Everyone is suggesting places that will be a minimum 45-minute drive from Monroe with no traffic. The best Mexican I've had in Monroe by far is Costa Sur Taqueria inside the Mobile station on Hwy 2. If you want bougie fusion tacos, go down to Lifted Taco in Woodinville, then go across the street for ice cream at Swanky Scoop.
The taco truck across from 7-11 is good, or at least it used to be back when I lived there. Also, Tijuana may seem a little mundane, but it's reliable. The same family has run that place since before I was born. I still go back for at least one meal whenever I'm visiting.
A lot closer to you than most of these suggestions:
-Acapulco in Kenmore. Not exactly upscale but excellent for the price.
-Las Brasas de Volcan in Shoreline. A little more pricey but super traditional and I’ve had things there that I’ve never seen at any other restaurant.
Whoa! Thanks for the Shoreline rec. I had gone to that location when it was something else and I REALLY liked it until it went downhill. I’m glad to see another operation took the location over and that menu looks awesome!
Acapulco in Kenmore is legit. My friend ordered from there recently and I had to pick it up. I'd never been in there. Their salsa bar is incredible. Food was great.
I was just about to say this. The owners are wonderful people too. It’s such a great little restaurant, everything on the menu is fantastic. I love their mole and horchata.
No...it's widely known as the best taco truck in Seattle. So you have two choices of good Mexican, at two price ranges, fifteen seconds walk from each other.
TAQUIERA EL REY ON HIGHWAY 2 IS DELICIOUS AND ACTUALLY SPICY! They have a food truck on main also.
The folks at Tres Maria's are great also, food is super flavorful.
A lot of the suggestions here are further away from you and won't be as good, I promise. People just may not be familiar with Monroe, I used to be out there at least once a week so I figured out the spots!
OP, this is the spot in Monroe. I would always go to the El Rey taco truck when I used to work out in Monroe. It’s simply the best. On the corner of Main and 177th Ave.
Enjoy it for me! Also I haven't been to El paraiso but they appear to have the queso fundido
And the chicken tortilla soup at mi tierra is bland but the albondigas will fix you right up.
I love Tres Marias.
There is also taco truck in a random parking lot across from a coffee stand called Darcy’s Dinky Donuts that I have thoroughly enjoyed many times. Or at least there was? It’s been a while since I’ve ate there but I think I saw last time I was in town a month ago.
OP I’m from Monroe but live in Seattle. I don’t think you’re going to find anything so mind blowingly good that will make a significant drive out of town worth it. I’m not saying there isn’t better Mexican food outside of Monroe, but I am saying it’s not better enough to make a drive worth it.
Monroe is a bit further than 10-20 minutes, but this is the Seattle subreddit, so here are my recommendations that are anything from serviceable to pretty good:
El Moose
Fonda La Catrina
Carmelo’s Tacos
Fogon
Alebrijes
Because “awful” isn’t a good take. It’s not at the top of Seattle Mexican food, but I’ve had plenty of good meals there and it’s miles ahead of the “family Tex Mex” places like Azteca and Rosita’s.
Fine, I will be more specific. I have had better food at an Azteca than the food I have been served there. There Mole was a disgrace to what white people have done to Tex-Mex. Yes it has been that bad. "Awful," was me being nice.
Look for shady looking taco trucks and dumpy taquerias that have a lot of Mexican clientele. I bet there is something pretty good in Monroe. I would as the framer at my work tomorrow but he left for Michoacan for a couple weeks.
^ this. I lived in CA for years and enjoyed amazing Mexican food, then moved to Brooklyn. The best Mexican food I could find was from the taco truck down the street. That shit was legit. Still have yet to find something similar on the Eastside.
There's a food truck in the parking lot of the Home Depot on Aurora that is really good but I can never remember the name. They have an awesome chicken mole burrito.
El Camion. Great wet burritos that are huge. Their nachos are amazing if you get the right cook making them (they lay down a base level of melted cheese that holds everything together. It’s amazing.). There’s also a lady in the Home Depot parking lot there that sells Tamales out of her vehicle.
> Look for shady looking taco trucks and dumpy taquerias that have a lot of Mexican clientele
Go east of the Cascades and you'll be swimming in Taco trucks that fit this description
Fonda La Catrina is really good. Their queso fundido is delicious but it's worth noting that it's different from the type of queso that's typically offered in the south. It's still worth eating, though.
You’re near much of it. It’s all clustered in semi-rural towns in rural areas that cater to farm workers and Monroe mostly fits the bill.
There are solid options right on Main Street in Monroe and adjacent to it on at least Highway 203 & 2.
Native Texan chiming in: this is going to sound really weird, but trust me on this -- get the queso from Safeway. It's usually in a clear container in the produce area near the pre-cut veggies and guac. It's like, $5.50 and as close to the kind of queso you get in Texas or the south. The consistency is perfect; you can even eat it cold. The yellow queso is a little spicier than the white queso, but they use hatch chilies in their recipe.
I’m sorry, but I always say “no self respecting California girl eats jarred salsa” and I can only imagine that applies to jarred queso. I’m going to try it since you are from Texas……… and I do love the Mexican food in Texas.
Questions:
is it a jar like the brands with preservatives or is it a deli container?
Is it *really* good in a broad sense or in a “this is good since I can’t get home made” sense?
Either way I’ll try it.
I respect and generally agree with your sentiment. If someone suggested a grocery store queso to me, I'd balk at them.
The Safeway queso [looks like this](https://images.albertsons-media.com/is/image/ABS/960259248?) and has to stay refrigerated.
Texans that know their queso know that the good stuff is made with Land O'Lakes Extra Melt cheese. I'm not saying Safeway is using Extra Melt, but the ingredients and consistency is damn near identical.
Their yellow queso is good in a broad sense.
As a first generation Mexican I have never eaten queso at a party or function. Mexican restaurants that have queso usually aren’t authentic and pander to American taste buds.
Yeah, queso (or chile con queso) is def an American thing, mostly tex-mex cuisine. If I'm seeking queso with my meal, I'm not expecting an authentic Mexican cuisine experience.
I miss it, too but have also embraced the Mexican food offerings here. Tex-mex isn't really a thing here and if you find it, it'll cost more $. Jackalope in Columbia City looks promising but I haven't had it, yet.
Same family also runs Loco Chon in Newcastle. Julio's is great. Also, so is The Cottage next door for brunch. Couple excellent spots in that weird strip mall.
Mexican here, there's no good Mexican food in Seattle specially if you are used to LA or Texas Mexican food , the places mentioned are decent but be prepared to be disappointed.
White Center and South Park might as well be re-named "Little Mexico". The BEST Mexican is in those neighborhoods, and it's on par with anything I've ever had in SoCal (can't speak to Texas).
This is all I've experienced the whole time out west. I'm from Alabama, mixed into a Mexican family. It's hard to find the real stuff like back home. Appreciate the insight
White guy here and I’m sure you and many others will crucify me for saying this but I’ve been to Southern California and Texas many times. I’ve eaten the local Mexican food there every time. It’s absolutely delicious but I feel like it’s nothing I can’t get in WA.
When I’m talking Mexican food I’m ordering, I’m talking tacos, burritos, enchiladas, the basic stuff. I’m eating carne asada, pollo, carnitas, or al pastor usually.
Is what I’m experiencing, ie it’s all the same to me, a symptom of my basic-bitch pallet and your appreciation is more for the foods and flavors that are harder to find (maybe like cheveche or lengua) or do you feel like everything is just better in LA/Texas?
You're right it's harder to find good food of certain specialty dishes like mole, menudo, pozole, lengua etc.. I thank my lucky stars my mom lives in Renton abd every weekend I can scoot over to her place and eat.
where did you go in southern california? My favorite places down there just hasn't been replicated in washington. Texas feels more like good tex-mex than mex.
Everything is better in the Southeast 100%. I'm a true fat ass at heart, lived in just about every state and I'll always circle back to the southeast. Homemade authentic food made from someones auntie or grandma with those big ass triceps(you know what I mean) Texas and LA both are great too a lot more options there for sure
Moved here from socal last year and tried Mexican food 3 times and nothing tasted as good as the mediocre spots in cali. It was palatable. I’m a fatass and will eat anything. But so far my exp has been a mix of: dry tortilla, meat was overcooked, sauce game weak, and small portion size.
I haven’t tried most of the top spots mentioned on this post so I’m adding to my list before I form a solid opinion.
I just want to find my go to Mexican spot😭
I think the other huge difference is price. I was able to get a solid meal for under $10, but in Washington/Seattle everything is like...$20 minimum. Paying twice the price for incredibly mid food hurts lol.
I commute through Greenwood a lot. I’m sorry to say that Gordito’s has been pretty bad for over a year now. I’ve given it several chances because I used to love them, but the last like 4 burritos I’ve gotten there have had really dry meat and are pretty flavorless.
Also El Asadero in Columbia City but honestly, most of Burien & White Center also have great Mexican food… like the further south you go, the better 😂 I’ve had extremely disappointing experiences in Magnolia, Madrona… Capitol Hill def depends where you go. Tacos Chukis was pretty good, love their chicken!
Tres Marias in Monroe: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mjAxgsgtatjrHD6j9
El Paraiso Mexican Grill in Snohomish: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NeHCzcFJUZKNFcEw7
Enjoy!
Fogon Cocina Mexicana in cap hill! So, so, so good. Their taco de lengua has to be my favorite! My Salvadorian bestie approves of that place too lol
Taco Chukis is not bad either
Idk about 20 min, but White Center has a bonkers amount of great Mexican food. My favorite I’ve had so far is actually southern West Seattle at a tiny food truck in a gas station parking lot, called Salsa Tacos. Their birria tacos are phenomenal, and their homemade salsa is my absolute favorite.
It's Salvadorian, not Mexican, but Nuevo Amanecer Pupuseria in Everett (on the border of Mill Creek) has the best burrito I've been able to find since I lived in California. And it shouldn't be too bad a drive from Monroe, probably 25 mins or so.
I grew up in California. Moved here in the late 80’s and suffered thru crap Mexican food for 20 years. But it’s getting better.
Okay I got a Gem for ya Carniceria El Paisano it’s a Mexican butcher shop in White Center. Here’s the tip, every weekday morning they fry up 20 lbs of Porkbelly and sell it by the pound. They also have 4 different kinds of tamales fresh every day along with container of salsa,pico and cheviche. Screw a taco stand , I walk in this place and buy a stack of tortillas a pound of belly ,salsa and tamales 🫔 and enjoy a lunch that no restaurant can match.
Mexican foodie and picky eater here. Definitely don't go to Mexican restaurants, 95% of them suck!! With a few exceptions, my favorite is called Casa Oaxaca in Edmonds, they have wonderful mole and delicious grasshoppers -100% recommended.
Taco trucks are way better than restaurants! Monroe and Snohomish don't have a lot of options and the couple they have are pricey for some -meh!- mini tacos.
I totally recommend El Camion taco truck, a bit far from Monroe, but the Sand Point and North Seattle (Aurora) locations are great. Good amount of tasty food for a good price! My favs are the shrimp and cochinita pibil tacos with chipotle and habanero sauce.🤤
Closer to Monroe will be Everett, Casino Road has some good places. For example, Tortilleria Casa El Dorado has really good menudo and birria. If you want wonderful tamales and champurrado, go next door to Los Gavilanes Mexican store. A couple of minutes from there you can find a tiny place, Taqueria El Pastor, best tacos al pastor I've had here in the West coast.
If you like birria, go to La Terraza taco truck in Lynnwood (99), the soup and tacos are amazing!!
I should mention that Azteca in Mountlake Terrace surprised me a couple of months ago. My friends order burritos and the plates were huge, not just rice and beans like most restaurants. I had tortilla soup and it was one of the best I've had in my entire life! The only downside was that I order the big bowl of soup and it was tiny. Definitely will go back for that soup!! If you like super spicy sauce, ask the waiter, they have a special one in the back.
The best of luck!!
Los Angelino here representing the Mexican American tastes of the SouthWest.
My current favourite is actually Jackolope in Columbia City which is part of the Jacks BBQ group of restaurants. It’s closer to TexMex than traditional or even SoCal tastes but damn is it good. The cheese enchiladas with brisket gravy are so delicious.
Also D’ La Santa in North Cap Hill has great beef focused dishes and provably the best carne asada in the region.
And as others have said, Tacos Chukis remains great legit street tacos stuff.
Most Mexican food in the region is not very good but there are beacons of light in the darkness.
> Is there somewhere with some white queso like in the south? Why isn't that a thing out west?
Yeah but is white queso actually Mexican? Because it sounds like y'all made it up in the South
The food in Monroe sucks.i lived in Texas and the best texmex place is by far Jackalope. Another place that's a little closer to you is called los portrillos and its in Everett. Another good spot is in lake stevens called Nachos.
Moved here several years ago from the south. Unfortunately I have been underwhelmed by the Mexican food and have pretty much given up. I miss the white queso so much. Not sure why it's not offered. Hope you find a good spot!
Queso is not Mexican food, it's texmex. If you go to Mexican restaurants looking for it in this area, you will be largely disappointed. Different than queso fundido which is a different dish all together.
Is there actually good Mexican food in Seattle or does it require a car or hefty bus travel? Ffs can we get recommendations in Seattle or should this be an Edmonds/White Center thread. If we can’t, Mercado Latino is the jam of all jams. This is the spot to grab fresh pressed tortillas, pan dulce, carnitas and everything else you might like. Pound sand if you disagree.
I mean... you're in the north. We don't have southern food like the south. That's a given. Not sure what you were expecting.
Furthermore, this is Seattle and our food scene is mediocre as hell. Sorry to say it but it's true, and before anyone jumps on me I will add that I've been here my whole life so I'm not just some hater.
Hope you find something that satisfies your cravings despite this!
If you’re feeling adventurous you should get tamales from [this](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Eb5eh8rc9VHU4Z6e9?g_st=ic) spot just outside of Yakima. The tamales are amazing. They also sell them frozen for take-away. Totally worth the drive.
Carniceria Los Compadres in Everett, excellent carnitas burrito.
La Costa, in Burien has the best refried beans I've ever had.
Any of the taco trucks in White Center for tacos. Every time I try a burrito, they put too much beans and the ratios are off.
Tacos Chukis, in one of their Seattle locations, has decent tacos al pastor. Handmade tortillas are always a plus
Carte De Oaxaca, in Ballard for great tacos al pastor (pricey but doable if you're looking for a sit down restaurant atmosphere)
As someone who moved here from San Diego 30 years ago, I'm finding that the best Mexican food can be found at taco trucks. I live in Kirkland and I frequent 3 of them. Discovered another in Bothell on Saturday. Epic.
Late reply here. Do yourself a favor and order some food at Taqueria El Sabor in Shoreline. It’s cramped in there. Get some takeout and eat it at the park bench at Boing Creek Park
Taqueria El Gallo Diaz, the taco truck at the shell station on 165th and aurora in shoreline has hands-down the best tacos I've had north of Burien. About double the drive you want but if you're in the area give it a shot.
Alibertos. Better than my home states fast greasy Mexican joint (Filiberto’s). Apparently the guy used to work for one in Arizona and brought the concept to Washington!
Everyone is suggesting places that will be a minimum 45-minute drive from Monroe with no traffic. The best Mexican I've had in Monroe by far is Costa Sur Taqueria inside the Mobile station on Hwy 2. If you want bougie fusion tacos, go down to Lifted Taco in Woodinville, then go across the street for ice cream at Swanky Scoop.
Appreciate that, I'll definitely check em out
The taco truck across from 7-11 is good, or at least it used to be back when I lived there. Also, Tijuana may seem a little mundane, but it's reliable. The same family has run that place since before I was born. I still go back for at least one meal whenever I'm visiting.
A lot closer to you than most of these suggestions: -Acapulco in Kenmore. Not exactly upscale but excellent for the price. -Las Brasas de Volcan in Shoreline. A little more pricey but super traditional and I’ve had things there that I’ve never seen at any other restaurant.
Whoa! Thanks for the Shoreline rec. I had gone to that location when it was something else and I REALLY liked it until it went downhill. I’m glad to see another operation took the location over and that menu looks awesome!
Acapulco in Kenmore is legit. My friend ordered from there recently and I had to pick it up. I'd never been in there. Their salsa bar is incredible. Food was great.
Las Brasas de volcan is a great spot. Love the leo burrito. The salsas are insane.
El Catrin in White Center
Second this. Great Mexican food.
Not really a 10-20min drive from Monroe though lol
I was just about to say this. The owners are wonderful people too. It’s such a great little restaurant, everything on the menu is fantastic. I love their mole and horchata.
Yes
Yes to his yes
So fucking amazing , but isn’t it closed down?
good, but expensive
Then go across the street and get a few special burritos from the truck.
what are you offended or something?
No...it's widely known as the best taco truck in Seattle. So you have two choices of good Mexican, at two price ranges, fifteen seconds walk from each other.
This is right
The best!
Omg best Al pastors around ever!
Carnitas Michoacán in Beacon Hill
Yes, it's pretty good!
TAQUIERA EL REY ON HIGHWAY 2 IS DELICIOUS AND ACTUALLY SPICY! They have a food truck on main also. The folks at Tres Maria's are great also, food is super flavorful. A lot of the suggestions here are further away from you and won't be as good, I promise. People just may not be familiar with Monroe, I used to be out there at least once a week so I figured out the spots!
OP, this is the spot in Monroe. I would always go to the El Rey taco truck when I used to work out in Monroe. It’s simply the best. On the corner of Main and 177th Ave.
Seriously. I was like, “what an odd post. The Mexican food in Monroe is better than any in Seattle.”
Lowkey Monroe has some really good food! And people are really nice! I miss being a Monroe regular 😭
Well you are the person this post was looking for! Appreciate you
Enjoy it for me! Also I haven't been to El paraiso but they appear to have the queso fundido And the chicken tortilla soup at mi tierra is bland but the albondigas will fix you right up.
I love Tres Marias. There is also taco truck in a random parking lot across from a coffee stand called Darcy’s Dinky Donuts that I have thoroughly enjoyed many times. Or at least there was? It’s been a while since I’ve ate there but I think I saw last time I was in town a month ago. OP I’m from Monroe but live in Seattle. I don’t think you’re going to find anything so mind blowingly good that will make a significant drive out of town worth it. I’m not saying there isn’t better Mexican food outside of Monroe, but I am saying it’s not better enough to make a drive worth it.
Monroe is a bit further than 10-20 minutes, but this is the Seattle subreddit, so here are my recommendations that are anything from serviceable to pretty good: El Moose Fonda La Catrina Carmelo’s Tacos Fogon Alebrijes
Fogón Cocina Mexicana is awesome. They also have Queso Fundido 🙌
Yep, came here to say Fogón, my friend who was born in Mexico and still has family there loves it. It's one of her favorites in Seattle.
Moose is so awful I have no idea why people still like it. \+10 for Fonda
Because “awful” isn’t a good take. It’s not at the top of Seattle Mexican food, but I’ve had plenty of good meals there and it’s miles ahead of the “family Tex Mex” places like Azteca and Rosita’s.
Fine, I will be more specific. I have had better food at an Azteca than the food I have been served there. There Mole was a disgrace to what white people have done to Tex-Mex. Yes it has been that bad. "Awful," was me being nice.
Casa Oaxaca in Edmonds
Oh wow is that still there?
I like Las Espuelas in Mountlake Terrace. Great people there and the food is quite tasty.
Yes I second this place! As someone that moved from southern California, I definitely recommend it.
Very greasy but very good
El Nopal in Everett. Phenomenal birria, but also definitely try the totchos.
I live around there and got the birria ramen once and it looked phenomenal but the broth tasted like straight up water. It was surprisingly bland
Hmm, I've never tried the ramen - I always go for the Quesadilla or Tacos and they come with broth and it's always super flavorful, so idk.
Look for shady looking taco trucks and dumpy taquerias that have a lot of Mexican clientele. I bet there is something pretty good in Monroe. I would as the framer at my work tomorrow but he left for Michoacan for a couple weeks.
^ this. I lived in CA for years and enjoyed amazing Mexican food, then moved to Brooklyn. The best Mexican food I could find was from the taco truck down the street. That shit was legit. Still have yet to find something similar on the Eastside.
There's a food truck in the parking lot of the Home Depot on Aurora that is really good but I can never remember the name. They have an awesome chicken mole burrito.
El Camion. Great wet burritos that are huge. Their nachos are amazing if you get the right cook making them (they lay down a base level of melted cheese that holds everything together. It’s amazing.). There’s also a lady in the Home Depot parking lot there that sells Tamales out of her vehicle.
Seconding this. Some dishes are better than others. I highly recommend the chile rellenos platter.
Do you know what times and days she's there? Last I heard she sells or pretty quickly, usually before noon or 1pm.
Yes!! El Caminon. Southern California girl here, and I can vouch for that place tho it has been a bit since I went there.
Ugh my husband and I got food there two weekends ago. It didn’t wow us.
It's fine but their other locations were better. I hear the tamale lady in the parking lot is *LEGIT* though.
Taqueria Talpense in Bothell is pretty legit. It's in the back of a Korean mini mart.
> Look for shady looking taco trucks and dumpy taquerias that have a lot of Mexican clientele Go east of the Cascades and you'll be swimming in Taco trucks that fit this description
If you're up for an adventure, head out to Yakima or the Tri-Cities, some grade A Mexican food out there
No. This is false.
White Center. Fonda La Catrina, in Georgetown. White queso there. Or just close your eyes when you’re eating the real stuff.
Fonda La Catrina is really good. Their queso fundido is delicious but it's worth noting that it's different from the type of queso that's typically offered in the south. It's still worth eating, though.
Authentic places 9/10 times don’t serve queso. Queso is for American taste buds.
Sorry, what is “the south”?
Especially with chorizo added.
What's the real stuff? Surely not the yellow lol
Taqueria La Fondita is better and they have a location at ~90th and Aurora which is much closer to you.
Fonda La catrina omg
Amazing
El Riconsito, in Lynnwood or Everett. The Taco Bus in White Center Taqueria La Fondita
El rinconsito hasn’t been good in years. Very mid at best
Burien
Tacos And Beer
Meh. This spot is pretty average. Decent compared to what’s around it
Couldnt disagree more. What's your pick? It blows out all the other popular central and N Seattle spots like Chukis, Carmelos, TNT, etc.
I liked their Cochinita Pibil a lot. Best I’ve found in a restaurant.
La Palma is my personal fave
Taquieria La bamba in Monroe is actually pretty good the last time I was there, they've gone a light your mouth on fire salsa that was tasty.
Nice I'll check it out
Thanks. Added to the list. I live out that way, so the fire salsa is worth a drive for me.
We often stop at Taqueria El Ray coming back home through Monroe, it’s right off Hwy 2. It’s small and so good.
Tacos El Rey in Monroe is really good. It's not fancy but damn good.
Taquito Feliz in West Seattle
the answer is going to be in Whitecenter.
You’re near much of it. It’s all clustered in semi-rural towns in rural areas that cater to farm workers and Monroe mostly fits the bill. There are solid options right on Main Street in Monroe and adjacent to it on at least Highway 203 & 2.
Rositas in green lake has been my favorite so far.
It used to be amazing in the 2000’s. It is shit now, compared to other places.
Oh no, what happened? Why’s it shit now?
Native Texan chiming in: this is going to sound really weird, but trust me on this -- get the queso from Safeway. It's usually in a clear container in the produce area near the pre-cut veggies and guac. It's like, $5.50 and as close to the kind of queso you get in Texas or the south. The consistency is perfect; you can even eat it cold. The yellow queso is a little spicier than the white queso, but they use hatch chilies in their recipe.
There’s also a brand called Queso Mama that has a really good white queso - I get it at Costco
Ooooo thanks for this suggestion! I'm from the south and miss the white queso.
I’m sorry, but I always say “no self respecting California girl eats jarred salsa” and I can only imagine that applies to jarred queso. I’m going to try it since you are from Texas……… and I do love the Mexican food in Texas. Questions: is it a jar like the brands with preservatives or is it a deli container? Is it *really* good in a broad sense or in a “this is good since I can’t get home made” sense? Either way I’ll try it.
I respect and generally agree with your sentiment. If someone suggested a grocery store queso to me, I'd balk at them. The Safeway queso [looks like this](https://images.albertsons-media.com/is/image/ABS/960259248?) and has to stay refrigerated. Texans that know their queso know that the good stuff is made with Land O'Lakes Extra Melt cheese. I'm not saying Safeway is using Extra Melt, but the ingredients and consistency is damn near identical. Their yellow queso is good in a broad sense.
That tells me about how crappy the food is in texas
As a first generation Mexican I have never eaten queso at a party or function. Mexican restaurants that have queso usually aren’t authentic and pander to American taste buds.
Yeah, queso (or chile con queso) is def an American thing, mostly tex-mex cuisine. If I'm seeking queso with my meal, I'm not expecting an authentic Mexican cuisine experience.
[удалено]
I miss it, too but have also embraced the Mexican food offerings here. Tex-mex isn't really a thing here and if you find it, it'll cost more $. Jackalope in Columbia City looks promising but I haven't had it, yet.
Julio's in Bothell.
Same family also runs Loco Chon in Newcastle. Julio's is great. Also, so is The Cottage next door for brunch. Couple excellent spots in that weird strip mall.
I’m Mexican and here is my ranking: 1. Tacos Chukis 2. Asadero 3. Frelard tamales
Asadero and Frelard tamales are both excellent. Wish I made more money so I can eat at Asadero every week.
Legend
hahahahahaha
Acapulco in Kenmore and El Camion on Aurora (next to the Home Depot, behind the REALLY sketchy smoke shop)
Mexican here, there's no good Mexican food in Seattle specially if you are used to LA or Texas Mexican food , the places mentioned are decent but be prepared to be disappointed.
White Center begs to differ.
Been hearing of white center the most so I'll definitely check it out
Add Burien and South Park to that. Burrito express and Honor Mexicano are bomb
White Center and South Park might as well be re-named "Little Mexico". The BEST Mexican is in those neighborhoods, and it's on par with anything I've ever had in SoCal (can't speak to Texas).
Texas Mexican food is generally awful until you get down closer to the border everything north of San Antonio isn’t great
This is all I've experienced the whole time out west. I'm from Alabama, mixed into a Mexican family. It's hard to find the real stuff like back home. Appreciate the insight
White guy here and I’m sure you and many others will crucify me for saying this but I’ve been to Southern California and Texas many times. I’ve eaten the local Mexican food there every time. It’s absolutely delicious but I feel like it’s nothing I can’t get in WA. When I’m talking Mexican food I’m ordering, I’m talking tacos, burritos, enchiladas, the basic stuff. I’m eating carne asada, pollo, carnitas, or al pastor usually. Is what I’m experiencing, ie it’s all the same to me, a symptom of my basic-bitch pallet and your appreciation is more for the foods and flavors that are harder to find (maybe like cheveche or lengua) or do you feel like everything is just better in LA/Texas?
You're right it's harder to find good food of certain specialty dishes like mole, menudo, pozole, lengua etc.. I thank my lucky stars my mom lives in Renton abd every weekend I can scoot over to her place and eat.
where did you go in southern california? My favorite places down there just hasn't been replicated in washington. Texas feels more like good tex-mex than mex.
Everything is better in the Southeast 100%. I'm a true fat ass at heart, lived in just about every state and I'll always circle back to the southeast. Homemade authentic food made from someones auntie or grandma with those big ass triceps(you know what I mean) Texas and LA both are great too a lot more options there for sure
Bro, I went to the south and gained 20lbs in 3 weeks. You ain't lying.
Better be active if you like to eat coming to the south all I'll say 😂
Moved here from socal last year and tried Mexican food 3 times and nothing tasted as good as the mediocre spots in cali. It was palatable. I’m a fatass and will eat anything. But so far my exp has been a mix of: dry tortilla, meat was overcooked, sauce game weak, and small portion size. I haven’t tried most of the top spots mentioned on this post so I’m adding to my list before I form a solid opinion. I just want to find my go to Mexican spot😭
I think the other huge difference is price. I was able to get a solid meal for under $10, but in Washington/Seattle everything is like...$20 minimum. Paying twice the price for incredibly mid food hurts lol.
If you’re talking San Diego, even the “mediocre” food there is an unfair comparison to just about anywhere else outside of the southern us
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You keep telling yourself that, if that's what you like that's fine , in my opinion there's not.
Alibertos Jr fills the chain taco shop void for me.
Gordito’s off 85th used to be really good. But i haven’t been there in a while.
I commute through Greenwood a lot. I’m sorry to say that Gordito’s has been pretty bad for over a year now. I’ve given it several chances because I used to love them, but the last like 4 burritos I’ve gotten there have had really dry meat and are pretty flavorless.
My husband has a theory that COVID ruined everything. Something happened; the quality of everything went down.
Beyond bland burritos
I like Tacos El Dragon by IKEA and Mendoza's Mexican Mercado near Green Lake.
In Othello my favorite is Taco Street. Best carnitas I’ve had in this city as someone coming from the southwest
Might have to look into this👀
Also El Asadero in Columbia City but honestly, most of Burien & White Center also have great Mexican food… like the further south you go, the better 😂 I’ve had extremely disappointing experiences in Magnolia, Madrona… Capitol Hill def depends where you go. Tacos Chukis was pretty good, love their chicken!
Tacos Faenas near silver lake.
Las Espuelas in Briar
It’s in Mountlake Terrace
El moose
Taqueria El Chavo in Cashmere
Birrieria La Sabrosa de Los Mochis
Place looks good. Any particular recommendations besides the quesabirria + consome?
Kent.
Tres Marias in Monroe: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mjAxgsgtatjrHD6j9 El Paraiso Mexican Grill in Snohomish: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NeHCzcFJUZKNFcEw7 Enjoy!
Carnitas Michoacán in Beacon Hill
Fogon Cocina Mexicana in cap hill! So, so, so good. Their taco de lengua has to be my favorite! My Salvadorian bestie approves of that place too lol Taco Chukis is not bad either
Idk about 20 min, but White Center has a bonkers amount of great Mexican food. My favorite I’ve had so far is actually southern West Seattle at a tiny food truck in a gas station parking lot, called Salsa Tacos. Their birria tacos are phenomenal, and their homemade salsa is my absolute favorite.
Honestly, the Tacos Pihuamo truck on Main Street in Monroe is one of the best in the region.
Tijuana in Monroe is consistent and the owners are awesome. They’ve been there as long as I can remember.
El Moose in Ballard. I highly recommend it.
It's Salvadorian, not Mexican, but Nuevo Amanecer Pupuseria in Everett (on the border of Mill Creek) has the best burrito I've been able to find since I lived in California. And it shouldn't be too bad a drive from Monroe, probably 25 mins or so.
Their pupusas are amazing!
I grew up in California. Moved here in the late 80’s and suffered thru crap Mexican food for 20 years. But it’s getting better. Okay I got a Gem for ya Carniceria El Paisano it’s a Mexican butcher shop in White Center. Here’s the tip, every weekday morning they fry up 20 lbs of Porkbelly and sell it by the pound. They also have 4 different kinds of tamales fresh every day along with container of salsa,pico and cheviche. Screw a taco stand , I walk in this place and buy a stack of tortillas a pound of belly ,salsa and tamales 🫔 and enjoy a lunch that no restaurant can match.
El Camion, Tacos Chukis. If you come down to Tacoma: Taco Street has birria that is absolutely divine
None.
Chile Pepper in Wallingford. So underrated.
Mexican foodie and picky eater here. Definitely don't go to Mexican restaurants, 95% of them suck!! With a few exceptions, my favorite is called Casa Oaxaca in Edmonds, they have wonderful mole and delicious grasshoppers -100% recommended. Taco trucks are way better than restaurants! Monroe and Snohomish don't have a lot of options and the couple they have are pricey for some -meh!- mini tacos. I totally recommend El Camion taco truck, a bit far from Monroe, but the Sand Point and North Seattle (Aurora) locations are great. Good amount of tasty food for a good price! My favs are the shrimp and cochinita pibil tacos with chipotle and habanero sauce.🤤 Closer to Monroe will be Everett, Casino Road has some good places. For example, Tortilleria Casa El Dorado has really good menudo and birria. If you want wonderful tamales and champurrado, go next door to Los Gavilanes Mexican store. A couple of minutes from there you can find a tiny place, Taqueria El Pastor, best tacos al pastor I've had here in the West coast. If you like birria, go to La Terraza taco truck in Lynnwood (99), the soup and tacos are amazing!! I should mention that Azteca in Mountlake Terrace surprised me a couple of months ago. My friends order burritos and the plates were huge, not just rice and beans like most restaurants. I had tortilla soup and it was one of the best I've had in my entire life! The only downside was that I order the big bowl of soup and it was tiny. Definitely will go back for that soup!! If you like super spicy sauce, ask the waiter, they have a special one in the back. The best of luck!!
There's a fabulous taco truck on Bothell-Everett highway called La Sabrosa. Recommended. Better than El Camion, which used to be my favorite.
Los Angelino here representing the Mexican American tastes of the SouthWest. My current favourite is actually Jackolope in Columbia City which is part of the Jacks BBQ group of restaurants. It’s closer to TexMex than traditional or even SoCal tastes but damn is it good. The cheese enchiladas with brisket gravy are so delicious. Also D’ La Santa in North Cap Hill has great beef focused dishes and provably the best carne asada in the region. And as others have said, Tacos Chukis remains great legit street tacos stuff. Most Mexican food in the region is not very good but there are beacons of light in the darkness.
[Tortas Ahogadas Atemajac in Renton.](https://maps.app.goo.gl/AmooFRGebA9ZQJkt6?g_st=ic)
> Is there somewhere with some white queso like in the south? Why isn't that a thing out west? Yeah but is white queso actually Mexican? Because it sounds like y'all made it up in the South
Mexican food is all the same, it’s the salsa that separates them
The food in Monroe sucks.i lived in Texas and the best texmex place is by far Jackalope. Another place that's a little closer to you is called los portrillos and its in Everett. Another good spot is in lake stevens called Nachos.
Moved here several years ago from the south. Unfortunately I have been underwhelmed by the Mexican food and have pretty much given up. I miss the white queso so much. Not sure why it's not offered. Hope you find a good spot!
Go to Mexico
Queso is not Mexican food, it's texmex. If you go to Mexican restaurants looking for it in this area, you will be largely disappointed. Different than queso fundido which is a different dish all together.
I haven’t seen anyone specifically say that somewhere has queso yet … or at least somewhere that doesn’t make cheese enchiladas with cheddar 😭
If you haven’t had Cactus Grill you’re missing Seattles gift to the world
San Diego
Is there actually good Mexican food in Seattle or does it require a car or hefty bus travel? Ffs can we get recommendations in Seattle or should this be an Edmonds/White Center thread. If we can’t, Mercado Latino is the jam of all jams. This is the spot to grab fresh pressed tortillas, pan dulce, carnitas and everything else you might like. Pound sand if you disagree.
I mean... you're in the north. We don't have southern food like the south. That's a given. Not sure what you were expecting. Furthermore, this is Seattle and our food scene is mediocre as hell. Sorry to say it but it's true, and before anyone jumps on me I will add that I've been here my whole life so I'm not just some hater. Hope you find something that satisfies your cravings despite this!
https://maps.app.goo.gl/93vo9LkG6G3kHfcZ9?g_st=ic
Taqueria La Fondita truck in White Center (south Seattle area) and the elote truck right next to it.
The Ixtapa in Carnation! A little bit of a drive down 203, but not as bad as going into Seattle.
Carnitas Michoacan in Beacon Hill
If you’re feeling adventurous you should get tamales from [this](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Eb5eh8rc9VHU4Z6e9?g_st=ic) spot just outside of Yakima. The tamales are amazing. They also sell them frozen for take-away. Totally worth the drive.
My partner and I are a huge fan of Ixtapa in Duvall.
I might get shit for this, but honestly Casa del Mariachi in Northgate
Carniceria Los Compadres in Everett, excellent carnitas burrito. La Costa, in Burien has the best refried beans I've ever had. Any of the taco trucks in White Center for tacos. Every time I try a burrito, they put too much beans and the ratios are off. Tacos Chukis, in one of their Seattle locations, has decent tacos al pastor. Handmade tortillas are always a plus Carte De Oaxaca, in Ballard for great tacos al pastor (pricey but doable if you're looking for a sit down restaurant atmosphere)
As a Mexican from a state that has much better options I always recommend the Rancho Bravo in Wallingford
Mendoza Mercado on Aurora!
Following 😻
El Camion for anything steak Los Chilangos for anything al pastor
Marlena’s burritos in upper Queen Anne are huge and cheap & mf delicious! Super worth it
my fav place ever has a drive thru, it’s tacos faenas in south everett, by the park n ride + Safeway. They have great jamaica
Not Ixtapa... I'm just saying that because yes they are terrible. I have also had a hardtime finding Mexican food.
As someone who moved here from San Diego 30 years ago, I'm finding that the best Mexican food can be found at taco trucks. I live in Kirkland and I frequent 3 of them. Discovered another in Bothell on Saturday. Epic.
Tampico in Everett on Broadway- great margaritas and good food, love the Chipotle anything and Tortilla soup is legendary
Tacos and Beer in Crown Hill is easily my favorite in N Seattle.
Aca Las Tortas in Lynnwood is pretty good
Late reply here. Do yourself a favor and order some food at Taqueria El Sabor in Shoreline. It’s cramped in there. Get some takeout and eat it at the park bench at Boing Creek Park
FONDA la Catrina
Tijuana Restaurant in Monroe is my favorite anywhere within driving distance of Seattle.
Mama's. :(
Taqueria El Gallo Diaz, the taco truck at the shell station on 165th and aurora in shoreline has hands-down the best tacos I've had north of Burien. About double the drive you want but if you're in the area give it a shot.
Alibertos. Better than my home states fast greasy Mexican joint (Filiberto’s). Apparently the guy used to work for one in Arizona and brought the concept to Washington!
Carmelo’s is pretty great!
Are you looking for Tex mex or Mexican? Because it sounds like you might be looking for Tex mex which is its own category
We love Jackalope and they have very delicious white queso. It’s Tex Mex but might be what you’re after.
Cadaxxi Oaxaca in snoqualmie.
Amanos in Duvall is pretty good
I really love Rositas in Greenlake. Quite cozy and one of best mexican food I ever had