Updated May 2026
Is there any better visual than a table covered by a full spread of Mexican food? Towering bowls of warm tortilla chips, steaming bowls of pinto beans, each culinary delight waiting to be devoured between sips 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 dined at in the last couple of years.
Spice Up Your Life: Mexican Restaurants Worth Trying in Kansas
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 on 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 Liked 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 a 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, 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. 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.
OTTAWA
Frontera’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantina
Some of the state’s best-tasting, authentic Mexican cuisine is served at Frontera’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantina (212 N. Main St.).
Not only does every guest receive a warm welcome as the server places warm chips, white queso, and salsa on the table, but the atmosphere also lifts your spirits with lively background music and the sizzle of the kitchen grill.
My meal, Queso Birria, was prepared with fresh ingredients and served with a side of in-house-made birria sauce. The house margarita was hand-shaken behind the bar and served promptly, which was fantastic considering the dining area was nearly full with overflow customers enjoying the patio at lunchtime.
Every detail of my dining experience was impressive, from the attentive service to the thoughtful presentation.
PRO TIP: They serve Happy Hour all day Monday-Thursday, featuring select beers, shots, and house margaritas.
BURLINGTON
Avocados Mexican Cuisine
In Burlington at Avocados Mexican Cuisine (318 Neosho St.), you’ll discover saucy enchilada dinners and combination platters that include authentic Mexican fare and Tex-Mex-style recipes.
Festive music plays from overhead speakers in a dining room decorated with colorful picado banners and neon signage.
The owner recommended the Los Comadres platter served with a savory shredded chicken enchilada, bacon-wrapped shrimp, and a crunchy beef taco. Probably more food than I needed, I savored each scrumptious bite, adding homemade salsa to the meal.
MELVERN
Titi’s Mexican Cuisine
The owners of Titi’s Mexican Cuisine (117 SW Main St.) relocated from Emporia to open the restaurant after deciding that they loved Melvern.
The family-owned restaurant serves a two-sided menu of Mexican fare, including the daily special, available for dine-in or carry-out.
My order of savory steak and chicken fajitas arrived sizzling hot with warm flour tortillas, pico de gallo, and fresh guacamole.
The friendly, attentive service complemented the delicious mid-day meal as country music played in the background.
PRO TIP: Not sure what to order? The town’s mayor recommends the Burrito Melvern.
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.
SCOTT CITY
The Original Grande
The Original Grande (1201 Main Street) serves fast casual Mexican food meant to “fuel your inner fiesta.”
One of two locations in Kansas, The Original Grande’s menu features menu items such as taco burgers, macho tacho, and my favorite, the nachos supreme.
I loved the concept of adding my selection of condiments from the Keep It Saucey station, adding pico de gallo and hot sauce to my heaping mound of nachos.
GARDEN CITY
Casa Mariachi
Mega margaritas, sizzling tacos, and smothered burritos are some of the delectable menu items at Casa Mariachi. But first, sample their chips and salsa, which are some of the best in the state.
Chomp chips while you peruse the six-page menu and listen to Mexican dance music over the speakers.
Whether you’re visiting Casa Mariachi for a lunch or dinner date or watching soccer while devouring a scrumptious meal, the festive vibe and menu selections deliver a party vibe
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 is a quaint eatery specializing in homemade meat and vegan tamales paired with gourmet coffee drinks.
If you’ve not enjoyed a tamale, you can expect shredded chicken, pork, or beef in a sauce, wrapped in masa and wrapped in a corn husk. The dish represents traditional food brought to the United States by Mexican immigrant populations. Order a Dirty Horchata served hot to accompany my meal.
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?
Watch my Instagram reel to see what to expect on the Visit Kansas City Kansas Taco Trail.
PRO TIP: Cash only. An ATM is located at a bank nearby.
Tasty Pastry Bakery & Coffee Shop is open every day except Sunday. Arrive early to order the best pastry selection. The coffee is hot, and the donuts are fresh.
Other bakeries in Lawrence worth checking out include 
Not only do they serve delectable pastries for early-morning crowds, but their baristas can also prepare a short list of classic coffee or hot tea drinks. Late-day patrons may appreciate the bar menu.
The display case is refilled with cake and old-fashioned style donuts as they run out. Expect to find bottled drinks, including cold coffee brands and milk in the reach-in cooler.
I judge a donut shop by a perfectly soft, glazed donut. Carol Lee Donuts knows what they’re doing. Add it to your Salina travel bucket list.
I recommend ordering a Bacon Hand Pie, served warm with a butter-flavor flaky crust and a soft interior filled with egg, cheese, and, of course, bacon. I sampled a sausage burrito, and it was tasty but not nearly as delectable as the hand pie.
My ham and cheese breakfast cheese made with flaky crust was the real deal. It paired well with a Mixed Up real fruit smoothie prepared with strawberries, pineapple, mango, and peaches. The berry scone was to die for.
The lunch menu includes multi-layered sandwiches, salmon cake, BBQ meals, and more.
The display case was filled with every kind of donut you could imagine. Apple fritters the size of your hand. Blueberry cake donuts. Cinnamon rolls. And classics like maple long johns and old-fashioned crullers.
Use a scoop and bag to stock up on bulk candy priced at $10/lb. My lemon macaroon was perfectly soft, and the no-bake cocoa cookie lasted only minutes.
Other Wichita must-stops for donuts or pastries include 
As I devoured a chocolate cake donut and a melt-in-your-mouth glazed donut, customers came and went with brown bags filled with tasty early morning treats.
If you’re not into sweets, consider ordering their yummy meat and cheese breakfast burritos – don’t forget to ask for salsa.
If you’re someone who loves to order a steaming cup of coffee with their breakfast, please read my blog post, 
In 2015, Gress said, “If people at least understand what’s going on out there and how important it is, maybe they’ll come to appreciate it and want to protect it and maybe change their own behavior to improve the situation.” (Source: The Wichita Eagle)
In 1958, the budding entrepreneurs grew the company from a humble start-up business to one of the world’s biggest, most well-known restaurant companies. Today, the company’s net worth is worth over $810 billion.
Today, Chance Rides is the only one of the three businesses still in operation, producing roller coasters, rides, and park trains.
He laid out the trail between his trading post at the mouth of the Little Arkansas River to the Indian territory that extended northward to Abilene, Kansas. Cowboys pushed cattle herds through town and across the river near the Douglas Street Bridge.
Nicknamed “The Rave,” the 6-7 forward averaged 24.3 points in four seasons at WSU and helped lead the team to their first NCAA appearance in 1964.
The highly decorated leader earned the National Security Medal, the President’s Citizens Medal, National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal (twice), and the Distinguished Intelligence Medal (three times).
Her tirades continued for years. Eventually, she was jailed many times before dying in Leavenworth, Kansas, on June 9, 1911.
I appreciate that Wichita Park and Recreation, in partnership with Byers, decided to beautify the city’s parks with artistic benches that beautify the surroundings and showcase Wichita’s history makers. Byer’s use of vibrant colors, the Wichita flag, and the city’s abbreviated name, ICT, make them symbolic.
The third floor’s “Wichita the Magic City” displays help visitors learn the heritage of the Wichita Indians that gave the city its name, the days of booming downtown businesses, and the rise of the Air Capital of the World.
I chose the Cinnamon Dolce Chai Tea Latte served over ice during my visit. I didn’t mind the short wait for my iced coffee because I was keen to sit in a tiny alcove of the café decorated with modern finishes and seating for two people. It provided a private space to enjoy my beverage while using free Wi-Fi to catch up on work.
Admission is free Monday-Friday from 9 am-5 pm – remember to call in advance at 316-221-8000 to schedule a visit.
Let this guide be a starting point for your adventure touring the city on #316Day or any day of the year. For more travel inspiration, head to 
The hotel is considered haunted. Hotel employees have seen Colonel Eldridge’s ghost sitting in an original hotel chair in storage. A photograph taken in the lobby shows a ghostly spirit standing in the lobby’s elevator.
Room 506 is considered to be the most haunted guest room in the hotel, and it is considered the colonel’s favorite spot. Of course, I requested room 506 for my overnight stay. Lights flickered. Phone power drained. Would you stay there?
Once home to the Union National Bank and Dockum Drug Store in 1926, it opened as Ambassador Hotel Wichita eight decades later. Fourteen stories tall, it was considered the tallest building in Kansas when it was completed.
In addition to its architectural significance, the building also has historical value. It was the site of a in 1958 at the Dockum Drug Store led by African Americans to end segregation. Ask about the on-site speakeasy, Dockum.
Owned by George Siedhoff, The Broadview Hotel’s grand opening took place on May 15, 1922. Originally built to give railway passengers added convenience when traveling, it was the premier hotel in the Midwest. In fact, you can still see the train depot’s stone archway entrance on the east side of the building.
Since 1879, 
It wasn’t easy narrowing down a list to only 100 things to do. I thought to myself, “Who would need this book?” I wrote it as a resource for visitors to Wichita, long-time residents, and newcomers. Actually, the book features more than 100 things to do, as I’ve also bonus lists and insider tips.
People love the book! It earned 1st place in the Kansas Professional Communicators’ 2023 Communications Contest in the Adult, Nonfiction category. The judge wrote, “What a delightful book. the one-page descriptions really work, and your voice sings as your love of the venues shines through.”
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Stay curious.