Mexico is known for its spicy food exuding the flavour and the heat of green chilli. Las Cruces city in New Mexico is especially known for its culinary charm. It serves some of the best Mexican food in some of the best Mexican restaurants that are located here, apart from several other restaurants serving cuisines from all over the world, including Greek, Lebanese and Asian. Mexican food will contain cheese, meat, some vegetables and a lot of chilli (green and red) and salsas smothered onto the filling that goes inside a wrap (tortilla) made from potato starch, flour or corn. If you like your food spicy then you are going to enjoy the food that they serve here. Listed below are 10 of the best Mexican restaurants in Las Cruces that you should look out.
1. La Nueva Casita Café
An amazing restaurant that will not burn your pocket and yet serve you mouth-watering and amazing Mexican dishes. This cafe is situated in the Mesquite District along the Camino Real Route. The café adorns beautiful and exquisite murals on the outside walls that are sure to attract you, and their food is extremely good. You must try the chile rellenos that they make and everything else is quite flavourful and worth every penny you will shed.
La Nueva Casita Café
Address: 195 N Mesquite St, Las Cruces, NM 88001, USA
Website: La Nueva Casita Café
Opening hours: Tue - Sat 8 am - 8:30 pm, Sun & Mon 8 am - 3 pm
Average price for two people: Below 10 USD
2. Chachi's Restaurant
Chachi’s fiesta platter is a must-try for hungry souls. It serves beef and chicken fajitas, carnitas, half rack of pork ribs, four shrimps wrapped in bacon and a grilled Quail served over grilled onions. Four people can easily enjoy this platter. The ones who are really fond of seafood must try the Friday and Saturday special menu. Apart from all these exotic dishes you will also readily find amazing tacos, enchiladas, burritos, tostadas and tamales. Don’t forget to try Chachi’s maragritas to compliment the dishes. Outdoor seating is available here.
Chachi's Restaurant
Address: 2460 S Locust St A, Las Cruces, NM 88001, USA
Website: Chachi’s Restaurant
Opening hours: 8 am - 8 pm, Sunday closed
Average price for two people: below 10 USD
3. Chilitos Restaurant
The salsas of Chilitos are one of a kind and can, in fact, be termed as the best in town. You can buy jars of these delicious salsas to take home. The enchiladas, the chilli queso and every basic Mexican dish are available in the menu. The price at which you get these dishes is the best point of eating here. They have a wide variety of beer and wine apart from the large margaritas. The atmosphere is pretty nice and the service is quick. Outdoor seating is also available here.
Chilitos Restaurant
Address: 2405 S Valley Dr, Las Cruces, NM 88005, USA
Website: Chilitos Restaurant
Opening hours: Mon & Tue 8 am - 8 pm, Wed-Sat 8 am - 9 pm, Sunday closed
Average price for two people: Below 10 USD
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4. Si Señor Restaurant
The staff is very friendly and the food, as well as its quantity, is phenomenal. The decor is minimal and yet very aesthetic. Fridays and Saturdays can be packed, so go early to find occupancy or reserve your table from beforehand. It is a great place for both non-vegetarians and vegetarians alike. They serve chilled beer and an exquisite beverage called the Raspberry iced tea. The taco platter, sopapillas, grilled chicken and carnitas are a must try.
Si Señor Restaurant
Address: 1551 E Amador Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88001, USA
Website: Si Señor Restaurant
Opening hours: Sun - Thu 10:30 am - 8:30 pm, Fri & Sat 10:30 am - 9:30 pm
Average price for two: 11 - 30 USD
5. Habanero's Fresh Mex
The service is on point and so is the food. They welcome you with a welcome soup. The building has recently been renovated and their patio looks fantastic. Vegetarians will have plenty of options to choose from the menu. The breakfast menu is quite famous here too. The dishes are also reasonably priced and the portions are quite large. It’s a good place to eat with family and friends. The fish tacos and fajitas are a must try. The best part about the food here is that there is no animal fat or butter that goes in.
Habanero's Fresh Mex
Address: 600 E Amador Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88001, USA
Website: Habanero’s Fresh Mex
Opening hours: Mon - Thu 11 am - 8 pm, Fri 11 am - 9 pm, Sat 8 am - 9 pm
Average price for two: Below 10 USD
6. Los Mariachis Restaurant
The restaurant serves authentic Mexican food. The ingredients are fresh and extremely flavourful. The quesadilla and the guacamoles are worth the try. The ambience and the decor is fun and cheerful and a great place to gather with family and kids. The place can be quite lively, owing to its bar and huge seating area. You’ll also have live music playing from around 8 pm in the evening, which will carry on till about 12 in the night. The prices are quite reasonable for the food and the atmosphere you experience.
Los Mariachis Restaurant
Address: 754 N Motel Blvd, Las Cruces, NM 88007, USA
Website: Los Mariachis Restaurant
Opening hours: Mon - Sat 8 am - 9 pm, Sun 8 am - 3 pm
Average price for two people: 11 - 30 USD
7. Andele's Dog House
Here the green chilli chicken enchiladas are a must try. They also have outdoor seating, which is pretty chilled out and fun. Why is it called what it is called? It is a dog-friendly restaurant. You don’t leave your pets at home when going out. Since it is a family outing, they must come along too right? The salsas are delicious and spicy to go along with the chips. The chile relleno, enchiladas and tacos are great dishes to try out here apart from the green chilli chicken enchiladas.
Andele's Dog House
Address: 1983 Calle Del Norte, Las Cruces, NM 88005, USA
Website: Andele’s Dog House
Opening hours: Tue - Sun 8 am - 9 pm, Mon 8 am - 2:30 pm
Average price for two people: 11 - 30 USD
8. Nopalito Restaurant
The margaritas, sangria, hand-pressed tortillas, enchiladas, topos, quesadillas and the beef empanada are must tries. You will also find a number of fruit drinks and horchatas to accompany and compliment your spicy Mexican meals. They also have a range of breakfast items to try out. There’s is basically a modern rendition of conventional Mexican cuisine. They even have a different version of nachos. A bit pricey as a restaurant but the quality and the quantity of the food makes up for it.
Nopalito Restaurant
Address: 2605 Missouri Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88011, USA
Website: Nopalito Restaurant
Opening hours: 9 am - 8:30 pm
Average price for two people: Below 10 USD
9. Mesilla Valley Kitchen
Editor’s note: Establishment is Permanently closed.
The service is good and the staff is quite attentive. They have a range of sandwiches to choose from. If you are a dessert person then you are definitely going to enjoy their pecan pancakes and the huge cinnamon rolls. Both the green and red chilli dishes are amazing. Try their breakfast burritos. This place is mainly known for its breakfast spread and serves a large variety of breakfast dishes.
Mesilla Valley Kitchen
Address: 2001 E Lohman Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88001, USA
Website: Mesilla Valley Kitchen
Opening hours: Mon - Sat 6 am - 1:30 pm, Sun 7 am - 1:30 pm
Average price for two: Below 10 USD
10. El Jacalito Restaurant
The portions are great and compared to the portions the prices are meagre. You are really going to enjoy the Mexican dishes here. They are authentic and made with flavourful and fresh ingredients. The decor is pretty simple and cute and the staff is quite friendly. They have Mexican music playing in the background to set the mood for romantic dining out. The service too is prompt. The menu is in Spanish, which is fun to read but is not difficult to figure even if you don’t speak Spanish. The salsas here are delicious.
El Jacalito Restaurant
Address: 2215 Missouri Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88001, USA
Website: El Jacalito Restaurant
Opening hours: 7:30 am - 7 pm
Average price for two people: Below 10 USD
Experience a joyful ride to spice heaven
Enjoy the classic Mexican salsas smeared in all their dishes. Las Cruces, known for its Mexican restaurants, is a great place for you to try authentic Mexican cuisine.