Mercado Central is an indoor market that hosts a variety of restaurants, services, and shops. Here you can get a haircut, get your taxes done, and eat some of the best Hispanic food in the Twin Cities, especially Mexican food. Find a wide variety of Mexican classics, like tacos topped with cilantro and onion, tortas filled with juicy meats and veggies, home-style dishes, sweet aguas frescas made with fresh fruit, and tasty desserts. 

Eat some street favorites like sopes, quesadillas, gorditas, and crispy corn empanadas stuffed with different meat options.

Pick up sweet or savory tamales accompanied with a warm atole drink (like a hot chocolate). You can order pork, chicken, and Oaxacan-style tamales.

If you’re looking for something heartwarming or to break a stuffy nose, try La Perla’s pozole, a stew with hominy and chicken with toppings. There’s nothing more Mexican than eating boiling soup on a 90-degree day.  Don’t forget to pick up a topo chico, freshly-made juice, or some pan dulce on your way out.

One of the few spots listed in this article that is open late. Stop here after a night out and be sure to try their signature tacos al pastor, marinated and crispy pork cooked on a hot spit. Alambres are served on a bed of corn tortillas topped with grilled meat, bell peppers, onions, salsa, and melted oaxaca cheese. 

Sonora Grill is not your traditional spot. Located in the Longfellow neighborhood, chef and founder Conrado Badilla Paredes serves modern Mexican food with a fine-dining pedigree. Head there for a killer happy hour offering margaritas, chips with salsas, empanadas, and a great variety of tacos. 

Not only does La Alborada grocery store offer a wide variety of grocery options including an impressive butcher, but it also has a sit-down restaurant and deli. At the restaurant, find Mexican classics like tacos, quesadillas, and a lot more. If pressed for time, stop by the deli and pick up tamales, baked goods, salsas, and juicy carnitas. 

La Poblanita is another grocery store and restaurant mix. It is one of the few places in the Twin Cities where you can get fresh masa for tortillas or tamales. Stop by there during lunch to try one of their guisados, which are home-cooked dishes that usually involve meat or veggies cooked in a variety of sauces.