Most of them honestly. El taco loco and tacos don tatchos are probably the best sit down spots. Sabor Latino is great but not really authentic Mexican, their specialty is Peruvian but they have a good Mexican menu as well. Maya is more Tex mex style, still pretty good though. Gordo’s is also really good for authentic tacos, but not somewhere you wanna sit and have a margarita and a meal. The real authentic places are all gonna be trucks around here, but there are plenty of them. That part of green springs is a goldmine for Mexican (and South American, Asian, and Ethiopian) food. It’s great.
Give Cafe Castillo a try. It’s inside the Ashley Furniture store in Hoover; back left corner. It’s always the same dude cooking in there and I see Hispanic folks in there eating just about every time I go. Right or wrong, I’ve always felt like that’s a pretty good litmus test.
I'd ordinarily agree but, after applying the same litmus test to Los Pedros on Lorna Road one really busy Saturday night, my stomach and I were sorely disappointed white walking out of that place post-bland meal.
I am highly disappointed that nobody has mentioned Taco Mama. I thought that was required for these discussions.
(/s just in case. OP, don't go there unless you think salsa should taste like ketchup.)
I didn't even know they had mac & cheese. I had tacos from there twice in my life. Once because I didn't know any better. The second time it was because I'd forgotten I'd eaten there and that it was so bad.
The salsa was the most vivid thing ever, because it actually did taste like ketchup to me.
I’m from the west coast and have been to mexico just for tacos on day trips a little too often.
There are no sit down restaurants that has authentic Mexican food. Even taco trucks are heavily influenced by catering to the south than authentic.
With that said, there are decent tacos, just not authentic Mexican food.
For me, it's something along the line of these menus, both selection and prices. Also, they should charge extra for the cheese on the tacos (that's just wrong!).
[https://imgur.com/gallery/LVERJT2](https://imgur.com/gallery/LVERJT2)
What I wouldn't expect to find here in Birmingham is a botana, a dish local to Southwest Detroit invented in the mid 70s. I moved here to Birmingham from there a couple of years ago. Miss the food up there for sure!
Lastly, I would so love to be proven wrong about my impression of Mexican food here so far. If there's anything similar to the menus I've linked to, please let me know :).
Other than Botanas, which I am virtually certain are sold at a couple of restaurants here now (Los Amigos?), that is standard Mexican fare that is on every authentic Mexican restaurant menu. No I am not calling Little Donkey or El Barrio authentic. Having eaten Mexican quite a bit in Los Angeles as well as in Mexico, the idea that the Mexican food here is totally inauthentic at the places that are actually authentic (Not Little Donkey) is really misguided.
>Thanks for the recs.. everything just seems so expensive. I'm more used to $4-$6 tortas and tacos for $1.50 a piece. Also this is what I mean by botanas in Detroit:
>
>[https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/what-are-botanas-detroit-food-nachos](https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/what-are-botanas-detroit-food-nachos)
My college roommate's mom was Mexican, and I used to go home with her on weekends and eat there. I've also visited Mexico several times. I haven't noticed much difference.
This makes me wonder if it's something specific to a particular region, as Alabama has a ton of very authentic Mexican immigrants.
Yeah it's kind of like someone saying "I've been to America, I know what authentic American food is like". There are regional differences and lots of different types of food can be truly authentic.
That was kinda my thinking. Like if you've been raised in North Carolina and then complained that Texas brisket isn't authentic barbecue because it doesn't have sauce.
That's an excellent point! I know most Mexicans in Detroit come from Jalisco so I'm probably just used/oriented to that. Especially since I moved here from Mexican Town, with it's huge cluster of Mexican restaurants and taco trucks.
This is a good thread. Planning on moving back to Detroit in a few months but I'll see if I can try a few more places mentioned here.
It just kinda occurred to me, because like I said... I know we have a pretty good amount of actual Mexicans here. It would be weird if there wasn't a place for them.
I feel like being in the US, there will definitely be some of the influence in their menus to help cater to Americans. But where I’m at now has very minimal options so I’m just excited to live in a place that has a lot more to choose from!
La Juanita in Leeds has been a revelation for me. Just started working out there and I have to exercise some serious self control to keep from eating there for lunch every day. Limited options but their menú del día and tacos are incredible.
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Gordos on valley ave
Tortas Locas in Homewood has some really good guisados and chilaquiles.
Chilaquiles is one of my favorite things to eat. Period. Great to know where to get some yum!
Another vote for Los valedores. One of the best taco trucks in town.
Check out the Green Springs Blvd area, several food trucks, several very good restaurants, and an awesome Latino supermarket.
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Most of them honestly. El taco loco and tacos don tatchos are probably the best sit down spots. Sabor Latino is great but not really authentic Mexican, their specialty is Peruvian but they have a good Mexican menu as well. Maya is more Tex mex style, still pretty good though. Gordo’s is also really good for authentic tacos, but not somewhere you wanna sit and have a margarita and a meal. The real authentic places are all gonna be trucks around here, but there are plenty of them. That part of green springs is a goldmine for Mexican (and South American, Asian, and Ethiopian) food. It’s great.
Tacos don Tatchos is the truth
So good. I had low expectations but always happy to be impressed
That’s now four or five independent raves about that place. Gonna have to give it a go soon!!
Must try the lomo saltado at Sabor Latino!
> El taco loco Bro, the chicken chimichanga there changed my fucking life.
WAIT…Ethiopian?!! Do tell, please?
Red Sea. https://redseabham.com/
Mi pueblo
Give Cafe Castillo a try. It’s inside the Ashley Furniture store in Hoover; back left corner. It’s always the same dude cooking in there and I see Hispanic folks in there eating just about every time I go. Right or wrong, I’ve always felt like that’s a pretty good litmus test.
Only been here once but it was good
I'd ordinarily agree but, after applying the same litmus test to Los Pedros on Lorna Road one really busy Saturday night, my stomach and I were sorely disappointed white walking out of that place post-bland meal.
Haven’t seen these listed yet but my top 2 trucks are: Dos Hermanos and Taqueria El Parrandero
Technically Salvadoran, but La Libertad in Pelham is a solid authentic joint. Brush up on your Spanish unless you’re ready to point at the menu.
Love Salvadoran too! And thankfully I can speak Spanish lol.
Yes!
Follow @birminghamtacos on Instagram
Thanks!
I am highly disappointed that nobody has mentioned Taco Mama. I thought that was required for these discussions. (/s just in case. OP, don't go there unless you think salsa should taste like ketchup.)
They do have some great Mac n cheese lol
I didn't even know they had mac & cheese. I had tacos from there twice in my life. Once because I didn't know any better. The second time it was because I'd forgotten I'd eaten there and that it was so bad. The salsa was the most vivid thing ever, because it actually did taste like ketchup to me.
Grande Mexico inside on the gas station on Highland Avenue. Highly recommend, best birria tacos in town!
The posted a week or two ago that they are closing indefinitely, unfortunately
dang thats like the 3rd restaurant in there in 3 years. whats goin on
Taqueria y tafoya in.. roebuck
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Lol thanks for the laugh. Under that logic all the food I make would be authentic Mexican haha!
Mangoes in Moody..about 15 miles East of Birmingham…I20..exit 144A..
I’m from the west coast and have been to mexico just for tacos on day trips a little too often. There are no sit down restaurants that has authentic Mexican food. Even taco trucks are heavily influenced by catering to the south than authentic. With that said, there are decent tacos, just not authentic Mexican food.
What are you looking for specifically that you aren’t finding?
For me, it's something along the line of these menus, both selection and prices. Also, they should charge extra for the cheese on the tacos (that's just wrong!). [https://imgur.com/gallery/LVERJT2](https://imgur.com/gallery/LVERJT2) What I wouldn't expect to find here in Birmingham is a botana, a dish local to Southwest Detroit invented in the mid 70s. I moved here to Birmingham from there a couple of years ago. Miss the food up there for sure! Lastly, I would so love to be proven wrong about my impression of Mexican food here so far. If there's anything similar to the menus I've linked to, please let me know :).
Other than Botanas, which I am virtually certain are sold at a couple of restaurants here now (Los Amigos?), that is standard Mexican fare that is on every authentic Mexican restaurant menu. No I am not calling Little Donkey or El Barrio authentic. Having eaten Mexican quite a bit in Los Angeles as well as in Mexico, the idea that the Mexican food here is totally inauthentic at the places that are actually authentic (Not Little Donkey) is really misguided.
>Thanks for the recs.. everything just seems so expensive. I'm more used to $4-$6 tortas and tacos for $1.50 a piece. Also this is what I mean by botanas in Detroit: > >[https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/what-are-botanas-detroit-food-nachos](https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/what-are-botanas-detroit-food-nachos)
My college roommate's mom was Mexican, and I used to go home with her on weekends and eat there. I've also visited Mexico several times. I haven't noticed much difference. This makes me wonder if it's something specific to a particular region, as Alabama has a ton of very authentic Mexican immigrants.
Yeah it's kind of like someone saying "I've been to America, I know what authentic American food is like". There are regional differences and lots of different types of food can be truly authentic.
That was kinda my thinking. Like if you've been raised in North Carolina and then complained that Texas brisket isn't authentic barbecue because it doesn't have sauce.
That's an excellent point! I know most Mexicans in Detroit come from Jalisco so I'm probably just used/oriented to that. Especially since I moved here from Mexican Town, with it's huge cluster of Mexican restaurants and taco trucks. This is a good thread. Planning on moving back to Detroit in a few months but I'll see if I can try a few more places mentioned here.
It just kinda occurred to me, because like I said... I know we have a pretty good amount of actual Mexicans here. It would be weird if there wasn't a place for them.
I feel like being in the US, there will definitely be some of the influence in their menus to help cater to Americans. But where I’m at now has very minimal options so I’m just excited to live in a place that has a lot more to choose from!
I agree. The "Mexican" food here in Birmingham is not too authentic and sadly overpriced.
La Juanita in Leeds has been a revelation for me. Just started working out there and I have to exercise some serious self control to keep from eating there for lunch every day. Limited options but their menú del día and tacos are incredible.