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Every year, CityBeat publishes the Best Of Cincinnati®, wherein readers and staffers alike pick which bars are the booziest, which people are the coolest and which shops are your best bet for dropping a pretty penny. Whether you’re looking for delicious Mexican fare, from authentic street eats to Tex-Mex favorites or just Mexican-inspired eats, you can find it at one of Greater Cincinnati’s top Mexican restaurants. Here are the top 10 favorite spots among our readers.
Mi Cozumel
3100 Vandercar Way, Oakley; 11700 Princeton Pike, Springdale; 8565 Winton Road, Finneytown; 511 N. Broadway St., Lebanon
If you can brave the long wait on the weekends, Mi Cozumel is an amazing place to enjoy a night. Their menu features massive imaginative margaritas (one even comes in a Patron bottle), street tacos and popular flaming fajitas. Photo: facebook.com/Mi Cozumel #3 OakleyBest Mexican No. 9: El Jinete
3972 Red Bank, Fairfax; 5062 Old Taylor Mill Road, Taylor Mill; 10780 Montgomery Road, Sycamore Township
Must-try: Try five enchiladas in one dish with the Enchilada Tapatias. It comes with one of each: beef, chicken, pork, cheese and beans and it is topped with lettuce, tomato and sour cream. Photo: Provided by El JineteNo. 5: La Mexicana Restaurante Cantina and Tienda (642 Monmouth St., Newport) // No-frills in décor, but all serious with the cuisine, La Mexicana is deemed to be one of the most authentic Mexican restaurants in the area. From asada to bistec to milanesa, they’ve got the meats. But they also serve up a host of veggie options. Photo: Hailey BollingerCrown Cantina
326 E. Eighth St., Downtown
This Crown Restaurant Group spot is a self-described mix of “contemporary, authentic Mexican cuisine and cocktails.” Crown Cantina sets itself apart from other south-of-the-border-inspired restaurants with its unique blend of bold, but approachable flavors and ingredients – all of which are 100% gluten-free. On the menu, you’ll find a variety of tacos, including chicken mole, camarones asados and carne asada, as well as large plates like their lamb barbacoa and Baja fish. Kick off the meal with a starter of guacamole served with corn tostadas and a specialty margarita. Photo: Provided by Crown Restaurant GroupBest Mexican No. 6: El Rancho Grande
Multiple locations
Must-try: The new Birria Esquites features roasted corn mixed with mayo, queso fresco and a touch of lime and topped with birria and pico de gallo. Photo: facebook.com/ElRanchoGrandeHarrisonDouble Down at Cancun and Western Bowl
$3.95-$4.75 per game; shoe rental extra
It’s a two-for-one at Cancun Restaurante & Cantina and Western Bowl Strike & Spare — the establishments are connected by a doorway, making it easy to go from classic strip-mall tacos and tequila to classic bowling and beer. Since 1958, the glowing Western Bowl sign has been beckoning amateurs and pros alike to play on its 68 automatic lanes. With a Big Lebowski-esque atmosphere, the rates are reasonable (less than $5 a game), the snacks are cheap and the bar is fully stocked. Grab a pitcher of beer for $9 and get ready to bowl. 6383 Glenway Ave., Western Hills.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey BollingerBest Mexican No. 4: Tortilleria Garcia
11774 Springfield Pike, Springdale; 5917 Hamilton Ave., College Hill; 4200 Aero Drive, Mason
Must-try: Get the tamales — which come as either pork or chicken. Or, get the chicken and pork combo so you don’t have to choose. Photo: facebook.com/TortilleriaGarciaCincyAgave & Rye
635 Madison Ave., Covington; 3825 Edwards Road, Norwood; 7125 Fountain View Drive, Liberty Township
Diners flock to Agave & Rye to enjoy its vibrant murals and funky decor while chowing down on unique tacos, with proteins including kangaroo, duck, crab cakes, lobster, crispy cauliflower, fries and crispy chicken — in addition to more familiar bases like steak, pork carnitas and mahi mahi. Try The Bomb, a double-shelled taco with carne asada, chopped bourbon-poached shrimp, mac and cheese, spicy chili and BBQ jam and tobacco onions if you’re in the mood for a unique flavor combo. Photo: Provided by Agave & RyeGuti Nachos with pollo asado: corn chips topped with refried beans, guacamole, mozzarella, cilantro, onion and cotija cheese, served with sour cream, roja and verde salsas Photo: Mary LeBusBest Mexican No. 1: Mazunte
5207 Madison Road, Madisonville; 6216 Madison Road, Madisonville; 611 Main St., Downtown
Must-try: Try the Memelitas: Chicken, chorizo, pork or veggies with black bean purée, queso Oaxaca, avocado salsa, salsa roja and queso fresco, served on top of a masa cake. Photo: facebook.com/MazunteTacos
Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she...
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