A Guide to Mexican Restaurants in Kansas City
Kansas City’s culinary scene has flourished in recent years, meaning that the Mexican food offerings throughout the metro are better than ever. While casual chips-and-salsa happy hour hangouts continue to make up most of the options, there’s a newfound blossoming of chef-forward concepts that prize local ingredients, craft techniques and unique menus.
Enjoy some of KC’s most popular Mexican restaurants:
Local Classics
Long-running standbys and regional institutions beloved by locals and visitors alike.
- Ponak’s Mexican Kitchen & Bar: Located on Southwest Boulevard, Ponak’s has been a favorite since 1975 for a reason: from margs to fried tacos and enchiladas, it never disappoints.
- Manny’s Restaurante Mexicano: Find this popular Mexican spot embedded in the heart of the Crossroads Arts District.
- Los Tules: Comfortably cozy, Los Tules is another Crossroads restaurant that specializes in no-frills fare.
- Rudy’s Tenampa Taqueria: There’s no shortage of menu items to sample at Rudy’s, a staple establishment in Westport that regularly touts live music.
- Rancho Grande Cantina: With locations in Blue Springs, Parkville and Liberty, Rancho Grande Cantina always has your back when you’re craving Mexican.
- K-Macho’s: Overland Park and Olathe’s finest is Mexican-owned and -operated, offering an excellent experience for the whole family.
Across the Border
KCK has such an impressive assortment of Mexican restaurants that it deserves its own section.
- El Camino Real: What you see is what you get at El Camino Real, and what you get is delicious Mexican street food.
- El Pollo Rey: A local legend that dishes out wood-fired, south-of-the-border fare.
- Don Antonio’s Meat and Tortillas: A relative newcomer on the KCK Mexican scene, Don Antonio’s doesn’t disappoint with a fresh menu and high-quality ingredients.
- Taqueria Mexico #4: Fajitas to molcajete, the expansive offerings at Taqueria Mexico #4 mean everyone can find something satisfying.
- Burritos La Chiquita: It’s all in the name at Burritos La Chiquita, because the loaded wraps are just that tasty.
Happy Hour
Ideal for impromptu get-togethers, such as casual meals, drinks and meetups.
- El Patron: Another Southwest Boulevard favorite, El Patron boasts excellent upper deck views and potent margaritas.
- Teocali: Soak up some rays on the rooftop patio at this bustling Mexican spot just east of Crown Center.
- Jose Pepper’s: With locations across the region, Jose Pepper’s is always a short drive away.
- Margarita’s: In business since 1985, this aptly named local Mexican chain touts a killer happy hour menu.
- Drunken Worm: The perfect post-work stop on your way home, found right on 39th Street West.
- Brookside Barrio: An excellent patio setup is the perfect situation for relaxing with a drink in-hand and chips & salsa on deck.
Tacos and Burritos
Everyone’s got them, but these places specialize in tacos and burritos.
- Taco Republic: Savor street tacos in a wide variety of flavors, featuring pork belly, fried hearts of palm, blackened & fried cod and more.
- TikiTaco: Try the crave-worthy after-hours bites at TikiTaco via walkup window on quirky 39th Street West.
- Kansas City Taco Company: New and novel shape the menu at KC Taco Co. in the River Market. Try Thai-chili shrimp tacos, Korean pork tacos and plenty more.
- Mission Taco Joint: The funkier the flavor the better at this East Crossroads (and South Plaza) haunt that specializes in creative tacos and cocktails, making it perfect for an evening out with friends.
- Burrito Brothers: Fresh, locally sourced ingredients make up the menu items at this spot in The City Market.
- Ricos Tacos Lupe: Authentic tacos and other options located right on Southwest Boulevard.
- Dos de Oros Taqueria: Street tacos and breakfast tacos stand out on an authentic menu that also includes massive, footlong burritos.
Craft Concepts
Higher-end experiences featuring thoughtful, carefully concocted menus—and totally unique flavor combos.
- Jarocho Pescados Y Mariscos: Chef Carlos Falcon expertly runs the kitchen at this much-awarded Mexican seafood restaurant, which currently operates two metro locations.
- Zócalo: Find this chic Mexican cantina at the Country Club Plaza, making it ideal for pre-dinner drinks or a full evening of dining and entertainment.
- Karbon: Based in Parlor, a trendy food hall in the Crossroads, Karbon combines Yucatan tastes with Middle Eastern influences for a wonderfully balanced synthesis.