El Korita

“A really delicious Shrimp Cevice done Korita style is way spicey and way delish!”

- Recommended by Master Sommelier Richard Betts (Sombre Mezcal and Betts and Scholl Wine)

251 Harris Street, Basalt, CO 81621

T: 970.277.4500

Angela’s Cafe

A family-owned restaurant offering authentic Poblana Cuisine.

- Recommended by chef Ana Sortun (Oleana in Boston, MA)

131 Lexington Street, East Boston MA 02128

T: 617.567.4972

www.angelascaferestaurant.com

Tacos Matamoros

“Chorizo and carne asada.”

- Recommended by chef and cheesemonger Sergio Hernandez (Bklyn Larder in Brooklyn, NY)

4508 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11220

T: 718.871.7627

Tehuitzingo

“It’s in the back of an unassuming Mexican grocery store. They have a funky taco stand eating area. I’m a sucker for the braised tongue, the heart, and the goat meat tacos there.”

- Recommended by chef Hadley Schmitt (Northern Spy Food Co in New York, NY)

695 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10036

T: 212.397.5956

Empellon Cocina

“Creative Mexican food with very creative agave inspired cocktails.”

- Recommended by bartender Tom Richter (The Beagle and creator of Tomr’s Tonic)

105 First Avenue, New York, NY 10003

T: 212.780.0999 (make a reservation)

www.empellon.com/cocina

Toloache

“I like Julian Medina’s Mexican food.”

- Recommended by cookbook author Joan Nathan

251 West 50th Street, New York, NY 10019

T: 212.581.1818

www.toloachenyc.com

Zaragoza Mexican Deli

“Amazing tostadas and tortillas, stewed goat, chorizo and potatoes late into the night. After a long week in the kitchen, it’s great to get together with your cook friends and they have an expansive beer collection and are always playing mariachi music. Humble, but killer.”

- Recommended by chef Nick Curtin

15 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009

T: 212.780.9204

El Charrito Taco Truck

“Mexican-style tacos including ethereal tripa, rich and savory pork carnitas, melt-in-your-mouth ‘Lengua’ (cow tongue), al Pastor (pork with pineapple), carne adovada (spicy pork), cesina (salty steak), chorizo, campechano, bistek, and chicken. Steaming tamales, rich, chocolaty molé and golden fried huaraches are also available should one ever tire of the almightily taco- which I may add, is next to impossible at El Charrito.”

- Recommended by chef Matt Jennings (Farmstead, La Laiterie in Providence, RI)

In front of Beamer’s Cafe & Triple J

Richmond Hill Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902

www.elcharrito.info

Twitter: www.twitter.com/elcharrito

Taqueria Gonzalez

“Me and all my cooks eat here. It is truly authentic taqueria, with Saturday and Sunday entree and soups, very traditional. As a chef, you know our favorite thing is truly authentic food, not always going out to fine dining. It’s completely undiscovered, which is awesome.”

- Recommended by chef Jacob Sessoms (Table in Asheville, SC)

747 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806

T: 828.232.6780

La Cazuela Mexican Grill

“For Mexican pescado ceviche.”

- Recommended by chef Margot McCormack (Margot Cafe & Bar in Nashville, TN)

4114 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211

T: 615.833.3507

www.lascazuelasmexicangrill.net

Mas Tacos

“For tacos!”

- Recommended by chef Margot McCormack (Margot Cafe & Bar in Nashville, TN)

732 McFerrin Street, Nashville, TN 37206

T: 615.543.6271

La Tropicana Market

“For the Mexican food.”

- Recommended by chef Edward Lee (610 Magnolia in Louisville, KY)

5215 Preston Highway, Louisville, KY 40213

T: 502.964.5957

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill

“For a quick taco.”

- Recommended by chef Jeff McInnis (Yardbird Southern Kitchen in Miami, FL)

1439 Alton Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139

T: 305.532.LIME (5463)

www.limefreshmexicangrill.com

Antojitos Mexicanos

“It’s a tiny restaurant in Homestead. Go for anything. Soups are amazing, so are Pupusas.”

- Recommended by chef Norman Van Aken (Miami, FL)

436 N. Krome Avenue, Homestead, FL 33030

T: 305.242.1226

Birriera Reyes De Ocotlan

 

“It's in a Mexican neighborhood and they serve a goat dish called birria. It's really super delicious food.”

- Recommended by chef Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, XOCO, Frontera Fresco in Chicago, IL)

1322 West 18th Street, Chicago, IL 60608

T: 312.733.2613

Tortilleria y Taqueria El Ray

- Recommended by chef Hugo Matheson (The Kitchen in Boulder, CO)

2966 Valmont Road, Boulder, CO 80301

T:303.442.1266

El Parian

“They serve a goat birria, a Mexican stew, and carne asada tacos. 99.9% of the people they see all day are nothing like you, so it’s obvious to them that you are there for the food.”

- Recommended by chef Roy Choi (Kogi BBQ Trucks, A-Frame, Alibi Room, Chefo in Los Angeles, CA)

1528 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90015

T: 213.386.7361

La Cabana

 

“Table side guacamole. It’s super fresh and uses simple ingredients. I love that they are open late, so I can go grab a bite after work.”

- Recommended by chef Nyesha Arrington (Wilshire, Los Angeles)

738 Rose Ave, Venice CA 90291

T: 310.392.7973

www.lacabanavenice.com

Regalito Rosticeria

“I love it for sit-down Mexican.”

- Recommended by bartender Thad Vogler (Bar Agricole in San Francisco, CA)

3481 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

T: 415.503.0650

www.regalitosf.com

Mosto

“Great tequila list with tasty Mexican snacks. I only like bars that also offer snacks or small bites. In Asia, you never just drink. You always have something the eat while you drink.”

- Recommended by chef Corey Lee (Benu in San Francisco, CA)

741 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

www.mostosf.com

JUanita Juanita

“Just killer Mexican food (with Tecate on tap).”

- Recommended by winemaker Steve Matthiasson (Matthiasson Wine in Napa, CA)

19114 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, CA 95476

T: 707.935.3981

Carnitas Trejos

“It’s really cheap and the food is pretty astonishing. All the Mexican guys I have working with me say it doesn’t get any better, even in Mexico.”

- Recommended by chef David Kinch (Manresa in Los Gatos, CA)

370 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville, CA 95076

T: 831.768.8863

Lindo Michoacan

“The one on the west side of town. I do not eat a lot of Mexican food, however theirs is just so good. I cannot resist.”

- Recommended by chef Kerry Simon (Palms Place, Cathouse and LV in Los Angeles, CA and Las Vegas, NV)

10082 West Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV. 89147

T: 702.838.9990

www.lindomichoacan.com

Atrisco Cafe

“Third generation, family-run place for New Mexican cuisine.”

- Recommended by chef Katharine Kagel (Cafe Pasqual’s in Santa Fe, NM)

DeVargas Center, 193 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, NM 87501

T: 505.983.7401

www.atriscocafe.com

Cafe Poca Cosa

 

“The menu changes all the time and it’s presented at the table on a chalkboard, but we almost always go for the Plato Poca Cosa, which is the Chef’s Choice of three of their offerings that day.”

- Recommended by Travis Reese & Nicole Flowers (47 Scott and Scott & Co. in Tucson, AZ)

2553 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719

T: 520.327.6075

Karichimaka

“The birthplace of the chimichanga and awesome beans.”

- Recommended by winemaker Steve Matthiasson (Matthiasson Wine in Napa, CA)

5252 South Mission Road, Tucson, AZ 85746

T: 520.883.0311

Rockaway Taco

“Off the beaten track place for fish tacos.”

- Recommended by chef / soda producer Anton Nocito (P & H Soda and Syrup Co.)

95-19 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Queens, NY 11693

www.rockawaytaco.com