The Grand Rapids Food Guide: The best Mexican restaurants of 2025

If there’s one thing our readers are passionate about—aside from craft beer and debating which lakeshore spot is the best—it’s delicious food. And when it came time to vote for the best Mexican restaurants in Grand Rapids, the response was enthusiastic, bringing in hundreds of votes. 

READ MORE: The best burritos in Grand Rapids

We tallied all those votes and are pleased to feature the top four picks for Mexican food in Grand Rapids. So get ready to revel in the salsas, and taste why these restaurants earned a place in Grand Rapids’ top tier of Mexican cuisine. Happy eating, and buen provecho.

Courtesy of Donkey Taqueria

4. MeXo

In fourth place, MeXo represents sleek, customizable, fast‑casual Mexican cuisine in Grand Rapids. It’s the place people recommend for a flavorful lunch, quick dinner, or midday snack, especially if you appreciate snappy menu assembly without sacrificing quality.

If you haven’t tried MeXo’s burrito bowls—where you choose your base (Spanish rice or white rice), protein (grilled chicken, barbacoa, carnitas, or grilled veggies), beans (black or pinto), and finish with cilantro crema, pico de gallo, jalapeños, queso fresco, and toasted corn kernels—you should. It’s a mix‑and‑match format, but the components, particularly the meats, are truly amazing. Options include char-grilled carnitas with little crisp edges, smoky chicken, or slow-roasted barbacoa.

Tacos at MeXo are also clutch: shrimp tacos loaded with cabbage slaw and chipotle mayo, carne asada tacos on flour tortillas with avocado crema, and a spicy vegetarian nopal taco layered with grilled cactus, peppers, and onions. They serve rotating special tacos too, like shrimp pesto tacos with shaved zucchini or spicy pork al pastor with pineapple salsa.

Drinks at MeXo lean bright and fun with options like cucumber-lime agua fresca, mint watermelon, or mezcal-infused margaritas, depending on the season and location. And desserts include churro bites with cinnamon sugar or mini Mexican sundaes with chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Yum!

MeXo is overall consistent, quick, and flavor-forward. It’s a particular favorite for weekday crowds and hangry post-work folks who want something approachable and filling.  

3. Donkey Taqueria 

Coming in third is Donkey Taqueria, a neighborhood Eastown favorite where authentic flavor meets casual energy. The tacos here draw a crowd, and the meat and tortilla quality has kept long-time breakfast and dinner customers coming back for more. 

This spot feels like a south-of-the-border taquería in every sense of the word, with no-fuss décor and visible comals grilling tortillas all day.

Top menu items include the lengua taco, a carne asada taco that’s a touch smoky and full of bite, the adobada or al pastor with signature sweet pineapple, and the chile verde taco that’s overflowing with stewed pork. Every taco comes with fresh toppings such as onions, cilantro, lime, and sometimes house salsa served on the side. Burritos come giant and tightly wrapped, with options like birria served alongside dangerously good consommé for dipping.

Donkey also stands out with its tortilla quality. Reviewers on Google and Yelp repeatedly mention how soft, warm, and flavorful each corn tortilla tastes as soon as you bite into one. They fresh-press their tortillas, and that simple step elevates every dish.

Sides like mulitas (two tortillas with cheese and meat pressed like quesadillas), horchata rice pudding cups, and spicy cucumber salad add balance and flair. Thoughtful vegan and vegetarian tacos like grilled mushrooms or roasted cactus bring Grand Rapids’ meatless crowd back time and again.

Pulling just behind the top two by a few votes, Donkey’s fans clearly value authenticity and home-style preparation.

2. Tacos El Cuándo 

Tacos El Cuándo landed in second place and just barely missed out on the top spot. In a downtown location with high ceilings, painted murals, and a clean, stylish bar, El Cuándo brings an elevated experience that’s perfect for a night out with friends or a casual date.

Their signature dishes earn consistent praise on Google and Yelp. The battered walleye fish tacos dressed with cabbage slaw, chipotle aioli, and pickled jalapeño; crispy duck carnitas tacos with mole drizzle are a favorite among diners. And the barbacoa tacos with savory broth, melted cheese, and fresh pico are another must-try dish. 

The salsa bar is another standout feature of Tacos El Cuándo. There, you can find a roasted tomatillo-cilantro salsa with a zesty green kick, smoky guajillo salsa with moderate heat, and a sweet mango salsa that balances out the spicier meats. 

While tacos are the star players at Tacos El Cuándo, don’t skip the fresh guacamole, crab tostadas, or heirloom tomato tostadas dressed with queso fresco. And save room for a churro platter after dinner. Their churros are crispy on the outside and fluffy inside, served with chocolate and dulce de leche dipping sauces. Cocktails, especially the margaritas, are a must here as well, for those who consume alcohol. 

Tacos El Cuándo didn’t take first this time, but that’s ok. There’s always next year! Our readers’ number-one choice is…

Courtesy of Lindo Mexico

1. Lindo Mexico

And finally, the restaurant readers voted as Grand Rapids’ top spot for Mexican food: Lindo Mexico. Along with earning first place for Mexican cuisine overall, Lindo also captured the crown for the best burrito this year, making it a Grand Rapids food guide superstar.

Lindo Mexico earns praise for flavor authenticity, execution, and a sense of familiarity sparkling with excellence, thanks to its owner, Gricelda Mata. Must-try items from Gricelda’s thoughtful menu include the lengua tacos, birria tacos served with hot consommé, and carnitas. And don’t forget to pop in for menudo Sundays! 

Lindo Mexico boasts some of the best tacos in the city. Their tacos are served on warm corn tortillas by default, but flour is available, too. Fillings include birria, lengua, carnitas de Michoacán, pastor, and chile verde. The birria burrito includes melted cheese and savory consommé on the side. Salsas range from bright and raw pico to a spicy roasted chile-mix with garlic and lime. They also make fresh tortillas daily.

Other menu must-haves include the molcajete bowl, handmade tamales, the mole poblano dish with chicken, the street corn cups, and the fresh guacamole. With every dish, the portions are generous, and prices feel generous, too.

The service at Lindo is laid-back but personal. Tables often come with requests for extra pickled jalapeños or tortillas. Gricelda greets guests (and returns emails!), and salsa is custom-served to each table with care. Reviewers on Google, Facebook, and Yelp frequently mention being recognized on repeat visits or seeing the owner smiling at work.

Lindo Mexico earned its top spot as Grand Rapids’ favorite Mexican restaurant. It’s where traditional recipes pair perfectly with sincere, family-friendly, woman-owned hospitality.

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