MExican
You're going to need to treat this like a To-Do List
BERTHA'S BAKERY & RESTAURANT
Bertha's isn't even fair, man. Complete your chicken fajita taco with fresh tortillas and chile verde so good you would slap someone else's momma with some of the best pan dulce (and not, like, the Hannibal Lecter kind) you could possibly ask for. They make everything you order fresh, and the burritos are not of this world.
2418 Grim Avenue
7am-4pm Wed-Mon; 7am-3pm Tue
Bombones
Starting as a vision of sharing Mexican culture, Bombones will bring you an authentic experience with a cultural connection. It’s not your average Mexican restaurant - Bombones is a genuinely authentic experience that you will not get anywhere else.
123 North 12th Street
11am-2pm, 5pm-10pm Mon-Sat; Closed Sun
Cafe De Luis is one of Waco’s newest restaurants (and it is fabulous). Serving only fresh ingredients, Cafe De Luis is your new go-to spot. With appetizers from poutine to rock fish ceviche, and entrees ranging from Texas Snapper with Jalapeno Crawfish Sauce & Risotto to Shepherd’s Pie, or a New York Strip Steak, not to mention their brunch options, Cafe De Luis is a great experience for casual and fine diners.
804 South 7th Street
8:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-10pm Wed-Fri; 9am-2:30pm, 5pm-1am Sat-Sun; Closed Mon-Tue
EL CHARRO
One of our favorite restaurants in Waco, El Charro has been operating off The Circle for a long time, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We've eaten there for all three (more, if you include Second Breakfast, Pre-Dinner, etc.) and have never been disappointed. The chips and salsa are second to none. The enchiladas are out of this world. If you're under the weather, get a large Caldo de Res - it's what chicken noodle soup wishes it could be.
2303 La Salle Avenue
6:30am-2pm Mon-Tue; 6:30am-9pm Wed-Sun
Staff Pick: All of it.
EL CHARRO TAPATIO
Not to be confused with the El Charro listed above, El Charro Tapatio works magic with their breakfast burritos, chile con queso enchiladas, a wide array of seafood options, and Big Red margaritas. It's authentic Mexican food (not Gringo Mexican food) that always delivers.
1615 West Waco Drive
6am-10pm Sun-Sat
Cultura Mia
It’s not Tex-Mex, it’s from-scratch, legit traditional dishes using traditional ingredients! Enjoy this new spot before any of your friends do!
123 North 12th Street
11am-2pm; 5-9pm Mon-Sat; Closed Sun
HECHO EN WACO
With authentic Mexican recipes from Michoacan, Mexico City, Puebla and Jalisco, Hecho En Waco is changing the game in downtown Waco with a full menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. The chips come with a unique bean/salsa dip and their recipes are the best of what authentic Mexico has to offer. With lunch, dinner, and drink specials (their margaritas are made with fresh fruit juice, and the mojitos are incredible). Sit out on the patio and enjoy your dinner/drinks from the detached bar/restaurant service.
300 South 6th Street, Suite B
11am-10pm Mon-Thu; 11am-11pm Fri; 9am-11pm Sat; 9am-9pm Sun
This place, now out of Union Hall and into their own brick & mortar, offers Mexican bowl concepts for your eating pleasure. Get Grilled Panela or Empanadas to start, continue with one of their fabulous bowls featuring Chorizo or Shrimp, or a completely vegetarian option, as well!
112 Mary Avenue
11am-9pm Sun-Thu; 11am-11pm Fri-Sat
Jesse’s Tortilla Factory
Founded in 1958, this legit O.G. Waco establishment makes their own chips, salsa, tortillas, and tamales every single day…and you can tell. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu!
1226 Webster Avenue
8am-5pm Mon-Fri; 10am-1pm Sat; Closed Sun
LA FAMILIA
This no-nonsense Mexican joint is open for breakfast and lunch, and there's never a bad time for their huevos rancheros or the migas. Get a one-meat, two-ingredient breakfast burrito that is absolutely bigger than your stomach for just $3.50 - La Familia is a great place to fill up without emptying your wallet.
1111 La Salle Avenue
7am-2pm Mon-Sat; Closed Sun
LEAL’S
If you want some just hands-down great Mexican food from a family-owned joint that makes you feel like you’re at home, Leal’s is your place.
9000 Panther Drive (Woodway)
6:30am-2:30pm Mon-Fri; 7am-2pm Sat; Closed Sun
LOLITA'S
It's a testament to the 30+ years of work Lolita's has put in that they only have 12 tables, and you'll still see people standing up eating, or eating in the parking lot. Get breakfast tacos for less than $2, The menudo and the barbacoa are also fantastic, and their lunch specials provide a ton of great food at a great price.
1911 Franklin Avenue
6am-2pm Tues-Fri; 7am-2pm Sat; 8am-2pm Sun; Closed Mon
Staff Pick: G-Dub Elephante: A 10" tortilla with sausage, egg, potatoes, bacon, beans, and cheese for $4.50. And while you won't need to buy lunch after you eat it, you will likely need a nap.
Los Compadres
Featuring some of the freshest veggies in town, these tacos are jam-packed with meat and love!
2505 Lyle Avenue
7:30am-2pm, 4-9pm Tue-Fri; 7:30am-2pm, 4-11pm Sat; 8am-2pm, 4-9pm Sun; Closed Mon
MARTHA’s
You, like, just can’t go wrong with anything you order at Martha’s, and the service is just as great as the home-style Mexican food!
3616 North 19th Street
6am-3pm Mon-Sat; 7am-3pm Sun
Mexicali
This joint is drive-thru only (right now) but oh so worth sitting in your car and eating their incredible breakfast and lunch burritos. No burrito is over $5, no plate is over $7. You won’t regret swinging by and getting your favorite!
1224 Clay Avenue
7am-2pm Mon-Sat; Closed Sun
MI CASITA
Come get your classic Tex-Mex quick at Mi Casita, and feel like you’re right at home!
1520 Hewitt Drive (Woodway)
7am-9pm Mon-Sat; 7am-3pm Sun
OLYMPIC
Any chance you have to eat a burrito the size of your head, you have to take that chance. Try literally anything on the menu, and you won’t be disappointed.
1901 North 18th Street
7am-4pm Mon-Fri; 7am-5pm Sat-Sun
pUPUSERIA mIX
There aren’t a lot of places in Waco where you can get a legit pupusa, but this one is at the top!
2025 Proctor Avenue
9am-5pm Mon-Sat; Closed Sun
RANCHITO #5
Wife and I took our daughter for lunch at Ranchito not 90 minutes ago (well, as I'm writing this). It has quickly become one of our go-to spots in Waco thanks to their warm salsa, cold pico, and legit queso. The fajitas are fantastic, that is, when I can't help but order the tacos al pastor. Friendly staff and delicious Mexican food at a great price. And there's always a soccer game on the television. There are drink specials every day of the week, as well.
2310 West Waco Drive
6am-10pm Sun-Sat
Staff Pick: Warm salsa, and a spoon followed by Tacos al Pastor
RENE'S RESTAURANT
Homemade tortillas? Check. And the flour ones are super-thick? Oh heck yes. Great salsa? Check. Spacious seating area? Check. Rene's will not disappoint you if you're looking for an authentic Waco spot for any meal. Please allow me to suggest that you get the chorizo, on anything.
1912 Speight Avenue
6am-3pm Mon-Sat; Closed Sun
ROY’S TAQUERIA & MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Man, it’s hard to beat Roy’s if you want delicious, authentic Mexican food.
804 South 7th Street
6am-10pm Sun-Sat
Rufi’s Cocina
Get your fantastic homemade, regional Mexican food from Rufi’s! We’ve been there a few (hundred) times and haven’t been disappointed!
1801 North 25th Street
8am-3pm Wed-Mon; Closed Tue
SERGIO'S
Specializing in fine Mexican seafood, Sergio's downtown location is a great Date Night spot, or just as a place to grab dinner with friends. The seafood enchiladas are excellent, and the veggie medley is worth coming back to again and again. If you want a refreshing alcoholic beverage to accompany your meal, you'll have to bring it yourself as Sergio's is BYOB.
608 Austin Avenue
5pm-10pm Fri-Sat; Closed Sun-Thu
SPICINESS MEXICAN GRILL
Long a Saturday morning staple at Waco Wise HQ, Spiciness offers some of the best breakfast tacos and burritos on this side of Waco. They double up the corn tortillas if you order the tacos, which is much appreciated. Want an extra kick? Make sure you get the serrano oil, just be careful, or you'll be an upside-down volcano later (but you probably won't mind).
1725 North Valley Mills Drive
7am-2pm Sun-Sat
TAQUERIA EL CRUCERO
Recently named as one of Texas’ Top 100 Places to Eat by Yelp, this Robinson institution is worth the short drive east of I-35.
2505 Robinson Drive
7am-2pm Tue-Sat; Closed Sun-Mon
TAQUERIA EL MEXICANO #9
Full disclosure: I suggest Taqueria #9 so often that my wife is starting to cut me off when she asks where I want to go eat. Also, I embarrassed myself and brought shame upon my family while watching the World Cup on one of their numerous televisions located around the restaurant. Does that stop me from going back? No, it doesn't. With daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner specials, you almost can't go wrong ordering anything off of their extensive menu. Ask for extra creamy jalapeno dip, you'll need it.
1420 North Valley Mills Drive
6am-11pm Sun-Thu; 6am-12am Fri-Sat
Staff Pick: Dos Enchiladas Special with some of that extra creamy jalapeno dip I told you that you'd need. It's $6.99 and will more than satisfy you.
TAQUERIA LA CHONA
Oh man. Authentic food from El Valle de Tejas!? Come on down to La Diligencia and get Tacos, Tortas, Sincronizadas, Flautas and more!
709 South Valley Mills Drive
8am-11pm Mon-Sat; Closed Sun
TAQUERIA LA MILPA
If you need some of the best tacos you’ve ever had in your life, and let’s say you need them at 1:30am…La Milpa is here for you! They’re open late, have super-fast service, and - again - the tacos are absolutely delicious.
2011 La Salle Avenue
5pm-2am Wed; 5pm-2:30am Thu; 5pm-4am Fri; 11am-4am Sat; 11am-2am Sun; 5pm-2am Mon; Closed Tue
TAQUERIA ZACATECAS
Located directly off the circle, Taqueria Zacatecas evolved from a food truck into a brick-and-mortar shop with indoor and patio seating. I'll be honest, even though I grew up in Houston, I didn't know what Elotes were. (My dad also told me that tamales were pig intestines wrapped in a corn husk, and so I didn't eat them for 35 years. That's basically child abuse.) Now if you asked me to describe Taqueria Zacatecas' Elotes, I would just tell you that it's creamy corn doused in hot sauce and sprinkled with God's actual wonder.
2311 La Salle Avenue
9am-11pm Sun-Thu; 9am-3:30am Fri-Sat
Staff Pick: Elotes.
VERONICA’S
Classic, traditional Mexican cuisine that has been around since 1997. Vero’s is legit.
1618 Franklin Avenue
7am-2pm Mon-Thu; 7am-3pm Fri-Sun
Hand-crafted tacos inspired by generations of Tex-Mex love, featuring in-store crafted flour and corn tortillas and house-made margaritas.
720 Franklin Avenue
9am-10pm Sun-Thu; 9am-11pm Fri-Sat
Wako Taco
Tasty, fresh, and authentic, this new Mexican restaurant is serving up your favorite old school Mexican dishes!
1800 Summer Avenue
6am-8pm Mon-Thu; 6am-10pm Fri-Sat; 6am-6pm Sun