Highest-rated Mexican restaurants in the Salinas area 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鈥攕haped by waves of immigration鈥攁nd has proliferated throughout the U.S., showcasing the cuisine in all its complexity and regionality. Mexico has, 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 2024 Pew Research Center analysis of SafeGraph data, , 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, compiled a list of the highest-rated Mexican restaurants in the Salinas area based on diners' reviews on as of February 2025. Restaurants with at least 20 reviews tagged as "Mexican" on Yelp within a 10-kilometer radius of Salinas were included. As a result, some restaurants featured may serve other food items besides Mexican food. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with more than 50 locations nationally, based on the Yelp data, were not included.
Keep reading to see if your favorite Mexican spot made the list or to discover a new restaurant to try!
#30. Fish & Chips North Main
- Rating: 4.0/5 (131 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2010 North Main St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Seafood, Mexican
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#29. Delicia's Taqueria
- Rating: 4.0/5 (51 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 545 East Alisal St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
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#28. Ariana's Restaurant
- Rating: 4.0/5 (153 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 912 Park Row Salinas, California
- Categories: American, Breakfast & Brunch, Mexican
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#27. Rafael Mexican Grill
- Rating: 4.1/5 (108 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1927 Natividad Road Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican, Bars, Breakfast & Brunch
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#26. Villa Azteca
- Rating: 4.1/5 (661 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 157 Main St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
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#25. Tacos Pacheco
- Rating: 4.1/5 (25 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 32 San Miguel Ave. Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
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#24. Las Islas Marias Restaurant
- Rating: 4.1/5 (25 reviews)
- Address: 1565 North Sanborn Road Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican, Seafood
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#23. Mama Lupita's
- Rating: 4.2/5 (144 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 321 Salinas St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
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#22. Eva's Cafe
- Rating: 4.2/5 (190 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 246 Williams Road Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
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#21. Taqueria El Grullense
- Rating: 4.2/5 (22 reviews)
- Address: 976 Acosta Plz Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
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#20. Los Grullenses
- Rating: 4.2/5 (129 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 655 Sanborn Place Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
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#19. Burrito King
- Rating: 4.3/5 (147 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 8 Midtown Lane Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
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#18. Taqueria Hidalgo
- Rating: 4.4/5 (120 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 23477 Grant St. Chualar, California
- Categories: Mexican
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#17. El Charrito
- Rating: 4.4/5 (1567 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 122 West Market St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
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#16. Alma's Bakery-Deli
- Rating: 4.4/5 (57 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 25482 Payson Chualar, California
- Categories: Delis, Bakeries, Mexican
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#15. El Zacatecano
- Rating: 4.4/5 (423 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 655 East Alisal St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
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#14. Tacos El Grullense
- Rating: 4.4/5 (27 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Kern St. And Roosevelt St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
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#13. Alfonso's Authentic Mexican Food
- Rating: 4.4/5 (334 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 11252 Merritt St. Castroville, California
- Categories: Mexican, Seafood
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#12. Panaderia Tres Hermanos
- Rating: 4.6/5 (38 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 545 East Alisal Ste D Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
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#11. El Canaston
- Rating: 4.6/5 (30 reviews)
- Address: 796 Northridge Drive Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
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#10. Culturas Hidalgo & Oaxaca Restaurant
- Rating: 4.6/5 (405 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 473 East Market St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican
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#9. Jaquez Fast Food Service
- Rating: 4.7/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 923 East Market St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Hot Dogs, Food Stands, Mexican
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#8. Tacos Guadalajara 831
- Rating: 4.7/5 (26 reviews)
- Address: 170 Harrison Road Salinas, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos
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#7. Deliciosos Tacos
- Rating: 4.7/5 (109 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 11576 Merritt St. Castroville, California
- Categories: Mexican
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#6. El Colibri Restaurant and Deli
- Rating: 4.7/5 (102 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 343 Main St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Burgers, Sandwiches, Mexican
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#5. El Buen Taco
- Rating: 4.8/5 (65 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: Santa Cruz, California
- Categories: Tacos, Food Trucks
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#4. El Chilacatazo
- Rating: 4.8/5 (100 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 337 Monterey St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Mexican, Seafood, Breakfast & Brunch
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#3. Shawarma King
- Rating: 4.9/5 (159 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 11601 Merritt St. Castroville, California
- Categories: Halal, Mexican, Burgers
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#2. Sabor Latin Fusion
- Rating: 4.9/5 (40 reviews)
- Address: 1126 South Main St. Salinas, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos, Caterers
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#1. Fredo's Vegan Tacos
- Rating: 5.0/5 (42 reviews)
- Address: 2047 Watsonville Road Castroville, California
- Categories: Tacos, Vegan, Food Trucks
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Cynthia Rebolledo, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 326 metros.
