Restaurantji's Wilmington picks for the finest Mexican cuisine. Explore a variety of Mexican flavors, from a Carne Asada to Tacos, and enjoy great Mexican cuisine in the city.
“FOOD WAS AMAZING!! Came from in from out of town thanks to a friends recommendation. I ordered sopes & an agua de jamaica, it was all DELICIOUS!! I am definitely taking my husband when we go to Wilmington. The service was great, they kept checking up on us to make sure we were doing okay.“
“Wow what a hidden Gem this place is for someone out of town visiting. The name cought my attention the food cought my stomach !!! Anyone visiting this area it is a MUST !you will not be disappointed with any choices here. The service was above and the food " chef's kiss"“
“WOW! ? Guelaguetza is a new favorite! Walking in it's very clean, the corn tortilla chips are fresh, made in house and the fresh made salsa is perfect. I forgot to take a picture of my tacos because I was so excited when they came out looking just like the pictures! Incredible! You have to give this little restaurant a try, I will definitely be bringing my family with me next time.Vegetarian options: There are several vegetarian options and other accommodations.Dietary restrictions: The staff is professional and take all dietary restrictions seriously.Parking: Large open, free parkingKid-friendliness: This restaurant is kid friendly but plz don't bring a non stop screaming child, nobody wants to hear all that.Wheelchair accessibility: No hills are steep slopes, easy access at well marked ramps to covered front walk. The doors are not automatic but the hostess will see you roll up and happily open the door for you.“
“Far and away the best authentic Mexican in Wilmington. Not Tex mex or infinite tortilla chips at you table Mexican, real street food Mexican! They have at least 10 meat options, a taco toppings and salsa bar, and cold horchata and agua de tarmarindo! Honestly on of my favorite restaurants in “
“Zocalo's has so many great options for vegetarians. I had a burrito, which was huge. I took half of it home. They serve complimentary tortilla chips and give free refills for the chips and their delicious salsa. Our waitress was excellent and the music was energetic and fun for my grandchildren to dance to.“
“It’s my second time coming here and having the mojara and it’s good.. I had a taco the last too and it was also good.. this time I had a blueberry margarita with it and it was good too. Surprisingly the rice and beans were also good, I don’t typically like rice or beans at restaurants.“
“One of my two or three favorite Mexican places in Wilmington. And purely on the basis of the food, probably my favorite. My only complaint is that the hours are somewhat random. Wish it could be open all of the time, though I understand with: small business, paying staff, etc.“
“The food, service, and location were perfect! Diana was such a gem and offered us amazing recommendations for the restaurant as well as all of Wilmington (we’re traveling from Cleveland). Cannot thank this establishment enough for their help and wonderful offerings!!!“
“First time in the Wilmington location and you can tell how much love and work they’ve been putting into this place.You have to try the Birriamen and Tacos (lengua, cachete and pastor) they’re all absolutely delicious. First time trying the Milanesa and it was super tasty.Excellent job guys, everything was CHINGON!“
“Being from San Diego, Mexican food is everything to me and I crave it all the time. I’m so grateful for this place!Ósea que comida tan rica y sabores propias de Mexico!Carne asada fries (not like SD) but bomb.The tortaaa mmmm!I’ve gone down the menu and have not been disappointed.Y mi güerito también lo fascina!Un aplauso!“
“this is what I call a "Speedy Gonzales" type Mexican restaurant, because they all have a lunch special called that. If you've been to one of these types of places, you know exactly what to expect, and they nailed it here. My only complaint is that the food could have come out a little bit more quickly, but it was worth the wait.“
“I have eaten there before and the experience is always exceptional. Friday night and a full house (yeah)! No other Mexican restaurant like this in Wilmington. I had family with me from Raleigh and they are foodies so I picked El Mariscal for something they might not have been to in Raleigh. I was right. BRIAN was our waiter and he was excellent. Everything was fresh and straight from the grill or oven. Careful, the temperature will be hot when you are served. Wonderful margarita, especially the skinny. The medium size is huge. Three adult entree’s, three margaritas, chips and guacamole, plus tip for $100. (By the way the salsa and guacamole was perfect, not overly spicy but plenty of hot sauce condiments for those with a taste for heat). We had the Mojarra al Gusto, (Whole fish Tilapia) three different styles, which came with a very nice rice side and small fresh salad, and a piece of Texas style garlic toast. It was fantastic. Next time I’m getting the octopus for sure. Desert looked inviting but no room after that dinner.We all highly recommendAfter 6:30 you should probably make a reservation, on Friday anyway.Kid-friendliness: Adult menu with kid items. Great family place as you will see when you go.“
“Cool spot. You can grab a seat in the Alcove brewery area and order food next door and they bring it to you. I ordered a beer and got my food. Everything was amazing. Only issue is the service was minimal. I had to go back and ask for cutlery and wave to get my check for my one beer, while only 2 others at the bar. We all have off days in the service Industry though. Can't wait to revisit.“
“This was my first time dining here, and I was very impressed with the service and friendly staff. Everyone I encountered were very welcoming without being pushy. The food was well plated as well as being delicious. Tequila Cantina has a new patron!“
“What can I say about El Cerro Grande other than it's simply the best spot for scrumptious food and unforgettable family moments! My first rendezvous with this gem was back in sixth grade, on a Spanish class outing at a location that no longer graces Harris Teeter on Wrightsville Avenue, way back in the mid-90s. Since that fateful visit 30 years ago, I've been absolutely hooked! El Cerro Grande will always hold a special place in my heart, not just for its mouthwatering dishes, but for the amazing times I shared with my family during middle and high school—we practically made it a tradition to visit once a week during those years!And now, I'm thrilled to say that I continue the tradition with my own young family. They love El Cerro Grande just as much as I do! Even though my father passed away years ago, whenever my brother is in town, we make it a point to meet up with our mother and indulge in the comforting delights this restaurant has to offer.El Cerro Grande isn't just a restaurant; it's a cherished part of our family's story, a place where we come together to celebrate life and create lasting memories. Thank you for all the wonderful flavors and countless cherished moments!“
“Unassuming location but good food. Salsa was the best part but only one carafe is free and if you have more than a couple people at the table, it’s definitely not enough. Chips were a little old. Good lunch menu prices and variety with fresh tortillas. Chicken was well seasoned but would have liked more spice in all of our dishes. Service definitely left something to be desired.“
“Here at K-38 Oleander, the experience at the bar is truly exceptional. The talented bartenders not only craft amazing cocktails but also serve delicious food right at the bar. The combination of delectable dishes and expertly mixed drinks creates a unique and unforgettable dining experience. A must-visit for those looking to enjoy fantastic food and drinks in a lively and inviting atmosphere.“
“Left the dentist office and saw this restaurant. Decided that is where I’m getting my lunch. Walked in and was greeted by a lady that was polite and she spoke English which was even better. I ordered the Steak Torta to go. Took about 10-12 minutes. When I got back to work I Kilt that sandwich because it was so FIRE! I am definitely coming back to try other dishes.“
“A Wilmington Staple!! Just like the sign says "Hot, Fast, Cheap and Easy". Great place for families and more affordable than ANY other tex-mex place around. Great place for larger parties, families and they have a separate room for birthday parties! Burritos are always served fresh and almost always over stuffed. No skimping here! The churkeychanga around Thanksgiving is a must try.. it is a Thanksgiving dinner in a burrito. The crew is SO VERY AWESOME a whole separate reason to go there beside the food!“
“The place, if I recall it was a bit of a hole in the wall. I went with two other white guys and we were the only white folk in the joint, I knew we were in the right spot. It seemed pretty authentic..the food was great. My friends were hesitant, but glad we ate there.“
“This was our first time at this restaurant. Best meal we’ve had since moving here.The fish in my burrito was so fresh and the other ingredients did not overpower the fish. My boyfriend had the tuna roll and it was awesome. The tuna was cooked perfectly!!Our waitress, Ashley, was friendly, attentive and very nice.Our new favorite restaurant!!“
“We love this place for Mexican food and don't go anywhere else! The staff is so professional and kind here! Whenever we crave Mexican, we head to this little gem and place our order to go and then head over to the little bar for a "clean Margarita" to sip on while we wait. The gal who makes our drinks makes them PERFECT! Just Silver Patron, lime juice and triple Sec made to absolute perfection. They will even offer chips and salsa while we wait! When we head home to eat, we always have plenty of leftovers that somehow taste just as delicious reheated the next day. Highly recommend La Costa over all other authentic Mexican restaurants in town!“
“We were visiting from out of town and this place was recommended to us by relatives. We arrived hungry and looking forward to the diverse menu. Our group ranged from the timid to me who loves authentic options. Whether it was a dish with basic grilled chicken or my beef tripe tacos, we all loved the food. The service was friendly and the price was reasonable. I highly recommend this great local option!“
“(Translated by Google) LOVED IT! So many options for lunch and dinner. They serve great egg dishes for breakfast too. We had flautas, chicharrones, yuca, empanadas, pupusas, so much food! We liked the lunch dishes: flautas, chicharrones, yuca, empanadas and more! For breakfast they have egg dishes too!?(Original)LOVED IT! So many options for lunch and dinner. They serve great egg dishes for breakfast too. We had flautas, chicharrones, yuca, empanadas, pupusas, so much food! Nos gustaron los platos del lonche: las flautas, los chicharrones, la yuca, las empanadas y mas! ¡Para el desayuno tienen platillos rices de huevo también!?“
“Best Mexican food in North Carolina and Wilmington!!! Highly recommended you go eat there for the Hispanic culture there. The food is awesome and delicious especially the tacos and chulipas and shrimp chimichangas meal is the best there!! The chips and dip are on point the churricaso is the best you can get in Wilmington it's so flavorful and mouth warming! The queso is super good with guacamole it's so tasty and delicious. The drinks are so good!! Highly recommended to EAT HERE!!!!Parking: Best parking ever“
“2nd time and just as good as the first. great service, food served Hot and flavors are terrific. definitely recommend chrck them out.Parking: plenty of parking out front. not super busy when we went.Wheelchair accessibility: easy access and plenty of room to navigate in the dining area“
“Just want to say Thank you for a Wonderful evening. We had a Retirement/Birthday Party for 4 of our friend from work and they were able to put 19 of us at the same table. Where they set us up, we had plenty of room to walk around table to talk to others.Our waitress Sol, did an Outstanding job waiting on us! She was patient, kind and quickly took care of all of our request. All of our Food was delivered to our table at same time allowing us to all eat together. The food was hot, delicious and you definitely received plenty of food. So again, a huge Thank you for helping us to celebrate our Friendship together.Parking: Plentiful parking spots“
“I would give 10-stars if I could. I ordered to-go for the first time last weekend and told myself, "If they give me a burrito in foil then this place is legit." Sure enough I got a massive two-hand-necessary size burrito. The Californian in me is very happy.“
“First of all, it was very clean. Easy menu to pick from. Quick service. Not sire what I expect to see, but it was all very good. We ate outside. My daughter tells me that it gets super busy because of the after 5pm deal. Line out the door! When I go back to Wilmington, I'll be going back for more tacos.“
“This warm embracing atmosphere still continues to delight the senses! The fresh flavor and varieties of fare offered more than satisfy the palate. Their exceptional service is timely, pleasant, and welcoming. Price point is on target and we look forward to enjoying our casual evening dining for many more times to come! Thank you for such an enjoyable evening.“
“Quick review because we took our food to go at the end of a long day. Not a touristy place; this is where locals go for grub. My Chuleta de Puerco Asada was served with white rice, refried beans, pico de gallo, freshly made corn tortillas and a roasted jalapeño. So delicious. My DH got a recommendation from the server and actually had no idea what he was eating. What he wolfed down was Tajadas con carne molida, a dish made with ground beef and fried green plantains, served with cabbage salad and pico de gallo. Great place“
“Service was amazing! I had pollo guisado as my entree and it was amazing, tastes like a meal from my mother-in-law’s kitchen! Also had a side of pupusas, and they were (without a doubt) the best pupusas that I’ve ever had! Also, the music was on point (especially if you like bachata)!“
“I'm from California and I am still getting used to Burritos in North Carolina that aren't rolled up and sealed at both ends, but I'll get there. Their burritos are delicious and it comes with beans/salad or rice on the side, depending on the dish you choose. All good.“
“We've been meaning to try this place, but there's always a bunch of people waiting outside. Thankfully, it wasn't a long wait today, and it was so worth it. Everything we ordered was delicious! (We forgot to snap a pic before we started eating.) We'll absolutely be going back.“