocacosatucson.com