Highest-rated Mexican restaurants in Salinas by diners
Highest-rated Mexican restaurants in Salinas by diners
Just like cuisine from any country, Mexican food is not monolithic. It isn't just combo plates and tacos. (Not that there's anything wrong with that style of food; it's delicious and is responsible for popularizing Mexican food in the United States.) But Mexican food means more than that.
It reflects Mexico's diverse population—shaped by waves of immigration—and has proliferated throughout the U.S., showcasing the cuisine in all its complexity and regionality. Mexico has 32 distinct regional styles of cooking, and thanks to immigrant chefs and the rise of promising culinarians of Mexican descent looking to share their signature dishes, Indigenous foodways, and ingredients from various regions, diners are reframing their idea of "Mexican food."
According to a Pew Research Center analysis of SafeGraph data, 1 in 10 restaurants in the U.S. serve Mexican food, and nearly 9 out of 10 U.S. counties have at least one Mexican restaurant. The analysis also reveals that California and Texas are home to a majority of the Mexican American population and together host 2 out of 5 Mexican restaurants in the country.
These findings serve as a testament to the influence Mexican cuisine has had and continues to have in America. Which begs the question: Where does one go for the best old-school Mexican restaurants, loncheras slinging tacos out of a half-window, and innovative modern Mexican food pushing culinary boundaries?
To help you out, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated Mexican restaurants in Salinas using data from Yelp. Only restaurants with at least five reviews were considered. Data is current as of January 2024.
Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list.
Note: The photos in this article are stock images and do not necessarily depict the specific restaurants listed or the dishes they serve.
#30. Rafael Mexican Grill
- Rating: 4.0/5 (102 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1927 Natividad Road Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican, Bars, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#29. Tacos El Pariente
- Rating: 4.0/5 (27 reviews)
- Address: 100 Williams Road Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Tacos Y Mariscos La Perla
- Rating: 4.0/5 (9 reviews)
- Address: Kern St. & Roosevelt St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos, Caterers
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Ariana's Restaurant
- Rating: 4.0/5 (139 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 912 Park Row Salinas, California
- Categories: American, Breakfast & Brunch, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Taqueria el Tarasco
- Rating: 4.0/5 (8 reviews)
- Address: 910 North Sanborn Road Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Villa Azteca
- Rating: 4.0/5 (581 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 157 Main St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Tacos Pacheco
- Rating: 4.0/5 (22 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 32 San Miguel Ave. Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Eva's Cafe
- Rating: 4.0/5 (182 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 246 Williams Road Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Los Grullenses
- Rating: 4.0/5 (121 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 655 Sanborn Place Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Mama Lupita's
- Rating: 4.5/5 (124 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 321 Salinas St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Burrito King
- Rating: 4.5/5 (130 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 8 Midtown Lane Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#19. El Zacatecano
- Rating: 4.5/5 (393 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 655 East Alisal St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#18. El Charrito
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1433 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 122 West Market St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Casillas Brothers Market
- Rating: 4.5/5 (7 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 100 Monterey Salinas Hwy Salinas, California
- Categories: Gas Stations, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Tacos El Grullense
- Rating: 4.5/5 (21 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Kern St. And Roosevelt St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Tacos Pacheco Taqueria
- Rating: 4.5/5 (7 reviews)
- Address: 1504 Moffett St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Las Glorias Mariscos Truck
- Rating: 4.5/5 (9 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Corner Of Rossi St. And Bridge St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican, Food Stands
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Taqueria El Grullense
- Rating: 4.5/5 (20 reviews)
- Address: 976 Acosta Plz Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Tortas AL 100
- Rating: 4.5/5 (22 reviews)
- Address: 1034 North Main St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Tacos Guadalajara 831
- Rating: 4.5/5 (21 reviews)
- Address: 170 Harrison Road Salinas, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Culturas Hidalgo & Oaxaca Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5/5 (355 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 473 East Market St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Jaquez Fast Food Service
- Rating: 4.5/5 (21 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 923 East Market St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Hot Dogs, Food Stands, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Leal's Bakery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (14 reviews)
- Address: 805 East Alisal St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Carlito's Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5/5 (6 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 543 West Market St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Double Dz Birrieria
- Rating: 4.5/5 (12 reviews)
- Address: Quail Run Cir Salinas, California
- Categories: Tacos, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Panaderia Tres Hermanos
- Rating: 4.5/5 (36 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 545 East Alisal Ste D Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#4. El Colibri Restaurant and Deli
- Rating: 4.5/5 (82 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 343 Main St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Burgers, Sandwiches, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Sabor Latin Fusion
- Rating: 5.0/5 (28 reviews)
- Address: 1126 South Main St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos, Caterers
- Read more on Yelp
#2. El Chilacatazo
- Rating: 5.0/5 (37 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 337 Monterey St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican, Beer Bar, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#1. El Canaston
- Rating: 5.0/5 (8 reviews)
- Address: 796 Northridge Drive Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Cynthia Rebolledo, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 327 metros.
