2023 Best Mexican Restaurants in the U.S.A.

When chef Silvana Salcido Esparza opened Barrio Cafe in 2002, she showed Phoenix that Mexican food is much, much more than tacos and burritos (though her tacos are dynamite). Her menu, filled with specialties from all over Mexico, includes cochinita pibil (dry-rubbed and slow-roasted pig) from the Yucatan. See More

Chef Enrique Olvera, of Mexico City restaurant Pujol, brings his non-traditional Mexican cuisine to discerning Manhattan diners in the buzzy yet romantic Cosme. Menu staples include a contemporary take on tacos al pastor that subs in cobia in place of pork. See More

At Elote Cafe in Sedona, chef Jeff Smedstad serves cuisine inspired by decades of travels through Mexico. Sample unique offerings such as smoked pork cheeks served with cascabel chile sauce, corn cake and buttermilk cumin drizzle. See More

At Flores in San Francisco, purists will delight in a menu stacked with simple, cohesive Mexican dishes. Savor lightly fried masa dumplings with black beans, gem lettuce, red onion, queso fresco and avocado. See More

Born in Mexico City, chef Hugo Ortega worked his way through the Houston restaurant scene before opening Hugo's with his restaurateur wife, Tracy Vaught. Housed in a vintage 1925 building, lovingly restored to the original brick walls and stamped-tin ceiling, Hugo's is worth seeking out for its authentic dishes. See More

Established in 1941, Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia is the don of Mexican dining in San Antonio. Along with Tex-Mex classics, there are authentic offerings like the Monterrey special of baked cabrito (kid goat) and menudo, a tripe soup that is a legendary hangover cure. See More

Washington, D.C.'s Oyamel Cocina Mexicana, from chef/restaurateur José Andrés, takes you heart and soul across the border down Mexico way. You'll encounter ceviches, tacos on hand-made corn tortillas, and more. See More

Cristina Martinez and Ben Miller grew South Philly Barbacoa from a food cart to a pop-up to a permanent location in Philadelphia. The specialties are barbacoa (slow-cooked lamb from the style of Capulhuac, Mexico) and pancita (spicy lamb offal sausage). See More

At Taco Maria in in Costa Mesa, California, chef/owner Carlos Salgado puts forth a display of seasonal Chicano/Mexican cuisine that challenges and excites. See More

Chef/restaurateur Rick Bayless has championed Mexican cuisine for decades with his stable of restaurants, including the upscale Topolobampo in Chicago. The refined menu is constantly evolving. See More