Highest-rated Mexican restaurants in Topeka 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 Topeka 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. Margaritas Jalisco North
- Rating: 3.5/5 (16 reviews)
- Address: 1835 Northwest Topeka Blvd. Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#29. El DORADO
- Rating: 3.5/5 (8 reviews)
- Address: 4745 Northwest Hunters Ridge Cir Ste D Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican, Salad, Soup
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Mexican Taco Shop
- Rating: 3.5/5 (52 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1901 Southwest 10th Ave. Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#27. El Mezcal III
- Rating: 3.5/5 (67 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5301 Southwest 21st St. Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#26. El Dorado Mexican Grille & Cantina
- Rating: 3.5/5 (31 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3627 Southeast 29th St. Ste 101 Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Mexican Taco Shop
- Rating: 3.5/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3703 Southwest Burlingame Road Ste 600 Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Tequila's
- Rating: 3.5/5 (15 reviews)
- Address: 520 Northwest Elm Row Ave. Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Jose Peppers
- Rating: 3.5/5 (96 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1425 Southwest Wanamaker Road Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Oscar's
- Rating: 3.5/5 (8 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1424 Southwest Lane St. Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Dive Bars, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Taco Villa
- Rating: 3.5/5 (47 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5300 Southwest 21st St. Ste A Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Tortilla Jack's Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 3.5/5 (56 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1618 Southwest Washburn Ave. Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Tequila's Mexican Restaurant & Bar
- Rating: 3.5/5 (34 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2911 Southwest 29th St. Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#18. TACO AL'S
- Rating: 3.5/5 (39 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1423 Southwest 6th Ave. Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#17. El Ranchito
- Rating: 4.0/5 (32 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2800 Southwest Fairlawn Road Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican, Salad
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Margarita's Jalisco
- Rating: 4.0/5 (99 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1616 Southwest 17th St. Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican, Bars, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#15. El Torito
- Rating: 4.0/5 (27 reviews)
- Address: 3000 North Topeka Blvd. Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#14. El Gallo
- Rating: 4.0/5 (26 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 3501 Southwest Topeka Blvd. Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#13. El Mexicali
- Rating: 4.0/5 (7 reviews)
- Address: 2107 Southeast California Ave. Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Arturo's Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 4.0/5 (5 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 105 Southeast 10th Ave. Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#11. QDOBA Mexican Eats
- Rating: 4.0/5 (34 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1025 Southwest Wanamaker Road Ste A Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican, fast food
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Taco El Sol
- Rating: 4.0/5 (37 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2124 Southeast 6th Ave. Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Vuelve A La Vida
- Rating: 4.0/5 (6 reviews)
- Address: 2134 North Kansas Ave. Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Amigos
- Rating: 4.5/5 (18 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5145 Southwest Topeka Blvd. Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#7. El Taquito Express
- Rating: 4.5/5 (25 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5141 Southwest 29th St. Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#6. El Centenario
- Rating: 4.5/5 (70 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1306 South Kansas Ave. Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Jorge's Cantina Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5/5 (24 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 837 Southwest Fairlawn Ave. Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican, Seafood, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Tacos El Mexicano
- Rating: 4.5/5 (48 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2002 Southeast California Ave. Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican, Breakfast & Brunch, American
- Read more on Yelp
#3. El Ranchito
- Rating: 4.5/5 (10 reviews)
- Address: 3425 South Kansas Ave. Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Los Mandiles Rojos
- Rating: 4.5/5 (36 reviews)
- Address: 1003 Southeast Quincy St. Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Tacos El Guitarron
- Rating: 4.5/5 (16 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1234 Southeast California Ave. Topeka, Kansas
- Categories: Food Trucks, Mexican
- 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.