Best Mexican Restaurants in Highland Park
16 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Burritos La Palma
Michelin-recognized Zacatecan mini burritos built on flawless handmade tortillas.
Notable Picks
8.9
Inside La Tropicana Market, Burritos La Palma serves Zacatecas-style mini burritos wrapped in ultra-buttery handmade flour tortillas. The birria de res and bean-and-cheese combinations draw everyone from neighborhood regulars to Michelin-chasing burrito hunters.
Must-Try Dishes:
Birria de Res Burrito, Frijoles y Queso Burrito, Con Todo Burrito (Birria, Beans & Cheese)
What Makes it Special: Michelin-recognized Zacatecan mini burritos built on flawless handmade tortillas.
8.9
Chef Victor Villa’s Highland Park flagship turns handmade blue-corn tortillas into overloaded tacos layered with grilled meats, melted cheese, and bright salsas that regulars line up for. Recognized with a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand, it blends street-taco roots with destination-level execution while still feeling very neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Blue corn carne asada taco, Queso taco with asada or al pastor, Papa con chorizo taco
What Makes it Special: Hand-pressed blue corn tortillas with MICHELIN-recognized toppings.
#3
Nativo
8.8
Nativo is a modern agave-focused cantina where chef-driven Mexican plates meet one of Highland Park’s strongest cocktail programs, with owners Gabriel Paredes and Corissa Hernandez steering the vision. Weekday happy hour brings discounted tacos, snacks, and signature drinks, making the back patio and bar a go-to early-evening hangout for locals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mole-covered tater tots, Street-style taco trio (tinga, mole verde, barbacoa), Cucurrucu mezcal cocktail
What Makes it Special: Cocktail-bar energy with serious regional Mexican cooking and agave.
8.5
El Huarache Azteca has been serving Highland Park for more than two decades with Mexico City–style huaraches, chilaquiles, and an impressive menu of everyday Mexican staples. The space is humble and often packed, but the consistently crisp-edged huaraches, hefty burritos, and everyday pricing make it a go-to casual happy-hour-time stop for locals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Super Huarache with red and green salsa, Chilaquiles rojos con carne, Burrito mojado
What Makes it Special: Beloved huarache specialist with big portions and everyday prices.
8.4
Family-run by the Sapien family for over 40 years, La Fuente is an old-school Highland Park staple for combo-plate comfort Mexican, big breakfasts, and frosty bebidas. Locals slide in after work for enchiladas, burritos, and beers at prices that still feel fair given the generous portions and long community history.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chilaquiles rojos with eggs, La Fuente steak plate, Taquitos con guacamole
What Makes it Special: Decades-old, family-run spot serving classic Mexican plates all day.
8.3
El Pescador is a long-running Mexican marisquería where towering molcajetes, ceviches, and whole-fish platters anchor a full bar with beer and cocktail happy hour specials. With TVs tuned to sports, big booths, and hearty portions, it’s a dependable early-evening meetup for groups craving seafood-forward Mexican plates and margaritas.
Must-Try Dishes:
Molcajete Double with mixed seafood and meats, Caldo de camarón, Shrimp aguachile
What Makes it Special: Seafood-heavy Mexican menu with true food-and-drink happy hour.
#7
My Taco
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
Opened in 1994 by the Garduño family, My Taco is a counter-service taqueria famous for its lamb barbacoa and hearty Mexico City–style plates. With long hours, fast service, and wallet-friendly pricing, it’s a natural after-work taco and aguas frescas stop before a night out on York.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tacos de barbacoa de borrego, Chicken fajitas plate, Torta My Taco with milanesa and ham
What Makes it Special: Family-run barbacoa specialist with nearly three decades of history.
#8
La Cuevita
8.1
La Cuevita is an Old World-inspired Mexican grotto bar known for its deep tequila and mezcal list, long daily happy hours, and free Tuesday tacos with drink purchase. Dark cave-like interiors, a busy back patio, and strong, affordable cocktails make it one of Highland Park’s liveliest after-work and late-night Mexican-leaning happy hour stops.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cold Gin Thyme & Again cocktail, Irish Mule happy hour cocktail, Free Tuesday tacos with drink purchase
What Makes it Special: Agave-centric bar with long happy hour and cave-like vibe.
8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Family-owned since 1969, Penny’s Burgers is a corner standby for charbroiled burgers, breakfast burritos, and old-school plates that cross between diner and fast food. It’s the kind of place where portions are generous, prices stay modest, and the menu quietly covers both American and Mexican comfort staples.
Must-Try Dishes:
Charbroiled cheeseburger with fries, Breakfast burrito with eggs, bacon, and hash browns, Carne asada fries or plate with rice and beans
What Makes it Special: A 1960s-era neighborhood counter slinging burgers, burritos, and plates all day.
#10
Viva Taco Azteca
8
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Quick Bites Champions
Operating out of a red truck tucked between a 7-Eleven and a car wash, Viva Taco Azteca stays open until midnight or 1am with a menu built for night-shift cravings. Since at least 2016 it’s been serving lengua, al pastor, and hefty two-meat quesadillas to a steady stream of late-night regulars along Figueroa.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor tacos, Two-meat quesadilla (asada and pollo), Carnitas mulita
What Makes it Special: True late-night truck with house-made tortillas, big portions, and steady 12am–1am service.
#11
Tacos Ensenada
8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
This Figueroa outpost of Tacos Ensenada focuses on Baja-style seafood with fish tacos, shrimp burritos, and ceviche tostadas served in a casual, counter-service setting. It’s an easy, affordable way to get crisp, hot pescado tacos without leaving the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Taco de pescado (fish taco), Burrito de camaron (shrimp burrito), Ceviche tostada
What Makes it Special: Baja-style fish tacos and shrimp burritos in a no-frills room.
8
Parked near York and Avenue 53, El Pique Taco Truck is a late-night Highland Park standby for generously stuffed burritos, asada and carnitas tacos, and a cult-favorite red salsa. Open into the early morning hours, it’s a natural spillover happy-hour and post-shift stop when you want fast, flavorful street-style Mexican without leaving the block.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne asada street tacos with red salsa, All-meat carnitas burrito, Chicken quesadilla
What Makes it Special: Cash-only taco truck with legendary red salsa and late hours.
Worthy Picks
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Late Night Legends
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Parked on York Boulevard, this longtime taco truck turns out late-night al pastor, carne asada burritos, and griddled quesadillas that draw a steady line until close. It’s classic, cash-friendly Highland Park street food with reliably fast output.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor tacos, Carne asada burrito, Quesadilla with al pastor
What Makes it Special: Classic York Boulevard taco truck slinging al pastor deep into night.
7.8
Stationed along N Figueroa, El Taco Sabroso Truck is a compact curbside operation known for sturdy tacos, hefty burritos, and a notably spicy red salsa. Regulars treat it as a convenient weeknight and late-dinner option when they want something fast but flavorful.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne asada tacos, Al pastor burrito, Tostadas with extra carne
What Makes it Special: Compact roadside truck prized for bold salsas and hefty burritos.
#15
Taco Fiesta
7.8
A practical Figueroa corridor counter spot that locals use for quick, satisfying taco plates and combo specials. The cooking stays simple and reliable, making it a useful everyday option rather than a destination play.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne asada tacos, Chicken tacos, Chile relleno burrito
What Makes it Special: Reliable neighborhood tacos with strong everyday value.
#16
Jugos Azteca
7.7
Jugos Azteca is a juice shop–taqueria hybrid offering fresh juices, aguas frescas, breakfast burritos, tortas, and Mexican snacks from morning to night. It’s a casual counter spot where locals mix healthy-ish orders with indulgent chile relleno burritos and esquites.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chile relleno breakfast burrito, Torta de milanesa, Esquites cup
What Makes it Special: Colorful juice shop doubling as a Mexican antojitos counter all day.