Highest-rated Mexican restaurants in Wilkes-Barre by diners
Highest-rated Mexican restaurants in Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre 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.
#10. cactus restaurant
- Rating: 3.5/5 (8 reviews)
- Address: 683 Carey Ave. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Bubbakoo's Burritos
- Rating: 4.0/5 (5 reviews)
- Address: 174 Mundy St. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Tacos, Chicken Wings, fast food
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Taco House & Pizzeria
- Rating: 4.0/5 (5 reviews)
- Address: 530 North Main St. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Pizza, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Margarita Azul
- Rating: 4.0/5 (138 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 91 Parrish St. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Mexican, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#6. El Tikal Mexican Restaurant & Bar
- Rating: 4.0/5 (5 reviews)
- Address: 401 J Campbell Collins Drive Ste 105 Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Mexican, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Mylana's Italian Ristorante
- Rating: 4.5/5 (7 reviews)
- Address: 1217 South Main St. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Italian, Tacos, Beer Bar
- Read more on Yelp
#4. El Rey Azteca
- Rating: 4.5/5 (432 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 681 Kidder St. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Mexican, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#3. My Little Mexico
- Rating: 4.5/5 (65 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 200 Wilkes-Barre Township Blvd. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Tacos El Torito Blanco
- Rating: 4.5/5 (22 reviews)
- Address: 600 Carey Ave. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Taqueria El Paraíso
- Rating: 5.0/5 (13 reviews)
- Address: 369 South Main St. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
- Categories: 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.