20 Mexican restaurants in Minnesota worth the trip

Nearly 1,000 votes came in from Twin Cities Live viewers suggesting where they like to go for the best Mexican food in Minnesota. I presented the top 5 picks on TV — and those are listed below.

While votes came in, I heard from people saying that certain Mexican restaurants don’t serve authentic food and that you need to go to specific parts of the Twin Cities to find true Mexican food. That theory is garbage. No matter if you’re in Minneapolis or Madelia, every establishment has a story to tell. Save your comments for some other blog.

There are a lot of Mexican restaurants out there, and I encourage you to try out new spots. Underneath the top 5, check out an expanded list of restaurants which made the top 20, including some of my personal favorites. And let me know what you think! You can reach out to me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

• Boca Chica Restaurante Mexicano y Cantina, Saint Paul
  • Opened in 1964 with just four tables
  • Now has 64 tables and a patio which seats around 75 people
  • They serve a lunch buffet Monday-Friday and a Sunday brunch from 10:00-2:00
  • What to order: Flautas Banderas, Carne a la Tampiqueña, Tacos Monterrey

• El Burrito Mercado, Saint Paul
  • Not only a restaurant, but also has a market and cafeteria
  • Opened in 1979
  • Also operate a restaurant and bar in Minneapolis and sell items at Allianz Field in Saint Paul
  • What to order: Chicken Mole, Ceviche de Camaron, Sopes with 3 Guisados

• Pajarito, Saint Paul
  • Opened in December 2016 in a building dating back to 1886
  • Stop in for lunch to avoid long wait times
  • Order one of their craft cockails
  • What to order: Chilaquiles, Elote style Brussels Sprouts, Torta

• La Plaza F!esta, Madelia
  • Originally opened in 2011; a fire completely destroyed the restaurant in 2016
  • They rebuilt and expanded to nearly 150 seats
  • New restaurant includes a grocery store next door
  • All tables and chairs were painted and carved in Mexico
  • What to order: Flaming Cheese, Malcajete F!esta, Seafood Ceviche

• Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant, Shakopee
  • Opened in 1986
  • 4 expansions and a remodel later, it features 260 seats
  • Family-owned
  • Closed Sundays
  • What to order: Margarita flight, Ultimate Chimichanga, Surf & Turf with Tamale, 3 Enchiladas & Chile Relleno

Want more recommended Mexican restaurants? Check out these spots, recommended by your votes!

• Las Tortillas Mexican Restaurant, Rosemount
• Andale Taqueria & Mercado, Richfield
• Las Margaritas, Hastings
• Fiesta Cancun, Oak Park Heights, Lino Lakes, Maple Grove, Hudson
• El Gordito Market, Crookston
• El Loro, Lexington, Eagan, Crystal, Coon Rapids, Bloomington
• Maya Cuisine, Minneapolis, Roseville, Maplewood
• Nacho Mama’s, Stillwater
• El Molino Mexican Restaurant, Waseca
• Casa Rio, Anoka
• El Taco Riendo, Minneapolis
• Companeros, Dorset
• Taco Loco, Shakopee
• Acapulco, Andover, Blaine, Ham Lake, Maplewood, New Brighton, Ramsey, Stillwater, Woodbury
• Colita, Minneapolis

Check out my other roundups of what’s ‘Worth the Trip’

• 5 best places to play bingo in Minnesota
• The 5 best meat raffles in Minnesota
• The 5 best restaurants for fried fish in Minnesota
• Hidden gems at the 5 best museums in Minnesota
• The best restaurant, brewery and winery patios in Minnesota
• The 17 best restaurants for breakfast in Minnesota
• The 5 best bakeries in Minnesota
• The 5 best holiday light displays in Minnesota
• The 5 best coffee shops in Minnesota
• The best pizzerias in Minnesota