I really want to try some new mexican restaurants. I’m really tired of El Nopal and I think that they are overpriced. I have been meaning to try El Noche but I am just looking for suggestions for other places to try.
which one? the one in J town is solid. definitely not authentic by any standard but good food
Victoria’s on hikes lane can be added as well to this list. Great spot
I love tacos is great man there’s nothing sacred about Mexican food. Good food is good food
But if they're not made in the Taco region of Mexico they can't be real tacos, obviously
El Pastorcito RULES! Also gonna add the El Gran Tako truck in the TNT fireworks parking lot in Jeffersonville.
YES I eat here twice/month.
I second los gorditos, open til 2am some nights. Also on Frankfort in the boones gas station parking lot Taqueria Danny, amazing food truck.
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24d
Love the one on Brownsboro
El Molcajete by Churchill Downs. Simple, delicious… And they give you like five different sauces with your food when you eat in which I loveee. Also their horchata will heal you.
Absolutely! My favorite & one of the best in Louisville area.
Always been a good experience when we have visited.
Same. I miss it all the time now that I’ve left the area. So good.
I've been to the El Molcajete on Preston and it is consistently good. 😋
The Al pastor is insane there
Haven't tried it yet but it was featured on some food travel show my mom watches (Andrew Zimmern)
Fiesta Time Amigos is my go to! They're in Middletown.
Yes! Fiesta Time is sooo good!
This is my favorite too.
They actually have a couple of places besides the one in Middletown. But I agree they are very good!
Same. We go to the one off of Chamberlain. Always so good and can get a stiff margarita to go.
Lemon Y Sal - Brownsboro Rd between Old and New Chamberlain.
My favorite. The margarita flights are chefs kiss 🤌🏻
They have margarita flights? Why didn’t the waiter mention that when I ordered a margarita?!? Looking forward to going back!
Used them for catering once and it was excellent. Have eaten there several times and always enjoyed it.
One of our favorites
I really like El Torazo on Hurstborne Lane. They're an El Nopal style place, but their tortilla soup is the best I've had in the area. Well worth trying.
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24d
Maybe it’s because I’d heard people say Gustavo’s is better than El Nopal and my expectations were wrong, but I think Gustavo’s is worse than El Nopal. Last time I was there was last fall and they were trying to sell a pumpkin spice margarita.
Gustavo’s felt like a Mexican themed Applebee’s. One and done for me, definitely not impressed.
Yep well said. And they serve generic chips out of the bag - terrible
Probably the blandest “Mexican” food I’ve ever eaten tbh
Gustavos is literally worse than el nopal. lmao it's so bland
With better margaritas!
Their salsa is stewed tomato out of a can
I found it unremarkable and not worth the price, but based on the parking lot every day I seem to be in the minority
I support Gustavo’s. Much better food imho
I love El Mariachi off of Lagrange rd in Lyndon!
this
Came here to say this
Yes!!! The lengua tacos are one of my favorite I’ve had here, but the sleeper is the quesadilla ahogada, they drown it in the best charro beans I’ve had since moving here and it’s so freaking delicious.
We live right down the road from there and love this place so much.
Noche is amazing. i’m a pretty big hater of nopal as a hispanic man but Yellow cactus isn’t bad either
El Nopal is a step up from Taco Bell IMO
was about to post this. Surprised no one else mentioned it. 😱
El Comal - Taquería on Dixie HWY in Valley Station is really good and authentic. Side Note, if you use the Upside App, it works there.
I second this! Food never misses.
Loved this place! Good horchata too!
I finally got the chance to try El Vaquero (out on Outer Loop) the other day. It's pretty far for me to drive but I REALLY enjoyed it. They have enough options on the menu to go from authentic to your normal mexican dishes. I got the Machete with Asada and it was delicious. My sister got some sort of chicken with a spicy sauce (I think there was cheese in it) and that was excellent. My brother in law got carnitas and it was very crispy. Since I love all 3 dishes, I'm at a loss to figure out what to get next time I visit!! I think it was worth the drive.
Veronica’s off popular level! Guadalajara style, Mexican food, simply amazing
Is that a poplar spot?
I see what ya did there 😉 voice text auto correct
This is the correct answer
Thank you! I was looking for more authentic places than what I am used to so this sounds like I will definitely be trying
Piece of advice , don’t be thrown off by the location, it looks a bit shabby and it’s very small, and usually extremely packed so go on a weekday and try to go early if possible as they close at 9 and if your trying to get a table it could take some time as they are VERY popular. But WELL worth the wait. Also the birria platter is the best deal and enough for 2
Veronica’s on Popular level. Best Birria in the city.
El Mundo
The el Mundo of old maybe. It’s been consistently bad since COVID which is a bummer bc I used to love that place :(
Agree. I think ever since they opened the second location. Somehow that one has never been as good as the OG.
My opinion on El Mundo has kinda soured. I went on a Tuesday evening with a friend a few months back and after only an hour, they told us we needed to wrap it up because they had a reservation coming in 15 minutes. Haven’t been back since.
Israel’s in new Albany is excellent.
Bandidos is pretty solid. It has a drive through but it’s pretty excellent given the price
Also drive thru margaritas is pretty fucking sweet no matter who you are
Banditos has drive thru margaritas??
You know it ese
This... Changes things. Thank you!
Taco Choza is a great local place to support. Great tacos and quesadillas.
La Rosita Sol on Westport but only open until 5:30.
This is the one
Victoria on Hikes next to Golden Nugget.
That's the one I was looking for!
Shhhhh 🤫
Taco city is dope
Yeah if you like dry ass meat plopped and served in 30 seconds after sitting under a heat lamp all day.
Go to El Mariachi in Lyndon and experience real tacos.
I was coming here to endorse El Mariachi as well. Delicious and has a Mexican grocery store and bakery with the same owners in the complex.
The queso dulce empanadas at the bakery are amazing!
If El Nopal is your base line pretty much any where else you go will be better. Avoid chains and you will have a pretty good meal at most any Mexican joint in town. Prices will vary with how nice the place looks, so if you want cheap and good go to a friendly dive on Preston. If you want someplace more presentable or has music etc expect to spend more. Tons of options and everyone has a favorite so I suggest trying the ones closest to you and report back!
Yellow cactus is very good in the genre as el nopal. Better quality food.
Same with El Caporal.
Havana Rumba is Cuban but a nice change of pace to Mexican. El Moguey is pretty good off i65 in Brooks Ky.
Cuban cuisine is quite different from Mexican cuisine.
Las margaritas on central
Seconded. It's good.
El mariachi
Jeez. This thread has devolved into a mid level Mexican shitshow
Go drive down Preston highway. Tons of places. It’s haven’t had any bad tacos yet. The restaurant inside the Guanajuato super market is delicious. And the tamales in the supermarket are delicious.
El Toro
El Toro is the best Mexican joint for me. Being from California, I missed Mexican food until I found El Toro.
Ole Frijole in Fern Creek is good. I keep hearing great reviews for Veronica's on Preston but I haven't had the chance to try it yet.
I really like Las Margaritas Mexican Cuisine on Shelbyville Rd. Their menu contains some gems you do not typically see elsewhere such as Pork Cochinita Pibil and Tlacoyos Con Pollo. They also have margarita flights.
There's been a single mention of La Tropicana in this thread and that's heresy.
Best tacos in the city, period. I live off of Preston Highway and I've been to a majority of the shops around there. Tropicana blows ALL of them out of the water.
I don't think they have consistent hours and you will get stares if you're a gringo, but my God that al pastor is unbeatable.
No love for el Toro on here?
El Toro is a great spot. Their service is wonderful as well as their good.
El Molcajete near Churchill downs. The tacos and that dad-gum green avocado jalapeño sauce. Consistent quality, but better when not busy.
El Mundo, Gustavos, Pina fiesta, for sit down mexican eats.
If you're wanting good tacos from a food truck, woman owned Tacos La Chaparrita every time
Felipe’s - their fish tacos are my favorites
They have good shrimp tacos and guacamole too!
If you’re in the south end try El Molcajete. Its right across the street from haunted hotel. Theres a taco truck that’s delicious called Tacos el tio martin in the parking lot of Girard’s hardware
I’ve always enjoyed Señor Iguana for simple but flavorful food.
For plain ole tacos you can’t beat La Tropicana or Taco Loco on Preston. For those who like Mariachi you can get the same tacos at pretty much any Supermercado Guanajuato.
El Caporal on Blankenbaker! Their orange tequila carnitas with the spicy tomatillo sauce are perfection
el molcajete is a hole in the wall on 4th street just west of the baseball/football stadiums and it is absolutely fantastic. authentic norteño food.
Anybody else here have a memory of eating at the Mexican place that used to be where the El Toro is now in Middletown? Near the corner of Moser and Shelbyville?
Originally La Casuela, then La Frontera?
God my family and I would eat there like clockwork every weekend for what felt like the entire 90's. Good ole #4.
El Molcajete
La Tropicana is my favorite for street tacos. La Torta Loca my favorite for tortas. Con Huevos for brunch. Bandidos for a breakfast burrito. El Molcajete if you want a larger menu where pretty much everything is solid.
Did I really have to scroll down this far for La Tropicana? They're the best tacos in the city, period.
Bandito
Outside of the fact that it’s quite overpriced, what’s the consensus on Guacamole in here?
The owner is a racist piece of shit, so people usually avoid it in these threads.
I think it's pretty good but like you said expensive. If I want fancier Mexican I'd prefer Noche.
Las Cazuelas on Bishops lane.
Cravings Byanca in La Grange is amazing.
Mi Casita on 4th St is great! My favorite skirt steak I’ve had in the city so far.
I love Noche, but it’s definitely kinda niche in that it’s more like BBQ dressed up in Mexican clothing than just straight up Mexican. Not a criticism at all, I think it’s awesome. Just want to make sure you understand what it is.
Edit: Also, the last time I tried, they told me I needed to call a week ahead to get a dinner reservation. That was a while ago, so I don’t know how true it still is. But worth noting.
El Victoria
Shhhhh! I don’t need that place getting busier lol
That’s why I said one word and that is all.
If you don’t see anyone that you think is “Mexican” eating in any of the restaurants suggested… do yourself a favor turn around and leave immediately. Then ask yourself do you want real Mexican food or what has been promoted to you as Mexican food.
Right! You never see real Mexicans eating at El Nopal...right? 🤔
La Cochina de Mama in Shelbyville.
Lo Cocina de Mamá (Mama’s Kitchen) is a big fav of ours. I Love Taco’s for cheap taco night and yummy elote!
Las margaritas on Central is pretty good
I’m seeing a lot of recommendations here but they’re all for kind of expensive restaurants 😭 like you think el nopal is too expensive… so I’m gonna recommend GUSTAVOS and LIMON Y SAL??? 😂😂
It’s Venezuelan but go to Senora Arepa
If I were a billionaire, just for fun, I would buy Gustavos, Fiesta Time Amigos, El Nopal, El Caporal, and El Toro --- and I would consolidate them into one big holding company named "Same Damn Thing, Inc."
But anyway...
My vote is Taco City on Shelbyville Rd in Middletown. Great food and not like all the rest.
But they don't serve free chips. 😒
So there's that.
El Maguey (off the Brooks exit of 65) is pretty good. Been a while since I've been there. Daniel's Little Mexico in Shepherdsville is good, too. Along the lines of El Nopal but better.
I had la pinata the other day and it was amazing. Home made tortilla chips and salsa unless i am mistaken
My favorite was El Catrin in Sellersburg, IN. Such a great menu and atmosphere. Unfortunately they were bought out by Senor Iguanas. Hopefully they don't change too much...
El Catrin opened another location in downtown Jeffersonville before the Sellersburg location went under.
El Bestos!
El Caporal bardstown rd
Savor Mex in La Grange is where it’s at!
los Compadres off Murphy ln out Westport Rd past the Snyder.
Service isn't always their strongest point but the food is great. I sometimes have to use Google translate to communicate as most of the staff are native Spanish speakers and they're English is about as good as my Spanish.
This is certainly not a three or four star dining experience but the food makes up for it in my opinion.
Pina Fiesta
This question comes up all the time,, so a board search
Taqueria Danny is a hidden gem along Frankfort Ave. It's a food truck located in the Boone's gas station parking lot, but lemme tell ya, it is BOMB and affordable! I've never had a bad experience there.
I’ve never had a bad meal from La Sierra Tarascaria on old shep.
I like Cravings Byanca in Crestwood. It's a little hut so it's not a typical restaurant experience, but the food is always very good.
I also like Cocina de Mama.
Gustavo’s is great. It’s a few steps above El Nopal
I'll always send people to cravings byanca in Crestwood.
Guatalinda on Poplar Level has been good, along with Coasta Dol Sol in Colonial Garden. Also like Laz Cuazellas on Bishop Lane
Felipe's on Dutchman's lane is def better than El nopal. El nopal has moments but wow the margaritas at El nopal are bad!
Yellow cactus
Las Cazuelas on Bishop or Veronicas on Poplar Lvl for sure.
If you want more American style Mexican food than I thought Señor Iguanas in Clarksville was pretty good the other night. Much better than El Nopal in my opinion.
Tho I usually hit up La Catracha in Clarksville next to the Peddlers Mall for some tasty tacos and guac. Good prices too!
El Noche is awesome! Las consuales (sp) on new berg is very good as well
Papi's in Crestwood is 🔥
Las Margaritas and Gustavo’s
La Suerte in Douglas Loop!
Los Aztecas in Lyndon. Sort of like El Nopal, but sooooo fresh.
Puerto Vallarta, specifically the one on Beulah Church Rd. La Sierra. Most of the places that look like a hole in the wall on Preston Highway.
Source: guy who spent a big chunk of his life in California & New Mexico.
Gustavo’s on Hurstbourne
Tres Amigos off of Hurstbourne is everything. Go on Tuesday for $3 street tacos and you’ll never look back.
Papis in Crestwood all day. Combo fajitas for one easily feeds my wife and I along with the chips and their awesome white dipping sauce. We just get am extra 3 tortillas.
la suerte
Las Gorditas food truck by the Cox Smoker on Bardstown Rd has amazing tacos.
I love los Aztecas!
Possibly unpopular opinion but the yellow cactus on Frankfort is pretty decent.
This is almost a weekly topic here, keep it going because I learn about new places to try every time.
La Lupita is my go-to Place in Clarksville.
I personally really like Las Margaritas and Piña Fiesta
Tres Amigos!!
Taco choza, Veronica’s, daniels little Mexico. A lot of people love Gustavo’s but I was disappointed
Puerto Vallarta. I won't go anywhere else now for Mexican food after I've eaten here!
VERONICAS
Bandidos
Los Gorditos on Oak makes good food. But in the past couple of months I've stopped going. Twice I've gone, the lights were on and no one was in the store. Door locked. Recently, I tried again. Guy was there but he didn't have some menu items I asked for. When I settled on what he did have, he informed me he would only take cash. I don't carry cash any more. I had to leave.
There's a few on Preston across from the Uhaul place that are awesome. No English. Point to the menu. Yummy.
The most authentic place I’ve been is la pasadita. It’s up in Charlestown,IN but I highly recommend it! They have the best birria tacos
Taco Loco Preston hwy
Inside High Horse bar is a window that serves (imo) some of the best Mexican food you can get in Louisville. I think they're closed Mondays and Tuesdays and they only serve dinner. Bonus, $5 old fashioneds.
Las Gorditas truck on Bardstown Road at Watterson Trail is authentic and phenomenal. La Lupita on Eastern Blvd in Clarksville, Indiana is also authentic and very good, and open for lunch.
El Mocajete on Preston at Blue Lick is pretty good! 😋 I haven't tried La Loma yet though.
Marisqueria Vallarta
Taquiera Danny on Frankfort Avenue. Little food truck parked in a gas station parking lot. Lots of good options, but their Campechano taco wins it for me
I've heard nothing but good reviews about New Vallarta Taquiera.....but no love on this thread. Has anyone tried it or La Loma?
Fiesta Time Amigos, either in Fern Creek or Middletown. Both are fantastic and family owned. The margaritas are STRONG.
Jalisco El Toque Chingon Mexican Seafood & Grill
Or Noche Mexican BBQ
El torazo on hurstbourne!
Veronica's Mexican Restaurant and Fiesta Time Amigos
I like el tarasco. They always seem to open up across the street from el nopals.
Limon Y Sol on Brownsboro is really good. They have quite a few dishes which are more authentic than what your average Mexican place has. I recommend the Enchiladas Hidalguenses or the Carnitas Enchiladas.
For tacos and tortas, some of the best are at La Rosita's on Westport.
Taco trucks! Los Gorditas on Bardstown Rd is amazing. Get the Gorditas. Also La Luquilena(?) is over by Oxmoor, off of New LaGrange in the parking lot of that old BP gas station. Their Picaditas are delicious.
El Toro is the only Mexican restaurant I go to. I pass at least 10 other Mexican restaurants on the way there each time. My friends and I enjoy it so much we have become regulars over the years, going every week or every other week.
i just tried taco n’ madres for the first time and that was yummy! they have a salsa bar that you can grab sauces from. would highly recommend - horchata was a lil pricey but it was like 40 oz lmao
Noche
Mexico City 2 behind Sam’s club in Clarksville.
Food truck = Los Gordidas Sit down = Los Aztecas downtown
Sophias’ in LaGrange.. best beans and rice!!
El Torazo has some of the best restaurant salsa I’ve ever had.
If you're ever on dixie highway El Rodeo is fantastic. I've been a customer of theirs for over a decade. Also Tacos la Chaparrita (the food truck in front of valley liquors) and Taqueria El Comal are both fantastic. I sing praises for all three places often.
El Mexicano in Jeffersonville. It's so good.
El Mariachi 2 on National Turnpike is my new favorite place. Their chips are fantastic, the horchata is tasty, and the birria is sooooo good. Even my picky ass kid likes that place. We also go to the bakery next door for ice cream, bakery treats, and/or frozen bananas for dessert.
My current favorite is Mangos! Behind Culver’s on hurstbourne. Similar to el nopal but better imo
Gustavo’s is the best alternative to El Nopal that you can find in most of the city that isn’t egregiously expensive. Also, unlike El Nopal, the food is actually pretty good.
Taco Choza in St. Matthew's! Try the birria tacos with the little sauce on the side 🤌 also a fan of the steak sandwiches and to go margaritas!
Tacos Jaunito, El Pastorcito, Taco Loco, La Casa Mexicana, Veronica's Mexican, Tacos Los Gorditos (Patti Lane), Vallarta (for seafood), La Guanaquita (Salvadoran/Pupusas)
For the love of God don't go to "I Love Tacos". They need to rename to I Hate Tacos by the way the butcher mexico's cuisine.