Good spicy taco, cheesy quesadilla, saucy tostadas, folks in San Jose cannot get enough of Mexican food.
The city has grown from a place of sparse Mexican fare into diverse, culinary heaven and the buzz goes beyond San Jose. This bustling city is now home to many restaurants that specializes in making the best tacos, classic tikka masala, burritos, or even tamales. Once you have a taste of them, you’ll keep coming back to these spots for the rest of your life.
Here are the best Mexican dining spots to try out in San Jose.
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1495 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126 lunamexicankitchen.com
If you’re looking for a fun and casual spot for Mexican food, stop by the LUNA Mexican Kitchen. Guest have a wide variety of menu options to choose from. If you are in early, you can enjoy delicious breakfast varieties such as steak con huevos that is two eggs, grilled nopal, skirt steak, handmade corn tortillas, and refried beans with queso fresco, or horchata French toast that includes organic berries, piloncillo syrup, and organic house-made whipped cream.
When it’s time for the main meal, you might be a little confused about what to pick from the mouthwatering options. If you want something heavy, go for the tasty Enchiladas especially the mole poblano that contains chicken enchiladas topped with a slow-cooked mole of dried chilies, nuts, seasonings, chocolate, cinnamon, sesame seeds, and more.
Signatures smoothies and classic cocktails are also a great treat to go along with your main course.
3123 Williamsburg Dr, San Jose, CA 95117
A mix of traditional and modern Mexican food is something you should try to experience at least once in your life. At Taqueria Eduardo, their friendly customer service will get you all the way there with an extensive menu that combines both traditional Mexican cuisine and some contemporary twists.
Enjoy regular taco with options such as shrimp taco, super taco, taco plus, and more, or the house-special California super burrito with meat, rice, cheese, and guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, and fries. Also, order one of their many delicious sides such as olla, hot sauce, guacamole, chile Relleno, or enchilada.
While you’re there, be sure to enjoy one of their signature cocktails to accompany your main dishes. Don’t worry, they’ll keep the beverages coming until the last call.
1896 Curtner Ave, San Jose, CA 95124 adelitastaqueria.com
For years Adelita’s Taqueria has served as one of the top spots for enjoying savory Mexican dishes in San Jose. At this restaurant, you have a lot to choose from for breakfast and brunch.
The menu is quite extensive and you might struggle to settle on just one plate. Their sizzling taco is the main draw here and you get to choose the meat of choice from either grilled chicken, chorizo, Adelita’s chicken, carnitas, chile Verde, prawn & fish, and more. Other options on the menu include tortas, classic quesadillas, burritos, all served with a meat of your choice.
Apart from taco and burritos, Adelita’s also serves a generous amount of seafood options, delicious soups and salads, and sweet desserts. Be sure to grab a drink to enjoy the evening as you listen to karaoke and soothing live Latin-themed music.
2041 Woodard Rd, San Jose, CA 95124 tumeromolerestaurant.com
At Tu Mero Mole, they understand that the key to achieving an incredible dish isn’t just the recipe, but also the ingredients used. Here, they use the finest ingredients to prepare the most exquisite and flavorful Mexican dishes with a variety of exotic tastes that will leave you coming back for more.
Now to the mealtime, Tu Mero Mole offers a great selection of Mexican dishes. Chef’s specials are a must try especially the Tacos Dorados De Tinga that features three crisp corn tortilla, filled with chipotle chicken, onions, and potatoes, and Mole De Puebla which contains skinless-boneless chicken, with mole toppings, made with six different types of dry chili peppers, walnuts, almonds, pine-nuts, sesame seeds, peanuts, and more. While at it, try the mouthwatering Chef’s omelette with two scrambled eggs with cheese, salsa Fresca, and avocado.
The show doesn’t end there. They also have an extensive list of appetizers, soups and salad, especialidades specialties, and signature cocktails to try. You will never run out of options when you visit Tu Mero Cole.
21 N 2nd St, San Jose, CA 95113 angelousmexicangrill.com
When you come to Angelou’s, you’ll be surprised to find an extensive menu that caters to almost any taste bud. Whether you want a full dish of red enchiladas or a full taco plate, Angelou’s has all your favorite dishes and even more.
Guest can swing by for breakfast and order the Angelou’s special that includes Huevos Rancheros served on a corn tortilla with beans, salsa, and country’s potatoes or rice. If you still have some space, you can order the two-egg omelette that comes with a choice of three items from bacon, sausages, ham, tomatoes, onions, to mushrooms.
Along with a regular breakfast and brunch menu, Angelou’s also serves favorites from the grill such as the house-special burger, veggie burger for vegetarians, grilled ham and cheese. You can choose a favorite side and toppings to accompany your main meal.
854 N 13th St, San Jose, CA 95112 facebook.com
Looking for some unique Mexican cuisine in San Jose, head down to Taqueria’s Lorena’s. It’s a perfect spot to grab some great burritos and other classic Mexican favorites. All their food is made from scratch and their award-winning cocktail and tequila list is something worth trying.
Besides serving signature cocktails, Taqueria Lorena’s menu also includes favorites such as Antojitos such as Flautas that features three crispy rolled tacos with some delicious chicken or beef. Still, on the menu, you will find mouthwatering nachos served with either chip, refried beans, tomato, avocado, cheese, and sour cream.
Taqueria’s Lorena’s also has many delicious sides such as rice, chips, beans, and corn tortilla. If you’re still interested in some other Mexican goodies from this local favorite, ensure you try out their fajita burger, handmade tamales, carnitas, and more. Don’t forget to get yourself one of the different flavors of Mexican beverages in the bottle.
25 W San Fernando St, San Jose, CA 95113 mezcalrestaurants.com
If you like your margaritas served traditionally with a side of tacos, then Mezcal restaurant is your go-to place. Here, they offer a mix of colorful culture, distinct flavors, and warm hospitality.
On the menu, you will find favorites such as tender sliced chicken marinated in a delicious medium-hot chipotle pepper sauce, marinated shrimp and grilled to perfection with sauteed vegetables, grilled flour tortilla served with marinated shrimp, cheese, and vegetables, among others. Vegetarians can enjoy the house-made veggie quesadilla that includes grilled tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, peppers, zucchini, all folded into a flour tortilla and served with one of their delicious sides.
Each day has a special theme to go along with it, so stop by any day and enjoy whatever strikes your interest. Margaritas on Mondays, Tacos on Tuesday, and if you a little explorative you can try the Fajitas on Fridays.
While Mexican cuisine isn’t the kind of one-size-fits-all fare that will be made the same at every restaurant, you’re sure to find some striking and innovative varieties at these top Mexican restaurants in San Jose. Let us know which Mexican powerhouse ticked all your boxes in terms of different flavors and varieties in the comments below!
