Updated post: September 27, 2024
Is there any better visual than a table covered by a full spread of Mexican food? Towering bowls of warm tortilla chips. Platters of tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. Steaming bowls of pinto beans. Each culinary delight waiting to be devoured between sip of a salty, lime margarita.
Use my list of recommended Mexican food restaurants in Kansas as a taco trail, a bucket list to cross off as you journey from one eatery to the next.
By no means does this list reflect all the must-stop Mexican restaurants in the state, but instead restaurants that I’ve dine at in the last couple of years.
WICHITA
Las Delicias ICT
Have you tried fresh fruit with Chamoy sauce and Tajin seasoning? It’s sweet with a little heat. A popular menu item at Las Delicias ICT, Vaco de Fruta is a refreshing and healthy way to enjoy a treat any given day of the year. The Mexican eatery serves everything from Nachos Elote and Tostadas Cueritos to Ceviche with Chips.
Go on Waffle Wednesday to order a bubble waffle with ice cream and toppings and get the second one half off.
Tacos TJ 664
What restaurant would you choose to dine at for your birthday? For me, Tacos TJ 664 is at the top of the list. The restaurant was voted Wichita’s Most Like Taco in Wichita By E.B’s Ultimate Wichita Taco Tournament in 2020.
A steady line of customers waits at the register to order style tacos, birria ramen, or quesadilla with fries. Don’t forget to ask for extra green salsa (mild) and orange salsa (super spicy).
Taco Fajita
Taco Fajita serves authentic street tacos, the kind that are not always listed on Wichita Mexican restaurants’ menus. The three-bite taco is filled with your choice of meat, cilantro, and diced onions. They have several salsas to choose from, but I preferred the green salsa with medium heat compared to the hot orange salsa.
Hungry diners, or people seeking to share a meal, should order the infamous Machete. A massive corn tortilla is filled with your choice of meat, onions, peppers, and melted cheese.
Connie’s Mexico Cafe
The city’s north end is known for its recommendable selection of Mexican restaurants. Opened in 1963, Connie’s Mexico Cafe remains the oldest family-owned Mexican restaurant and one that continues to attract customers for its delicious food and friendly service.
When you go, ask about highly-requested dishes, including the Original King Size Burrito, Pork Chops with verde sauce, and Special Monterrey. I’ve been eating at Connie’s since I was a kid, and it remains on my list of favorites.
El Mexico Cafe
After my first dining experience at El Mexico Cafe, I listed it in the dining section of my book 100 Things To Do in Wichita Before You Die.Locally owned and operated for over four decades, El Mexico Cafe is well-liked by locals for its smothered burritos, enchiladas, tacos, and grilled fajitas.
The menu consists of Mexican cuisine standards, but everyone knows the shining star is the Deluxe Burrito. Ask about the daily special.
HUTCHINSON
Anchor Inn Mexican Restaurant
Over 1,500 near perfect Google reviews can’t be wrong. Anchor Inn Mexican Restaurant is a draw for diners craving fried flour shell tacos and heaping plates of traditional favorites from enchiladas to tostadas. The menu of Mexican Favorites also includes mega-sized burritos, sanchos, and chalupas.
The restaurant is spacious in size and the festive decorations make it a popular place for large group parties.
GREAT BEND
Los Cabos Fajita House
Dinner platters arrive sizzling hot at Los Cabos Fajitas House (619 Main Street), a restaurant known for its multi-page menu featuring tacos, burritos, and, of course, fajitas.
I devoured a traditional chicken and chorizo entreé with savory beans, rice, and warm tortillas. After a visit to the Salsa Bar, I topped each bite with a creamy avocado salsa for added heat. Visit the restaurant on Taco Tuesday for $2 tacos with your choice of six meats.
Mary’s Kitchen
In our quest to discover the best Mexican food in Great Bend, we dined at Mary’s Kitchen (2416 10th Street). The small, unassuming building welcomes a steady flow of regular customers six days a week.
The smell of carne asada permeated the air as we ordered street tacos and burritos for an early lunch. The food was crave-worthy. Mary’s Kitchen deserves its stellar online reviews. Buy extra breakfast burritos to go.
WELLINGTON
Fabiola’s Restaurant
Since 1997, Fabiola’s Restaurant has attracted regular customers. By consistently serving good food and providing friendly service, it’s easy to see why.
For dinner, I chose a beef fajita bowl, Kristi’s Special, made with grilled onions, peppers, beans, queso, and adorned with a tomato rose. The meat was tender, and the outer shell was crisp.My server recommended that I save room for dessert, and even though I was full, I couldn’t turn down caramel churros with vanilla ice cream drizzled with honey and chocolate. 100% delicious.
ATCHISON
Lopez de Mexico
Colorful overhead flags and booths decorated with framed family photos set the scene at Lopez de Mexico, a family-operated restaurant in the heart of downtown Atchison. I was fortunate to visit with the owner, Ann, who shared how she studied her grandmother’s recipes and opened the restaurant 27 years ago.
The restaurant is known for its crispy beef tacos, which to my delight, were a lunch special the day of my visit.
COFFEYVILLE
El Pueblito Mexican Restaurant
Where do you eat when nearly every local you ask suggests the same place? El Pueblito. The Mexican restaurant serves a traditional classic menu plus a full bar of drinks at Cantina Margaritaville – the locals rave about the margaritas.
The #3 Lunch Special Ground Beef Taco & Enchilada served with rice and beans is a tasty meal for the value. Add delicious homemade salsa on top.
MANHATTAN
Taco Lucha
Nestled deep in the heart of Aggieville, Taco Lucha calls itself “a full sit down, cocktail driven, funky Aggieville taqueria.” From the moment you walk into the restaurant, you are greeted with colorful lights set against a dimly lit eclectic interior.
We made fast friends at the bar while dining on spicy jalapeño poppers, stuffed tacos, and a mega burrito (ask about the “secret menu” options). I plan on trying the popular Raspberry Bean Dip on a return visit.
El Patron
El Patron is known for serving street tacos using fresh ingredients and was ready to order. With festive Mexican music playing in the background, I dove into soft shell tacos filled with beef and BACON. My taste buds went into overdrive.
I know what you’re thinking, but hold on. You haven’t lived if you haven’t tasted bacon in a street taco.
DODGE CITY
Tacos El Torito
Tacos El Torito is a highly-rated food truck where diners order at the window and then wait for authentic Mexican food dishes to be delivered to their cars.
On Tuesdays, tacos are $1.50 unless otherwise advertised. The tacos are stuffed so full you may need to eat them with two hands. Nachos are made with melted cheese topped with the protein of your choice. Try an authentic tamale for real-deal flavor.
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS
Tacos El Guero
A trusted foodie friend told me were to find delicious street tacos made fresh to order, and he didn’t steer me wrong.
At Tacos El Guero, you can expect steaming hot carne asada from the grill nestled inside soft tortillas topped with white onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. The birria and pastor tacos are equally scrumptious. Use the squeeze bottle hot sauces.
I recommend order three tacos for a meal with a bottle of Coca-Cola to wash it down.
El Toro Loco Mexican Bar & Grill
Give El Toro Loco a try, especially if you love a good chili relleño. I ordered chile relleños in many places and I know a good one when I taste it. The cheese was delicious and the battered and fried pepper was perfectly crisp.
Specializing in street tacos, tamales, and other Mexican dishes, it’s a ideal choice for tourists who need a break from shopping at Legend’s Outlets.
El Torito
Kansas City’s cultural roots run deep whether its during Día de Muertos (Day of the Day) of another day of the year. At El Torito, you can enjoy traditional Mexican dishes prepared to order using grilled meats topped with fresh produce and queso fresco.
Flautas, quesabirrias, chilaquiles highlight the menu, but my recommendation is to order a heaping plate of nachos to sustain you through a day of exploring Kansas City. Leave room for flan or tres leches cake.
Jarocho’s Pescados y Mariscos
Continue the cultural journey to Jarocho’s Pescados y Mariscos (719 Kansas Ave.) where high-quality Mexican seafood is served.
Bring your appetite and prepare to be wowed by fresh seafood dishes like Shrimp Chipotle, Fire Grilled Trout, and Seafood Paella. They didn’t win Best Seafood and Best Mexican Food by Feast magazine for nothing.
Three Bees Pottery & Coffee Shop
Three Bees Pottery & Coffee Shop (925 Southwest Blvd) is a quaint eatery specializing in homemade meat and vegan tamales paired with gourmet coffee drinks.
If you’ve not enjoyed tamale, you can expect shredded chicken, pork, or beef in sauce wrapped in masa inside a corn husk. The dish represents traditional food brought to the states by Mexican immigrant populations. Order a Dirty Horchata served hot to accompany my meal.
SALINA
Prickly Pear Grill & Cantina
Prickly Pear Grill & Cantina offers Tex-Mex-style cuisine in a modern setting with an expansive patio available for alfresco dining. Menu items like a Smothered Chimichanga, Pork Steak Chili Burritos, and Tequila Pollo dominate the entree menu. A Sunday Brunch menu features items like Churro Waffles, Chorizo Tacos, and Sangria by the glass.
I recommend the Street Taco Plate, which includes three types of tacos of your choice with a side of charro beans or rice.
If you prefer to experience another culture while dining or shopping, read 7 Ways to Explore Culture in Kansas City, Kansas. Want bonus dining suggestions?
Follow my Instagram account for bonus restaurant recommendations.
