Highest-rated Mexican restaurants in El Centro by diners
Highest-rated Mexican restaurants in El Centro 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 El Centro 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. Jalisco's Grill
- Rating: 3.0/5 (73 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 844 North Imperial Ave. El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#29. Johnny's Burritos El Centro
- Rating: 3.0/5 (54 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 301 Wake Ave. El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Las Palmitas
- Rating: 3.0/5 (111 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Driftwood Drive El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#27. La Resaca
- Rating: 3.0/5 (47 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 201 North Imperial Ave. El Centro, California
- Categories: Cocktail Bars, Seafood, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Guadalajaras Restaurant
- Rating: 3.0/5 (69 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1427 Adams Ave. El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Taco Bell
- Rating: 3.0/5 (11 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 350 Wake Ave. El Centro, California
- Categories: Fast food, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Mamis Flavour Mexican Cuisine
- Rating: 3.0/5 (9 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3751 South Dogwood Road El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#23. El Pollo Loco
- Rating: 3.5/5 (26 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1403 North Imperial Ave. El Centro, California
- Categories: Fast food, Mexican, Chicken Shop
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Taco Bell
- Rating: 3.5/5 (7 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1990 N. Imperial Ave. El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican, fast food
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Del Taco
- Rating: 3.5/5 (7 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2039 North Imperial Ave. El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican, fast food
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Burrito Factory
- Rating: 3.5/5 (92 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 130 South Imperial Ave. El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#19. La Fresa
- Rating: 3.5/5 (24 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2279 West Adams El Centro, California
- Categories: Desserts, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Los Ce B Ches
- Rating: 3.5/5 (11 reviews)
- Address: 1427 Adams Ave. El Centro, California
- Categories: Seafood, Sushi Bars, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Kennedy's Taco
- Rating: 3.5/5 (69 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1560 Ocotillo Drive Ste A El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Los Cabos Seafood & Grill
- Rating: 3.5/5 (99 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1649 West Main St. El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Burgers & Beer
- Rating: 3.5/5 (345 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 260 North Imperial Ave. El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican, American, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#14. La Fonda Bar Grill
- Rating: 3.5/5 (87 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1950 South 4th St. Ste A-B El Centro, California
- Categories: Bars, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Cardenas Markets
- Rating: 3.5/5 (26 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1620 North Imperial Ave. El Centro, California
- Categories: Grocery, Meat Shops, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Sombrero Mexican Food
- Rating: 4.0/5 (60 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 703 East Danenberg Drive El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican, fast food, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Sobe's
- Rating: 4.0/5 (82 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1151 South 4th St. El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Tacos Marlyn
- Rating: 4.0/5 (140 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1614 South 4th St. Sunshine Mall El Centro, California
- Categories: Seafood, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Flautas and Sopes
- Rating: 4.0/5 (29 reviews)
- Address: 1531 Ford Drive El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Celia's Restaurant
- Rating: 4.0/5 (149 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1530 Adams Ave. El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#7. La Birrieria Red Tacos
- Rating: 4.0/5 (9 reviews)
- Address: 710 South 4th St. El Centro, California
- Categories: Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
#6. D'Poly Taco Grill & Beer
- Rating: 4.5/5 (216 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1573 West Main St. El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican, Chicken Wings, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Juniors Cafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (134 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1791 Adams Ave. El Centro, California
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Mexican, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Letty's Casita
- Rating: 4.5/5 (92 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 705 South 4th St. El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#3. El Menudazo
- Rating: 4.5/5 (11 reviews)
- Address: 548 Broadway Ste C El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Antojito Como En Casa
- Rating: 4.5/5 (353 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 425 Desert Gardens Drive El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Cilantros La Taqueria
- Rating: 4.5/5 (16 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 643 South 4th St. Ste 1 El Centro, California
- Categories: Tacos
- 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.
