Which Bay Area Mexican Restaurants Deserve Your Business?

Despite the rampant Americanization of Mexican cuisine, the Bay Area is home to countless Mexican restaurants touted for their culinary masterpieces and cultural accuracy. Yet, mega-chains like Taco Bell, Pollo Loco, and Chipotle  overshadow the reputations of smaller, independent cantinas. In an attempt to elevate some of these lesser known businesses, I visited three such establishments: Los Panchos, Tacos Walnut Creek, and Taqueria Extra. 

While dining, I assessed each establishment according to the taste, cultural authenticity, presentation, and overall experience of the following dishes: beef tacos, chicken enchiladas, and tortilla chips with salsa. 

Los Panchos—480 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Danville, CA 94526

Upon entering this restaurant I was greeted with a pleasant, casual ambience, Mexican flags and art pieces decorating joyful yellow walls. Seating was abundant, and after I located a table I quickly perused the menu. Some items verged on the expensive side; for example, they charged $6 for a cheese quesadilla. After ordering (keep in mind that I had just ordered a single taco, enchilada, and some chips), it took about 35 to 40 minutes for my food to arrive. 

I first received the chips with mild salsa. The salsa was watery and not blended particularly well; large chunks of tomato floated within. The chips were bland—neither amazing nor terrible. Accompanied with the salsa, the chips tasted better, but even then, the salsa lacked flavor. The beef taco was topped with enormous amounts of cheese and lettuce and, despite the fact that I ordered a soft taco, the tortilla was rather hard. The taste of the taco was also bland, unlike central Mexican tacos, which are typically packed with flavor. Lastly, the enchilada was unremarkable. It did, however, have great texture even when doused in sauce and maintained structural integrity while being cut. 

The Verdict: If you enjoy your meals overloaded with cheese, dine here. 

Tacos Walnut Creek—1690 Locust St, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

This restaurant’s physical space is utterly beautiful, with large windows and a spacious, bright interior. I was also awestruck by the establishment’s expansive menu—a large list of food options was printed on the back wall. The ordering process was streamlined, taking just two minutes. I received my food in less than seven. 

The tortilla chips and salsa were self-service. Even the mild salsa was notably spicy, which breathed character into the appetizer. The salsa was also tinged with a striking sweet flavor, and blended thoroughly enough to the point where minimal chunks of tomato or onion were visible. The tortilla chips themselves were somewhat thick and had a nice crunch, which lended them the optimal structural integrity for salsa dipping. The enchilada, on the other hand, while large in size, lacked such structural integrity. Doused in a fairly watery sauce, it fell apart immediately after I began to cut it. A strange bitter taste was also present within the enchilada. Both the tacos and the enchilada contained meat that was rather dry and chewy. The tacos were slightly spicy, which granted the food greater cultural authenticity, as many–if not most–tacos eaten in Mexico include some degree of spice. 

The Verdict: If you want to enjoy a meal within a skillfully decorated and authentic Mexican restaurant, look no further. 

Taqueria Extra—1653 Mt Diablo Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

My first impression of this restaurant was its small size—it had only a few tables, all indoors. But in my opinion, this only contributes to the ambiance of cozy relaxation and casual enjoyment. The food was cheap, and I was able to order all three components of my meal (taco, enchilada, and chips and salsa) for under $8. 

The chips and salsa, as in the previous restaurant, were self-service. I found the chips crispier and saltier than others I had tasted. The chips alone, even without any salsa, made for a delectable appetizer. The mild salsa was very mild, without a hint of spice. But what the salsa lacked in spice it made up for in flavor; it burst with sweet tomatoey goodness blended to the perfect consistency. 

The taco came on an open tortilla (though it was unclear whether this unfolded presentation was intentional). There were two tortillas per taco, as is customary in many restaurants within Mexico, and the ratio of beef to cilantro in the taco was spot-on. With no single flavor overpowering the others, a beautiful balance was struck between the bitter cilantro and the savory meat. The enchilada had a similarly enjoyable flavor, with thick and spicy sauce blanketing the entire dish. The presentation of this dish appeared elegant, with cheese elaborately organized atop the enchilada. My only complaint is that it was too small, and I consumed the entire dish before I could truly register how delicious it was. 

The Verdict: If you're seeking a quaint restaurant which does not fail to provide superb service and food, Taqueria Extra is the place to go. 

Under interrogation, I would admit that Taqueria Extra was the best according to my evaluation methodology, but I still see how the other establishments could be favored more by diners with preferences different than my own. If you’re keen on learning more about Mexican cuisine, I’d urge you not to limit yourself to specific restaurants; instead, grant yourself the liberty to approach the Mexican kitchen from a variety of angles.