10 Mexican Restaurants In Little Rock, Arkansas

1. El Porton Mexican Restaurant

If you ever visit an old colonial hacienda, you would have to knock to the “el porton”, the large wooden door. El Porton prides itself in serving real Mexican food and thus all of the staff in the kitchen is Mexican and tries to follow the traditional recipes, avoiding any Tex-Mex twists. The dips are fresh and made every day. On the main dishes, one can discriminate every single ingredient. And the spicy mango margaritas that come in the end are simply exceptional!

El Porton Mexican Restaurant

Address: 12111 W Markham St Ste 450 Little Rock, AR 72211

Website: El Porton Mexican Restaurant

Hours: 11am - 10:30pm

2. Riviera Maya

Riviera Maya is dominating in Arkansas, since it has two restaurants, in Benton and Little Rock. The kitchen is authentic Mexican and the menu changes often, although some classics remain. The locals prefer Riviera Maya for its large portions, the tasty fajitas and the great quality and big quantity of side dishes on the plate.

Riviera Maya

Address: 801 Fair Park Blvd Little Rock, AR 72204

Website: Riviera Maya

Hours: Sunday to Friday: 11am - 10pm; Saturday: 11am - 10:30pm

3. Cotija's

The Alvarez family has been in the restaurant business since 1988 and in the last years, with the Cotija’s Mexican Grill has firmly established its position in downtown Little Rock. The restaurant is open from early in the morning for breakfast but the main event is when lunch starts. Tiger Roar and Steak Hibachi are signature dishes preferred by the majority of the customers, but when in Cotija’s, try not to ignore the fajitas!

Cotija’s

Address: 406 Louisiana St, Little Rock, AR 72201

Website: Cotija’s

Hours: Monday - Friday: 11am - 2pm

4. La Hacienda

In a recently remodeled and renovated space, La Hacienda, in business since 1996, keeps serving authentic Mexican recipes with fresh ingredients. The handmade tortillas are a must and need to be tasted with the white dip. This family establishment has kept the same ambiance and employees for quite a few years and in that way, managed to become a common place for locals. But the secret doesn’t lie only in the great atmosphere and the friendly staff. The herb mix used for the salads, the selection of ingredients, plus the precious “mama’s secrets” for the salsa verde and the seasoning of meat are what make the foundation of the relationship with the community so strong.

La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant

Address: 3024 Cantrell Rd, Little Rock, AR 72202

Website: La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant

Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 11am - 9pm; Friday - Saturday: 11am - 10pm; Sunday: 5pm - 9pm

5. On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina

Three friends opened the first “On the Border Grill” back in 1982 in Dallas, Texas, and after becoming such a hit, they moved, several years later, to Little Rock, to spread their ideas about a border-style, Mexican-American menu. One of the most significant dishes is the chicken tortilla soup and the really spicy, stuffed jalapenos. The bar serves a wide variety of twisted cocktails that are often offered as Happy Hour specials. The friendly vibe is also passed on to the very polite staff, making the experience even more personalized.

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina

Address: 11721 Chenal Pkwy Little Rock, AR 72211

Website: On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina

Hours: 11am - 10pm (daily)

6. Baja Grill

Right next to Forrest Park, in the western part of Little Rock, you may find Baja Grill, in a part of town that is flourishing and with other up-and-coming businesses around. With a casual vibe, but sticking to the quality, this Mexican Grill restaurant has created quite a fan base. Baja pork and honey chipotle are to die for, but the Blackened shrimp taco is also absolutely delicious. The frozen margaritas, with blood orange or mango, are always welcome to reduce the heat from the spices.

Baja Grill

Address: 5923 Kavanaugh Blvd, Little Rock, AR 72207

Website: Baja Grill

Hours: Monday - Thursday: 11am - 9pm; Friday - Saturday: 11am - 10pm

7. Local Lime

Local Lime is the real catch. Offering a combination of Mexican street food, with Latin American flavors and fused with Tex-Mex ideas, make the menu unique. The same thorough research and procedure is followed as well for the handcrafted cocktails that join the menu and complete the tasty experience. In addition to all this, the patio is very beautiful and this whole laid-back atmosphere mesmerizes the customers to come back and back again.

Local lime

Address: 17815 Chenal Pkwy, Ste F-105, Little Rock, AR 72223

Website: Local lime

Hours: Monday - Thursday: 11am - 9pm; Friday - Sunday: 11am - 10pm

8. Chano's Mexican Grill

Passion for cooking is clear in all plates in Chano’s Mexican Grill. But not only that; the restaurant is really beautiful. The staff is really friendly, the service is fast but not hasty. The drinks are always tasty and strong to accompany the various types of meat or fish tacos. The mole is the crown jewel of the chef and offered even when not ordered.

Chano's Mexican Grill

Address: 400 North Bowman Rd, Little Rock, AR 72211

Website: Chano’s Mexican Grill

Hours: Sunday - Thursday: 9am - 9pm; Friday - Saturday: 9am - 10pm

9. Casa Manana

Casa Manana operates in the three different locations in Little Rock and offers to its clients, authentic Mexican Cuisine (and not Mexican food). Plates like the Pollo al queso, a customer’s favorite, are the bare example. Not to mention the traditionally made tortilla chips, which make them stand out in comparison to others. Casa Mañana is one of the very best values in the Little Rock restaurant market; superlative ambiance, graciously unpretentious attitudes, dynamic flavors, and gracious service, also available for home delivery!

Casa Manana

Address: 6820 Cantrell Rd, Little Rock, AR 72207

Website: Casa Manana

Hours: Monday - Friday: 10am - 10pm; Saturday: 9am - 10pm; Sunday: 9am - 9pm

10. Cantina Laredo

There is more than one type of Mexican food, and Cantina Laredo offers plates inspired by the cuisine of Mexico City, with a twist. In the menu, you may find signature sauces such as chipotle-wine sauce with Portobello mushrooms, or sautéed artichoke hear with roasted bell pepper. The staff is friendly and particularly enjoys the live music on Thursday nights. A truly sophisticated spin of the Mexican food, don’t miss the carne asada, the pomblano, and the Mexican apple pie!

Cantina Laredo

Address: 207 N University Ave, Ste 130, Little Rock, AR 72205

Website: Cantina Laredo

Hours: Sunday to Thursday: 11am - 10pm; Friday - Saturday: 11am - 11pm

Spicing up Little Rock

In this crossroad between the South and Central states, Little Rock has seen significant growth in the restaurant business. The popular Mexican places are being multiplied and they are spicing up the palettes of the locals.