1942 Tacos & Tequila
Why we love it: This Downtown spot boasts a colorful ambiance with floral chandeliers, sea blue walls and colorful margaritas in vessels embossed with the signature skull. Choose from a large menu of Mexican bites and unique twists on cocktails. Try this: The tacos de quesabirria ($15.39) are juicy and full of flavor, on grilled corn tortillas stuffed with slow-cooked braised beef with cheese, fresh onions and cilantro, served with a side of beef broth for dipping. 1220 Huron Road East, Cleveland, 216-727-0188, 1942tacostequilapa.com
Arepazo Latino & Bar
Why we love it: Grab a seat on a red barstool inside this vibrant family-friendly gem. Home to some delicious Mexican eats and festive drinks like the colorful margarita flight, featuring flavors such as strawberry, mango and frozen lime ($13.99). Try this: The tacos de birria ($15.99) features three corn tortillas filled with authentic birria beef and chihuahua cheese, served with consume de birria. 14725 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-785-9912, arepazolatinoandbar.com
Avo Modern Mexican
Why we love it: The decor at this modern Mexican eatery is matched by the flavors of burritos, tacos, tortas and imaginative cocktails. Enjoy the luxe modern seats, Edison bulb uplighting and a colorful mural. Try this: The Mexican pizza ($24) is made on a flattop grill with two extra-large flour tortillas. Order it traditional style with house-made enchilada sauce, refried black beans, chihuahua cheese, ground beef and heirloom pico de gallo, served with a side of sour cream and topped with fresh cilantro. 2058 W. 25th St., Cleveland, 216-331- 4024, avo-ohiocity.com
Barrio Tacos
Why we love it: This growing build-your-own taco joint deserves its cult following. Come for sensational black-and-white skull murals, a wide variety of savory protein choices and some killer patios. And don’t miss the various renditions of margaritas in all the flavors of the rainbow. Try this: Crunch into a two-layered “green goddess” (soft and hard shell) filled with queso and guacamole, with braised short rib ($6.75), and all the cheese, vegetables and other toppings of your choice. Various locations, barrio-tacos.com
(Courtesy Blue Habanero)
Blue Habanero
Why we love it: Say hello to the oversized flower-crowned Day of the Dead skeleton lady when you enter and get ready to dine at this Gordon Square margarita and scratch street tacos haven. Authentic spiced Mexican staples, colorful vibes and a large bar, featuring a giant selection of drinks and more than 50 varieties of tequila, will keep you coming back. Try this: Experience the unique flavor combination of the street tacos ($16), featuring Certified Angus ribeye steak, chorizo, pineapple, onion, cilantro and tomatillo. 6416 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 216-465-1818, bluehabanerocleveland.com
Cilantro Taqueria
Why we love it: If you’re craving all the standard Tex-Mex flavors of burritos, tacos and tortas, this newer bright-walled basic eatery is where it’s at. Take your pick from all the other delicious options like birria tacos, gringas or bowls, in this come-as-you-are atmosphere with a Chipotle-style counter, basic seating and colorful festive Mexican celebration garlands hanging from the ceiling. Try this: Grab a burrito tinga ($10.79) with perfectly seasoned chipotle shredded chicken and a fruity fresh peach margarita ($8.50). Various locations, 216-340-9977, cilantrotaqueria.com
(Courtesy Cozumel Mexican Restaurant & Cantina)
Cozumel Mexican Restaurant & Cantina
Why we love it: This one is a quintessential no-frills Mexican joint where you meet friends in Lakewood or one of the other regional locations. “We offer something for everyone, from our house-made tamales, classic Mexican street tacos, to our sizzling fajitas,” says Agustin Martinez, manager of Cozumel in Lakewood. Each location boasts weekly drink specials, including jumbo margaritas. Try this: A popular favorite is the burrito a la diabla ($16.75), says Martinez. The burrito is filled with grilled chicken and chorizo that’s cooked in house spicy diablo sauce, topped with queso dip and served with rice and charro beans. Various locations, cozumel.us
Don Ramon Mexican Restaurant
Why we love it: This longtime traditional Mexican eatery is known for generous portions and friendly faces. With recipes passed down from family through generations, and the lively atmosphere in spacious dining rooms, including at the sister Gran Fiesta Mexican Restaurants, the growing regional chain spans both west and east Cleveland suburbs. Try this: Munch on a delectable spread of fajita nachos ($19.99), a bed of chips topped with grilled shrimp, chicken or steak, grilled onions, peppers, tomatoes and cheese sauce. Various locations, donramon-granfiestamex.com
Don Tequila Bar & Grill
Why we love it: Locally owned for more than 15 years, this cool suburban Mexican mainstay offers traditional margaritas and authentic entrees. If you’re looking to unwind with friends, share the stunning 84-ounce rainbow tower margarita ($39.99). Try this: Order up the new enchiladas Aztecas ($14.25), featuring three enchiladas, one chicken, one ground beef and one shredded beef, covered with green, red and white sauce, served with rice, lettuce, sour cream and tomatoes. Various locations, dontequilabarandgrill.net
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El Jalapenos Authentic Mexican Restaurant
Why we love it: When you think of a low-key casual Mexican restaurant, you’ll picture El Jalapeños. Spot the colorful orange building sporting a pair of margarita-sipping jalapeno buds and step inside the wood-paneled hotspot for traditional Mexican-American food. Try this: Order the traditional burritos Mexicanos ($17.99) and devour two burritos, one chicken and beans, one beef and beans, topped with cheese, lettuce, sour cream and tomatoes, served with Mexican rice. 216-226- 9765, 1313 W. 117th St., Cleveland, eljalapenos.com
El Patron Tequileria and Cusine
Why We Love It: With a long list of palomas, margaritas and signature cocktails, this modern Mexican restaurant with big street tacos calls itself Akron's premier tequila lounge. But don't miss out on brunch or finding its food truck experience. Try This: Despite the margarita's fame, the paloma, made with grapefruit juice and tequila, is a worthy rival. Start with the straightforward Patron Paloma ($18) before diving into the spicy Picante Paloma ($16) or the Prickly Paloma ($16) with a prickly pear puree. 54 E Mill St., Akron, 234-231-1665, elpatrontequileria.com
El Rodeo Family Restaurant
Why We Love It: This North Olmsted classic is as straightforward as it is delicious. Try This: Mexican Lasagna ($13.50) is a pile of tortilla chips cooked in red and green salsa and topped with meat and cheese. 23135 Lorain Road, North Olmsted, 440-686-1250, elrodeomexrestaurant.com
(Courtesy El Torito Tacos Mexican Bar & Grill)
El Torito Tacos Mexican Bar & Grill
Why we love it: Owner Leon Gomez’s lifelong dream of owning a restaurant with his family has come to fruition, times three. Stop by one of the three locations of the traditional popular Mexican restaurant, with a basic interior with faux brick murals and cozy booths, and order up a frozen concoction from the bar. The vast selection of margaritas and cocktails at this joint stands out, whether you’re looking for a fruity, strong or skinny variety. Try this: If you’re feeling festive and thirsty, opt for the house top-shelf pineapple margarita ($14.95), crafted with fresh pineapple, Grand Marnier, triple sec and Jose Cuervo Tradicional. Various locations, eltoritotacos.com
(Courtesy Ghost Pepper Taqueria & Tequila)
Ghost Pepper Taqueria & Tequila
Why we love it: Covered in a sea of majestic red string and neon lights, this vibey taco and tequila hot spot transports you to a whole different world. Order one of more than 50 tequilas or a handcrafted cocktail from the vast menu. Try this: Come for Taco Wednesday and mix and match tacos ($4 each), like the Korean with flatiron steak, soy glaze, cabbage slaw, scallion and roasted peanut; the spicy Ghost Whisperer, with marinated chicken, ghost pepper dust, pineapple salsa and queso fresco; and the Mexi, featuring chorizo, pickled red onion, sunny egg, salsa verde and cotija cheese. 1278 W. Bagley Road, Berea, 440-625-6015, ghostpeppercle.com
Hacienda Tapatia
Why We Love It: Lakewood's modern Mexican cantina presents traditional bites in a bar-like atmosphere. Try This: Mexican cuisine is so much more than just tortilla-wrapped meat. Branch out with the aguachile ($16.99), a plate of shrimp, fresh jalapenos, cucumbers, onions, tomatoes and avocado slices — all topped with a house jalapeno sauce. 1572 W 117th St., Lakewood, haciendatapatia.com
Hola Tacos
Why We Love It: From the team behind longtime Latin restaurant Barroco, this modern Mexican street food concept plays with the form in dishes like the birriapizza ($22) and the Mexican ramen ($16). Try This: The birria taco ($5.5) is one of the city's best. Try the consome dipping broth ($3). 12102 Madison Ave., Lakewood, hola-tacos.com
La Plaza Taqueria
Why we love it: If you’re on the internet in Cleveland, you already know about the original old-school Mexican supermarket with a following for its taco options that show off the shop’s flavorful meats and unmatchable salsa bar. Try this: Choose from tacos, burritos and beyond, and take your pick of proteins, ranging from perfectly seasoned asada, chicken, carnitas, pastor, chorizo and barbacoa at La Plaza Supermarket or the newer sister restaurant La Plaza Taqueria & Catering, that also doubles as a large ice cream shop. 13609 Lakewood Heights Blvd., Cleveland, 216-476-8000; 1190 Milan Ave., Amherst, 440-683-5851, plazataqueria.com
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Las Americas Latin Restaurant & Market
Why we love it: This authentic Mexican grocer offers hard-to-find specialty items and all the basics you need to cook up your own Latin and Peruvian favorites at home, but we love the bright restaurant and hot to-go takeout options spanning tacos, burritos, specialty dishes and Peruvian seafood. Try this: The popular carne asada ($14.99) is crave-worthy, a flavorful thinly sliced steak, grilled and topped with green onions and jalapenos, served with rice and beans. 25650 Aurora Road, Bedford Heights, 440-439-9378, facebook.com/lasamericaslatinmarkt
Mezquite
Why we love it: New to the scene, the dining room of this former IHOP transformed into a beachy on-trend Mexican go-to, with all the typical suspects ranging from basic quesadillas to specialty seafood dishes, and an array of unique cocktails and margaritas. Stop by the seafoam blue tiled bar and order yourself your favorite libation like their signature mezcalita ($12), featuring mezcal, hibiscus concentrate, pineapple juice and natural syrup. Try this: The camarones a la diabla ($20) makes for a deliciously unique dish, showcasing pan-seared shrimp, cooked in the restaurant’s spicy diabla sauce with white rice, refried beans and flour tortillas. 35846 Detroit Road, Avon, 440-695-0779, mezquiterestaurante.com
Momocho
Why we love it: Known for colorful margaritas, fresh guacamole and a seasonal authentic modern Mexican menu, the trendy, dimly lit restaurant is housed in a historic building once used as a grocer that Chef Eric Williams decked out with unique Lucha Libre wrestler decor. Try this: The plant-based flautas ($17) make for a favorite, crafted with butternut squash, goat cheese, red chile and chocolate mole. 1835 Fulton Road, Cleveland, 216-694-2122, momocho.com
(Courtesy La Playa Fresh Seafood)
Monarca Cantina
In the heart of Medina's historic downtown, chef Victor Contrique offers a finer-dining experience (and a more casual lunch) with influence from his hometown of Jalisco, Mexico. Try This: The mole poblano ($17) is a tender chicken breast covered in a rich, hearty sauce made of chilies, spices and chocolate. 108 Public Square, Medina, 330-723-0010, monarca.co
La Playa Fresh Seafood
Why we love it: La Playa opened last year, transporting guests to a bright coastal oasis, featuring sea blue and bright colored furniture and a massive outdoor beach bar, inspired by a Mexican beach town. “It’s a new take on seafood from the area of Puerto Vallarta and Mexican food,” says owner Rafael Ayala. Try this: “One of our most popular dishes is fried red snapper. It’s perfectly fried, lightly breaded to the point that it’s a little crunchy and it feels firm. You can make your own tacos out of it,” says Ayala. 6410 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-714-1491, laplayafreshseafood.com
Nuevo Acapulco
Why we love it: This spacious favorite started in North Olmsted and moved to Fairview Park in 2019, now celebrating 30 years of the family-run business, offering a large variety of authentic Mexican food served in massive portions, margaritas and an open bar patio. “We’re one of those restaurants where you go once and then you come back and spread the word,” says general manager Brandon Rico. “People say ‘We’ve been going for 25 years and now my kids are going.’” Try this: Order the sizzling steak and chicken combo fajitas ($19.25) served with rice, beans, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole and tortillas. Mio Rico, general manager, credits the longtime recipe that uses the restaurant’s marinade, creating unmissable flavor. 21750 Lorain Road, Fairview Park, 440-734-3100, nuevoacapulco.com
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Ohio City Burrito
Why we love it: It’s the fresh ingredients like local tortillas, house-made sauces, local produce and house-ground chorizo that make this approachable taco and burrito shop stand out. After being marinated in the rub for 24 hours, the meats are slow-cooked overnight for 8-10 hours and hand-shredded. Relax in Ohio City Burrito's original namesake location, or swing by its other locations in Lakewood and Downtown Cleveland. Try this: The taco Mexicanos ($9), a trio of authentic street tacos made with robust flavorful barbacoa, with chopped onion, fresh cilantro and lime. Various locations, ohiocityburrito.com
(Courtesy Cilantro Taqueria)
Si Senor Mexican Restaurant
Why We Love It: Kamm's Corner is well-known for its Irish influence, but this longtime spot brings burritos, tacos, fajitas and more sits to a cute building on the main stretch. Try This: On this huge menu, it's always tough to make a decision. So go with the Sampler El Azteca ($13.99), which offers a little bit of everything including quesadilla, beef flauta, nachos and guacamole. 16800 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, sisenor.us
(Valeria Akins)
Taco Tontos
Why we love it: Daily fresh batches of food are the secret to success at Taco Tontos, which got its beginning in Kent in 1972. “All of our salsas, all our sauces, our chicken is hand cut, our steak is hand cut,” says co-owner Jill Cobb. “We have customers come multiple times a week, who say ‘I’m just craving your food again.’” Try this: Try the El Biggo ($12), in a 12-inch tortilla, with chicken, rice, cheese, lettuce, and sour cream. Baked in a pizza oven, the big flavor comes from the chicken that is sauteed in the house sauce. 13321 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-221-4479; 123 Franklin Ave., Kent, 330-677-0223, tacotontos.com
Tapatias Taqueria
Why we love it: The bright, old-school, mom-and-pop feel of this Mexican taqueria welcomes regulars to the no-frills joint that’s perfect for enjoying a massive plate of nachos, and all the frozen beverages of your heart’s dreams. Grab a seat at the wooden bar or a cozy booth and take advantage of the salsa bar. Try this: Grab some of the street tacos they’re known for during lunch, like the pescada taco ($4.25), asada ($3.50) and barbacoa ($3.99). 12501 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, 216-600- 5505, tapatiastaqueria.com
Tijuana’s Street Tacos
Why we love it: When the founders were laid off from former jobs during the pandemic, they opened this innovative, modern taco joint decked out in geometric, modern decor, including an enticing zebra and elaborate festive lanterns. Come for authentic and modern Mexican fare, street tacos, traditional wings and inventive fresh seafood dishes. Try this: Start with the tuna tostada ($12), featuring carrot, cucumber, red onion, serrano chili and soy sauce dressing. 5596 Highland Road, Highland Heights, tijuanasstreettacos.com
Tres Potrillos
Why We Love It: Authentic Mexican street food, a great tequila selection and down-home hospitality come together in two family-friendly locations. Try This: Momias ($13), named after mummies, is bacon-wrapped shrimp with sweetness from orange slices and spicy from chipotle ranch. 3175 Medina Road, Medina, 330-723-5600; 85 Montrose W Ave., Akron, 330-668-9779, trespotrillosmexicanrestaurant.com
Villa y Zapata
Why We Love It: You'll truly feel like you're in Mexico at this colorful, homey, second-floor, family-run joint. (Editor's Note: The Restaurant is closed for Cinco de Mayo.) Try This: Chile Rellenos ($12.95), cheese stuffed poblano peppers in a tomato sauce, are a classic. instagram.com/villayzapatarestaurant
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