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Explore 5 of the Best Mexican Restaurants in Mexicantown Detroit

By Shannon Renee
platter of mexican street tacos with carne asada, chorizo, and al pastor in corn tortillas

Looking for the best Mexican restaurants in Mexicantown Detroit? Whether you’re a local craving for or in town for the NFL Draft, we’ve got the hook-up! We wouldn’t have a whole area in Detroit dedicated to this cuisine if it weren’t authentically good! But before diving into some of the best spots, let’s talk briefly about Mexicantown’s history and what makes Mexican food authentic.

What Makes Mexican Food Authentic

Mexican street tacos flat lay composition that you could get at one of the best Mexican restaurants in mexicantown Detroit

My husband is Mexican. I asked him what makes Mexican food authentic to him. He said, “To me, authentic Mexican food has minimal ingredients with maximum flavor. So many spices are used to elevate otherwise bland ingredients into something amazing. The refried beans aren’t just pinto beans. And the rice isn’t just yellow rice. The spices that are added to it give it an authentic flavor. For me, authentic Mexican food represents lots of spices & has a colorful presentation. It’s also about the use of traditional kitchen tools. My Mom spent hours making food from scratch with a molcajete (mortar and pestle), tortilla press, and a comal.”

History of Mexicantown Detroit

Small businesses line Bagley Avenue in the Mexicantown neighborhood...

Small businesses line Bagley Avenue in the Mexicantown neighborhood of Southwest Detroit, Michigan, U.S., on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014. An influx of 16,000 immigrant Latinos and a commercial corridor... Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

Mexicantown is such a unique and vibrant area in Detroit. The area itself is considered to be within Southwest Detroit. While it was named “Mexicantown” in the late 80’s, the Mexican population in Detroit started setting in the area in the 1920s due to increased industrial labor jobs.  Further surges of immigration decades later increased the population in the area. Not only are there authentic Mexican restaurants in the area, but brightly colored buildings are painted with amazing murals. The area is just so rich in culture.  If you’d like to learn more about its history, check out the book “Detroit’s Mexicantown” By Maria Elena Rodriguez.

Where to Find the Best Mexican Restaurants in Mexicantown Detroit

While there are many places to enjoy great Mexican food in Detroit, we’ve narrowed the list to 5 of the best Mexican restaurants in Mexicantown Detroit for you to visit to satisfy your craving. Check out the list below and enjoy!

  • Mi Pueblo

    Whenever I ask someone for the best Mexican restaurants in Detroit, Mi Pueblo is always at the top. According to Eater Detroit, Mi Pueblo was started by Jose DeJesus Lopez in his house in Southwest Detroit after immigrating from Jalisco, Mexico. This began in 1995, and by 2000, it had a location and had become a fully licensed restaurant. According to the Mi Pueblo website, “You’ll find homemade fresh tortillas, tacos filled with marinated pork, chorizo, chicken and grilled steak, tortas that come in more than a dozen varieties and enchiladas topped with a generous amount of cheese and salsa roja.” They also have a wide range of authentic drinks. Check out their menu here.

    Please stop in and see them at 7278 Dix St, Detroit, MI 48209

    Their hours are:
    Monday-closed
    Tuesday-Saturday: 10:30 am-10 pm
    Sunday-10 am-10 pm

  • El Asador Steakhouse

    According to the El Asador website, “we take a new approach to Mexican Cuisine. We believe that good food is an ingredient in itself and should be treated with awe and love. So, expect each portion you are served to be made from scratch and to have a shelf life of no more than two days, starting the count from the moment we receive it. We don’t even own a freezer. We consume locally. We consume responsibly.” Luis Garza is the Chef and Owner. He takes inspiration from his mother’s cuisine and his days in the kitchen cooking for other popular restaurants in Michigan. Not only is it a twist on Mexican cuisine, but it also offers many steak options. View their menu in advance here.

    Stop in and see them at 7278 Dix St, Detroit, MI 48209

    Their hours are:
    Monday-closed
    Tuesday-Saturday 10:30 am-10 pm
    Sunday- 10 am-10 pm

  • Armandos

    This spot is definitely on many favorites lists. Armando’s was established in the 1960s by Armando Galan and subsequently taken over by the Hernandez family in the 1980s. The menu features traditional Mexican food like tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, and more. View it here.

    Stop in for a bite at 4242 W Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48209

    Their hours are:
    Monday-closed
    Tuesday-Sunday 10:30 am-10 pm

  • Taqueria Lupitas

    This spot is in its second generation of ownership. According to the Taqueria Lupitas website, the menu includes a variety of offerings, including well-known”eet-style tacos” and a variety of taco meat options like lengua, tripas, Cabeza, and pastor. And beyond tacos offerings of caldos, enchiladas, chiles rellenos, and fajitas.” Yum! Check out their menu here.

    Get your fix at 3443 Bagley St, Detroit, MI 48216

    Their hours are:
    Monday-Sunday: 10 am-9 pm

  • El Barzon

    https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/409669511_1059562245494863_1259345663398273696_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=U-FEm5lXDlQAb70G4rd&_nc_oc=Adispzvnhe0K6iHXZVpDpckfI5fqwL7PYhvBptZawTaex7TmwIk1y4b8BDWF51CEiNc&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfCCLq314C9aBdjuerIJR1M4Z1SuvmtwTf_5BZ4gBKgk1A&oe=66282D83

    The El Barzon restaurant has been a staple in Mexicantown since 2007. It’s unique in that it serves traditional Mexican and Italian dishes, so you get the best of both worlds for whatever you crave. To check out their menu, click here. They tend to get busy, so you may want to make reservations in advance.

    Swing by & stop in at 3710 Junction St, Detroit, MI 48210

    Their hours are:
    Monday – Closed
    Tuesday – Thursday: 11 AM- 2:30 PM & 5 PM – 9 PM
    Friday: 11 AM – 2:30 PM & 5 PM – 10 PM
    Saturday: 4 PM – 10 PM
    Sunday: 5 PM – 8PM

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