Whether it’s tacos, burritos or enchiladas, a hole-in-the-wall taqueria or a sit-down fiesta dinner, Calgary loves its Mexican food. The number of choices has definitely grown over the years, but these are my favourite places to hit when I want to satisfy a craving for great Mexican food:
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Best Mexican
AÑEJO
AÑEJO
Fun and lively, AÑEJO is the place for a party, thanks to its contemporary Mexican décor and extensive list of high-end tequilas. There are plenty of tacos on the menu, but even better, Anejo specializes in authentic Mexican entrees like chili relleno, mole chicken, and fish Veracruz.
Blanco Cantina
Blanco Cantina
Blanco Cantina
Blanco Cantina
A casual sports bar/cantina, Blanco Cantina is all about the margaritas and tortillas. The customizable nachos, fish tacos and fajitas are all worth checking out, but the house specialty is the “big ass” burrito, stuffed with anything from BBQ brisket to steak and poutine.
El Charrito Taqueria
There’s nothing fancy about this little family-run spot on Edmonton Trail — the tables are sparse and you have to order at the counter, but the authentic tacos and tamales make it worth a visit. In addition to enticing versions of all the standards, traditional specialties like menudo (a Mexican trip soup) and pozole (hominy stew) are up for grabs on weekends.
Gringo Street
Not strictly Mexican, Gringo Street specializes in Latin street food, which, in addition to tasty Peruvian skewers and ceviche, means over a dozen varieties of tacos. Each taco is an exercise in delicious creativity with fusion combos like Guiness braised short rib, chicken wings with blue cheese and hot sauce, and cauliflower with cheese, as well as firmly Mexican-inspired flavours like roast pork shoulder with mango salsa and crispy pork belly with salsa verde.
Los Chilitos
With both a stand-alone restaurant in the Beltline and a taco stall in the Calgary Farmers’ Market, Los Chilitos offers a couple of different experiences, but either way, you’re getting fresh and flavourful Mexican fare. All the Mexican classics are represented on the taco list (barbacoa, pastor, chorizo) with hearty favourites like chile relleno, burritos and enmoladas rounding out the rest of the menu.
Native Tongues Taqueria
Native Tongues Taqueria
Native Tongues Taqueria
Native Tongues Taqueria
One of Calgary’s most esteemed Mexican restaurants, Native Tongues is part authentic taqueria and part chic foodie hangout. Don’t expect any gloppy cheese burritos or Tex-Mex here — the kitchen is more about large format taco platters built with slow-roasted lamb neck, individual tacos filled with braised brisket or locally cultivated mushrooms, and plates of shrimp and octopus ceviche. The carefully crafted cocktails are also a huge draw, specifically Native Tongues’ signature Mezcalgarita, a smoky take on a classic marg.
Native Tongues Taqueria
Native Tongues Taqueria
Molcajete
Walk too quickly through the Crossroads Market and you’ll miss this non-descript stall, which just happens to serve what may be the tastiest and most authentic tacos in town. The chorizo tacos in particular are not to be missed, but the real superstars at Molcajete are the stall’s homemade sauces and salsas, particularly an intensely addictive creamy cilantro sauce. Be sure to buy a tub to take home — you’ll be putting that stuff on everything.
The Spicy Amigos
The procedure at The Spicy Amigos is simple: step up to the counter, choose a dish (tostadas, quesadillas, tacos, burritos or nachos) and pick which kind of meat you’d like. The kicker is, this otherwise modest restaurant offers nine authentic Mexican meat choices, including lengua (beef tongue), tinga de pollo (shredded chicken in tomatoes), chicharron (fried pork) and al pastor (pork cooked in a pineapple sauce). Everything is incredibly fresh and the service is friendly, making this downtown spot one of Calgary’s hidden gems.
Tres Marias
Tres Marias is actually a Mexican food market located in friendly Marda Loop, but in addition to selling fresh tortillas, salsas, prepared meals and imported grocery items, the shop runs a hot breakfast and lunch counter. There are different specials every day, but look for home-cooked tortilla soup, tamales, enchiladas and other favourites.
Tu Tierra
Mexican cuisine in Calgary doesn’t get more authentic than this — run by a family that immigrated to Calgary from Mexico City, Tu Tierra is your classic friendly sit-down Mexican joint. The food is unlike any you’ll find elsewhere in Calgary: local favourites include the steak and pineapple quesadillas, shrimp burrito, deliciously complex chicken mole enchiladas and the cochinita pibil taco, which is filled with shredded pork marinated in a tangy orange sauce. The biggest problem with this place is simply deciding what to order.
Want to try them all? There’s no shame in having tacos for breakfast, lunch and dinner — that’s what I tell myself at least.
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