Best Mexican Restaurants

[texastrigirl]

Chuys!!!!! You'll never find it. It's the first place we go straight from the airport everytime we fly back! But I will send you my approximation of their Creamy Jalapeno Ranch

That being said, I would put Ooba Toobas as a place you should go. It's not TexMex exactly but it would be a popular spot if it was in Austin too. Their steak tostada is so freaking good and they have awesome guac, chips and margaritas. When we first moved here and I was homesick we'd go there to eat and watch the UT games!

For the most part, the rest of the places I've listed are more TexMexy with the exception of La Venadita and La Tarasca. More authentic Mexican - think tacos and tamales.

Sadly enough, I have far more places to tell you to stay away from than to go to in terms of Mexican. But I am really loving the Asian and the seafood up here. I also love Zeeks Pizza so that would be like Chuys for me if I moved. I'd crave it and almost cry when I couldn't have it.

[vandygirl]

When a life-long northwesterner gives you advice about authentic Mexican food, take it with a grain of sal.

Mexican food (and Chinese food) are TERRIBLE in Seattle. Many people who have not lived in a state bordering Mexico have no idea what real Mexican food is supposed to be like. It's not the same as "texmex." That's an American invention. Mexicans from Mexico don't really eat enchiladas (i.e. rarely) and empanadas (i.e. never). Authentic Mexican food certainly isn't Q'Doba Grill, Blue Water Taco, Chevy's (bleehhh) or Taco Bell.

Best real authentic Mexican food I have found in Seattle = "El Mestizo" just a block away from Swedish Hospital on the edge of the First Hill district. You'll be eating home made tamales made that morning by someone's abuelita. Not everything in Mexican cuisine comes with cheese and salsa. If you can't find poblano peppers, seviche or mole on the menu then the restaurant is not really Mexican.

[texastrigirl]

Originally Posted by vandygirl

When a life-long northwesterner gives you advice about authentic Mexican food, take it with a grain of sal.

Mexican food (and Chinese food) are TERRIBLE in Seattle. Many people who have not lived in a state bordering Mexico have no idea what real Mexican food is supposed to be like. It's not the same as "texmex." That's an American invention. Mexicans from Mexico don't really eat enchiladas (i.e. rarely) and empanadas (i.e. never). Authentic Mexican food certainly isn't Q'Doba Grill, Blue Water Taco, Chevy's (bleehhh) or Taco Bell.

Best real authentic Mexican food I have found in Seattle = "El Mestizo" just a block away from Swedish Hospital on the edge of the First Hill district. You'll be eating home made tamales made that morning by someone's abuelita. Not everything in Mexican cuisine comes with cheese and salsa. If you can't find poblano peppers, seviche or mole on the menu then the restaurant is not really Mexican.

Yes, while you can find interior Mexican in Texas everywhere, you also find TexMex which is what OP is referring to. To Texans, that is still Mexican food. I am well versed in both and like them equally. But Chuys is TexMex all the way and that's what Purplebeam is referring to in this case.

[katykat46]

Poquitos, Barrio, taco trucks. All the Aztecas, La Puertas, etc. are the same and not that great. Ricardo's in Factoria is awesome.

[tobester]

My quick measure - if the restaurant has pozole and horchata and doesn't serve cheeesburger/fries - it's probably worth trying.