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 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.
