Bjorn Koch - 4 of the Best Mexican Restaurantsin the US

This Friday is Cinco de Mayo. In honor of the holiday, this post looks at some of the best Mexican restaurants in the US.

Cosme – New York City, NY

Cosme serves Mexican food, but maybe not the type of Mexican food that most people think of when they picture Mexican food. For example, you won’t find fare like tacos and burritos on Cosme’s menu. What you will find, though, is good food with Mexican flourishes. The restaurant serves brunch, lunch, and dinner. On the dinner menu, you’ll find dishes like octopus and duck carnitas. The restaurant has an extensive mezcal list as well as tequila selection. The mezcals are served in glasses with worm salt around the rims. Plus, you get orange slices on the side.

Topolobampo – Chicago, IL

Since 1989 Topolobampo has been serving delightful Mexican cuisine. Rick Bayless is the man behind Topolobampo. Before opening his first restaurant Bayless published Authentic Mexican: Regional Cooking from the Heart of Mexico and hosted the PBS series Cooking Mexican. Topolobampo is the upscale sister of Bayless’ first restaurant, Frontera Grill. Topolobampo’s current dinner menu features dishes with names like Betrayal and Euphoria. The “Art Menu,” as it’s called, is designed to evoke feelings in diners similarly to how a piece of art would evoke feelings. Bayless is an expert in Mexican cuisine, so when you eat at Topolobampo you are guaranteed to have an unforgettable dining experience.

Guelaguetza – Los Angeles, CA

Guelaguetza opened in 1994. The restaurant often receives credit for popularizing Oaxacan cuisine in the United States. Since first opening its doors the restaurant has received praise in the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, and has received a James Beard Award. The restaurant is best-known for its moles—so much so that it sells mole on its online store. Guelaguetza serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The desserts, in particular, should not be skipped. According to Guelaguetza’s website, Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic Jonathan Gold once said: “Guelaguetza Is The Best Oaxacan Restaurant In The Country” (Source). When it comes to the best Mexican restaurants in the United States, there is no question that Guelaguetza should appear on the list.

La Condesa – Austin, TX

Guacamole, mezcal, tacos—La Condesa has it all and does not disappoint.  According to La Condesa’s website, the restaurants “features the largest selection of 100% blue agave tequila and mezcal in Austin” (Source). The dinner menu features ceviches, small dishes that are perfect for sharing, and food prepared on a wood-fired grill. When you visit make sure that you make a reservation. When planning your visit make sure that you make a reservation. The restaurant tends to fill up quickly and waiting for delicious Mexican cuisine on an empty stomach is never fun.