Mexican Restaurants in Seattle

[kelligirl]

Suggestions for Mexican restaurants in Seattle with nice ambiance and great margaritas would be very much appreciated!:)

[PatriciaF]

Suggestions for Mexican restaurants in Seattle with nice ambiance and great margaritas would be very much appreciated!:)

 

I travelled to Seattle about every 3 weeks for work for 5 years. Never found a Mexican restaurant I liked.

 

Perhaps some of the locals have a few to recommend--Chinese, Thai, or Seafood are better choices IMHO.

[Casagordita]

Mexican food isn't one of Seattle's strengths. There are a few good hole-in-the-wall places, mostly in the south end where there's more of a Latino community. But if you're staying downtown, I can't say that I know of any that would be worth the trip down there--especially if you don't have a car and need to take public transit, or a cab.

 

If you do happen to be staying down around the airport, La Costa http://lacostaburien.com/ in Burien is worth a try. The food is very good, and the margaritas are tasty, and potent! They have a great mariachi band on Friday and Saturday nights. I've lived in the neighborhood for years, and it's the best Mexican place I've found hereabouts.

 

For some really interesting Mexican food--not your usual Americanized, Tex-Mex favorites, but more like the food you'd find at restuarants in Mexico that cater to the locals--you might want to try Señor Moose http://senormoose.com/index.html in Ballard. No margaritas there, though--just beer and wine.

 

And please...don't let anyone talk you into going to Mama's Mexican Kitchen on 2nd Avenue in Belltown. On numerous recommendations, I tried it two or three times when I first moved here from southern California. I finally had to conclude that I wasn't just hitting them on a bad day, or ordering the wrong thing--their food is really, truly awful. I have no idea how they stay in business--much less remain popular!

[Cruise Gypsy]

Mexican food isn't one of Seattle's strengths. There are a few good hole-in-the-wall places, mostly in the south end where there's more of a Latino community.

 

I agree. Seattle is not a big Mexican food place - I love Mexican food but struggle to find a good place in Seattle.

 

Casagordita has some good suggestions.

[Gardyloo]

One thing about looking for good Mexican restaurants in Seattle is that it forces visitors to get out of the tourist precincts downtown and into some of our wonderful neighborhoods. Totally easy using the buses - see http://tripplanner.kingcounty.gov/

 

Some thoughts:

 

Agree with Senor Moose, but as mentioned, no Margaritas. Bad news: tiny place, no place to wait. Good news - you can shop for a new VW next door while you wait. ;)

 

Other good places that can be reached fairly easily using public transportation:

 

Galerias on Broadway on Capitol Hill: http://galeriasgourmet.com/ Great food, great drinks, beautiful room. Highly recommended.

 

Agua Verde on the water at Portage Bay near the University of Washington: http://www.aguaverde.com - Outstanding margaritas - rent a kayak to burn off the frijoles - oh wait, they don't have frijloles

 

Cactus - two Seattle locations, one in Madison Park (lovely neighborhood on Lake Washington) and the other at Alki Beach. http://www.cactusrestaurants.com/ Again, great food, great booze, great views (Alki). Take the Elliott Bay Water Taxi - http://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/Marine/WaterTaxi/WestSeattle-DowntownSeattle/Map.aspx - to West Seattle, then walk around 3/4 mile (or take the 775 bus) over to our miniature Statue of Liberty and enjoy the neighborhood, beach, views of the ferries and Olympics (magic at sunset) and a really good Mexican dinner. Or take the bus to Madison Park and walk along the lake shore/beach and browse the cute shops next door to the restaurant. Super easy.

[kelligirl]

Thanks for all the suggestions. We are staying in the Lake Union area so I was hoping close by. We have older seniors with us so walking a long distance is not an option.

 

I'm really surprised there are not more Mexican food choices in Seattle. I always need my fix when I travel :D

[crzndeb]

Oh, there are tons of Mexican food choices, but since you are from California, there is nothing close to what you get there. It was my one big disappointment when I moved here from San Diego. I still haven't found any to my liking. I may have to try some of the ones suggested also.

 

Debbie

[relin711]

La Carta de Oaxaca, in the Ballard neighborhood.

 

{end thread}

[Putterdude]

Over the years I have always enjoyed the Azteca restaurants in Seattle. link

[SeattleCruiselover]

Mexican food isn't one of Seattle's strengths. There are a few good hole-in-the-wall places, mostly in the south end where there's more of a Latino community. But if you're staying downtown, I can't say that I know of any that would be worth the trip down there--especially if you don't have a car and need to take public transit, or a cab.

 

If you do happen to be staying down around the airport, La Costa http://lacostaburien.com/ in Burien is worth a try. The food is very good, and the margaritas are tasty, and potent! They have a great mariachi band on Friday and Saturday nights. I've lived in the neighborhood for years, and it's the best Mexican place I've found hereabouts.

 

For some really interesting Mexican food--not your usual Americanized, Tex-Mex favorites, but more like the food you'd find at restuarants in Mexico that cater to the locals--you might want to try Señor Moose http://senormoose.com/index.html in Ballard. No margaritas there, though--just beer and wine.

 

And please...don't let anyone talk you into going to Mama's Mexican Kitchen on 2nd Avenue in Belltown. On numerous recommendations, I tried it two or three times when I first moved here from southern California. I finally had to conclude that I wasn't just hitting them on a bad day, or ordering the wrong thing--their food is really, truly awful. I have no idea how they stay in business--much less remain popular!

 

Not only that, Mama's wise, but when I walked by there the other day there was a mouse running back and forth in the window. Ewwwwwww.

[SeattleCruiselover]

One thing about looking for good Mexican restaurants in Seattle is that it forces visitors to get out of the tourist precincts downtown and into some of our wonderful neighborhoods. Totally easy using the buses - see http://tripplanner.kingcounty.gov/

 

Some thoughts:

 

Agree with Senor Moose, but as mentioned, no Margaritas. Bad news: tiny place, no place to wait. Good news - you can shop for a new VW next door while you wait. ;)

 

Other good places that can be reached fairly easily using public transportation:

 

Galerias on Broadway on Capitol Hill: http://galeriasgourmet.com/ Great food, great drinks, beautiful room. Highly recommended.

 

Agua Verde on the water at Portage Bay near the University of Washington: http://www.aguaverde.com - Outstanding margaritas - rent a kayak to burn off the frijoles - oh wait, they don't have frijloles

 

Cactus - two Seattle locations, one in Madison Park (lovely neighborhood on Lake Washington) and the other at Alki Beach. http://www.cactusrestaurants.com/ Again, great food, great booze, great views (Alki). Take the Elliott Bay Water Taxi - http://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/Marine/WaterTaxi/WestSeattle-DowntownSeattle/Map.aspx - to West Seattle, then walk around 3/4 mile (or take the 775 bus) over to our miniature Statue of Liberty and enjoy the neighborhood, beach, views of the ferries and Olympics (magic at sunset) and a really good Mexican dinner. Or take the bus to Madison Park and walk along the lake shore/beach and browse the cute shops next door to the restaurant. Super easy.

 

Gardy, are they actually going to run the water taxi this year? Heard it might be on Metro's service cut list (after they had planned to start running it year round starting this summer season).

[Gardyloo]

Gardy, are they actually going to run the water taxi this year? Heard it might be on Metro's service cut list (after they had planned to start running it year round starting this summer season).

 

Yes, starts on April 5. http://www.kingcountyferries.org/ http://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/Marine/WaterTaxi/WestSeattle-DowntownSeattle.aspx

[zephyr17]

Over the years I have always enjoyed the Azteca restaurants in Seattle. link

As a native Californian now living in the Seattle area, I beg to differ. Blech.

 

Taqueria Guymas (aka Tacos Guyamas as they started to rename themselves to market to gringos) has pretty good food in a quite a few locations, but they are not really set up as full service restuarants, though.

[Dan G]

that was going to be my suggestion as well.

[Putterdude]

As a native Californian now living in the Seattle area, I beg to differ. Blech.

 

\

 

You are excused.

 

You certainly are entitled to your opinion, but as they have been in business for some 30 plus years through good times and bad and now operate more than 30 stores in the northwest including some in pretty high rent neighbourhoods, they must be doing something right.

[SeattleCruiselover]

Yes, starts on April 5. http://www.kingcountyferries.org/ http://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/Marine/WaterTaxi/WestSeattle-DowntownSeattle.aspx

 

 

That's good news. Glad to hear it.