looking for good Mexican food (Durham, Chapel Hill: shop, best, places)

[twoisbetter]

Originally Posted by Daedlus4

Here are a couple of places you might enjoy:

Cafe Capistrano - California Style (Cary & Raleigh)
Cafe Capistrano - Raleigh Mexican Restaurant

Tonali - Durham
tonali durham - Google Maps

Jibarra - Raleigh (haven't tried it but on my list)
Mexican Cuisine in The Triangle Area Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill NC. JIBARRA . Modern Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Lounge In The ...... Mexican dining experience - the menu is bold, innovative, and complex Mexican cuisine is like no other restau

- Chad

I just read the Cafe Capistrano website & they say no animal fat is used and only olive or canola oils. The good stuff is made with lard....thats what makes it so good! I'm not looking for healthy, I want flavor! Well, I still wouldn't mind trying this place, but I'm a little more skeptical....

[livesintriangle]

I've been to Tonali in Durham and it was delicious. I wish they had a website though.

[Bmateo]

Originally Posted by Poggly Woggly

She heard that the menu now is a little more English friendly

Better go there soon, this is the kiss of death. I've never been there, but it sounds like they are good at authentic Mexican food. As soon as they start catering to the 'gringo' crowd, then (in my experience) they will loose what made them great.

I live south of RDU near Sanford, and we have GREAT Mexican restaurants, groceries, butchers, bakeries, and etc. Like a few others indicated, go to a place where it is hard to order in English, avoid the chains. Many many many places have their own Asada, Carnitas, Lengua (tongue) and Cabesa (head/face) as well as Tripe, barbaquoa and other great stuff.


Closer to you, there is a place just oustside of Chapel Hill. Go to Carboro on Mainstreet, keep going, and just before you get to 54, there is a BP station on the right, with a little store and foodstand inside. They did not have Tacos, but did have incredible Gorditas (not the crap you get at Taco Bell, but the real deal with hand made corn "shells", crema fresca and all the condiments, washed down with an Orange Jarrita's...)

[dreamsncharms]

Originally Posted by Elaine54

I know Los Tres Maguayes may not be the real deal, but you can't beat their Margarita's on the rocks or their chips and salsa.

I havent tried the Margarita's yet. My family and I go there about once per week and love the chips and salsa too! The food has always been good and we have always received great service. We were just there for dinner tonight. Technically last night since its now after midnight.

[dreamsncharms]

There is a little Mexican food place in Apex where the little shops and such are. Is it Salem St.? I plan on trying the food over there sometime.

[Drson81]

Around Raleigh i found Los Tres Migues to be the best I have had around here.. But only the one in Wake forest. There owned by brothers and the one in wake forest always has better service and the food just taste better

[movingfromNC]

A coworker of my husbands said

"total hole in the wall Mexican place in Cary --- Pancho Villas

I've had the tacos carnitas, sopes lengua and now chicken enchiladas.
Take if from the resident mexican food snob: I've got to say that after
6 years of searching this is the best authentic Mexican place in this
whole area -- all the rest are merely posers. First clue was there's no
Speedy Gonzales on the menu. Good thing the guy relocated from LA or
most of you would never have known what real Mexican food tastes like."

[GopherBlue]

If you are looking for relatively authentic (coming from a gringo) Mexican flavors from a locally owned, inexpensive taqueria, try Chubby's on 9th Street in Durham (apparently there is also a location in Raleigh - Lake Boone).

Pros: great selection of items, meats, and seasonings; salsa bar; compostable cups and utensils (I'm testing some in my backyard compost bin)

Cons: lunchtime seating can be scarce; portions not huge, but either is the pricetag

Chubby's review from Carpe Durham:
Tacos come (close) to Trinity Park « Carpe Durham

Menu:
Menu for Chubby's Tacos - Durham Restaurant Menus Online NC

[crifever]

Originally Posted by findinghope

did you already try La Cocina?
i thought it was good, but i am from NJ so i dont know what "real" mexican is supposed to taste like.

We have had a couple of bad experiences at La Cocina in Apex. The food was just bland and sloppy! Definitely not recommended.

[crifever]

If you want to try something different.....contemporary mexican....try Mez in Durham. www.mezdurham.com