You may have heard that there aren’t many Mexican restaurants in Portland. This might be true, but the paucity in the number of Mexican restaurants is met with fine quality of the food available at the few existing Mexican eateries around here. In Portland, restaurants serve traditional Mexican dishes while many chefs have also added a twist to the old recipes. You’ll find dishes that will remind you of home and even unique ones that you’ve never tasted before! We have listed for you various restaurants offering authentic Mexican cuisine in Portland. With this list, you’ll find the one that fits your need of the moment. So if you are going on a dinner date, celebrating with a group of friends or simply indulging yourself, check out our recommended eateries. Keep on reading to know more about the best Mexican restaurants in Portland, Maine.
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1. Restaurante El Corazon
Starting as a humble food truck in 2013, Restaurante El Corazon has come a long way. It opened its first restaurant in 2017! Located in a less crowded part of the downtown, you’ll have greater chances of finding a place to park and can even avoid a long waiting time. As you chow down on your green chili enchiladas, you’ll enjoy the Mexican touch in the restaurant’s decor with cute light strings. It’s a place fit for a night out with friends while enjoying spectacular dishes such as their much-talked-about Pollo en mole. They also have a full alcohol bar to serve you margaritas all night!
Restaurante El Corazon
Address: 190 State St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Restaurante El Corazon
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 11pm; Sun: 9am - 9pm
2. El Rayo Taqueria
Upon arriving at El Rayo Taqueria, you’ll be greeted by bright and colorful surroundings! The restaurant exudes a casual and easy atmosphere with an order-at-the-counter setting that serves you efficiently. Since its a small space, it can really get crowded during the busy times of the day so try to avoid those hours. El Rayo Taqueria has stores in Old Port and in Scarborough. You can drop by both of them, but the Scarborough spot seems to be the more popular one, based on local reviews. Overall, El Rayo’s is the perfect joint to order a burrito, a tall glass of beer and enjoy the good energy to complement your cheerful mood.
El Rayo Taqueria
Address: 26 Free St, Portland, ME, 04101
Website: El Rayo Taqueria
Opening hours: 7am - 9pm (daily)
3. Chipotle Mexican Grill
Looking forward to grabbing lunch quickly? Chipotle is the place! Serving the residents of Portland from three locations, Chipotle Mexican Grill is your go-to joint for large burrito cravings at a reasonable price. Don’t be surprised if there’s a line for orders once you arrive at the Maine Mall location; except that it moves swiftly and efficiently! They have various locations across different cities. Just within Portland, they have one around West Bayside and one in Maine Mall Road. According to the feedback from diners, you might get a better chance of a quick and excellent service at the West Bayside counter.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Address: 359 Maine Mall Rd, South Portland, ME 04106
Website: Chipotle Mexican Grill
Opening hours: 10:45am - 10pm (daily)
4. Guerrero Maya Mexican Restaurant
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
It’s not easy to find great Mexican cuisine around South Portland. Though you must check out Guerrero Maya. Behind the simple decor, exceptional food awaits! Guerrero gives the friendliest service to its diners. You’ll find the servers well informed about the food they serve. The place doesn’t get too crowded, so you’ll enjoy a peaceful dining experience even when you bring a large group. For lovers of seafood and Mexican cuisine, it’s your lucky day! The ceviche is a popular starter among patrons. If you’re on a date with someone special, you must try their especially large margaritas that are meant for sharing. Sweet!
Guerrero Maya Mexican Restaurant
Address: 449 Westbrook St, South Portland, ME 04106
Website: Guerrero Maya
Opening hours: 11am - 10pm (daily)
5. Taco Trio
PORK IN TOMATO SALSA TACOS that's what it's all about this week amigos! Come give these tasty tacos some love! . . . #tacotriosopo #sopomaine #hechoamano #tacolove
Posted by Taco Trio on Wednesday, 26 June 2019
Casual and quick dining that doesn’t taste like fast food? Say no more! Visit Taco Trio today. Taco Trio takes pride in using only fresh ingredients in their food preparation. They also serve various dishes that come from different regions in Mexico. Their menu includes vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options to accommodate everyone. Chefs choose the weekly specials each week and you can check out their menu online to see if they have got your favorites this week. This taqueria is quite popular, so prepare to find yourself waiting for a seat. Why else would a large number of people be coming back for those dishes? It’s because the food is worth the wait!
Taco Trio
Address: 119 Ocean St, South Portland, ME 04106
Website: Taco Trio
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11am - 9pm (closed on Sun)
6. Terlingua
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
From its opening in the summer of 2015, this new diner has already made a name for itself. Terlingua serves a unique combination of Caribbean, Southwest and Mexican cuisine. Doesn’t that sound like a heavenly mix of fine food? If you want their barbecue for dinner, you may need to arrive early because their smoked barbecue sells out daily. That’s a hit! Some diners aren’t happy about the portion size, but they can’t deny the great flavor being served here. On Sundays at 5 pm, they hold a Neighborhood Night event where you can get weekly specials and lower price offers.
Terlingua
Address: 52 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Terlingua
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7am - 10pm; Sat: 9am - 10pm; Sun: 10am - 9pm
7. Margaritas Mexican Restaurant
The name says it: Margaritas serves great drinks. Frozen margaritas are a crowd favorite! Mexican Restaurant has four locations in Maine and several more in different states. This one in Portland provides a laidback ambiance with a cozy dining area. If you’re in to make friends and have a good time, the lounge area lets you have a friendly chatter while you munch on tacos. Whether in dining or parking space, they can accommodate many. Each week, they bring fun twists to the crowd like the Happy Hour, Trivia Night with amazing prizes, Healthcare Night with special offers for healthcare workers and, of course, Taco Tuesday.
Margaritas Mexican Restaurant
Address: 242 St. John Street, Portland, Maine 04102
Website: Margaritas Mexican Restaurant
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 3pm - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 12am; Sun: 11:30am - 11pm
8. Tortilla Flat
Weekend Special: blackened shrimp & jalapeno fajita!
Posted by Tortilla Flat Portland on Friday, 22 June 2018
Tortilla Flat has been serving dishes from special family recipes using homemade and fresh ingredients for more than 40 years. It could be one of the oldest Mexican hubs in Portland that has stood the test of time. While the quality of service varies according to diners, they offer consistently good drinks and generous meal portions. It’s the perfect spot to grab tacos at lunch with co-workers while watching news or games. The bar is also the best place to sip on infused tequilas during the evening. Catch their Margarita Mondays, Happy Hours and other weekly specials on their website.
Tortilla Flat
Address: 1871 Forest Ave, Portland, ME 04103
Website: Tortilla Flat
Opening hours: Mon: 11:30am - 9pm; Tue - Sat: 11:30am - 10pm; Sun: 12pm - 9pm
9. Chili's Grill & Bar
It takes efficient and quick service to serve lunch break diners, and Chili’s Grill & Bar can give you both. Here, you’ll have a hard time choosing between the tacos, chicken crispers or smokehouse combos. Chili’s also serves amazing desserts! You’ll enjoy their molten chocolate cake or chocolate chip cookie. Whether it’s your lunch break, family dinner or rare celebration, Chili’s can handle the grill. They also have a rewards program that can get you some freebies if you’ll become a frequent diner.
Chili's Grill & Bar
Address: 465 Maine Mall Rd, South Portland, ME 04106
Website: Chili’s Grill & Bar
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 12nn; Sun: 11am - 11pm
10. Taco Escobarr
This list ends with the most popular and well-rated Mexican restaurant in Portland, Taco Escobarr. Festive and well-decorated surroundings will greet you before the restaurant amazes you with the food. For many locals, the go-to answer to a taco craving is Taco Escobarr. They serve cuisine that deviates from traditional Mexican food, and that makes them unique. The only recurring problem is the long waiting time for a seat, but it only means that people are coming back for the excellent dishes and business is booming! If you arrive here under fair weather, you can choose to be seated outside.
Taco Escobarr
Address: 548 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Taco Escobarr
Opening hours: 11am - 1am (daily)
Enjoy Mexican dishes in Portland
Who can say no to Taco Tuesday invites? No one! Invite your friends and take them to any one of these Mexican restaurants in Portland. You might find your next favorite get-together spot!
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