Milwaukee offers a range of top-quality options for Mexican restaurants. Mexican food is a pretty broad category that encompasses all sorts of food. While every option may have in common chips, salsa, and margaritas, from there the restaurants diverge considerably.
You may end up at an authentic Mexican eatery, a restaurant offering the best versions of Tex-Mex cuisine, or a trendy taco joint that combines flavors from around the world wrapped in a tortilla. Whatever type of Mexican restaurant you are in the mood for, there is an abundance of Milwaukee Mexican restaurants options to choose from, all at an affordable cost and in easy to reach locations.
1. Taco stop MKE
Taco stop MKE is definitely the place to be with 2 locations currently and a 3rd coming soon this is a must on your list of tacos to try. Taco stop started in 2016 and was “built from a dream of bringing real authentic Mexican food to the masses”. Taco stop was awarded best of 2021 local take-out along with numerous other awards as well as being a proudly family-owned local shop.
The food
Taco stop is known for their tacos of course with prices of tacos all under based on your protein choice, some of the most popular choices being barbacoa and al pastor, along with the amazing meat options taco stop is very vegetarian friendly and will sub any meat out for avocado or beans. Other specialties included moms’ secret chicken enchiladas with a recipe that has been passed down for 6 generations. Taco stop also offers breakfast burritos and 3 different churros for all the sweet tooths.
- 513 N Chicago ave south Milwaukee, WI 53172
- 12862 W Bluemound rd elm grove, WI 53122
- 1426 E Brady ST. Milwaukee, WI
- menu
2.mazorca tacos
Mazorca is a supper cute taco truck located in the zocalo food park downtown Milwaukee in walkers point. With a passion for supporting local businesses, all of the corn used for the tortillas comes from a small farm in lake geneva. The owner Jesus Gonzalez even grew up on Milwaukee’s south side.
The food
Mazorca may have a small menu but every bite is packed full of flavor. From there bistec tacos marinated in Wisconsin beer or their birra braised in adobo all of their food is wonderful. Mazorca is another place that is vegetarian/vegan friendy with some of my favorite vegetarian tacos with melted bread cheese. Mazorca also offers some of the best homemade jamaica and horchata.
- 636 South 6th Street Milwaukee WI, 53204
3. La Canoa
la canoa definitely will give you the costal feel when you walk into their restaurant between the murals or the large fish tank you will for sure feel like your sitting on the coast in Mexico, and will bring the taste of the sea to your plate
La Canoa is not your plain jane Mexican restaurant specializing in seafood their menu is something you have to see you believe with things like frog legs and octopus and everything in between, there’s definitely something for you along with their food they also have extensive drink list. If seafood is not your thing they also have amazing authentic Mexican cuisine as well.
- 1520 W LincoIn Ave,
Milwaukee, WI 53215 - menu
4.Guanajuato mexican resturant
Guanajuato is a family-owned restaurant specializing in high-quality handcrafted food. Also known by the name GTO this is a place to get the true Mexican flavor.
The food
their menu has anything you might want from breakfast to dessert they have it all some of their favorites included enchiladas chimichangas flautas and of course amazing tacos.
- 2317 S Howell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207
- Menu
5. La Casa de Alberto
La Casa de Alberto is a bit of a newcomer to the Mexican food scene in Milwaukee. This small restaurant on National Ave. has quickly become an area favorite for homemade Mexican dishes at an affordable price. La Casa de Alberto excels at treating every customer like a regular – expect quality service and a fun time whether stopping by for a drink after work or for a tasty meal with family or friends.
The Food
With generous portions and some of the tastiest Mexican dishes in the city, you are certain to leave Casa de Alberto’s satisfied. Try the taco plate, in which you get four tacos and rice and beans with your choice of meat: chicken, pork, pastor, or ground beef ($6), or upgrade to ground chorizo. The steak poblano also is excellent, which comes with sauteed pieces of steak, peppers, onions, and melted cheese served with tortillas. The quesadillas, with your choice of meat, are also excellent.
Specials
There are daily drink specials at Casa de Alberto, along with typically four or five daily food specials to choose from.
- Address: 624 W. National Ave.
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6. Cafe Corazon
Cafe Corazon has established itself as a unique destination for Mexican food. With three locations, the restaurant specializes in offering innovative twists on staple dishes. Although still reasonably priced, Cafe Corazon has gourmet takes on otherwise familiar dishes. The restaurant is also a perfect destination if looking for an abundance of meat-free options. Be sure to also check out the extensive tequila options and to have one of the specialty crafted cocktails, since the bar options are second to none in the city.
Food
Cafe Corazon offers tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and tortas, among a host of other dishes. You can choose from a range of meat (and non-meat) options: asada, carnitas, chorizo, chicken, ground beef, pulled beef, shrimp, tofu, soy chorizo, sauteed vegetables, and mushrooms. Any of these options can be tucked into an expertly crafted burrito with rice and beans, or in a delicious torta. The vegan fajitas are one of the best vegan plates of food in the city.
Specials
Cafe Corazon offers a weekday happy hour from 2pm-6pm, when you can expect discounted drink specials. There are also daily food specials. Monday includes different mole specials and $5 margaritas from 11am-3pm, Tuesdays are $2 tacos (excluding seafood), $5 margaritas, and half off select beers and wine, Wednesdays are $5 margaritas and sangrias, and Thursdays are $1 off vegan meals.
KK Location
- Address: 2394 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
- Menu
Bremen Location
- Address: 3129 N. Bremen St.
7. Cielito Lindo
Conveniently located in the center of Walker’s Point, Cielito Lindo is a short drive from almost anywhere in the city. The restaurant offers a large menu that ranges from Tex-Mex staples to authentic Mexican dishes. With long hours, Cielito Lindo is a perfect spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or for late-night eats on the weekend. For a Mexican restaurant that’s certain to please everyone, try Cielito Lindo.
Food
Bring your appetite to Cielito Lindo since they are known for serving generously portioned plates of food. For breakfast, try the Huevos a la Mexicana, two scrambled eggs with chopped tomatoes, onions, and jalapenos. If stopping in for dinner, start with an appetizer, like the nachos supreme, which includes either chicken or beef topping tortilla chips covered in melted cheese, jalapenos, guacamole, beans, and sour cream. For your entree, try the Bistec Ranchero, or steak simmered in ranchero sauce, or the Pollo en Mole, chicken smothered in mole sauce. If you want to go all out for dinner, try the Molcajete, which comes with shrimp, chicken, and beef, topped with onions, tomatoes, avocado, and melted cheese served alongside rice and beans.
Specials
Cielito Lindo does not list any nightly specials, but the food prices are always reasonable and the drinks are inexpensive. However, you can always head over for lunch Monday through Friday from 11 am to 3 pm when you can get discounted food specials, including a chimichanga with rice and beans.
- Address: 733 S. 2nd St.
- Menu
8. Taqueria Los Comales
Located on a street known for Mexican grocery stores, and small Mexican restaurants, and situated right between downtown and the south side, Taqueria Los Comales is a popular destination for authentic taqueria eats. With extensive hours, Comales nearly always has a crowd since the tacos are affordable and the food is great. Whether for dining in or taking out, stop into Comales for an unforgettable meal.
Food
There are plenty of breakfast options and regular lunch or dinner foods to pick from at comales, including burritos, tortas, and tacos. You can pick from numerous meat options, including steak, pork with onions, flank steak, beef tongue, beef tripe, chorizo, steamed beef, and marinated steak. There are also chicken or steak fajitas. If with a large enough group, consider the tray of twenty tacos.
Specials
Taqueria Los Comales does not offer any specials, but given the taco prices, they probably aren’t necessary anyway.
- Address: 1306 S. Cesar Chavez Dr.
- Menu
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9. Don Lucho Restaurant
Don Lucho is one of the best insider secrets in Milwaukee besides for those that live in the neighborhood and have been going to Don Lucho for years. Plan ahead for your visit since the restaurant has limited hours, and because when they are open, there is often limited parking and a consistent crowd seeking out some of the best tacos in the city.
Don Lucho is one of the best Milwaukee Mexican restaurants that offer tortillas and meat to go if there is a lack of seating when you arrive. We suggest getting some of your favorite meat by the pound and bringing it home for leftovers.
Food
Don Lucho’s has a small menu, which means the few things they do, they do really well. Their main specialty is really quality meats, including house-made ground chorizo, stewed lamb, and Asada. Stop in for any of these meats prepared as tacos, or buy them by the pound to make tacos at home.
They also have a traditional lamb soup that comes from cooking the meats, it’s definitely worth trying. All of the tacos come with handmade tortillas and are accompanied by diced red onion and cilantro. Be sure to try the salsa as well since they make quite a few each with its own unique flavor.
There are no specials at Restaurant Don Lucho, but the food is cheap and already pretty inexpensive.
- Address: 565 W. Lincoln Ave.
- Menu
10. Bel Air Cantina
With numerous locations, Bel Air Cantina has become a regional favorite for creative twists on Mexican staple dishes. The restaurant serves everything from authentic tacos to world-inspired cuisine with a Mexican twist. With excellent food, weekday specials, and some of the best margaritas in the city, Bel Air Cantina is an ideal spot for lunch or dinner.
The Food
You can’t go wrong with your order at Bel Air Cantina. For brunch try the chilaquiles Verdes, which come with fried tortillas, Verde sauce, onions, cilantro, scrambled eggs, and queso fresco with a side of rice and beans. For lunch or dinner, start with the creative hot dog taquitos, and then choose from an extensive listing of tacos, burritos, and bowls. The Ninja Pig taco is a popular choice, which comes with hoisin glazed crispy pork topped with cucumber and jicama slaw. For an enormous burrito or chimichanga, try the Korean Beef, marinated beef with sriracha crema ($11.87). There are also abundant seafood and vegetarian options.
Specials
Bel Air offers plenty of weeknight specials making it an ideal stop to get great food at a discounted rate.
- Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 4 pm to 6 pm when you can get at the bar for only $5 food and drink specials.
- Mondays from 11am to close are twenty-five percent off burritos and bowls
- Tuesday and Thursday are $2 tacos, $2 Mexican taps, and $2 mystery tequila shots.
- Every Wednesday is a rotating specialty enchilada special.
Water Street Location
- Address: 1935 N. Water St.
Downer Location
- Address: 2625 N. Downer St.
Other Locations:
- 6817 North Ave., Wauwatosa
- 410 W. Town Square Way, Oak Creek
- 250 High St., Brookfield
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11. Botanas Restaurant
Located on 5th Street, Botanas is conveniently located near plenty of bars, breweries, and other restaurants. The restaurant is an area favorite and has been pleasing customers for decades. While Botanas makes sense for lunch or dinner at any time, the restaurant is particularly ideal for nights out with groups of friends or for a birthday party. Check out Botanas Restaurant for your next special event.
The Food
With an extensive menu, Botanas has something excellent to try for everyone. Start with either the Choriquezo, which combines chorizo sausage with melted cheese and served with tortilla chips for dipping (a half portion is, a full portion is, or the appetizer sampler, which includes nacho chips, guacamole, a pork tamal, cheese quesadilla, and a chicken flauta.
Beyond tacos and other Mexican favorites, there are extensive enchilada options. Try the mole enchiladas, with two sauces to choose from. Other excellent dinner choices include the chile Relleno, a battered and deep-fried poblano pepper stuffed with cheese and topped with sauce ranchera, or go with the Tequila Shrimp, shrimp cooked in tequila with corn, bell peppers, and green onions.
Specials
Botanas Restaurant offers daily lunch specials from 11am-2pm, which include discounted plate combos. Try the two enchiladas that come with a side of rice, beans, and soup of the day for. There are plenty of plate combinations to choose from, making it an ideal spot for an affordable and delicious lunch.
- Address: 816 S. 5th St.
12. Guadalajara Restaurant
Since 1987, Guadalajara Restaurant has been a prime destination for perfectly crafted Mexican food in a friendly environment. The extensive menu offers an abundant number of choices, each with a homemade taste that’s guaranteed to please the most discerning palate. Guadalajara also offers dishes that are less commonly found at area Mexican restaurants, so it’s a perfect spot to try something new. With a convenient location right off the freeway, make Guadalajara your next choice for margaritas and Mexican food.
The Food
There are plenty of great menu items at Guadalajara. Try the tacos (2) with a choice of meats and a side of rice and beans , or the plate of three flautas . The Birria de Chivo is especially good, which is goat meat simmered in a red sauce with onions, cilantro, and comes served with tortillas . The Camarones al Mojo de Ajo is also excellent, which are shrimp sauteed with garlic in butter . Before leaving, be sure to try the homemade green or red pozole, a soup made with pork and hominy .
Specials
There are no specials at Guadalajara, but this should not deter you from paying them a visit.
- Address: 901 S. 10th St.
- Menu
13. Jalisco’s on North
Jalisco’s on North has been a top choice for Mexican food on Milwaukee’s east side for decades. This family-friendly restaurant offers Tex-Mex classics and authentically made Mexican favorites.
With extensive hours, Jalisco’s is an ideal choice for an affordable lunch, a fun dinner, or even for a late-night meal after hitting a few bars on North Avenue. For the best Mexican on Milwaukee’s east side, head over to Jalisco’s on North.
Food
For top-quality Tex-Mex and Mexican cuisine, try out Jalisco’s on the east side. Start out with chicken or beef taquitos, before trying the ribeye steak tacos . The burritos at Jalisco’s are famous around the city, which come with your choice of meat . The tostadas also come with your choice of meats . For a unique entree, try the Enchiladas Suizas de Pollo, delicious chicken-filled enchiladas covered in cheese with your choice of meat.
Specials
Head over to Jalisco’s on North for a daily happy hour from 4pm through 7pm when you can get margaritas. There are other daily drink specials as well, including Mojito Mondays, with mojitos, two for one Mexican beer on Tuesdays, and tequila shots on Thursdays.
- Address: 2207 E. North Ave.
- Menu
14. Conejito’s Place
Conejito’s Place is a Milwaukee staple restaurant, popular with tourists and locals alike. Founded in 1972, Conejito’s is unlike any other Milwaukrr Mexican restaurant by offering home-style tacos and dishes with its own set of flavors that can’t be found elsewhere.
The restaurant is also known for unusually inexpensive drinks and food, and for serving the majority of dishes on paper plates. To give you an idea, a single margarita is only . With three bars and tons of seats, there is always a spot open at Conejito’s making it a perfect destination for a split-minute decision for lunch or dinner.
Food
With some of the most inexpensive food in the city, feel free to splurge on having a few different items from the menu. Starters include beans with cheese served with tortillas , and guacamole with chips . Be sure to also try the bean tostadas . The tacos are probably the most popular dish at Conejito’s, like the four steak and bean tacos , or the four chopped meat tacos . For an extra eighty cents, you can have a side of rice or beans. For a more unique entree, try the chicken mole with white meat .
Specials
Conejito’s Place does not offer any lunch or dinner specials, nor is there a happy hour with discounted drinks. With rock bottom prices during all open hours, no discounts are necessary to draw customers through the front door.
- Address: 539 W. Virginia St.
- Menu