Highest-rated Mexican restaurants in the Rockford 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 Rockford 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 Rockford 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!
#18. Pancheros Mexican Grill - Rockford
- Rating: 2.6/5 (50 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3015 North Perryville Road Rockford, Illinois
- Categories: Mexican, fast food
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#17. Fiesta Cancun
- Rating: 2.6/5 (43 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1508 East Riverside Blvd. Loves Park, Illinois
- Categories: Mexican
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#16. Alvarez Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 3.1/5 (35 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 205 East Riverside Blvd. Loves Park, Illinois
- Categories: Mexican
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#15. Taqueria San Jose
- Rating: 3.2/5 (59 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3725 East State St. Rockford, Illinois
- Categories: Mexican
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#14. El Burrito Loco
- Rating: 3.2/5 (29 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2430 Auburn St. Rockford, Illinois
- Categories: Mexican, fast food
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#13. Fiesta Cancun
- Rating: 3.4/5 (62 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 631 Highgrove Place Rockford, Illinois
- Categories: Mexican
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#12. Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 3.5/5 (95 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5855 East State St. Rockford, Illinois
- Categories: Mexican, Salad, Breakfast & Brunch
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#11. Chilangos Authentic Mexican Cuisine
- Rating: 3.5/5 (25 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5621 Wansford Way Rockford, Illinois
- Categories: Mexican
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#10. Chavez Mexican Restaurante
- Rating: 3.6/5 (30 reviews)
- Address: 5494 East State St. Rockford, Illinois
- Categories: Mexican, Seafood, Breakfast & Brunch
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#9. Fiesta Tequila Bar & Grill
- Rating: 3.6/5 (49 reviews)
- Address: 1060 West Riverside Blvd. Rockford, Illinois
- Categories: Mexican
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#8. Hacienda San Jose
- Rating: 3.7/5 (20 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3035 North Rockton Ave. Rockford, Illinois
- Categories: Mexican
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#7. Jalisco & Tequila Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 3.8/5 (67 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 805 East State St. Rockford, Illinois
- Categories: Mexican
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#6. Burrito Bravo
- Rating: 3.8/5 (46 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4206 Charles St. Rockford, Illinois
- Categories: Mexican
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#5. Mexico Clasico
- Rating: 3.9/5 (136 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3929 Broadway Rockford, Illinois
- Categories: Mexican
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#4. Olivo Taco's
- Rating: 4.0/5 (22 reviews)
- Address: 2914 West State Rockford, Illinois
- Categories: Tacos, Food Trucks
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#3. Lucha Cantina
- Rating: 4.2/5 (457 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1641 North Alpine Road Ste 212 Rockford, Illinois
- Categories: Tacos, New Mexican Cuisine
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#2. Cantina Taco
- Rating: 4.2/5 (35 reviews)
- Address: 117 South Main St. Rockford, Illinois
- Categories: Tacos
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#1. Plaza Los Panchos
- Rating: 4.2/5 (57 reviews)
- Address: 8660 North 2nd St. Machesney Park, Illinois
- Categories: Mexican
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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.
