9 Best Mexican Restaurants in Hays

“I can't say enough good things about this restaurant. We went here for lunch after visiting the Sternberg Museum. The food was excellent and the atmosphere was fun. Staff friendly and attentitve. Make sure to fit this eatery into your schedule when you're in Hays. It is WONDERFUL!“

“I just tried Taco Riendo and I’m still thinking about it hours later.

I ordered the beef tacos, and they were hands-down some of the most incredible bites of food I’ve ever experienced—perfectly seasoned, unbelievably tender, and packed with flavor in a way that makes you pause mid-conversation just to appreciate what you’re eating. Every detail felt intentional, from the freshness of the toppings to the balance of textures. Nothing was overdone, nothing was missing. Just absolute taco perfection.

Having just moved to Hayes, I wasn’t expecting to find a spot that would instantly become a benchmark, but this place has set the bar so high it’s going to be nearly impossible to beat. This isn’t just “good taco shop” territory—this is the kind of place you bring people to when you want to show them what great food is supposed to taste like.

What made the experience even better was the staff. They stayed late to take care of us and never made us feel rushed for a second. Instead, they were welcoming, patient, and genuinely kind—like they were happy we were there. That level of hospitality is rare and made an already amazing meal feel even more special.

If you’re anywhere nearby and haven’t been yet, you’re missing out on something truly exceptional. This is the kind of place that turns first-time visitors into regulars immediately.“

“Best Mexican in Hays! Fantastic service! I always get the California Burrito.“

“My daughter and I stopped here on the way to Colorado and we did not regret!! The food was so delicious and service was perfect!! Thank you again!! We will be back!!“

“went in there. waiter was so cute“

“Real authentic Mexican food. Friendly service, push out orders in a timely fashion, food and taste are NEVER lacking! Call in orders quick and efficient in Spanish AND English! Salsas are flavor packed and with just the right amount of heat! Locally owned business, these owners should be extremely proud of this food truck!“

“Pretty good food, I had a taco salad without dairy and it was good. Definitely recommend.“

“Like many others I have been coming here since the 1970s. That used to bottle their sauce and sell it. it’s the best. They also used to have shaved ice.“

“Supremely excellent American/Mexican Fast Food. Possibly one of the best representations of this style I have had to date. Fresh ingredients coupled with great recipes yields, awesome tasting tacos and burritos. The tacos come with a good portion of ground beef that has great flavor and you can tell this is superior in quality to the sad greasy mush that some places like Taco Bell use. The Sanchez, a little pocket of happiness stuffed with their ground beef and topped with a yellow cheese sauce that tastes so much better than the normal yellow canned cheese we see so often in Americanized fast food taco/burrito restaurants. This cheese sauce feels home made and is addictive in nature. So pleasant to consume. The California chicken burrito is stuffed full of fresh chicken, lettuce, and is a favorite as well. Available sauces and toppings don’t disappoint either. No sad plastic packages of sauce here dosing microplastics when opened. But instead a full fresh salsa bar with so many options for sauce including, mild, hot, extra hot, salsa with green chillies, fresco salsa, (pico de gallo,) pickled jalepenos, as well as chopped green onions. You can really go to town decorating your food with a little of everything sauce wise. This is a local favorite and it shows. If you come here on a Friday at lunch time you can expect a wait as it can draw quite a crowd. This crowd comes for a good reason, the food calls you back once you have had it. With their delivery service this is a favorite of the college crowd as well. It is a really great place. A prime example of a clean establishment, excellent service, with an emphasis on doing the best tasting food. While not authentic Mexican, this is authentically awesome. I would place this in the same category as Taco Bell and Taco John’s both price and food style wise, but it is there the similarities end. Taco Shop is miles above the others in terms of flavor and overall ingredient quality. It shows what can be achieved when you really care about more than just profit. To care about not just flavor, but the ingredients used as well. 10/10 and this comes with my highest recommendation for fast food American/Mexican.“